The Rebirth of a Concubine's Daughter and Her Heartless Lover!

At the banquet, the game of power

The atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly tense. Shen Yiyao had made up her mind. The opportunity she had been waiting for had finally arrived, and the banquet she had planned was destined to become one of the most shocking moments in history. She had never feared any challenge, especially in the game of thrones. She was accustomed to being seen as a threat by her enemies.

This banquet was different from any previous one. It was not just an ordinary court gathering, but more like a bombshell she had proactively dropped with a clear purpose - to regain her initiative in the palace and bring the power hidden in the shadows to the surface.

East Palace, in the garden

Shen Yiyao stood in the pavilion of the East Palace garden, gazing at the blossoms, silently plotting her upcoming actions. Her face, like a blooming white lotus, was cool and noble. Tonight, the East Palace's banquet would welcome a host of powerful officials, including those aristocratic factions with whom she had grievances. She intended to stir up a storm at this banquet, making all her opponents leap onto her chessboard, and she would be the one controlling the game.

"Miss, all arrangements have been made and the guests have been invited." Nangong Xiu came from behind and reported in a low voice.

Shen Yiyao nodded, turned to look at him, her eyes as deep as a pool, "Very good. This banquet is not only a game with the emperor, but also a contest with all the forces in the palace. I will not allow anyone to underestimate my determination."

Nangong Xiu saw the sharp light flashing in her eyes, and his heart trembled. He nodded lightly, "Miss, you are absolutely right. In that case, I will prepare the final precautions for you."

Shen Yiyao's eyes flashed, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. "Precautions? At tonight's banquet, we must not only defend, but also take the initiative to attack. Every guest in the palace is a chess piece on the chessboard. Who will have the last laugh is still unknown."

-

The banquet began promptly at nightfall. Inside the East Palace's main hall, the lights flickered on, pearl curtains and emerald screens awash in gold and jade. All the nobles in the palace were present, dressed in elegant attire, enjoying the pleasures of life. Shen Yiyao stood at the center of the banquet, her gaze like a knife sweeping over every guest. Today, she wasn't just a spectator, but the mastermind of this banquet.

The palace's dignitaries whispered to one another, their eyes filled with suspicion and unease. Ever since Shen Yiyao had invited them all, a strange atmosphere had permeated the palace. Although she was the principal consort of the Eastern Palace, her relationship with the Emperor was unstable, and even had undercurrents. Today's banquet was clearly not a simple affair.

"Shen Yiyao, what exactly does she want to do?" An elderly official asked quietly, his eyes full of vigilance.

"Who knows? I heard that she has already taken control of the real power of the Eastern Palace through some means. I'm afraid something is wrong with this banquet." Another powerful official answered in a low voice with a complicated expression.

Meanwhile, the Emperor had quietly arrived, clad in dragon robes, looking majestic, yet a hint of solemnity lingered on his face. He had sensed Shen Yiyao's plans, but he could never fathom her ultimate intentions. Shen Yiyao was bound to make a move at today's banquet, and she would unveil all her secrets and reveal the hidden truth.

The emperor's eyes were fixed on Shen Yiyao, as if he was trying to see through her to see through all the changes in the chess game.

-

The banquet gradually reached its climax, with laughter and conversation echoing throughout the palace. Shen Yiyao sat calmly in the main seat, expressionless. She knew that tonight's banquet would be the most crucial move in her life. She gently raised her hand, signaling the start of the banquet's main topic.

"Everyone, thank you all for coming to the East Palace to celebrate this event today. I invited you all here tonight not just for the banquet, but to unveil a major event that concerns the future of the entire palace." Shen Yiyao's voice was clear and decisive, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

The emperor frowned slightly and stared at her sharply.

Her voice was slow and powerful, each word echoing through the palace, filling everyone with an invisible pressure. "And all of this is inextricably linked to our Emperor."

This sentence was like a bombshell, exploding in the entire banquet hall in an instant.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the emperor, and the atmosphere in the palace suddenly became extremely solemn. The emperor's face darkened, and a flash of anger flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. Everyone in the palace began to whisper, discussing Shen Yiyao's words.

"Are you provoking His Majesty?" A senior official stood up and questioned with an angry look on his face, with a hint of threat in his words.

Shen Yiyao remained unmoved. A calm glint shone in her eyes as she gazed calmly at the powerful official. "Provocation? I'm merely exposing the truth. The actions of everyone in the palace have long been controlled by some hidden force. Now, I've merely uncovered a long-standing secret."

She glanced at all the guests present, "Your Majesty, you have always been the master of this power game, and tonight, I, Shen Yiyao, am merely here to challenge your absolute control over this palace."

These words heightened the tension in the palace. Every word Shen Yiyao spoke was like a sharp sword, piercing everyone's heart. She was not only questioning the emperor's authority, but also actively declaring war, challenging the palace forces headed by the emperor.

The emperor's eyes were as cold as ice, and he spoke slowly: "Shen Yiyao, if you are so bold as to act so presumptuously in the palace, don't you know the consequences?"

Shen Yiyao smiled faintly and refused to give in. "Consequences? The rules of the palace are no longer controlled by certain people. I, Shen Yiyao, am willing to bear any consequences for this."

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere at the banquet reached its climax. Shen Yiyao had already placed herself on the opposite side of this power struggle, and her actions were not only a challenge to the emperor, but also a declaration to all forces in the palace that she was ready to face the coming storm.

Tonight, every step Shen Yiyao takes is no longer a simple power struggle, but the beginning of a life-and-death game.

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Chapter 41: The Road of Power and Intrigue, Who Will Have the Last Laugh?