Chapter 23

As dusk settles and the city lights begin to twinkle.

A grand banquet was held in the palace to celebrate the great victory at the border. Inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, wine cups were clinked and elegant people gathered.

Members of the imperial family, high-ranking officials, and concubines sat in order, their laughter and conversation masking an undercurrent of tension.

Dressed in official palace attire, Qi Nian'an sat not far from Shao Sizhi, clearly feeling the scrutiny from all directions—curious, inquisitive, and mostly filled with hidden jealousy and disdain beneath smiles.

Yes, we waited so long for her to get into trouble, but not only did she not die, she became a concubine.

She swallowed the wine and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively, and the eunuchs brought out several pots of rare flowers, the kind that she had casually plucked from the corridor.

Five pots of brilliantly blooming flowers, each as white and translucent as a bowl, shimmered with a warm glow under the lights, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Shao Sizhi clearly liked it too, his gaze lingering on the flower for a moment.

Just then, a soft, smiling voice rang out, not loud, but loud enough for the people around to hear clearly: "I heard that Consort An fell from the city wall the other day and was unharmed. Now it seems that her good fortune... is indeed extraordinary. I just wonder, is this good fortune something she was born with, or is there some other secret behind it?"

The speaker was a noblewoman sitting below Consort Su, and the implication in her words was self-evident—the name of the bewitching consort had already spread in private.

It's so annoying, there are conspicuous bags everywhere.

Qi Nian'an's eyes remained unmoved, as if she hadn't heard anything.

She leaned slightly forward, extended her slender fingers, and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, naturally plucked the fullest bloom from the pot of flowers closest to her.

The delicate petals trembled slightly at her fingertips.

"You!" The eunuch in charge of tending the flowers and trees turned pale.

Dear working-class people, please wait a little longer. Once the banquet is over, we will give a big gift to all the staff who took care of the flowers as compensation.

But let's first let the big cargo show and prove them wrong.

Thanks.

Qi Nian'an seemed oblivious, casually tucking the priceless flower into her hair, and turned to Shao Sizhi with a charming smile: "Your Majesty, does this flower suit me?"

Her actions were audacious and reckless, bordering on provocative.

The hall fell silent for a moment as countless eyes focused on her. Her reputation as a bewitching concubine was now further solidified by her reckless behavior.

Everyone was puzzled, but no one could understand what she was doing that seemed so strange.

Shao Sizhi looked at her; the precious flower at her temple was incredibly white, making her face appear even more radiant than snow, her eyes like a halo of holiness, and her smile carried a hint of nonchalant languor and a fatal attraction.

His heart stirred, but instead of being annoyed, a faint hint of indulgence flashed in his eyes as he nodded: "You are more beautiful than the flowers."

These three words are like cold water being dripped into boiling oil.

Su Fei's knuckles turned slightly white as she gripped the wine glass, and she could barely maintain her gentle smile.

Just then, music began, and Qi Nian'an rose to her feet and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, I am ashamed. I had picked the flowers earlier, leaving all of you who came to admire them empty-handed. To make amends, I will perform a dance, a newly choreographed piece. I hope you will all do me the honor of watching."

Before Shao Sizhi could respond, she gracefully stepped into the warm, fuzzy carpet in the hall, which was completely free of any explosive smell.

Hilarious! She checked everything all night before the show started... She'd really get angry if anyone blew up the palace again.

There was no elaborate accompaniment; initially, only the clear and melodious sound of a flute led the way.

She moved with the music, her figure graceful and elegant, like a delicate orchid blooming under the moon, her wide sleeves fluttering gently, carrying a subtle fragrance.

Gradually, the drumbeats joined in, and her dance moves changed accordingly, from gentle and charming to rapid and swirling. Her waist was incredibly flexible, and her skirts fluttered like fiery clouds.

It was no longer a dance to please others, but a display of life's exuberance and resilience. Every turn was resolute, every leap seemed to break free from constraints, and the crimson palace dress seemed to come alive on her, a burning flame and flowing blood.

The spotlight focused on her alone; the seed flower by her temple had been shaken off at some point, and her dark hair flew like a waterfall, making her face even more breathtakingly beautiful.

Her eyebrows were naturally dark without being drawn, her lips naturally red without being touched up, and her skin glowed radiantly in the light and shadow. Especially her eyes, which were clear and sharp, and whose brilliance shone through every glance, were even more dazzling than all the pearls and lamps in the palace.

She wasn't dancing with technique, but with soul—a beautiful, thorny flower blooming in the face of adversity.

After the dance ended, the entire hall fell silent.

You could hear a pin drop.

Immediately, gasps, exclamations, and barely suppressed praise surged forth like a tide.

Those previously sarcastic glances now only held shock and fascination.

Many young officials were so mesmerized by the sight that they didn't even notice their wine cups tilting.

Shao Sizhi's gaze deepened, revealing an undisguised mixture of amazement and possessiveness.

He personally left his seat, walked to Qi Nian'an who was slightly out of breath, took her hand, and spoke with unprecedented gentleness and affection: "My beloved concubine's dance is breathtakingly beautiful."

"Eunuch Liu, bestow upon Consort An the bushel of pearls newly presented as tribute from the South China Sea, and the pair of red gold phoenix hairpins inlaid with jewels."

Such a generous reward, bestowed in public, is an act of extraordinary favor that draws attention.

Consort Su could no longer contain herself and rose to speak softly, "Your Majesty, while Consort An's dance is indeed captivating, however... I have heard rumors circulating among the people that she carries an ominous aura, and it seems she is also involved in the previous incident involving a palace spy. I am truly worried about Your Majesty's health..."

