The delicate little cabbage was pushed by the old emperor

The next day was a sunny day. Flowers of all colors were in full bloom in the imperial garden, the grass was lush, birds were singing, and the air was filled with fragrant aroma.

The noble ladies attending the banquet were all dressed exquisitely and beautifully. After entering the palace, they were arranged to drink tea and appreciate the flowers here while waiting for the banquet to begin.

Shen Leyan got up early this morning and dressed up, but her outfit today was very fresh and elegant.

Before leaving, Shen's mother reminded her that the palace etiquette was complicated and she had to be extremely careful in her actions.

She seldom attended banquets, so she didn't know many people there, and she sat alone drinking tea.

Afterwards, Zhiyue accompanied him for a walk, and they found a corner with few people and crossed a small path. They saw a swing hanging under an apricot tree, and their eyes lit up.

Shen Leyan sat on it happily, and Zhiyue pushed gently from behind, not daring to use too much force for fear of falling her young lady.

"Hao Zhiyue, higher, higher."

The swing swung high, and Shen Leyan was as happy as a bird on a tree flying into the sky.

As the swing swung, large white apricot petals fell like snowflakes, and a rain of apricot blossoms began to fall.

Shen Leyan reached out to catch a petal, the smile on her lips brighter than the spring flowers.

This scene happened to be seen by Emperor Yong'an who was passing by.

Emperor Yong'an always remembered the scene of the first time he saw her many years later. Her pure smile was as beautiful as a painting.

When Eunuch Baoshun saw the emperor suddenly stop and look at the strange woman in front of him, he immediately had an idea in his mind.

"Your Majesty, the Empress is hosting a Spring Festival banquet today. I believe it is for the daughter of some minister. I will invite her to meet the Emperor."

Emperor Yong'an raised his hand to stop him.

"She's just a playful little girl. Don't scare her."

Baoshun was secretly surprised when he heard this. When had the emperor ever cared about other people's feelings?

As the emperor's personal eunuch, he has served the emperor for so many years and has a certain understanding of his heart.

Coming back to his senses, he smiled flatteringly: "Your Majesty is wise, it is my fault for not thinking carefully!"

"The Spring Banquet prepared by the Empress is in the Yichun Pavilion up ahead. I heard she's even invited singers and dancers from outside the palace to entertain. Would Your Majesty like to go and see it today?"

"Alright."

"Go to Yichun Pavilion."

On the other side, Shen Leyan estimated that the time was almost up, so she got up and took Zhiyue back to where they had just been.

After a while, the young eunuch from the palace came and led them to the Yichun Pavilion where the banquet was held.

There is a high platform in the middle of Yichun Pavilion, where singing, dancing and opera can be arranged for people's entertainment. As long as it is not a particularly formal occasion, general banquets will be held here.

The noble ladies took their seats in turn. The seats were arranged according to their status. The seats for the nobles in the palace were arranged in the front, and their seats were at the back.

The concubines also arrived one after another. They sat in their seats and chatted with the female relatives they knew.

Shen Leyan's seat was in the front middle, and the pavilion gradually became lively.

"The Imperial Concubine has arrived!" a sharp voice came.

The originally noisy pavilion suddenly became quiet, and everyone stood up and saluted.

A group of people came in, surrounding a graceful and elegant woman.

The imperial concubine wore a long red gold carved hairpin on her head, a plum blossom ornament on her forehead, and wore a purple gauze and emerald green pattern skirt with intricate and winding patterns, outlining her graceful figure.

She raised her chin slightly and looked straight ahead.

She sat down on the exclusive chaise longue seat, looked around, and said with a soft smile, "No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, noble concubine."

Less than a cup of tea later, everyone had just sat down when a sharp voice was heard again.

"Your Majesty, the Queen has arrived."

The emperor is here?

Everyone was shocked and immediately stood up and knelt down to salute.

Emperor Yong'an, wearing a dragon robe embroidered with gold dragons and a crown inlaid with sparkling gems, walked calmly into the hall.

