“Yes.” Ming Yanchu quickly agreed, sneaking a glance at Lian Yu. His gaze was profound and his expression deep – it was impossible to read his level of interest.

“Also, arrange a family banquet for me the day after tomorrow. Invite the Empress Dowager, General Murong, and Seventh and Ninth Brothers for a meal. Mm, and invite Yan Da as well.”

“Won’t you invite other ministers?” Ming Yanchu asked carefully.

“No need. I have my judgment about my people. Originally, Yan Da needn’t come either, but someone must serve as a mediating role.”

“But these people may be difficult to invite, this…” Ming Yanchu hesitated.

“No problem. Tomorrow night I’ll still choose Consort Luo’s tablet. After that, you can extend the invitations – they’ll certainly come.”

“Your Majesty…”

Ming Yanchu was slightly stunned, then suddenly understood. Just as he was about to respond, a palace maid called softly from outside and pushed the door open without announcement.

Hearing this, Ming Yanchu was alarmed. With a stern face, he was about to scold this palace maid who didn’t know proper etiquette, but upon seeing her face, he was startled and quickly said, “This slave pays respects to Your Ladyship.”

Lian Yu had already smiled and spoken, “Luo’er, why have you come? Mother should be waiting for you in the palace.”

Murong Luo’s beautiful eyes held resentment as she said petulantly, “Your Majesty, now you only have Gu Shuangcheng and Miaoyin in your heart. I waited and waited, finally hoping for Li Huaisu to be gone, but these two are like lingering ghosts.”

When she mentioned Li Huaisu, she carefully observed Lian Yu’s expression, but saw no ripples in his eyes whatsoever. She also noticed his elegant cloud satin casual robe – he truly cut a fine figure, graceful as a swimming dragon, so handsome and refined that he inspired deep admiration. Unfortunately, such a wonderful night and such a wonderful man didn’t belong to her.

These sour words made Lian Yu chuckle softly. He reached out to pinch Murong Luo’s cheek, “The harem emphasizes equal favor. Without them, there would still be others. But I know very well in my heart what’s important and what isn’t.”

Murong Luo had already promised Xiao’an today, but jealousy still made her unable to resist coming over to voice her complaints and act coquettish. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but beam with joy. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Lian Yu sigh, “Thinking such wild thoughts means you’ve been too idle recently. How about this – I’m planning a family banquet the day after tomorrow. Let cousin take charge, how about it?”

“Send an invitation to your father for me, and have him bring Seventh and Ninth Brothers along. We family members haven’t sat down for a proper meal together in quite some time.”

Murong Luo immediately nodded and replied with a smile, “Yes, I’ll handle it tomorrow. Your Majesty can rest assured.”

“Excellent. Tonight, be good and keep Mother company. I’ll accompany you tomorrow night. I must leave now.”

Murong Luo was overjoyed and responded gently, her gaze following Lian Yu closely as he left. Lian Yu suddenly turned back, his eyes sweeping over her body, “Luo’er, I inevitably have some utilitarian motives regarding the Murong family and you – I don’t want to hide this from you. But Luo’er, I’ve seen and remembered in my heart all your kindness to me over these years.”

Murong Luo hadn’t expected Lian Yu to be so frank. If he hadn’t pointed it out, she would have almost overlooked his intention in having her send the invitations. After he left and walked far away, she still stood there stunned, her heart alternating between hardness and softness, between anger and joy.

Shuangcheng looked around. The heavens were very cooperative today – the sky was clear, the Milky Way sparkled, and palace lanterns hung high. The entire palace appeared warm as fireflies, overflowing with brilliant light. Though the masters in the palace held no banquets, only making offerings and sacrifices at the ancestral temple, it was still quite lively. She occasionally saw palace people walking by in groups of two or three, all with clear, happy faces and beaming smiles, probably because various palace quarters had distributed gifts and silver allowances to their subordinates.

Yet Shuangcheng seemed untouched by such joy. She took a deep breath and stepped into Xiao’an’s sleeping palace.

Xiao’an and Murong Luo were eating some fruits. Surprisingly, Lian Xin wasn’t attending at their knees – probably because Xiao’an’s anger from last time hadn’t subsided. Seeing her come to pay respects, Murong Luo snorted through her nose without acknowledging her, still using her silver spoon to scoop and eat melon and fruit delicately.

Xiao’an barely lifted her eyelids and asked coolly, “What matter?”

Shuangcheng curtsied and spoke humbly, “Though today isn’t a family reunion festival, Shuangcheng hasn’t seen her father for a long time and wishes to leave the palace to visit him. I request Your Ladyship’s permission. Also, there’s another matter… I’d like to discuss with Your Ladyship.”

As she spoke, she looked meaningfully at Murong Luo. How could Murong Luo not understand? She heavily set down her spoon and sneered coldly. Xiao’an’s eyes moved, “Luo’er, I’d like some bird’s nest porridge. The servants below aren’t careful – go to the imperial kitchen and give them my message.”

Murong Luo was startled, gave Shuangcheng a cold look, and then left the hall.

Seeing Murong Luo leave, Xiao’an’s gaze became sharp and ruthless. She stared directly at Shuangcheng with narrowed eyes, “What matter?”