Her words were tinged with concern, yet each one was piercing to the heart.

Qi Nian'an couldn't help but purse her lips to suppress her laughter. Someone was jealous, but she didn't know who it was.

She remained completely calm, simply clapping her hands lightly.

A young girl dressed in ordinary palace maid clothes, with a haggard face but a determined look in her eyes, was brought up. She was Yi Xing, whom Su Fei had tried to silence that day, whom she had saved.

Yi Xing knelt on the ground, her voice clear yet filled with hatred: "This servant, Yi Xing, was originally a kitchen helper in Consort Ming's palace. This servant can testify that Consort Su once ordered this servant to poison Consort Ming's food, but failed. Later, because this servant overheard that the Consort was plotting with someone outside the palace to frame Consort An for having an old relationship with Young Master Li, she wanted to kill this servant to silence her!"

In Consort Su's palace, there were at least five palace servants who were similarly beaten, killed, or sold off without cause.

Now my legs are truly soaked from walking at night.

Consort Ming, who had been silent all along, suddenly opened her sorrowful eyes wide, tears welling up in them as if she knew nothing.

"Consort Su, you—we are sisters who entered the palace together!"

Consort Su's expression changed drastically, and she said sharply, "You lowly servant! Consort An, how dare you collude with this treacherous slave to slander me!"

"Who doesn't know that you and Li Xiaoyi still have feelings for each other? Now you're trying to take this opportunity to get rid of me so you can be with your old lover..."

"Consort Su, watch your words!" Li Xiaoran stood up abruptly, her pretty face frosty. "What do you mean by that? My cousin Li Xiaoyi is a loyal subject, devoted to His Majesty. When has he ever had any past relationship with Consort An? Are you questioning the upbringing of my Li family, or do you think my Li family is easy to bully?"

Her sharp gaze swept over a composed middle-aged man at the table—the head of the Li family.

The head of the Li family remained calm, but his eyes had turned cold as he slowly put down his wine glass.

Consort Su realized she had misspoke and quickly said, "That was not what I meant..."

Before she could explain, Qi Nian'an continued, "Since Sister Su Fei mentioned spies, then bring up the assassin from that day."

The assassin, who had been dragged into the palace, had a glint in his eye.

Under Consort Su's veiled threat, he suddenly shouted, "Your Majesty! It was Consort An! Consort An forced me to frame Consort Su! She said that if I didn't do as she said, she would kill my whole family!"

An uproar erupted inside the hall.

This reversal was unexpected.

However, a faint smile appeared on Qi Nian'an's lips, a smile that conveyed complete control.

She didn't rush to refute, but her gaze swept over the silent Consort Yi as if it were nothing.

Consort Yi sat upright and composed, but the prayer beads in her hand suddenly stopped.

She instantly understood—the assassin had identified Consort An, and to outsiders, Consort An was closely related to Consort Ling and Li Xiaoran, practically representing the interests of the powerful Li family.

The assassin changed his story, seemingly pointing the finger at Consort An, but actually shifting the blame onto the Li family!

If it is confirmed that the Li family instigated assassins to frame the concubines, then that would be a grave crime that shakes the foundation of the nation!

We must not let Su Fei's personal interests implicate the entire camp!

Consort Yi finally spoke, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Your Majesty, the matter is now clear. This assassin was fickle, and his words cannot be entirely trusted. However, his initial identification of Consort An followed by a change of heart indicates that someone is manipulating things behind the scenes, intending to disrupt the palace; such intentions are despicable. Consort Su has been lax in managing her subordinates, neglecting to supervise their words and actions, and has even allowed palace servants to frame other concubines, thus losing the virtues of a consort. In my opinion, the assassin's words are unreliable, but Consort Su... cannot escape blame."

With a few casual words, she pushed Consort Su out.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Qi Nian'an's lips. Cutting off the tail to survive, huh?

No, she hasn't gotten over Nan Zhi's death yet.

These people must be made to pay the price today.

They all came to be buried with Nanzhi.

She immediately replied loudly, "Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine, is wise."

"I still have witnesses and physical evidence."

She gestured for Yixing to present several fragments of secret letters and a signed confession, “These were found in the innermost part of Consort Su’s palace, evidence of her passing messages outside the palace and framing me. In addition, there are several palace servants who were punished by Consort Su and almost lost their lives, who can testify to Consort Su’s usual actions.”

With irrefutable evidence, witnesses present, and the Imperial Noble Consort Yi's statement, Consort Su turned ashen-faced and collapsed to the ground.

In the ensuing silence, Shao Sizhi, who had not spoken for a long time, swept his cold gaze over Consort Su. His voice was deep and slow, yet carried the unquestionable resolve of an emperor: "Consort Su is of immoral character and wicked heart. She has framed concubines and harmed palace servants. Effective immediately, she is stripped of her title, reduced to a commoner, and imprisoned in the Cold Palace. She may not leave without an imperial edict."

The decision was final.

Qi Nian'an won, and won decisively.

Just as the palace servants were about to drag away the pale-faced Consort Su, the newly arrived, usually quiet and timid Consort Jia suddenly spoke up timidly: "Your Majesty... Consort An's dance is superb, and the auspicious omen theory can perhaps be reconsidered, but... but the rumors about that bewitching concubine are rampant. Today's dance was exceptionally effective... are there still doubts? Your Majesty, I am only worried..."

Before she could finish speaking, the gazes of everyone in the hall once again focused on Qi Nian'an with complex emotions.

No?

Isn't it over yet?