The Empress Dowager beside him was wearing a bright red palace dress that dragged on the ground. Her slender waist was bound with a cloud-shaped belt. She had a nine-treasure coral hairpin in her hair, which made her look gorgeous and graceful, and her pair of phoenix eyes were awe-inspiring.

The imperial concubine looked up at the two people who walked in and was very unhappy with the queen standing next to the emperor.

The emperor sat in the first seat, and the empress sat in the chair that the palace maid had placed next to the emperor.

"No courtesy, just stay on your own."

After expressing their gratitude, everyone stood up and took their seats again.

The concubines in the harem, including the Queen, were all very surprised by the Emperor's arrival.

Coincidentally, the arrival of Emperor Yong'an also disrupted the Queen's original plan...

Except for the first few years after he ascended the throne, Emperor Yong'an rarely set foot in the harem after he had children.

Except for the empress and a few high-ranking concubines who could occasionally see the emperor, other concubines would hardly see the emperor for a year or even several years.

The Queen glanced at the entire banquet and raised her wine glass: "Spring banquet, a glass of green wine and a song."

"I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to enjoy this beautiful scenery. I would like to offer a toast to His Majesty and to all my sisters."

Emperor Yong'an rarely gave enough face and picked up the wine glass to drink with everyone.

The banquet officially began, everyone started to eat, and the arranged singing and dancing also came on stage one by one.

Shen Leyan was rather cautious about food, and apart from drinking tea, she only ate two bites of pastries.

He sat and observed for a while, and when he saw nothing unusual, he relaxed and began to watch the singing and dancing with great interest, having a great time.

The emperor sat at the top and had a clear view of the entire banquet, among which Shen Leyan stood out particularly.

He recognized her as the woman who was swinging on the swing in the Imperial Garden just now, and his mind was almost clear about her identity.

The imperial concubine sitting below was also keeping an eye on Shen Leyan.

When she turned around and noticed that the emperor was also looking at Shen Leyan, she felt even more sense of crisis.

In the palace, her appearance has always been the most beautiful among all the beauties, until she saw Shen Leyan... Even though she was dressed simply, her face was still full of beauty.

The party was halfway through.

The queen was already familiar with the gazes of the men beside her, and when she saw the imperial concubine sitting below with a gloomy face, she suddenly felt happy.

After being bullied by the imperial concubine in the harem for so many years, the imperial concubine who has always been arrogant and domineering has finally come to this day. The imperial concubine who was proud of her beauty and family background is now inferior to others in everything.

The Queen had originally planned to make Shen Leyan the third prince's concubine today, but suddenly she wanted to change her plan.

It's rare that the emperor is suddenly interested in a woman. Wouldn't it be better if she became the emperor's beauty?

It can suppress the imperial concubine and gain the emperor's praise at the same time.

At this point, no matter who is favored, it is better than the imperial concubine being favored!

It was just right that she didn't have to take any risks and risk offending the Shen family by plotting to make Shen Leyan his son's concubine.

After Shen Leyan entered the palace, the imperial concubine would definitely not give up. She only needed to take the opportunity to win her over, and then Prime Minister Shen would have no choice but to stand on her son's side in the court.

The queen was so happy when she thought of this, but she didn't show it on her face.

At this time, the Queen stood up and said, "Now the flowers in the imperial garden are in full bloom, and spring is in full swing."

"I beg Your Majesty to do me the honor of going out for a stroll with us."

"You guys go ahead, I have something else to do in the Yangxin Palace."

After saying this, Emperor Yong'an resolutely turned around and left regardless of the pleas of his concubines.

Seeing this, the queen had no choice but to give up. She concealed her disappointment and led everyone to the imperial garden.

When they reached a small pavilion, the Queen stopped to rest and said, "I am exhausted. I will sit here for a while. Everyone can go shopping on your own."

Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed and went to the side to enjoy the flowers, recite poems and have fun.