Senior brother is so awesome!

The following is the main text of the novel "{?$article_title?}" ({?$jieqi_title?}) provided by {?$jieqi_sitename?}. Please enjoy! Hearing the Empress's distorted explanation, Qin Yuechan's lips curled into a disdainful smile. She was held softly in the Emperor's arms, her body trembling slightly, which was heartbreaking. She seemed to be terrified when she met the Empress's gaze.

Liu Tingpei sensed her flinching and raised an eyebrow at the Empress's composed expression. "Is what the Empress said true?" His voice was gentle and soothing, clearly speaking to the person in his arms. However, the Empress preemptively answered, "Everything I said is true. My four sisters have all seen it. Consort Yuechen knows martial arts, and she is truly terrifying when she goes berserk. Your Majesty would be better off staying away from her." Her face was filled with anxiety and worry, as if he were holding a venomous snake or a ferocious beast in his arms!

Prime Minister Feng seized the opportunity and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, saying, "Your Majesty, since the Empress has said so, and there are witnesses here, it must be true."

"My beloved consort, what do you have to say?" Upon meeting her tearful eyes, he quickly encouraged her, "My beloved consort, speak boldly! With me here, no one dares to do anything to you!" His imposing aura, though not angry, burst forth, and his cold gaze fixed directly on the Empress.

Qin Yuechan stopped crying and sobbed, "Today I came to pay my respects. Originally, I wanted to leave after all the other sisters left, but Her Majesty the Empress insisted that I stay. Consort De accidentally fell to the ground, and Her Majesty said that I was the one who caused it. Then, then... just as you can see..." The rest of her words were hidden in her sobs. Her delicate and heartbroken cries, along with the few marks left on her arms, made her seem nothing like the madwoman the Empress had described.

Everyone present knew exactly what was going on, but dared not speak out because of Prime Minister Feng's power. The Empress wanted to explain, but was frightened by the Emperor's fierce gaze. "Your Majesty, I..."

"Shut up!" Liu Tingpei roared, the little one in his arms trembled, and he quickly soothed her gently. When he raised his head again, his fierce gaze seemed to want to devour the Empress alive. "You Empress! Who taught you to lie through your teeth? When I and a group of ministers came here, we saw you ordering those three to beat up Consort Yuechen. You dare to call a deer a horse and call black white! Kneel down now!"

His tiger-like eyes were filled with boundless rage. How dare they hurt his precious darling? Did they have a death wish?

As the Empress knelt down with a thud, Prime Minister Feng stepped forward to persuade her, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Perhaps the Empress couldn't bear to see the wicked concubine causing chaos in the world, so she resorted to this desperate measure. Have you forgotten the two days and two nights the Empress knelt in front of Fengchen Palace?" With a single glance, the Empress also cried and accused Consort Yuechen of bringing disaster to the country, while the ministers, restrained by Prime Minister Feng's power, all knelt down and begged the Emperor to behead the wicked concubine.

For a moment, Liu Tingpei was stunned. Qin Yuechan, nestled in his arms, narrowed her eyes. She blatantly called a deer a horse, then abruptly pushed him away. Her brows were furrowed with sorrow, her eyes brimming with tears. Her slender, petite body appeared so weak and helpless beneath her large palace robes. She staggered backward, pointing at the people prostrate on the ground. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her small face—a tearful smile that was heartbreakingly beautiful. "You...you all want to kill me like this! What did I do wrong?" Clear tears streamed down her beautiful face, a sight that moved the hearts of all. The ministers felt a pang of pity, but faced with power, they were powerless to do anything.

"Your Majesty, I am not worthy of your favor, and I cannot bear to see you torn between two options. If I am gone, you will be free and at ease!" With that, she rammed her head against a pillar beside her!

The excruciating pain that tore Liu Tingpei apart froze him in place, and he roared, "Yue'er!"

Suddenly, a dark figure rushed over like a hurricane, caught the bright red figure who had crashed into a pillar, and landed gracefully on the ground. Qin Yuechan looked up and couldn't help but sigh, "What a handsome man!"

A pair of striking eyebrows swept wildly into his sideburns, his hawk-like eyes were cold and his nose was high and straight. His chiseled face exuded an aura of dominance, and his whole body radiated the killing intent of someone who had been through many battles. His gaze was sharp as arrows and seemed to carry some kind of emotion. He looked down at her, and his intense possessiveness horrified her. The corners of his mouth actually curled up with interest. "Why does Consort Yue Chen have to seek death? Isn't this just fulfilling someone else's wishes?"

