Chapter Twenty-One: The Moonlight is Beautiful

Night fell, and the palace was aglow with scattered lights. Ling Zetian was nowhere to be found, leaving Feng Qiuji alone in Chaoyun Palace, guarding an empty chamber by herself.

He had said it truly: whether gold and silver jewelry or other treasures, Chaoyun Palace was well-stocked; she need not worry about a thing. No matter what, as mistress of this palace, she finally possessed a small measure of dignity befitting an empress. Reflecting on her long journey, she realized her days had been rather pleasant. There were still many unfortunate souls in the world; compared to them, she considered herself quite fortunate.

After instructing Xiaohui, she was about to bathe when a eunuch announced that a maid from Consort Lian wished to see her.

Consort Lian, truthfully, was somewhat pitiable herself. Feng Qiuji had witnessed her being harassed by a ruffian and felt sympathy for her. She did not know how the matter was resolved, nor who the man in purple truly was.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," said the maid, rushing in as soon as Feng Qiuji agreed to see her.

"What has you so flustered?" Feng Qiuji asked.

"I am Yuhua, servant to Consort Lian. I beg Your Majesty to save her!"

"Oh?" Feng Qiuji was puzzled. "What has happened to Consort Lian?"

"She was taken away by Young Master Chen."

"Young Master Chen?"

Hurrying after Yuhua, Feng Qiuji soon discovered that the man in purple from earlier that day was Chen Luan, the son of a court minister—a notorious idler. Because Consort Lian once had an affair with him before entering the palace, he now clung to her relentlessly.

What a scoundrel!

They searched for a long time, but the pair were nowhere to be found. Yuhua grew increasingly anxious, fearing something terrible might happen to Consort Lian. Feng Qiuji could only comfort her, urging patience and persistence in their search. After all, they were in the imperial palace; surely Chen Luan dared not commit any outrage. Still, it was urgent to find Consort Lian quickly.

At that moment, Consort Lian and Chen Luan were hiding in the shadows, watching Feng Qiuji and Yuhua.

"Leave my maid alone," Consort Lian whispered. "She came with me from my family estate and has always been loyal."

"Trying to get something for nothing?" Chen Luan laughed. "Ying'er, our collaboration benefits us both. But remember, if we succeed, you must not forget me."

"Stop talking nonsense. I won't." After Wang Lianying spoke, Chen Luan stepped out from the shadows.

"Well, if it isn't Her Majesty the Empress!"

"You’re just in time—I was looking for you," Feng Qiuji replied, glancing behind him. "Where have you taken Consort Lian?"

"Oh, Your Majesty must be joking. She has legs of her own—how could I take her anywhere?" Chen Luan smiled as he approached. Feng Qiuji sensed something sinister in his smile.

"Stop right there."

"With such beauty, why would Your Majesty not come closer?" Chen Luan stepped forward, suddenly embracing Feng Qiuji.

Seeing this, Consort Lian cursed inwardly. She had warned this fool not to act recklessly, yet his lecherous nature prevailed—he even dared to molest the empress.

"How dare you!" Feng Qiuji was truly furious. She loathed such licentious, handsy wastrels. "If you know I am the Empress, how dare you defile me?"

"Your Majesty has resided in the palace so long—surely you have never known the pleasure of passion. Why not experience it tonight with me?" Chen Luan’s hand wandered to Feng Qiuji’s face.

Feng Qiuji was livid. She was the emperor’s wife, married and crowned in a proper ceremony. How could this man dare insult her so brazenly? It was outrageous.

Just as she was about to explode, a sudden pain struck her neck; her vision darkened, and she fainted.

"I thought you’d forgotten our plan," Consort Lian sneered, stepping from the shadows to glare at Chen Luan with contempt.

"How could I?" Chen Luan worked hard to drag Feng Qiuji to a corner.

"Miss, what do you intend for Her Majesty?" Yuhua asked anxiously. Though she had never met Feng Qiuji before, and had no connection, she sensed the empress was kind. "I think you shouldn’t hurt her…"

"You’re just a maid—why ask so many questions?" Chen Luan muttered, then exchanged a look with Consort Lian.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the night, then fell silent.

Chen Luan stuffed Yuhua’s mouth and beat her viciously. Soon, Yuhua collapsed lifelessly on the ground.

Consort Lian stared at Yuhua’s corpse, eyes wide open, unyielding even in death. Fear crept into her heart; she tugged Chen Luan’s sleeve anxiously. "Is she dead?"

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