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

On the road of power and intrigue, who will have the last laugh?

Shen Yiyao's words were like a stone that caused a thousand ripples. The air in the banquet hall froze instantly. Everyone was stunned, and all eyes were focused on her and the emperor, as if the fate of the entire palace hung on this moment.

The emperor's expression was gloomy, his deep eyes devoid of warmth. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile, but that smile held a lingering danger. "Shen Yiyao, you're becoming more and more daring." His voice was low and carried an invisible pressure that seemed to suffocate everyone.

Yet, Shen Yiyao remained calm, her eyes gleaming with determination and composure. "Your Majesty, if you can tolerate certain forces running rampant in the palace, how can you tolerate me revealing the truth?" Her voice was clear and powerful, meeting the emperor's gaze fearlessly. "If you were to dominate this game, who can guarantee that the true winner wouldn't be me, Shen Yiyao?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes. He hadn't expected Shen Yiyao to dare to challenge him so bluntly. After all, she was just a concubine in the Eastern Palace. Logically, she should be as insignificant as an ant in this huge power machine. How could she dare to challenge the supreme authority in the deep palace?

But Shen Yiyao did it anyway. She did not give in at all, but instead faced the storm of power struggle with even greater pride.

"You are truly awe-inspiringly intelligent." The emperor's tone was icy, yet hints of admiration lingered. He whispered, "However, no matter how clever you are, you are only a pawn on the chessboard. Now that you know the truth, you must understand that your choice is no longer your own."

Shen Yiyao smiled faintly, as if completely unaffected by the threat in the emperor's words. "Is that so? Even chess pieces have a chance to turn the tables. Besides, if the game is already deadlocked, how can we just surrender?"

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, and she secretly thought that perhaps she had complete control of the situation today. Although the emperor had noticed her intentions, he still underestimated her courage and wisdom. Shen Yiyao knew that today she was not provoking the emperor, but rather seeking a new path for herself.

-

The atmosphere in the palace was extremely tense, and everyone waited for the next development. Shen Yiyao's words were like a sharp knife, slicing through the previously calm surface of the palace and revealing the true colors of those hidden forces. The powerful officials who had previously kept their distance from each other began to secretly exchange glances, their eyes glimmering with complex glints.

"Shen Yiyao, you're truly extraordinary." A long-time palace official whispered to his colleagues, "Her words clearly indicate she's trying to reshuffle the power dynamics of the entire palace. We must be careful. Shen Yiyao may no longer be the docile East Palace Consort, but a formidable opponent."

Another powerful official nodded, his expression grim. "What she wants isn't just control of the Eastern Palace; she probably wants power over the entire court. The Emperor and she are already two opposing pawns, though the masks haven't been fully ripped off yet."

At this moment, Shen Yiyao turned and smiled at the guests in the banquet hall, a hint of amusement in her eyes. She picked up the wine glass and waved it gently, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Everyone," she said softly, yet with an undeniable intimidation, "tonight's banquet is not only a grand celebration, but also a revelation of the conspiracy lurking within the palace. His Majesty's words are not groundless. There are indeed many forces hidden behind the scenes, manipulating the fate of this palace. But I, Shen Yiyao, refuse to sit idly by. I choose to stand up and expose all the lies."

She gently raised her glass and faced the emperor, a provocative smile in her eyes. "If anyone feels that tonight's banquet is too shocking, please leave early. After all, the truth is sometimes not something everyone can bear."

Her words not only piqued the interest of the palace, but also deepened the emperor's wrath. Shen Yiyao's actions were undoubtedly a declaration of war against the emperor. Not only was she challenging the emperor's authority, she was openly tearing apart his carefully woven political network.

The emperor's gaze grew colder, a dangerous glint flashing in it. "Shen Yiyao, do you think you can control this situation?" He spoke slowly, his voice as deep as a pool of water. "You're just a chess piece. How can you turn the tide?"

Shen Yiyao smiled faintly, raised her head and looked directly at the emperor. "Your Majesty, who can tell the exact position of the pieces on the chessboard? I, Shen Yiyao, do not believe in fate, power, or anyone else's calculations. Now that the chessboard has been set, let us see who will have the last laugh."

Her tone was filled with fearlessness and determination, and the glint in her eyes made every guest present feel a deep sense of oppression. She stood there, as if she had become the center of the entire palace power game, and everyone was intimidated by her aura.

-

Just as the atmosphere at the banquet was becoming increasingly tense, a nobleman in a gorgeous robe approached Shen Yiyao. He was one of the most important officials in the court, named Zhou Murong. He was Shen Yiyao's old friend and former ally.

Zhou Murong whispered in Shen Yiyao's ear, "Shen Yiyao, the emperor has begun to suspect you. You must be careful. He is not stupid, and his next actions will be more covert."

Shen Yiyao raised the corners of her mouth slightly. "I know. The emperor won't let me go easily, but I won't let him get his way either. Tonight is just the beginning. What comes next is the real game."

She glanced at Zhou Murong, her eyes filled with determination. "You've come just in time, Zhou Murong. Didn't you say you'd help me? Then help me do one thing and uncover the truth about Minister Zuo's family."

Zhou Murong raised his eyebrows and asked in a low voice: "What are you going to do?"

Shen Yiyao smiled slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. "I want the entire palace to know that Minister Zuo's downfall was not just due to his momentary miscalculation, but also due to a greater conspiracy behind it. This conspiracy involves not only him, but also His Majesty the Emperor."

Zhou Murong looked at her with a deep, almost hesitant look in his eyes. "Are you going to completely break off relations with the Emperor?"

Shen Yiyao chuckled, "Fighting with the Emperor is just the beginning. The real battle has just begun."

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Chapter 42: Undercurrents and Palace Turbulence