“Chapter 14: New Year’s Eve Banquet”

"Chapter 14: New Year's Eve Banquet"

"Su Wan Qing watched the departing sedan, her gaze fixed on Qu Gu beside it."

"Once again, she realized she had become complacent and lost her composure."

Now, she was not yet the favored Shufei of her previous life, holding immense grace and favor.

Since her rebirth, she was still not accustomed to her current situation or the people around her.

Her confrontation with Lady Zhu earlier was partly out of her desire to test the identity of Noble Consort Zhu in her previous life, and partly because of her hatred for the Zhu family. But more than that, it was jealousy that momentarily clouded her judgment.

Now, she couldn't afford to become enemies with Lady Zhu, let alone openly slander her.

The last time, a mere probing comment in front of the Emperor in Qianyuan Hall had led to her demotion – a humiliation she had never experienced in either of her two lifetimes in the harem. The only person who dared to oppose Lady Zhu was Xu Zhaojun, backed by the Xu family.

But now, Xu Zhaojun was confined and hadn't been released even for the New Year.

Therefore, this time, Su Wanqing didn't dare to harbor any hope.

Even if Lady Zhu didn't trouble her directly.

And there was Qu Gu, the Emperor’s eyes and ears placed by Lady Zhu’s side.

Su Wanqing shuddered, quickly mounting her palanquin and instructing, "Go, hurry to Qianyuan Hall."

Qianyuan Hall?

The palanquin bearers thought they had heard wrong.

But it was Changxue, a senior maid, who reminded her, "Lady, everyone is heading to Fengyi Palace now. If we don’t go soon, we’ll be late."

"Listen to me, go to Qianyuan Hall first."

Su Wanqing’s voice was firm. She knew the Emperor’s temperament and habits too well. Rather than waiting for him to hear about the incident from others, it was better to admit her fault first. Given the Emperor’s habit of resting at Qianyuan Hall for a short while after palace banquets, there was still time, and she could make it.

To admit fault and rectify was to still have a chance.

"After receiving a clear response, Chao Xue no longer hesitated and directed the sedan chair to change its course."

"The group headed towards Qian Yuan Hall."

"Recently, a heavy snow had fallen, and now it was melting. Anxious, Su Wan Qing didn’t mind the dark, slippery roads, focusing only on reaching Qian Yuan Hall quickly to see the Emperor."

"The more anxious one is, the less smooth things go."

"In times of misfortune, even drinking water can get stuck between the teeth."

"Su Wan Qing, usually confident in her experience, was certain of her approach, but just as she arrived at the Hou Sheng Ting, she received an unexpected piece of news."

"Zhang Zhong Guo, the chief steward of Qian Yuan Hall, personally came out to Hou Sheng Ting, 'Why is the Consort here at this hour?'"

"'I need to see His Majesty, please inform him,' she requested."

"'The Emperor isn't here...'"

"'Impossible.' Su Wan Qing couldn’t believe it, her first reaction was that Zhang Zhong Guo was deliberately obstructing her."

"'Why would this old servant deceive the Consort?'"

"Zhang Zhong Guo’s smile vanished as he considered her influence and recent favor. He explained further, 'After the front court banquet dispersed, the Emperor returned from Qing Tai Hall, changed into casual attire, and took the third and fourth princes to Feng Yi Palace.'"

"As Su Wan Qing turned to hurry towards Feng Yi Palace."

"In Feng Yi Palace, Empress Liu couldn’t help but touch her forehead, feeling sorry for her, 'I always thought she was very smart. Moreover, one should learn from their mistakes. How could she still make such a foolish move?'"

"'To be fair, it’s not entirely her fault this time. Lady Zhu deliberately set a trap...'"

"'But she walked right into it.'"

"Empress Liu glanced at Liu Gu Gu, cutting off her words with a rare trace of mockery on her face. After a brief pause, she composed herself and asked, 'Has Xing En been sent to deliver the decree?'"

"'Yes.'"

"Liu Gu Gu realized she had misspoken and respectfully refrained from further comment."

"Empress Liu pondered for a moment, savoring the words, 'Disrespecting superiors, disregarding hierarchy, demoted to commoner status, and relocated to the Northern Palace.' This was the decree the Emperor had just issued in the western warm chamber of Feng Yi Palace, concerning the punishment of Consort Su Wan Qing, simultaneously informing the entire Feng Yi Palace."

