The Divine Doctor and Adorable Consort: The Demonic Emperor is Too Cunning

No wonder Fang Qingwei was so hostile towards her; it was because the man she secretly loved was Gu Jinyi.

A person like Fang Qingwei, who loves silently, completely, and deeply, hates even more fiercely.

Recalling Fang Qingwei's sinister and cold gaze at that time, Fang Qingyou suddenly felt a little worried. It wasn't that she was worried that Fang Qingwei hated her, but that she was worried that Fang Qingwei might do something to hurt Gu Jinyi.

However, Fang Qingyou's thoughts were quickly pulled back, because many people had already begun urging her to go on stage and perform.

Yes, it was her turn after all.

"Fifth Sister, it's your turn. Hurry up and go up." Fang Qingman urged impatiently, a deep warning in her eyes.

Because of the incident where Fang Qingyou outshone her at the Du residence last time, Fang Qingman is now quite wary of her, fearing that she might be outshone again this time.

Sensing Fang Qingman's thoughts, Fang Qingyou smiled coldly to herself.

Fang Qingman overestimates herself. Even without her, her talents wouldn't be appreciated by most people.

Moreover, Emperor Mingde, the Empress Dowager, and Empress Qin did not seem to intend to betroth her to any of the princes.

Fang Qingman came of age early, but because the old lady of the Fang family was still in mourning, she remained unmarried. If someone really wanted to marry her off, they would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?

Unfortunately, Fang Qingman failed to see this point and still eagerly hoped that a certain prince would take a liking to her and she would rise to prominence.

Then, a mocking voice rang out: "Miss Fang, why don't you hurry up and perform on stage? You've been so slow, do you not have any talent and are afraid of being exposed on stage?"

This person was none other than Qin Nihong.

For a moment, everyone turned their attention to Fang Qingyou, wondering if she was really as Qin Nihong had said.

Having been pushed to the forefront of public opinion multiple times, Fang Qingyou was known to some among the people present. They knew that she was an illegitimate daughter of the Fang family who was sent away to be raised outside from a young age. She had superb medical skills, ran a clinic in the capital, and had ambiguous relationships with both the Eighth Prince Luo Qianmo and the eldest son of the Gu family, Gu Jinyi.

Therefore, most people don't have a good impression of Fang Qingyou. How deep must a woman's mind be to capture the hearts of both Luo Qianmo and Gu Jinyi at the same time?

Ordinary women, no matter how beautiful, talented, or gentle and virtuous, could not catch the eye of these two extraordinary men.

But Fang Qingyou grabbed two at once, and held them firmly.

Their methods are truly frightening.

Fang Qingyou saw the expressions on everyone's faces and felt helpless.

If she were truly capable, she wouldn't be living such a miserable life; she would have Luo Qianmo completely under her thumb, leaving him no chance to manipulate her.

Why be like this now, trying to avoid him like the plague but still unable to escape him, feeling so humble and helpless?

Seeing Qin Nihong's provocation of Fang Qingyou, Empress Qin was secretly pleased, but on the surface she gave Qin Nihong a reproachful look: "Hong'er, don't talk nonsense! Who doesn't know that Miss Fang is exceptionally talented? How could it be as you say? Have you forgotten the stunning Qixi Festival painting that Miss Fang created that day?"

In a single sentence, Fang Qingyou was elevated to a high position. If she had performed poorly, even the authenticity of her painting would have been questioned.

At that time, she will most likely be labeled as a fraudster.

When Qin Nihong recalled the Qixi Festival painting, she was furious. She had thought Fang Qingyou was not very capable, but she never expected that she could paint such a stunning and unique painting.

However, Qin Nihong believed that Fang Qingyou probably only had these kinds of methods.

The reason she was so certain was because she got the information from Fang Qingman, who had assured her that Fang Qingyou was nothing more than a crude village girl who only knew a few petty tricks.

Therefore, Qin Nihong curled her lip in disdain: "If she's not afraid, then hurry up and get on stage. What's she dawdling about in her seat?"

Empress Qin glared at Qin Nihong again, then turned her gaze to Fang Qingyou, smiling kindly as she said, "Miss Fang, hurry up and come up on stage, let Hong'er see your true abilities and shut her up!"

Emperor Mingde, who had been silent all along, looked at Fang Qingyou with a complicated expression.

The only people in the audience who were truly looking forward to Fang Qingyou's performance were Luo Qianmo, Gu Jinyi, She Yuyan, and Fang Qingyun.

Fang Qingyou looked up at the sky speechlessly. She was just a young woman. Did they have to push her to this point?

Originally, she only wanted to perform a small show when it was her turn, just to make a token gesture.

But now, with so many people waiting to see her make a fool of herself, she certainly can't let them succeed.

In addition, Fang Qingyou had another selfish wish: to perform a show for Gu Jinyi.

You give me precious jade, I will repay you with peaches and plums.

If he truly likes her, then this can be considered a response to his feelings.

Fang Qingyou smiled and gracefully rose to her feet, curtsying to Empress Qin. "Your Majesty, my hesitation is not due to a lack of talent, but because I need a special tool. I dare not ask for your permission, for fear that my rudeness will offend Your Majesty."

Empress Qin asked in confusion, "What utensils? Miss Fang, just tell me, and I will naturally prepare them for you."

Fang Qingyou wanted to speak, but seemed to be wary of something and hesitated to say it.

Seeing this, Empress Qin said again, "Miss Fang, I promise you now that no matter how strange your suggestion is, I will forgive your rudeness! Now, speak boldly."

"Yes." Fang Qingyou bowed to Empress Qin, then turned and pointed to a cassia tree surrounded by layers of fences not far away, saying, "Your Majesty, the tool I need is a leaf from that cassia tree."

Upon seeing the osmanthus tree, the expressions of Empress Qin, the Empress Dowager, Emperor Mingde, and many other members of the royal family and nobility suddenly changed.

Because that osmanthus tree was transplanted here by the late emperor, and later the late emperor gave the tree to the Empress Dowager.

In fact, the late emperor did many similar things to his other concubines, but the empress dowager always regarded this tree as a sign of the late emperor's favor towards her and cherished it very much.

Even after the late emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager ordered people to take care of the tree every day, so that there was not a single withered branch or leaf on the tree.

The branches and leaves are lush and verdant.

Every year when the osmanthus flowers bloom, the Empress Dowager would order people to pick some osmanthus flowers and personally make osmanthus wine to present to the late Emperor.

The Empress Dowager cherishes this tree so much, yet Fang Qingyou now wants to pluck a single leaf from it. This request is not just rude, it is downright disrespectful!

Seeing the change in everyone's expressions, Fang Qingyou looked completely innocent. She just wanted a leaf; she hadn't committed any unforgivable crime.