Su Ling's Time Travel

After entering the banquet hall, she merely glanced around indifferently before heading straight to a secluded corner. There, a maidservant in a green dress was quietly waiting for her arrival. That maidservant was Hong Mei, Su Ling's only concern.

Upon seeing Su Ling's arrival, Hong Mei immediately went to greet her. She asked softly, "Miss, you've arrived? There are many people around here, so please be careful."

Su Ling nodded slightly and said, "I know. I'm just here to make an appearance, and then I'll go back. Everything here has nothing to do with me."

Upon hearing this, Hong Mei's eyes flashed with worry. She knew that although Su Ling appeared cold and aloof on the surface, she was actually extremely fragile inside. She was worried that Su Ling might be hurt at this banquet.

However, Su Ling simply smiled faintly and said, "You don't need to worry about me. I know what I'm doing. It's you who should be careful of those with ill intentions."

Hong Mei nodded in agreement, but inwardly she was worried. She knew that this banquet was not just a celebration, but a war without gunfire. And she and Su Ling were merely two pawns in this war.

The banquet was in full swing, with guests from all walks of life coming forward to congratulate Bai Ao. Bai Ao smiled as he responded to the congratulations, but inwardly he was on high alert. He knew this banquet was not merely a celebration, but a contest. And as the head of the Bai family, he had to win this contest to uphold the family's honor and status.

At this moment, Su Bowei, along with Su Yuan and Su Ling, stepped forward to congratulate Bai Ao. Su Bowei smiled and said, "Brother Bai, congratulations on your fiftieth birthday. I specially brought Yuan'er and Ling'er to offer my congratulations."

Bai Ao smiled and nodded in agreement, saying, "Brother Su, you're too kind. I'm honored that you could bring Yuan'er and Ling'er along."

However, when his gaze fell upon Su Ling, he couldn't help but pause slightly in surprise. He had seen Su Ling many times, but each time he saw her, he felt that she possessed a unique aura. That aura was both aloof and arrogant, as if she were out of place in this world.

He thought to himself, "This Su Ling is indeed an extraordinary woman. But why is she so aloof? Could she be hiding some secret?"

As he was thinking, he saw Su Ling turn and leave, seemingly indifferent to everything around her. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly, sighing inwardly, "This woman is truly an enigma."

The banquet continued, with guests from all walks of life approaching Bai Ao and Su Bowei to converse. They discussed court affairs, family matters, and various gossips. However, behind this lavish banquet lay a subtle tension. Everyone was secretly observing each other's actions, trying to discern the other's true intentions from their words and gestures.

Behind this banquet, however, lies a far more complex struggle. The Bai family, the Su family, and other nobles in the capital are all secretly vying for power, trying to gain more benefits from the banquet. They have dispatched their respective spies to secretly observe each other's actions, attempting to discern each other's true intentions and strength from their words and deeds.

As night deepened and the moonlight shone like a shimmering ribbon, the banquet within the palace reached its climax. The dazzling lights illuminated faces, some smiling, some angry, creating a vivid scene reminiscent of a court painting. Within this magnificent, golden hall, an unseen contest was quietly unfolding.

Bai Yanxuan, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, sat regally at the banquet, his brows revealing an undeniable air of arrogance. His gaze frequently swept towards Su Ling, who sat not far away, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Su Ling, a newly favored concubine in the palace, possessed both beauty and intelligence, yet she had become a thorn in Bai Yanxuan's side.

"Hmph, this Su Ling, she really knows how to put on airs." Bai Yanxuan muttered to himself, a cold smile playing on his lips. He decided tonight to let Su Ling know that this palace was not a place she could easily control.

So, halfway through the banquet, Bai Yanxuan deliberately stood up, raised his glass to Su Ling, and said, "Consort Su, I've heard that you've been quite favored in the palace lately. Congratulations!" Although his voice was tinged with laughter, the sarcasm in his words was obvious.

Upon hearing this, Su Ling's delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She stood up and gracefully returned the greeting, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I am but a woman, and to be favored by the Emperor is truly my greatest fortune." Her tone was gentle, yet subtly sharp, as if reminding Bai Yanxuan that no matter how dissatisfied he was, he could not change this fact.

Bai Yanxuan was taken aback, clearly not expecting Su Ling to respond so generously. He was even angrier inside, but had to suppress his anger for the time being, and instead smiled, saying, "I truly admire Consort Su's magnanimity. However, I've heard that Consort Su's household is currently lacking a concubine. I wonder if Consort Su would be willing to take one?"

These words immediately caused an uproar at the banquet. Taking a concubine was not uncommon in the palace, but for Bai Yanxuan to propose it, especially to Su Ling, made it all the more intriguing. Everyone understood that Bai Yanxuan was deliberately provoking Su Ling, wanting to see how she would respond.