The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Chapter 346 Peony Banquet 1

Cicadas chirp chirp chirp.

Since the beginning of July, the sun has been blazing.

Except for the early morning, even the wind is hot at other times.

In the imperial court, the prime minister personally pleaded for the empress, and the emperor lifted her confinement.

However, the power to manage the harem has not yet been returned.

People tend to get bored easily when they have free time.

Since the Empress was no longer confined to her quarters, she has gone to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers for three consecutive days.

"Your Majesty, are you going to the Imperial Garden again today?" After breakfast, the nanny asked cautiously.

The Empress has been in a bad mood lately and gets angry easily.

"The Imperial Garden, the Imperial Garden, I have been to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers for three consecutive days. There are only flowers and nothing but flowers."

Didn't they say that the Emperor has been going to the Imperial Garden frequently after the morning court session lately?

"Go and bring out my piano." She hadn't practiced in a long time.

Without palace affairs, life in the palace must be really difficult.

The daughter has already married, and the Third Prince has also moved to the South Third Palace.

A moment later, a melodious piano tune began to play.

But it didn't last long; the cheerful piano music was replaced by a somewhat sorrowful sound.

The old woman looked at the person playing the zither and sighed.

At this moment, a young palace maid came in and whispered a few words in the old woman's ear, after which the old woman followed her away.

When she returned, her face was beaming. "Your Majesty, Xiao Dezi from the flower room saw that you had been to the Imperial Garden for three consecutive days. Knowing that you like peonies, he brought you some peonies that he had cultivated himself as a tribute."

It's already July, long past the peony blooming season, yet there are still peonies blooming.

The Empress stopped what she was doing and said in a calm voice, "Since you've brought it here, bring it in so I can take a look." Her tone was indifferent, and it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or not.

The old nanny went out and kindly reminded Xiao Dezi, "Her Majesty the Empress has been in a bad mood lately, so be careful later."

Xiao Dezi nodded.

The Queen stood under the eaves, her face expressionless, and she certainly looked unhappy.

After Xiao Dezi paid his respects to the Empress, he arranged for someone to bring in the peonies he had carefully cultivated.

Pots of peonies in various colors—red, pink, and yellow.

They were even more beautiful than the peonies in April.

A slight smile finally appeared on the Empress's face.

"What's your name?"

"Your Majesty, this is your servant, Xiao Dezi."

"Your flower-growing skills are quite good, here's a treat!"

Upon hearing this, the nanny knew that the Empress was finally somewhat pleased, so she quickly brought out the reward and placed it in Xiao Dezi's hands.

"If you make Her Majesty the Empress happy, you'll receive even more rewards in the future."

"This servant understands."

The Empress suddenly remembered something, "Did you bring all these peonies for me, or did you keep some to offer as gifts to other masters?"

Xiao Dezi hurriedly flattered, "Your Majesty, this peony is a gift I offer to you out of respect. Only the mistress of the harem is worthy of this peony."

The old woman standing nearby chimed in, "Only the peony is truly a national beauty."

"Yes, yes, only Her Majesty the Empress is worthy of this peony."

His words struck a chord with the Empress.

She smiled as she looked at the peony in front of her.

"Has the peony banquet not been held this year yet?"

The old nanny said, "Your Majesty, the Peony Banquet was originally scheduled to be held this year, but due to the war in the previous dynasty, His Majesty banned all kinds of entertainment activities for three months in order to comfort the soldiers fighting in the war, so the Peony Banquet was not held."

"In that case, let's hold the peony banquet again in three days." Du Yuqing looked coldly at the pots of peonies in full bloom in front of her. "Aren't these peonies?"

"Granny, go and send a pot of peonies to each of the younger sisters in the harem. Tell them that I will be holding a peony banquet in the Imperial Garden in three days, and all the younger sisters must wear peonies in their hair to enter."

The old woman didn't know the Empress's plan, but she still nodded.

"I will personally go and choose the pot for the Imperial Concubine's sister."

After she finished speaking, she began to carefully select flowers, making it seem to anyone who didn't know better that she had a very good relationship with the Imperial Concubine.

She quickly chose a pink peony.

"Please personally deliver this pot to the Moonflower Palace. Remember to be 'careful' and don't make any mistakes." She deliberately emphasized the word "careful".

The old woman immediately understood the Empress's meaning, "This servant will be careful."

"By the way, Xiao Dezi, are you sure there are no other peonies in this palace besides mine?"

The old woman nodded. "These peonies are precious to begin with, especially peonies at this time of year. Each pot costs a thousand gold pieces to care for. Today, he moved all the peonies to our Chengqian Palace."

That's good.

Inside the Moonflower Palace, Shen Shuhua looked at the newcomer and frowned. "The Empress is going to hold a peony banquet? But there are no peonies in bloom at this time of year?"

The old woman smiled and bowed, saying, "Her Majesty the Empress specifically instructed Xiao Dezi in the flower room to spend a lot of money to cultivate several pots of peonies."

After she finished speaking, a young eunuch brought up the pot of pink peonies that the Empress herself had personally selected.

Shen Shuhua was quite surprised to see peonies in the pot, as it was the season for them.

"I never expected Her Majesty the Empress to be so thoughtful."

"Don't worry, I will definitely go."

The old woman smiled and said, "This servant will definitely go back and tell Her Majesty the Empress. She will be very happy that you went."

"Furthermore, Your Highness, the Empress specifically instructed me to remind you that these peonies are precious. Although the peony banquet is in three days, please have someone take good care of these peonies and make sure you wear a peony hairpin to the event."

Shen Shuhua nodded, "Don't worry, Green Willow in my palace is the best at taking care of these flowers and plants."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. I have to go to another palace."

After seeing the old woman off, Shen Shuhua summoned Luwu.

"Can you see anything?"

Green Willow shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with it. The soil and pot are the original ones, they must have been from when it was being cultivated, they haven't been changed."

The flowers had obviously just been watered. She leaned closer to smell them and found no other odor. It was definitely water that had been used, and there was nothing unusual about it.

"Alright, since there's nothing wrong with it, take this pot of flowers away and take good care of it. Make sure that I can wear it to the Peony Banquet in three days."

Green Willow and the peony flowers withdrew.

Three days later.

The Empress got up early in the morning to do her hair and makeup.

She picked up a bright red peony that had been prepared beforehand and handed it to Granny Cao so that she could put it in her hair.

"Has everything been settled with the Imperial Concubine?"

Granny Cao nodded. "Your Highness, rest assured, everything is going according to plan."

She poured boiling water into the flowers she gave to the imperial concubine that day.

Three days have passed, and that potted plant is probably already wilted beyond repair.

In the Moon Palace, as soon as Green Willow got up, she went to look at the potted flower. When she saw the potted flower, she was so frightened that she stumbled.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The peony has died!"