After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 56

When Jin Aicai was mentioned, Jin Zhaodi's face showed deep hatred. That former family scum, for personal gain, did not hesitate to sell out his family affection and conscience. Not only did he attack Li Qingge's parents, he also almost killed Li Qingge. Jin Zhaodi never forgot this hatred.

"This heartless and ungrateful guy must not be let off easily." Jin Zhaodi said gritting her teeth.

Li Qingge's face also darkened, and she said coldly: "Don't worry, aunt. Although I won't kill him because of our blood relationship, I will make him live a life worse than death and regret what he did in the past."

After saying this, Li Qingge turned and walked out the door. Her back looked particularly firm and resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun. She knew that she still had a long way to go and many things to deal with. But she also believed that as long as she had love in her heart and faith to support her, she would be able to overcome all difficulties and move towards a more glorious future.

Jin Zhaodi looked at Li Qingge's back, her heart filled with pride and pride. She knew that her niece was no longer the lonely and helpless little girl. She was now the ruler of a country, an empress respected by all the people. But she also knew that no matter how Li Qingge's identity changed, her affection and filial piety towards her would never change.

As night fell, the old house was brightly lit. Li Qingge and Jin Zhaodi sat around the table, talking about the past. Their laughter and tears intertwined together, forming a warm and touching picture. On this night, they seemed to have returned to that innocent era, a time full of family affection and love.

In the following days, Li Qingge began to deal with her parents' affairs. She chose a Feng Shui treasure land and built a magnificent imperial mausoleum for her parents. At the foundation laying ceremony of the imperial mausoleum, she personally toasted and presented flowers to her parents, expressing her deep nostalgia and endless gratitude for her parents.

At the same time, Li Qingge did not forget to punish Jin Aicai. She sent people to secretly investigate Jin Aicai's crimes and collected a lot of evidence. In the court, she announced Jin Aicai's crimes in public and punished him severely. Jin Aicai ended up in disgrace and his family was destroyed.

After dealing with these things, Li Qingge finally breathed a sigh of relief. She returned to the old house and stayed with Jin Zhaodi, enjoying the rare tranquility and family affection. She knew that no matter where she went or how her identity changed, this family affection would always be her most precious wealth.

Accompanied by Jin Zhaodi, Li Qingge spent unforgettable days one after another. They recalled the past, talked about the present, and looked forward to the future. In this process, Li Qingge felt unprecedented happiness and satisfaction. She knew that the reason why she could come to this point today was inseparable from the love and support of her aunt. Therefore, she cherished every moment with her aunt even more.

Finally one day, Jin Zhaodi took Li Qingge's hand and said, "My child, you are already the ruler of a country. You can no longer stay with me like this. You should return to your country, govern your subjects, and govern your country. Only in this way can you comfort the spirits of your parents in heaven and make those who once looked down on us look at us with new eyes."

Li Qingge felt a pang of pain when she heard this. She knew her aunt was right, but she was reluctant to leave this warm home and this aunt who loved her. However, she also knew her responsibilities and mission. So, she nodded with tears in her eyes and said, "Don't worry, aunt, I will go back to manage my country and govern my subjects. But I will also come back to visit you and accompany you often."

After saying this, Li Qingge turned and left the old house. She rode on her horse and set off on the journey back to Beijing with her followers. On the way, she kept looking back in the familiar direction, the old house full of family affection and love. She knew that no matter where she went or how her identity changed, her filial piety and love for her aunt would never change.

After chatting about trivial matters, Li Qingge gently waved her hand, signaling Su Xiaomei to take Jin Zhaodi away. Her movements were elegant and calm, as if every bit of strength was just right, without wasting a single bit. When Jin Zhaodi left, her eyes were full of gratitude and reluctance, and Li Qingge responded with a gentle smile, which contained endless comfort and strength.

