As the spring orchids and lotus petals appeared before the crowd, a variety of voices followed.

"Is this the flower His Majesty likes? It's really beautiful. I wish I had one too!"

"Nonsense! Do you even know the origin of this Cymbidium goeringii with lotus petals?"

"I don't know, tell me so my sister can broaden her horizons."

"This is a national gift from the Great Yu Kingdom, to express our gratitude to the prince of the Great Yu Kingdom for his kindness in the past."

Cymbidium goeringii with lotus petals is delicate and difficult to cultivate, and it is also extremely difficult to find.

Even the most skilled craftsmen in the palace could not cultivate a second one.

One of the two people speaking was Lin Xue, who had a conflict with Lu Qiqi at the Spring Banquet.

The other woman in purple was someone Lu Qiqi didn't recognize, but she had a familiar face; she had also appeared under the pavilion at the Spring Banquet.

The two people beside her sang in unison, explaining in detail the origin of this Cymbidium goeringii with lotus petals.

If their intentions weren't so obvious, she would have suspected they were giving a presentation to everyone.

Lu Qiqi saw right through their little scheme; they were just trying to pique her curiosity and get her to come closer and take a look.

A smile played on her lips, and when she looked up, she met Wu Qi's gaze.

The two locked eyes for a moment, but it was Wuqi who was the first to look away, covering her lips with a handkerchief as she instructed the maid beside her.

Lu Qiqi watched the maid leave and was about to follow her to see what was going on, but she found that she was surrounded by women and it would not be easy to get out.

Then, on a sudden inspiration, she took a few steps forward.

Suddenly, her arm was grabbed.

Lu Qiqi turned around and saw who had pulled her, then smiled knowingly, "Aunt, I'm fine."

Seeing that she seemed to have some plans, Xuan Wenying released her hand the moment she nodded.

Lu Qiqi deliberately walked up to Lin Xue, pretending to be curious about admiring the spring orchid petals in the center.

Fortunately, Lin Xue did not disappoint her; she could not hold back for long.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Lu Qiqi saw a hand lunge towards her.

In an instant, Lu Qiqi dodged to the side, and Lin Xue pounced straight towards the lotus petals of the spring orchid.

Ah~

Lin Xue lunged forward suddenly, about to knock over the Cymbidium goeringii petals on the flower stand, but she twisted her direction sharply and crashed heavily to the right.

The moment her body hit the ground, a piercing pain shot straight to the top of her head, causing large beads of sweat to appear on her forehead.

When she saw that the Cymbidium goeringii petals on the flower stand were unharmed, a smile appeared on her face. While she was inwardly agonizing, she was also very relieved that no major disaster had occurred.

After Lin Xue fell, the scene immediately descended into chaos.

Madam Lin was the first to react, pushing aside the women blocking her way and picking up Lin Xue's upper body to check her injuries.

"Xue'er, where did you fall? Where does it hurt? Say something, don't scare your mother!"

The Empress looked utterly shaken, and the nanny beside her hurriedly ordered the craftsmen, "Quickly, take the spring orchid petals away!"

If anything happens to the Cymbidium goeringii or lotus petals, His Majesty will not let it go easily!

Upon hearing the old woman's words, the craftsman, who had been shrinking back, immediately stretched out his neck. Not daring to delay for even a moment, the three of them protected the flowers in their arms and moved away from the chaotic garden.

Lu Qiqi glanced at Lin Xue on the ground and noticed that she was wearing a scarlet dress.

The hand that suddenly reached out to push her was a pink dress with a peony embroidered on it.

It was clearly not Lin Xue who attacked her.

Thinking of this, Lu Qiqi began to observe the women around her, noting what color clothes they were wearing.

Before she could get a good look, she was pulled out of the crowd by a hand.

"Auntie?"

"You silly child, what time is it? Why are you still trying to squeeze in!"

Xuan Wenying couldn't hold back her words, "I thought you had other plans, but I never expected you would dare to risk your life!"

Do you know what that is? Spring orchids with lotus petals are extremely rare; presenting them as a state gift might persuade a neighboring country to send troops to help.

So that's how it is. No wonder even the Empress was terrified just now.

Xuan Wenying watched the women gradually disperse and whispered, "Fortunately, nothing bad happened. You should stand further away and protect yourself."

Don't let these dirty tricks stain your clothes.

I'm going to visit your second aunt.

Lu Qiqi smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Aunt, I'll take good care of myself."

Xuan Wenying glanced at her, then returned to the crowd to look for Ding Wanyue.

After she left, Lu Qiqi walked to the pavilion. Because of the several steps, it was a bit higher than other places.

This allows for a wider field of vision, making it easier to see the clothes worn by the women entering the palace.

She noticed that there were quite a few women dressed in pink dresses, and without exception, they all had large peony flowers on their sleeves.

It was obvious that the person who meant to push her had accidentally pushed Lin Xue instead.

She was no longer in the crowd; if she wasn't mistaken, she had gone to destroy the evidence.

Lu Qiqi didn't intend to waste her energy on these people. Wu Qi had just ordered them to leave, so it probably wasn't going to be anything good.

She looked in the direction the maid had left, pondered for a moment, and then decided to follow her to see what Wu Qi was up to.

Meanwhile, loud reprimands could be heard coming from the Empress's bedroom.

"idiot!"

"Your mother was smart all her life, but she never expected to give birth to such a blockhead like you!"

You begged me to take charge for you, yet you actually wanted to destroy the petals of the Cymbidium goeringii!

You should be thankful that the petals of the Cymbidium goeringii are unharmed.

Otherwise, even if the Marquis of Anyang can't protect you, I will be implicated because of you!

The Empress, abandoning her dignified demeanor as the mother of the nation, stood in her palace and pointed at Li Minjun's nose, launching into a tirade of abuse.

Li Minjun was clearly frightened, and large tears slid down her cheeks.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!