Before she could answer, she was suddenly pulled into a broad embrace, and the familiar scent brought tears to her eyes again.

Liu Tingpei looked at the man who had saved her with relief and said, "It is my General Chongyuan who is so skilled in martial arts. If it weren't for you saving my beloved concubine, she would have already perished." He tightened his grip and held her firmly in his arms. No matter how shocked he was, he could not show it. After all, he was an emperor!

Upon hearing this, General Chongyuan clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Protecting you and Consort Yuechen is my duty. Your Majesty is too kind." His voice was neither humble nor arrogant, but slightly deep, like a fine aged wine. She looked up and her eyes met his, which were full of interest. She was startled and quickly lowered her head. How could this man's gaze be so intensely invasive?

Liu Tingpei looked around at the kneeling officials and concubines and felt disgusted. He said sternly, "You may all go back. The matter of Consort Yuechen is my family matter and is none of your business as officials."

They were all shrewd men who had served two dynasties. Sensing the hidden anger in the emperor's words and fearing they would be provoked, they quickly bowed and left. As Prime Minister Feng left, he glared at the empress's daughter before turning away. General Chongyuan also took his leave.

The oppressive aura vanished, and Qin Yuechan dared to peek out from his embrace. Seeing that only the Emperor was holding her in the entire hall, with the Empress kneeling on the ground and four concubines prostrate on the ground, she smiled smugly and looked down at the Empress.

Feng Yunshuang was already deeply depressed after being glared at by her father, who always doted on her. Today's failure only fueled her hatred, making her want to kill him. She couldn't stand his smug display any longer! She suddenly stood up and pointed at him with her finger painted with bright red nail polish: "You shameless hussy, Consort Yuechen!"

The words had barely left her lips when she was slapped hard to the ground. Bright red blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She glared at the Emperor with resentment, shouting, "You actually hit me, your first wife, for a vile woman!" Her heart-wrenching roar revealed the excruciating pain in her heart. This was her husband! Although they had never consummated their marriage, he had always treated her with utmost respect. Since that little vixen entered the palace, he had never once visited Kunning Palace! Ha! Today he finally came, and he was there to protect that fox spirit!

"I'm tired of your Empress position, otherwise why would you resort to such underhanded tactics against my beloved!" With that, unwilling to bear seeing their disgusting faces any longer, he swept the trembling, weeping woman into his arms and strode away. Reaching the palace gate, he ordered his personal eunuch, "From this day forward, the Empress is confined to Kunning Palace for her misconduct. The four Consorts are demoted to Noble Ladies and punished by kneeling before the Fengchen Palace for two days and two nights." If it weren't for their family's reputation, he would have chopped off their hands and feet—how dare they harm her!

In Fengchen Palace, the female physician applied some medicine to the bruises on her body. A cool and comfortable sensation washed over her, and she closed her eyes in comfort. After the physician left, Liu Tingpei rushed in. Looking at the bruises on her body, he clenched his fists angrily, "Why did you have to go and pay your respects to that damned person? Otherwise, you wouldn't have ended up all injured!"

She lowered her eyes and said, "I do not wish to be seen as arrogant because of your favor, nor do I wish for you to be known as a tyrant."

Stroking her delicate face, he was moved by her understanding. "Yue'er, you don't need to care about the rumors spread by idle people. If you are a vixen, I am willing to be that tyrant!"

It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved, but she repeatedly told herself that if this man could abandon his wife for beauty, he might abandon her for another woman one day! Men are all so disgusting; the most practical thing to do is to take control of everything as soon as possible! That night, she used the excuse of being in pain and unable to serve the emperor, who was eager to stay, to send him away. After closing the door to the bedchamber and dismissing the maids, she sat cross-legged, placed her hands on her knees in a lotus position, and circulated her inner energy several times. The bruises on her body gradually faded and finally disappeared. Looking at her fair and flawless jade-like skin, she smiled slowly. This was the ability given to her by the woman who called herself a vengeful spirit—the ability to heal wounds instantly; this minor injury was nothing to her.

