The Emperor's heart is won, she sits on the Phoenix Throne! The Divine Physician's Eldest

They were covered with white cloths; they went forth as spirited young men, but returned as skeletons.

Every one of these hundreds of soldiers was a precious treasure in the palm of their parents' hands.

They sacrificed their precious lives for the stability of the Great Zhou Dynasty and to protect the safety of its people.

This bandit suppression operation was a success. At least from now on, the infamous Hengshan bandits will no longer exist, and from now on, travelers on that road will be safe and sound.

They sacrificed their lives to ensure the safety of more people and protect the integrity of more families.

However, the success of the bandit suppression brought no joy to anyone present.

Even someone like Emperor Changlong, who had experienced countless battles and was accustomed to life and death, and had fought his way to the throne, trembled at the sight of such a scene.

"It's good that you're back. Rise." Emperor Changlong tried his best to control his emotions. "Wang Fu, settle them in. Youfeng, Prince Ling, come with me to the palace."

Royal study room.

"Youfeng, Prince Ling, tell me about the course of this bandit suppression," Emperor Changlong said.

Song Siyao spoke first, "A few days ago when I went home, I received a jade pendant, it belonged to the prince..."

After she finished explaining what had happened, she took out a jade pendant from her sleeve. Shen Pei saw the jade pendant and said, "I lost this jade pendant on my way to Hengshan."

With only the three of them present, Song Siyao spoke frankly, "Your Majesty, I believe this bandit suppression may be a huge conspiracy."

She also recounted the situation of the mountain stronghold.

Emperor Changlong frowned even more deeply.

Using the Empress Dowager's birthday as a pretext, they plotted against the Empress Dowager, Song Siyao, Shen Pei, and even the Emperor himself. One can imagine how arrogant the person behind this is.

"Youfeng, Prince Ling, I entrust this matter to the two of you. Before the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, you must find out the villain behind this and ensure the safety of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and also give justice to the innocent victims."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Song Siyao and Shen Pei accepted the order.

The seventh day of the fifth lunar month is the Empress Dowager's birthday.

The birthday banquet was held at Qiwu Palace and was personally overseen by the Empress.

This is the Empress Dowager's 70th birthday, and the palace will hold a grand celebration. Officials of the fourth rank and above in the court can bring their families to attend.

At 1-3 PM, the Empress Dowager woke up from her afternoon nap, and her maidservants helped her with her hair and makeup.

She had only been halfway through her dressing when her personal maid, Xiangchun, came in to report, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhen has arrived."

"Quickly, invite her in," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Consort Zhen was the biological mother of the Empress Dowager, and she was quite close to her.

The Empress Dowager is quite old and has long since stopped caring about the affairs of the inner palace. Except for major festivals, she doesn't even show her face on ordinary days.

She spent her later years in the harem with several of the late emperor's concubines.

"Sister." Consort Zhen entered the hall and gave the Empress Dowager a customary bow.

She was dressed more brightly than usual today, with a few red threads embroidered on the cuffs, but none of them were true red.

In her youth, Consort Zhen was charming and alluring, a bewitching rose in the palace.

Now that she's older, she still retains her charm.

The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Consort Zhen, and her eyes lit up. "Sister, you look so beautiful today. You should dress like this. You usually dress too plainly."

Consort Zhen laughed and said, "Sister is teasing me again. I'm getting old, how dare I say I'm beautiful? But you, sister, I think you're even more charming than when you were young."

"You're getting old, so am I even older? My face is so thin it's practically falling apart, what's the point of talking about beauty?" The Empress Dowager touched her face and sighed, "Back in the day, when the late Emperor was still alive, we were all still young..."

"Sister, let me comb your hair." Consort Zhen rose and moved behind the Empress Dowager.

"No need, you rest," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Consort Zhen insisted, "Sister, there's no need to be so polite with me. I've had a peaceful and smooth life in the palace all these years thanks to your care. I have no way to repay this kindness. Today is your birthday, so let me comb your hair to express my gratitude."

"Alright, go ahead and comb it." Seeing that Consort Zhen insisted, the Empress Dowager agreed.

They are older now, but they are even closer than when they were young, like real sisters.

"Sister, I dreamt of the late Emperor last night." Consort Zhen's hair-combing skills were superb; when the late Emperor was still alive, he loved having her comb his hair the most.

Her hairstyle is not only beautiful, but it also relaxes the scalp, like giving it a massage, making you feel comfortable all over.

"I haven't dreamed of the late Emperor for many years. When you dreamed of him, did he say anything?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"The late Emperor said he was lonely and unhappy over there, and missed us. He also mentioned it was my sister's birthday and asked me to take good care of her," said Consort Zhen.

This sounded fake, or perhaps the Empress Dowager knew it was a lie, but on this special day, she missed the late Emperor, so she chose to believe what Consort Zhen said.

The Empress Dowager was not the late emperor's most favored concubine, but she was the concubine he respected the most.

Her life with the late emperor wasn't exactly filled with love, but they treated each other with the utmost respect.

Life was peaceful, tranquil, and smooth.

Within the confines of the palace, such days could be considered blissful.

Therefore, after the late emperor passed away, the empress dowager often missed him.

Upon hearing Consort Zhen's words, the Empress Dowager felt a pang of sadness, as if being scratched by a cat. Her voice carried a hint of melancholy as she said, "It's quite touching that he still remembers us."

"Oh dear, it's all my fault. Today is my birthday, a joyous occasion, and I brought it up for no reason, causing you sadness. I deserve a beating." Consort Zhen said with a mix of seriousness and playfulness, which made the Empress Dowager smile.

The Empress Dowager laughed and said, "You are still as mischievous as you were when you were young. You always make me happy. I love you so much that I would never have the heart to hit you."

As soon as she finished speaking, a sharp pain shot through her chest. She frowned and reached out to touch her chest.

Consort Zhen stood behind her, observing the Empress Dowager's every move through the bronze mirror. She asked with concern, "Sister, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I was probably just too happy." The feeling of heartache flashed by, and the Empress Dowager didn't take it to heart.

Princess Zhen smiled and said, "That's good."

She bent down, letting her face and the Empress Dowager's face appear in the bronze mirror at the same time. "Sister, your hair is done. Take a look."

"My sister's cooking skills are as good as ever, I like them very much." The Empress Dowager raised her hand and touched her hair bun.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the time has come. The Emperor and the Empress have arrived." The maid Xiangchun came over.

"Alright, let's go," the Empress Dowager said.

"Sister, let me help you." Consort Zhen helped the Empress Dowager walk forward.

Qiwu Palace.

The house was full of guests.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived! The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"

Wang Fu's high-pitched voice rang out in Qiwu Palace. Emperor Changlong and the Empress, accompanied by the Empress Dowager, were the first to step into the hall and appear in everyone's sight.