After the two of them left the hall, Li Qingge stood up, walked to the bronze mirror, and looked at herself carefully. She was wearing ordinary home clothes, plain and unadorned, but it could not hide her extraordinary temperament. She reached out and gently adjusted her clothes, her fingertips sliding over the texture of the clothes, as if touching the traces of time. Then, she took out a clean and bright new dress from the closet. It was a dress made of fine silk, with a color as warm as jade, and embroidered with exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns, symbolizing her noble status.

After putting on the new clothes, Li Qingge's temperament became more outstanding. She stood in front of the mirror, tilted her head slightly, examined her dress, and nodded with satisfaction. Then, she turned and walked towards the door of the hall, each step she took was so firm and confident, as if each step was stepping on the pulse of history.

She summoned Yang Tianxiong, the loyal minister who had been waiting outside the palace, waiting for her summons. Tianxiong walked into the palace, bowed, and answered in a loud voice: "Dayan's production and development are all in accordance with the rules set by your majesty. They are well organized and getting better day by day. When you return to the court, you will definitely see a new look."

Li Qingge listened and smiled faintly, with hope and confidence for the future. She nodded, with a wise look in her eyes. Tianxiong smiled and said, "There is another good news, which is worth telling."

Li Qingge asked curiously what it was, and Tianxiong said, "That refrigeration factory has developed the refrigerators and air conditioners you've always wanted, and has started production. Next summer, the people will be able to enjoy the coolness."

When Li Qingge heard this, her eyes lit up immediately, as if she saw a touch of coolness in the hot summer. She cheered with joy, her voice full of excitement and joy. She ordered the factory to speed up production, and couldn't wait to see the people using air conditioners and eating iced watermelons. The scene was refreshing just thinking about it.

"This refrigerator is very good for keeping food fresh. It is a major revolution for both individuals and industry." Li Qingge said with emotion, her voice full of longing for the future. "The benefits of air conditioning are even better. The summer in the south is as hot as a steamer, humid and stuffy. The temperature feels higher than the actual weather. Air conditioning is simply a life-saving artifact."

She thought of the summer in Jinling, where the heat seemed to melt everything. She remembered that when she was a child, her grandmother would fan her with a fan every summer, but the breeze could not dispel the scorching heat. Now that she has the power, she wants to make sure that the people no longer suffer from the scorching heat.

"Jinling is particularly hot. It used to be one of the four furnaces. Now the urbanization process is accelerating, the population is increasing, high-rise buildings have replaced old houses, and the heat island effect is even more serious." Li Qingge continued, her voice revealing her concern for the people, "This summer was so hot that it was unbearable. Many people suffered from heat stroke, and some even lost their lives. Therefore, popularizing refrigerators and air conditioners is really a top priority."

Tianxiong was deeply impressed by Li Qingge's heart for the people. After receiving the order, he immediately went down to convey the order, asking all factories in Dayan to speed up production. He knew that this was not just a production task, but also Li Qingge's promise to the people.

At this time, Su Xiaomei came in. She happened to see Tianxiong leaving, so she walked up to Li Qingge and said softly, "The Grand Princess has been settled, but when I came just now, I found some villains secretly spying on you. I'm afraid it will be bad for your majesty."

Li Qingge's eyes flashed a cold light after hearing this, but she soon regained her composure. She said calmly: "I have noticed these villains a long time ago. It's no big deal. If they want to die, I am happy to help them."

Although her voice was calm, the majesty and power contained in it made Su Xiaomei feel palpitations. She knew that Li Qingge had never been a weak person. She had an iron will and swift and resolute means.

Xiaomei smiled and said, "Your Majesty is so powerful, who would dare to offend you?" Her voice was full of admiration and trust for Li Qingge.

Li Qingge smiled faintly after hearing this. She knew that she could not get to where she is today without the support and trust of the people around her. She wanted to repay their loyalty and dedication with her actions.

