In the deepest reaches of the South Sea, the verdant peaks nestle close to the water palace.

Phoenix City lies adjacent to the southern sea area, so many noble families chose to build luxury mansions by the seaside.

Dozens of miles from Luojia Mountain, there is a Moon Island, where about a dozen families reside.

One of the Empire's nine great families, the renowned Shi Family Mansion is also built here.

It's said that originally, the plaque at the entrance of the Shi family's villa had 'Shi Mansion' written on it.

Later, the old master of the Shi family, Shi Zhiyuan, repeatedly found it awkward to pronounce and ordered the plaque to be removed, leaving only a house number: Moon Island No. 9.

This is the confidence of a grand family; as soon as someone mentions No. 9 Moon Island, it's undoubtedly known to be the Shi family.

Even Moon Island has become synonymous with the Shi family, just as Luojia Mountain is significant to the Shen family.

'That House on Moon Island,' 'That Place on Luojia Mountain'...

Everyone knows it specifically refers to the Shi and Shen families.

The current head of the Shi family is Shi Hongyun, who in his youth was carefree and unrestrained, marrying an actress, Chen Zilin, against the pressure from his parents and clan.

Over the decades, the couple indeed lived in harmony, and Chen Zilin bore the Shi family two sons and a daughter: Shi An, Shi Ming, and Shi Yuxiu.

The actress, deep in thought and cunning, gradually secured her position as the matriarch of the family through her strategic moves.

Today is Chen Zilin's fiftieth birthday, and naturally, the Shi Mansion is hosting a grand birthday banquet.

If it were any other family, they would be cautious and low-key during this sensitive time.

Being targeted by others would not be good.

The Shi family, being on good terms with the Shen family, was among the first to pledge allegiance to Shen Wuxiang... thus having more courage and pride.

Shi Hongyun sent out invitations widely, inviting celebrities, dignitaries, and even the Crown Princess Consort Dongguo Chenxi, who rarely makes public appearances, came to congratulate personally.

Chen Zilin, with her actress background, was once despised by her in-laws and looked down upon by the family, even becoming a laughing stock in high society...

This indignation was suppressed alive for decades.

Taking this birthday as an opportunity, she wanted to announce to the world: everything she lost must be reclaimed...

Tonight, Moon Island was brilliantly illuminated, looking like a shining pearl in the sea from afar.

In the spacious and luxurious courtyard, rockeries and pavilions adorned the landscape, and even the lush green lawn was meticulously trimmed by the servants, ensuring each blade of grass was of uniform length.

Guests dressed in suits or evening gowns mingled, laughing and chatting boisterously.

The fleeting glimpses of gold sparkling from watches or necklaces were a world unattainable by ordinary people.

The birthday star had not yet appeared, but the guests had already initiated the revelry.

After all, everyone knew attending such a banquet was not for eating or drinking, but for networking.

Circles within circles, getting in was the way to become a part of these circles.

"It's been a long time since Phoenix City has been this lively."

"Indeed, with the bandits causing such a stir on the borders... Who dares to host a banquet now? Isn't that asking for trouble?"

"I've heard the war isn't going well, with several major cities lost, even Liyu Port, and the Beihai Fleet took a big hit... We don't know how it will end. Can the Shen family handle them?"

"Brother Wuji, be careful with your words. We are in Phoenix City... We should stand with the Empire."

"Thank you, Brother Yu Che, for the timely reminder; I almost made a mistake... Sheng Jing resigned from the Finance Minister position yesterday... It may also be related to that person, right?"

"Indeed... The Finance Minister's daughter has a close relationship with the young Tang guy, heard they even dated... Haha, would the Shen family trust them with the treasury?"

"No idea who will take this position... That's a step to the top..."

"Brother, at this point, haven't you realized? Think about it, why would the Shi family dare to hold a banquet now? Why would so many people come to support them?"

"Wow... Could it be that someone from the Shi family... seized this great fortune?"