She opened the window with her delicate hand, letting in the moonlight like water. Recalling everything that had happened at Kunning Palace that day, her small hand, which had been resting on the windowsill, slowly clenched into a fist. Feng Yunshuang dared to challenge her—she was practically asking for trouble! But it was a good thing that the Emperor was thoroughly annoyed with her; she wouldn't allow anyone to be above her now! The position of Empress was hers, the highest position in Xuanwu Kingdom was hers too! Then they'd see who dared to manipulate her then. She'd capture all the handsome men in Xuanwu Kingdom to be her concubines! Then she would be the one toying with others!

Suddenly, that handsome and domineering face flashed before her eyes. (Search "Haitian Chinese" on Baidu to read the latest chapters.) Heh, if she hadn't felt a long, drawn-out aura in Kunning Palace and heard his nonchalant sneer, she wouldn't have rashly rammed into the pillar. She knew that person would definitely save her; however, his gaze was too sharp, and his intense possessiveness made her very uncomfortable.

The next morning, after Qing'er helped her get up and do her makeup, she stood aside, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

"Speak your mind."

Qing'er then said, "The four concubines outside have been kneeling for quite some time now, shouldn't you...?"

Qin Yuechan drank the finest Biluochun tea, its refreshing aroma lingering on her palate, leaving a delightful aftertaste. "So what?" she said.

"This servant is not meddling in other people's business, but I'm afraid that having four people kneel down would tarnish your reputation." For some reason, she just didn't want her mistress to be called a vixen.

She also sensed Qing'er's change and looked down at her with a slight smile: "Since Qing'er has spoken, then I will go and take a look."

The four women had been kneeling under the scorching sun for two hours. They were all pampered daughters of prominent families, spoiled since childhood and never having experienced such punishment. Their foreheads were covered in sweat, their knees were in excruciating pain, their red lips were bloodless, and their faces were pale and weak, as if they would faint at any moment.

The gates of Fengchen Palace slowly opened, and Qing'er, holding an umbrella, helped the alluring and charming Consort Yuechen walk out gracefully. Seeing the four women kneeling in front of the gate, she smiled happily and said, "It is really hard for you sisters to kneel in front of Fengchen Palace."

Ignoring the sweat dripping from her forehead and her overall discomfort, Consort Shu clenched her fists at her sides, her eyes filled with a chilling venom. "You vile woman! Don't spout such sarcastic remarks! If it weren't for your Emperor, how could he treat us like this!"

"Oh dear, don't wrong me. I don't know who was punching and kicking me yesterday." Her eyes were smiling, but not to her eyes.

Consort Shu was about to retort when Consort Xian beside her held her down. "Say no more!" The cold voice drew Qin Yuechan's attention to this woman who had been silent all along. Compared to the other three consorts, she was the most beautiful and the most composed. She raised her head and looked at the woman with her exquisite features and aloof demeanor, then slowly prostrated herself on the ground. "Please, Consort Yuechen, calm your anger. We offended you yesterday. Please forgive us, Your Majesty."

The three concubines kneeling together cast disdainful glances at her. "How could you kneel down and admit defeat to a lowly person like that! The Empress will not forgive you!" But Consort Xian seemed not to hear them. She remained kneeling on the ground, her posture upright and her attitude respectful.

Qin Yuechan suddenly took a liking to this woman and said with a slight part of her red lips, "It is a great honor that the Virtuous Consort knows her mistakes and can correct them. Qing'er, help the Virtuous Consort in to rest for a while. It would be bad if such a beautiful woman like her got a tan."

The maids serving nearby helped Consort Xian up on either side. The sharp pain in her knees made her frown, but she endured it without making a sound. Seeing this, Qin Yue's interest in her grew even stronger. She glanced at the remaining three people one last time, then gracefully turned and left.

As soon as she entered the main hall, Consort Xian broke free from the support and knelt down with a thud, shouting, "Your Highness Consort Yuechen, please forgive me! This servant deserves to die!"

"Oh? Aren't you on the Empress's side? Why are you showing me such goodwill?"

Consort Xian raised her head and said with a firm gaze, "Your Majesty, my father is an official under Prime Minister Feng. I really have no choice but to rely on Your Majesty. However, you saved us in front of the Emperor last time, for which I am very grateful. Yesterday, I wanted to dissuade the Empress, but I am of low status and the Empress sees you as a thorn in her side, so in the end I could not help you."

Qin Yuechan leaned comfortably against the couch, her beautiful eyes gazing directly into the other woman's eyes, trying to discern what was going on within them. "So, what does the Virtuous Consort intend to do?"

