The awkward birthday banquet concluded in endless silence.
Upon leaving the Imperial Palace, Wang Yuan and a few other old foxes gathered their confidants overnight to discuss the situation.
Feng Shou directly closed his doors, claiming illness, and refused to see anyone.
Tao Yong and his fellow military merit holders, however, acted as if nothing had happened, continuing with their duties or leisure as usual.
As for Emperor Yongcheng bestowing the title of "Empress Dowager Xiao Zhen" and elevating Lady Hu as "Lady Fengsheng," the entire Imperial court seemed uninterested.
It was as if, in their view, the Emperor was merely playing house, and all his actions were nothing but a farce.
Many forces, including the noble families, were all waiting, waiting for Empress Dowager He to "erupt."
Empress Dowager He was not someone to be trifled with; the humiliation at the birthday banquet and the Emperor's reckless behavior would have pushed even a saint to the brink.
