After a broken heart, I traveled through time and space and became an abandoned concubine. My fate i

Now this palace is like a treacherous maze, and the situation is like a turbulent undercurrent, dragging everyone into the vortex of the unknown.

In the serene palace hall, the Empress and the Empress Dowager sat facing each other. The Empress Dowager's Buddhist beads spun rapidly, seemingly unleashing a violent storm. Her brow furrowed, the deep wrinkles like furrows carved by time. She sternly demanded, "This Concubine He is lawless. Do you really think no one can tame her?" Her voice, like thunder, exploded in the empty hall, stirring up a cloud of dust.

The Queen pursed her lips tightly, her face as pale as snow, and twisted her handkerchief into a tangled mess with her hands, as if it was her broken heart. Her voice trembled like a candle in the wind: "Queen Dowager, I worry day and night, my heart is as frightened as a wild goose. If her arrogance is not suppressed, this harem will surely become a purgatory. But her power is like a towering tree, and I am like an ant. If I am not careful, not only will I be crushed to pieces, but many innocent people will also suffer." Tears flashed in the Queen's eyes, like a lonely star in the cold night, revealing endless helplessness and fear. The Queen Dowager nodded slightly, her eyes revealing determination: "Don't be afraid, Queen, we will make a thorough plan and find a way to defeat the enemy."

In the dim chamber, He Shang's gaze, fierce and piercing, swept over the ministers like an eagle. He placed his hands behind his back, his body erect as a pine tree, his tone as cold as the water of a icy pond: "Follow my He family, and wealth and glory will flow like a surging river, inexhaustible. Anyone who dares to disobey will have their head taken into consideration! In the court, those who obey me shall live!" His voice echoed through the chamber like the roar of a vengeful demon, suffocating everyone.

Some ministers were sweating profusely, beads of sweat falling like pearls from a broken string, their eyes darting back like startled rabbits, bewildered. Others bowed their heads in silence, their brows furrowed like a thousand-year-old ice, their hearts torn between loyalty and self-interest, as if they were on the brink of a precipice. One minister mused to himself, "Although the He family is powerful, their arrogance may not last long. I must choose carefully."

Concubine He Shu stamped her feet in a coquettish huff before the Emperor, her eyebrows raised like two unsheathed swords, her pretty face etched with anger and resentment, her meticulously applied makeup now distorted by rage, like a masterpiece scribbled by a mischievous child. She cried in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty, the Empress and Concubine Su are stirring up trouble in the harem. I am deeply wronged. Please help me!" She tugged at the Emperor's sleeve as she spoke, like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline, her eyes filled with hope and coquettishness.

The emperor's face instantly darkened, like a dark cloud. His eyes widened in anger as he shouted, "Stop your nonsense! I have my own judgment. If you cause trouble again, I will not let you off lightly!" The emperor's voice was like thunderbolt, frightening Concubine He Shu's delicate body, trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind. She bit her lip unwillingly, and it instantly lost its color. As Concubine He Shu turned away angrily, she thought to herself, "Hmph, now that His Majesty is not on my side, I will make him regret it."

Concubine He bit her lip and turned angrily, her gorgeous skirt whipping out in a furious arc, like a raging wave in a gust of wind. She glared fiercely at the maid beside her, her eyes filled with anger that threatened to burn her to ashes. The maid quickly lowered her head in fear, her heart filled with panic.

In prison, Concubine Su Xian's uniform, though ragged, could not conceal her natural beauty. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, like distant inky mountains shrouded in a thin mist, a touch of melancholy only adding a touch of pity to her. Her eyes, resolute, like a deep pool of autumn water, concealed boundless wisdom. Even amidst this gloomy place, they shone with an unyielding light, like the brightest stars on a cold night. The roughness of her uniform, caressing her delicate skin, only served to enhance her endearing grace. Though her hair was neatly tied, a few strands fell, gently plastering her fair cheeks, like willows swaying in the breeze, a truly endearing sight.

