"Alright, enough with the long faces. Let’s just enjoy the day."

  "Yes, Your Majesty. What would you like for lunch?" Linshui asked.

  "Let the Imperial Kitchen handle it. Since we're eating outside, keep it simple. No need for a grand feast."

  Linshui quickly went to make the arrangements.

  Soon, a table was set up right there in Peony Terrace.

  Of course, word of the Empress dining in the garden spread quickly throughout the pace—there was no intention to keep it a secret.

  And naturally, everyone assumed the same thing—The Empress must be doing this for the Emperor. She was clearly waiting for him. After all, since her recovery, she had yet to share his bed. And now, with the new concubines arriving, they would soon have their turns.

  Could the Empress not be anxious?

  Even the Emperor, upon hearing the news, thought the same thing. However, since she hadn’t actually sent anyone to summon him, he wasn’t about to go out of his way to visit. Still… this approach was new. At the very least, it was more pleasant than throwing tantrums and seething with jealousy.

  But to everyone's surprise…

  The Empress simply ate and drank, strolled around for a while, and then went back to her pace. She never sought out the Emperor at all.

  The Emperor found this quite strange. However, after a brief moment of reflection, he chose not to dwell on it, and the matter was set aside.

  That didn't prevent the other members of the harem from mocking the Empress for her "failed scheme." Of course, Wumian was oblivious to their ridicule.

  ____

  The next morning, Wumian was rudely awakened.

  Groggy, she grumbled, "So early… What is it now?"

  "Your Majesty, the consorts are coming to pay their respects today. You won’t be able to sleep in anymore," Linshui reminded her.

  Wumian furrowed her brows and let out a long sigh. "Alright, alright. I get it."

  After a brief pause, she added: "Go tell the new concubines they don’t need to come just yet. They only just moved in and haven’t even settled down. Let them wait until the day they are summoned to serve His Majesty."

  "Understood." Linshui bowed and went to rey the message.

  Wumian yawned as she got up. It was too early, and she had no appetite for breakfast.

  "Just bring out something simple to eat."

  By the time she was mostly dressed—her hair still unfinished—Lin Baolin arrived.

  Upon entering the inner chamber, Lin Baolin immediately offered to help Wumian with her hair.

  Wumian quickly stopped her—not out of disdain, but simply because the girl’s skills were… less than ideal.

  "Why are you up so early? Don’t forget, you’re moving soon. Tomorrow, don’t come by—wait until you’ve settled in first."

  She yawned again.

  "It’s fine, I’ll be done in no time. Thank you, Your Majesty, for arranging a new pce for me. I visited Yanyue Pavilion—it’s wonderful. Living alone will be much more peaceful."

  Lin Baolin’s gratitude was sincere.

  Wumian nodded. "As long as you like it."

  With her personality, she likely wouldn’t gain much favor anyway. It was best for her to just live a quiet life.

  "I’ll visit often to serve Your Majesty. Cuiwei Pace was close, but Yanyue Pavilion is even closer."

  "Come whenever you have time."

  By then, Zhaohua had finished styling Wumian’s hair and adorned her with jewelry. Wumian got up and moved to the side.

  "You should go now. I’ll be heading out soon."

  Outside, the lower-ranked consorts had mostly arrived, but the higher-ranked ones were still missing.

  A little more time to be zy.

  About ten minutes ter, the rest had gathered.

  Wumian finally stepped out, and everyone hurriedly greeted her.

  She took her seat and raised a hand.

  "You may rise."

  Then, casually, she asked, "Li Zhaoyi and Li Fei aren’t here?"

  "Your Majesty, Li Fei served His Majesty st night. The Emperor likely just left, so she should be arriving soon. As for Li Zhaoyi, I’m not sure of the reason."

  Looking around, Wumian added, "Yang Jieyu isn’t here either?" Then she nodded to herself. "Li Zhaoyi has a child. Yang Jieyu must has been unwell—she should be here soon."

  Guifei was briefly taken aback, then smiled. "Indeed, Your Majesty is right."

  In the past, Wumian had never tolerated teness. But now, she wasn’t even mentioning Li Fei’s absence? Or… was she waiting for Li Fei to arrive?

  Yang Jieyu arrived first. As soon as she entered, she bowed and apologized. “Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was te.”

  “It’s fine. Sit down. You don’t look well—are you feeling unwell?”

  Yang Jieyu had a hard life. Back when she was in the Eastern Pace, she had suffered greatly, and her health had deteriorated. Despite her young age, she was already pgued by various ailments.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. It’s nothing serious—I was just careless and overslept.” Yang Jieyu remained cautious, not daring to let out a breath of relief.

  Wumian nodded. “I see. Sit.”

  Li Zhaoyi and Li Fei arrived shortly after, also ciming they were te. However, unlike Yang Jieyu, who seemed genuinely remorseful, the two of them appeared unconcerned. They didn’t even bother offering an excuse—perhaps because Wumian hadn’t asked.

  Wumian simply nodded. “Sit.”

  Once everyone was seated, she spoke. “We see each other every day, and there’s no urgent matter. If any of you are feeling unwell or have something to tend to, don’t force yourselves to come. Just send someone to inform me.”

  “Your Majesty, please don’t be angry. I truly didn’t mean to be te. I will be more mindful next time.” Li Fei said with a pyful smile.

  She was breathtakingly beautiful, and her voice was just as alluring. When she spoke, there was a hint of coyness in her tone. Surprisingly, Wumian didn’t find it irritating at all.

  “I’m not upset. I meant it for everyone. Just handle things as you see fit—it’s not a big deal. As long as we observe the proper etiquette during festivals, everything else can be more rexed. We’re all family here, after all.”

  Her words left everyone momentarily dumbfounded. The empress had changed so much.

  Wumian paid no mind to their thoughts and continued through the usual formalities.

  “Xian Fei, how has the Second Prince been these past few days? Has his cough improved?”

  The Second Prince had weak health and suffered from various childhood illnesses—simir to whooping cough, likely an allergic reaction to pollen.

  “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. He always coughs during spring, but this year has been better than before.” Xian Fei replied.

  “That’s good. He will grow stronger as he gets older. You must also take care of yourself—you have a weak constitution as well.” Wumian nodded in satisfaction.

  She then turned to Li Zhaoyi. “Li Zhaoyi, is the Third Prince doing well?”

  “Thank you for asking, Your Majesty. He is doing fine.”

  Li Zhaoyi was a cold beauty, and her response was as emotionless as ever.

  “And the two princesses?”

  Guifei and Rong Fei both answered that they were doing well.

  Wumian nodded with satisfaction. “That’s good. As long as the children are well, that’s all that matters. If there’s anything else, feel free to bring it up. If not, you may all leave.”

  Everyone: …

  Guifei hesitated before speaking. “The new consorts have all settled into their residences. Since Your Majesty has instructed them not to come for the time being, is there anything else you’d like to arrange? Also, regarding Li Fei’s birthday, she wishes to celebrate in the Imperial Garden. Does Your Majesty have any opinions on this?”

  “You may handle the newcomers as you see fit—I have no objections. As for Li Fei’s birthday, the weather has been nice tely, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. That sounds like a good pn—I have no objections.” Wumian replied with a light smile.

  “Many thanks, Your Majesty.” Li Fei rose and curtsied. “Your Majesty must come on the day of my birthday.”

  “Alright, it’s your birthday—I’ll definitely be there.” Wumian thought to herself, Do I really have to go? I’ll even have to prepare a gift… What kind of nonsense is this?

  “Alright, that’s all. You may leave. We shall meet again tomorrow.” Wumian smiled, fully determined to see them again… just not today.