NOVPUBThe Emperor repeatedly looked at the jade pendant, his mood seemingly dampened.
Consort Shu then ordered someone to put the jade Guanyin away.
As Shen Roujia looked up, she saw Gu Yunqing still pushing her sister to step forward.
In the midst of the pushing and shoving, Consort Li twisted her ankle and fell forward.
Seeing her fall within a few feet of herself, Shen Roujia, despite an intense internal struggle, quickly stepped forward to steady her.
Gu Yunqing was also frightened, standing dumbfounded.
The Emperor and Consort Shu had not yet left the scene when this commotion occurred.
The Emperor’s brows furrowed instantly. “Consort Li, what are you doing so recklessly!”
Consort Li, pale with fright, hadn’t even thanked Shen Roujia before she shakily knelt down.
“Your Majesty, I was just momentarily flustered…”
The Emperor disliked hearing such stammering excuses. “Usually, you’re quite clever. Step back.”
Behind her, Gu Yunqing suddenly knelt down with a thud.
“Your Majesty, please forgive us. Consort Li was frightened, which caused her to lose her composure in front of you.”
The Emperor turned to Gu Yunqing, unfamiliar with her, and asked, “Whose daughter is this?”
Consort Li tried to stop her. “Sister, don’t speak recklessly…”
Consort Shu lifted her eyelids slightly. “She is the second daughter of the Gu family.”
The Emperor nodded. “Speak, what frightened you two so much?”
Gu Yunqing smirked, unable to resist squeezing Consort Li’s hand.
“Your Majesty, the reason we were frightened is that we saw someone from Consort Shu’s side bringing a man into the side hall.”
Gu Yunqing spoke neither timidly nor arrogantly, seemingly not lying. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
The Emperor’s face darkened. “Nonsense!”
After all, in such an occasion, causing chaos would certainly anger the Emperor.
Gu Yunqing, trembling with fear, kowtowed.
“Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you, which is why I was so scared.”
The Emperor looked at Consort Shu, suspicious. “My beloved…”
Consort Shu calmly responded, “Your Majesty, I originally intended to wait until after the banquet to inform you for the sake of others’ dignity. However, I did not expect the Gu family girl to speak out.”
She smirked, confident in her plan. “Bring Li Yong here!”
Consort Jia, hearing this name, instantly turned pale.
While giving orders, Consort Shu glanced at her and sneered.
“Your Majesty, this man came knocking on the east gate with a token, claiming to be looking for a relative.”
The Emperor, confused, listened to the name he had never heard before.
“How foolish of you to let just anyone in.”
Consort Shu gently stopped him. “Your Majesty, do not worry. I found it suspicious, but this Li Yong specifically asked for Consort Jia by name.”
After speaking, Consort Shu feigned a glance at Consort Jia, who was trembling and speechless.
The Emperor, his face turning blue, felt utterly embarrassed.
“Prepare to move to the Hall of Eternal Celebration.”
Consort Shu slowly and leisurely made arrangements, then provocatively walked towards Consort Jia.
“Sister, why are you still standing there? Come along.”
The officials’ wives were in an uproar, fearing trouble and quietly watching the spectacle from behind.
The royal family members all followed the Emperor out.
Although the banquet was not over, the music and dancing soon drowned out this small disturbance.
Shen Roujia looked speechlessly at the still-kneeling Gu Yunqing, shaking her head and muttering.
“Used as a tool, and still standing there foolishly.”
