Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

The road to the palace banquet was winding and picturesque, lined with blooming flowers and lush trees. However, Xiao Lan had no heart to appreciate the scenery, for she had just politely declined Consort Tong's invitation to ride in a sedan chair to the banquet. Although the sedan chair looked luxurious and comfortable, for some reason, Xiao Lan felt a strange resistance deep inside. Therefore, she chose to walk with the others.

Fortunately, Weiyang Palace and Chunhua Palace, where the banquet was held, were not far apart. Along the way, Xiao Lan walked lightly and calmly with the procession. Before long, they arrived in front of Chunhua Palace.

Upon entering the hall, they found many people already seated in the spacious and brightly lit space. Crown Prince Yan Jingtian, dressed in a bright yellow python robe, sat regally to the left of the head seat, his imposing figure flanked by the Seventh Prince Yan Moyan. The two chatted and laughed, appearing quite amicable. Opposite them, Yan Linfeng sat alone to the right, his face ashen, his gaze cold and stern, as if nothing around him could arouse his utter interest.

Looking further to the side, the Sixth Prince, Yan Mobei, was also alone at a table, leisurely sipping fragrant tea. Below Crown Prince Yan Jingtian sat Lin Yuxuan and another elderly man who bore a striking resemblance to him. Judging by his age, he was undoubtedly Lin Yuxuan's grandfather—the current Prime Minister, Lord Lin.

Xiao Lan looked closely and saw the Crown Prince sitting there, exuding an air of grandeur; the Sixth Prince beside him was also elegant and dashing. Looking further to the side, she also saw Prime Minister Lin and his grandson Lin Yuxuan seated there. Seeing this, Xiao Lan was secretly delighted: with so many people present, even if the Emperor wanted to favor Ye Lanyi and spare her from compensation, it would be impossible! Thinking this, Xiao Lan's mood instantly brightened, and a radiant smile involuntarily bloomed on her face.

However, overjoyed, Xiao Lan momentarily forgot to conceal her expression. Just then, everyone at the banquet turned their gazes, instantly captivated by the woman before them—her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, exquisitely lovely, like a fairy descended from the heavens. Moreover, she smiled and carefully helped Consort Tong slowly into the main hall.

Xiao Lan had meticulously styled her hair in a high bun, leaving no stray hairs obscuring her forehead, showcasing her flawless beauty from every angle. Although Consort Tong was nearing forty, she was still a naturally beautiful woman. Her excellent skincare routine made her skin appear even more fair and white, especially in her green dress. The hair ornament she wore, a gift from Xiao Lan, swayed gently with her light steps, truly a "sway with every step," exuding charm and grace, seemingly confirming Xiao Lan's earlier words, "every step is carefree."

Just as those people were staring in disbelief ahead, a loud and clear shout suddenly rang out: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!" The voice, like a booming bell, instantly shattered the silence of the scene.

Xiao Lan was familiar with the scene before her, for in her previous life she had been fortunate enough to witness the splendor of the Emperor and Empress. However, unlike her previous life, this meeting had occurred much earlier. Recalling her encounter with Empress Lin—Lin Wanru—in her past life, the Crown Prince had already tragically died in an accident. Lin Wanru, only forty years old at the time, though still dressed in opulent attire, looked as if she were about to enter her grave. Her face was haggard and lifeless; even in her magnificent robes, Xiao Lan felt as if she had lost her soul.

But upon closer inspection now, Lin Wanru's complexion was rosy and radiant. Clearly, the fact that her son was still alive had a profound impact on her. It must be said that Lin Wanru's appearance had indeed improved considerably. Although in terms of looks, she was slightly inferior to the favored Consort Tong, she was still undoubtedly a beautiful and charming woman.

With the arrival of the Emperor and Empress, Xiao Lan hurriedly followed the others in paying her respects. After the formalities were completed, Emperor Yan Zhen slowly spoke, "Eunuch Fang, quickly convey my decree. Consort Tong is six months pregnant with twins, a truly fortunate event for our dynasty. Effective immediately, she is hereby promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Tong. Until she gives birth to the imperial heir, she need not perform any kneeling rites."

