That dramatic "Phoenix Hairpin Incident" ultimately ended tragically for the Empress Dowager and the Virtuous Consort.
From that day on, Cixi Palace was closed off under the pretense of illness, and Su Jinxiu of Changchun Palace became the laughingstock of the harem, never venturing out of her chambers. Her once perfect facade of virtue and gentleness shattered completely. Kunning Palace thus gained an even more transcendent status, and no one dared to underestimate this seemingly gentle Empress in the slightest. And so, a grand royal autumn hunt began in this delicate atmosphere where the harem's power structure was just beginning to take shape.
The Western Hills on the outskirts of Beijing were the royal hunting grounds.
The autumn wind was bleak, swirling up golden leaves that filled the sky, yet it could not dispel the hustle and bustle and excitement of the place. As far as the eye could see, banners stood like a forest, fluttering in the wind. The colorful flags were embroidered with dragon and phoenix totems with outstretched claws, which fluttered in the autumn sun, displaying the supreme majesty of the empire.
Thousands of Imperial Guards, clad in gleaming armor, stood like an iron wall guarding the core of the hunting grounds—a camp comprised of countless bright yellow tents. The sounds of horns, war drums, and the clamor of voices mingled together, creating a powerful and magnificent sound wave that soared into the sky.
This is the annual Autumn Hunting Ceremony of the Great Xiao Dynasty, a royal event that combines sacrifices, military parades, and hunting, and also a political stage to demonstrate national strength and awe all around.
At the center of attention, before the tallest imperial tent, Lin Wanwan, dressed in a crimson riding outfit with gold phoenix patterns and tight sleeves, wearing a simple yet precious pearl crown, stood side by side with Xiao Che, who wore a black dragon-patterned outfit. Her appearance was undoubtedly the most dazzling highlight of this grand ceremony. Having weathered several storms in Kunning Palace, she had long since shed the naiveté and trepidation of her initial arrival. Her brows now carried the composed and serene demeanor of a queen mother, dignified yet imposing, gentle yet revealing a sharp edge that commanded respect.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
Amidst the thunderous shouts of worship, civil and military officials, princes, and relatives all knelt down in unison, creating a grand and solemn scene. Lin Wanwan nodded slightly, her gaze calmly sweeping over the dense crowd below, but her heart was far from as undisturbed as she appeared.
This was her first time participating in such a grand royal celebration as Empress. The feeling of being at the pinnacle of power, worshipped by thousands, was both unfamiliar and exhilarating. She could clearly sense the innate imperial aura emanating from Xiao Che beside her, an aura that seemed to merge with the heavens and earth.
He simply stood there quietly, like an unshakeable mountain, the sole center of this bustling hunting ground.
After the formalities of the ceremony, there was free time before the banquet and the competition. Princes and ministers stepped forward to offer toasts to the emperor and empress.
Xiao Che's expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever. Faced with Prince An's enthusiastic toast, he merely nodded slightly, raised his cup in acknowledgment, and said sparingly, "Uncle, you are too kind."
That aloof aura made the surrounding atmosphere seem a bit colder.
Lin Wanwan skillfully maintained a proper smile, playing the role of a gentle and virtuous empress. However, out of the corner of her eye, she secretly glanced at the top of Xiao Che's head.
Sure enough, above that handsome, aloof face floated a pixelated animated emoticon—a cartoon character was listlessly resting his chin on his hand, letting out a long sigh, accompanied by a line of flashing text: [So boring, want to go back to my wife.jpg].
Lin Wanwan almost couldn't hold back her smile.
This Emperor truly has two faces, one in public and one in private. One moment he was in Kunning Palace, complaining that she had prepared an extra cloak for him, saying "I'm not cold," and the next moment he was using emojis to act all cute and affectionate in front of everyone.
She calmly picked up her wine glass, took a small sip, and used the rim of the glass to suppress the smile that almost spilled out. This secret—that only she could see through the emperor's inner thoughts—was the most unique understanding between them, and also the greatest pleasure in this dull palace.
Just then, the crowd stirred slightly, like ripples parting in water, and made way for each other.
A burly and tall military general, clad in heavy mountain-patterned armor, strode over. Each step he took was as steady as a mountain, the armor plates clanging together with a dull metallic scraping sound, like a tiger emerging from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, carrying a suffocatingly bloody aura.
