Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Zheng Luoqi really didn't want to watch those idiots swooning over the female lead anymore, so she looked away, only to coincidentally meet Lin Qianning's gaze.

When Lin Qianning saw Zheng Luoqi looking over, her face flushed red instantly. She hurriedly looked away, flustered and unsure where to look next.

Zheng Luoqi had only glanced at it casually and hadn't paid much attention to it.

Chen Ruoyao, who was sitting next to Lin Qianning, witnessed the whole thing and was extremely disappointed in her. She rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. Unable to bear it any longer, she nudged Lin Qianning with her elbow and said in a low voice, "They just glanced at you casually, didn't even look at you properly, why are you so agitated?"

"You're talking nonsense! That's not true! I...I...I was just a little nervous." Lin Qianning's explanation sounded so weak and powerless.

Chen Ruoyao sighed helplessly, ignored her, and casually asked, "Do you think Wanwan will come today?"

Lin Qianning shook her head and said, "My sister doesn't like Consort De, so she probably won't come."

Lin Qianning seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "I remember you and Consort De don't get along. This banquet today isn't targeting you, is it?"

"I don't know, but let's just be careful and eat less at the banquet," Chen Ruoyao said helplessly.

“She’s Consort De now, so let’s keep our distance from her in the future, lest she suddenly remembers what happened in the past and we’ll be in trouble. For now, she probably won’t do anything to me because of Father,” Chen Ruoyao continued.

"Do you think going to the palace is a good idea? Every time I go to the palace to see my sister, it's obvious that she's very unhappy. She's completely changed, as if all her energy has been drained away," Lin Qianning said worriedly.

“I want to go to the palace to keep my sister company often, but I can’t go in without being summoned. I can’t get in by myself. I guess my sister doesn’t want me to worry, so she doesn’t summon me to the palace often. I have to beg her many times before she will let me in.” Lin Qianning’s tone was obviously a little down when she said this.

“Me too, I haven’t seen her in a long time. I haven’t seen her since she entered the palace. I am Consort De’s sister, so even if I was summoned to the palace, I have no reason to see Wanwan. I can’t possibly go above Consort De’s authority. But I don’t like Consort De, so why should I go see her?” Chen Ruoyao said.

"Shh, even if you don't like it, you can't say it too loudly. There are too many eyes and ears in the palace. Don't let anyone with ulterior motives overhear you," Lin Qianning whispered a reminder.

Chen Ruoyao could only nod helplessly to indicate that she understood.

Just then, Chen Ruoyao felt someone watching her. She followed the gaze and saw that it was Wen Nanwan.

Wen Nanwan was sitting not far from Chen Xianlin when she noticed Chen Ruoyao's movements. Watching Chen Ruoyao and Lin Qianning interact, she remembered that she and Chen Xianlin used to be very close.

Although things are still good as always, there's a sense of distance between them. Chen Xianlin has become a favored concubine in the palace, while her cousin Wen Yanxi, who is also a concubine, is her mortal enemy. On one side are good friends, and on the other are family interests.

I still envy Chen Ruoyao for being able to stay with the Lin sisters as always.

Throughout the entire banquet, Zheng Luoqi did not touch a single thing on the table.

Chen Xianlin seemed to have noticed Zheng Luoqi's commotion as well, and gave a signal to the palace maid, who immediately obeyed and left.

The interactive session is about to begin, and Zheng Luoqi doesn't want to participate. It's just the same old activities like flower arranging, tea tasting, and incense burning, which are always the same.

Zheng Luoqi got up and left, planning to go somewhere else. Who knows what Chen Xianlin will do during the interactive segment? He really didn't want to stay any longer or get entangled with her, otherwise he really would feel like killing someone.

I originally came to the banquet to see what Chen Xianlin was up to, and it seems she's going to use those dirty tricks.

As Zheng Luoqi suspected, Chen Xianlin did indeed intend to make her move during the tea tasting session. Seeing that Zheng Luoqi was about to leave, and realizing that she wouldn't be able to do so during the tea tasting session, Chen Xianlin sent a palace maid to follow her.

Zheng Luoqi took a few more steps and then heard faint voices coming from behind a rockery.

Zheng Luoqi had to get closer to hear clearly.

"Young master, please have some self-respect. Although I am just an ordinary palace maid, I am still a virgin." A girl's voice came from the artificial hill, trembling slightly and sounding a little scared.

"I know, my surname is Zhao, and my father is a sixth-rank official. If you follow me, you'll live a life of luxury, which is much better than being a palace maid," Zhao Peng said with a grin, his face full of lewdness.

"Please, young master, let me go! I will serve you like a slave from now on to repay your kindness. I only beg you to spare me today!" the palace maid cried as she kowtowed. She was terrified and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Hey, don't cry, don't cry, it breaks my heart to see you crying like that!" Zhao Peng said as he reached out to grab the palace maid.

The palace maid dodged in panic, shouting, "No!!! Help!!"

Zheng Luoqi rushed forward and kicked the man, sending him flying. The man was slammed against the artificial hill with a loud "bang".

Zheng Luoqi gave Boyu a look, and Boyu immediately understood what Zheng Luoqi meant and ordered someone to fetch the items.

Seeing that she had been saved, the palace maid quickly recovered from her shock. Her gaze fell on Zheng Luoqi, noticing his extraordinary clothes and elegant demeanor. She secretly guessed that this person must be someone of great importance.

She immediately knelt down and thanked Zheng Luoqi, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my life, young master. I am deeply grateful."

"Who? How dare you ruin my good time?" Zhao Peng stood up sheepishly. Then, seeing Zheng Luoqi's distinguished attire, he tentatively asked, "Who are you?"

Zheng Luoqi ignored him and turned to ask the palace maid, puzzled, "Why are you here? What happened?"

"This servant was originally on her way to the banquet to deliver the tea for today's tasting, but unexpectedly, she met this young master on the way. He said he wanted to go to the banquet, but he was lost. This servant thought that since he was also going to the banquet, she would take him there on her way, but who knew..."

"Who knew that when this young master was halfway there and saw that no one was around, he dragged me here and wanted to do something to me... he wanted to do something to me... Waaah..." The palace maid couldn't help but cry as she said this.

"Nonsense! It was clearly you who seduced me here!" Zhao Peng said angrily upon hearing the palace maid's words.

Upon hearing this, the palace maid hurriedly explained to Zheng Luoqi in a flustered manner, "No, young master, it's not like that."

"Alright, stop crying, you can go back now." Zheng Luoqi gestured for the palace maid to leave quickly. At this moment, Boyu returned, carrying a bow and arrow.

Zheng Luoqi took the bow and arrows from Bo Yu, a smile playing on her lips. She looked coldly at the young master Zhao and said indifferently:

"Zhao? Your surname is Zhao, right? How about we play a game?"