In past years, the New Year's Eve banquet was always held in Ninghe Hall.
That place was spacious, yet this year, for some reason, the Empress Dowager insisted on having it in her own Ningshou Palace.
Perhaps the old lady enjoyed the bustle. Or perhaps... she wanted to make a show of it and lay a solid foundation for Noble Concubine Shih and the Shih Family in court?
Anyway, it wasn't her place to interfere. She would face challenges as they came; she had nothing to fear!
Lost in thought, she arrived at Ningshou Palace.
Neither early nor late, those who were supposed to come had arrived, all except for Noble Concubine Shih.
Xia Ruqing bypassed Consort Ning and took her own seat.
All rose to greet her, and she received them one by one with an amiable attitude and cautious words.
Consort Ning wore an expression of deep displeasure, clearly looking down on Xia Ruqing.
She had always been dissatisfied with Xia Ruqing's advancement above her!