Tears streamed down Little Taozi's face like a fountain, and her sobs were shrill, echoing in the small cell like the wail of a lone goose: "My Queen, what should we do? Are we going to be trapped here forever? God is so unfair!" Her eyes were red and swollen like ripe peaches, and her voice was hoarse from crying, like the whine of an old bellows.

Concubine Su patted her hands, gently yet firmly. Her hands, though slender, seemed to hold immense strength. "Don't be afraid, Little Peach. I have a plan. When the time comes, we will surely break free from this cage and see the light again." Her voice was gentle, yet brimming with unquestionable confidence, like a ray of light breaking through the darkness, offering hope. Just then, a mouse scurried from the corner, sending Little Peach screaming in fright.

The young eunuch who delivered the meal appeared quietly, hunched over like a frightened quail, lowering his voice with a panicked look on his face, beads of sweat on his forehead, as if he had just escaped from the gates of hell: "Your Majesty, the time is approaching, be very careful, any mistake will lead to eternal damnation!" His eyes were full of worry and fear, as if the end of the world was approaching.

A look of surprise flashed in Concubine Su's eyes. She nodded slightly, raised the corners of her mouth, and revealed an imperceptible smile, like a spring flower just blooming: "Thank you, I know what I'm doing." Her eyes were firm and resolute, like a heroine going to war.

In the court, Lord Zhao stood isolated and helpless, his face shrouded in sorrow. His brow furrowed like a ravine, a frown that seemed capable of crushing a ferocious beast. He muttered to himself, "What can I do? Concubine He and her followers are suppressing me wantonly, and I'm struggling to even move forward." His fists clenched, their knuckles white as stone, revealing his inner anger and helplessness. Just then, a minister, usually on good terms with Lord Zhao, gave him a stealthy look, a signal for him to remain calm.

To gather evidence against Concubine He, the Empress sends her trusted maid, Xiu'er, out of the palace to search for the former maid who had served in Concubine He's palace and was now ex-consort. After much hardship, Xiu'er finally finds the maid in a remote village.

When Xiu'er stepped into the dilapidated courtyard, the old palace maid was sitting on a bench at the door, staring blankly into the distance.

Xiu'er stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Old man, I came from the palace. The Queen sent me to visit you."

When the old palace maid heard the word "palace", her body trembled slightly, and a trace of panic flashed in her turbid eyes.

Xiu'er hurriedly comforted her, "Don't be afraid. The Queen is a kind person. She just wants to ask you something."

The old maid's lips trembled, and she said in a hoarse voice, "As someone who has already left the palace, what can I know?"

Xiu'er gently held the old palace maid's hand and said sincerely: "The Queen knows that you have suffered a lot of grievances in Concubine He's palace. Don't worry, as long as you tell the truth, the Queen will definitely make the decision for you."

Tears welled up in the old maid's eyes. She bit her lip and spoke slowly, "That Concubine He Shu was simply a demon! She would beat or scold the maids all the time, and whenever she was unhappy, she would take it out on us. Once, just because a little maid accidentally knocked over her vase, she had her beaten black and blue, and finally thrown out of the palace. We don't know whether she is alive or dead."

Xiu'er was shocked when she heard this and continued to ask, "Are there any others?"

The old maid wiped her tears and continued, "Also, to win favor, she didn't hesitate to frame other concubines. When a noble lady was just pregnant, she tricked her into accidentally eating something that would cause her to miscarry. Two lives were lost! I couldn't stand it, so I spoke up for justice, and she found a fault with me and kicked me out of the palace."

Xiu'er clenched her fists and said, "Don't worry, the Queen will make her pay for these crimes."

The old palace maid nodded, and as if she remembered something terrible, her body couldn't help but tremble.

In the Imperial Garden, sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a dappled image of gold. The Emperor strolled through it, hoping to find a moment of tranquility to soothe the fatigue of court affairs.

