After Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan returned to the mansion and finished freshening up, Guo Song came to report the message sent by He Zhao, informing them that Yang Yi would stay in the palace tonight. Yang Yi said he would explain the details to them later.

This outcome didn’t surprise anyone, and it could even be considered expected.

The most challenging obstacle has already been crossed, and the process of establishing the Crown Prince will now undoubtedly proceed swiftly.

At tomorrow’s Empress’s birthday banquet, Yang Yi will surely appear before the civil and military officials as the eldest son of the emperor.

Tonight, naturally, there will be much to discuss between the father and son.

Fu Zhen felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

As a result, she had a particularly sweet sleep.

It wasn’t until the sounds of joyous laughter and firecrackers from the streets and alleys reached the General’s Mansion that she awoke from her dreams.

The Empress’s birthday is a joyous occasion meant to be celebrated. When Fu Zhen got up to groom herself, she heard Zi Yan say that early this morning, an imperial decree was issued from the palace. The emperor ordered a day off for all government offices and instructed the Ministry of Revenue to distribute rice to the people at various city gates. The commoners within and fifty miles around the capital city would receive two dou of rice per household as a blessing for the Empress’s virtues.

As a result, the entire city and its surroundings burst into cheers, with people shouting long live the emperor.

In recent years, there have been favorable weather conditions leading to good harvests, and the granaries are well-stocked. However, a considerable amount has been used for the northwest defense, and households are not particularly affluent.

Two dou of rice per household is not much, yet it shows the emperor’s empathy for all his subjects.

How could anyone not support this?

After breakfast, the flow of people on the streets began to increase. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Households gradually set out riding in sedans and on horses to the palace.

At the five gates and Donghua Gate, decorations were already arranged. The city towers were also adorned with festive decorations, and the musicians began playing horns.

Not many official households had the privilege to enter the palace, but countless people gathered outside both palaces to witness the spectacle.

Mrs. Pei had already arranged to meet with Mrs. Feng, Mrs. Cao from the Liang Family, Mrs. Cheng, and Mrs. Du under Donghua Gate and enter the palace together.

Around the time of the hour of Chen, Fu Zhen was ready.

When she arrived at Mrs. Pei’s, she saw her coming out in her ornate dress.

Mrs. Pei, who was already well-maintained, appeared even more stunning in such formal attire.

Upon seeing Fu Zhen, Mrs. Pei remarked, "Is the in-law here yet?"

Fu Zhen smiled, "She’s already waiting in the front hall. But Zi Yan said she just arrived, so I didn’t go out specially to greet her."

"You."

Mrs. Pei gave her a reproachful look and then quickened her pace to walk out.

Indeed, at this Empress’s birthday banquet, Mrs. Ning and Ning Jia were also guests of honor. From the moment they received the imperial decree, Mrs. Ning, who had never attended such a high-profile event, became quite uneasy. Fu Zhen even specifically returned to her mother’s home two days ago to comfort her.

So, when Mrs. Pei heard that Fu Zhen left Mrs. Ning alone in the front hall, she felt it was quite unsuitable.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reached the front hall and saw Mrs. Ning sitting calmly in the hall. Her nervousness and unease from the previous days had largely dissipated, and she appeared as if she had fully adapted.

"I heard that the other Great Generals’ wives have already gone to the palace gates, so why don’t we set off now?"

"Yes, let’s set off! Let’s not delay!"

Seeing her in such a state, Mrs. Pei was pleased too. She turned around and arranged for the carriage and horses to be prepared.

The men had their own arrangements, so they naturally wouldn’t accompany them.

Upon leaving the mansion, they soon arrived at the palace gates, where the ladies were all gathered.

Mrs. Feng and the others waved at Fu Zhen from a distance. Since it was inconvenient to get off the sedan at the time, they exchanged brief greetings and entered the palace gates.

Upon entering the palace and alighting from the sedan, Mrs. Cao, Liang Zhi’s mother, walked over and said, "What’s going on? I heard early in the morning the palace started preparing the Eastern Palace. People from the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Revenue were entering the palace before dawn, all heading to the Eastern Palace. Has something happened that I’m not aware of?"

Fu Zhen was already smiling when she was halfway through hearing this. She exchanged a glance with Mrs. Pei and then said, "Aunt, please allow me to keep a little secret."

Mrs. Cao clicked her tongue, "This girl, why are you keeping secrets from me? If you know what’s going on, just tell me!"

Of course, Fu Zhen didn’t truly intend to keep her in the dark. She leaned in and whispered the whole story in Mrs. Cao’s ear.