From cute to empress

"Empress, are you okay?" Luzhu looked at me worriedly. Ever since the rebellion was quelled that day, my heart has been hanging in the air and I have been unable to sleep or eat.

"I'm fine." I forced a smile and put down the teacup. The aroma of tea lingered, but it couldn't mask the bitterness in my heart. Mei Fei's resentful eyes lingered like a nightmare, and I knew she wouldn't let it go.

"Your Majesty, are you still worried about Concubine Mei?" Luzhu asked cautiously.

"It's not worry," I shook my head, "but I have to be on guard. Concubine Mei is ruthless and cruel. She's suffered such a big setback this time, she won't let me go easily."

"Then what should we do?" Luzhu became even more worried.

"Don't worry," I held her hand and gave her a reassuring look, "I will protect myself and you too."

In the days that followed, I appeared calm, but secretly I never let my guard down. I ordered people to secretly collect evidence of Mei Fei's crimes. I didn't believe that a woman as vicious and cruel as her would leave no evidence.

Hard work pays off. After much investigation, I finally got hold of many pieces of evidence of Concubine Mei's crimes, including how she had used her family power over the years to exclude dissidents and form cliques in the palace. She even went so far as to slander the emperor and frame other concubines in order to win his favor, and she even secretly instructed others to murder the heir to the throne!

Looking at the evidence in my hands, I was filled with rage. This woman was simply insane! I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I couldn't act rashly. I wanted to make Concubine Mei pay for her actions!

I decided to report this matter to the Emperor.

On this day, I deliberately chose to run into the Emperor in the Imperial Garden. When the Emperor saw me, he smiled gently and asked, "My beloved concubine, how come you have time to come here today?"

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report to you." I knelt before the emperor and presented a memorial with both hands. "This is something I came across by chance. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

The emperor took the memorial and flipped through it casually, but the more he read, the more solemn his expression became. Finally, his hands began to tremble slightly.

"My beloved, is what is written in this memorial true?" The emperor suddenly raised his head, his eyes as sharp as torches, staring straight into my eyes, his voice filled with a hint of disbelief and suppressed anger.

"Your Majesty, every word is true. I dare not lie." I met the emperor's gaze, my tone firm. The contents of the memorial were tearful, and every detail was evidence of Concubine Mei's guilt.

The emperor was silent for a long time, tossing the memorial aside and rubbing his temple wearily: "This matter is of great importance, I need to investigate it thoroughly."

I knew the Emperor was truly furious and was beginning to believe what I said. I breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Your Majesty, I know this is unbelievable, but I can find witnesses and evidence to prove Concubine Mei's guilt."

"You say." A sharp look flashed in the emperor's eyes.

I took a deep breath and said slowly, "Master Zhao and Coach Sun were both once guests of honor of Concubine Mei. They can attest to how Concubine Mei used her family's influence to exclude dissidents and form a clique for personal gain."

The emperor immediately ordered Zhao Xueshi and Sun Jiaotou to come into the palace. They knelt trembling before the emperor, not daring to look up.

"I ask you, is what the imperial concubine said true?" The emperor's voice was low, but with unquestionable majesty.

Zhao Xueshi and Sun Jiaotou exchanged a glance, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads. They knew that truth would eventually come to light, and that Concubine Mei's downfall was inevitable. Helping her conceal the truth now would only bring disaster upon themselves.

"Your Majesty, everything the Imperial Concubine said is true!" the two men said in unison, and confessed all they knew about Concubine Mei's crimes.

The emperor's face turned pale after hearing this, and he slammed the table. "How dare Concubine Mei be so audacious! Come, pass on my decree to immediately banish Concubine Mei to the cold palace and depose her from her position!"

When I heard that the emperor had finally ordered the dethronement of Concubine Mei, a huge stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.

A few days later, the palace held a grand banquet to celebrate the victory of suppressing the rebellion. As a key figure in this suppression of the rebellion, I naturally became the focus of the banquet.

Embroiderer Su and musician Qian specially made a gorgeous dress for me, embroidered with a pattern of a flying phoenix, which symbolizes my rebirth from the ashes and the advent of a new beginning.

"Your Majesty, you look so radiant in this dress, you are the most beautiful among all the other girls!" Lu Zhu couldn't help but admire me while helping me adjust the hem of my skirt.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and the corners of my mouth curled up slightly. I knew that this was not just a dress, but also a recognition of my efforts and a symbol of my victory.

The banquet was about to begin, and I walked slowly towards the banquet hall with a confident smile. I knew that tonight, I would prove to everyone that I, Niu Mengmeng, was no longer the naive girl who was at the mercy of others, but a strong woman who could stand on her own!

I stepped steadily into the magnificent hall, instantly capturing everyone's attention. The soft silk skirt swayed gently with my steps, and the pattern of a flying phoenix shone brightly in the candlelight, as if foreshadowing my imminent flight.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, may Her Majesty live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!" Everyone stood up and bowed to me, greeting me.

I nodded with a smile, my eyes sweeping across the faces, some sincere, some fawning, until they finally settled on the Emperor, seated high on the Dragon Throne. He too had donned a bright yellow dragon robe, amplifying his majesty. Upon seeing me arrive, a flicker of admiration flashed in his eyes, and he nodded slightly.

