Xie Qianyun looked at the enchanting beauties in front of her, feeling a wave of joy in her eyes.

Who doesn’t love playing with beautiful women?!

She hurriedly invited everyone to take their seats.

The concubines naturally felt reserved. They’ve only heard that the Empress is the daughter of Prime Minister Song and General Xie, and seldom returns from the border. They are unsure of the Empress’s true personality, and what her intentions are today in summoning them, fearing they might offend her.

It’s important to know that the longest time they’ve been in the Imperial Palace is four years, and even then they’ve seen the Emperor only a few times and haven’t received his favor. However, word has spread in the harem that last night the Empress had already spent a joyous evening with the Emperor.

"How do you usually pass the time in the Imperial Palace?" Xie Qianyun asked.

All the concubines looked at each other, not daring to answer.

Xie Qianyun frowned and directly named one, "Concubine Rou?"

Du Wenrou quickly stood up, respectfully saluting, "Replying to Your Majesty, I usually spend my days in the bedchamber composing poetry and couplets, play a few pieces of ancient instruments occasionally, and when the weather is good, I take walks in the Imperial Garden. Before sleeping at night, I also write prayers to bless our country Daxuan with prosperity and strength."

"So boring?" Xie Qianyun commented.

Du Wenrou dared not make a sound.

"How about Concubine Yu?" Xie Qianyun asked again.

"Replying to Your Majesty, I am quite similar to Concubine Rou, but I focus more on self-care, studying some health techniques in the bedchamber, and I ask palace attendants to bring whatever good rouge there is from outside the palace. If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, I could send some to you?"

Liu Yu’s words immediately stirred discontent among the other concubines.

It was clear Liu Yu was deliberately trying to please Xie Qianyun.

Fortunately, Xie Qianyun had no interest in this.

You see, she believed in physical training over bodily maintenance.

"No need, I am not fond of it," Xie Qianyun refused, and asked, "Does anyone else have a different way of spending time? Like any fun games?"

None of the concubines spoke.

In the Imperial Palace, they needed to behave obediently and abide by palace etiquette; how dare they do anything out of line?!

Xie Qianyun was set back.

She knew it wasn’t easy being the Emperor’s woman.

She needed to rescue these sisters from their plight.

She said, "Do you know how to play dice?"

"Dice?" Liu Yu replied, "I’ve only heard of them but never played or seen them."

"Then I’ll teach you how to play dice," Xie Qianyun decided, "Qiu Yin, bring me several dice!"

"Your Majesty, there are no dice within the palace..."

"There’s some in my dowry, go look for them carefully. I knew it would be boring in the palace, so I hid them in my dowry on purpose," Xie Qianyun instructed.

"...Yes, Your Majesty."

After a while, Qiu Yin brought several dice.

Xie Qianyun had the palace attendants clear a large round table and invited all the concubines to gather.

Of course, the concubines hesitated.

"Sit down; we’re all sisters here, and if nothing unexpected happens, our days together are long. Why are you still constraining yourselves?" Xie Qianyun instructed.

The concubines looked at each other and finally sat down.

"Let’s start with the simplest game, guessing big or small," Xie Qianyun said, "This side bets on big, this side bets on small. For the first three rounds, no money gambling, and after that, when everyone understands, we’ll get serious! So, did you bring silver?"

"I didn’t bring any," one replied.

"I didn’t bring any either..."

"Quickly have someone go fetch some silver, how can we play without silver?!" Xie Qianyun said.

"...Yes."

Soon enough.

Silver coins began filling up the table.

Qiu Yin threw the dice.

"Big, big, big!" Xie Qianyun kept urging.

The other concubines dared not speak,

but they were still anxious about whether it was big or small.

Qiu Yin revealed the dice: two ones, clearly small.

"Those who bet on small, take the money quickly," Xie Qianyun urged.

The concubines hesitated but ultimately took Xie Qianyun’s money.

After several rounds, the concubines didn’t feel the Empress’s oppressive demeanor anymore, and along with their eagerness to win money, the atmosphere quickly became lively...

Meanwhile.

In Qiankun Hall.

Xiao Luming was reviewing the memorials.

"Your Majesty, you’ve been sitting for more than an hour; perhaps the slave can accompany the Emperor for a walk in the Imperial Garden?" The eunuch respectfully suggested.

Xiao Luming set down his brush and ink.

The eunuch quickly stepped forward to massage his shoulders.

"How’s the Empress doing?" Xiao Luming casually asked.

"Replying to Your Majesty, since the Empress left Fengqi Palace, she returned to her bedchamber and invited all the concubines to join her there."