From cute to empress

"Your Majesty, do you really think I can do it?" I mustered up my courage, looked up at him sitting on the dragon throne, my heart beating fast and my cheeks feeling a little hot.

The emperor put down the memorial in his hand and looked at me gently, "I believe you have the potential." His voice was low and magnetic, with an irresistible power.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my excitement. Music Master Qian's words inspired me, and the Emperor's encouragement filled me with confidence. I decided not to underestimate myself anymore. I would redouble my efforts and let everyone see my transformation!

From that day on, I began my frantic practice. I asked Scholar Zhao for advice on poetry and songs, hoping to learn from him some of the elegance of a scholar. I learned swordplay and archery from Instructor Sun, hoping to have a healthy body and a dashing presence. I also learned embroidery from Su Xiuniang, hoping to create stunning designs with my deft hands.

Of course, this was not possible without the companionship and encouragement of Brother Zhen. He was like my shadow, always silently guarding me by my side. When I encountered difficulties, he would patiently guide me, and when I was discouraged, he would find ways to cheer me up.

"Mengmeng, look at you, your sword-holding posture is all wrong." Brother Zhen held my hand and corrected my movements bit by bit, "It should be like this, with your wrist strong and your eyes firm, to show your momentum!"

"But I can't lift it..." I said with a bitter face. This sword was too heavy for me. I was exhausted and out of breath after swinging it a few times.

"Haha, who told you to choose such a heavy sword in the first place?" Brother Zhen couldn't help laughing and ruffled my hair. "Come, try this one. I picked it especially for you. It's light and sharp."

I took the sword he handed me, and it was indeed much lighter, and I wielded it more skillfully. I smiled happily and waved the sword in front of him like a child, showing off.

As the sun sets, its golden afterglow casts a shadow over the martial arts training ground, making Brother Zhen and I appear particularly slender. I suddenly feel that days like this are peaceful and beautiful. How wonderful it would be if they could continue like this...

However, I know in my heart that life in the harem is like the unpredictable weather; no one knows what will happen tomorrow. The only thing I can do is strive to become stronger so that I can face the challenges of the future with ease.

Little did I know, my efforts and transformations were being observed by one person. He stood by the window of the imperial study, quietly watching me sweating profusely on the martial arts training ground, a meaningful smile curling up at the corner of his mouth...

The sunset's afterglow faded, and night fell. The day's practice finally ended. I dragged my exhausted body back to my quarters, aching all over, but my heart was filled with satisfaction. I knew I was getting stronger, little by little, and one day, I would emerge from my cocoon and become the person I wanted to be.

That night, I had a strange dream. I dreamed I was standing on a high city wall, overlooking the entire palace, with everyone at my feet. I felt incredibly powerful and confident, as if the world was in my hands.

"My Lady, My Lady, please wake up!"

In a daze, I heard someone calling me. I tried to open my eyes and found that it was my personal maid Xiao Cui who was shaking me anxiously.

"My Lady, are you alright? You were talking in your sleep, saying things like 'I want to become stronger'..."

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and sat up, the scene from my dream still lingering in my mind. Could this be what I truly desire deep down?

"Xiao Cui, tell me, can I really change my destiny?" I looked at the dark night sky outside the window, my heart full of confusion.

Xiao Cui seemed startled by my question. She hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously, "My Lady, you are the daughter of destiny. Your fate is naturally in your own hands."

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. Girl of destiny? Perhaps, but I believe that destiny must be earned by oneself.

The next morning, I woke up early and continued to practice intensively. However, I didn't know that my efforts and changes had already attracted the attention of some people in the harem.

"Your Majesty, please take a look at this new embroidered painting of birds paying homage to the phoenix that I have made?" Mei Fei's delicate voice rang out in the imperial study.

I hid behind the screen, secretly observing the movements inside. The emperor sat on the dragon throne, holding a scroll in his hand, with a faint smile on his face.

"Well, Concubine Mei's embroidery skills are becoming more and more exquisite. The birds are lifelike, and the phoenix is ​​even more graceful and elegant. It can be called a masterpiece." There was no emotion in the emperor's voice.

"Your Majesty, your praise is too great. How could my humble skills possibly catch your eye?" Mei Fei said coquettishly. "I've heard there's a young lady in the palace who's also very interested in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Your Majesty, please cultivate her well."

My heart sank suddenly. Concubine Mei's words were full of hidden meaning. Was she hinting to the Emperor that I wanted to win his favor?

"Oh? Really? I haven't paid much attention to it. I wonder which young lady has such a refined taste?" There was a hint of curiosity in the emperor's tone.

Mei Fei covered her mouth and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty is very busy, so naturally he won't pay attention to these trivial matters. However, I heard that the young lady has been very diligent recently. She gets up before dawn every day to practice, and doesn't even rest at night. She is really hardworking..."

I clenched my fists tightly. Concubine Mei was deliberately trying to sow discord and make me the target of public criticism!

