Ah, you traveled through time too?

A few days later, a grand banquet was held in the palace again to celebrate some important victories of the court in recent days. All the concubines and ministers gathered together to celebrate this glory. Lian Di and Lian Fang still sat beside the emperor. Their presence was not only the emperor's reliance, but also an indispensable force in the court.

During the banquet, Concubine Chun seemed particularly happy. She came in a gorgeous long dress, attracting everyone's attention. The banquet was in full swing, and Concubine Chun raised her glass to congratulate: "Today's banquet is really a celebration of Da Qi. May our Da Qi be peaceful and prosperous. Long live the emperor!"

Everyone shouted in unison: "Long live the emperor!" The atmosphere was warm and cheerful. However, Concubine Chun's eyes quietly fell on Concubine Zhao Wan.

Zhao Wanpin felt the gaze of Concubine Chun and her heart trembled slightly. She knew that Concubine Chun had always been dissatisfied with her, especially after the incident of her provoking Lian Di was exposed, her situation became even more embarrassing. Although she was under house arrest for a period of time, she was eventually pardoned by the emperor and her status in the palace was restored. However, she knew that her position in the harem was already precarious.

Concubine Chun smiled and looked at Concubine Zhao Wan, and said gently: "Concubine Zhao Wan, I heard that you are good at cooking. Why don't you pour us a cup of tea to liven up the atmosphere?"

Concubine Zhao Wan's face changed slightly, but she had to obey. She stood up, walked slowly to the tea table, and carefully poured tea for Concubine Chun and the other concubines present. Her hands trembled slightly, and her heart was filled with nervousness and anxiety.

When she walked in front of Concubine Chun, the teacup in her hand suddenly slipped and the tea spilled out, splashing onto Concubine Chun's dress. Concubine Chun's face darkened instantly and she said sternly, "Concubine Zhao Wan, what do you mean? How dare you be so disrespectful!"

Concubine Zhao Wan was so frightened that her face turned pale. She immediately knelt down and begged for mercy: "My Lady Concubine Chun, I didn't mean it. Please forgive me!"

Concubine Chun sneered, her tone full of coldness: "Not intentional? Could it be that I have wronged you? You are so careless, it seems that you are paying less and less attention to the rules of the harem."

Lian Di and Lian Fang were sitting nearby, and seeing this scene, they couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. They knew that Concubine Chun was taking this opportunity to establish her authority, and at the same time, she was testing their attitudes.

Concubine Zhao Wan knelt on the ground trembling, tears welling up in her eyes: "My Lady Concubine Chun, I know I was wrong, please forgive me."

Concubine Chun said coldly, "Since you know you are wrong, you should be punished. I am not a heartless person. As long as you sincerely repent, I will forgive you. Come, give Concubine Zhao Wan twenty slaps on the face as a punishment."

The maids responded and quickly stepped forward to help Zhao Wanpin up, ready to carry out the punishment. A trace of fear flashed in Zhao Wanpin's eyes, but she knew that resistance was useless and could only endure it silently.

Seeing this, Lian Di felt sorry for him. She knew that if she spoke out to plead for mercy, it might cause Concubine Chun's dissatisfaction and even drag herself into the dispute. She turned slightly and looked at the emperor, hoping that he could come forward to stop all this.

The emperor glanced at Lian Di, then at Concubine Zhao Wan who was kneeling on the ground, and said slowly: "Noble Concubine Chun, isn't twenty slaps a bit too heavy? After all, it was just a mistake, why not reduce it to ten as a punishment."

When Concubine Chun heard the emperor speak, she smiled and said softly, "Your Majesty is right. I will obey your will." She turned to the maids and said, "If that's the case, I'll slap you ten times."

The maids carried out the punishment, and Zhao Wanpin's face soon became red and swollen, but she always held back and did not utter a groan. Lian Di watched from the side, feeling helpless about the complexity of the harem, but she knew that this was the reality of the harem, full of power struggles and the sinister nature of human hearts.

After the punishment was over, Concubine Zhao Wan was helped up. She whispered her thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and Concubine Chun for your mercy. I will definitely change my ways."

Concubine Chun glanced at her coldly and said calmly: "I hope you can remember today's lesson. In the harem, the rules cannot be abolished."

Zhao Wanpin nodded in response, but her heart was filled with grievance and helplessness. She returned to her seat and drank tea silently, the redness and swelling on her face looking particularly glaring.

Lian Di saw this and was filled with emotion. She understood that the struggle in the harem would not end with one punishment, but rather, it might just be a new beginning. She had to be more careful to protect herself and her family in this dangerous environment.

A few days later, Zhao Wanpin felt unwell due to the punishment, and Lian Di went to visit her. She knew that although Zhao Wanpin had been unfavorable to her, she was still a member of the harem and needed care and help. Lian Di brought supplements and medicinal herbs and went to Zhao Wanpin's bedroom in person.

When Zhao Wanpin saw Lian Di coming, she had a complicated expression: "Sister, why are you here?"

Lian Di smiled and said, "I heard that your sister was not feeling well, so I came to see you. I brought some supplements and medicinal herbs, I hope they will be of help to you." Her tone was gentle and full of concern.

Zhao Wanpin's eyes flashed with emotion, and she whispered, "Thank you, sister. I will remember your kindness."

Lian Di sat down and asked softly, "Sister, are you feeling unwell? If you need anything, you can tell me at any time and I will do my best to help you."

Concubine Zhao Wan sighed and said, "I am very touched by your concern, but the struggles in the harem are really exhausting."

Lian Di nodded and said, "Yes, there are bound to be disputes in the harem, but we are all the emperor's concubines, we should support each other and jointly protect the prosperity of Da Qi. If you have any difficulties, please come to me."

Zhao Wanpin nodded gratefully: "Thank you, sister. Wanpin will definitely remember your teachings."

Lian Di smiled slightly, patted Zhao Wanpin's hand gently, and then said goodbye and left. She knew that although her comfort temporarily eased Zhao Wanpin's pain, the turmoil in the harem would not subside. She had to stay vigilant at all times to remain invincible in this ever-changing palace.

Soon after, Concubine Chun again proposed to the emperor to hold a large palace banquet to celebrate some important victories of the court in recent days, and invited all ministers and concubines to participate. The emperor readily agreed and decided to hold the banquet in the imperial garden.

On the day of the banquet, the imperial garden was decorated with lanterns and flowers, and all the concubines and ministers gathered together to celebrate this honor. Concubine Chun, wearing a gorgeous long dress, walked elegantly in front of everyone and became the focus of the whole audience.

Lian Di and Lian Fang were also dressed in gorgeous clothes and sat near the emperor. Their presence was not only the emperor's reliance, but also an indispensable force in the court. Concubine Chun smiled and walked to Lian Di, raised her glass and said, "Sister Lian Di, this glass of wine is for your outstanding performance during the border trip."

Lian Di smiled slightly and raised her glass in response: "Thank you for the compliment, Concubine Chun. I am just doing my duty."

Concubine Chun smiled and said, "Sister, you are so humble. You are truly a role model in our harem." Although her words were full of praise, Lian Di still felt the subtlety in them.