The whole day, Su Qianmo spent researching the pastries she had newly made.
She already had a plan in her heart: these pastries must be made with a unique flavor.
This was because these pastries were Jun Haochen's favorite.
In the evening, the Emperor arrived at the Imperial Garden for a banquet with the Empress and all the concubines.
Su Qianmo dressed up and boarded the sedan chair bestowed upon her by the Empress, heading towards the most bustling and lively place in the palace, which was also the most luxurious banquet venue – the Imperial Garden!
Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, Su Qianmo was led by a palace maid to a pavilion within the garden.
Lanterns were hung all around the pavilion, illuminating it and every face.
Su Qianmo stood in the pavilion, looking down at the people below, feeling very nervous.
She knew that her first time attending a banquet was very important. If her performance was too poor, it would surely arouse suspicion from many.
"County Princess, why are you standing alone in the pavilion?"
Zizhu saw Su Qianmo standing there alone and couldn't help but exclaim.
Su Qianmo turned her head to look at her and said, "Go and prepare some food for me. I'm a little hungry."
"Alright!" Zizhu nodded quickly and then hurried to take things from the food box, preparing to bring them to Su Qianmo.
Seeing this, Su Qianmo quickly stopped Zizhu, "There's no need to be so troublesome. I'll have my maid bring me pastries later."
"County Princess, please don't be so polite with this servant," Zizhu said with a hint of embarrassment. "Look at you, standing here alone in the wind is one thing, but how can you not eat? I'll bring you some."
"But I'm not hungry yet."
"County Princess, just listen to your servant's advice." Zizhu insisted.
Seeing her stubbornness, Su Qianmo found it difficult to refuse, so she nodded and agreed to her request, "Alright, then bring it over."
"Mmm."
Zizhu responded and turned to leave.
Not far away, the Empress saw this scene and raised her eyebrows.
"Mother Empress, what are you looking at?"
Yun Mengyan, standing beside her, noticed and followed her gaze. Upon seeing Su Qianmo and Zizhu, a flash of jealousy crossed her face.
That vixen, Su Qianmo!
Why did she get all the good things while she could only watch her live happily?
"The Emperor has arrived—"
Just then, a young eunuch's voice announced.
The concubines immediately bowed to the Emperor.
The Emperor waved his hand, telling them to rise.
"Your Majesty."
The Empress rose and bowed, a gentle smile on her face.
The Emperor's eyes lit up when he saw her. "Today is my beloved Empress's birthday. I specifically had the imperial physicians attend to your health, and look at you, you're even more beautiful than before. I find myself liking you more and more."
The Emperor affectionately stroked the Empress's hair.
"Your Majesty, how can this concubine be as beautiful as you say?" the Empress said coquettishly. "This concubine only hopes to recover soon."
"Hehe, you will," the Emperor said with a smile.
The Emperor sat on a chair on the elevated platform, his hawk-like eyes scanning the concubines below. "I have summoned all of you concubines to the Imperial Garden today to announce a happy event!"
"A happy event?"
The Empress was slightly taken aback. Her memory was always good, and the Emperor had never announced any happy events for any woman before. Why was there a happy event now?
"Indeed, this happy event is about you all."
After speaking, the Emperor clapped his hands.
A young eunuch, holding a tray covered with red silk, slowly walked in from outside the door.
On the tray was a jade pendant and a pair of emerald earrings.
"I bought these at a jewelry store yesterday, and I want to give them to you," the Emperor said, looking at the Empress tenderly.
Hearing the Emperor's words, the concubines felt a surge of envy and jealousy, but they dared not show it.
Everyone knew the Emperor's temper was unpredictable, and anyone who angered him would face a terrible fate.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift." The Empress happily accepted.
Seeing this, the Emperor smiled. He looked at her and said, "Mo'er, you should also accept this congratulatory gift!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Qianmo bowed gracefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor's gesture undoubtedly made her feel very pleased.
The Empress handed the jade pendant to her and said, "Mo'er, this is a gift from me. You must not lose it, understand?"
Upon hearing this, Su Qianmo's heart skipped a beat. Had the Empress seen through her unusual nature? Could it be that magical?
"Don't worry, this humble subject will definitely take good care of it," Su Qianmo said, then accepted the jade pendant.
Seeing that she had accepted it, the Emperor also breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
"I know you've been through a lot. For the next two days, I will send people to protect your safety. You don't need to worry."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Su Qianmo replied.
The Emperor nodded and looked at her, a sense of guilt rising in his heart.
He shouldn't have kept this child in the first place.
If he had let this child be born, even if she couldn't grow up healthy like other children, she would at least have lived an ordinary life.
Unfortunately, he lacked the courage to take that gamble, nor could he afford to.
The Emperor reached out and touched Su Qianmo's hair, softly saying, "Mo'er, be happy, and always remember my love for you."
"This humble subject will engrave it in her heart and dare not forget," Su Qianmo said, lowering her head.
The Emperor's hand rested on her hair, and a hint of infatuation flickered in his eyes.
He looked at Su Qianmo and suddenly felt that their encounter was so hard-won.
Su Qianmo walked with Zizhu in the pavilion. Plum trees were planted along the edge of the pavilion.
It was the season when plum blossoms bloomed, filling the air with a fragrant scent.
Su Qianmo stood under a plum tree, inhaling the faint floral fragrance in the air.
"Mo'er, do you like plum blossoms?" Zizhu asked.
Su Qianmo turned her head and said, "Yes, I do."
"If you like them, why don't you pick one and smell it?"
Zizhu pointed at the plum blossoms, her eyes full of anticipation.
"This..." Su Qianmo hesitated for a moment and said, "This humble subject is afraid of dirtying these beautiful plum blossoms."
"Then I'll pick one for you!"
Zizhu said excitedly, "This servant is very good at picking flowers!"
"Okay," Su Qianmo nodded. "But, can we pick plum blossoms in a different way?"
"What way?"
Zizhu asked.
Su Qianmo smiled and said, "It's just, it's just..."
She stammered, unable to say a word for a long time.
"What do you want to say?" Zizhu urged.
"I... I..." Su Qianmo bit her lip and said, "Didn't you say you are good at picking flowers? Can you pick a few plum blossoms for me?"
Zizhu blinked and asked, "What do you want these plum blossoms for?"
"This... this is..."
Su Qianmo scratched her head, looking embarrassed.
Zizhu looked at her and guessed, perhaps she wanted to make sachets?
"Then tell me, what color flowers would look good?" Zizhu asked.
"This I..."
Su Qianmo looked at her with a conflicted expression. She couldn't possibly tell her that she intended to sell them for money.
Seeing this, Zizhu smiled, "Then I'll pick some with similar colors for you. Take them back and make sachets."
"Mmm!" Su Qianmo nodded quickly.
She had already thought it through. She planned to place these sachets on top of her embroidery work, and add a necklace, and that would be it.