From cute to empress

I watched the maid's retreating figure, my heart aching with anxiety, bouncing up and down, unable to find peace. The Empress, the mistress of the harem, held immense power, and I rarely interacted with her. Why had she suddenly invited me to a banquet?

"The Empress has always been a model mother of the country and is virtuous and kind. Perhaps she is holding a banquet this time just to express her concern for the Imperial Concubine." Seeing that I was worried, Zhen Youcai comforted me softly.

I forced a smile and said, "I hope so."

As night fell and the lights came on, I suppressed my uneasiness and, accompanied by Zhen Youcai, arrived at Jingren Palace. As soon as I entered the palace gate, I felt an invisible pressure coming towards me, making it difficult to breathe.

Inside Jingren Palace, there was singing and dancing, and the empress sat in the main seat, her majestic appearance making one dare not look directly at her. Upon seeing me, she curled her lips into an ambiguous smile and said, "My dear Concubine, you are here. Please take a seat."

I took my seat as instructed, but my heart grew even more alert. The Queen was wearing a bright red palace dress, her hair adorned with gold, silver, pearls, and jade. She looked regal and elegant, unapproachable, a stark contrast to her usual affable demeanor.

"Sister, you have just entered the palace and have been favored by the Emperor, promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine. This is very gratifying to me." The Queen said, picking up the wine glass and toasting me from a distance. "This glass of wine is for you, sister. I wish you will give birth to a son for the Emperor soon."

I took the wine glass, but a chill welled up inside. The Queen's words seemed like a blessing, but they were actually a hidden threat. I'd just entered the palace, my foundation still unsettled, and yet she was rushing me to give birth to a prince. Wasn't this a clear attempt to suppress me?

I calmly brought the wine glass to my lips, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kind words. I am unworthy of your kindness. I am still young and have much to learn from you."

I deliberately emphasized the word "study" to remind the Queen that although I am a noble concubine, I am still her junior and I hope she won't go too far.

The Queen's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but quickly returned to normal. She put down her wine glass, glanced at Zhen Youcai behind me, and said meaningfully, "The guard beside my sister is quite a handsome man, and very loyal."

My heart tightened. The Queen seemed to be hinting at something.

I smiled softly, calmly moved Zhen Youcai behind me, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, your compliments are too kind. Guard Zhen was only doing his duty."

Seeing that I didn't respond, the Queen stopped talking about Zhen Youcai and instead changed the subject to discuss trivial matters within the palace. During the meal, Concubine Li toasted me frequently, her words filled with flattery and flattery, but I could sense the flicker of jealousy and calculation in her eyes.

After the banquet, I suppressed my uneasiness and returned to the bedroom accompanied by Zhen Youcai.

"Empress, are you okay?" Zhen Youcai asked with concern when he saw that I was pale.

I shook my head and sat weakly in front of the dressing table, looking at the haggard woman in the mirror, feeling mixed emotions.

"The Queen's behavior today is clearly a way to intimidate me." I sighed, with a hint of fatigue in my tone.

Zhen Youcai was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Your Majesty, I discovered something in the palace today, and I don't know whether I should tell you or not..."

My heart moved, and I looked up at him: "Go ahead."

"I overheard today that Concubine Li seems to be secretly trying to win over the other concubines in an attempt to isolate the Empress," Zhen Youcai said in a low voice. "Furthermore, she often speaks ill of the Empress in front of the Emperor, trying to sow discord between the Emperor and the Empress."

I was shocked. Concubine Li was going to kill me! Although I was not familiar with the world, I knew that the harem was full of dangers and that the slightest mistake would lead to eternal damnation.

"I understand." I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. "I'll find a way to handle this matter. You should also be more careful during this period. Report any developments to me immediately."

Zhen Youcai nodded, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "Don't worry, your Majesty, I will definitely protect you."

I looked at Zhen Youcai's determined eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. In this harem full of intrigue and deception, I was lucky to have him by my side, giving me strength and support.

"Your Majesty, there's something I'm still unclear about." Zhen Youcai hesitated for a moment and said, "Why don't you just tell the Emperor about Concubine Li's plot? Given the Emperor's love for you, he'll definitely help you."

I shook my head and smiled bitterly, "The Emperor has always been reluctant to interfere in matters concerning the harem. Furthermore, Concubine Li comes from a prominent family and holds immense influence within the court. If I don't have solid evidence, the Emperor might not believe me. Furthermore..."

I paused, a cold glint in my eyes, "I'm going to make her pay for what she did!"

I looked at my increasingly mature face in the bronze mirror, but my heart was cold. Concubine Li, since you want to play, then I will play with you!

"Zhen Youcai, you're right. Instead of sitting back and waiting for death, it's better to take the initiative." A hint of determination flashed in my eyes. "I will make Concubine Li pay for what she did!"

Zhen Youcai knelt on one knee, his eyes full of admiration: "Your Majesty is wise. I am willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!"

"Get up. There's no need for this between you and me." I gestured for him to stand up. "Since Concubine Li wants to win over people, let's start with the people around her."

I called the young palace maid who was usually responsible for gathering information and told her to pay close attention to the movements in Concubine Li's palace, especially to the concubines and palace maids who were close to her.

"Your Majesty, I also heard that..." The little palace maid hesitated to speak.

"But it doesn't matter."

"I heard that Concubine Li often visits a scholar named Zhao. It is said that this scholar is knowledgeable and talented, and is deeply trusted by the emperor."

