It wasn't a festival or holiday, yet the Noble Consort decided to host a family banquet.
Based on Zheng Qingling's experience filming palace dramas, there was no doubt someone would seize the opportunity to stir up trouble.
In other words, this was a Hongmen Banquet—she would have to keep her guard up to avoid becoming collateral damage.
The banquet arrived as scheduled. Other than Yipin, who was still under confinement, all the other concubines attended in splendid dress. The Noble Consort even entered together with Xiao Qianming.
This scene made many concubines envious—at such important occasions, the Emperor usually only entered with the Noble Consort or the Empress Dowager.
At this banquet, Zheng Qingling also saw the fabled Empress Dowager Cining. Though her face looked kind, her smile never reached her eyes, and the coldness in her gaze was obvious—even toward the Emperor, her expression was anything but warm.
With just a glance, Zheng Qingling could tell: this was a woman with a false facade of compassion but ruthless methods.
At that moment, the Empress Dowager was inwardly irritated: In this bitter cold weather, only that foolish Noble Consort would insist on holding a banquet. Hmph, but I don't mind using this to see just how deep this bastard son's harem waters run.
At first, the banquet was harmonious with music and dance. But soon enough, someone tried to stand out.
Defei rose first, saluted, and spoke:
"Your Majesty, today's family banquet feels a little plain. Why not invite the sisters to display their talents, to add some festivity for you?"
Xiao Qianming was pleased and readily agreed:
"What my beloved concubine says is true."
Zheng Qingling had to put down her chopsticks, but in her heart she cursed Defei. If you want to show off, do it yourself! Why drag others down with you? Now I have to risk the cold to perform.
When her turn came, Zheng Qingling chose to play the same tune she had performed the first time she met the Emperor—a subtle way of expressing her thoughts.
After listening, Xiao Qianming smiled slightly:
"Rou Changzai's playing is melodious and lighthearted—it has made me forget the fatigue of court for a while. Reward her with a pair of luminous pearls from the Western Regions."
Immediately Zheng Qingling knelt to thank him:
"Your concubine thanks His Majesty for the reward."
She kept everything proper and restrained—no flirtatious glances—knowing she was already drawing too much attention.
When she returned to her seat, she overheard Lady Wan's sarcastic whisper:
"It's just luminous pearls. Such a petty, small-family background, acting as if she's never seen the world."
The original body indeed came from a modest family, the daughter of a fourth-rank censor—nothing remarkable in the harem.
But Lady Wan's behavior was clearly bait—trying to provoke her into losing composure before the Emperor.
Seeing through it, Zheng Qingling kept her expression calm, simply noting down the offense in her mental ledger. Lady Wan, seeing she didn't take the bait, lost interest and dropped the matter.
The other concubines' performances were ordinary, until Lady Sun broke the calm in a pale pink dance dress.
The design of the outfit was deliberately revealing—highlighting her slim waist, the sheer pink gauze barely concealing her skin, enough to stir desire.
On her ankles jingled delicate silver bells, chiming crisply as she twirled.
Zheng Qingling watched with genuine amusement, secretly marveling: Being Emperor really is a blessing—beauties everywhere, free to gaze at and indulge in.
Xiao Qianming, no matter how wise and composed normally, was still a man. Faced with such a sight, his blood surged, and his eyes stayed fixed on her.
The Noble Consort, seeing her cousin staring so intently, nearly burst with rage. Her glare shot daggers at Lady Sun—This slut! Daring to steal cousin's attention. Only a brothel woman could be so brazen.
Defei smiled faintly, inwardly delighted at the Noble Consort's anger. Lady Sun was her pawn—if she stole the Noble Consort's favor, it was worth it. And tonight, of all nights, was the perfect time for Lady Sun to conceive. With a child, Defei could secure her future.
Pleased with her scheme, Defei's smile grew deeper.
Shufei, watching Defei act like a madam parading a courtesan, felt nothing but disgust.
Xiao Qianming, on the other hand, was thoroughly satisfied. He declared on the spot:
"Lady Sun's dance pleases me greatly—graceful and lively. I hereby bestow upon her the title 'Li.' From now on, she shall be Noble Lady Li."
Lady Li was ecstatic, beaming with joy, silently grateful to Defei for her support.
But Zheng Qingling remained clear-headed: This Lady Li is finished. Performing such a seductive dance in public may earn short-term favor, but long-term, it will block her path to higher rank.
The banquet continued until the last course: a nourishing soup.
The moment the soup was set down, Zheng Qingling knew the night's main drama had arrived. The ladle had been soaked in an abortifacient solution—hidden under seasonings, it was almost impossible to detect.
Clearly, someone had set a trap to eliminate a possibly pregnant concubine.
Tightening her grip on the ladle, Zheng Qingling stirred the tainted utensil slowly.
Sure enough, soon came a sharp cry:
"Not good! My lady is bleeding!"
The hall fell into chaos. Following the sound, Zheng Qingling saw it was Wu Changzai—just as she suspected.
Xiao Qianming reacted quickly, immediately summoning both imperial physicians and the Imperial Guards.
He ordered the guards to surround the hall: no one, master or servant, was to leave.
Wu Changzai was rushed to a side chamber. Zheng Qingling secretly used her power to check— the child was already gone. Even immortals couldn't save it.
Soon after, Wu Changzai's heartbroken cries echoed from within.
The physician came out, kneeling to report:
"Your Majesty, this subject is incompetent. The lady accidentally ingested a strong abortifacient—she has lost a one-month pregnancy. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Xiao Qianming's face darkened, eyes blazing with fury. Yet another child, murdered by the venomous schemes of the harem women.
The Noble Consort turned pale on the spot. As the host of tonight's banquet, she could not escape blame for this disaster.