"Exactly, Shi Hongchuan was originally the Vice Minister of Finance... With Sheng Jing stepping down, he naturally moves up one step..."

"That's not just one step, but several... The Shen family is rewarding commendations, giving the Shi family a prize for choosing sides..."

"Shh, quiet, quiet, the lady of the house is out...."

------

Chen Zilin, wearing a crimson silk cheongsam embroidered with gold-threaded peonies, adorned her hair with a radiant jade hairpin.

Having been refined over the years, the actress showed no signs of aging; instead, enriched by wealth, she appeared more graceful and beautiful.

She stood high up on the stairs, radiating brilliance.

Chen Zilin smiled as she greeted her guests, displaying the demeanor of a grand lady with every gesture.

The Shi Family Head, Shi Hongyun, stood by his wife's side, gently tapping a champagne glass with a spoon, silencing the room instantly.

Shi Hongyun had no intention of speaking, simply looking at his beloved wife with tender eyes, indicating for her to give the opening speech.

She was the only star of the evening, with even the leading man stepping aside.

Chen Zilin, casting a tender smile at her husband, then turned to face all the guests, meeting their gazes one by one, and spoke in a voice clear as melting ice: "First, I must thank my husband, Hongyun. At fifty, I know destiny, halfway to my grave. At this age, what's worth celebrating?"

"But Hongyun said it's an important day, a good day. The children chimed in too, so we thick-skinnedly invited you, dear friends and family, to celebrate with us."

"And I want to thank each of you present, for your presence brightens our humble abode. Also, because of your presence, this place is filled with laughter and joy."

"Listening to this makes me feel so happy, as if I've become several years younger. So you must come more often, we must gather more."

The crowd laughed heartily at Chen Zilin's amusing words, showing respect.

"As a woman of the inner courtyard, I shouldn't speak such words. But each of our fates is intertwined with the nation's destiny, so here, I wish for our country's prosperity."

"Most importantly, I hope our Empire's good men will soon eradicate the bandit threats, bringing peace and prosperity to the people."

Chen Zilin raised her glass high and proclaimed, "Let's toast to the flourishing of our country."

"Cheers!"

The crowd echoed in unison.

This woman... It's no wonder she could blaze a trail in a grand family from an actress background.

Such intelligence, such vision, it's hard not to be impressed.

Even Shen Wuxiang, hearing this, would have to give her a thumbs up.

On a woman's fiftieth birthday, the wish is to eradicate banditry, bring peace and prosperity... Isn't this exactly what Shen Wuxiang has been yearning for?

Weren't these words precisely hitting Shen Wuxiang's heart?

Furthermore, if a woman has such awareness and sentiment, how about the many distinguished guests present?

Who among those attending this banquet isn't among the savvy elites?

As they raised their glasses to drink, countless thoughts brewed in their minds.

The Shi family is making a public statement, that Shi Hongchuan is about to replace Sheng Jing, assuming the position of the Imperial Finance Minister?

With such a woman leading the Shi family, how could they worry about not thriving?

There was a kind of emotional dissonance in the actresses present, torn between the familiar and the unfamiliar when seeing such a woman...

Such a woman... was unattainable to them.

Except for Chen Zilin.

Chen Zilin and Shi Hongyun held hands, a loving expression on their faces.

"Happy birthday, Zilin." Shi Hongyun said, full of affection.

"Thank you, Hongyun. Marrying you is the happiest thing in my life." Chen Zilin replied.

"Come, everyone, let's raise a glass for my wonderful wife."

Just as Shi Hongyun was about to express his love, his speech was abruptly cut off.

He looked at his wife in horror, as if he saw something terrifying.

Blood was oozing from Chen Zilin's eyes, nose, mouth, and ears...

It was as if the dazzling Chen Zilin had turned into an evil ghost.

"Someone, come, someone quickly..."

"Everyone, come quickly..."

"Call Doctor Qin Luo over here..."

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