The fragrance of meat that filled the air made the concubines instantly drop their guard, feeling their mouths watering.

"You’ve arrived," Xie Qianyun greeted them.

Everyone quickly stepped forward, "Your humble concubine greets the Empress."

"We are all sisters here, no need for formalities," Xie Qianyun said, "I called you all today to apologize. Last time, I caused you to be grounded, and I truly feel uneasy about it. So, I had the Palace Attendant prepare a barbecue feast for everyone. This is my favorite dish from my time at the border."

The concubines naturally noticed the open-air grills in the courtyard with whole lambs and lamb skewers on them, sizzling with oil and aroma, making one drool.

"Come on over, everyone," Xie Qianyun called to them again, "Grilled meat tastes best when you cook it yourself."

"Your humble concubine cannot grill; what if we get burned?"

"Empress, it’s better to let the servants grill. We can just enjoy eating."

The concubines dared not get close.

Xie Qianyun urged them, "Trust me, grilling it yourself is the real delight. What’s the fun in eating what others cook? Come, come, I’ll teach you."

The concubines dared not refuse, cautiously approaching, then taking lamb skewers and learning from the Empress how to grill them themselves.

One must admit, watching the lamb skewer grilled by oneself, the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.

While grilling, they couldn’t help feeling tempted.

When everyone finally managed to cook one, they wanted the Palace Attendant to pull the meat off for them.

"This is how lamb skewers are eaten," Xie Qianyun stopped them, then demonstrated by taking a bite.

The fat and lean parts interspersed, the meat juice delicious and indescribable.

The concubines were also influenced by the Empress.

They all picked up the skewers and ate them directly.

"Delicious," Du Wenrou couldn’t help but comment, "This is the best lamb skewer I have ever tasted. There’s no gamey taste, and I grilled it myself."

"So tasty," the other concubines praised.

Xie Qianyun was delighted to see everyone enjoying themselves.

After the first round of self-grilling, the concubines enthusiastically started grilling more.

Xie Qianyun went to the side to grill a whole lamb. It was initially being grilled by a servant, but she dismissed them and took over herself, afraid it would overcook and lose its flavor.

The entire courtyard started bustling with activity again.

One must say, ever since the Empress entered the palace, although they lived cautiously, life became much more interesting than the years spent in the Imperial Palace before.

Qiankun Hall.

Xiao Luming set down the memorial and began eating the lotus seed soup delivered by the Palace Attendant.

"Your Majesty, today the Empress held a feast for the concubines in her palace," the eunuch reported.

Xiao Luming raised his eyebrows slightly.

"It’s said to be a whole lamb feast," the eunuch reported again.

"The Empress really can’t settle down for a moment."

"The Empress is adept at managing the harem. That day, when Your Majesty punished the concubines, the Empress sent them rewards and truly won their hearts. Today she invited the concubines to a feast, and it is reported that Jingxiu Palace was filled with laughter and joy," the eunuch complimented.

Also praising the Empress in various ways.

The Empress is indeed the daughter of Prime Minister Song and General Xie; if not for her own sake, at least one should consider their status. Moreover, the Empress Dowager specifically instructed him to speak well of the Empress to the Emperor and assist her as much as possible.

Listening to the eunuch, Xiao Luming’s facial expression visibly relaxed a bit. He set aside the lotus seed soup, "Let’s visit Jingxiu Palace."

"Yes," the eunuch said respectfully, "Prepare to head to Jingxiu Palace."

It must be said, since the Empress entered the palace, the Emperor has indeed visited the harem more frequently.

He barely set foot in the harem in the past.

The Empress, although she doesn’t play by the rules, undeniably has a significant influence on the Emperor.

It seems the Imperial Palace has become much livelier.

A group headed to Jingxiu Palace.

Before even entering, they smelled the aroma of grilled lamb.

Xiao Luming couldn’t help but press his lips together.

The lotus seed soup he just drank suddenly seemed tasteless.

He stepped into Jingxiu Palace.

The scene inside left one utterly astonished.

It was completely different from what they imagined.

They imagined a typical feast where all concubines sit together, enjoying delicacies, admiring palace dances, with harmonious music, perhaps even composing poetry, a truly pleasant atmosphere. But instead, the Empress Xie Qianyun and all the concubines were grilling meat themselves, indulging happily.

"Ahem!"

The eunuch couldn’t help but cough again.

He knew better than to place hope on the Empress.