Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

Qing Tang pushed open the door from the inside and walked slowly to Wen Yunhe, falling into his arms.

"Didn't you say you were going to Qianfo Temple to pray for blessings? Why are you back here?"

"That's because I missed you, Prime Minister. Knowing that you were coming today, I made a special trip back."

A pair of slender wrists rose, and the thin, transparent gauze slowly slid down, revealing fair arms that wrapped around Wen Yunhe's neck, with her head pressed against his chest.

"I have other things to do today, I'll come to visit you in a couple of days."

Wen Yunhe pried Qing Tang's hands off his body.

She got up, smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes with her hands, and then pushed open the door and left.

"Bah! You heartless old bastard! If it weren't for the sect leader's orders, do you think I'd willingly come to keep you company?"

Qing Tang, who had been wearing a charming smile, secretly spat in the direction of the door after Wen Yunhe left.

They went back in through the inner door they had come from and disappeared into the side room.

September 21st.

Dust swirls outside the city, and the wind whips up the fields.

The palace was filled with joy and elegance.

Princess's Residence

Shen Sangwan got up early and went to the East Garden to have dinner with Shu Yan.

"this is for you."

After finishing breakfast, Shen Sangwan asked Shuyi to take out a rectangular brocade box, which she then opened and handed to Shuyan.

"Happy birthday."

Inside the box was a jade ruler, its surface translucent and marked with graduations.

After Shuyan accepted the brocade box, Shen Sangwan dismissed all the servants.

“I know you usually enjoy doing our professional work. I had Shuyun search for a long time to find the jade for this, and it took a long time to polish it. I hope you like it.”

Touching the jade ruler, Shuyan couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Having been in Nanjing for so long, she had almost forgotten her own birthday. She never expected that her best friend would go to the trouble of preparing a gift for her.

"Hey, don't cry. If you don't like it, I'll have someone find you something else. Today is a joyous occasion, you've grown a little tail, so you should smile more."

Shen Sangwan wiped away the tears from the corners of Shuyan's eyes, hugged her in her arms, and gently patted her back.

Shuyan was both amused and exasperated by Shen Sangwan's actions, and patted her back haphazardly a few times.

"I like it very much, thank you."

"You're being too polite with me. It's your birthday, how could I forget?"

"It's a bit of a pity, though, as today is also the Empress's birthday. Otherwise, I would have definitely thrown a small party for you at the Princess's residence and had everyone in the household celebrate with you."

Shuyan nudged Shen Sangwan's shoulder and said irritably, "You're all talk and no action, even your promises are full of sesame seeds."

"Hey—, Little Yan Yan, how could you say that to me? Although I can't celebrate your birthday at the manor, I've arranged a banquet for you at the palace. Hehe, this afternoon I'll take you out for a delicious meal. The banquet held at the palace is much more classy than anything I could do."

Shen Sangwan was quite satisfied with her arrangements, but unexpectedly, she was kicked by Shuyan.

"What are you trying to do? How could a commoner like me be qualified to attend the Empress's birthday banquet? Are you trying to kill me?!"

"Who said you're a commoner... Ta-da! Open it and see for yourself."

Suddenly, a smug yet eerie smile appeared on Shen Sangwan's face as she pulled out a brightly lit imperial edict from her bosom.

Shu Yan almost wanted to tear off Shen Sangwan's clothes; it was clearly a close-fitting, tight-fitting garment, yet it concealed her so well.

The imperial edict was slowly opened, revealing a long string of gibberish. Shuyan struggled to roughly guess its meaning.

"Shen Sangwan, this... it's all the Empress's credit, it's not fair to put it all on me, is it? Besides, I absolutely dare not accept the title of Princess!"

Like a hot potato, it was quickly tossed back to Shen Sangwan.

"This was discussed between the Empress and me, and she doesn't care, so what are you afraid of? Besides, with the title of Princess bestowed by His Majesty, you'll be able to get along better in the noble circles of Zhongdu, won't you?"

Shen Sangwan forcibly shoved the imperial edict into Shuyan's hand again, "The imperial edict has already been issued. You have to accept it whether you want it or not. At the latest, the imperial proclamation will be posted on the bulletin board in the capital city by noon."

Shu Yan felt immense pressure, as she had taken credit for someone else's work for nothing, which made her uneasy. However, she couldn't refuse Shen Sangwan, so she reluctantly rolled up the imperial edict and placed it on the display shelf behind her.

"Alright, stop looking so sad. Cheer up and come with me to the palace this afternoon. I've also arranged a fireworks feast for tonight. As the birthday person, you can't miss it."

Shuyan nodded, her eyes red and her lips pursed.

Today is the Empress's birthday banquet, which will begin at 3:45 PM.

At the beginning of Shenshi (3 PM), Shen Sangwan and Shuyan entered the palace ahead of schedule.

Recently favored, Consort Yi wore a gorgeous crimson dress and exuded arrogance in every gesture.

On their way to the Golden Palace, Shen Sangwan and Wen Yuening happened to run into Jiang Sihan, who was coming from Yongming Pavilion.

"Your Majesty has been staying at my place every night recently. I am feeling a little unwell, so I will not be able to pay my respects to Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

Wen Yuening remained calm, a slight smile playing on her lips. She said, "Consort Yi has served His Majesty diligently for many days. I wish you a speedy delivery of a son for His Majesty."

Shen Sangwan, who was standing to the side, did not have the same good temper as Wen Yuening. She gave Shuyi behind her a look.

Having received the signal, Shu Yi stepped forward and slapped Jiang Sihan hard across the face, making a loud noise.

"What, can't Consort Yi see me here?"

Shu Yi's force was quite strong; in just a short while, Jiang Sihan's right cheek showed signs of redness and swelling.

Stunned by the beating, she was pulled to her knees by the palace maid who served her closely. "Your Highness, please forgive me. My lady took medicine before leaving Yongming Pavilion. Perhaps she is still a little confused. I hope Your Highness will not hold it against her."

"This humble servant...this humble servant greets Your Highness."

After being shoved in the lower back multiple times, Jiang Sihan came to her senses, her ears still ringing. She quickly knelt down and bowed her head.

"Judging from Consort Yi's tone, she seems quite resentful!"

"What, you dare to ignore the Empress and me just because you're favored by His Majesty?"

"Since you've been in the palace for some time now, and Consort Yi hasn't learned the rules, then you'll kneel here properly today. You can get up when you've learned them."

After saying that, he moved aside from Jiang Sihan and continued walking forward.

Wen Yuening remained silent until Shen Sangwan left, then followed her.

Kneeling on the ground, Jiang Sihan covered her swollen cheek and began to sob softly after everyone had left.

"Why does Your Majesty insist on provoking the Empress today? His Majesty spends more time at Yongming Pavilion than at the other consorts' residences these days. How can Your Majesty be so confused?"

The palace maid Qiaocui's words did not suppress Jiang Sihan's arrogance; instead, they touched a nerve.

An aging princess dared to punish her, a favored concubine. She must find an opportunity to complain to His Majesty and ask him to punish her properly.