From cute to empress

"The emperor summoned me? When did it happen?" There was a barely perceptible tremor in my voice, and Su Xiu Niang nervously grabbed my hand.

Seeing how nervous we were, the guard quickly explained, "Miss Niu, it happened this morning. I heard that Concubine Mei wanted Guard Zhen to help train a parrot, so the emperor summoned him to the palace."

Training a parrot? I was filled with doubts, feeling that things weren't that simple. Concubine Mei and I had always been at odds, and now she suddenly wanted to train a parrot and specifically asked Zhen Youcai for help. There had to be something fishy going on!

Su Xiu Niang had obviously thought of this as well. She frowned and whispered, "Mengmeng, I always feel a little uneasy. How about we go into the palace and take a look?"

I nodded and immediately rushed to the palace with Su Xiu Niang. My heart was in my throat all the way, worried that Zhen Youcai would encounter something unexpected in the palace.

Arriving at the palace, we finally learned, after much difficulty, that Zhen Youcai had been taken to the Imperial Garden. Su Xiu Niang and I hurried there anxiously, only to find Concubine Mei sitting in the pavilion, sipping tea and playing with a colorful parrot.

Zhen Youcai, dressed in a guard's uniform, stood upright by the side, his face expressionless.

"Guard Zhen, I heard that you are resourceful. This parrot has just been tributed from the Western Regions, but it can only speak nonsense. Come and see if you can teach it to speak a few human words?" Concubine Mei glanced at Zhen Youcai with a hint of provocation in her tone.

Zhen Youcai bowed his head slightly and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am a fool and I am afraid I will disappoint your expectations."

"Oh? Really?" Mei Fei sneered. "I heard that you were very caring towards Miss Niu. How come you become so dull when you come to me?"

I was shocked. Concubine Mei was going to make a fuss about the relationship between Zhen Youcai and me!

"Your Majesty, you are joking. My concern for Miss Niu is just a friend's concern." Zhen Youcai replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Between friends?" A cold glint flashed in Mei Fei's eyes. "Would friends give each other a priceless jade pendant?"

My heart sank. Concubine Mei actually knew about this! It seemed like she had planned this all along and wanted to use this opportunity to frame Zhen Youcai and me!

I was about to step forward to explain, but Su Xiu Niang pulled me back. She shook her head and told me to wait and see what happened.

Zhen Youcai was silent for a moment, then looked up at Concubine Mei, a glint in his eyes. "Your Majesty, if you want to say something, just say it."

Mei Fei put down the teacup in her hand, a cold smile curled her lips, "You know what I want to say! Come, capture this audacious lunatic!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several guards rushed out from the darkness and surrounded Zhen Youcai...

My heart instantly rose to my throat, and I almost cried out. Su Xiu Niang also held my hand tightly, her fingertips cold. No, I can't stand by and watch Zhen Youcai being wronged!

"Stop!" I rushed forward, blocking Zhen Youcai and looking directly into Mei Fei's eyes. "Your Majesty, things are not what you think. I can explain the jade pendant!"

Mei Fei obviously didn't expect me to suddenly appear. She was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "Explain? Explain what? Explain that there is nothing wrong between you and Guard Niu? Who would believe it!"

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. Now was not the time to panic. I had to find a way to prove my innocence and Zhen Youcai's.

"Your Majesty, I admit that I gave the jade pendant to Brother Zhen, but it was only to thank him for his help before. There is absolutely no transgression between Brother Zhen and me!"

Mei Fei smiled contemptuously: "Oh? Really? Then tell me, why did you give him such an expensive gift?"

I was about to speak when I was interrupted by a commanding voice: "Enough!"

I looked up and saw the emperor standing not far away, watching the scene with a grim face.

"Your Majesty..." When Concubine Mei saw the emperor, her face changed slightly and she quickly stood up and saluted.

"Didn't I ask you to enjoy the flowers in the Imperial Garden? Why did it become like this?" the emperor asked in an unhappy tone.

Mei Fei's eyes rolled, and she immediately cried, "Your Majesty, I just wanted to ask Guard Zhen to help train the parrot, but who knew that Miss Niu suddenly rushed out and said..."

"Your Majesty, please listen to what I have to say!" I interrupted Concubine Mei and told the emperor the whole story and explained the origin of the jade pendant.

After listening to my explanation, the emperor pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Zhen Youcai: "Zhen Youcai, do you have anything to say?"

Zhen Youcai stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, everything Miss Niu said is true. Miss Niu and I are just friends, there is absolutely no personal relationship. I am loyal to Your Majesty and have no second thoughts!"

The emperor looked at Zhen Youcai, then at me, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.

"Well, in that case, let's end today's matter here. I believe that you are all loyal and righteous people and will not do anything that will damage the reputation of the royal family."

When the emperor said this, Zhen Youcai and I both breathed a sigh of relief. I knew this sudden storm was finally over.

"To make up for what happened today, I have decided to hold a banquet in the Imperial Garden tonight and hold a talent show. All palace maids are welcome to sign up, and the winners will receive generous rewards."

