The Poisonous Consort, the Regent's Beloved

Some sharp voices came from behind. Su Fuying was stunned for a moment. The Imperial Garden? The voices of eunuchs? Could it be that she had run into the emperor by chance?

Turning around, I saw a man in his thirties wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a golden crown. Standing there, he exuded an aura of royalty.

She was accompanied only by an elderly man; it seemed the two of them had simply met her while out for a walk.

It really was the emperor. Although I was a little curious about the regent and the emperor when I left home in the morning, there was no need to see the two of them one after the other all morning.

Even when she could be crushed with just her little finger.

"My daughter pays homage to the Emperor."

The emperor stared intently at the woman before him, his expression so serious he almost poked two holes in Su Fuying's forehead.

Su Fuying was somewhat annoyed. She had just noticed that there were no palace servants in such a large garden and wondered why she hadn't realized it was the Imperial Garden.

I should have waited for them to come together earlier. Now that Biluo has gone to ask the palace maid for directions, I don't know when she will be back.

"Whose family member are you? I have never seen you before."

Upon hearing the authoritative voice, Su Fuying calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I am Su Fuying, the legitimate daughter of the Minister's household."

"Su Fuying, Su Fuying..."

Hearing the emperor repeatedly mutter these three words, Su Fuying was a little confused. Did he recognize her?

After kneeling for about half an incense stick's time, Su Fuying was getting a little impatient when she heard the old emperor finally say, "Rise."

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, he heard the old emperor continue, "Send someone to take her to Consort Li."

The old eunuch responded and gestured for Su Fuying to proceed, saying, "Miss Su, this old servant will escort you there."

This emperor is really clever. Before I even said what I was doing here, he already knew I was going to attend a flower-viewing banquet.

After navigating this winding path, which resembled a series of nine turns, we finally arrived at a palace—the Moon-Embracing Palace.

As soon as I reached the door, I heard Consort Li's haughty voice from inside: "Is everyone here?"

Before she could finish speaking, Su Wan'er immediately replied, "Your Highness Consort Li, my sister Su Fuying has not yet arrived."

"Why did you arrive, but she didn't come?"

"Sister Xu probably didn't want to come to Consort Li's banquet. She probably left as soon as she arrived at the palace gate."

As soon as Su Wan'er finished speaking, applause was heard from outside the hall, "Clap, clap, clap," and then a slender figure came into everyone's view.

The pure white dress tinged with the color of gardenias, a pinkish hue, while a silvery-white gauze draped over her shoulders. A hibiscus hairpin adorned her headdress, radiating exceptional brilliance. The woman wore light makeup, her face glowing with a rosy hue, drawing all eyes. Simple mahogany earrings, understated yet undeniably elegant, completed the look.

Some of the noble ladies entered the palace first and did not see Su Fuying's true face, but after entering, they heard people talking about her and were amazed by her beauty.

I initially thought it was an exaggeration, but upon seeing her, I realized she was even more beautiful than Ren Yinxue, the most beautiful woman in the capital.

"My sister has such a silver tongue; she can even make a dead person sound alive."

The girl's voice was like a gentle breeze, seemingly able to dispel the summer heat.

Hearing that familiar voice coming from the courtyard gate, Su Wan'er suddenly stood up, knocking over the teacup in front of her with a "bang," her face showing panic.

"Sister, sister, Wan'er thought, thought you had gone back."

Before Su Fuying could speak, she heard a displeased hum coming from the high seat. Looking up, she saw a woman dressed in elegant and luxurious clothes sitting on the chaise longue. She looked to be about twenty years old.

After only one glance, a senior palace maid beside him shouted sternly, "How dare you! You haven't even knelt down to pay your respects to Consort Li!"

......

Walking around this palace would probably leave your knees rubbed raw.

"Your humble servant Su Fuying greets Consort Li."

"You're arriving so late, did you not want to come?"

Consort Li's voice was usually soft and gentle, but now it sounded somewhat cold, and her beautiful eyes swept over Su Fuying's face.

Should I tell the truth that I got lost in the Imperial Garden, or...?

"We have met Consort Li before."

A slightly shrill voice came from behind, and Consort Li, who was on a high seat, was startled. She immediately stood up and greeted him with a smile: "Eunuch Gao, may I ask what His Majesty's orders are for you?"

Hearing that shrill voice, Su Fuying felt nauseous. It was indeed Su Wan'er's aunt.

"Your Highness Consort Li, His Majesty just encountered this Miss Su in the Imperial Garden. He asked her a few questions, which delayed him. His Majesty ordered me to bring her here to avoid punishment."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked. To meet the Emperor, and for him to have his personal eunuch escort her over, was an incredible blessing.

Su Wan'er felt a sense of crisis rising from the bottom of her heart. The Emperor had actually sent someone to bring her here to plead for him. Could it be that he had taken a fancy to her as the Crown Princess? What should she do?

When she first entered the palace, the emperor was very kind to her when he heard that she was the daughter of a high-ranking official. However, he suddenly changed his attitude later.

It is said that emperors are capricious, and perhaps in a few days the emperor will also dislike Su Fuying.

When Consort Li heard that it was the Emperor's order, a fierce glint flashed in her eyes, but then she put on a smile and said, "Your Majesty is so considerate. You could have just sent someone to tell me. Ying'er is, after all, my own niece. Of course, I love her and would never punish her."

After saying that, he personally stepped down from the high platform and leaned slightly to help Su Fuying up.

Seeing this, Eunuch Gao did not linger and took his leave.

Even after the person had walked away, Consort Li's hand was still on Su Fuying's body. Just as she was about to push her away, she saw Consort Li smilingly say to her, "Ying'er, after so many years, you have become more and more poised and elegant. Your aunt almost didn't recognize you."

Ha ha.

Su Fuying chuckled twice, and Consort Li pulled her to a chair next to the main seat, holding her hand as they chatted and laughed.

However, it was mostly Consort Li who spoke, and Su Fuying listened quietly, pondering what their ultimate goal was.

Seeing that it was almost time, Consort Li looked at everyone at the table and slowly said, "Everyone, I have invited you here today because His Majesty recently bestowed some lotus seeds from the Western Regions upon me. Now that the lotus flowers are in bloom, I would like to invite you sisters to come and admire them."

A group of people moved to a pond in the inner palace. The pond was full of lotus flowers in full bloom, but there was something peculiar about them: each lotus flower had three colors: purple, red, and white.

Su Fuying was somewhat surprised. What was the principle behind this? Mutation?

For the next half hour, all that could be heard was praise for Consort Li, which almost put Su Fuying to sleep.

"Your Highness Consort Li! Li Chenyan, daughter of the Right General, wishes to present a dance to Your Highness Consort Li."

Consort Li responded casually, and Li Chenyan couldn't wait to walk to the center of the courtyard, dancing gracefully to the sound.

Su Fuying became somewhat interested. There was a free talent show to watch? Although it was ugly, it was still better than watching a flower.