Reborn into the palace, she seduces the emperor's heart, driving the chief minister to madness!

Chapter 56 Autumn Feast

"This servant...can do it."

Kang Luhai didn't want to be so cowardly, but he couldn't resist the fierce aura emanating from Consort Qiao, which made people subconsciously fear and submit.

"Very good, then go and do it quickly. I await your good news."

Kang Luhai, his clothes already soaked with sweat, numbly walked towards the door.

Chu Qingyin looked at his stunned expression, a hint of interest appearing in her eyes.

Kang Luhai is far too cowardly; he wouldn't dare betray his master. But if he's to be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future, he doesn't seem qualified.

As night deepened, the Feixue Palace was far from peaceful tonight.

Xiaohe's face was pale. Suddenly, she clutched her stomach and cried out in pain. Xianglan wanted to accompany her to see the female doctor, but she refused: "Sister Xianglan, you are on duty tonight and have to follow the Empress's instructions. This is an old ailment of mine. I can go by myself."

Seeing this, Xianglan didn't insist any further, said a few words of advice, and left.

After Xiaohe clutched her stomach and walked away along the palace wall with her body bent over, Xianglan immediately turned back and went into the inner room to report the matter to Chu Qingyin.

Chu Qingyin's expression darkened slightly, and a rare hint of coldness appeared in her eyes: "I've already given her a chance, but unfortunately she didn't cherish it."

She originally thought that Xiaohe was a dog that the Lu family kept for Lu Mingzhu, but she did not expect that Lu Zhiheng was even monitoring Lu Mingzhu.

If she hadn't sent someone to follow Xiaohe and discovered that the person relaying messages for her was Chen Xun, a patrolling imperial guard, she would never have connected Chen Xun to Lu Zhiheng. Chen Xun was recommended by Lu Zhiheng back then, a matter that was originally extremely secretive. If Pei Yuanling hadn't highly regarded Chen Xun's skills and mentioned him to her, she would never have connected him to Lu Zhiheng.

After all, who would have thought that Lu Zhiheng, the prime minister of the country, would care so much about a concubine who had just entered the palace, and would secretly send people to monitor her?

"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do with Xiaohe?" Xianglan felt a pang of pity, thinking of how Xiaohe used to call her "sister" in her clear, cheerful voice.

After pondering for a long time, Chu Qingyin finally decided that she should not act rashly before she could figure out Lu Zhiheng's thoughts.

But Xiao He definitely can no longer stay by my side.

"Find a reason to let Kang Luhai know about this and have him handle it."

"Yes." Xianglan accepted the order and withdrew.

The next morning, as soon as Chu Qingyin woke up, Xianglan came in with a bowl of clean water and reported what had happened the night before: "Your Highness, Kang Luhai's idea is to send Xiaohe to the laundry department to teach her a lesson. I'll ask you what you think."

Chu Qingyin wiped her face with a handkerchief: "Throwing the person to the laundry department is a punishment that is neither too lenient nor too severe. Let's do it this way for now."

"Then this servant will go and report to him immediately!"

"and many more--"

Chu Qingyin stopped her: "Tell Kang Luhai to relax. I have no interest in performing a dance for the Empress Dowager. Last night was just to test his sincerity towards me. Now that he has passed the test, I will certainly not treat him unfairly in the future."

Upon hearing this, Xianglan immediately smiled and replied, "This servant understands."

***

Inside the study of the Lu residence, incense smoke curled upwards, and the doors and windows were tightly shut. Lu Zhiheng sat quietly at his desk, reading two letters from the palace—

A letter reads: "Consort Qiao of Feixue Palace wishes to perform a dance for the Empress Dowager."

A letter reads: "Xiao He has been demoted to the laundry department."

Lu Zhiheng's slender fingers traced back and forth across the title pages of the two letters, but his mind involuntarily drifted back to that day in the Imperial Garden, to the woman's cunning and lively dark eyes.

I underestimated the abilities of this eldest daughter of the Qiao family.

The fact that he thought of using a dance performance to lure Xiaohe out shows that he had long suspected Xiaohe.

I just didn't expect her to endure until now before kicking him out. Her endurance is quite good, but unfortunately, she is a woman after all, and her methods are not ruthless enough.

Those who betray us should be eliminated completely to serve as a deterrent and ensure a lasting peace of mind.