She kowtowed rapidly, "This servant is willing to serve you! I will devote myself to you with all my heart!"

Her gaze fell on the straight figure. This woman was quite clever, understanding the principle that those who are wise know when to yield. However, whether she was reliable remained to be seen. In any case, she was alone in the palace, and it was always good to have someone else to help her.

She gracefully stood up, stepped forward and gently helped her up, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Sister Xianfei, you're too kind. How can I accept such courtesy? You should return to the palace first. A royal physician will come to treat your knee injury soon. Considering how well we get along, I will request His Majesty to restore your rank." The warbling voice brought tears to Xianfei's eyes. She was about to kneel again, but she was firmly pulled away. Xianfei hadn't expected her to have such strength, and she stopped insisting on thanking her.

Several ice basins were placed around the chaise lounge. Although it wasn't as comfortable as having two air conditioners, it was still much more comfortable. A woman leaning back on the chaise lounge was reading a book in her hand. Qing'er, who was gently fanning herself, asked in confusion, "Why did Your Majesty forgive that Consort Xian?"

Rubbing her tired eyes, she read a book about history spanning hundreds of years. The traditional Chinese characters were written messily without punctuation, making it tiring to read for long. "The Consort Xian's father is the Minister of War, and he has considerable prestige in the court. However, he is suppressed by Prime Minister Feng and cannot realize his ambitions. Now, I am all alone and am even being called a wicked consort. It must be Prime Minister Feng who is pulling strings behind the scenes. I need a powerful force to protect me, right?" Although she said this, she actually wanted to cultivate her own power to prepare for seizing power in the future. But she couldn't tell Qing'er any of this because Qing'er was Liu Tingpei's person.

After the court session, Liu Tingpei, without even changing out of his court robes, led a large entourage to Fengchen Palace. Upon entering, he picked her up and carried her straight to his bedchamber. Qin Yuechan giggled in his arms and tapped his chest, "Your Majesty is really impatient. What are you planning to do in broad daylight?"

Liu Tingpei laid her flat on the bed, then took off her clothes to examine the wounds left from yesterday. Seeing that her smooth skin was like a piece of jade, without a single scar, he exclaimed in surprise, "Yue'er is healing so quickly!"

"Well, perhaps it's because the imperial physician's medicine is so effective," she lied with a smile.

"That's wonderful! You know how much I missed you last night!" With that, he quickly took off his clothes and climbed into bed.

Her small hand pressed against his chest, her beautiful eyelashes drooping as she said, "There are still three of your concubines kneeling as punishment outside the door. Aren't you heartbroken to be enjoying yourself here?"

Liu Tingpei reached out and removed her hairpin, gazing at the stunningly beautiful woman beneath him with eyes full of doting affection. "My Yue'er is jealous? Then I'll make them kneel some further away!"

"No way! They don't know how to cherish a beautiful woman." Let them kneel down!

"I will show you my tenderness!" he said, and suddenly pulled down her moon-white brocade bodice embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water...

Qin Yuechan coldly watched the man who was burying his face in her chest, arrogant and unrestrained. Her beautiful, affectionate eyes gradually lost their light, leaving only hatred. Hatred for the man, for his ruthlessness towards the concubine, and for her own increasingly resolute heart.

Overwhelmed by pleasure, she couldn't help but moan. Her slightly parted red lips prompted the man to increase his intensity. "Moon, I'm so addicted. If I'm not with you for a day, I miss you terribly and feel restless all over!"

"Ah—" She half-closed her starry eyes, and the fingernails that were stroking his back suddenly dug in, leaving five deep scratches!

The sounds of a man and woman making love could be heard from outside the closed doors and windows, and the maidservant serving nearby blushed upon hearing them.

As the rain subsided, Liu Tingpei, still savoring the moment, held the woman in his arms, his eyes half-closed in comfort. "My Yue'er is indeed a bewitching enchantress."

She endured his groping of her body, her brows furrowing slightly.

After receiving no answer for a while, he turned her shoulder and was shocked to find that her face was covered in tears. His heart ached and he quickly asked, "Yue'er, what's wrong? Did I hurt you just now?"

She slowly shook her head, and only after his persistent questioning did she stammer, "Has Yue'er caused you any trouble? The whole court must be talking about it now, saying that you favor the evil concubine, boohoo..."

He recalled the memorial submitted by that old scoundrel Feng in the imperial court today, and a murderous glint flashed in his tiger-like eyes.