I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

The emperor's gaze slowly swept across the hall, taking in the expressions of every concubine. His brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of fatigue flashed in his eyes.

Suddenly, his gaze stopped on An Lingrong, and his eyes softened instantly.

"Rong'er," the emperor called softly, with a hint of tenderness in his voice.

An Lingrong looked up at the sound, her eyes filled with respect and gentleness. She slowly stood up and saluted the emperor.

The Emperor strode over to An Lingrong and gently lifted her up. His movements were gentle, his eyes filled with pity. "It's late at night, the dew is heavy, and the weather has turned cold," the Emperor whispered. "I'll take you back to the palace."

An Lingrong was startled for a moment, then smiled, her eyes gleaming with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she replied softly, her voice like a gentle spring breeze.

The Emperor gently took An Lingrong's hand, feeling the coolness of her fingertips. He turned to Concubine Hua and said, "It's late, you should go back and rest."

An Lingrong's eyes flashed with worry, and she whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty. But...what about Wen Yi? I'm a mother now, and I just can't bear to see this little child suffer."

Her voice trembled slightly and tears welled up in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and fell into deep thought. The hall was completely silent, with only the faint flickering candlelight.

After a moment, he raised his head and looked at Hua Fei with a firm gaze.

"Hua Fei," the Emperor said gravely, "it would be better if Concubine Cao took Wen Yi back to look after her. You are so busy with your duties, I am worried that you won't have the time to care for her."

Hua Fei's face changed and she was about to speak, but was stopped by the emperor's eyes.

The Emperor turned around, gently took An Lingrong's hand, and said in a softer voice, "Let's go. I'll go with you to see the child."

An Lingrong nodded gratefully and followed the emperor out of the hall. The hall door slowly closed, leaving Concubine Hua standing there alone, her face shrouded in uncertainty.

Zhen Huan stumbled back to the Suiyu Pavilion, her legs giving way as she collapsed to the ground. Her heart was in turmoil, with countless thoughts flooding through her.

Tears rolled down her face like pearls from a broken string, blurring her vision. Zhen Huan felt suffocated, as if an invisible hand had gripped her throat. She bit her lower lip, trying to suppress the pain surging in her heart, but she couldn't stop the despair that surged over her like a tide.

Once upon a time, she had believed herself to be special in the Emperor's heart. Were those gentle glances and intimate whispers all just wishful thinking? Zhen Huan's heart was torn as if by a knife. Every sweet moment in her memory now became a sharp thorn, piercing her heart.

But now, all those beautiful fantasies have vanished. Zhen Huan feels a deep sense of loss and betrayal. She asks herself: Why did it turn out like this? Did she do something wrong? Or was this fate destined from the beginning?

From the moment she entered the palace, fate seemed to be against her. Zhen Huan recalled her experiences since entering the palace, each step treading on thin ice, cautious yet unable to escape her fate. She felt a deep sense of exhaustion and powerlessness, as if fate had played her in its very hands.

Now, even her only close friend, Shen Meizhuang, has drifted away. Loneliness overwhelms Zhen Huan like a tide. She is isolated and helpless in this magnificent yet turbulent harem. Fear and helplessness intertwine, and Zhen Huan feels more vulnerable than ever.

She curled up on the ground, her arms tightly wrapped around her trembling body, as if this could give her a sense of security. The cold tiles stung her skin through her thin clothes, but it was nothing compared to the pain she felt inside.

Zhen Huan seemed to be able to hear the sound of her own broken heartbeat, which was particularly clear in the silent night. Every beat was accompanied by a sharp pain, reminding her of the blow she had just experienced.

Recalling the scene before the Emperor just now, the Emperor's disappointed and angry eyes pierced her heart like a sword. The once gentle and doting look was now filled with indifference and reproach. Zhen Huan felt a piercing pain, as if someone had ripped her heart out.