……

On the other side of the border, the sky was full of flames and the drums of war were thundering. Qianlong was furious at Li Qingge's words. He could not accept that a woman dared to challenge his authority like this. The palace also suffered because of this. In the past few days, many palace maids and eunuchs in the Yangxin Palace were beaten with sticks for trivial matters, and a young eunuch was beaten to death. Under the imperial power, life is as fragile as grass.

Qianlong had nowhere to vent his anger, so he started to take action against the ministers of the previous dynasty. In the past, he had mostly pardoned those ministers who were corrupt and perverted the law, and they could be pardoned by doubling the fine. But now, he made these ministers his targets, and some were sentenced to death, and some were exiled to remote places. For a time, the court and the people were shocked, and the harem was also in a panic.

What made Qianlong angry the most was a line of poetry that Li Qingge accidentally revealed. That day, after Li Qingge arrived in the capital, she happened to meet people who were taken to Caishikou for execution. When she asked, she found out that they all suffered because of a line of poetry. That line of poetry was exactly the one she once recited casually: "The mountains and rivers are broken and the wind blows the catkins, and my life is ups and downs like duckweed in the rain."

This poem was originally just a way for her to express her feelings, but she didn't expect it to become a death warrant for these people. After hearing this poem, Qianlong was even more furious. He felt that Li Qingge was mocking him, mocking his incompetence, and mocking his failure.

However, Li Qingge did not care about Qianlong's anger. She knew that she still had a long way to go and there were many things waiting for her to do. She would not change her plan because of Qianlong's anger, nor would she succumb to his threats. She would use her actions to prove her determination and courage.

She stood in front of the window of the hall, looking at the sky in the distance, her heart full of expectations and longings for the future. She knew that she still had many challenges to overcome, but she also believed that as long as she had faith in her heart, nothing could stop her from moving forward.

It was late at night, the moon was in the sky, and the silver light filled the quiet courtyard. A breeze passed quietly, bringing the coolness of early autumn, passing through the hall and the alley, and finally stopped in front of a half-open window. Inside the window, the candlelight flickered, reflecting an old book, and the pages were gently turned in the wind, making a rustling sound. There is a poem that says: "The breeze doesn't know how to read, why is it flipping the pages of the book at random?" This poem originated from such a quiet and slightly chilly night.

The author of this poem is an elderly scholar. He is wearing a thin coat and sitting at his desk, with a look of helplessness and emotion in his eyes. The night wind blows in through the window, bringing not only coolness but also disturbing the pages of his carefully arranged book. He shook his head slightly, smiled bitterly, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. So he picked up the pen and turned this feeling into a poem, leaving it on paper.

However, when this poem reached the ears of Emperor Qianlong, its artistic conception was given a completely different interpretation. Qianlong, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, sat in the magnificent Forbidden City, holding the poem scroll in his hand, his brows furrowed. He associated the word "qing" in "qingfeng" with the Qing Dynasty he ruled, thinking that the poet was using objects to describe people, satirizing the Qing Dynasty as an alien regime that did not understand the knowledge of the Han people and how it could govern the vast land of the Central Plains. For a time, inside and outside the palace, there was a panic, and another bloody storm caused by words was quietly brewing.

Li Qingge, a name that spread quietly in the capital. She was not an ordinary woman, she was courageous and talented. At a gathering of literati, she heard about the fate of this poem, and she couldn't help but feel indignant. She decided to satirize this unhealthy trend of literary inquisition in her own way. So, she boldly changed the original sentence to "Qing emperor is illiterate, why does he stamp randomly?" This sentence hits the nail on the head and points directly to Emperor Qianlong himself. In her opinion, Qianlong not only had vulgar aesthetics, but also stamped his seals on national treasures of calligraphy and paintings at will, destroying the original appearance of the artworks. This behavior is tantamount to blasphemy against culture.

Li Qingge's changes soon spread throughout the capital. Those whose families were destroyed by the literary inquisition and those who dreamed of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and restoring the Ming Dynasty seemed to see the dawn of hope. They used this sentence as a slogan and spread it everywhere, trying to use it to provoke a war between Da Yan and Da Qing in order to overthrow the rule of the Aisin Gioro family.

