On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the bright moon hangs high in the sky, making the surrounding stars appear somewhat dim.

At the palace banquet, after Xu Nian uttered these words, no one dared to say anything more. Everyone present was a respectable person; having spoken so bluntly, to say anything further would be tantamount to plotting murder.

No one could bear such a crime in front of the emperor.

However, some people just couldn't read the room. Chen Xuan watched as these young ladies from noble families stepped forward, only to retreat with their faces humiliated.

waste!

She chuckled inwardly, but spoke in a sweet, coquettish tone, using the same tactics she used to deal with Lord Chen at the manor, "Sister County Princess is so capable, it's just a simple calculation. Would she really risk her life for such a good deed as praying for the people?"

This time, Xu Nian didn't even need to lift a finger. An Qing, who was sitting on top, had been watching her friend being harassed for a long time, and now things had finally calmed down.

There was even a young lady from a noble family she didn't recognize who was so oblivious! Her eyebrows shot up, and her sharp eyes pierced the air. "Whose daughter are you? The Lady of Fu'an County has already made it clear. Why are you still so relentless? Do you really want to drag someone down with you on this Mid-Autumn Festival night?!"

Su Wanting glanced in that direction, then covered her face and chuckled, "I remember Madam Chen only had one daughter, why are there two today?"

Upon hearing this, even the emperor and empress's expressions changed.

In the Xuan Dynasty, women's status at home was not significantly different; the only difference was that the children of the principal wife received better things.

When men in the royal family and nobility married, their first choice was naturally the children born to their principal wife.

Even among commoners, there are countless examples of women who became empresses, as long as they were legitimate daughters of the family. If they were born to concubines, they would most likely marry into the same family as concubines.

Moreover, although there are no explicit rules for palace banquets, only if the principal wife of a household has no children can she bring the children of her concubines to attend.

It was also a way to avoid ministers favoring concubines over their wives. Even if it existed, no one with a clear head would dare to bring it up in public under such circumstances.

This is truly the first time we've seen something like the Chen family today.

The Empress peeked out and noticed another girl sitting in the crowd who looked familiar; she must have appeared at the palace banquet before.

But the one who spoke...

She frowned slightly and leaned close to the emperor's ear: "This lady who speaks is probably a concubine's daughter in her family. What does Your Majesty think?"

The emperor's face was very grim as his precious day was ruined. "Zitong, you decide what to do. Everything is up to you."

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the daughter of the Chen family," the Empress paused, "what is your name, young lady?"

Chen Xuan was trembling all over. She didn't know what had gotten into her; she had rushed forward on a whim, forgetting the rule that children born out of wedlock were not allowed to attend palace banquets.

Especially during festive occasions like the Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor placed great importance on etiquette and rituals!

She did not reply. Chen Lingwei slowly rose and bowed, "Your Majesty, my younger half-sister Chen Xuan is young and ignorant and offended the county princess. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her."

She bowed her head, which, in the eyes of everyone, was a sign that her father favored his concubine over his wife, leaving her with no other choice.

The Empress sighed softly, her gaze sharpening as she thought of the imperial concubines in the harem and herself. "It is because of people like you that she, a mere concubine's daughter, has been allowed to run rampant. Guards, convey my imperial decree: Chen Xuan, daughter of the Chen family, has committed insubordination, spoken recklessly, and is utterly devoid of virtue. She is hereby ordered to reflect on her actions within her own quarters for one month and to copy one hundred volumes of Buddhist scriptures to set an example!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!" Before Chen Xuan could even utter a word of mercy, a louder voice, louder than hers, came from afar, "Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened, Your Majesty!"

Chen Xuan didn't have time to say another word before she was pulled away.

A young palace maid rushed to the front of the hall before her and knelt down. "Your Majesty, please go and see the Imperial Concubine. She has a terrible headache, and all the imperial physicians have come, but they all say they have no cure!"

Jiang Mingyun immediately stood up, and the Third Prince rushed to her in three strides, "Say it again? What happened to my mother?!"

"Your Highness, Your Highness has had a headache for half an hour now," the palace maid sobbed. "I've summoned all the imperial physicians, but they...they can't find anything to do. They insist that Your Highness isn't sick, that she might be possessed!"

Possessed by an evil spirit?!

Everyone gasped upon hearing this. Su Wanting tugged at Xu Nian's sleeve, "This Consort is currently favored. It's a taboo for the Empress. If she needs your help later, be careful not to offend the Empress."

Now attention has been focused on Xu Nian. Although there are temples and monks in the palace that offer prayers for people who are possessed by evil spirits, this is a common occurrence.

But ultimately, she doesn't inspire the same curiosity as the renowned Xu Nian, especially since the Emperor has actually witnessed her abilities. He'll inevitably have to get her involved soon!

Sure enough, the next second, Jiang Mingyun's gaze came over.

Before the emperor could speak, Xu Nian stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask if I may take a look at the Imperial Concubine?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking too," Jiang Mingyun said. "The banquet tonight is now over. Everyone may return to their residences."

After saying that, she thought for a moment and glanced at Gu Zhan, who had gotten up and was looking in her direction. "Gu Qing, please stay."

This was Xu Nian's second time walking through the Emperor's harem, but her mood was no more relaxed than before. Gu Zhan stayed by her side, while the Third Prince, as if afraid she would run away, followed closely on the other side.

[Did the host sense anything?]

Could you give me a heads-up so I can cover my eyes beforehand?

Xu Nian looked at the group of timid people in the live stream and desperately suppressed her laughter. "I felt something was off about this palace the last time I came. I just didn't have time to check it out. It seems my guess was right."

But the palace housed an emperor and many monks. Even the windows and eaves were carved with auspicious patterns—good things for warding off evil and bringing good fortune.

How could there still be any demons or evil spirits appearing?

Could it be that this thing wasn't brought in by someone else, but was left here from the beginning?!

"What's wrong?"

Xu Nian paused for a moment, and Gu Zhan quickly supported her.

The girl shook her head, her face looking quite pale. The last time I'd seen her like this was in Xiangyang Prefecture. Could it be that what's inside this time is far more powerful than what the princess of the previous dynasty possessed?!