These words struck like a thunderbolt at the banquet, causing everyone's expressions to change drastically. Normally, in such a vast court and harem, there should only be one person holding the rank of Imperial Concubine. However, unexpectedly, Yan Zhen, already holding the title of Imperial Concubine Ye, had bestowed the title of Imperial Concubine upon Consort Tong! This move undoubtedly broke with convention, making the court situation even more complex.

Just then, the Empress was about to speak to dissuade them when she suddenly heard the eunuch's loud and clear voice again: "Consort Ye has arrived—" Immediately afterwards, everyone saw Consort Ye, dressed in a yellow phoenix feather robe identical to the Emperor and Empress's, walking slowly and gracefully. Ye Lanyi followed closely beside her, carefully supporting her, as if afraid that her noble aunt might suffer the slightest mishap.

After the two entered the hall, Consort Ye parted her lips slightly and said in a soft, sweet, and coquettish tone, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress." Her coquettish voice caused many people present to turn their heads.

Although Consort Ye was undeniably beautiful, with snow-white skin and exquisite features, Xiao Lan, standing to the side, thought to himself: While this woman was indeed strikingly beautiful, she was already forty years old, and her affected manner of speaking with that affected, high-pitched voice was rather unsettling. Especially when Xiao Lan recalled the various entanglements he had with this woman in his past and present lives, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

It's important to know that in her past life, this seemingly gentle and charming Consort Ye was actually an extremely hypocritical and pretentious woman. Even worse, Consort Ye was none other than Xiao Lan's mother-in-law. Therefore, Xiao Lan was fully aware of this woman's hidden ugly face and insidious methods.

As long as Yan Linfeng was present, the woman would immediately transform into a gentle and kind mother, but as soon as Yan Linfeng left, she would instantly become a completely different person, using every trick in the book to bully her. However, Xiao Lan was no pushover. She was no ordinary person! Whenever this woman, relying on her noble status as the Dowager Consort, caused trouble for Xiao Lan for no reason and made things difficult for her, Xiao Lan always managed to cleverly deal with the situation with her intelligence, successfully resolving the crisis time and time again, rendering the other party's efforts futile.

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Ye Lanyi. Like Consort Ye, she gracefully greeted the Emperor and Empress before slowly taking her seat beside Yan Linfeng. Just then, the Empress was about to speak when Consort Ye, quick-witted and agile, interrupted her, saying, "Your Majesty, I recently heard that Consort Tong has brought the Xiao family woman, to whom you have betrothed, to this banquet. I wonder where this beauty is now? It would be nice if we could all broaden our horizons and see what this legendary woman, who is said to have written an entire wall of love poems for our Fifth Prince, looks like. Oh my, just thinking about it makes me quite excited… Hahahaha!" Although Consort Ye said she wanted to see Xiao Lanyi, her tone was clearly full of sarcasm and mockery. However, given the long history and profound depth of Chinese culture, her sarcasm was subtly concealed, and it wouldn't be easy to find fault and start a fight if someone were to take it too seriously.

Seeing this, Xiao Lan patted Consort Tong and whispered, "Your Majesty, don't worry." She then rose and walked into the hall, bowed to Consort Ye, and said, "This humble woman, Xiao Lan, greets Your Majesty, Consort Ye. I am the granddaughter of Marquis Xiao, whom His Majesty has betrothed to the Fifth Prince. Your Majesty is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say." Just when Consort Ye thought that the Fifth Prince's intended bride was beautiful and not at all opportunistic, Xiao Lan's next words enraged her, yet she couldn't find fault with them. She heard Xiao Lan say, "Still charming, you don't look like you're forty-two at all, you look only forty." She finished speaking with a beaming smile, showing no sign that she was mocking Consort Ye, but anyone who heard it knew that she was indeed mocking Consort Ye.

