AWB Chapter 353 The rebels have reached the gates of the palace.
Chapter 353 The rebels have reached the gates of the palace.
"Your Majesty." Consort Yue's eyes were slightly red, deeply moved.
"My beloved consort, you must be happy, and may our son be born healthy." After having dinner with Consort Yue, Emperor Changlong accompanied her for a walk to aid digestion. Only after she went to rest did he leave.
At the same time, an edict was issued to the six palaces, announcing that in order to celebrate Consort Yue's pregnancy with the emperor's child, a grand celebration would be held on the tenth day of the seventh month, Consort Yue's birthday.
The six palaces immediately began preparations.
Cuiwei Palace.
“Your Majesty, according to past practice, if we want to hold a grand birthday banquet, we should start preparing at least a month in advance. Now there are only ten days left. If we don’t do it well, what will we do if the Emperor blames us?” Tonghao said worriedly.
"So you must keep a close eye on things and make sure nothing goes wrong." Although Consort Jia was not the Empress, she managed the six palaces.
She was in charge of organizing Consort Yue's birthday banquet.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Tonghao.
Consort Jia put down her pen. "The menu is ready. Take it to the Imperial Household Department and have them make purchases according to the recipes."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Tonghao took the menu and went to the Imperial Household Department.
The good news that Consort Yue was pregnant eased some of the oppressive atmosphere in the palace.
In addition, the upcoming birthday banquet added to the festive atmosphere in the palace.
The people outside the palace, however, were full of complaints.
With the rebellion still quelled and the country in turmoil, Emperor Changlong was determined to hold a lavish birthday banquet for his favorite concubine.
Organizing a birthday banquet is time-consuming, expensive, and laborious.
The cities occupied by the rebels were in dire straits, while the palace was filled with joy.
Suddenly, rumors began to circulate among the people that Emperor Changlong was a foolish ruler.
Emperor Changlong was wise and benevolent throughout his life, but he made a mistake in this one matter.
As a result, he earned a bad reputation.
To completely erase his past achievements.
Rumors outside the palace could not stop the joyous occasion inside.
The tenth day of July.
Consort Yue's birthday.
"Your Highness, you look so beautiful today. When you appear later, you will surely amaze everyone." Xiao Hui inserted the hair ornament into Consort Yue's hair.
Consort Yue examined herself in the mirror, touched her cheek, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.
Her face is her best weapon.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor truly dotes on you. I've heard rumors circulating outside the palace that the Emperor is under so much pressure to hold a birthday banquet for you and make you happy," Xiao Hui added.
"Say less, lest walls have ears and it incites jealousy," Consort Yue said calmly.
"Who dares to be jealous of our Empress? His Highness the Crown Prince has gone to Fengsha Ferry and has disappeared without a trace. He may have already died at the hands of the rebels. Once Your Majesty gives birth to a prince, given the Emperor's favor towards you, it's not impossible for the little prince to be named Crown Prince in the future." Xiao Hui said proudly.
As servants, they could only benefit from their masters' good fortune.
"Xiao Hui, you're talking a bit too much today," Consort Yue said with displeasure.
"It was my fault for being so talkative," Xiao Hui quickly admitted her mistake.
"Let's go." Consort Yue stood up.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Hui helped Consort Yue to Qiwu Palace.
Qiwu Palace.
The room was full of guests, and the atmosphere was joyful.
"Her Highness Consort Yue has arrived!" the eunuch's loud voice rang out.
Everyone bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Consort Yue!"
"No need for formalities." Consort Yue walked up to Consort Jia and gave a polite bow. "Sister."
"Sister, you've arrived. Please have a seat." Consort Jia and Consort Yue both held the rank of Consort.
Consort Jia had the right to manage the six palaces.
Consort Yue was deeply favored by the Emperor, but she did not become arrogant because of this favor.
Consort Jia was not a jealous person, and the two got along well.
"Thank you, sister." Consort Yue was seated next to Emperor Changlong.
Today is her birthday, so she's naturally the main character.
The positions of Consort De and Consort Hui were rather awkward.