However, when they arrived at the post house where Li Qingge lived, they found that it was already tightly guarded by the White Horse Army. Outside the post house, armor was bright, swords and spears were everywhere, and a murderous atmosphere was blowing in their faces. Those who had ill intentions had to leave in dismay, cursing in their hearts, but did not dare to act rashly. The "rats" in Li Qingge's mouth were referring to these people. She knew very well that her momentary impulse might bring her endless troubles, but she knew even more clearly that she could not back down because of this.

The speed at which this statement spread was beyond everyone's expectations. When Emperor Qianlong learned about it, he was furious. He had never thought that someone would dare to ridicule him so blatantly. He was furious and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter, vowing to bring Li Qingge to justice.

However, Li Qingge seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Emperor Qianlong was so angry that he smashed cups and threw bowls in the Yangxin Palace, and the sound of ping-pong echoed throughout the palace. Seeing this, Li Yu, the chief steward, was secretly anxious. He knew that at this time, only one person could calm Qianlong's anger, and that was Concubine Ling.

So, Li Yu braved the biting cold wind and hurried to the Yanxi Palace. When he saw Concubine Ling, he said eagerly: "My queen, please come with me to the Yangxin Palace. The emperor is very angry and only you can make him calm down." Hearing this, Concubine Ling couldn't help but feel proud. She knew that her status in the harem was unmatched, and Emperor Qianlong doted on her even more. So, she took a sedan chair and came to the Yangxin Palace.

As soon as she entered the East Warm Pavilion, Concubine Ling heard the sound of ping-pong coming from inside. She was startled and asked Li Yu in a low voice what was going on. Li Yu vaguely said that it was caused by a poem. When Concubine Ling heard this, she became even more confused and hurriedly followed Li Yu into the palace.

In the palace, Emperor Qianlong sat expressionlessly at the imperial desk, his eyes slightly closed, as if he was trying his best to suppress his inner anger. Concubine Ling felt nervous, knowing that something was wrong. But she was a smart woman after all, and she quickly adjusted her emotions and walked to Qianlong's side with forced calmness.

Qianlong opened his eyes, glanced at Concubine Ling, and asked in a cold tone, "What are you doing here?" Concubine Ling smiled slightly and said, "I haven't seen Your Majesty for a long time, and I wanted to come and see you." She cleverly avoided talking about the things that made the emperor angry, and tried to soothe Qianlong's emotions with gentle words.

After hearing this, Qianlong's face looked a little better. He sighed and said, "The harem cannot interfere in politics, but if everyone is as docile as you, why should I be so angry?" So he told Concubine Ling everything about Li Qingge.

After hearing this, Concubine Ling turned pale with fear. She thought Li Qingge was too bold to mock the emperor. Qianlong was so angry that he slammed the imperial desk and scolded Li Qingge for being arrogant and rude. Concubine Ling also secretly blamed Li Qingge for not knowing etiquette and violating the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues. But she knew that at this time, she could not add fuel to the fire and could only try her best to appease Qianlong's emotions.

She said softly, "Your Majesty, calm down. Li Qingge is a woman after all, and she is young and hot-tempered. You are a magnanimous person, so don't bother with her. I think she was just joking and didn't really mean to mock you."

After listening to Concubine Ling's words, Qianlong's anger gradually subsided. He sighed and said, "I know she was just joking. But this joke is too big for me to tolerate. I am the emperor of the Qing Dynasty. How can I allow people to mock me like this?"

Seeing this, Concubine Ling knew that Qianlong's anger had mostly subsided. So she struck while the iron was hot and said, "Your Majesty, think about it, although Li Qingge is bold, she is also a talented person after all. If you can be tolerant and generous and don't bother with her, then she will not only be grateful to you, but also more loyal to you. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"

After listening to Concubine Ling's words, Qianlong fell into deep thought. He thought about it and felt that what Concubine Ling said made sense. So he nodded and said, "Okay, I will listen to you this time. This time, I will not bother with her. However, if she does it again next time, I will definitely not let her off easily!"

