The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 613: The Cannon-Fodder Noble Consort Who Failed in the Struggle for the Throne (25) (Extra 1)

The tenth year of Jingtai, Moonlight Garden

Spring blossoms were bright and beautiful, all flowers displayed their full splendor.

At the early morning hour, when the sky had just begun to reveal faint traces of dawn light, a long queue had already formed outside the garden. Court officials along with noble ladies from inside and outside the palace were all waiting here early. In the morning mist, one could vaguely hear the soft, fragmented whispers of the women.

Listening carefully, most were quietly instructing the young women of their families on how to be respectful and observe proper etiquette when they later saw Her Highness the Empress Dowager.

Most importantly, not to lose composure due to excessive surprise.

Yes, Her Highness the Empress Dowager.

It had already been three years since the former emperor passed away, and today was precisely Her Highness the Empress Dowager's sixty-sixth birthday.

Perhaps because they had been admonished too frequently, though somewhat puzzled, several young ladies dressed in splendid attire among the crowd still nodded heavily, their demeanor growing increasingly dignified.

Of course, perhaps they were also shocked by the overly grand and luxurious scene before them...

Before their eyes stretched a vast expanse of beautiful flower sea, with large patches of peonies and tree peonies complementing each other delightfully. Not far away, various colors of the precious 'Eighteen Scholars' camellias were also dazzlingly gorgeous. Within the garden, just by what was visible to the naked eye, there were dozens of rare and exotic flowers.Some, they couldn't even name.

Lush, vibrant, and stunningly beautiful, it was a feast for the eyes, as if the entire essence of spring had been gathered here. Yet it didn't feel cluttered at all, instead highlighting an overflowing vitality.

Or rather, everything along the way had been like this—every blade of grass, every tree, the rockeries and streams—all brought a sense of delight and refreshment...

Many couldn't help but take a few extra glances.

And today, it was visibly evident that just the princes, dukes, ministers, imperial clan members, and nobility coming to offer birthday congratulations created a scene so grand it was staggering.

It all demonstrated the current emperor's high regard for her. Even many elderly ministers who had long retired from worldly affairs, and even imperial relatives, were all present.

No wonder, the court all said the current emperor valued the maternal family of Empress Dowager Shen even more than his own maternal family, the Qi Family!

On the stage, the sounds of drums, music, and string instruments drifted over from time to time.

Only when the current emperor, in his fifties, personally supported that particularly legendary Empress Dowager into the venue did the people below the dais snap out of their daze, hurriedly rising to offer their greetings.

Of course, what was particularly astonishing wasn't just the current emperor's almost hands-on attitude, but also this supremely honorable Empress Dowager before them...

Even with just a fleeting glimpse, she was still stunning.

Brocade, gauze, gold, jade, jadeite—the full-body lavish and intricate jewels and gems didn't appear the slightest bit excessive on her, nor did they detract from her radiance in the least. Instead, they complemented each other perfectly, as if this was exactly how it should be.

The important thing was, wasn't it said that Her Highness the Empress Dowager was already sixty-six?

Was this preservation technique really this powerful?

Her face didn't even have excessive makeup, looking at most like she was in her thirties, not even forty! The important thing was, she was full of vigor, her steps light and brisk, her gaze clear and bright, with not a trace of the weary aura typical of this age in her eyes.

Compared to the current emperor attending at her side, she didn't just look a bit younger—she looked much younger.

Ah, this... has the Imperial Physician's Office's medical skill already reached such a level? Uh, no, it should be that Her Highness the Empress Dowager's fate is just too good!

But then, glancing at the Duke of Imperial Favor, the Shen Family old master, who was nearly ninety years old, still full of vitality, and reportedly had happily taken people to climb a mountain to watch the sunrise just a few days ago.

Then glancing at Princess Yongle, now in her forties, still radiant and spirited, intimately chatting with her mother and elder brother.

Hmm, alright, mystery solved. So it's a family tradition!

Really, envy, envy.

Unlike the young men and women in the inner chambers who admired the life-and-death romance between the late emperor and the empress dowager, at this moment, the group of old ministers were genuinely envious of the Shen family's physical health to the point their eyes were turning green.

Who could understand? In an era where the average lifespan was only a few decades, and early death was even commonplace, the value of this longevity, this physical constitution.

Especially since the current emperor led by example in expressing closeness and respect for the empress dowager—not to mention spending most of his time here, every time he came, he would inevitably arrive early to pay respects, accompany her for meals, and practice swordsmanship with her.

Since then, not to mention the endless stream of visiting cards for the Shen Family old master every day, whenever there was a banquet at home, the Shen Family old master was inevitably on the invitation list. Even for the Shen family's sons and daughters, although in terms of ability, ahem... those wanting to form marriage alliances were also endless.

Even the current emperor personally arranged a marriage for his youngest son with the granddaughter of the Duke of Imperial Favor's family.

Reportedly, she bore quite some resemblance to the current Empress Dowager.

Shen family's younger siblings who had been trembling with fear for most of their lives ever since their eldest sister entered the palace: "..."

Amid the continuously resounding birthday congratulations, looking at their eldest sister at the head of the table, who at sixty years of age was still peerlessly elegant, noble and precious, being pampered by everyone including the emperor, and doing so with an air of complete naturalness, as if it were the most rightful thing in the world.

At the banquet, the two middle-aged "old folks" of the Shen family exchanged a glance.

Eldest sister's fate, it's truly unmatched!

What do you call this? Enjoying blessings for a whole lifetime.