Both of them had been in the palace longer than Consort Yue and were also older than her.
However, her rank was lower than that of Consort Yue.
Calling her "sister" is inappropriate.
I'm not willing to call her "sister".
So the two of them bowed to Consort Yue in unison, saying, "Consort Yue."
Consort Yue nodded slightly and took her seat.
Just then, Eunuch Wang's voice rang out, "The Emperor has arrived!"
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" The crowd bowed.
"No need for formalities." Emperor Changlong sat on the dragon throne.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The crowd expressed their gratitude and rose.
Emperor Changlong looked at Consort Yue beside him, a hint of tenderness appearing in his eyes.
"My beloved consort, has our son been causing you any trouble these past few days?"
"Your Majesty, my son is still young and won't cause any trouble for me," Consort Yue said shyly.
"Oh, I was too impatient," Emperor Changlong laughed.
Consort Yue smiled gently.
"My beloved consort, today is your birthday. Please say a few words to everyone." Emperor Changlong held Consort Yue's hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Consort Yue's voice was clear and serene. "Welcome everyone to my birthday banquet. Please don't be shy, drink to your heart's content, and have a good time."
"Thank you, Your Highness Consort Yue. We wish you a happy birthday and good health." The crowd bowed.
"Wang Fu, bring up the birthday gift I prepared for Consort Yue," Emperor Changlong ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Wang waved his hand, and a eunuch came over with a tray, on which was placed a box.
The eunuch opened the box, and instantly, the entire Qiwu Palace was as bright as day.
"My beloved consort, this is a gift that I specially ordered someone to find for you. It is a luminous pearl from the South China Sea. One will be kept in the palace for you to admire, and the other will be polished to make a set of jewelry for you. Two luminous pearls symbolize good things coming in pairs."
Emperor Changlong explained the meaning of the gift, making his affection for Consort Yue public.
Consort Yue rose and bowed to Emperor Changlong, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Changlong had never shown such favor to any of his concubines, except for Consort Rou from back then.
"Happy birthday, little sister." Consort Jia also presented Consort Yue with a gift she had prepared long ago.
Following closely behind, Consort De and Consort Hui also sent their gifts.
"Your Highness Consort Yue, I have also prepared a gift for you." Jiang Yu said with a smile.
Since receiving news of Song Siyao's death, she has been in a good mood every day.
Shen Pei also went to find Song Siyao; perhaps Shen Pei will die at the hands of the rebels.
Shen Xuan is the most likely candidate to be named Crown Prince.
She is now the Crown Princess.
"Your Highness is very kind," said Consort Yue with a slight smile.
Jiang Yu glanced at the maid, who then presented the gift. Xiao Hui took it, and Consort Yue opened it to find a sachet.
"Your Highness, this is something I specially went to the temple to pray for, to protect you and the prince."
"Thank you, Princess Consort Li." Consort Yue put the sachet back into the box and handed the box to Xiao Hui.
Jiang Yu frowned upon seeing this; Consort Yue clearly disliked her gift.
But it doesn't matter. When she becomes the Crown Princess and then the Empress, let's see who dares to give her a hard time.
One after another, people presented gifts. Once the gifts were all given, the singing and dancing began, and the atmosphere of the birthday banquet reached its peak.
"what!"
Suddenly, Consort Yue shouted and slid off the chair, curling up into a ball.
"My beloved concubine, what's wrong?" Emperor Changlong quickly embraced Consort Yue.
"Your Majesty, my stomach hurts." Consort Yue's face was pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
"Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!" Emperor Changlong shouted.
Ding dong!
Bang!
"Ouch, my stomach hurts so much!"
"Help!"
……
More and more people were complaining of feeling unwell; some fell to the ground, some clutched their stomachs and slumped over tables, and some wept bitterly…
The cups and plates on the table crashed to the ground, making various noises.
Even the imperial physician who came to treat Consort Yue was in so much pain that he curled up on the ground.
Emperor Changlong, who was holding Consort Yue, also began to have a fit.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The rebels have reached the palace gates!" At this moment, the guards at the palace gates rushed in to report.