Seeing that Emperor Qianlong had finally calmed down, Concubine Ling secretly rejoiced in her heart. She knew that she had successfully resolved a crisis this time. She smiled and said to Emperor Qianlong: "Your Majesty, I am glad that you have calmed down. I think Li Qingge will also appreciate your tolerance and generosity."

Hearing this, Qianlong smiled slightly and said, "Okay, don't say good things for her. I know you have always been sensible. I will pretend that this incident never happened. But you must remember not to let me hear similar words again in the future."

Concubine Ling nodded and said, "I'll remember that. Your Majesty, you are tired too, so go to bed early. I'll take my leave." After saying that, she bowed and left the Yangxin Palace.

The night was deep, the moon was slanting. Everything in the Forbidden City had returned to its former tranquility. Only the breeze was still passing through the night sky, as if whispering something. And the phrase "The Qing emperor was illiterate, why did he stamp randomly?" gradually became a topic of conversation after dinner, and it was passed down as time passed.

It was late at night, and the lights in the Forbidden City were twinkling, like the stars in the sky falling into the mortal world. Concubine Ling Wei, dressed in gorgeous palace clothes, could not hide a trace of anxiety between her brows. She spoke hurriedly, her voice gentle but a little anxious: "Your Majesty, please calm down and don't be so angry! The dragon body is more important, don't let that unnecessary anger hurt your body."

Emperor Qianlong sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face, holding a scroll of poems in his hand. It was written by Li Qingge. The irony and provocation between the lines made it difficult for him to calm down his anger. He looked up at Concubine Ling, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and then nodded, saying in a low voice: "You are right, she must be jealous of me, so she has this hatred. But she dared to make up about me, which is really hateful!" Seeing this, Concubine Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help asking curiously: "This woman is so arrogant, why doesn't the emperor just kill her?" There was some confusion and doubt in her words, and she was obviously surprised by Qianlong's forbearance.

Qianlong's expression changed slightly, and an indescribable bitterness surged in his heart. Didn't he want to kill that woman to vent his hatred? But the military strength of Da Yan was growing stronger day by day, and it was evenly matched with Da Qing. If he easily provoked a war and implicated innocent people, how could he be worthy of this country? Thinking of this, he sighed, and a hint of helplessness was revealed in his voice: "Since she established Da Yan, her military strength has been growing stronger and stronger, and now it can compete with our Da Qing. Although I am not afraid of her, if I easily provoke a war and implicate innocent people, how can I bear it? So, even if I am angry, I have to bear it."

After hearing this, Concubine Ling was filled with admiration. Although she did not understand the politics of the court, she could feel Qianlong's helplessness and hardship. She said softly, "Your Majesty, you really love the people like your own children. You are a holy monarch! Your virtue is so great that all the people admire you..."

However, as soon as he said this, Qianlong's expression suddenly changed. He stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open, and shouted: "What did you say? Say it again!"

Concubine Ling was so frightened that she turned pale and said it again in panic, but before she could finish her words, Qianlong slapped her, causing her makeup to fly and her cheeks to swell. She covered her face and stared at Qianlong in amazement, her eyes full of fear and confusion: "Your Majesty..."

Qianlong looked at her coldly, his voice revealing unquestionable majesty: "Concubine Ling Wei, you have lost the virtue of a concubine by your words and deeds. Now I depose you as a concubine, and you must reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors. Without my order, you are not allowed to come out."

When Concubine Ling heard this, she collapsed to the ground as if struck by lightning. She didn't understand why she was suddenly convicted, and she felt as if her heart was broken by a knife. Tears welled up in her eyes: "Your Majesty, what did I do wrong to deserve such a punishment?"

Qianlong looked at her, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He said angrily: "You said 'Mingde', which is the same as the reign title of Queen Dayan. You are obviously mocking me on purpose. If you hadn't served me for so many years, I would have banished you to the cold palace long ago."

