After Chief Steward Chen left the Empress’s palace, he waved at the carriers and guards.
The guards, hidden, protected the Emperor while the carriers departed.
Chief Eunuch Li was delighted to return to his bedroom and taste the chrysanthemum honey tea alone.
However, Eunuch Chen wasn’t so at ease. The Empress had served the Emperor chrysanthemum honey tea, which the Emperor had co to like.
As the Eunuch Chief, he needed to know where today’s chrysanthemum and honey had co from, right?
If the Emperor wanted to drink such honey chrysanthemum tea again while working, he would be failing in his duties if he wasn’t prepared.
He also needed to inquire what type of fragrance Huang Hao had used today.
The provisions for the Empress and concubines in the palace were all custom-purchased.
Unless soone managed to send soone out to buy things, it was also necessary to investigate where this person had bought rouge from.
Eunuch Chen spent so ti learning that the Empress had sent Chief Eunuch Li out of the palace and then returned later in the evening.
As for where Chief Eunuch Li had actually gone?
Who did he et and what did he purchase?
So of these details were known to the Emperor’s spies; so spies specifically served the Emperor, and Chief Steward Chen couldn’t ask them.
They could only wait until after the Emperor’s morning court the next day to learn the answers to these questions.
There was another option, and that was to personally ask Chief Eunuch Li.
However, since they were opponents, even if he asked, it’s possible that Li would hide the truth.
Thus, he didn’t bother with it.
The Empress kept the Emperor staying with her that night.
Those concubines waiting for the Emperor to turn their tokens could only wait in vain that night.
They dispatched their personal attendants to gather information.
Especially to seek information from Mr. Chen.
The Empress was delighted to be able to keep the Emperor, feeling as happy as if she were a newlywed again that night.
The Emperor and Empress were the principal figures in the palace, and their every move was monitored.
The 15th was the day the Empress hosted the Emperor, and in the past two years, the Empress wasn’t always able to keep him.
If she was truly able to keep the Emperor, then she definitely used so special techniques that night.
The next morning, the Emperor, served by the Empress, went down to the morning court, looking refreshed after a night’s sleep.
The Empress also changed and bathed, dressed anew, using the skincare products received as gifts the day before.
Today was also the day from the Noble Consort to the Beauties to pay their respects to her.
Although it was a daily occurrence, so individuals nevertheless failed to attend.
Especially the day after the Emperor had graced them, the concubines, who had been promoted from show girls to Beauties, ca to pay respects to the Empress, the principal wife.
In the past two years, more often, on the days the Empress hosted the Emperor, the next day soone was promoted from show girl to Beauty, and Beauty was promoted to Level 1.
Other people, although also uncomfortable, still ca to see the Empress being mocked, ostensibly to pay respects, the smiles containing mockery.
Today, the Empress dressed grandly, not wearing makeup too heavily, simply utilizing the skincare products received the day before.
Whether it was psychological, she felt that using the skincare product the previous night and again today, her skin felt much improved.
Wrinkles were reduced, spots faded, lightly made up, she looked spirited and younger.
Her nanny couldn’t help but praise:
"Empress, you look particularly vibrant today, I see you looking much younger."
Upon hearing such words, and seeing her face in the mirror, the Empress truly felt joyful!
Every woman hopes to remain forever young and beautiful.
Having a noble status cannot compare to the freshness of youth.
The Empress arrived at the grand hall to et with the concubines, many of whom had already entered.
As the Empress walked in, they all paid their respects, and then the Empress took her seat on the only high chair in the room.
The concubines took their respective seats according to their rank, while concubines and Beauties without chairs could only stand in two rows.
The palace maids from the Empress’s palace served them tea and pastries.
The Empress had not had breakfast yet, but she was not in a hurry. Today, these people ca to see a good show, and found that there was no show to watch, the frustration they felt brought her inner joy.
The Empress glanced at the front row, noticing that one chair was empty.
This place belonged to the Noble Consort, who had not yet arrived, but the Empress did not mind.
They had been old rivals for many years. Although the Noble Consort held her title, she had not given birth to a Prince, only a daughter.
Her prestigious status did not stem from being more beautiful than the other concubines.
Rather, it was because her family background was particularly influential.
The Empress and the Noble Consort competed; the latter aid to replace her position, and so the Empress openly and secretly contended with the Noble Consort.
Not just for herself, but for her family and her children as well.
"Empress, you look exceptionally radiant today."
The speaker was Lady, the mother of the Eldest Crown Prince, another rival against the Empress’s faction.
As the mother of the Eldest Crown Prince, she believed that her son, being the Emperor’s firstborn, should be made the Crown Prince, and that her son should be the future Emperor.
But since the Emperor had not appointed a Crown Prince, she remained just a concubine, and the Empress’s thirteenth son, rely three years old, was already 18.
Faced with so many adult sons, the Emperor still had not appointed a Crown Prince; her sons competed openly and secretly, and their factions constantly caused trouble at court.
Each group had its influence, not only within the Imperial Palace but also among state officials and businesses.
They also fought for their financial prowess and team strengths.
"Hmm, this palace thinks so too!"
This statent from the Empress made all the concubines outwardly smile, though what they truly thought remained unexpressed.
"Oh, has the Empress beco younger?"
At this mont, the tardy Noble Consort arrived with a smile on her face, smoothly taking her seat without offering a bow to the Empress.
The Empress, seeing this disrespect, chose to ignore it, treating her as a crude peasant and not stooping to her level.
However, sotis when the Noble Consort rejected the face given to her, the Empress wouldn’t punish her directly, but rather those around her.
When the Noble Consort was upset, she would also complain to the Emperor.
The Emperor paid no attention to these won’s conflicts. Since the Empress did not punish the Noble Consort and the Emperor could not side with the Noble Consort over the Empress, as it would be improper, it would only make him a laughing stock in the eyes of all if he did.
Faced with so many won vying for favor, the Emperor sotis felt quite annoyed.
To him, these won were rely clothing to be worn and discarded; how much better to throw them away after use!
The confidence the Empress displayed against the concubines and Noble Consort caused them distress, and they could only leave in frustration.
The Empress was extrely happy today and in her joy, she sent Chief Eunuch Li to deliver gifts.
The Noble Consort and the other concubines slled the scent of the flowers at the Empress’s side.
Upon returning to their own palaces, they sent people to inquire about the type of fragrance the Empress used.
Every team investigated, learning that the old Chief Eunuch Li, who served close to the Empress, had left the palace yesterday and went out again today to the sa place.
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