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

The return of the Regent to the capital was a major event, and Qi Jingheng specially hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome him back.

Chu Yun, who has been enjoying unparalleled popularity in the harem recently, was naturally also allowed to attend. After nightfall, Chu Yun led Shuangxue and Qiuyue to the banquet.

It was ostensibly a family banquet, but Chu Yun observed that the banquet was truly grand, almost comparable in scale to the emperor's birthday banquet.

It was merely a welcoming banquet for the Regent, yet it was organized with such grandeur that anyone who didn't know better would think Qi Qingjia was the true Emperor of Qi.

Perhaps the Empress Dowager wanted to use this opportunity to sow discord between Qi Qingjia and Qi Jingheng, perhaps Qi Jingheng wanted to mislead Qi Qingjia, or perhaps Qi Qingjia wanted to assert his status. Regardless of whose intention it was, one thing was undeniable: Qi Qingjia, the Regent, indeed held great power and influence.

Also attending the banquet today were high-ranking officials of the third rank and above, as well as their relatives. Chu Yun was not the main character of the banquet. After quickly taking her seat, she remained silent, sitting gracefully with a polite smile on her face.

She didn't want to cause trouble, but unfortunately, people kept turning their attention to her.

After yesterday's lantern-lighting event, almost everyone in the capital, from high-ranking officials to ordinary citizens, knew of Chu Yun's existence.

Everyone wanted to see the true face of this concubine who was so favored by Qi Jingheng.

Their scrutinizing gazes were subtle and cautious. Chu Yun remained calm inside, but on her face she feigned annoyance, turning slightly to the side to silently reject their stares.

As a result, no one dared to look at her anymore. Most people sighed in their hearts at Consort Zhao's beauty, no wonder His Majesty favored her so much. However, she was a bit weak-willed and probably would have a hard time maintaining her position.

However, some people think more deeply: a favored concubine who makes all the beauties in the palace pale in comparison could not possibly be a simple person who is ignorant of the ways of the world; perhaps this is just Consort Zhao's disguise.

Regardless of their intentions, the banquet proceeded smoothly.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the wafting of subtle fragrances, the atmosphere was vibrant and lively.

Young ladies at the banquet secretly sized up the talented young men across from them, hoping to find their ideal husbands; sons of officials secretly prayed to catch the Regent's eye today and rise to prominence from then on; ladies of various families skillfully used the opportunity to expand their social circles; and officials at court drank and made merry, taking the opportunity to make more connections.

Everyone has their own purpose. Chu Yun watched coldly, feeling deeply bored. However, she did not forget the purpose of attending the banquet today. Qi Jingheng wanted to use her, and Chu Yun naturally did not mind going along with it. She just didn't know if he could handle it.

Consort Shu, dressed in a peach-pink palace gown with her hair piled high into the sky, gracefully approached, supported by her maids.

She arrived late, calculating the time, simply to show off her status. Now that the Empress's position was vacant and the Empress Dowager was absent due to illness, no one could criticize her. Even the Consort Xian at the head of the table couldn't say anything.

"It's quite unusual that Consort Zhao has come out today." As she approached Chu Yun, Consort Shu deliberately stopped and gave Chu Yun a cold look. Her words immediately revealed that Chu Yun was not here with good intentions.

Consort Shu looked down at Chu Yun, and thinking of the sky full of Kongming lanterns yesterday, she felt a surge of hatred. She suddenly tightened her grip, causing the palace maid supporting her to change color drastically.

Upon hearing the voice, Chu Yun slowly raised her head, revealing her jade-like face and half of her fair neck. The bluish-purple and red marks hidden deep in her collar were almost visible. Her face was full of innocence. "Your Majesty, I am feeling much better these past few days. Your Majesty also hopes that I can go out and move around more."

Because of the angle, only Consort Shu, who was closest to Chu Yun and was carefully watching Chu Yun's every move, saw the purplish-blue marks.

Her face contorted for a moment, the fire in her heart ignited even more by Chu Yun's words, almost reaching a point of rage, and the next moment, she actually raised her hand high.

Those who noticed the commotion on Chu Yun's side immediately became anxious, and a common thought flashed through their minds—had Consort Shu gone mad?

Consort Xian's pupils contracted in fright. She had seen Consort Shu making things difficult for Consort Chu Yun earlier that morning, but she chose to stand by and watch, hoping that the two would fight to the death and become mortal enemies. However, she would never want to see Consort Shu slap Consort Zhao at the banquet she personally organized. The sarcastic remarks and veiled attacks were all underhanded tactics, but a real slap in the face would only bring shame to the royal family. Afterwards, the two of them would certainly not fare well, but she, as the organizer of the banquet, would also not have a good outcome.

Unfortunately, even in her haste, Consort Xian couldn't teleport to stop Consort Shu's hand in time, and could only watch helplessly as Consort Shu's hand fell downwards.

Just then, Chu Yun, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up and grabbed Consort Shu's hand.

"Sister's hair is crooked, let me fix it for you." Chu Yun said as she placed Shu Fei's hand on her perfect hair. From a distance, it looked as if Chu Yun was really fixing Shu Fei's hair.

Consort Shu also came to her senses at this moment. Her lips trembled slightly, and she lost half of her strength. If Chu Yun hadn't held her hand firmly, she probably would have fallen to the ground.

She also understood that if this slap were to land on Chu Yun's face in front of everyone, the consequences would be unimaginable.

To put it mildly, it was her jealousy; to put it more bluntly, it was her narrow-mindedness and lack of morality. Regardless of the outcome, she will likely never be able to become empress in this lifetime.

And His Majesty... I'm afraid he'll really come to hate her.

Thinking of all this, Consort Shu found it difficult to breathe.

"It's all ready, please take a seat, sister." Chu Yun glanced at the palace maid behind Consort Shu, and the maid immediately stepped forward to help Consort Shu.

As soon as he finished speaking, the voice of a eunuch came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

"The Regent has arrived!"

All eyes turned to the palace gate, where Qi Jingheng and Qi Qingjia were standing. The Regent still had his usual cold face, but His Majesty's face was also covered in ice. Anyone could see that His Majesty was in a bad mood today, and no one dared to delay, so they immediately knelt down.

Qi Jingheng was indeed so angry that his forehead ached. He hadn't expected Consort Shu to be so domineering and to try to slap Chu Yun. Fortunately, Chu Yun managed to defuse the crisis herself.

God knows how furious and frightened he was when he saw Consort Shu raise her hand, and he couldn't even pretend in front of Qi Qingjia.

Now that Chu Yun was alright, Qi Jingheng breathed a sigh of relief, forced a smile, and looked at Qi Qingjia, "Uncle, please."

Qi Qingjia gave a faint "hmm" and walked side by side with Qi Jingheng.

As he moved, the Regent's gaze swept over Chu Yun, who was kneeling on the ground, and a cryptic smile appeared on his lips.

Zhao concubine......

Thinking of the news about this new favorite in the harem that she received yesterday, Qi Qingjia was also somewhat surprised. She originally thought that Qi Jingheng was just putting on an act, but she did not expect that he actually had some sincerity towards this Consort Zhao. Otherwise, he would not have lost his composure like he did just now.

You should know that although his nephew is not very capable and is prone to mood swings, he rarely shows any signs of panic.