The next day.

Mi Shan went to the Empress's palace to pay her respects, and everyone congratulated her on being made a concubine.

Only the Empress Dowager hinted at her clever methods in her words.

"What happened last night seems familiar. It looks like Sister Yu jumped into the water once before."

"In three to five days, it will be the annual Spring Flower Banquet. Even the Empress Dowager, who usually prefers quiet and doesn't like to show her face, will be there."

"Since Consort Mi Hui likes to imitate so much, why not learn a few more things from Consort Yu, so that she can perform them at the Spring Flower Banquet."

As the Empress Dowager chatted and laughed, she glanced at Bai Lingyu.

Mi Shan followed her gaze and looked at Consort Yu.

Seeing her smile gently, it was clear that she was quite satisfied with the topic that Consort Ru had brought up.

"Yes, that's right. Compared to diving and playing the victim, I do have another skill that I can guarantee will make Consort Mi Hui stand out at the Spring Flower Banquet."

"What is that?" the Empress asked casually.

"magic."

After Bai Lingyu finished speaking, she put down the teacup lid and gave Mi Shan a charming smile.

"Well, Consort Mi Hui, do you want to learn from me?"

"Since you are so kind as to offer your guidance, then I will not refuse."

"Alright, come to my palace later, and I will personally teach you magic tricks."

-

They came out of the Queen's palace.

Mi Shan and Xia Ranxue chatted for a few minutes.

"Are you really going to Consort Yu's palace? I sensed her hostility. You'll likely suffer if you go. Why don't I go with you?"

"Sister Xue, it's enough that you care about me. But I can't drag you down with me."

Mi Shan said bluntly, lowering her eyes, "No matter what she does to me, I should face it myself."

After saying that, he gently released her hand.

"Now that you're in the palace, it's good enough that you can protect yourself. Not being favored by the emperor is actually a kind of luck."

"Yes, I know, and I don't want to be summoned by him either."

As for the reason

Mi Shan, of course, knew this.

Sister Xue only hopes that one day she can leave the palace and reunite with Cousin Yunsheng.

"I can't say any more. Let's part ways here. I'm going to Consort Yu's palace first."

After Mi Shan finished speaking, she released her hand.

The two left the lakeside.

-

Yuqing Palace.

The palace gates were wide open, revealing a riot of flowers, pavilions, and waterside terraces—a scene of unparalleled luxury.

Amidst the ethereal white mist, the flowing water is faintly visible, creating a scene as beautiful as a dream.

"Is this a place where people live?" Mi Shan exclaimed in surprise.

"But Consort Mi Hui has arrived? Please go in alone."

"No, I want to go with Her Majesty!" Achan stepped in front of Mi Shan first, her eyes and brows exuding a heroic spirit.

"These are the rules. Consort Mi Hui, how dare you disobey the Imperial Consort!"

The little eunuch guarding the gate said in a low voice.

"The Imperial Concubine is the head of the Four Concubines. You are merely a lowly concubine, not even among the Four Concubines. Do you dare to rebel?"

"How dare you speak like that, you little eunuch! Whether the Empress rebels or not is none of your business. On the contrary, I think you have no respect for your mistress and need to be taught a lesson!"

After Xun'er finished speaking, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to argue with him.

The young eunuch was so frightened that he immediately cowered.

"Alright, don't bother with him."

While speaking outwardly, Mi Shan secretly told A Chan, "If you're going to fight, do it somewhere else, so no one can see it."

"As for Consort Yu, I'll handle it myself."

Having said that, he walked inside.

Achan and Xun'er could only watch helplessly from outside the door, feeling frustrated, so they set their sights on the arrogant little eunuch.

Anyway, the Empress has given the order.

Each of them grabbed one of his arms, pushed him into the bamboo grove, and gave him a good beating.

-

After walking along a quiet, winding road, we finally arrived at the main gate of the sleeping quarters where Consort Yu resided.

Mi Shan grasped the ring on the door.

He knocked.

A gust of cold wind, carrying a wisp of smoke, blew in and lifted the hem of her dress.

At the same time, the door in front of them slammed open.

Mi Shan's heart skipped a beat.

It felt as if I had stumbled into a monster's lair, filled with smoke and mist.

Carefully lifting her skirt, she stepped over the threshold and walked to the center of the room.

Just as I was wondering why there was no one inside,

My whole body felt as if it had been lifted up instantly by an invisible force.

Before Mi Shan could even utter a cry of surprise, she was firmly attached to the ceiling like a puppet on strings.

Countless white ribbons emerged from all directions within the room.

Her limbs were tightly bound, and she was tied up in the center.

"How was it, little sister Shan'er? Did you enjoy the magic trick I performed for you?"

A light and dreamy voice came from who-knows-where.

It seemed as if a soft, boneless hand was gently placed on her body, tenderly caressing her.

After going around in circles several times,

A figure appeared behind her; Consort Yu cupped her cheek, her lips brushing against her ear from behind, leaving an intimate red mark on her cheek.

"What a lovely and pitiful woman."

"No wonder he couldn't bring himself to kill you when he saw you."

"Even I can't bear to bully you anymore..."

As she spoke, a large fox tail swayed and gently brushed against her cheek.

Mi Shan was shocked. Although she had expected it, she was still frightened.

"You, you're not human, you're a monster?"

"With such a big tail, are you a fox spirit?"

"Yes, that's a secret. Now that you've discovered my secret, what am I going to do? There are only two options."

"First, I killed you."

"Secondly, I will poison you to make you mute. I will cut off your hands so that you will never be able to tell this secret."

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