With her indecisive nature, it's hard to guarantee she won't suffer betrayal in the future.

Folding up the two secret letters, Lu Zhiheng instructed the guards in the room, "Let her go for now, there's no need to send anyone to keep an eye on her anymore."

Although the guard was puzzled, he dared not object since his master had given such an order, and he withdrew in response.

Lu Zhiheng, however, recalled the way she had deliberately feigned weakness and begged him that day—

Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone a rabbit, but a cunning fox who can easily bewitch anyone.

It's best not to push people too hard.

*

That night, as the sun set and the moon rose, and the lanterns were lit, the Thousand Autumns Banquet officially began.

At the banquet, the seating was arranged according to rank. Chu Qingyin's position was not too far back, but it was still quite a distance from Pei Yuanling.

Pei Yuanling originally intended to arrange for her to sit to the side, but in doing so, she would overshadow Consort Shu, Consort De, and Consort Ning, and almost sit on the same level as Empress Wang.

Now she is only a fourth-rank concubine, no longer the former Consort Chu. In addition, the Empress Dowager had just warned her to recognize her status a few days ago. She did not want to cause trouble for no reason, and even incurred the Empress Dowager's displeasure at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Therefore, she advised Pei Yuanling to change his mind.

As the banquet began, the magnificent palace was lit up with lanterns and filled with melodious music. The concubines, dressed in gorgeous costumes, were like flowers vying for attention, and they all began to flatter and fawn over the emperor, stepping forward to display their talents.

Chu Qingyin, however, remained aloof, observing the other concubines' behavior with a faint smile and no words.

In the past, she was always the most beautiful woman at such banquets, but now, seeing the concubines racking their brains to please the emperor, she vaguely thought of her former self.

In the past, didn't she also go to great lengths to please Pei Yuanling?

But in the end, he still met a tragic end, with his family destroyed and his life ruined.

Thinking of this, she picked up the gilded wine cup in front of her and drank it all in one gulp.

Pei Yuanling, seated at the head of the table, took in every move Chu Qingyin made.

Seeing her silent, drinking alone, with a hint of melancholy and loneliness in her charming eyes, his heart sank slightly. After thinking for a while, he couldn't help but speak up: "Chen Zhongliang, go and fetch Consort Qiao..."

"emperor!"

Before Pei Yuanling could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a majestic, aged voice, "Today is my birthday banquet. Your Majesty should give the Empress some face."

Pei Yuanling's eyes darkened slightly. He looked at the Empress Dowager's inscrutable expression and the Empress's downcast eyes as if she hadn't heard anything. Finally, he let out a deep breath and said to Chen Zhongliang, "Give this fried quail in front of me to Consort Qiao. She likes to eat this."

Chen Zhongliang immediately agreed and took the dishes downstairs.

Although the Empress Dowager was still somewhat dissatisfied, she didn't say anything, only urging the Empress to eat more.

Chu Qingyin, who was sitting below, was somewhat surprised to suddenly receive a royal meal as a reward.

When she looked up at the head of the table, Pei Yuanling was also looking in her direction.

Chu Qingyin smiled at him to express her gratitude.

However, this scene was perceived quite differently by the others in the hall.

The concubines secretly resented her, thinking, "This vixen dares to flirt with His Majesty in public! How shameless!"

The wives of officials were secretly surprised. It seemed that the rumors were true. This Consort Qiao did indeed look very much like the late Consort. Not only did they look alike, but she also enjoyed the same level of favor as the late Consort.

The officials dared not look too closely; after all, who would be so bold as to glance at the emperor's women?

Besides, Lu Zhiheng.

He wasn't actually glancing; he just happened to look up and catch a glimpse of the Empress's expression.

Chu Qingyin is beautiful tonight.

She wasn't the kind of beauty that was as glamorous as a lotus flower; instead, she wore a jade-colored brocade robe with green leaf and cloud patterns, which made her look elegant and refined, highlighting her beautiful features and fair skin.

And the way she smiled at the emperor just now, the allure in her eyes and brows, was something he had never seen before—

No wonder His Majesty dotes on her so much; with her seductive charm, what man in the world could resist her?

Perhaps his gaze lingered too long, for the person opposite him suddenly looked up.

Across a hall, brightly lit, the woman's eyes were like pools of water, seemingly unable to speak.

In that instant, Lu Zhiheng's heart seemed to skip a beat.