Zixing."Unforeseen, she escaped the grasp of Taizu's faction but fell prey to the treacherous schemes of Emperor Aoxu. She truly deserves her fate. The princess plummeted from a cliff, and the purple...Hearing this, Feng Linglong only then remembered that this banquet was for a talent competition. She danced the best out of everyone there. The Sixth Prince had brought her here, surely wanting her to dance and bring him glory.

"Oh, I'd completely forgotten! Your dancing is exceptional. Among all of us sisters, you're the best dancer by far. The Sixth Prince invited you here precisely so that you could showcase your talents."

Feng Ling's jade pendant responded with a chime. Praised by her elder sister, she excitedly told her, "The Sixth Prince said that if I perform well this time, he will treat me even better in the future and might even let me become his sixth princess."

"Then you must perform well this time, don't disgrace the Sixth Prince."

Feng Linglong softly said, Feng Lingyu nodded, "Elder sister rest assured, this time I am well-prepared, absolutely will not let Elder sister and the Sixth Royal Highness lose face."

Feng Linglong smiled, “It seems you’ve truly grown up. If Father were to let both of us become legitimate daughters, our lives as sisters would be much better.”

Talking about this, Feng Lingyu pulled Feng Linglong aside and glanced at Feng Lingxi who was walking towards the Imperial Garden. "Big sister, is it because Feng Lingxi doesn't want to agree to us becoming legitimate daughters"

Feng Linglong looked at Feng Lingyu's cold eyes and gently patted her hand, "We are just illegitimate daughters, unlike those blessed to be born as legitimate daughters. Now she is married to the Fourth Prince as his official wife. Father wanted to register us under the Zhang family name, but she refused. Our sisters could only accept it. Who are we to defy fate"

"Elder sister, why doesn't father let us be registered under Zhao shi's name She is now the mistress of the General's Mansion. As long as we are registered under her name, we are legitimate daughters. Doesn't it make no difference whose name we are under"

"That's not the same at all. If we were registered under the Zhao family name, that Zhao family would have been a concubine's lineage from the start, with humble origins. Even if we became legitimate daughters, we would still be inferior. But if we were registered under the Zhang family name, even Feng Lingxi wouldn't compare to our noble status."

Feng Lingyu then understood, “No wonder elder sister wanted Feng Lingxi to agree so much, it turns out this was the reason.”

Feng Linglong, seeing her expression of sudden realization, continued, "If you could be listed under the Zhang family name, this position of Sixth Princess Consort would be yours for sure. Moreover, the Sixth Prince's Manor wouldn't dare to mistreat you anymore."

Feng Lingyu's eyes lit up upon hearing her elder sister's words. Her heart was itching with excitement. She hadn't realized the difference between being listed under the Zhang and Zhao family names was so significant. It seemed she had to find a way to persuade Feng Lingxi to be listed under the Zhang family name.

Feng Linglong looked at the scheming in her eyes, "Now Feng Lingxi will definitely not agree to let us use the Zhang family's name."

"Older sister, won't you think of a way"

Feng Lingyu pulled Feng Linglong aside and whispered her thoughts. Feng Linglong shook her head.

“No, Feng Lingxi is not a fool. Your tricks won't work on her. Unless you can outshine everyone at the banquet and surpass Feng Lingxi, then when the Empress is pleased, she will grant you a wish.”

Fēnglíngyù looked at her elder sister, her eyes full of confusion.

"Sister, in terms of ability, you are proficient in everything, from qin (guqin), chess, calligraphy, and painting. Why don't you compare yourself with Feng Lingxi"

"Do you really think Feng Lingxi is that foolish I challenged her, would she actually accept With the Four Kings backing her, she definitely won't perform this time. I don't even have a chance to compete with her."

Feng Lingyu's eyes turned cold. "Sister, you don't have to worry about this. At the banquet later, I will find a way to make her have to compare with my sister. Today, I want her to know how capable we sisters are."

Wind Linglong heard her words, took her hand, and looked at her with relief.

"Lingyu grew up and finally knew how to shine with her sister for their mother."

Feng Lingyu watched as they all went in, and hurriedly said, "Big sister, I'm going to find the Sixth Prince. You should hurry over too, so we can cooperate well at the banquet."

Feng Linglong responded with a nod, watching her leaving figure, the smile on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by an indescribable coldness.

All civil and military officials, accompanied by their wives, had already arrived. Following the sharp voice of the emperor's father-in-law, the civil and military officials stood up, and they saw the Empress and Emperor arrive with their concubines.

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live! Long live the Empress, long live, long live, long live!"

The Empress walked with a smile to her seat and looked at the Emperor, her face beaming.

All you esteemed officials, be at ease.

The emperor sat there, his face slightly pale. Consort Shu sat beside him, occasionally fanning him. That sickly appearance made the Empress's eyes smile even wider.

"Mother, this is the birthday gift your son brings you. It's a pearl of the night from the East Sea. Place it in your palace chamber, and it will illuminate like daylight. I hope Mother will like it."

Dugu Yan held up the box and stepped forward to present it. She opened the box, and all the civil and military officials looked inside at the night pearl, their faces filled with astonishment.

"The prince is thoughtful."

The Empress smiled and said, as Dugu Yan handed the Yeming Pearl to the person assigned by the Empress, she walked to the side of Princess Zhaoran and sat down. The other princes also followed suit, presenting gifts one after another. Like in previous years, they were all valuable trinkets, nothing particularly remarkable.

When it was Dugu City's turn, Dugu City directly took out a painting and presented it. The Empress frowned, looking at the painting Dugu City had presented, and at the portrait depicted on it, the Empress was somewhat surprised.

"I don't know what to give the Empress. That day, I saw her admiring flowers in the imperial garden. When I returned, I painted a picture of how she looked when she was appreciating the flowers. Wishing the Empress a happy birthday and eternal youth."

The Empress looked at the flowers in the painting, all buds yet to bloom, and asked with confusion, "Fourth Prince, I remember those flowers were in full bloom that day. Why are they all buds in this painting"

Dugu Cheng arched his hand and stepped forward to explain, "Of course, it was compared to the Queen's beauty. He dared not bloom in front of the Queen."

The Empress was very pleased to hear his praise.

It is rumored that the Fourth Prince possesses both literary talent and military prowess. Today, this palace has opened its eyes to such a capable individual. This gift is greatly appreciated by this palace. Bring it forward for inspection.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Dugu Cheng returned to his position. After a round of offering gifts, the Empress, seeing that Nian Nian's presents were as uninspired as ever, lost interest.

"Prime Minister, this palace has heard that your granddaughter is exceptionally skilled at playing the qin. Have you prepared a performance for this visit to the palace"

The Chancellor was named, and he hurriedly stood up and said, "Yun'er has practiced repeatedly for several months for the Empress's birthday."

Shen Yun stepped forward, her appearance stunning, her figure light and graceful. She bowed slightly to the Empress and said, "My greetings to Your Majesty, Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy year after year of happiness and prosperity."

"You're welcome."

Shen Yun walked to the guqin and sat down, looking at the Empress, "My humble self offers a performance."

As the music began, a melodious and pleasing sound filled everyone's ears. It was like a gentle spring breeze, refreshing and uplifting the spirit.orm a marriage alliance. We must not let this incident sour our relations. Chieftain, do you agree"Even though Luo Li had not returned to the capital and everything had fallen into disarray, she still...