On New Year's Eve, it was Xuanyuan Que's birthday.
The Emperor hadn't celebrated Xiaojiu's birthday for several years.
Although there would be a palace banquet on New Year's Eve that was bound to be lively, he still wanted to prepare something special for Xiaojiu, otherwise it would feel like just holding a palace banquet without celebrating his birthday.
The Emperor personally went to Xuanyang Palace to ask Xuanyuan Que if he wanted any gifts, but he wasn't there.
After inquiring with the eunuchs of Xuanyang Palace and learning that the Empress Dowager had called Xuanyuan Que to Cining Palace for a meal, he followed suit.
Upon arriving at Cining Palace, he found that the Crown Prince was also present.
The Emperor couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, "Mother shows favoritism, now she doesn't even invite her son to dine."
The Empress Dowager gave him a look, "With so many women in the palace vying to dine with the Emperor, how could I dare to disturb Your Majesty?"