Everyone in the hall changed their expressions; according to protocol, Consort Xian and Consort Shu should arrive first, followed either by the Empress and Emperor together, or the Empress first and His Majesty the Emperor last.

But why did the Empress arrive first today?

Everyone was confused inside, but the Empress had already entered, cradling the Ninth Prince, surrounded by a group of palace attendants, so no one dared to think further and all kneeled, shouting, "Long live the Empress!"

The Empress entered the hall and sat down at the seat next to the dragon throne, glancing around to find Consort Xian and Consort Shu’s seats still empty, her expression immediately darkened.

However, the Empress remained composed, calmly raising her hand, "Ladies and gentlemen, please rise."

The people below stood up and returned to their seats.

For a moment, everyone silenced themselves, focusing their gaze on the beautiful patterns on the tables in front of them, as if they had never seen such exquisite designs before, and had to study them carefully.

Far away, at the hall entrance or sitting towards the back where the Empress couldn’t see, officials and their families whispered to each other.

The entire hall seemed divided; near the head position, everyone acted dead silent like quails, not making a sound, while closer to the entrance, eyes darted, mouths continuously buzzed like five hundred flies buzzing noisily near ears.

Occasionally, the bold ones would quietly lift their heads to look at the Empress’s expression at the head position, only to see her sitting calmly, playing with the Ninth Prince in her arms, showing no signs of annoyance.

Even the steward aunt and chamberlain serving beside the Empress remained calm, standing respectfully without showing any displeasure.

Many couldn’t help but secretly admire the Empress’s character and composure; truly worthy of respect.

This indeed highlighted even more the shortcomings of Consort Xian and Consort Shu.

As people harbored their own thoughts, it wasn’t long before a chamberlain outside the hall reported, "Consort Xian has arrived––"

"Consort Shu has arrived––"

Everyone who had been whispering looked towards the entrance, seeing Consort Xian and Consort Shu dressed extravagantly, one in a crimson palace gown, the other in a mauve palace gown, adorned with the Nine-Phoenix Beaded Hairpin suggesting overstepping.

The two seemed amicable, walking hand in hand, followed by palace maids and chamberlains, seemingly more than those accompanying the Empress.

Slowly coming before the Empress, they only slightly curtsied, "We are late, please forgive us, Empress"—with little sincerity.

The Empress only smiled, "Take your seats, you are not too late, His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet!"

Consort Xian and Consort Shu smoothly seated themselves, leisurely commenting, "Now the banquet is about to begin, why hasn’t His Majesty arrived? Could he have been detained by someone again?"

Consort Shu beside interjected, "How could that be? This is the Ninth Prince’s first birthday banquet, a very important day, His Majesty had agreed beforehand, probably has been delayed for a while, let’s wait, maybe His Majesty will arrive soon. After all, it’s a special day for the Ninth Prince, if His Majesty doesn’t come, what would it look like?"

It sounded as if they were standing up for the Ninth Prince and Empress and had their interests at heart, yet the meaning was clear to everyone.

The timid officials and consorts heard and wished they could shrink underground.

The Empress glanced at Consort Xian and Consort Shu contently, her lips curled, "The time is about right, let’s not waste everyone’s time, let’s start the banquet—"

Upon receiving the order, the chamberlains and palace maids below lined up, and dishes flowed in like water.

But Consort Xian was persistent, "Speaking of which, today’s Ninth Prince’s birthday, since His Majesty hasn’t arrived, let’s not rush, why not see what auspicious signs the Ninth Prince picks? After all, the Ninth Prince is the legitimate son and so intelligent, let us all witness, Madam, what do you say?"

Some consorts from Consort Xian and Consort Shu’s faction echoed her words.

Even below, a few officials from the Crown Prince and Second Prince’s factions also chimed in.

The Empress naturally refused resolutely, but couldn’t resist the fact that many stood on Consort Xian and Consort Shu’s side, causing a standoff.

Sharp-eyed people couldn’t help but show worry, prior the guards outside exuded killing intent, and now, Consort Xian and Consort Shu were so aggressive in front of external ministers, not hiding at all, what did this indicate?

No one dared to think deep, yet forced to think deep, everyone’s back drenched with sweat.

Perhaps seeing the Empress weakened, with the officials present staying silent, the arrogance from Consort Xian and Consort Shu’s side heightened.

Even the Crown Prince couldn’t hold back and stood out, "Mother, today Ninth Brother is picking auspicious signs, since Father can’t come, it wrongs Ninth Brother, why not let us witness what auspicious signs Ninth Brother picks? With us elder brothers by his side, it won’t disgrace Ninth Brother, what do you think?"

The meaning was clear as day.

The Empress finally couldn’t hold it, looked at the Crown Prince with shock and anger, "Eldest Brother, what do you mean by this? What do you mean by saying His Majesty can’t come? His Majesty promised in front of everyone to attend the Ninth Prince’s birthday banquet, the banquet has just started, His Majesty deals with state affairs, being delayed a while is normal, why do you claim that His Majesty can’t come?"

Normally, if the Empress questioned like this, the Crown Prince would kneel and plead for forgiveness.

But today, the Crown Prince stood firm, face showing an indescribable smile, filled with malice and sympathy, slowly saying, "Doesn’t Mother know yet? When Father returned for a change of clothes and rest, he drank a cup of tea served by his recent favorite and was poisoned unconscious?"

His words struck like thunder! Most people present heard and seemed hit by a five-thunder explosion, standing dumbfounded there.

After a while, several elder officials below stood out, their expressions grave, eagerly asking the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince, words should not be said lightly! Did His Majesty truly get poisoned unconscious? Please lead us to see His Majesty!"

Some officials quickly thought of another layer, questioning the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince, since His Majesty is poisoned unconscious, why did you not inform us sooner? How is His Majesty now? Did you summon the Imperial Physician? What does the Imperial Physician say?"

"Since His Majesty encountered an incident, no need to continue the banquet, the immediate priority is checking His Majesty’s situation!"

"The Lord speaks correctly, let us first see His Majesty—"

The officials gradually regained their senses, all stood in line behind the elder officials.

Gu Changqing and Song Hong also stood up, yet they did not move, only looking at the Crown Prince.

We need to know, the Emperor’s poisoning coma, even the Empress didn’t know, but the Crown Prince knew, that determined attitude of the Emperor not coming, plus the guards outside, and the arrogance of Consort Xian and Consort Shu, all indicated this palace might be under Crown Prince and Second Prince’s control.

Even if they wanted to see the Emperor, they feared it depended on whether the Crown Prince allowed it or not.

Surely, the Crown Prince spoke, "Ministers, do not rush, after Father fell unconscious, I already had Director Du from the Imperial Medical Bureau treat Father; involved personnel has been detained. The matter is grave, exercising caution, temporarily not allowing everyone to see Father, fearing any mishaps, no one can bear the responsibility, right?"