Noticing that Qingyin was holding hands with both of them, everyone was both surprised and not surprised. The beauty was so stunning that it was irresistible to both men and women. It was no wonder that even the Empress liked this lady so much.

Of course, not everyone at the banquet was delighted to see that scene.

Sitting in the lower seat, Consort An was trembling uncontrollably. Gazing at Consort Wan, whose features were now countless times more beautiful, Consort An was filled with jealousy and resentment, her eyes burning with intense desire as she stared at Qingyin.

Why does Consort Wan have to look like this! Why! Heh, it doesn't matter. After today, no matter how beautiful her face is, she will send her back to that cold palace. No, she should send her to the underworld to keep those dead company.

Tao Yue, the maidservant beside Consort An, was not as confident as her mistress. She was afraid from the moment she saw Qing Yin's face. Her mistress's scheme was not very clever, and Consort Wan was so beautiful. If the Emperor found out, then it would be all over.

Thinking about it, Tao Yue looked timidly at her master, only to see the obsessive look in An Ying's eyes. She dared not say anything more.

Feeling the admiring gazes from the crowd, and then noticing the blatant malice emanating from one of them, Qingyin's eyes darkened slightly. She inadvertently followed the gaze and met a pair of familiar almond-shaped eyes filled with jealousy.

Upon unexpectedly meeting her gaze, An Ying quickly concealed her emotions and abruptly lowered her head.

Qingyin's lips curled slightly. It seemed that this former Consort Li had come up with a plan to deal with her. She wondered if she had come up with something new.

Midway through the banquet, those who happened to catch a glimpse of Qingyin's smile grew increasingly intense in their gaze.

"Her smile is captivating; Consort Wan is truly stunning. The Emperor is indeed very fortunate to have such a beautiful woman," the envious onlookers thought to themselves.

Above, Fu Lin disregarded his own dignity and used his power to deliberately serve Qing Yin only what she liked on the table. He would also occasionally eat what he thought was good and then have Wu Liangfu place the dish in front of Qing Yin.

This also made everyone more aware of the Emperor's favor towards Consort Wan.

Because of Consort Wan's beauty, everyone was at a loss as to which one to envy.

Qingyin accepted the Emperor's hospitality without hesitation, and her smile widened even more when she noticed the woman's ashen face after she tasted a piece of the golden pastry the Emperor had brought her.

The enemy's suffering was her joy. Facing someone's "good face," Qingyin finished the entire plate of golden oil pastries by herself. Only after finishing did Qingyin realize that she seemed to have eaten too much and couldn't help but rub her slightly bloated stomach.

Sitting on the other side, Meng Guqing thought that Qingyin liked the dish very much, so she stopped eating after finishing it. She then instructed the servants to bring the dish in front of her over as well.

A moment later, Qingyin looked at the new dish that had appeared in front of her, and at Meng Guqing's expectant and admiring gaze.

There was no way around it; after all, this was the Empress's gift. Qingyin picked up another piece with her chopsticks, and this bite truly made her feel stuffed.

Qingyin, whose stomach was too full, decided to go out for a walk, and maybe catch some fish for someone. But after so long, there was still no sign of her. Her efficiency in causing trouble was really too low. Qingyin despised her.

So Qingyin asked the Emperor and Empress for leave to sneak away for a while. Faced with Qingyin's expectant eyes, Fulin really wanted to disagree, but the Emperor, who had no resistance to Wanwan, couldn't refuse Qingyin at all. The final result was obvious: he agreed.

An watched Qingyin's departing figure with unusual excitement in her eyes. Her fingernails, hidden by her sleeve, dug deeply into Taoyue's skin. She said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Hurry up and go."

"Yes." After a brief chat, no one noticed that Consort An was missing a palace maid.

The disappearance of a palace maid at the banquet was hardly anything special.

Half an incense stick later, Qingyin came out of the banquet hall and was led by A'an to breathe in the free air outside. Her mood improved a little. Not bad. After being cooped up in the house for so long, she had just come out once and someone was already putting on a show for her. They really understood her feelings.

Qingyin smiled faintly, and her smile deepened, especially when she saw a young palace maid rushing over.

The young palace maid ran quickly, heading straight for Qingyin. Without thinking, Song An blocked her path, quickly pushing her away until Qingyin and the maid were far apart. Only then did she feel relieved and say, "Why are you running! Which palace maid are you from? If you're in such a panic and offend Consort Wan, how can you bear the consequences!"

"I'm sorry, I was just too scared and nervous. I didn't mean to offend Your Majesty. It's just that our young prince is sick, so we came to ask the Emperor for help..." the maid explained in a fluster.

Although the little palace maid's excuse was flawless, Qingyin didn't miss the fleeting regret in her eyes. It was true that the little prince was sick, but it wasn't true that she came for him. However, since they were already putting on an act in front of her, she might as well help them out. Thinking this, Qingyin pulled the indignant Song An back and gently explained, "Then hurry up and report to the Emperor. An, you go and accompany him too, so you can see the Emperor faster that way."

"Your Majesty, then you'll be all alone," Song An said uneasily.

Qingyin smiled and said, "It's alright. I'll just stand here for a while and won't go far. You can go ahead."

"Alright then," Song An replied reluctantly.

The little palace maid standing to the side couldn't help but chuckle, her body trembling. Hahaha, before she could even say anything, Consort Wan had already given her the opportunity so willingly. What a fool! It's clear that Consort Wan only has a pretty face; unfortunately, she doesn't have a brain. But she wouldn't let go of this free opportunity.

The young palace maid, having heard the whole story, smiled even more enthusiastically.

Song An reluctantly followed the palace maid away.

Qingyin didn't stop staring at them until they were far away and disappeared from her sight.

Looking at the brightly blooming roses in front of her, all she had to do now was wait patiently for them to come to her.

Not long after, Qingyin looked at the anxious little palace maid who appeared before her and smiled.

Meanwhile, Song An, who had left with the maid who claimed to be the prince's maid, returned to the banquet. Meng Guqing frowned as he looked at the unfamiliar maid beside Song An who had returned to the banquet.

Outside the banquet, Wenting spoke anxiously, a hint of nervousness in her eyes: "Your Majesty, Princess Cuiyue suddenly wanted to see you today, but she twisted her ankle on the way and is crying terribly right now. I really can't comfort her. I didn't expect to run into Your Majesty here. May I ask if Your Majesty can help persuade the little princess?"

Looking at Wenting, the young palace maid who had appeared in Qiming Palace several times, I realized that she was Cuiyue's maid. I hadn't expected that someone with ulterior motives would interfere so much.

Qingyin lowered her delicate eyes and looked at the petite maid in front of her until the maid shrank back under her gaze, then she smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll go. It's been a long time since I've seen Cuiyue."