Behind the screen, I had no idea what the Emperor was thinking, much less a larger conspiracy closing in on me... Concubine Mei's words were like a thorn, piercing my heart. Hiding behind the screen, my palms sweating. What would the Emperor think? Would he think I was being deliberate, trying to attract his attention?

I didn't dare to listen any further and hurriedly left the imperial study. After returning to the palace, my mind was full of Mei Fei's words, and I was extremely depressed.

"My queen, what's wrong with you?" Xiao Cui asked with concern when she saw that I looked unhappy.

I shook my head, not wanting to talk, wanting only to be alone. I walked to my desk and picked up my brush, but I couldn't write a single word. Mei Fei's words echoed in my ears like a spell, disrupting my thoughts.

I put down my pen in frustration, and suddenly realized that I couldn't be defeated by Mei Fei's words! I had to become stronger, so strong that no one could ignore me or hurt me!

I took a deep breath and pulled myself together. I was going to practice harder, I was going to show everyone my strength, I was going to prove myself!

The next day, I woke up early and headed to the Imperial Garden. According to Zhao's plan, today I was going to practice calligraphy. I ground the ink, spread out the paper, and picked up my brush, all in one go. However, as I looked at my handwritten words, I couldn't help but frown.

My handwriting was crooked and disorganized, and compared to Master Zhao's, it was like heaven and earth. I felt discouraged. Did I really not have the talent for calligraphy?

"My Lady, don't be discouraged. Everything is difficult at the beginning. As long as you keep practicing, you will definitely make progress."

When I heard the voice, I looked up and saw Mr. Zhao standing behind me. He had a smile on his face and a gentle tone, which gave me great encouragement.

"Mr. Zhao, can I really do this?" I asked a little unconfidently.

"Of course!" Scholar Zhao said affirmatively, "Madam, you have a high level of understanding, but you just lack practice. As long as you are willing to work hard, your calligraphy will definitely improve greatly in time."

Zhao Xueshi's words gave me great confidence. I picked up the brush again and began to practice seriously. Zhao Xueshi patiently guided me, corrected my mistakes, and taught me some techniques for good calligraphy.

Besides calligraphy, Master Zhao also planned for me to learn other skills. He invited the most famous instructor in the palace, Sun Jiaotou, to teach me dancing. In her youth, Sun Jiaotou had been a court dancer with superb dancing skills. Under his guidance, my clumsy dancing gradually became graceful.

I immerse myself in intense and fulfilling practice every day. Although it is hard, I enjoy it. I know that I am getting stronger step by step and getting closer to my goal.

However, I didn't know that even greater challenges were still ahead. There were some people in the palace who were secretly observing me. Who could they be? And what would they do to me?

I hid in the shadows behind the screen, my heart aching. Mei Fei's words were like a pebble, stirring up a thousand waves in my heart. I wanted to refute, to prove myself, but the words on my lips turned into silent sighs.

Was I really just putting on an act? I asked myself, and the answer was no. I wanted to become stronger, to gain a foothold in this ruthless harem, and even more so... to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and clenched my fists. I wanted to work hard and become stronger! I wanted to shock those who looked down on me!

Mr. Zhao's teachings were meticulous and patient, and my calligraphy improved dramatically under his guidance. From the crooked strokes at the beginning to the smooth and flowing strokes I now possess, I have put in an incredible amount of effort.

"Your Highness is truly gifted," said Scholar Zhao, stroking his beard, his eyes full of admiration. "Given time, you will surely become a great scholar."

I smiled shyly, but my heart was filled with joy. This was not only an affirmation of me, but also a reward for my hard work.

In addition to calligraphy, I also learned embroidery from the most renowned Su embroidery lady in the palace. Her craftsmanship was so exquisite that a silver needle seemed to come alive in her hands, creating lifelike images of flowers, birds, fish, and insects.

"My Lady, the most important thing for embroidery is a calm mind," Su Xiu Niang said softly as she threaded the needle. "If your mind is disturbed, the embroidery will be messy too."

I agreed with her, and I calmed down and learned from the Su embroidery masters, stitch by stitch. From simple patterns to complex designs, I gradually mastered the essence of embroidery and experienced the joy of peace and concentration.

Of course, my studies weren't limited to this. I also learned to play the guzheng from the imperial court musician Qian. Qian's skills were exquisite, and the notes flowing from his fingertips were like heavenly music, captivating and captivating.

"Your Majesty, the most important thing in music is emotion," Musician Qian plucked the strings, and the melodious sound echoed in the hall. "Only by infusing your own emotions into the music can you move people's hearts."

I felt the charm of music with my heart, infusing my joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness into the sound of the piano. My piano skills improved day by day, and I gradually realized that music is not only entertainment, but also a form of emotional expression.

With practice day after day, I feel like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, shedding its tender shell and becoming stronger and more confident.

However, I know this is just the beginning. The road to the harem is thrilling, and I still have a long way to go...