Su Ling's Time Travel

Su Ling's heart tightened, but she knew she couldn't show weakness now. So, she smiled slightly and said in a seemingly generous manner, "Your Highness is mistaken. Although I have no concubines in my household, I know that His Majesty's favor towards me is more than enough. If there is a suitable person, I will certainly consider it for His Majesty's sake."

These words caused another stir at the banquet. Su Ling's response cleverly avoided Bai Yanxuan's provocation while also making her stance clear: everything she did was for the Emperor.

Seeing this, Bai Yanxuan's anger flared even more, but he knew it was not the right time to linger. So, he snorted coldly and sat back down in his seat.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere was somewhat delicate due to the earlier incident. Although Su Ling maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, a storm was raging within her. She knew that Bai Yanxuan's actions were no accident and that there must be a deeper scheme behind them.

Finally, the banquet ended, and Su Ling, feigning illness, left the main hall early. She strolled through the palace gardens, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. The lotus pond under the night sky appeared exceptionally tranquil, the moonlight spilling onto the shimmering water like a sheet of silver silk.

Su Ling walked to the edge of the lotus pond, gazing at the bright moon, and a nameless sorrow welled up in her heart. She knew all too well that every step in this palace was fraught with scheming and traps, and yet she had no choice but to walk down that path.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a sudden voice broke the silence: "Hmph, Su Ling, do you think you can win the Emperor's heart by doing this? How laughable!"

Su Ling was startled, then turned around and saw Situ Lianxin standing not far away, glaring at her angrily. Situ Lianxin, another favored concubine in the palace, had always been at odds with Su Ling, and this time, due to Bai Yanxuan's provocation, she harbored even greater hostility towards Su Ling.

"Situ Lianxin, what do you mean by this?" Su Ling asked, frowning.

"What do you mean? You know perfectly well what you're asking!" Situ Lianxin approached Su Ling step by step. "You deliberately acted so generously at the banquet, wasn't it just to attract the Emperor's attention? Let me tell you, the Emperor's heart is not something a woman like you can easily win!"

Upon hearing this, Su Ling sneered inwardly. She knew that Situ Lianxin would misunderstand her in this way. But she did not rush to defend herself, but said calmly, "Situ Lianxin, you are wrong. I am not trying to attract the Emperor's attention, but because I know that in this palace, only the Emperor can truly protect me."

"Protect you? Hmph, you're so naive!" Situ Lianxin sneered. "In this palace, what true affection is there? The Emperor's favor towards you is only temporary. Once you've lost your usefulness, he'll abandon you without hesitation!"

Su Ling felt a pang of pain in her heart upon hearing this. She knew that Situ Lianxin's words weren't entirely without merit. In this palace, she had indeed witnessed far too much betrayal and abandonment. But she still firmly believed that the Emperor truly cared for her. At least, when she needed help the most, he had extended a helping hand.

“Situ Lianxin, you may be right.” Su Ling took a deep breath. “But even so, I am willing to give it a try. Because I believe that as long as I treat the Emperor sincerely, he will eventually see my sincerity.”

"Sincerity? Hmph, you are utterly foolish!" Situ Lianxin laughed angrily. "In this palace, sincerity is the cheapest thing! Just you wait and see, one day you will pay the price for your foolishness!"

After saying that, Situ Lianxin turned to leave. But at that moment, she suddenly felt a strong wave of dizziness, her legs went weak, and she involuntarily fell towards Su Ling.

Seeing this, Su Ling was shocked and quickly reached out to help her. But Situ Lianxin mistakenly thought that Su Ling was deliberately approaching her to harm her, so she used all her strength to push Su Ling away.

Caught off guard, Su Ling was thrown off balance by the sudden force and involuntarily fell towards the lotus pond. She screamed in terror, but it was too late. With a "plop," she landed in the lotus pond.

The icy pool water instantly submerged her body. She struggled to surface, but her clothes felt like heavy shackles, binding her tightly. She felt herself slowly losing consciousness, and an unprecedented despair welled up inside her.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached, indicating that someone had noticed her predicament. Immediately afterwards, she felt her body being lifted by a powerful force, slowly rising to the surface of the water.

When she opened her eyes again, a handsome face came into view; it was Li Yifeng, the emperor's personal bodyguard. He looked at her anxiously, his eyes full of concern.

"Su Fei, how are you? Wake up!" Li Yifeng's voice rang in her ear, carrying a hint of tenderness.

Su Ling was slightly startled, then came to her senses. She found herself lying in Li Yifeng's arms, and he was holding her tightly with his strong arms, as if trying to merge her into his body.