Chapter Ten: Turmoil Amid the Banquet, Shadows of Crisis Loom

Tonight’s palace banquet was extravagantly lavish to a breathtaking degree.

The grand hall gleamed with gold and jade splendor, exquisite delicacies filled every jade table, and the air was thick with the rich aroma of fine wine. It was nothing short of a grand spectacle of ostentation.

I quietly surveyed my surroundings while calculating in my mind: how much must all this be worth?

I knew tonight would not be peaceful. After the great humiliation suffered by Eunuch Li and Consort Zhou, they were surely plotting mischief.

Sure enough, halfway through the banquet, Eunuch Li’s cunning, sly face was plastered with a sycophantic smile as he announced a “special performance” for the emperor.

My heart sank. This old fox was about to cause trouble!

Several palace maids were brought forward; one of them was wearing clothes similar to mine. Someone unfamiliar might have thought I was engaging in some sort of role play!

Eunuch Li’s shrill voice declared that this maid had stolen something, and that my token was found in her quarters.

I almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. Such a crude frame-up!

Did they have to be so blatantly accusatory?

All eyes turned sharply toward me; I instantly became the center of attention, even more so than the emperor himself.

Consort Zhou’s face, painted like a palette, was full of malicious glee as she fanned the flames, accusing me of immoral behavior and implicating me in theft.

I wanted to roll my eyes at her — what a drama queen!

Sneaking a glance at He Yunsheng, I saw his anxious, pitiful puppy-like gaze fixed on me.

I knew I couldn’t just sit and take it. If I didn’t fight back, I would be utterly ruined!

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and declared with righteous indignation, “This is clearly a deliberate frame-up! My token was lost long ago; someone must have found it and is now using it to slander me!”

Consort Zhou sneered coldly: “Palace maid Lu, do you have proof that this is a frame-up?” I cursed inwardly. This old woman was clearly intent on destroying me!

Just as I was about to retort, a deep voice interrupted...

“Wait.”

I turned and saw it was Minister Wang!

He stroked his beard thoughtfully, shot me a meaningful glance, then spoke slowly...

“Your Majesty, this matter is suspicious. Without evidence, how can you conclusively say this token belongs to Palace Maid Lu? Perhaps someone is deliberately setting her up.”

At his words, the hall fell silent as if a needle had dropped.

I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Truly an old fox — this assist was perfect!

In that moment, a clever idea struck me.

With a sudden thud, I knelt down, tears streaming down my face, utterly heart-rending and pitiable.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant is wronged! Indeed, my token has been lost, but I never imagined someone would use it to frame me! Sob sob...” My cries were so heartrending that anyone would think I had suffered great injustice.

The emperor was clearly moved; he furrowed his brow, casting a doubtful glance at Eunuch Li.

Seizing the moment, I pressed on, “Your Majesty, I boldly request that Imperial Physician Zhang examine that palace maid. If she was coerced, there should be marks of injury on her body.”

Imperial Physician Zhang was summoned promptly. After examination, he confirmed the maid bore signs of abuse and appeared mentally impaired, as if drugged.

Good heavens, Eunuch Li and Consort Zhou had gone to extreme lengths to frame me!

Now, the truth was laid bare.

The emperor’s face darkened with fury as he harshly reprimanded Eunuch Li and Consort Zhou for stirring trouble within the palace and corrupting its atmosphere.

Consort Zhou’s face turned deathly pale; she knelt trembling on the ground.

Eunuch Li looked wilted, like a frostbitten eggplant.

I felt a secret thrill — finally, a measure of justice was served.

Yet I knew this was only the beginning.

Eunuch Li and Consort Zhou would not give up easily. There were likely darker conspiracies lurking behind them.

My days in the palace were surely not going to be peaceful.

Just as I was lost in thought, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve.

I turned to see He Yunsheng, his face full of concern.

“Sister, are you alright?” he whispered.

I smiled faintly and shook my head.

After the banquet ended, I returned to my quarters.

Lying in bed, I replayed the day’s events, still shaken.

But my resolve was stronger than ever: in this merciless harem where one must devour or be devoured, I would survive—and thrive.

I vowed to climb to the highest rank and seize control of my own fate.

Just as I reached to blow out the candle, I heard faint footsteps outside the window...