The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 382 The aroma of wine warms the palace and fills it with fragrance

As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Cai Min.

In fact, Cai Min's situation was similar to hers.

Or rather, all the women in Qi Yongji's harem were in similar situations.

They are almost out of use, and if they want to live a peaceful life, it would be best to have an inconspicuous family to rely on.

The Cai family is like oil on a hot fire; the more glamorous they appear, the more dangerous they become.

If Cai Min secures her position as empress, the Cai family would be better off falling into ruin.

Qi Yongji effortlessly pushed them into a dilemma between wealthy families.

Cai Min's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

Everyone says that Consort Qiu is domineering and brainless, a beautiful but boring object.

Who could have known that beneath her disguise lay such a shrewd and insightful mind?

She herself had been exposed to the political climate since childhood, so she was naturally keenly aware of the political trends in the court.

Where are the autumn clouds?

She has no advantages of her own.

Cai Min inwardly admitted her inferiority, but she wouldn't say it aloud to let Qiu Manyun be smug.

"You don't think his current favor will last forever, do you? Without the support of a family, you can only carefully try to figure out his thoughts and rely on his influence to save your life and maintain your prestige."

Qiu Manyun is able to act domineeringly in the palace only because Qi Yongji hasn't grown tired of her.

Qiu Manyun scoffed coldly: "You talk as if you're living a carefree life because of your family's support. Your family's so-called kindness in raising you is nothing more than treating you like a slightly higher-class cow or sheep. When you reach your prime, they'll arrange the most profitable buyers for you. Cows and sheep are luckier than you; they can die a quick and painless death, while you'll be bound to the status of a noblewoman for the rest of your life."

"nonsense!"

"You're in a hurry."

Cai Min: "My parents are concerned about me..."

"Concern? You mean the kind of concern where you delegate everything to your servants and then only have time to ask a couple of questions?"

Cai Min was speechless.

Her mother was the matriarch of a large family, dignified and imposing, while her father was the patriarch of a large clan, too busy to attend to everything.

Although they were never stingy with emotional companionship, they provided her with the best material things.

As if knowing her thoughts, Qiu Manyun casually touched on her sore spot: "For someone of your father's status, feelings are more precious than gold and silver."

Cai Min remained silent for a moment, but instead of the expected outburst of anger, she said, "Qiu Manyun."

"Ok?"

"How did you learn the true story of my Cai family? How do you know about my childhood?"

Qiu Manyun's expression froze instantly.

Cai Min did not press further, but simply said, "Since you know what's going on, I'll just hold a simple birthday banquet. Anyway, his real intention is not what it seems."

Seeing that she had changed the subject, Qiu Manyun breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyebrows furrowed, she gathered her strength, and slammed her hand on the table: "Cai Min! If you can't stand the Emperor's favoritism towards me, just say so! Who are you trying to fool with this nonsense?"

Cai Min almost couldn't catch her acting.

After a brief pause, she raised her voice and scolded, "Qiu Manyun! I only arranged this birthday banquet for you because of the Emperor's sake, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you also complain! You are truly lawless!"

"Is he lawless?"

Qiu Manyun picked up a vase, intending to smash it.

Cai Min quickly stopped her, silently saying: This is cheap!

Qiu Manyun gently put down the vase, pointed to the round-bellied vase next to it, and said silently: This one?

Cai Min nodded, and Qiu Manyun picked up the round-bellied bottle and smashed it not far from Cai Min, shouting, "Lawless? I'll show you what true lawlessness is!"

Under Cai Min's guidance, Qiu Manyun smashed another valuable ornament: "This is truly lawless!"

"Smash it! I'd like to see how much you can smash! I'll send you the bill later, and you'll have to pay for whatever you smashed!"

"You're just jealous of the Emperor's favor towards me. With the Emperor backing me up, I can smash as much as I want! The Emperor will pay for it!"

Qiu Manyun was disgusted by her own words, as was Cai Min.

The two exchanged a glance, then simultaneously turned their faces away in disgust.

Upon receiving the message, Qi Yongji thought: ...

Actually, he didn't necessarily have to support Qiu Manyun.

Why should I pay for the damage they smashed?

Mo Cheng noticed his hidden distress and considerately suggested, "Your Majesty, shall I try to stop them?"

"No need, let them make a scene. It's my woman's fault for throwing a tantrum. I can afford it. Whatever Consort Qiu smashes, I'll make up for it for her and the Imperial Household Department. Have someone remember that!"

Mo Cheng seized the opportunity to flatter, "It is Consort Qiu's good fortune to have such a generous husband as the Emperor!"

Qi Yongji felt a pang of heartache, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he generously said, "However, the Empress is, after all, my first wife. Manyun shouldn't have been so disrespectful to her."

Mo Cheng: You want both face and substance, you get all the good things.

He lowered his head: "Yes!"

As he left the room, he flicked his whisk and couldn't help but roll his eyes in a subtle way.

He glanced at the eunuch behind him, straightened his back, and said, "Let's go."

Go and clean up the mess for their emperor.

……

Dayong, Liaozhou City.

After the notice was posted, the people's enthusiasm was extremely high.

Every day, many people bring medicinal herbs to the general's mansion for Zhao Lingyin and her companions to identify.

In order not to delay their research on the new prescription, He Wuyu had to hire several senior doctors from Liaocheng to help collect the medicine.

While things were bustling about here, in the Brown Kingdom, Consort Qiu's birthday banquet finally arrived.

Having already known the news, Zheng Xun and a group of ministers who volunteered to stay and work overtime were all watching the progress behind the curtain at the Hezheng Hall.

Liao Hongsheng said with certainty, "It must be a Hongmen Banquet."

"I just don't know how it will unfold."

Dong Xi chuckled and teased, "Aren't you in a hurry to stop Qi Yongji from handling internal affairs?"

Lord Jiang, who didn't particularly like him, rolled his eyes: "Since we can't stop him now, we might as well watch the show."

Tao Heng said slowly, "The Brown Country is a den of snakes and rats; whoever suffers misfortune is just as unlucky?"

Lord Jiang gave a thumbs up: "It's rare to hear someone speak the truth."

After saying that, he remembered Tao Heng's ruthless nature, and the look of agreement on his face vanished instantly.

Tao Heng wasn't angry; in fact, he was so amused that he was holding back his laughter until his head ached.

Amidst great anticipation, the ministers of the Brown Kingdom slowly poured into the Brown Kingdom's royal palace.

Qi Yongji and Cai Min sat together on the high steps, looking down at the heads below. Qi Yongji raised his wine cup and said, "I am thinking of Consort Qiu's loneliness in the palace. On her birthday, I would like to celebrate with you all."

Cai Xin, Qi Yongji's newly appointed lackey, immediately chimed in, "To be loved by the most noble person in the world, Consort Qiu is truly blessed!"

While Wan Yao was taking a sip of wine, he rolled his eyes.

Diao De raised his glass to join in the fun, but didn't even touch the rim of the glass with his lips.

The proceedings leading up to the banquet were unexpectedly calm.

The aroma of wine warms the hall, and after the song, red sleeves dance in flowing robes.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, a painter stood in a well-positioned corner, picking up his brush to depict the expressions of everyone on silk.

The emperor and empress conversed in hushed tones, while the imperial concubine admired the ripples of wine in her cup, and the harem was filled with beautiful and charming ladies.

Then came the ministers chatting in small groups, and Zong Haochu, who seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts...