The maidservant is too charming. I want to help her become the queen.

The figures of Concubine Shu and her entourage gradually disappeared among the colorful flowers of the Imperial Garden.

Erxi stepped forward, bent down and squatted at the edge of Lu Qingqing's skirt, took out a silk handkerchief with heartache, and carefully wiped the dress that was soiled by Concubine Shu.

"My lady, this concubine is so overbearing! She threw the fish food at you on purpose because she saw you were wearing this dress with golden peacock feathers!"

"You usually don't wear this dress given by the emperor, but it has been defiled by her today. What a pity!

Lu Qingqing looked down.

The beautiful peacock feathers were covered with dirt, and the lake blue tulle was also stained into dark brown, which was indeed a pity.

But no problem.

She reached out and helped Erxi up while he was wiping his dress.

She shook her dress briskly, and the stains from the fish food fell off with the vibration. Although it was not completely clean, it was much better than the mess she had just now.

Today, the only thing that Concubine Shu soiled was a piece of clothing.

One day, I hope she can pay me back a thousand fold.

Lu Qingqing traveled from the modern times to the harem. At first, she had no intention of marrying up to a rich and powerful man. She just hoped to live a peaceful and stable life in the harem.

But even if she didn't fight, other women in the palace would fight with her, as if all the women in the deep palace were cursed by the fate of competing for favor and had nowhere to escape.

Not competing with the world, but entering the world,

The wind flag rolled up the mirror girl's heart.

Jianzhang is so heavy that it cannot be locked up.

Fate is a heartless outsider.

There is no escape, so there is no need to escape anymore.

Since you are already in the vortex, why not join in?

Lu Qingqing stood by the railing, looking at the red carps swimming around in the pond. They were crowded together, snorkeling and poking their heads out, just to compete for the few sparse fish food on the water surface.

——Just like them.

For the first time, she experienced the feeling of her ambition being aroused and found a clear goal for survival in the harem.

She was tired of being in a low position and being plotted against and ridiculed by others. Although they were all trivial matters that had nothing to do with her life, the troubles they caused when accumulated were like annoying rodents, gnawing at her life that should have been peaceful day and night.

So annoying.

She's had enough.

Why not try it and feel how it feels to stand above millions of people and look down upon everyone, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the man at the pinnacle of power.

It's worth traveling through this dream.

Lu Qingqing was overwhelmed with emotions and stood by the koi pond for a long time.

At this moment, a strange voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

"I pay my respects to the noble lady Lu. The Empress Dowager invites you to the Cining Palace for a chat."

Cining Palace?

The Queen Mother never liked to be disturbed in the palace, and would never summon concubines without reason.

The only interaction she had with the empress dowager was a glance from afar at the birthday banquet that day. It was just a one-time encounter, and she was even more unfamiliar with the servants around the empress dowager.

No wonder she had never seen this tall and thin eunuch before.

The Queen Mother's sudden invitation surprised Lu Qingqing.

"My dear eunuch, I should have gone immediately when the Empress Dowager invited me, but my dress is stained. It is not proper to meet the Empress Dowager in a stained dress."

"I hope that you can forgive me for a while and let me go back to the palace to change into a clean dress, okay?"

Seeing that Lu Qingqing's dress was indeed stained, the young eunuch agreed to let her go back to the palace to change clothes, and he went to the Cining Palace to report to the empress dowager first.

On the way back to Yinglan Pavilion, Lu Qingqing hurriedly asked Erxi about the Queen Mother.

Although Erxi had served in the palace for many years, he had met the empress dowager only a few times, no more than Lu Qingqing.

"My lady, the Empress Dowager doesn't like to go out. Everyone in the palace knows it, so I haven't met her many times. I just heard that the current Empress Dowager is not the Emperor's biological mother. She adopted the current Emperor after the Emperor's biological mother passed away."

When facing other concubines in the palace, Lu Qingqing could more or less judge their personalities and strengths from daily interactions.

But if she suddenly had to face a woman who rarely goes out, she would feel uneasy.

This lady was not the emperor's biological mother but was named Empress Dowager.

It seems that the champion of the last palace fight is indeed not simple.

Lu Qingqing didn't dare to delay too long. When she returned to Yinglan Pavilion, she immediately changed into a fresh and elegant palace dress.

It is not appropriate to make a big fuss when meeting the Queen Mother for the first time.

The palace dress chosen this time is mainly aqua green, with a few peach buds cleverly embroidered on the neckline and cuffs. The hem of the dress is light and rippling, low-key yet exquisite, making the person look clean and bright.

In addition, Lu Qingqing also specifically asked Erxi to bring some pastries to express his apology for being late.

When Lu Qingqing arrived outside the Cining Palace, she was shocked by the gorgeous decoration at first sight.

Looking up, the Cining Palace stands majestically with flying eaves and pointed corners. Every beam and pillar is carved with intricate and delicate patterns, with auspicious dragons and phoenixes, clouds and water. The golden glazed tiles shine brightly in the sun like an emperor's coronation crown.

Compared with Li Xuansheng's Qianqing Palace, the Cining Palace is even more majestic and grand.

She was led into the palace by the eunuch who had just delivered the message by the koi pond.

As soon as you enter the hall, the rich aroma of roses fills the air, lingering around Lu Qingqing like a thread.

"I send my regards to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with peace and happiness."

"I was late because I went back to the palace to change my clothes. I am offering you the cakes I made myself. I hope the Queen Mother will forgive me."

Lu Qingqing's body was as slender as a willow, slightly bent, her knees lightly touching the ground, her hands folded, and she knelt down respectfully towards the front of the hall.

Her eyes were deeply lowered, staring at the carpet covered with peony flowers.

Before the empress dowager's majestic voice sounded, she did not dare to look up without permission. She only heard a leisurely female voice coming from above her head.

"No wonder the emperor likes you so much. You are such a polite concubine with such a beautiful appearance. If I were you, I would also like you from the bottom of my heart. Please stand up."

After Lu Qingqing stood up, she boldly looked at the empress dowager.

A graceful and elegant woman sits on a phoenix chair, wearing an embroidered phoenix robe and with delicate and gorgeous makeup, like a blooming peony. She has her hair combed meticulously and her hair is adorned with gold hairpins and pearls.

Even when observed closely, she is still beautiful and charming. It would be reasonable to say that the woman in front of him is not the empress dowager, but Li Xuansheng's concubine.

Lu Qingqing was praised by the Queen Mother and quickly bowed in greeting, her voice clear and respectful.

"Your Majesty, I am so ashamed to praise you."

The queen mother sat back, not saying a word, her pair of carefully decorated phoenix eyes fixed straight on Lu Qingqing.

The eyes were bright and sharp. Lu Qingqing felt a little uncomfortable with the sudden scrutiny. She subconsciously straightened her back and tried to stay calm.

"Haha~~"

The Queen Mother suddenly laughed.

"That day you fainted at the birthday banquet, and the emperor was so anxious that he rushed out holding you."

"I was wondering what charm you had that made the emperor so concerned that you even openly disregarded palace rules and etiquette at the birthday banquet. Today, I took a closer look at your face and got the answer."

The Emperor is concerned?

Palace rules and etiquette?

Lu Qingqing secretly thought that this was not good. This was not a compliment on her beauty at all. In fact, his words were blaming her for seducing the emperor and disrupting the rules of propriety!

But, the Queen Mother is being too far-fetched. What does this have to do with her?

She had already fainted at that time, but Li Xuansheng insisted on running over to hug her. How could it be her fault?

Feudal society really does great harm to people!

Once a man becomes emperor, he is always right, and all the faults can only be blamed on women!

Being in the Cining Palace, Lu Qingqing had to bow her head. She complained in her heart, but she had to admit her mistake to the Queen Mother.

"I know I was wrong. I really shouldn't have disturbed the emperor's birthday banquet by myself, and I shouldn't have alarmed the emperor. However, I fainted at the banquet because of my physical condition and alcohol sickness."

"I will pay close attention to this in the future."