The next day was the Shengshou Festival. The Empress Dowager was not in the mood to celebrate her birthday this year, but Emperor Xianjia persuaded her privately, “Mother, I don’t have much time to fulfill my filial duty anymore. Please give me the chance and let me celebrate your birthday for the last time!”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager was very sad. Although she agreed to celebrate her birthday as usual, she disguised her sorrow beneath a cheerful expression ...