A palace maid came lightly with a tea tray in her hand and respectfully offered tea to the emperor. The emperor took the teacup, took a sip, and casually cast his eyes on the palace maid.

Perhaps nervous, or perhaps unable to suppress the resentment in her heart, the maid muttered unconsciously in front of the emperor: "In this palace, Concubine He Shu is the most arrogant and domineering. I really don't know..." Before she finished speaking, the maid suddenly realized that she had spoken out of turn. Her face turned pale and she fell to her knees with a plop. She said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, please spare me. I have spoken out of turn and deserve death."

The emperor's originally nonchalant expression suddenly froze, his eyes became sharp, and he stared at the palace maid kneeling on the ground, and said in a deep voice: "Tell me in detail." The palace maid was so scared that she didn't dare to raise her head, but just kowtowed continuously, and soon redness and swelling appeared on her forehead.

The emperor frowned and said, "I pardon you. Tell the truth." The maid then spoke tremblingly, "Your Majesty, Concubine He Shu is a tyrannical figure in the palace. She beats and scolds the other maids and concubines, punishing them for anything that doesn't go her way. She even flies into a rage if the food from the imperial kitchen doesn't suit her taste."

The emperor listened to the maid's story, his expression growing increasingly gloomy. When the maid finished, he waved his hand and asked her to leave.

On his way back to the palace, the emperor's steps seemed heavy and slow. He sat on the dragon throne, lost in deep thought. Concubine He's past, her coquettish smile, recurred in his mind, intertwined with the palace maid's descriptions of her arrogance and dominance. He began to reexamine Concubine He's actions, as if flipping through a dusty old book. Disregarded details surfaced one by one, filling him with doubt and worry.

News of victory from the frontier spread quickly to the palace like a spring breeze. General He Qiong had fought bravely on the battlefield, ultimately achieving a resounding victory. Upon hearing this news, the emperor's face was filled with joy, his smile as radiant as the sun, instantly dispelling the gloom that had been lingering for days. He laughed heartily, his voice echoing throughout the palace: "General He is truly exceptionally brave and has achieved remarkable military exploits for me and our dynasty!" His joy, like a spring breeze sweeping across the land, filled the entire palace with vitality and hope.

Upon hearing the news of her brother's victory, Concubine He threw her head back and burst into laughter. Her makeup was delicate, yet her unbridled, arrogant expression gave her a sinister look. Her laughter was sharp and piercing, like the cry of an owl in the night. "Haha, who can challenge me? The He family is at its peak! Who in this palace dares to defy me?" She twisted her hips, looking down on everyone, as if everything in the world was under her control. Her arrogant demeanor drew attention.

In the dark and damp prison, Concubine Su Xian quietly combed her hair. Upon hearing the news from outside, the corners of her mouth curled up into a meaningful smile. Her eyes were as firm as steel as steel, and she said to herself, "Concubine He Shu, don't be too complacent. Your end is near, and I will make you pay a heavy price for all your evil deeds!" The flames of revenge ignited in her heart, hot and intense, like a volcano about to erupt, waiting for the right moment to devour Concubine He Shu completely. The other concubines gathered, whispering among themselves.

One concubine was filled with jealousy and resentment. She crumpled her handkerchief into pieces and gnashed her teeth, saying, "Concubine He Shu is so arrogant. She will surely be punished by heaven!"

Another concubine echoed, her face full of anticipation, her eyes twinkling like stars: "I hope that Concubine Su will rise to power soon and correct the harem's atmosphere!"

The palace maids and eunuchs huddled in the corner, trembling, their eyes terrified like frightened birds, as if disaster was about to strike at the next second and the end of the world would be here.

A storm is approaching, and Concubine Su is bracing for it. A mysterious conspiracy is brewing, and Concubine He's methods are sinister. Everyone's fate hangs in the balance, like a lone boat drifting in the vast ocean, precarious.