Quick Transmigration: The Charming Beauty Who Was Short-Lived and Alluring

Qi Jingheng kept his word and came to see Chu Yun after court.

"Your Majesty..." Before Chu Yun could finish speaking, Qi Jingheng pulled her into the hall, asking as they walked, "Do you like the title?"

He slowed his pace and walked alongside Chu Yun, his gaze fixed on her, not allowing her to avoid answering.

"I like it, thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Chu Yun smiled gently as she met Qi Jingheng's gaze.

Seeing the bright light in Chu Yun's eyes, Qi Jingheng was somewhat afraid to meet her gaze. After all, compared to her sincere gratitude, his intention in bestowing the title upon her was not pure; he even harbored ulterior motives.

These thoughts are unworthy of being exposed to the light, and even less worthy of her gratitude.

Qi Jingheng forced a smile, looked away, and said, "I'm glad you like it."

Chu Yun thought that her performance had not satisfied him, so she placed her other hand on Qi Jingheng's hand and said cautiously, "Your Majesty's kindness is beyond my ability to repay. I only ask that Your Majesty be pleased with yourself."

Like a young animal that has never left the deep forest, she tentatively expressed her feelings, so directly that it made one's heart tremble. Qi Jingheng had no choice but to stop and look at her seriously, "I understand."

She fell deeper and deeper into his love, slowly giving him her heart. He should have been happy, but for some reason, a shadow fell over Qi Jingheng's heart.

For the next month, the Cherry Blossom Palace was showered with favor, its prominence so great that no one dared to underestimate it.

"Sister Ya, when you first entered the palace, I told Consort Xian that you were the most outstanding among the newcomers. Sure enough, you became a Noble Lady as soon as you entered the palace, and later rose to the rank of Consort. However, Consort Xian and I guessed the beginning but not the end. Now, Consort Zhao is the most beautiful woman in the harem, and she is definitely ahead of you." Consort Shu spoke bluntly, giving Consort Ya no face whatsoever. She openly mocked and subtly criticized Consort Ya for being unambitious. Since Consort Ya had already sided with Consort Xian, Consort Shu had no intention of leaving any room for maneuver between them.

Ya Liangyuan, formerly known as Ya Guiren, clenched the handkerchief in her hand, but smiled and said, "Your Highness, Consort Shu, you flatter me. I am of poor quality and far inferior to Consort Zhao."

When Consort Ya entered the palace, she was quite arrogant and determined to make a name for herself. However, she was targeted by Consort Shu from the very beginning, which forced her to seek refuge with Consort Xian. Now, she was able to obtain the rank of Consort Ya entirely thanks to Consort Xian's promotion. Consort Shu was crazy. After Consort Ya gained favor, she acted even more recklessly, suppressing Consort Ya completely and crushing her pride. Consort Ya had no choice but to avoid confrontation and not engage in any verbal disputes with Consort Shu.

When Consort Ya Liang didn't respond, Consort Shu found it boring and changed the subject, looking at Consort Xian, "Speaking of which, Consort Zhao is quite a character. She knows how to please His Majesty. Look at her, from a lowly concubine to a noble lady, and then from a noble lady to a concubine, her rank rose like she rode in a carriage. I think it won't be long before Consort Xian and I can't compare."

Consort Xian remained calm and smiled gently, "Sister Zhao is so favored by His Majesty, she must be extraordinary."

Consort Shu scoffed, her eyes turning utterly cold.

She speaks harshly, in a sarcastic and mean way, but what she says is the truth.

Chu Yun's rank rose too quickly. Among those who could come to pay homage to the Empress Dowager, the lowest rank was Liangyuan. Everyone had worked hard to gain seniority and climbed up step by step, enduring countless hardships to reach their current status. However, Chu Yun was special. Not only did she become a Guiren (a high-ranking concubine) ahead of her due rank, but yesterday His Majesty also issued an edict to promote her to Pin (another high-ranking concubine), skipping several ranks. With such a favored concubine in the palace, even the most unassuming person could not sit still.

His Majesty protects Consort Zhao very well. Whenever someone invites her to drink tea or admire flowers, she is turned away. In fact, many people have never seen this incomparably famous Consort Zhao. Today is her first time paying respects to the Empress Dowager, and everyone is eagerly waiting to see Consort Zhao's true face.

Everyone knows Consort Shu's temperament, so they don't try to compete with her. They just go along with her on the surface, but in their hearts they are all waiting for Chu Yun.

"Consort Zhao has arrived!"

Upon hearing the eunuch's announcement, everyone turned to look.

A beautiful figure came into view. The woman was dressed in a light blue palace dress, with a face as beautiful as a lotus flower and eyes that sparkled. She was a true beauty, so stunning that even the Consort Shu, who was proud of her looks, paled in comparison.

Such a beauty, no wonder His Majesty stares at her like the apple of his eye.

Consort Shu couldn't maintain her smile and turned cold in public. Everyone else forced a smile, but Consort Xian remained calm. However, her hand, hidden in her sleeve, suddenly tightened.

"Your Majesty, I greet Consort Xian and Consort Shu..." Chu Yun curtsied. There were only five or six concubines present who were of higher rank than her, and she greeted them one by one with great humility.

Consort Shu did not speak, but glanced at Chu Yun with a thick layer of frost in her eyes.

Consort Xian spoke first, showing her attitude, "Please rise, Consort Zhao. We are sisters, there is no need for such formalities."

After she spoke, Chu Yun thanked her, straightened up, and gracefully sat down.

"Consort Zhao is quite arrogant. She hasn't even left the palace gates in a month. Does His Majesty intend to keep her from going out?" Consort Shu said coldly.

Chu Yun explained, "Sister, you misunderstand. I lived in a temple when I was young and didn't go out often. I can't change this habit in a short time."

Qi Jingheng liked the gentle tone, but Consort Shu did not. She was furious, feeling that Chu Yun had bewitched Qi Jingheng with this very manner. Just as she was about to make a move, she was interrupted by a voice.

"The Queen Mother has arrived——"

Consort Shu extinguished the fire, silently swallowed her words of reproach, and changed her lazy sitting posture, straightening her back and sitting upright.

Even the usually spoiled Consort Shu was terrified, like a mouse before a cat, which shows how powerful the Empress Dowager was.

Chu Yun looked up and saw a large group of people surrounding one person as they slowly walked towards her.

The Empress Dowager, having lost her husband and son, always wore white clothes and had no extra ornaments in her hair except for a few jade hairpins. Her attire did not match her status as the Empress Dowager of the Great Qi Dynasty; instead, she resembled an ordinary old lady from a family who practiced vegetarianism and Buddhism.

Only when you look into her eyes can you tell that she is different from ordinary women.

The Empress Dowager's eyes were like two dry, deep wells, unfathomable and desolate, containing many things: the accumulation of years, and the boundless loneliness and pain brought to her by more than thirty years of life in the deep palace. Looking into her eyes for a long time, one could easily be affected by the lifelessness in her eyes and develop negative emotions.

No wonder everyone is afraid of the Empress Dowager. She is a lifeless person who has a deep hatred for Qi Jingheng. No one knows when she will go crazy, so it is best not to provoke her if possible.

After the Empress Dowager sat down, her gaze swept lightly over the palace concubines below her. Seeing them kneeling and bowing, she hesitated to speak and tell them to rise.

After about fifteen minutes, the nanny beside her coughed lightly, and the Empress Dowager said, "I am old and didn't even notice that you were still kneeling. Please get up."

She quickly added indifferently, "Consort Zhao, please don't get up yet."