The visitor was none other than Wei Xiao, the current General Zhenyuan.
He was about forty years old, with a weathered, square face marked by a grotesque scar running from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth, adding to his fierce appearance. He walked three steps to the Emperor and Empress, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a booming voice: "This humble general, Wei Xiao, greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress!"
"General Wei, please rise." Xiao Che's voice remained calm, devoid of any emotion.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wei Xiao stood up, his hawk-like eyes quickly sweeping over the emperor before respectfully lowering them.
It was just that one glance.
Lin Wanwan's heart skipped a beat for no reason.
She keenly sensed something hidden deep within Wei Xiao's eyes, something entirely different from his respectful demeanor. It was a scrutiny, a scrutiny tinged with wildness and untamed spirit, like a defiant lone wolf sizing up its nominal leader. Although that emotion was fleeting, so quick it seemed like an illusion, Lin Wanwan was certain she hadn't misread it.
This is an instinctive vigilance, a subconscious sense of crisis that a modern soul feels when facing an ancient general exuding murderous intent.
Her gaze slid subtly over Wei Xiao's large, calloused hands, finally settling on the ancient-looking sword at his waist. This man is dangerous.
Xiao Che seemed unaware of this, exchanged a few pleasantries about military affairs with him, and then dismissed him.
But a lingering gloom settled in Lin Wanwan's heart. Holding her wine glass, she looked around, trying to find the source of this unease.
Soon, she noticed the second thing that was wrong.
Those were the Imperial Guards.
Logically, with the emperor present during the imperial autumn hunt, heavy security should be expected. However, the scene before them far exceeded the scope of "heavy security." The imperial guards surrounding the hunting grounds stood ramrod straight, their faces taut, their hands firmly gripping the hilts of their swords, their sharp eyes scanning every corner, not even sparing the entertainers and officials who had come to provide entertainment.
Their posture didn't resemble that of guarding a celebration, but rather that of someone facing an impending bloody battle. Each soldier's body was like a fully drawn bow, taut to its limit.
This is very unusual.
A joyous celebration should be marked by confident and composed guarding, a display of the inviolable majesty of the emperor's presence. Yet, this palpable tension, this sense of impending doom, stands in stark and jarring contrast to the surrounding scene of nobles and dignitaries feasting and laughing.
The air was not filled with the peace and tranquility of a celebration, but rather with a faint, chilling atmosphere.
Lin Wanwan's heart sank. She finally understood that today's autumn hunt was probably far more than just a celebration. Beneath this seemingly peaceful and prosperous surface, a deadly undercurrent was brewing.
Her eyes searched the crowd subconsciously, and soon she spotted that familiar figure.
Consort Xian, Su Jinxiu, sat quietly among the other concubines, her face bearing her usual gentle and dignified smile, like a pure white lotus untouched by worldly strife. Since the "Phoenix Hairpin Incident," she had become much more subdued, and today she simply sat silently, almost imperceptible.
But Lin Wanwan knew that a venomous snake could never become a harmless white rabbit.
Just then, General Wei Xiao, who had just stepped down, was passing by not far from where Su Jinxiu was, preparing to return to his seat as a military officer.
His tall stature blocked most people's view, and his movements seemed ordinary.
However, the moment he turned around, Lin Wanwan's pupils suddenly contracted.
She clearly saw Wei Xiao nod his head towards the direction of Consort Xian, Su Jinjiu, not far away, making a barely perceptible gesture!
The movement was so fast it was like a phantom; if she hadn't been constantly vigilant and hadn't kept her eyes fixed on that area, she would never have noticed.
Su Jinxiu, however, continued to sip her tea with her head bowed, as if nothing had happened.
With a loud bang!
It was as if a thunderclap exploded in Lin Wanwan's mind, and a chilling coldness instantly shot from her tailbone to the top of her head!
All her guesses and anxieties were completely ignited by this tiny movement at this moment, connecting into a terrifying possibility that made her hands and feet go cold!
That unruly-looking general, these imperial guards with an eerie atmosphere, and this virtuous concubine who has been lying in wait for so long...
Lin Wanwan's knuckles turned slightly white from the force of holding the wine glass. Her smile remained gentle and graceful, but her eyes held a turbulent undercurrent.
The harem's influence has already reached out to the generals who hold military power.
Is today's grand royal autumn hunt a celebration, or a meticulously planned...trap to kill the emperor?
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