"Sister, there's no need for such politeness. We shall see each other at the palace banquet. You didn't have to make this trip specifically."
Liu Shi, now a Consort, remained as low-key and gentle as ever, saying to the Empress.
"Rituals must be observed. Your Highness is the mistress of the inner palace, and I, your subject, should naturally come to express my gratitude."
The Empress grew even more pleased with Consort Liu's demeanor.
She then gave a look to her attending palace maids, who immediately stepped forward to help Consort Liu up.
"I heard that for this birthday banquet, there's a gift specially sent from Qingzhou. I wonder what it is. Little Six is being so secretive about it; he hasn't even told me."
The Empress mentioned it, and Consort Liu followed her lead.
"Perhaps it's a local specialty from Qingzhou. The child is thoughtful."
"Indeed. Among the sisters in the inner palace, if you ask me, you are the most fortunate. Now that Little Six is grown and the prince's manor is almost ready, I think it's time to select a princess consort. For a princess consort, one should choose someone gentle and agreeable. It's best to avoid those from families with complicated connections, lest they cause trouble later without you even realizing it."
These words, while seemingly offering advice to Consort Liu, were actually a warning to them not to form factions.
It seemed that selecting a princess consort with a powerful family background for him would not be possible.
Consort Liu feigned ignorance and said to the Empress,
"Your Highness is his adoptive mother and has seen many good families. I spend my days in the palace and know little of the outside world. Why don't you choose one for Little Six? Whatever Your Highness chooses, it will surely be good."
"Oh, how can I make such a decision? If Little Six dislikes the one I choose, wouldn't that delay their happiness?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured. Little Six has always been most obedient to Your Highness and the Crown Prince. As long as it's your choice, Little Six and I will both like it."
"In that case, I shall put in more effort and carefully consider a suitable match for Little Six."
"Thank you for Your Highness's kindness."
Through this exchange, the marriage of the Sixth Prince was neatly arranged.
Alas, the two speaking at this moment had no idea what was about to happen.
After much ado, the birthday banquet finally commenced in the evening.
Emperor Qi seemed to be in good spirits today, his expression considerably more relaxed.
The Empress sat to his left, and Consort Liu to his right. The other consorts were seated on the lower left, while the princes and imperial relatives occupied the right.
In terms of its scale, this palace banquet was merely a family gathering. However, for Consort Liu, it felt somewhat overly grand.
The Sixth Prince, seeing his mother sitting on pins and needles, trying to maintain her composure, felt a degree of resentment towards the Empress.
His mother had already compromised so much, yet the Empress still made such arrangements. Wasn't this just inviting envy from everyone in the inner palace?
After the banquet, he wondered how much gossip his mother would have to endure.
He glanced at the Crown Prince beside him, who was happily eating and drinking.
He had been handling state affairs these past few days. His vanity must have reached its peak.
He picked up a cup of fine palace wine and downed it in one gulp.
Let him enjoy this brief moment of happiness. Soon, everything that came with the position of Crown Prince would come to an end.
When he became a defeated opponent, he wanted to see how the Empress and the Crown Prince would react.
After a song and dance performance, Emperor Qi was clearly still enthralled.
The flirtatious glances a dancer sent his way were obvious even to a blind person. Emperor Qi had been preoccupied with such matters of romance lately, for reasons unknown.
The Empress, however, had no mind to concern herself with these women trying to climb the ladder or the eager Emperor.
After all, they would all be sent to accompany him in death before long. Why bother getting agitated?
At the palace banquet, everyone harbored their own intentions. Perhaps only the Crown Prince was genuinely focused on eating and drinking.
"Sixth Brother, I, the Crown Prince, heard that you brought a large item from Qingzhou as a gift for the Consort. I wonder what it is? You kept it hidden before, but now it's time to reveal it and broaden everyone's horizons."
Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince smiled and immediately replied to the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince's news is indeed swift. That item is not particularly valuable; it's merely unique to Qingzhou. I thought that since Mother has been in the palace for many years, seeing this might help alleviate her homesickness."
After speaking, he patted someone, and soon, people brought forward a large wooden chest covered with brocade.
Everyone became curious. They had seen many precious items, but they had never heard of anything unique to Qingzhou, so they all craned their necks in anticipation.
The Sixth Prince gave a look, and one of the men carrying the chest pulled off the brocade.
The wooden chest was then opened. Instead of the expected gift, a man, who had been knocked unconscious and bound, lay inside.
Surprise turned into shock?
How could a son give his mother a gift that was an unknown man?
The Sixth Prince's smile had not yet faded from his face when he was stunned by the scene before him. How could this be!
He immediately stepped forward to examine it. Upon seeing the face of the man in the chest, he became flustered.
How could he be here?
How!
Who!
At this moment, he wished he could turn back time and prevent this scene from ever happening. Unfortunately, others would not allow it, especially the consorts who had been envious of Consort Liu's enfeoffment. They began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Why would His Highness send a man to Consort? Isn't this against propriety and ethics?"
"Oh, who is this man? He must have quite the influence!"
"Who knows? Your Highness, please step aside and let us see what this man looks like! Perhaps he eats something that grants immortality!"
Each word was more malicious than the last. The Sixth Prince, his previous refined demeanor gone, glared at the gossiping consorts, his eyes seeming to spew fire.
Those women were frightened into silence. A few, unwilling to give up, turned their gaze to Emperor Qi.
Emperor Qi, filled with both confusion and anger, then said,
"Guards, drag that man out and let me see who this divine being is!"
"Yes!"
The Sixth Prince, though he wished to intervene, was powerless. He quickly thought of a plan. Perhaps he could claim the man was his uncle?
After all, it wasn't unheard of for nephews to resemble their maternal uncles.
As he was contemplating this, he suddenly saw the men who had carried the chest draw swords from the bottom of the chest. They shouted loudly,
"Dog Emperor, take your life!"
In an instant, they lunged towards Emperor Qi.
Only the Empress and Consort Liu were beside him. How could they possibly stop them? Both cried out and rushed to protect the Emperor.
Just as the sword was about to strike Emperor Qi's head, the Crown Prince blocked it with a wooden table.
This wooden table was made of solid material. If he hadn't unleashed his potential in that critical moment, he might not have been able to lift it.