The banquet officially began, with singing and dancing, clinking glasses, and a lively atmosphere. However, I had no interest in enjoying it. My eyes kept drifting outside the hall, feeling a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

After three rounds of drinks, the Emperor signaled a pause for the singing and dancing, cleared his throat, and said, "My dear ministers, this time, the rebellion was quelled thanks to the Imperial Concubine's timely discovery of Concubine Mei's conspiracy and her courageous testimony. This has ensured the stability of our court and the peace of the people. I am deeply pleased and am hosting a special banquet to commend you!"

"The Imperial Concubine is wise!" Everyone echoed, and the sound of praise rang out again in the hall.

I stood up, raised my glass, looked around, and said loudly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace, and thank you all for your kind words. Looking back, Mengmeng was new to the palace and was naive. It was the tolerance and guidance of Your Majesty and all the gentlemen that brought me to where I am today. Especially..." I paused, looking firmly at Zhen Youcai, who was sitting beside me and watching me silently, "Guard Zhen, he disregarded his own safety and secretly helped me collect evidence many times. Mengmeng will never forget this kindness!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar. Everyone looked at Zhen Youcai with eyes filled with surprise and inquiry, but he remained calm. He stood up, bowed to me, and said loudly, "It is my duty to share Her Majesty's worries!"

I suppressed the surging emotions in my heart and continued, "Today, I can finally seek justice for the unjustly murdered palace maid and clear the grievances of the innocent people. I am filled with emotion. But I know that this is just the beginning. There is still a long way to go. I will definitely work harder to live up to the expectations of the Emperor and everyone else!"

My words were sincere and touching, and many people's eyes were red after listening to them. Even the emperor, who was always serious, showed a touch of emotion in his eyes.

He raised his glass again and announced loudly, "I have decided to promote Niu Mengmeng to the rank of Imperial Consort, grant her the residence of Fengyi Palace, and reward her with a thousand taels of gold and ten thousand pieces of silk and satin. I decree this!"

"I thank you for your grace!" I knelt down again, my heart filled with joy and gratitude. I knew I had finally taken an important step, but I wouldn't stop there. My goal was far greater than this!

After the banquet, I returned to Fengyi Palace exhausted. Zhen Youcai had been waiting at the door for a long time. Seeing me return, he came forward, his eyes full of worry: "My queen, are you okay?"

I shook my head, motioning him to rest assured, then looked up at the bright moon in the night sky and sighed softly, "It's finally over."

Zhen Youcai held my hand, interlocking our fingers, and said firmly, "My Queen, let's walk the future together!"

I turned to look at him, tears welling in my eyes, and nodded earnestly. I know the road ahead is long, full of unknowns and challenges, but I believe that as long as we work together, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and ultimately achieve our goals!

After the banquet, Fengyi Palace was so quiet it felt like a world away. I removed my jewels and jade from my hair, letting the exhaustion wash over me like a tide. Zhen Youcai stayed by my side, rubbing my shoulders, his eyes filled with heartache.

"Youcai, tell me, have we really succeeded?" I asked softly, with an imperceptible tremor in my voice.

Zhen Youcai stopped what he was doing, turned around and hugged me in his arms. His arms were as warm and strong as ever, making me feel extremely at ease.

"Of course, Mengmeng, we succeeded." He whispered, "Mei Fei's conspiracy has been exposed. You have sought justice for those innocent people and won the recognition of the emperor and everyone. You did a great job, really great."

I buried my head in his chest, tears finally streaming down my face. I had endured so much pressure and grievances these days, and now I could finally let go.

We just hugged each other quietly, feeling each other's warmth and heartbeat. I don't know how long it took before Zhen Youcai gently pushed me away and wiped the tears from my face with his fingertips, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"Mengmeng, I know the road ahead is long, and the struggles within the palace are far more complicated than we imagined. But please believe me, I will always be by your side and be your strongest support. We will face all the storms together."

I nodded and held his hand tightly, my heart filled with gratitude and touching. Yes, I still have him, I still have many friends, I am not alone.

"Thank you, Youcai," I said sincerely, "Without you, I would never be able to get to where I am today."

He smiled and ruffled my hair, as if comforting a child: "Silly, we are the people who trust each other the most, aren't we?"

I burst into laughter. Yes, we are the people who trust each other the most. We don’t need to say too many words of thanks to each other, because everything is implied.

Just then, a little palace maid hurried in, bowed to me, and said, "Your Highness, the Empress has sent a message saying that there will be a banquet at Jingren Palace tonight. Please be sure to come and enjoy it."

I was slightly taken aback. The Queen? Why would she suddenly invite me to a banquet? It seemed like she and I had no connection at all.

I looked at Zhen Youcai, his brows were slightly furrowed, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"I understand. You can go down." I said to the palace maid.

After she left, I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, feeling a faint sense of unease. "Tell me, what's the Queen's intention in suddenly inviting me to the banquet?"

Zhen Youcai pondered for a moment and said slowly, "The Queen has always been a quiet person, but this time she suddenly invited you to a banquet. I'm afraid there's something fishy going on. However, we should deal with it cautiously."

I nodded, but my heart was filled with anxiety. What on earth did the Queen, the most noble woman in the harem, want to do?