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The Evil Deeds for the Empress
墨書 Inktalez
The shadows of the trees danced ominously, casting a chilling atmosphere. A small figure curled up in the corner of the wall, trembling uncontrollably.
Moonlight filtered through the high window, illuminating the girl's pale face. This palace was so different from what she had imagined.
Exhausted to the point of nearly falling asleep, she was jolted awake by dreams of her parents' tragic deaths.
Someone was shaking her foot. "Are you scared?"
She opened her eyes and, through the haze, saw a pair of beautiful, glistening eyes. She shook her head.
"Then let me lean on you for a bit." The girl in the pink dress nestled closer, seeking warmth from her. "Are you hungry? I secretly hid a bun; consider it a reward for letting me lean on you." The girl said with a cheerful smile.
Seeing the bun, she snatched it and swallowed it whole. She had been hungry for two days; now, she would gladly eat anything, even poison.
"Thank you." She finally spoke her first words.
The girl in pink beamed at her. "What's your name?"
Then she introduced herself, "My name is Du Yuetang."
"Qi Chao," she replied.
Ten years later.
The maid in pink stood before the mirror, combing her hair with pride. "Lord Feng said I look good in pink."
The woman standing behind expressed her disapproval, "Yuetang, that Lord Feng is not a good match."
"Of course he isn't the best; the best is the Emperor," Du Yuetang sighed. "But the Emperor is not someone like us can dare to fantasize about. You know how ruthless that Consort Li can be."
Du Yuetang spoke eagerly about her ambitions, while Qi Chaoxi grew increasingly worried.
That young lord had once been a reader for the current Emperor, Qin Hao, before being granted a title and moving into the palace. Since then, he had hardly done anything serious, indulging in pleasures day after day. Yet Du Yuetang seemed enchanted by him, saying, "Chaoxi, I don’t want to be a palace maid for the rest of my life."
Snapping back to reality, Du Yuetang noticed her friend's pale face. "Chaoxi, how's your foot? Maybe you shouldn't..."
"Today we’re short-staffed; I'm fine," Qi Chaoxi replied.
Qi Chaoxi always knew her limits, so Du Yuetang didn’t press further. She carefully adorned herself, preparing to perform at the pear garden. If she could win Lord Feng's favor, at least she could escape her humble and degrading fate.
As Qi Chaoxi served drinks on the side, Du Yuetang danced gracefully to the sound of bamboo music. Her performance of "Peach Blossoms" was mesmerizing, with petals falling like rain around her, resembling a fairy among flowers.
A smile appeared on Feng Chengqian's face, and Qi Chaoxi was taken aback. She lost her footing and stumbled forward, falling two meters from the platform and landing in a heap.
Wine splashed down on her as Du Yuetang abruptly stopped, frozen in place.
Feng Chengqian commanded, "Quickly fetch a physician."
He then picked up Qi Chaoxi and helped her sit on a soft couch.
He brushed aside the hair from her cheek and teased, "Such a beautiful face is too precious to be harmed."
Qi Chao Xi felt embarrassed as she searched for Du Yuetang's figure. "Thank you, Lord Xie, for your concern. I am fine; please let me get up..."
Qi Chao Xi was somewhat flustered; Yuetang must have misunderstood.
"Is that so? Your words are insincere," Feng Chengqian whispered. "You never regard me highly, do you?"
Qi Chao Xi gasped sharply. "No, I—"
"Be humble. If this continues, my harem will belong to you."
A loud voice came from ahead, and Qi Chao Xi was taken aback to see everyone kneeling and shouting long live the emperor.
She tried to rise but was pressed down by Feng Chengqian. "Your Majesty, this young lady is injured and cannot pay her respects."
He was being too reckless!
Qi Chao Xi gritted her teeth but lacked the courage to expose him, so she kept her head down, waiting for her fate.
Seemingly sensing her tension, Feng Chengqian tightened his grip on her hand. Qi Chao Xi slightly raised her head to look at his profile and the mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth.
For Feng Chengqian's sake, the emperor did not pursue the matter further, but the ambiguous look in his eyes made Qi Chao Xi's heart race with anxiety.
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