Motherly Love, Filial Devotion

Chu Danqing covertly sized up the young man wearing the Dragon Robe.

This man was Emperor Zhang.

His own "birth" mother was celebrating her birthday, so of course he had to come in person.

Though he had been adopted by Empress Dowager Li and belonged to her in name, he still had to fulfill his filial duty.

It was not merely for appearances, but also political capital.

So while the protagonist of today's celebration was ostensibly Venerable Consort Hui, in truth, it was still Emperor Zhang.

With his arrival, the entire banquet grew restrained.

He said they should treat him as a guest, but no one took those words seriously.

The necessary rites were performed, and only after a chaotic round of formalities had run its course did the banquet begin.

Yet even the meal was not enjoyable; there were rules for this and rules for that.

Fortunately, Chu Danqing did not care much for a single meal.

Nor had the others come to this birthday banquet merely to eat. None of those seated here were ordinary people.

Thus, every one of them took this opportunity to fish for political capital.

When the time came for Emperor Zhang to return to the palace, he took the lead in leaving.

And so the banquet dispersed.

However, a small incident arose midway through. Old Consort Hui had something to tell Emperor Zhang, so he turned back.

As for everyone else, they all left Prince Hui's Estate and returned home.

Chu Danqing, meanwhile, was secretly invited into the inner quarters as well.

When he arrived, Emperor Zhang had not yet come. Only Old Consort Hui and Lu Wanyi were there.

"You're here, Brother Chu. Please take Niangniang Lu behind the screen to rest for now," Old Consort Hui said in response. "His Majesty