After being reborn, I locked up all the scumbags and bitches in one nest.

The Empress opened the box and took out a gold hairpin. "Here, Wanwan, although you are not as plain as before today, you are still wearing too few."

After saying that, he inserted the golden hairpin into Qin Wanyou's hair bun.

Then he picked up another hairpin and inserted it into the Crown Princess's hair bun, saying, "This is for you."

The two quickly thanked him.

"Thank you Queen!"

"Thank you, Queen Mother!"

The Empress then gave some instructions on what to pay attention to at today's palace banquet.

Just then, a somewhat arrogant voice came from outside the door, "Her Majesty the Empress is truly blessed!"

The three of them looked towards the door.

Then, Consort Xian and a group of concubines came to pay their respects to the Empress, saying, "Greetings to the Empress! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

The Empress smiled and said to everyone, "No need for formalities! All my sisters are well. With peace and harmony in the harem, good fortune will naturally come."

Qin Wanyou was taken aback when she saw Consort Xian appear, wondering why she was out and about so soon. Wasn't she supposed to be under house arrest?

Of course, I only had a slight doubt in my mind for a moment, and I quickly returned to normal. It's normal for anything to happen in the palace, and whether or not people are allowed to leave is up to the emperor.

The Crown Princess noticed Qin Wanyou's confusion, secretly winked at her, and made a "big" gesture with her hand.

Qin Wanyou instantly understood; it seemed to be the eldest prince's doing.

Then Xie Xuanyun and the other concubines bowed slightly and nodded in greeting.

Consort Xian glanced at Qin Wanyou and Xie Xuanyun, "What I mean is that the Empress is truly blessed to have two beauties, the Princess Consort of An and the Crown Princess, serving her! I feel like I've become much younger just looking at them."

The Empress smiled and said, "Indeed, seeing the young and beautiful Princess An and the Crown Princess has greatly improved my mood. However, I still can't compare to the good fortune of the Noble Consort Xian. I heard that there is more good news from the concubines in the First Prince's harem. Congratulations, Noble Consort Xian!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian could no longer laugh. The eldest prince did not yet have a principal wife, but the concubines in the harem were frequently rumored to be pregnant. In the future, which powerful minister would be willing to marry his precious daughter to the eldest prince?

Consort Liang naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to ridicule Consort Xian, "Yes, Consort Xian is so lucky. In a few months, she will be able to hold her grandchildren on both sides. I really envy her!"

Consort De, standing to the side, echoed Consort Liang, "Sister Xian is indeed someone we envy, but Sister Liang, please rest assured. I believe the Second Prince's injuries will heal quickly, and good news will surely come in the near future."

At this moment, the Empress asked with concern, "Consort De is right. Consort Liang, I wonder how the Second Prince is recovering? If any medicine is needed, the Imperial Hospital pharmacy has it. Have the imperial physicians come to the palace to fetch it at any time. We must heal the Second Prince's injuries as soon as possible."

Consort Liang rose and thanked the Empress, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The Second Prince's external injuries have largely healed, but his internal injuries will require time to recover."

The Empress nodded. "If you need my help, just tell me."

Consort Liang nodded her thanks again.

Today is a very important banquet. Normally, it's just something to watch a play or listen to music, but not today.

Just as Consort Xian was about to speak, the Empress spoke first, "Chunming, how are the preparations for the banquet going?"

Chunming immediately came in to reply, "Your Majesty, everything is ready!"

The Empress nodded and then addressed the concubines in front of her sternly, “Today’s banquet is of great importance. Everyone must be mindful of their behavior and not lose face. If anyone disgraces or tarnishes the dignity of Great Yan, neither the Emperor nor I will forgive her.”

Everyone replied in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty, we will obey your orders."

The Empress then led everyone to the banquet venue.

Qin Wanyou and Xie Xuanyun walked behind the Empress.

The Empress was dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe with a phoenix pattern, while Xie Xuanyun was wearing a pink palace dress, looking incredibly delicate.

The concubines behind them wore a variety of colors, from vibrant and rich to luxurious and elegant.

When the group arrived at the Imperial Garden, they saw the Emperor and the Crown Prince coming this way.

It looks like they've come to pick up the Empress and others for the banquet.

"See the Emperor."

Everyone bowed to the Emperor.

The Emperor smiled and said, "No need for formalities. It seems we are of one mind. I was just about to come and attend with you."

The Empress smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Then the Emperor stepped forward and walked with the Empress, while the Crown Prince and Murong Xiao silently walked to the side of the Crown Princess and Qin Wanyou.

The Crown Prince is wearing a dark red long robe today, which complements the color worn by the Crown Princess.

Murong Xiao was dressed in white today, with light ink-wash bamboo leaves printed on it. The edges of the bamboo leaves were sewn with gold thread, which echoed Qin Wanyou's outfit.

Those behind looked at the several beautiful couples in front and couldn't help but feel envious.

The banquet was held in an open-air, spacious palace next to the Imperial Garden. It was late autumn, the weather was perfect, the sun was gentle, neither too hot nor too cold, the autumn breeze was refreshing, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and fruits.

As the Emperor and his entourage arrived outside the archway, the eunuchs waiting outside shouted, "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"

At this time, the other ministers and their wives and families were already seated in their respective places, waiting for the banquet to begin.

Upon hearing the eunuch's call, everyone knelt down and bowed to greet the emperor.

The Emperor appeared at the banquet, and everyone shouted in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

The Emperor walked to the center of the front and said, "My beloved ministers, rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Only then did everyone look up and see who had come with the Emperor.

That one glance was enough to captivate everyone; the people around the Emperor were simply too pleasing to the eye—the men were handsome, the women beautiful, and the children adorable. In particular, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and the Prince An and Princess An were such a perfect match!

"Everyone, please take your seats!"

The Emperor's words brought the crowd back to their senses, and they all turned to find seats to cover up their earlier lapse in composure.

Qin Wanyou and Murong Xiao were seated in the front row, next to the eldest princess.

Qin Wanyou nodded and smiled at the princess, and after sitting down, she realized that it had been quite a while since she had seen Gu Siyuan.

So Qin Wanyou asked, "Your Highness, where is Young Master Gu?"

Speaking of this, the eldest princess sighed, "Alas! We didn't want him to enter the military camp, but a few days ago he secretly ran off to the camp with the young princess from the Zhen family. If the Zhen family hadn't come to tell us, we would have thought something had happened to him. That brat!"

Qin Wanyou raised an eyebrow, not expecting this situation. "He's lively and likes excitement, didn't he sign up for the competition?"

The princess replied, "His skills are so mediocre, someone could beat him in one move, how could he possibly participate? But they wrote yesterday saying they would be back for the competition."

Qin Wanyou nodded, then secretly glanced at the people who had come to the banquet.

They were surprised to see the person sitting in the Qin family's seat.