After Consort Xian left, the Empress looked at Consort De and said, "Consort Xian is still too petty; she doesn’t harbor any truly evil intentions."

Consort De nodded. "Yes, this concubine knows that too."

She then looked at Su Li and said, "Li’er, don’t mind these things. We didn’t think much of it. Your trip to Lan’an was for a greater cause."

Besides, her own son was still in Lan’an! Given his personality, it would be strange if he let Li’er get too close to other men.

Su Li smiled faintly. "Li’er understands."

The Crown Princess looked at Su Li and smiled. "Princess Consort, you don’t know how many women in and out of the palace envy you now. As a woman, to possess such breadth of mind and ability, you are truly a role model for our gender."

The Empress also said, "Precisely. Your donation of so much military grain has effectively silenced those who were envious of your wealth and accused you of greed. Your medical skills have not only benefited the common people but also saved soldiers and warhorses. I also heard you even brought some ’fireballs’ that had immense power. I think the Emperor will have no choice but to richly reward you this time."

Su Li smiled. "The donation of provisions wasn’t solely Li’er’s achievement. Many noble ladies in the capital also donated. As for those ’fireballs,’ they were a method proposed by Lord Yu’s esteemed daughter. The research was conducted by Young Master Ji of Marquis Wuyang’s estate and Daoist Wuxi. Li’er merely acted as a go-between."

Watching the young woman’s dignified and generous demeanor, not taking credit for herself, such broad-mindedness was truly admirable.

The Empress’s eyes showed satisfaction. Just as she was about to speak, a palace maid entered.

"Empress, the palace banquet is about to begin. Please move, Your Ladyship and all esteemed guests."

The female official beside the Empress stepped forward to help the Empress up. Everyone rose.

Lan Yu also helped the Empress, and Lan Yan followed behind Lan Yu.

"Let’s go, we’ll head over."

Su Li supported Consort De, following behind the Empress as they walked out.

"Empress arrives! Consort De arrives! Crown Princess arrives! Princess Changning arrives!"

"Greetings to Empress, may Your Ladyship live for a thousand thousand years!"

Su Li supported Consort De as they walked along with the Empress towards the head seats.

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Empress."

Consort De sat down and smiled at Su Li. "Go chat with your young ladies-in-waiting."

Su Li curtsied with a smile: "Thank you, Your Ladyship."

Su Li walked towards Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou’s seats. Soon, the three of them huddled together.

"Li’er, why have you lost weight? I, on the other hand, gained weight. I’m so envious." Wei Yuanyao looked at Su Li and said.

Su Li examined her carefully. "I don’t see any weight gain. Your complexion looks good, though."

Qu Zhirou chuckled, "What are you envious of now? You can’t lose weight anyway."

At this remark, Su Li’s eyes lit up.

Seeing Wei Yuanyao’s dejected expression, Su Li took her hand and felt her pulse.

Soon, Su Li’s face showed surprise. "Cousin! You..."

Wei Yuanyao nodded. "It’s only been a little over a month. Only Marquis Wuyang’s estate and you two know. It’s still early, I haven’t reported the good news to the Duke’s estate yet."

Su Li’s face was beaming. "Cousin, this is good news. Why do you still look unhappy?"

Qu Zhirou covered her mouth and chuckled, "She feels like she’s lost her freedom with a child."

Wei Yuanyao pouted. "It’s all Ji Huaizhou’s fault! Ever since he knew I was pregnant, that man has been watching me twenty-four hours a day, forbidding this, forbidding that, like watching a prisoner."

After speaking, she was about to pick up the tea on the table to drink, but she was stopped by Qiantai, who was behind her.

"Young Miss, the Young Master-in-law said you shouldn’t drink strong tea, so you won’t have insomnia tonight. Let’s drink some plain water."

Wei Yuanyao looked at Su Li and Qu Zhirou. "Look at them, he can’t watch me himself, so he makes the maid watch me."

Su Li chuckled. "Cousin, that shows that Cousin-in-law cares about you."

"Nonsense, he cares about the child." Wei Yuanyao said discontentedly.

Su Li paused, finally understanding why her cousin was unhappy. So, she was jealous of her unborn child!

But looking at her cousin’s complexion, she knew she was living very well in Marquis Wuyang’s estate.

Qu Zhirou chuckled, "He loves the house for the sake of the crow."

Wei Yuanyao sighed. "But being stuck in the estate every day is so boring. Rou’er, hurry up and get married."

Qu Zhirou’s face flushed.

Su Li smiled. "Sister Qu’s wedding is still a few months away. By then, your belly will probably be quite big."

As the group was talking, a notification came from outside the hall: "The Emperor arrives! The Crown Prince arrives! Prince Jing arrives!"

Everyone quickly rose to pay their respects. Su Li and Qu Zhirou helped Wei Yuanyao slowly kneel.

"Greetings to the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long long live the Emperor!"

The Emperor entered with his officials. The Emperor walked forward and helped the Empress up.

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Emperor!" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

After everyone took their seats, the Empress, from above, raised her wine cup.

The Emperor loudly proclaimed, "Tonight’s palace banquet is to celebrate the victorious army! Come, let us first drink this cup together!"

Everyone raised their cups and drank.

The Emperor continued, "In this battle with the Southern Frontier, our Tianqi sacrificed 63,043 soldiers, while the Southern Frontier’s 350,000 were almost completely annihilated. This is a miracle! You have not disappointed Us and the common people! You have upheld our Tianqi’s national prestige! Come, this second cup, is for all the Tianqi soldiers!"

Everyone accompanied him in drinking another cup.

"Although our Tianqi has won, those 50,000 people of Shuiyong City cannot return! This third cup, for the people of Shuiyong City!"

Three cups down, those who couldn’t hold their liquor began to feel dizzy.

The Emperor laughed loudly, "Good! The celebration banquet begins! Everyone, feel free to eat and drink!"

"Thank you, Emperor!"

The Empress waved her sleeve, and within the grand hall, sleeves fluttered like clouds, and the sound of flutes and strings was ceaseless.

The officials exchanged toasts, and cups and dice intertwined among the seats, creating a joyous atmosphere.

Su Li looked up towards the head seats and met Jun Mo’s gaze.

The two smiled at each other, threads of affection intertwining between them.

Wei Yuanyao chuckled, saying to Qu Zhirou, "Look at Li’er."

Su Li retracted her gaze and said to Wei Yuanyao, "Don’t talk about me. Look at Cousin-in-law; he’s become a husband-watching stone."

Wei Yuanyao looked at Ji Huaizhou in the men’s seating area and saw him staring fixedly at her. Was he not a husband-watching stone?

Wei Yuanyao felt a sweetness in her heart, but still said stubbornly, "He’s not looking at me; he’s supervising me, afraid I’ll eat something bad."

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