The Fierce Farm Girl Has A Secret Space Chapter 2647: Festival of Her Majesty’s Longevity (Part 7)

Amidst the bustling activities, the Shengshou Festival arrived once more.

The Emperor’s birthday was called the Wanshou Festival, the Empress Dowager’s was called the Shengshou Festival, and the Empress’s was called the Qianshou Festival. As for the other concubines, their birthdays were simply called birthdays, without much fuss.

The De Xian Empress Dowager was twelve years younger than Emperor Gaozong and was not his original match. When Gaozong was still the Crown Prince, he had a Crown Princess, and it was said that they were childhood sweethearts. Unfortunately, the Crown Princess had a short life. One year, the south suffered a major flood, and Crown Prince Gaozong personally went to assist with disaster relief in the south. At that time, the Crown Princess went into labor and died due to complications. As a result, when Gaozong returned, he was in low spirits for several years until Emperor Gaozu fell seriously ill, prompting him to regain his vitality. He then married the current Empress Dowager, who was later made Empress after his ascension to the throne. However, Gaozong’s harem remained quite empty, with only the Empress and two concubines, who had been the close palace maids of the late Crown Princess. Neither of them bore any children, so all of Gaozong’s three sons were born to the current Empress Dowager.

The eldest son, Qi Fang, was named Crown Prince at birth, but his health remained frail, and he passed away before ascending the throne, leaving behind a daughter, Princess Qi Rong, who was Jiang Fangfei’s mother.

Later, the second son, Qi Wei, succeeded to the throne.

There was also a youngest son named Qi Zheng, who was granted the title of Prince of Qin, with his fief in Qinyang City. He had two sons, the eldest being Qi Jinglan, who has been granted the title of Princely Heir, and was Qi Zizi’s father, while the younger was named Qi Jinghui.

At previous palace banquets that Yang Ruxin attended, many members of the imperial family were absent, but this year’s Shengshou Festival saw a full gathering.

The Emperor, being filial, felt there was no need for everyone to come to the capital for his own birthday, but for his mother’s birthday, he decreed that all his siblings gather in the capital to celebrate.

Naturally, the happiest person was the Empress Dowager, with her sons, grandsons, and even great-grandsons present. How could she not be overjoyed?

As always, in Jinluan Hall, the Empress Dowager received birthday wishes from everyone, and then she led the ladies with titles to the harem, where she hosted a banquet for all the female guests in the Warm Pavilion of the Imperial Garden, while the Emperor hosted a banquet for courtiers and male guests in Jinluan Hall.

Besides eating and drinking, a stage was set up in the Warm Pavilion for performances by an opera troupe, and there were opportunities to tour the Imperial Garden.

Though it was winter, the Imperial Garden remained vibrant with a riot of colors, and the Plum Grove and Chrysanthemum Garden were in full, splendid bloom.

Yang Ruxin’s birthday gift to the Empress Dowager was a screen embroidered with the motif of the Five Fortunes, and she also made a large cake, maintaining her philosophy of indulging in food and drink without taking unnecessary steps or speaking unnecessarily, knowing well that such occasions could easily lead to trouble if one was not careful.

Erni stayed close by Yang Ruxin’s side, refusing to leave her for even a moment.

With the eating and drinking mostly done, the opera began.

Yang Ruxin was not particularly interested in the opera, but seeing Erni watching with great enthusiasm, didn’t want to spoil her fun. Yet, after sitting for a while, she wanted to go out for a stroll, but was hesitant to leave Erni unattended.

"Elder sister, I’ll be fine watching the opera here," Erni assured her, aware of her sister’s impatience. "Remember to take your hand warmer, it’s cold outside."

"You go ahead," said Yan Yuyu, who had come over to sit with Yang Ruxin, waving her hand quickly. "I’ll keep Xuexue company watching the opera."

"I’ll be back after getting some fresh air," Yang Ruxin said as she stood up, reminding Xiaoyun to keep Erni company, before leaving with Chai Qin.