“Your Ladyship,” Shuangcheng smiled bitterly, “Shuangcheng dare not violate our agreement, but it’s time now, isn’t it? You see, the Feng family are descendants of treacherous ministers and absolutely cannot be kept. But this woman is particularly troublesome. I wonder if Your Ladyship would consider releasing that person, letting Shuangcheng and His Majesty discuss…”

“His Majesty has already dismissed the Feng woman from office. Though he cares deeply for her, she isn’t irreplaceable. Wait a bit longer. If love is truly lasting, why worry about day and night? Shuangcheng, don’t forget the vow you made initially.”

Before she could finish, Xiao’an interrupted faintly, “Since your father is waiting for you at home for a reunion, go first. We’ll discuss this matter at length later.”

Her eyes held frightening coldness. Shuangcheng secretly gritted her teeth, but showed a fearful expression in her eyes, lowering her voice to reply, “Yes, Shuangcheng understands. When Your Ladyship has decided, please tell Shuangcheng. This servant will withdraw first.”

“Go.”

After she left, Aunt Hong looked at the solemn and eerie great hall, unprecedented fear floating in her eyes, “Old Ancestor, she finally mentioned that person. What should we do?”

“Keep her stable for now. This girl has grown wiser and more scheming after each incident, especially after experiencing the Feng Suzhen affair. She’s becoming increasingly steady and calculating. But judging from the current situation, His Majesty hasn’t fallen too deeply for that Feng Suzhen – he still has some sense of proportion. We don’t need to use her to control the Feng woman. Recently, His Majesty has also shown genuine feelings for Luo’er. As long as Luo’er establishes a firm foothold in His Majesty’s heart, and with Miaoyin also gaining his appreciation, they can compete equally with this girl. This girl has restless blood flowing in her bones – I cannot completely trust her.”

“Old Ancestor used that person and the covenant to control her precisely to create today’s situation.”

“Exactly. However, this Feng Suzhen was truly beyond my expectations. Over these years, His Majesty has matured. After all, he has the late Emperor’s bloodline – that decisive methods and steady demeanor… I can see through his heart less and less regarding his feelings for Gu Xiluo. Initially, I thought he was fond of the similarly-featured Gu Shuangcheng, but he seemed to favor the Feng woman more. Though the Feng woman doesn’t resemble A’Luo in appearance, they have strikingly similar spirits. His Majesty probably hasn’t realized this himself. If this is truly the case, it will be a terrible karma in the future. Aunt Hong, I always feel that many great events are about to occur, and I fear they won’t be good…”

As she spoke while pressing her forehead, there were suddenly several “pop” sounds. A strong wind had blown outside the hall, extinguishing several candles inside. The magnificent hall was momentarily dark and eerie as demons…

Before leaving, Shuangcheng cast a cold glance at the luxurious yet sinister sleeping palace, her eyes misty. Xiao’an, you old fox!

She was cryptically secretive as she quickly returned to her own quarters.

On the way, she encountered a commotion – White Tiger leading imperial guards carrying a sedan chair to escort Miaoyin out of the palace. White Tiger was saying, “Miss Miaoyin, the carriage is waiting at the imperial city gate. Master instructed that he would go ahead and wait, observing proper etiquette.”

Miaoyin smiled, “His Majesty is too polite. White Tiger, you’ve worked hard.”

“Oh, isn’t this Little Master Gu?”

She seemed to notice Shuangcheng and greeted her.

Shuangcheng clenched her hands tightly but smiled slightly as she returned the greeting, “Miss Miaoyin.”

Miaoyin said, “Miaoyin is hurrying to leave the palace and won’t chat more with Little Master. Let’s gather another day.”

Her voice and expression were filled with barely concealed pride. Though the two seemed to have no connection on the surface, being in the same harem made their relationship quite delicate. Hearing this, Shuangcheng sneered inwardly but said nothing, only replying, “Please go ahead. Don’t be late.”

Miaoyin’s heart tensed slightly, but she saw Shuangcheng had already walked away indifferently.

When Shuangcheng returned to her sleeping palace, her maid Mei’er was already waiting at the door, her expression strangely eager and excited. Seeing this, Shuangcheng asked, “Is everything prepared?”

“Ready.” Mei’er grinned, “After leaving the palace, this servant will follow your instructions exactly, Miss. Please rest assured.”

“Good.” Shuangcheng nodded approvingly. Though Feng Suzhen seemed no longer a threat, she couldn’t be careless, and others were even more pressing. She wouldn’t sit and wait for death – she would begin taking desperate risks.

As the moon rose above the willow branches, Suzhen planned to quietly slip out through the back courtyard. But as soon as she stepped out of her room, someone startled her. Under the clear moonlight, Zhuiming stood with a pale face, his eyes slightly bulging, pointing at her and shouting, “You… you… you…”

After shouting several times, he ran off with a “swoosh.” Suzhen was still stunned in place from his fright. In a flash, the young man ran back, scratching his forehead with a completely red face, looking agitated, “I forgot – I lost at rock-paper-scissors, so I’m responsible for checking if you’re back. If you returned, I should take you out to eat.”

He grabbed her hand as he spoke, “Come with me.”

Suzhen broke out in a cold sweat, “You fool, I’m not going—”

Before she could finish, he had dragged and pulled her into the main hall. Everyone in the hall had been chatting happily, but when they saw the two appear, they all looked over in unison, then fell completely silent.

I know after reading this chapter you all want to curse and think you’ll never love again, but having come this far, what’s a little further? I bet a dime that they’ll definitely meet tomorrow. Good night everyone~