Scholar Zhao? I thought to myself, could it be that Concubine Li is trying to win over Scholar Zhao and add some strength to her? If that's the case, then this is troublesome.

"Zhen Youcai, you go to the Zhao Mansion in person and make sure to find out the purpose of the contact between Concubine Li and Scholar Zhao." I made a prompt decision.

"Yes, sir!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left.

A few days later, Zhen Youcai brought back an unexpected news: "Your Majesty, Scholar Zhao is not Concubine Li's man. He secretly supports you and is willing to help you."

I was a little surprised. I didn't expect that Mr. Zhao, who was quite prestigious in the court, would stand on my side.

"Did Mr. Zhao say anything?" I asked anxiously.

"Mr. Zhao said that the Empress is kind-hearted and righteous, which is the demeanor that a harem master should have." Zhen Youcai paused, "He also said that Concubine Li is narrow-minded, insidious and cunning, and will sooner or later suffer the consequences."

I nodded. It seems that Mr. Zhao has good taste.

"He also said that if the queen needs help, she can go to a coach named Sun, who will give her guidance."

A coach named Sun? I tried to recall, but I had no recollection.

"Do you know who this Coach Sun is?" I asked.

"I have inquired about it. This instructor Sun was originally the instructor of the palace guards. Because he offended Concubine Li's brother, he was demoted to a commoner. Now he has opened a martial arts school in the west of the city." Zhen Youcai explained.

I was moved. It seemed that this Coach Sun was also a poor man who was suppressed by Concubine Li. Perhaps he had some evidence of Concubine Li's crimes in his hands.

"Zhen Youcai, prepare the sedan chair, we are going to the west of the city." I made a prompt decision.

I want to see what secrets this Master Sun holds...

The martial arts hall in the west of the city was much simpler than I'd imagined. A few rusty wooden planks formed the facade, with the characters "Zhenwei Martial Arts Hall" scribbled crookedly on top. Before I even got out of the sedan chair, I heard powerful shouts coming from inside. I figured it was the disciples practicing martial arts.

Zhen Youcai went forward and knocked on the door. A sturdy man opened it. He looked us up and down and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"We're looking for Master Sun. Please let him know." Zhen Youcai handed over a jade pendant. "Just say an old friend is visiting."

The man took the jade pendant, examined it carefully for a moment, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly stepped aside: "So you are an honored guest, please come in, please come in."

We followed the man across the courtyard and arrived in front of a wing room. He knocked gently on the door and whispered, "Master, a guest has arrived."

"Come in." An old voice sounded.

When I pushed open the door, I saw a white-haired old man sitting cross-legged on the couch. Although he was old, he was energetic and had a sharp gaze. It was obvious that he was a martial artist.

"Master Sun, how are you?" I smiled and walked forward to salute.

Instructor Sun looked me over, a hint of surprise flashing in his cloudy eyes. "How come the Imperial Concubine has the time to visit my little temple today?"

"Master Sun, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Miss Niu." I gestured for him to sit down and said straight to the point, "I came here today to ask you for a favor."

I told him about what Concubine Li had done and how Coach Sun was demoted. After listening to me, Coach Sun looked indignant.

"Li Guifei, relying on her prominent family background, has been tyrannical in the palace, bullying the innocent. I've long disliked her!" He slammed the table heavily. "Don't worry, Miss Niu. I do have some evidence against her. If I can bring her down, I will not hesitate to die!"

I was delighted, it seemed that I had found the right person this time.

With the help of Coach Sun, I have obtained a lot of evidence of Concubine Li's corruption and frame-up of loyal officials. I know that it will not be easy to bring Concubine Li down with just this evidence. I need an opportunity, an opportunity that she cannot deny.

The opportunity came quickly.

At the annual palace banquet, there was singing and dancing, clinking glasses, and a lively atmosphere. I sat beside the emperor, smiling, but secretly observing Concubine Li's every move.

After three rounds of drinks, I deliberately brought up the suffering of the people and hinted that Li Guifei's brother had abused his power to withhold disaster relief funds, causing the victims to be displaced.

Concubine Li's face changed, and she quickly knelt down to defend herself: "Your Majesty, I know clearly that my brother would never do such a thing!"

"Oh? Really?" I sneered and pulled out an account book from my sleeve. "This is the account book I found from the Ministry of Revenue. It clearly records everything Lord Li has done over the years. Could this account book be fake?"

I threw the account book in front of Concubine Li. She flipped through it in panic and her face turned pale.

"Someone come!" The emperor was furious. "Capture Concubine Li and interrogate her strictly!"

Concubine Li wanted to argue, but was forcibly dragged away by the guards.

I looked at Concubine Li's miserable back without a trace of pity in my heart. This was her own fault.

"My beloved concubine, it is thanks to you that I was able to see the true face of Concubine Li this time." The emperor held my hand, his eyes full of admiration.

"Your Majesty, this is what I should do." I lowered my head to hide the coldness in my eyes.

After Concubine Li was overthrown, my position was further consolidated, and everyone in the harem was in awe of me. However, I knew in my heart that this was only the calm before the storm, and greater challenges were yet to come.

"Your Majesty, the Queen requests an audience." A little palace maid came in and reported.

My heart trembled. What was the Queen doing here at this time? Could it be...

"Let her in." I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

The queen walked in slowly with an ambiguous smile on her face, and my heart sank.