Chapter 8: 008 The Empress Dowager's Birthday

A stray beam of sunlight spilled lazily across the rows of exquisite pavilions within the Imperial Palace, the glazed tiles atop them flashing with a dazzling golden light under the sun's rays. He'an Palace was surrounded by the waters of He'an Pond, where clear water and floating duckweed drifted. From a distance, the pavilions of He'an Palace appeared as exquisite and beautiful as if they were inlaid in gold.

Today was the Empress Dowager's fiftieth birthday. The entire Imperial Palace was filled with festive joy, with laughter and chatter echoing everywhere; one could see a large red lantern almost every three steps. The various concubines had gathered at He'an Palace, each exerting every effort to win the Empress Dowager's favor. They all hoped that one day they might become the head of the inner palace and rule the world as the Mother of the Nation! "Your servant wishes the Empress Dowager blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains!" Among the concubines, a beautiful and slightly mature-looking consort rose slightly, performed a respectful bow, and with practiced grace, handed an exquisite treasure box embroidered with the pattern of "Dragon and Phoenix bringing prosperity" into the Empress Dowager's hands.

The Empress Dowager gave a faint, indifferent smile and took a sip of tea at an unhurried pace. She reached out to take the box, slowly removing the golden lock. A burst of blinding, translucent light surged forth. This object was the Treasure Spirit Pearl, one of the national treasures of the Yuehan Dynasty. The late Emperor had once bestowed the Treasure Spirit Pearl upon the Great General of the State, Li Yuanzhong. And the person before her presenting this item was none other than Li Xi, the daughter of Great General Li Yuanzhong, who was also the current Emperor's concubine, bestowed with the title Consort Xi and granted residence in Qinxin Palace. "Xi'er actually gave the national treasure, the Treasure Spirit Pearl, to this old woman. I am truly blessed!" The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile, slowly closed the treasure box, and set it aside.

"The Treasure Spirit Pearl was originally a national treasure of the Yuehan Dynasty and should have belonged within the Imperial Palace. Is it not better that it stays here with Mother? Perhaps the Yuehan Dynasty will become even more prosperous because of it," Li Xi said with a charming smile.

"Xi'er has become much more sensible than before. I truly did not misjudge you!" The Empress Dowager looked at Li Xi with satisfaction, a kind smile hanging on her face. Li Xi was the beauty she had personally issued an imperial decree to summon into the palace; she was the very first consort the Empress Dowager had personally selected for the Emperor. Now, she had even handed over the Treasure Spirit Pearl bestowed by the late Emperor. It seemed she was truly a thoughtful person.

"Thank you for the praise, Mother!" A trace of a cold smile flashed across Li Xi's cheek, and her deep eyes revealed a complex expression. She would obtain what she wanted at any cost; one day, she would stand high above, forcing everyone who had ever looked down on her to look up to her! If the Empress Dowager had not issued the decree to summon her into the palace three years ago, she would surely be living a carefree life now, rather than guarding Qinxin Palace all alone. "It has been three years since Xi'er entered the palace, hasn't it?" The corners of the Empress Dowager's mouth curled up slightly, her face full of smiles as her lips moved. "When will Xi'er be able to give His Majesty a prince? This old woman is getting anxious!"

"Replying to Mother, your servant has been in the palace for three years, but His Majesty rarely visits my Qinxin Palace, and I also..." Li Xi prepared her emotions, squeezing out the single tear in her eye, aiming to win the Empress Dowager's sympathy. "The Empress Dowager must stand up for me."

"Sister, today is Mother's birthday, a day of great joy. It is quite inauspicious for you to be weeping like this!" Among the concubines, a slightly tall consort who exuded an air of noble purity walked elegantly toward Li Xi. She gently supported her with her hand, gave a charming smile to the Empress Dowager, and performed a light, graceful bow. "Your servant wishes the Empress Dowager good health and a smile that never fades!"

"Yi'er, please rise. I am happy today, so I have been talking a bit too much." The Empress Dowager gave an awkward smile. She had just made a significant mistake by overlooking the presence of the other concubines. This Lin Yi before her was the daughter of the three-court veteran Lin Yucheng, who controlled nearly half of the Yuehan Dynasty's military strength.

Seeing Lin Yi step forward, the other concubines immediately swarmed forward, kneeling one after another to present their birthday gifts. Many concubines rarely had the chance to see the Empress Dowager in person, and now that she was within arm's reach, they naturally sought every way to please her. The Empress Dowager was also uncharacteristically happy and actually began to chat and laugh with the concubines.

Li Xi retreated to the side, casting an angry glance at Lin Yi. Lin Yi, in turn, gave a slight smile toward Li Xi's eyes, causing anger to surge in Li Xi's heart. Stepping forward with light footsteps, she took Lin Yi's hand and said with a flirtatious smile, "Sister, why don't we go over there to sit and chat? It has been a long time since I've had a heart-to-heart with you."

Lin Yi froze. Since when had Li Xi ever tolerated her?

Seeing that Lin Yi did not speak, Li Xi smiled and asked, "I wonder what my sister thinks?"

Lin Yi gave an elegant smile. "Why must Sister be so polite with me? It is my honor to be able to have a heart-to-heart with you!"