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the palace maids around him immediately started talking, and each of them was eager to try.

I was not interested in this kind of thing at first, but when I saw the smug smile on Concubine Mei's face, I suddenly changed my mind.

I want to see who is more skilled tonight!

"Mengmeng, do you really want to participate?" Su Xiu Niang helped me adjust my clothes, her tone full of worry. "This talent show in the palace is no joke. Which of those ladies hasn't learned music, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood? You..."

"Sister Su, don't worry, I know what's going on." I winked at her and said confidently, "I have a secret weapon!"

Su Xiu Niang was amused by my mysterious attitude and gently tapped my forehead: "You are such a mysterious girl. But no matter what, I support you. Just do your best."

As night fell and the lights came on, the Imperial Garden was ablaze with lights, filled with the sounds of stringed instruments and a bustling atmosphere. Standing among the crowd, I, dressed in a light blue ruqun, looked exceptionally fresh and refined.

"Mengmeng, don't be nervous, I believe you." Zhen Youcai came to my side at some point, handed me a cup of warm tea, and encouraged me in a gentle tone.

I took the teacup and gave him a grateful smile. Strangely enough, ever since that incident in the Imperial Garden, the relationship between Zhen Youcai and I seems to have subtly changed. We're no longer as reserved as before, but instead have become more intimate and understanding.

The talent show began, and the ladies from various palaces came on stage one after another, playing the piano, dancing, reciting poems and painting. Each of them had unique skills, which dazzled me.

When it was my turn, I took a deep breath and walked confidently to the center of the stage. I decided that tonight I would conquer everyone with that song from another world!

A melodious melody flowed from my fingertips, and the graceful and beautiful song echoed in the night sky, so touching and plaintive. Everyone was shocked by this unprecedented sound of nature. For a moment, the entire Imperial Garden was silent, and only my song floated in the air.

At the end of the song, the applause was thunderous and prolonged. I looked at the astonished faces in the audience and couldn't help but smile triumphantly. I knew I had succeeded!

"Miss Niu, what's the name of your song? It's so beautiful!"

"Yeah, Miss Niu, where did you learn this song? It's unheard of and unseen!"

……

Facing everyone's curious questions, I smiled mysteriously and said, "This song came to me in a dream. As for the name, let's call it "Flowers in Dreams"."

I undoubtedly won the final victory in this talent show. The emperor was so pleased that he rewarded me with many treasures on the spot and promoted me to the position of imperial lady-in-waiting.

I knew my life would never be the same again, and it all depended on Zhen Youcai's help.

"Thank you, Brother Zhen." I said to him sincerely.

"Silly boy, do we even need to say thank you between us?" Zhen Youcai rubbed my hair lovingly, looking at me with deep eyes, "But, do you really plan to stay in the palace like this forever?"

His question gave me a shock. Yes, what exactly do I want?

Brother Zhen's words, like a morning bell, struck at my heart. Yes, I can't always rely on others. I have to have my own goals and pursuits.

"Brother Zhen, you're right. I can't just sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor." I looked at him with a firm gaze. "I want to learn more and become stronger, not just be a singing toy."

Brother Zhen nodded with satisfaction, his eyes showing undisguised admiration. "I'm relieved that you're so thoughtful. The palace library houses a collection of classics from all over the world. You can read any book you want. I'll help you arrange it."

I shook his hand gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Zhen, you are always so kind to me."

"Silly girl, as long as you are happy." He chuckled, with stars twinkling in his eyes.

In the days that followed, I worked in the imperial court during the day and plunged into the library at night, eagerly absorbing the sweet dew of knowledge. History books, poetry collections, classics, arithmetic... I was like a dry sponge, greedily soaking up every drop of moisture.

Seeing how eager I was to learn, Mr. Zhao was happy to give me guidance. He often said that I understood things quickly and could apply them to other situations, and that I was a rare learning prodigy.

In addition to studying, I also learned swordsmanship from Coach Sun, music from Musician Qian, and embroidery from Lady Su... I was like an unpolished jade, and with the help of everyone, I gradually emitted a dazzling light.

Of course, the learning process was not all smooth sailing. Concubine Mei always regarded me as a thorn in her side, often sending people to make things difficult for me, and even slandered me in front of the emperor, saying that I was arrogant and looked down on others because of my favor.

Faced with these false accusations, I did not panic, but responded calmly. I presented the results of my studies to the emperor and used facts to prove my innocence.

When the emperor saw how hard I worked to improve myself, his impression of me changed greatly. He not only reprimanded Concubine Mei for her unreasonable behavior, but also praised me in public for my diligence and love of learning, calling me a rare talent.

I smiled faintly, but I knew in my heart that this was just the beginning. My goal was far more than this. I longed to stand at the pinnacle of power, control my own destiny, change this country, and even change the world! All of this required me to put in even more effort.

In the dead of night, I stood by the window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, my heart filled with anticipation and longing. I believed that one day, I would realize my dream, become an empress, and be remembered in history!