"Thinking about the causes and consequences of this sudden development, Empress Liu shook her head lightly, 'I thought that without the foolish Xu Zhao Yuan, this New Year’s Eve banquet would be more peaceful, and I was looking forward to it, but it seems they are bent on creating trouble.'"

"Once the imperial decree is issued, there’s no turning back."

"Or rather, once it involves Zhu Yan."

"The Emperor will show no mercy."

"'Is His Majesty still in the western warm chamber?'"

"'He is still there,'"

"Liu Gu Gu quickly responded to the Empress's inquiry, 'The concubines who had arrived were all gathered in the western warm chamber. His Majesty initially went there upon arriving at Feng Yi Palace but didn’t stay long before leaving. Unexpectedly, he returned shortly after and specifically issued a verbal order regarding Consort Su's punishment, then sent everyone out, leaving only Lady Zhu, not even keeping the fourth prince.'"

"Pausing, she glanced at the Empress, 'Your Majesty, all the other concubines have now gone to Yan Lai Hall.' Yan Lai Hall is a banquet hall in Feng Yi Palace."

"'It’s cold at night; instruct the eunuchs to add more charcoal fires in Yan Lai Hall.' After speaking, Empress Liu touched the hand warmer in her hand, 'Later, send something to keep Consort Su warm in her new status as a commoner. Also, send something to the Northern Palace for Deng Shu Ren.' Deng Shu Ren was the former Deng Shu Fei, demoted earlier in the year."

"'As you wish.'"

"Liu Gu Gu agreed, feeling that her mistress was too kind and wise. Under the light, her dignified and benevolent appearance seemed ever more like a revered Bodhisattva."

"The room fell into extreme silence, with only the crackling of the burning candle."

——

"Meanwhile, inside the western warm chamber."

"Since the Emperor entered, Zhu Yan’s mind had been buzzing. Even after all the concubines had left, she was still in a daze, struggling to believe what had happened. Realizing Su Wan Qing’s malice, she swiftly set a trap, deliberately uttering the phrase: 'A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years.'"

"She hadn't expected the Emperor to act so swiftly and ruthlessly."

"The punishment of Su Wan Qing met her expectations and indeed was the outcome she desired, but at this moment, she felt not the slightest joy, rather a sense of fear creeping in."

"In a single thought, heaven turns to hell."

"Confronting such a shock, moreover one she had orchestrated."

"Today's affection is all well and good, but what if, in the future, it wanes and he finds her loathsome? What then awaits her?"

"How many commoners are imprisoned in the Northern Palace? How many innocent souls are buried there?"

"'Ah Yan, if you wish to seek revenge, you may do so immediately, no need to wait ten years. As for others, no one can seek revenge against you. I will not give anyone such an opportunity. Rest assured.'"

"Zhu Yan came back to her senses, looking at the Emperor close by. For the first time in two years, she did not avert her gaze. His well-proportioned forehead, face like fine jade, and attractive peach blossom eyes were slightly reddened at the corners, probably from drinking too much at the banquet, making his eyes look misty and affectionate."

"It is said: 'Beauty doesn't confuse people; people confuse themselves.'"

"Zhu Yan had once been captivated by this face."

"Later, she gradually realized, though seemingly passionate, he was actually heartless."

"'Ah Yan, I miss you very much. Can you speak to me?'"

"He was drunk."

"Zhu Yan averted her eyes, glancing at the tea next to her. As the increasingly close gaze and the scent of aloeswood mixed with alcohol hit her nostrils, she instinctively grabbed the cold tea and splashed it onto his handsome face."

"In the bitter cold of winter, a face doused with cold water."

"That ought to sober him up."

"Having done this, Zhu Yan didn't wait for the Emperor to react. She immediately dashed out of the western warm chamber, leaving behind her feathered cloak and the brazier. A cold wind blew, causing her to shiver, and her drowsy mind also cleared significantly."

"Some things, even knowing they shouldn't be done, she still did them."

"Since entering the palace, she had frequently broken the rules, and this instance was no exception."

"Author's Note:"

"Now that we are on the charts, this lazy author will try to push herself to update according to the word count of the rankings."