She couldn't help but let out a low sob, her tears soaking her clothes. Sadness, anger, unwillingness, despair, all kinds of emotions intertwined in her heart, almost drowning her.

Thinking of An Lingrong, the sister who once entered the palace together, she was now a world apart. The Emperor doted on her, and she even had a son. Jealousy and resentment surged in Zhen Huan's heart, and she couldn't help but ask: Why is fate so unfair?

Zhen Huan clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The pain kept her awake and only strengthened her resolve for revenge. She closed her eyes, and the image of Concubine Hua's smug face surfaced in her mind. How much sinister and viciousness lay hidden beneath that carefully painted face? Zhen Huan felt a surge of intense anger and disgust.

She slowly stood up and straightened her disheveled clothes. The mirror reflected a pale yet resolute face. Zhen Huan gently stroked the mirror, a flicker of determination in her eyes. She vowed to herself: She would make Concubine Hua pay the price, and let An Lingrong taste the feeling of losing everything.

Yikun Palace

Concubine Hua sat in front of her dressing table, her brow furrowed. Her eyes swept over her delicate makeup in the mirror, but she couldn't hide her anxiety.

"Xiao Tang, come here." She called out coldly.

Xiao Tang walked to Hua Fei tremblingly, lowering his head and not daring to look directly at her.

Hua Fei turned around, her sharp eyes piercing Xiao Tang: "You know what to do about the cassava flour, right?"

Xiao Tang trembled all over, his voice trembling: "My Lady, this servant...this servant understands."

"Very good." Concubine Hua stood up and slowly walked over to Xiao Tang. "Remember, just say that you were confused for a moment and added the tapioca starch on your own. If the emperor asks, just say that you wanted to make the meal more delicious."

Xiao Tang knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold ground: "I obey your command."

Concubine Hua looked down at the kneeling Xiao Tang and said in a cold tone, "If it goes well, you will definitely benefit. If something goes wrong..." Her voice suddenly rose, "You should know the consequences!"

Xiao Tang was trembling all over, with cold sweat on his forehead: "I understand, I will never let you down."

Hua Fei nodded with satisfaction and turned to walk to the window.

"Go, but don't let anyone notice anything unusual." Hua Fei said lightly.

Xiao Tang kowtowed repeatedly and left Hua Fei's bedroom.

Yangxindian

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice low and firm, "Your Majesty, this must have been done by Concubine Hua. She is so vicious that she dared to poison Wen Yi's meal. Her crime is truly unforgivable."

The emperor frowned and his eyes flickered.

Seeing this, the Empress stepped forward, knelt, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I know you and Concubine Hua have a deep bond, but this matter concerns the royal heir, and even more so, the safety of Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to be discerning and not condone such a heinous crime out of personal feelings."

She raised her head and looked directly at the emperor, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Hua Fei has committed numerous crimes and should have been severely punished long ago. If she is allowed to remain so, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles. I beg Your Majesty to severely punish Hua Fei for the sake of the country and the dignity of the royal family!"

The emperor's expression was uncertain and he remained silent for a long time. The atmosphere in the palace was so solemn that even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

The emperor took a deep breath and slowly stood up. He turned his back to the queen, his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"I understand your concerns." His voice was low and hoarse, "But this matter has far-reaching implications. We must not act rashly."

The Emperor turned around and looked at the Empress with a sharp gaze: "Nian Gengyao has great influence, and Hua Fei is his sister. If we deal with Hua Fei lightly, I am afraid it will cause dissatisfaction in the Nian family."

The queen opened her mouth to speak, but the emperor raised his hand to stop her.

"I have made my decision," the emperor said solemnly. "Issue an order to have Xiao Tang beaten to death as a warning to others."

The Queen suddenly looked up and looked at the Emperor in disbelief: "Your Majesty! This..."

The emperor waved his hand, interrupting her: "This matter is settled. I have my own considerations, so there is no need for you to say more."

He strode towards the palace gate and said in a cold and hard voice: "Pass the order and execute it immediately."