At this moment, Empress Lin forgot to mention Consort Tong's promotion to Imperial Noble Consort, and added insult to injury, saying, "You child, how can you say that? I think Imperial Noble Consort Ye is no worse than those women who are thirty-eight or thirty-nine years old." She then covered her mouth and laughed.

Xiao Lan knew that Empress Lin and Consort Ye had always been at odds. In her previous life, after Yan Linfeng ascended the throne, Empress Lin submitted a memorial claiming that she had lost her son and was deeply grieving. She requested to return to her fiefdom with the Seventh Prince, Yan Moyan, to enjoy the time spent with her children and grandchildren. However, at that time, Yan Linfeng was not yet powerful enough, so he used Empress Lin as a hostage and kept her in the palace. Although Xiao Lan didn't have much contact with her, she had learned about Lin Wanru and Ye Yanran's past while engaging in wits and battles with Consort Ye. (Yan Linfeng's birth mother, the current Consort Ye, was named Ye Yanran).

Adhering to the principle that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," Xiao Lan chimed in, "Your Majesty is right. Consort Ye doesn't look forty; she looks like she's thirty-eight or thirty-nine." As she spoke, she clutched her chest.

Emperor Yan Zhen looked at Xiao Lan's face and thought to himself that she did indeed resemble her. Seeing her clutching her chest, he asked with concern, "Little Xiao, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Although Xiao Lan found it strange that the emperor was looking at her like she was his daughter, she could tell that he meant no harm, so she said, "Can I tell you the truth?" Then she looked at Empress Lin.

Empress Lin knew that Xiao Lan was sure to annoy Consort Ye again, so she chimed in, "Miss Xiao, it's not good to lie to the Emperor. Just say what you have to say, and I will forgive you on His Majesty's behalf. Just tell the truth." She looked at Xiao Lan with encouraging eyes as she spoke.

Xiao Lan received an encouraging look from the Empress and thought to herself how many times the Empress had suffered in silence at the hands of Consort Ye, yet she was now defending her so much, just to embarrass Consort Ye.

Then, Xiao Lan nodded slightly and said softly, "These words should never have been uttered by me, but the crime of deceiving the emperor is a capital offense, and I am truly terrified of dying! Therefore, I cannot disregard anything else and must tell the truth." Having said this, before anyone present could notice, she suddenly reached up and pinched her arm hard. Instantly, tears welled up in her eyes like a burst dam.

Immediately afterward, Xiao Lan quickly adopted a tone full of grievance and continued, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I have suffered from a strange quirk since childhood. Whenever I am forced to lie, I subconsciously cover my heart. It is because when I do not speak from my heart, I always feel that if I do not cover my heart tightly, it will ache unbearably! Just now, I mentioned that Consort Ye's appearance was beautiful and she did not look like a forty-two-year-old at all, but rather like someone in her early forties. At that time, I did not cover my heart, and everything I said was true." However, Her Majesty the Empress described the Noble Consort as a beauty of thirty-eight or thirty-nine years old. "Your Majesty, as the Empress of the nation, your words are law, and I, your humble servant, dare not easily refute them. I can only obediently clutch my heart and echo your words. Alas… it's all my mother's fault for constantly nagging me, saying that I am still young and too naive, always speaking the truth, and instructing me never to be so talkative in public. Now, I realize that my mother's words were absolutely true!" At this point, Xiao Lan's face revealed a helpless expression, her gaze pitifully fixed on the Emperor and Empress.

Upon hearing Xiao Lan mention her mother, Yan Zhen immediately knew she was referring to Jiang Nihuang. He had initially intended to reprimand Xiao Lan severely, but in that instant, the words seemed to be forcefully blocked in his throat by an invisible force, gurgling back down into his stomach. He muttered, "You're still young; you should speak more sincerely and not be so insincere."

Just then, Yan Linfeng and Consort Ye, who had been prepared to speak out against Xiao Lan, suddenly fell silent as if struck by a magic acupoint, not daring to utter a sound. After all, the Emperor had already spoken, and in this palace, who would dare to disobey the imperial will?