"Slut!"
The gaze of the Noble Consort Shu instantly fell upon the embroidery of "Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" as if it were tangible. Thread by thread, it transformed into swords and arrows, shooting towards Ling Shan, looking as if she wanted to devour her alive.
"Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix?!"
What did Jun Wuyuan mean by this?
Could it be that he was so muddle - headed and immoral that he wanted to make Ling Shan, a low - born maid, the empress?
This was simply a huge joke!
How could she be worthy?
The eyes of the Noble Consort Shu were filled with uncontrollable anger and hatred.
She couldn't understand. After all, she was a noble lady from a prominent family. How could she be inferior to a mere low - born maid?
Previously, with a fool like Wang Chengbi around, it was understandable that Jun Wuyuan didn't like concubines from noble families. But now, why did His Majesty still only dote on the Noble Consort Zhao, who was also from a humble background?
The uncontrollable anger in the body of the Noble Consort Shu almost burned away her rationality. Her eyes were blood - red, as if they were about to burst into flames.
However, Ling Shan seemed completely oblivious to the murderous gaze. Even more heart - stabbing, she complained in a low voice:
"The shredded ham and pigeon eggs are too fishy. Your Majesty, why didn't you ask Eunuch Liang to bring my favorite drunken shrimp with lotus flowers and crab powder pastries?"
Hiss—
Listen to this. Isn't this like stabbing a knife into people's hearts?
Even if she was a favored concubine, she couldn't be so arrogant as to not appreciate the emperor's kindness, could she?
This was simply going against the heavens!
But unexpectedly, the old Eunuch Liang Jiusi, who usually looked down on everyone with an air of superiority, was extremely respectful at this moment.
"Your Ladyship is wise. His Majesty knows your preferences well and has specially bestowed your favorite drunken shrimp with lotus flowers, crab powder pastries, and a nourishing soup. Your Ladyship must eat more so that His Majesty can feel at ease while handling state affairs."
Listen, listen.
These four imperial dishes. If one didn't know, they might think it was the birthday of the Noble Consort Zhao.
These imperial dishes not only had good meanings but also showed that His Majesty had the concubine's preferences at heart. If this wasn't favor, what was?
"My humble self thanks His Majesty for his great kindness."
Ling Shan's face was full of smiles and charm that could not be concealed, and she didn't feel that she was stealing the limelight from the Noble Consort Shu at all.
After successfully setting the stage for tonight's grand show, Liang Jiusi withdrew.
The Empress Dowager Wang didn't react immediately.
Logically speaking, the Noble Consort Shu was the one she had promoted. In the face of such humiliation, she should have scolded Ling Shan.
However, after thinking for a while, the words got stuck in her throat.
Although there were clear hierarchies and strict rules in the harem, the only real master was Jun Wuyuan.
Even if the Empress Dowager Wang, as the empress dowager of the country and the step - mother, tried to put pressure on him, Jun Wuyuan was not a "filial" son who would submit obediently.
Moreover, Jun Wuyuan had also given gifts to the Noble Consort Shu.
Even though it was just a fish in sour soup, compared to the "Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix", it was completely outshone. But could the Noble Consort Shu show the slightest bit of dissatisfaction?
As the saying goes, both kindness and harshness from the emperor are blessings.
The Noble Consort Shu not only couldn't be dissatisfied or jealous but also had to show gratitude!
"Empress Dowager, Sister Noble Consort Shu, His Majesty is busy with state affairs but still remembers us. How about we taste the drunken shrimp with lotus flowers and crab powder pastries together?"
The Empress Dowager Wang: "..."
The Noble Consort Shu: "..."
Who wants to eat your crab powder pastries!
"The Noble Consort Zhao is young, but I'm old and have bad teeth. No need. The Noble Consort Zhao should not disappoint the emperor's good intentions."
The Empress Dowager Wang held back her hatred and said gently:
"Good child, the Noble Consort Shu usually only likes chicken, duck, and fish and doesn't like seafood. The Noble Consort Zhao can enjoy them by herself."
"That's really a pity."
Ling Shan didn't seem to care whether she believed it or not. She sighed slightly.
The Noble Consort Shu: "..." Slut!
After the imperial dishes were bestowed, although the Empress Dowager Wang and some noble ladies from the Wang family tried to ease the atmosphere, there was still a trace of uneasiness in everyone's hearts.
How much calculation and weighing were hidden behind those smiles, only each person knew.
To some extent, the situation in the harem could affect the forces in the court. After today's birthday banquet, it would be enough for many people to think carefully.
Finally, the forced banquet ended, and the stiff expression on the face of the Noble Consort Shu relaxed a little.
The last bit of the sun on the horizon gradually disappeared. Palace lanterns were lit in the Lotus Pavilion. From afar on the shore, it looked as if there were flickering stars on the lake, dazzlingly bright.
On the high platform, it was like thousands of fireworks were blooming, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Countless flames were guided and moved by the performers, forming a picture. Several fluorescent characters were extremely eye - catching.
The words "Congratulations on the birthday of the Noble Consort Shu" were changing patterns on the high platform like a swimming dragon, incredibly wonderful and ingenious.
Looking at this scene, the face of the Noble Consort Shu gradually showed a hint of a smile under the candlelight.
Supporting the Empress Dowager Wang's hand, she stood beside the white jade railing and looked at this scene with a sense of self - satisfaction.
Bang! Bang! Bang! On the broad surface of the Mingyue Lake, thousands of fireworks bloomed. Even the lights in the Lotus Pavilion couldn't compare to the brilliance of the fireworks.
The eyes of the Noble Consort Shu involuntarily drifted towards Ling Shan on the other side of the Empress Dowager Wang. A faint coldness flashed in the depths of her eyes.
Damn slut. Originally, she didn't even put this low - born maid in her eyes.
The Noble Consort Shu had the vision and pride of a noble lady from a prominent family and never thought she would be inferior to a low - born maid.
But reality had slapped her again and again!
First, on the day when she was promoted to the Noble Consort Shu, this woman tried to steal the limelight. The Noble Consort Shu endured it.
But today, on her birthday, a once - a - year happy day, this slut still tried to steal the limelight!
The expression of the Noble Consort Shu darkened. If Ling Shan didn't want to be a mere Consort Xiu properly and insisted on dreaming of becoming a phoenix, then don't blame her for being ruthless!
There were continuous exclamations on the veranda. Everyone was shocked by this grand fireworks show.
The beautiful scene made everyone reluctant to look away. Under the destruction of the fireworks, the fireballs in the hands of the performers were like magic, extremely wonderful.
Undoubtedly, the birthday banquet of the Noble Consort Shu was really grand.
But...
Everyone couldn't help but wonder. If it was the birthday of the Noble Consort Zhao, with His Majesty's favor, what kind of scene would it be?
I'm afraid it would be comparable to the birthday celebrations of the empresses of previous dynasties.
It was a pity that this Noble Consort Zhao would probably be lucky enough to be promoted to the rank of Noble Consort at most. Going any higher...
Unless the emperor's love was as unwavering as a rock.
Otherwise, how could a maid become the mother of the state of the Great Yan Dynasty?
How could she be the model for all women in the world?
With a loud bang, before everyone could react, the amazing fireball show unexpectedly exploded violently.
Countless sparks turned into flying arrows and rushed towards everyone.
Ah—