Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

Zhu Rong's beauty and talent were like a blooming peony in the imperial harem, quickly attracting everyone's attention. Rumors spread like wildfire, and soon reached the ears of Consort Yang Yuhuan.

"Your Majesty, have you heard? The newly arrived Consort Zhu is an absolute beauty. I heard she is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even the Emperor praises her highly!" Chun Tao, Consort Yang's personal maid, was doing her hair and makeup while vividly recounting the palace gossip.

Consort Yang, who had been lounging lazily on the soft couch, raised her eyes slightly upon hearing the name "Consort Zhu," and her previously nonchalant expression instantly turned sharp.

"Oh? Is that so?" Her tone was flat, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.

Chuntao, observing the situation, immediately added fuel to the fire, saying, "That's right! I've heard that this Consort Zhu is not only beautiful, but she can also write poetry. Her poems are simply breathtaking! Even the scholars of the Hanlin Academy are ashamed of their own inferiority!"

Yang Guifei put down her teacup and said calmly, "Is that so? I'd like to see this talented woman's poetry."

"Your Highness, don't be fooled by her!" Chun Tao quickly said, "This Consort Zhu is clearly no pushover; she's definitely trying to use her beauty and talent to win favor!"

Consort Yang sneered, "In this harem, which woman doesn't want to vie for the Emperor's favor? However, trying to snatch the Emperor away from me won't be so easy!"

She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the peonies blooming in the Imperial Garden, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.

"Chuntao, send someone to keep an eye on Consort Zhu and see what she's up to!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Chun Tao obeyed and left, secretly pleased with herself. She knew that the Imperial Concubine had become suspicious of Consort Zhu, and that things were about to get interesting.

Zhu Rong was unaware that she had become a thorn in Yang Guifei's side. She was strolling in the Imperial Garden, admiring the spring scenery. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air, refreshing and delightful. Clusters of peonies were in full bloom, their petals layered upon each other, vibrant in color, a breathtaking sight.

"The flowers in this Imperial Garden are so beautiful! More beautiful than any flower I've ever seen before!" Zhu Rong thought to herself. She couldn't help but reach out and pick a peony, then gently sniffed it. The rich fragrance made her feel refreshed and happy.

"You idiot, don't just admire the scenery, or you'll say something you shouldn't!" A warning came from the jade pendant. "Have you forgotten what I said before? Yang Guifei is not someone to be trifled with. You'd better keep a low profile and avoid attracting her attention!"

Zhu Rong sighed helplessly and put the peony back on the branch. She knew Xiao Bai was right. Ever since she offended Li Ying during etiquette practice, she had been very careful, afraid of causing any more trouble.

"But I can't just keep hiding forever, can I?" Zhu Rong felt a little unwilling. "To complete my mission, I must get close to Yang Guifei and collect her tears."

“I know, but remember, you can’t rush things,” Xiaobai said earnestly. “You have to take it slow, find the right opportunity, and then you can get close to Yang Guifei and win her trust.”

Zhu Rong nodded. She decided to take Xiao Bai's advice, observe for a while, and then make a plan.

However, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind keeps on.

A few days later, a flower-viewing banquet was held in the palace, which all the concubines were required to attend. Yang Guifei was naturally the star of the banquet. She wore a magnificent palace dress and a golden phoenix crown, looking elegant and noble, outshining all the other beauties.

Zhu Rong was also invited to the banquet. She wore a light pink dress and a simple jade hairpin in her hair. Although her attire was simple, it only accentuated her pure and refined beauty, making her look like a lotus emerging from the water, elegant and pleasing to the eye.

"Wow, is that Consort Zhu? She's so beautiful!"

"Yes, I heard she can even write poetry! She's truly talented and beautiful!"

Zhu Rong's appearance immediately sparked discussion among those around her, with many concubines casting envious, jealous, and resentful glances at her.

Consort Yang naturally noticed Zhu Rong as well. Looking at Zhu Rong's stunningly beautiful face, she was consumed by jealousy.

"Hmph, she's nothing but a vixen!" Yang Guifei sneered inwardly, then winked at Chun Tao beside her.

Chun Tao understood immediately. She took a glass of wine, walked up to Zhu Rong, and pretended to trip accidentally, spilling the wine on Zhu Rong's skirt.

"Oh dear, Consort Zhu, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" Chun Tao quickly apologized, but there was a hint of schadenfreude on her face.

Zhu Rong looked down and saw that her once pale pink dress was now stained with a glaring red wine stain, making her look disheveled. She immediately realized that this was Yang Guifei's deliberate attempt to make things difficult for her.

"Miss Chuntao, why are you accusing me like this?" Zhu Rong's eyes were slightly red, and her voice trembled slightly. "I have never done such a thing!"

The surrounding concubines cast curious glances, some gloating, others with a hint of sympathy.

Yang Guifei put down her wine cup, looked at Zhu Rong with a half-smile, and said, "Consort Zhu, what do you mean by that? Are you suspecting that Chun Tao deliberately framed you?"

Zhu Rong took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions. She raised her head and looked firmly at Consort Yang, saying, "Your Majesty, please understand. My daughter has been poor since childhood and has never worn such luxurious clothes. I am extremely grateful to receive His Majesty's gift today, so how could I deliberately soil them?"

She paused, then recited aloud:

A cold rain fell on the river as night descended on Wu; at dawn, I saw off my guest, leaving the Chu mountains lonely.

If friends and relatives in Luoyang ask about me, tell them my heart is as pure as ice in a jade pot.

"What a fine poem!" "Consort Zhu is indeed exceptionally talented!" A few exclamations of praise rang out from the surroundings, but most people remained silent. They all understood that this power struggle in the harem had only just begun.

Consort Yang's expression changed slightly. She hadn't expected Zhu Rong to resolve the crisis in such a clever way and win everyone's praise.

"Consort Zhu has quite the sharp tongue; she seems to possess not only beauty but also considerable cunning," Consort Yang said coldly, a hint of barely perceptible jealousy and anger flashing in her eyes.

Chun Tao quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!" She knew that Consort Yang was dissatisfied with Zhu Rong, and she was secretly pleased with herself.

Yang Guifei glared at Zhu Rong, her eyes filled with hostility. She had originally intended to use this opportunity to suppress Zhu Rong's arrogance, but she hadn't expected Zhu Rong to turn the tables on her. Now, she had to find a way to regain the initiative and not let Zhu Rong continue to be so arrogant.

Zhu Rong sensed Yang Guifei's hostility, but she did not back down. She smiled slightly and bowed to Yang Guifei, saying, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I am only slightly literate."

Yang Guifei snorted coldly and turned to leave. She decided to thoroughly investigate Zhu Rong's background to see if she was truly qualified to be her rival.

Zhu Rong's heart sank. She knew that she had become a thorn in Yang Guifei's side, and her future days would probably not be peaceful. How she would survive in this complicated harem would depend on her wisdom.