Concubine Ling burst into tears, crying out her innocence: "Your Majesty, I am truly wronged. I live deep in the palace, how would I know what the reign title is? How dare I ridicule Your Majesty?"

Qianlong was unwilling to listen to her explanation and shouted angrily, "Shut up!" Then he threw the inkstone at Concubine Ling. Although it didn't hit her, it scared her to death. He shouted angrily, "That woman insulted me so much that I wanted to kill her. You still dare to cry out for injustice. Do you want to disobey me? Go back to Yanxi Palace and reflect on the past!"

Concubine Ling was trembling all over, wanting to speak but not daring to, and could only cry silently. She was carried by the servants and dragged out of the Yangxin Palace. Along the way, she was ridiculed and looked down upon by the concubines and palace maids, and her face was completely lost, and her heart was filled with humiliation and despair.

When Rong Mama heard the news, she hurried back to Kunning Palace to tell the Queen. The Queen had just woken up and saw Mama's happy face. She couldn't help but feel a little confused. She asked, "Mama, what happened? What makes you so happy?"

The nanny smiled and replied, "That's great news! The one in Yanxi Palace is in trouble."

The Queen was startled when she heard this and asked, "Is it Concubine Ling?"

Nanny smiled and said, "No, now she has been demoted to Lingpin."

The Queen asked in confusion: "Why was he demoted again?"

The nanny smiled and recounted the whole story: "She angered the emperor because of the matter of Queen Dayan. When she was comforting the emperor, she mentioned 'Mingde', which touched the emperor's reverse scale, so she was demoted."

After saying this, the nanny was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling: "This woman usually relies on her eloquence to win favor, but now her cleverness backfires and she got kicked instead of flattering the boss. It's so funny!"

The Queen also laughed after hearing this and felt very happy: "It's so happy! This bitch finally got her day!" She thought of Concubine Ling's past behavior and couldn't help feeling hatred in her heart.

Mammy also smiled and said, "Seeing her in trouble makes me feel much better." She paused and asked, "Madam, do you still remember the incident when Xiaowu was harmed by rumors?"

The queen's face darkened when she heard this, and she nodded and said, "Of course I remember, she was the one who did that."

Nanny sneered, "Now she is being banished again. It is really retribution! We should thank Queen Dayan."

The queen was filled with mixed emotions when she heard this. Although she hated Lingpin, she didn't want to be associated with the Queen of Dayan. She pondered for a moment and said, "Mammy, let's just pretend we don't know about this. After all, things in the palace are complicated and changeable, so we should be careful."

Suddenly, the nanny asked in a serious tone, "Madam, do you believe in fate?"

The queen looked at her in surprise and asked, "Mammy, why do you ask that?"

The nanny whispered, "I feel like the Queen of Dayan is born to be a nemesis of Lingpin. Whenever something happens to her, Lingpin will be in trouble. Just like this time, she originally wanted to please the emperor, but ended up touching the emperor's reverse scale."

The queen was shaken when she heard this. She remembered that Lingpin had fallen out of favor because of the Queen of Dayan, and now she was demoted to a concubine because of the Queen of Dayan's reign title. She felt an inexplicable chill in her heart. She pondered for a while and said, "Wei Shi did suffer misfortune twice because of her. Maybe she is really a nemesis."

After saying this, she sighed, but secretly alerted in her heart. In this deep palace, there are traps and crises everywhere. She must be more cautious to maintain her status and honor. Although the Queen of Dayan has no direct relationship with her, her existence seems to be an ominous sign, which makes the Queen feel uneasy and worried.

Rong Mama spoke softly, but every word was like a needle, piercing the queen's heart. "That Lingpin, you haven't even seen the Queen of Dayan, but you've been demoted from a concubine to a concubine twice. I heard that a few years ago, the emperor wanted to confer titles on the six palaces and promoted her to a noble concubine, but the Queen of Dayan killed Fu Heng and his son, so the plan fell through. Your Majesty, think about it, if these two people really met, what would the scene be like? Would it be a bad match, or would there be undercurrents?"

