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

After hearing Zheng Luoqi tell her to leave, the palace maid did not hesitate and quickly moved away from the place.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Zhao Peng asked Zheng Luoqi in a panic.

“You are not worthy to know my name,” Zheng Luoqi said coldly.

"Let's play a game. I'll count to ten, and all you have to do is run like your life depends on it." Zheng Luoqi didn't want to waste any more words with him and had already started drawing her bow.

Seeing Zheng Luoqi's posture, Zhao Peng said in a panic, "Who are you? Do you know this is the palace? This is a banquet hosted by Consort De. How dare you be so arrogant as to try to kill someone?"

"ten"

"Help!"

"Nine"

"Help!"

"Eight"

"Zheng Luoqi, what are you doing?" Wen Yichuan had just heard the palace maid's report and rushed over, followed by a group of noble ladies and gentlemen, including Chen Xianlin.

Zheng Luoqi didn't even glance at them, ignoring them, and continued to aim her bow and arrow at Zhao Peng.

"Seven"

"Zheng Luoqi, stop right now! This is the palace, you can't be allowed to act so recklessly here!" Wen Yichuan shouted anxiously.

"One"

Zheng Luoqi got annoyed and skipped over the other numbers, shooting the arrow through Zhao Peng's buttocks and then through his front, piercing through his entire lower body.

Zhao Peng clutched his lower body in pain, screamed, and soon passed out.

The young noblemen and ladies who witnessed this scene gasped in shock. Many of the young men dared not look directly at the scene, while the ladies, seeing such a sight for the first time, were also terrified by the bloodshed.

They all sighed inwardly: It seems that young master will be impotent for the rest of his life.

Wen Yichuan hurried over to check the man's injuries, and then ordered his men to carry him away.

Chen Xianlin was terrified and her face paled; this punishment was far too harsh.

Wen Yichuan angrily walked towards Zheng Luoqi and said fiercely, "How dare you go on a killing spree in the palace? You have no respect for imperial authority! Guards! Seize Zheng Luoqi!"

"I'd like to see who dares to step forward!" Zheng Luoqi roared, and the guards who had originally wanted to step forward immediately dared not to.

"You're just a mere Commandant of the Guards, yet you dare to issue orders to arrest officials appointed by the imperial court without authorization? Besides, I didn't kill anyone; I only injured someone by accident. It was this young master Zhao who insisted on wandering around in front of me."

"I was just playing with my bow and arrow when the arrow accidentally came off the bow. How can that be my fault?" Zheng Luoqi looked at Wen Yichuan provocatively.

Wen Yichuan was so angry he was itching to do something, but he couldn't do anything about Zheng Luoqi.

Ye Churan then stepped forward and said, "Lord Zheng has really gone too far this time. For the sake of a palace maid, this young master Zhao is, after all, the son of a sixth-rank official. If this young master Zhao makes a mistake at the flower viewing banquet, I'm afraid Consort De will have a hard time explaining it!"

"I had no idea that a sixth-rank official had such great authority. Besides, I have already clearly told you that it was just an accident. Why is Lord Ye so eager to pin this on me?" Zheng Luoqi said disdainfully.

"And don't say it's all because of a palace maid. I just happened to want to play archery here. What does it have to do with her?" Zheng Luoqi added.

"Alright, I will explain this matter to Young Master Zhao's father, the Prefect. Everyone, please leave now!" Chen Xianlin gestured for everyone to continue the banquet: "Chunxiao, go and get some more fine tea and snacks, as well as the 'Junshan Silver Needle' tea that was presented as tribute from Jiangnan last year, for everyone to try."

"Lord Zheng, this way please," Chen Xianlin stepped forward, gesturing for Zheng Luoqi to follow her. Things had already come to this point, so some face had to be given. Zheng Luoqi didn't want to offend anyone in public at this time.

After all, Chen Xianlin had already given him a way out, so Wen Yichuan could only watch Zheng Luoqi leave resentfully.

Ye Churan felt bad after being rebuked by Zheng Luoqi, but she didn't show it.

In a secluded corner where no one paid attention, He Jinyu was once again stunned by Zheng Luoqi's methods. He seemed to see a bright future beckoning to him. This was the kind of person he had always dreamed of following: decisive, ruthless, calm, and powerful.

Seeing this scene, Lin Zifeng and Pei Wenyu secretly rejoiced, thankful that Zheng Luoqi hadn't gone too far. They silently thanked themselves for having a good family background, otherwise their fate might have been worse than that of this young master Zhao.

Zheng Luoqi returned to the banquet, but the atmosphere was no longer as lively as before; it seemed that everything had been affected by what had just happened.

Zheng Luoqi returned to her original position. The way everyone looked at her had changed; they were now somewhat afraid, especially after they learned who Zheng Luoqi was.

Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Everyone quickly stood up and saluted.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager!"

"Rise, all of you, no need for such formalities!" Xue Huaiyu replied.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xue Huaiyu went directly to Chen Xianlin's side. Chen Xianlin looked at him in surprise and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Xue Huaiyu looked at her gently and replied with a smile, "I was just worried that you couldn't manage it all by yourself, so I came to see how the banquet was going. A servant just came to report that something had happened to you, so I came to check on you."

Hearing this, Chen Xianlin felt a warmth in her heart, but also felt a little embarrassed. She lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine here."

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly and said, "This banquet is quite something. Consort De still has a lot to learn. If she doesn't understand something, she should ask the nanny. She shouldn't force herself. I heard that before Consort De entered the palace, she didn't live in the capital for a long time. Perhaps she was not taught when she was young. She still lacks some management skills."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianlin's smile froze instantly. She lowered her head and respectfully replied, "I will follow Your Majesty's teachings and will study harder in the future."

The Empress Dowager continued, "Remember to learn from the old ladies who helped organize the banquets. Don't feel ashamed of your status; you still need to hone your skills."

Chen Xianlin nodded quickly and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Xue Huaiyu and said, "Emperor, Consort De is still young, so don't blame her. It's normal for her to lack experience; she just needs to learn more in the future."

The Empress Dowager's demeanor made it seem as if she wasn't the one who had just lectured Consort De in front of everyone.

Chen Xianlin felt somewhat embarrassed at this point, but fortunately the Empress Dowager did not continue speaking.

"Alright, I'm just here to join in the fun today, and I don't want to spoil the atmosphere. Let's continue!" the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

"I've heard that Lord Zheng has really made a splash today, quite like the Prime Minister in his youth!" The Empress Dowager said with a smile as she looked at Zheng Luoqi.

Zheng Luoqi's face instantly darkened, and she thought to herself, "Old woman, I haven't even come looking for you yet, but you've delivered yourself to my door."