Every year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would arrange everything, and the spare rooms in the back hall would be cleared for use by officials and their families for changing clothes.

Today, of course, the preparations were in place. Most of the rooms were arranged for the women’s use. Although there were no heated walls inside, several charcoal basins were placed, keeping it warm.

Palace maids and chamberlains were waiting at the door; if there was a need, all one had to do was call out.

Warm tea and snacks were also placed on the tables.

Earlier at the banquet, given the large gathering and cold weather, what kind of food could be expected? But here in the changing area, the tea and snacks seemed quite nice.

A few ladies who were terribly hungry tentatively tasted a few bites, and they proved palatable and fresh. They hurriedly ate a few more and drank a cup of hot tea, feeling somewhat sated.

Seeing this, other ladies contemplated that there was still the Ninth Prince’s first birthday banquet to attend after noon. They didn’t know when the banquet would end, but surely wouldn’t have much to eat.

At this moment, they couldn’t care less and thought to fill up a bit to sustain them until they returned home.

As it went on, the snacks became insufficient.

Someone asked the palace maid waiting at the door if more snacks could be delivered.

The palace maids, though, politely asked the ladies to wait, saying more snacks and hot soup would be brought shortly, telling them not to worry.

Hearing about these arrangements, the ladies felt reassured.

Indeed, not long after, each lady received a bowl of steaming snow fungus and lotus seed soup, sweet and delightful, complemented by a small plate of snacks, which was more than enough for the ladies who ate like cats.

For the officials, there was no sweet soup, but each person got a bowl of thick congee along with a cornbread roll, complemented by a couple of small dishes.

Though not as impressive as those served at the banquet, at this cold time, such a bowl of congee warmed the body thoroughly.

As people ate, they pondered—the treatment was better than in previous years. In previous years, after attending the New Year’s Day banquet, everyone returned home.

It seemed that those in charge realized they were not eating well, and made an effort to keep people from going hungry all day.

Some clever ones inquired, saying it was the Empress’s command. Given the freezing weather, the lords and ladies attending the Ninth Prince’s birthday banquet would likely have to wait a while longer, so provisions were provided to tide everyone over.

Instantly, the back hall was filled with voices grateful for the Empress’s kindness.

Yet, a few, accustomed to luxurious feasts, scoffed at these offerings. Upon hearing they were directed by the Empress, their faces changed, disdainfully casting the food aside.

Now, hearing praise for the Empress, they couldn’t help but mutter a few complaints, about minor favors or tactics to win people over.

Everyone easily recognized these people as those lately following the Crown Prince and Second Prince’s factions, naturally opposing the Empress, though their behavior seemed rather disgraceful.

Even if dissatisfied, that was still the Empress, especially given that today was the Ninth Prince’s birthday banquet, held within the palace—a blatant display indeed, the arrogance of the Crown Prince and Second Prince’s factions was quite audacious.

Gu Changqing sat silently in a corner, holding a bowl of porridge in one hand and a cornbread roll in the other.

Whereas Song Hong, holding his bowl, approached subtly, whispering, "Did you hear? Those clowns have only been influential for a few days and already act so arrogantly."

Gu Changqing lazily lifted his eyelids, slowly replied, "They’re just barking dogs, relying on others!"

He and Song Hong, along with several other veteran observers, felt something amiss upon entering Baohe Hall today.

Throughout the half-day, the Crown Prince and Second Prince, along with Consort Xian’s and Consort Shu’s lineages, displayed themselves overtly, almost as if they were the Empress, barely acknowledging the Empress seated above.

The Emperor’s attitude remained ambiguous. Although later on, he regained face for the Empress and Ninth Prince, his ambiguous stance and lack of rebuke toward Consort Xian and Consort Shu made the Crown Prince and Second Prince’s factions hopeful.

It remained unclear what the Emperor desired; however, with experience from several reigns, they would not place their bets easily, quietly observing to see the eventual outcome.

Nonetheless, watching the servants of the Crown Prince and Second Prince bounce around with arrogance before anything significant transpired—they seemed unafraid of future repercussions!

Following the handover of his Hidden Guard, Song Hong was tasked by the Emperor with business for quite a while. His health nowadays was not what it once was, and enduring the cold daily to manage affairs, in just two months, he aged noticeably.

Gray strands were visible in his hair; he appeared thinner, and the official attire, once fitting, now hung loose on his frame.

He didn’t look as healthy as before.

Gu Changqing reminded him kindly, "Duke Weiguo looks much thinner now, already at an age of maturity. You should rest and recuperate, why still so laborious?"

Song Hong smiled wryly; he knew his body best, struggling daily through the winter. Especially today, seated in Baohe Hall for half a day with the doors wide open, letting the wind in.

Despite the charcoal basins and a fur cloak covering him, occasional blasts of wind slipped through his clothing, chilling him to the bone.

Today, before leaving, he had taken Du Zhongjing’s painkiller, or he wouldn’t have lasted.

Upon hearing Gu Changqing’s remark, he replied casually, "Unlike you, Lord Gu, with capable offspring in the family, needing no undue worry. My children, however, still need me to stand at the forefront for a few more years."

Gu Changqing didn’t appreciate these words—wasn’t he satisfied enough with a son like Song Chongjin and a daughter-in-law like Wang Yongzhu?

The ineffectual ones were born of his concubines, raised lavishly, resulting in nothing but ineptitude—who was at fault?

Song Chongjin wasn’t afforded such strategizing, right? Serves him right!

Thus, Gu Changqing snorted coldly, turning away.

Song Hong understood Gu Changqing’s reaction thoroughly. Previously, with pride, he might have stomped off in anger had Gu Changqing acted this way.

Yet today was significant; after taking a deep breath, he remarked, "I wonder how Chongjin is faring in Chicheng County? Although negotiations went smoothly, he is young and lacks an elder’s guidance nearby—" he expressed evident concern.

Speaking of this, Gu Changqing finally turned back, responding despite his cool demeanor, "I think Chongjin is quite mindful of propriety. All these years alone there without elders’ watchful eyes, he’s performed well indeed, highly regarded among the younger generation. In my view, you as his father should intervene less, lest my exemplary nephew-in-law becomes as those lesser sons of your manor—"

These words were genuinely blunt.

A temperament like Song Hong’s was bound to flare—being criticized to his face, how could he tolerate it?

Especially since he wasn’t the easiest-tempered person! He immediately adopted a stern expression, coldly rebuked, "After all, these are matters of the Song Family, best for Lord Gu not to meddle—"

Having said this, he forcibly placed his porridge bowl beside Gu Changqing’s hand and stormed off.

The gesture was so abrupt that some porridge splashed onto Gu Changqing’s hand. Fortunately, by that time, the porridge was merely lukewarm, not causing a burn.

Gu Changqing maintained his stern countenance, took out a handkerchief to wipe the porridge off his hand, then clean the spilt remnants from the table, losing interest in the porridge, tidily pushing both bowls aside, signaling the chamberlain at the door to come in and remove the bowls along with the handkerchief.