The queen sat on the gorgeous phoenix throne, with a cold smile on her lips. That smile was like the cold wind of late autumn, with a biting chill. "It's so unlucky before we even met, and we've suffered so many disasters. If we really meet, won't it bring disaster to our family? This Queen of Dayan is really an ominous person."

Seeing this, Rong Mama's eyes flashed with a sly light, and she whispered: "Your Majesty, it is not easy for the Queen of Great Yan to come to the capital. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we must plan early. You think, although the Queen of Great Yan is extremely powerful, she still has to follow our rules in the harem?"

The queen frowned slightly when she heard this. Although she was unwilling in her heart, she also knew that it was not appropriate for the harem to interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty. "Although I also hope that Wei will be unlucky, she is the queen of Dayan after all. State affairs are not something that we harem can interfere in. This is the rule passed down by our ancestors."

Seeing that the queen was worried, Rong Mama further advised: "Your Majesty, if the Queen of Dayan was a man, she would certainly not be able to enter the harem, but she is a woman. When women get together, they just talk about clothes, makeup, husbands, children and other trivial matters. Now that Dayan is powerful, the emperor can tolerate her to establish herself as a king and rule the south, let alone the idle chats in our boudoirs. Why don't you take this opportunity to find out more about her?"

After hearing what the nanny said, the queen nodded, with a gleam in her eyes. "You are right. Given the emperor's temper, if there was really a way to get rid of her, Da Yan would have ceased to exist. But the emperor is angry now, and if I bring it up at this time, I'm afraid it will anger him. However, if I bring it up in the name of small talk, maybe I can get some information out of her."

Rong Mama smiled, her smile full of calculation. "You worry too much, Madam. You can say what Lingpin dares not say. It's not because of anything else, but because you are the queen, the mother of the Qing Dynasty. The emperor will always listen to you."

The queen pondered for a while, and a smug smile appeared on her lips. "You are right. As the queen, my status is naturally different from others. Apart from the queen mother, I am the only one who can say such things. Well, according to your plan, let's have a 'boudoir chat'."

Although the harem cannot interfere in state affairs, men have always been in charge of external affairs and women have always been in charge of internal affairs. Although the political arena is a place where men compete, the diplomatic skills of wives cannot be ignored. Especially when the emperor has a strong desire for control and monitors all officials, the transfer of interests between officials is often completed through the hands of female relatives.

Those ladies who were granted imperial titles because of their husbands or sons' noble status naturally had their own social circles. Usually, they seemed to be just having a casual gathering to drink tea and chat, but in fact, many of them came with a purpose. They either exchanged information, or built relationships, or competed secretly. Every inch of the harem was filled with silent competition.

The strongest wind in the world is not the typhoon, hurricane or tornado, but the pillow talk of women. Men rush around day and night for promotion, but sometimes it is not as effective as their wives chatting with the wives of officials. An inadvertent compliment may give the husband an extra boost in the officialdom; a clever hint may put the opponent in trouble.

As the emperor's principal wife, the head of the six palaces, and the mistress of the Qing Dynasty, the empress naturally understood the truth. While Qianlong governed the government in the front court, the empress could exercise her diplomacy in the harem, each doing her own job. With her gentle smile and decent manners, she won the respect and trust of many wives, and also established a solid barrier for the emperor in the harem.

However, Li Qingge's identity is a bit special. She is not only the queen of Dayan, but also an ally and opponent of Emperor Qianlong. When she went to Beijing to meet with Qianlong, the politics of the previous dynasty were inevitable. But the diplomacy of the queen's wife might be able to play a role at this time, using softness to overcome hardness and creating a new style.

