er hen protecting her chicks, ensuring they were safe from any danger and wouldn't experience any hardship.Unfortunately, the world doesn't seem to be on her side."Dad, come back soon.""Okay, at home,...Everyone quickly got up and knelt down, shouting in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years for the Empress Dowager! Ten thousand years for the Empress Dowager!"

The Emperor, supporting the Empress Dowager, walked past the crowd and went directly to the innermost part of the hall.

There was a long, rectangular sandalwood table there. The chair facing north and south was naturally the emperor's, but there was another chair beside it, only half a foot away, for the empress.

The emperor's eyes flickered, as if he hadn't noticed anything amiss. He served the empress dowager to her seat and then smiled, ordering everyone to be at ease.

Everyone stood up, bowed again, and then sat down one after another.

The emperor smiled and said, "Mother Empress, you can see that this year's New Year's Eve banquet is more lively than in previous years."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, Tianwu nation is flourishing, naturally with a prosperous atmosphere everywhere." The Empress Dowager replied with a smile.

She also did not forget to remind Yi, the head steward beside her, "Although the Emperor is in high spirits today, you must not serve him too much wine. His health is paramount."

“Thank you, Empress Dowager, for remembering me.” The Emperor expressed his gratitude and instructed Yi the Steward, “Remember to tell the kitchen to prepare the crab roe soup that the Empress Dowager likes. Make sure it is warmed over charcoal before serving, and be careful not to let it get cold. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t find it comfortable to eat.”

This mother and son duo, sitting up front, started their performance of filial piety even before the show began.

Whatever everyone was thinking in their hearts, they all smiled sweetly, their expressions filled with envy and joy.

As for what they're really thinking, well, that's a mystery...

After all, in the past two years, the emperor has grown increasingly powerful, gradually taking control of all government affairs and breaking free from the Empress Dowager's suppression.

The Empress Dowager was being pressured so much, she felt like a ghost. She truly wished the emperor would die!

The Emperor wished the Empress Dowager would just sleep and go see the King of Hell!

These two people had to act this way, despite themselves…

Fortunately, the most powerful mother and son duo didn't disgust everyone for too long. They finally ordered the feast to begin.

One after another, eunuchs and palace maids brought up wine, dishes, and various fruits and snacks, bustling but organized.

There were courtiers skilled in flattery who immediately stepped forward, presenting their carefully prepared "flattery articles." They practically danced with excitement, singing the praises of the glorious reign of Emperor Tianwu and extolling the emperor.

There were also courtiers with smooth tongues and sweet words, who brought their wine cups and knelt down, wishing they could cry and weep, lamenting the hardships of Tianwu in the past and the peace of today. They begged the Emperor to drink his fill in celebration.

The rest of them may look down on these people's servile appearance, but they won't embarrass them in public.

So, you chime in with a few words here and there, following my lead, and the whole hall becomes lively and joyful.

The Emperor was coaxed into happiness and summoned several ministers to the front, showering them with generous gifts.

Among these people, there are those with distinguished military achievements, loyal courtiers who share the monarch's worries, and rising stars of the imperial court.

Of course, Marquis Xin Ting was also in this line, receiving two hundred taels of gold and a divine bow.

Xin Ting Hou's expression was filled with gratitude. Though he didn't speak much, he conveyed his loyalty nonetheless.

In the end, he took something back to his seat. Lao Si Li liked that divine bow and, due to the crowded room, could only sneak peeks at it again and again, which amused the Marquis who directly pushed the divine bow into his arms.

They did so, and others hadn't yet felt how it was, but in the eyes of General Zhenbei and others, it was infuriating.

If it weren't for Marquis Xin Ting holding the military power, they would only have the title of general but no soldiers under their command, wouldn't they

But no matter how wronged they were, they didn't dare to speak out.

Next year will be the most crucial year for retaking Jiangbei. They angered Marquis Xinting at this time, and Marquis Xinting threw down his gauntlet. No one could replace him in battle.

Perhaps we should wait a little longer. When Jiangbei returns, someone will have to guard all the places.

Then, it will be their chance!

Picking peaches is so easy, why bother to struggle "planting peach trees"!

Thinking about it this way, they actually felt a lot better...

Soon, the emperor, perhaps weary of praises, ordered a dance performance.

At this point in time, the Empress Dowager would have to step down.

But this year, the Empress Dowager's spirits seemed high, leading a group of noble ladies in laughter and idle chatter.

Jia Yin was bored out of her mind.

Want to have a little something The food on the table still seems hard to put chopsticks down.

Perhaps because there were so many people, the Imperial Kitchen was overwhelmed and most of the dishes prepared were stews. Without a charcoal stove to keep them warm, they arrived already cold.

And these stews are mostly big fish and meat, with not much fresh and tasty ingredients.

Jia Yin could only turn her head to look at the two young ladies beside her. As a result, these two women turned pale with fright, wishing they were eight zhang away from her, and directly hid behind the table next door. She didn't intend to continue "teasing" them.

I'm sure today's lesson will make these two people lose their appetite for half a month, losing five or six pounds through passive dieting...

Just at that moment, the third princess came out of nowhere and plopped down beside Jiayin.

Jia Yin jumped in fright and complained, "What a scare! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Why are you not up there doing mascot duty, and instead running down here"

The third princess rolled her eyes at him discreetly and whispered, “I wasn’t just bored!”

"I came over to say a few words to you, and you're not even grateful, you dare to disdain me"

Jia Yin also rolled her eyes at her twice, unceremoniously retorted, "Don't flatter yourself, get to the point!"

"Hmph!"

The third princess let out a cold snort and went straight to Jia Yin's side, starting to cause trouble. "Do you have any food Share some with me!"

"The food at this banquet is truly inedible. I've been starving since lunchtime, I could even eat a mouthful of north wind."

Before the good news could speak, the Third Princess continued, "Don't tell me you didn't bring any food! "

"Besides silver, you like to eat the most. Hurry up and share some with me. In the future, if there are good things, I'll save some for you too."

"Cut! As if we were close!" Jia Yin said dismissively, but her hand reached into her handbag and pulled out a box of egg tarts.

This is a new product recently launched by Baiyun.

Although the egg tart crust is not as crispy as the previous version, the filling is sweet and tender, melting in your mouth. It has become a sensation in Xindu.

The day before yesterday, when I went past the bakery, Jia Yin casually took some freshly baked "existence spaces." These are still warm when I take them out now.

The third princess exclaimed with delight, "Oh my! It's a custard tart! And it's still warm. How did you get it in here Didn't they close the palace gate"

Jia Yin couldn't explain, so she aggressively tried to take it back, "Will you eat this or not If you don't, I'm taking it away!"

As expected, the third princess immediately protected the egg tart box as a dog guards its bone, "Eat, eat, of course I ate it! This box is all mine!"

As she spoke, she took one out and bit off half of it.

Jia Yin didn't vie for it with her, and took out another box, giving Shui Ling and Shui Yun each two. She then slowly ate the rest herself.

The third princess saw this and couldn't help but say, "I asked you for something to eat, and you were so reluctant.

"To actually give it to two servants, how generous!"

Jia Yin glared at her, “They grew up with me. They'll take care of me and protect me. If I'm not good to them, will I be good to you”

Shuiling and Shuoyun covered their mouths with their sleeves as they stole a bite, and upon hearing this, their hearts were filled with warmth.

But they were afraid of the Third Princess' anger, and carefully observed her face...e it at home, or tell me. You're still a child, growing up is the most important thing!""Got it, Godfather." Jiayin ran past the table and hugged her godfather, looking very concerned. "Godfather, you...