From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Consort Li's gaze was like a poisoned dagger, piercing straight at Yan Ruyu. The flames of jealousy burned fiercely in her eyes, almost setting the surrounding air ablaze.

Her bright red nail polish dug deep into her palm, so hard it almost pierced her skin.

What makes this woman so special that she has won over Young Master Xu?

Who does she think she is!

Yan Ruyu keenly sensed the hostility in Consort Li's eyes, and alarm bells rang in her mind.

She subtly took a step back, creating some distance between herself and the male protagonist, while discreetly observing her surroundings.

The palace was dimly lit, with only a few palace lanterns casting faint shadows on the surrounding scenery, adding to the oppressive and eerie atmosphere.

A faint fragrance filled the air; I didn't know what kind of spice it was, but after smelling it for a while, it made me feel a little dizzy.

A sinister smile curled at the corner of Consort Li's mouth, as chilling as a venomous snake's tongue.

"Miss Yan, you're really in high spirits, meeting your lover so late at night. Aren't you afraid of breaking the rules?"

Yan Ruyu remained calm and smiled indifferently, "Your Highness is too kind. I was merely catching up with Young Master Xu, and there was nothing improper between us."

"Reminiscing?" Consort Li sneered, her eyes filled with disdain. "Does reminiscing require hugging and cuddling? I can tell you two are clearly..."

"Your Highness, you have misunderstood." The male protagonist Xu stepped forward and stood in front of Yan Ruyu, his tone icy. "Your Majesty, my relationship with Miss Yan is completely innocent. Please be careful with your words."

Consort Li

Yan Ruyu nodded slightly, "This subject will certainly keep the appointment."

Consort Li gave Yan Ruyu a meaningful look, then turned and left.

The palace returned to calm, but the air still seemed to carry the strong scent of cosmetics from Consort Li, making it feel suffocating.

The banquet a few days later was extremely luxurious.

Consort Li, dressed in magnificent robes, sat regally in the main seat, a polite smile on her face, but her eyes gleamed with calculation.

Yan Ruyu, dressed in an elegant dress, slowly walked into the banquet hall under the gaze of everyone.

The surrounding gazes swept over her like searchlights, some curious, some inquisitive, and most gloating.

"Miss Yan, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for a long time." Consort Li's voice was as sweet as honey, yet it sent a chill down one's spine.

Yan Ruyu smiled slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, "This humble woman greets Consort Li."

Consort Li's gaze lingered on Yan Ruyu for a moment before shifting away. The show was about to begin...

At the banquet, glasses clinked and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

Consort Li was the first to make trouble. Pointing to a plate of pastries on the table, she said with a coquettish smile, "I've heard that Miss Yan is an excellent cook. How about making a plate for me?" This was clearly a deliberate attempt to make things difficult. Everyone present knew that Yan Ruyu was a woman who never lifted a finger.

Yan Ruyu smiled gracefully, her eyes sparkling with composure. "This humble woman's culinary skills are crude, and I dare not embarrass myself. However, this humble woman knows a dessert called 'Rising Step by Step,' which has an excellent meaning. Why don't you ask the imperial chef to make it for Your Highness, so that we may share in the joy?" Her words were a veiled criticism of Consort Li's eagerness to rise in rank and her ambitious nature.

Consort Li's face stiffened, then she responded with a forced smile.

The imperial chef quickly prepared the "Rising Step by Step" dish, which was beautifully designed and auspiciously symbolized, drawing praise from everyone.

Consort Li felt that the dessert was mocking her, which made her even angrier.

If one plan fails, try another.

Consort Li then ordered someone to bring out a guqin (a seven-stringed zither) and suggested that Yan Ruyu play a piece to add to the merriment.

Yan Ruyu readily agreed, her fingertips lightly plucking the strings, and a melodious tune of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" flowed out slowly, the sound of the zither clear as spring water, cleansing the heart.

Consort Li intended to humiliate Yan Ruyu, but unexpectedly, Yan Ruyu was actually skilled in playing the zither. Consort Li was speechless for a moment, and her face turned ashen.

The surrounding concubines and ministers all praised her, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Yan Ruyu.

Consort Li felt like a clown, having been thoroughly humiliated by Yan Ruyu in front of everyone.

Hiding behind the screen, Prime Minister Wei saw everything, his face turning terrifyingly grim.

He whispered to the eunuch beside him, "Go tell Consort Li that she must find a way to get rid of Yan Ruyu, or I will not let her off lightly!"

The eunuch obeyed and left, conveying Prime Minister Wei's words to Consort Li.

After hearing this, Consort Li whispered a few words in the eunuch's ear. The eunuch nodded repeatedly and turned to leave.

Yan Ruyu sensed an unusual atmosphere and felt a vague unease in her heart.

She discreetly observed her surroundings and noticed that Consort Li was whispering to a palace maid with a strange smile on her face.

“Miss Yan,” Consort Li suddenly spoke, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of malice, “I’ve heard that you have a close relationship with General Zhao…”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyu's lips curled into a playful smile, her eyes sparkling with a hint of cunning.

"Your Highness Consort Li is well-informed. I have indeed met General Zhao a few times. He is an upright man and worthy of respect." She raised her hand as if casually, and a jade pendant carved with a fierce tiger shone with a warm luster in the candlelight. It was General Zhao's personal possession.

Consort Li's expression changed slightly. General Zhao held considerable military power. If he was truly on good terms with Yan Ruyu, then she would have to reconsider her position.

She originally thought Yan Ruyu was just a helpless orphan girl who could be manipulated at will, but she never expected that she had this connection.

"Ahem," Consort Li coughed twice to cover her embarrassment, "So that's how it is, I was being presumptuous." She forced a smile and raised her wine glass, "Come, Miss Yan, I'd like to toast you."

Yan Ruyu also raised her wine glass and lightly clinked it with Consort Li's, but the smile in her eyes did not reach her eyes.

This Consort Li is truly a master of changing faces. One second she's aggressive, and the next she's all smiles. It's truly astonishing.

Outside the palace walls, the male protagonist paced anxiously back and forth, occasionally looking up in the direction of the palace gate.

He was filled with unease, fearing that Yan Ruyu might meet with misfortune in the palace.

He clutched the jade pendant in his hand tightly; it was a token of love given to him by Yan Ruyu, but now it felt like a branding iron, burning his palm.

Inside the palace, Yan Ruyu's mind drifted to the image of the male protagonist, Xu, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She knew that no matter what happened, Xu would be by her side, and that was enough.

She took a deep breath, her eyes resolute, determined not to back down no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead.

Although they were in different places, they seemed to be of one mind, and an invisible bond tightly connected them.

Just when Yan Ruyu thought the banquet was about to end peacefully, Prime Minister Wei, who was hiding in the shadows, revealed a sinister smile.

He stared at Yan Ruyu, his eyes as cold as a venomous snake, muttering to himself, "Yan Ruyu, do you think you've won? The real show has only just begun..." He waved his hand, and a man in black silently appeared behind him. "Go, give this to Consort Li..."