On this day, the sun shone through the clouds and onto the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, sparkling with dazzling light. The queen sat in front of the dressing table, and Rong Mama was carefully combing her long hair. The queen looked at herself in the mirror, and a trace of determination flashed in her eyes. "Mama, I want to meet the queen of Dayan today, please prepare for me."

Upon hearing this, Rong Mama paused, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "Madam, do you really want to see her? This..."

The Queen interrupted her and said, "Yes, I want to see her. I want to see who this woman is who can make the Emperor feel apprehensive."

Seeing this, Rong Mama had no choice but to nod her head and agree. Although she had her doubts in her heart, she also knew that the Queen's decision could not be changed. So, she carefully selected a gorgeous palace dress for the Queen and combed her hair into a dignified and generous bun.

When the queen appeared in the hall, all eyes were focused on her. She was wearing a golden palace dress and a phoenix crown on her head, exuding the majesty of a mother of the country. She slowly walked in front of Li Qingge, with a faint smile on her lips. "Queen of Dayan, I have heard of your great name for a long time. It is a great honor to meet you today."

Li Qingge smiled back at the words. She was wearing a black queen's robe and a crown, and she exuded a cold aura. She looked at the queen, and a trace of admiration flashed in her eyes. "Queen, you are worthy of your reputation. It is my honor to meet you today."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sat down. The queen looked at Li Qingge and thought to herself. Although this woman was young, she had an extraordinary temperament. Her eyes were firm and deep, as if she could see through people's hearts. Her manners were elegant and generous, as if she was born to stand at the pinnacle of power.

Li Qingge also felt the Queen's scrutiny, but she didn't care. She knew the purpose of her trip and the Queen's concerns. So, she took the initiative to say, "Queen, I came to Beijing this time to meet with the Emperor to discuss state affairs. But I also know that the rules in the harem are strict. If I have done anything inappropriate, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

The Queen nodded secretly when she heard this. This Li Qingge was indeed a smart woman. She knew that her identity was sensitive and she also knew the rules of the harem, so she took the initiative to show her goodwill in order to gain the Queen's support. The Queen smiled slightly and said, "Queen Dayan is too polite. You are not only the Emperor's ally, but also a distinguished guest of my Great Qing. In the harem, you only need to follow our rules, and no one will embarrass you."

After chatting for a few more words, the two of them went their separate ways. The queen returned to her bedroom and thought to herself. Although Li Qingge was young, she had an extraordinary courage. She was able to establish herself as the king of Da Yan and rule the south, which showed how capable she was. And after meeting her today, the queen looked at her with new eyes.

Seeing the queen in deep thought, Rong Mama asked softly, "Madam, what do you think of Li Qingge?"

The queen came to her senses after hearing this. She looked at Rong Mama with a hint of determination in her eyes. "This Li Qingge is not an ordinary woman. She has extraordinary wisdom and courage, and also has sharp insight. If I want to gain a foothold in the harem, I can't underestimate her."

Upon hearing this, Rong Mama nodded secretly in her heart. She knew that the Queen had seen through Li Qingge's true nature and knew how powerful she was. So, she whispered, "Your Majesty, what should we do? Are we just going to let her be so arrogant and domineering on the territory of the Qing Dynasty?"

The queen sneered when she heard this. "Of course not. Although she is the queen of Da Yan, she still has to follow our rules in Da Qing territory. I will find a way to let her know how powerful I am."

Thus, a fierce competition in the harem quietly began. The Queen and Li Qingge, two equally smart and courageous women, started a silent competition in the harem. They tried to make the other party submit to their will, either openly or covertly, softly or hard.

This contest eventually attracted the attention of Emperor Qianlong. He looked at the two women and thought to himself. He knew that these two women were not simple characters. They both had extraordinary wisdom and courage. He also knew that the final result of this contest would affect the future of the Qing Dynasty.

Therefore, Emperor Qianlong decided to personally intervene in the contest to see which of the two women could win. And this contest eventually became a test of wisdom, courage, scheming and means, making every corner of the harem full of tension and expectation.

(End of this chapter)