Chapter 8, the hibiscus weeps while the orchid smiles

The Mahjong player, unafraid of death with his protruding chubby chin, confidently let out a meow. However, he noticed the shadow above him growing heavier, and instinctively sensed danger. When he looked up again, he saw his master with a face full of sinister ferocity, grabbing him and shaking him violently.

Dan Li calmly thought to himself that he felt no guilt for occupying the queen's chef

The fourth princess, named Dan Ying, is known for her spoiled and willful personality. Upon hearing this, she laughed in a delicate voice and said: "No wonder my sister is dressed so cheerfully today; it turns out she went to serve the false emperor. Indeed, her value has increased significantly!"

Emperor Zhao Yuan laughed coldly, and with his laughter scattering in all directions, a large chunk of the remaining snow on the rooftops of the various halls was shaken off, resembling an avalanche from a distance, demonstrating that his internal strength had reached a transcendent level

Overeating always makes one feel somewhat drowsy... She thought to herself.

Hmph, if they can truly do anything to me, then let them come!

Your Majesty, please wait for me

Dan, draped in a newly made cloak, entered the grand hall, and all eyes turned towards her due to the abrupt sound of her footsteps

Dan Li shook his head, deciding not to inform this noble that his lord had "finished eating" and then left—allowing him to misunderstand that he was favored was not a bad thing, as it would be beneficial for deceiving him into providing food, drink, and other resources

Such splendid and brilliant colors, such a fresh and joyous atmosphere, are evidently prepared by the palace for the New Year, likely reserved by a favored concubine. Now, with the change of rulers and a great upheaval, they have come to be in Dan Li's possession

The window screens have been replaced with warm and lightweight ones, and under the glow of the candlelight, intricate and splendid patterns faintly emerge. The hall is also well-stocked with silver and charcoal, and four palace maids stand by with their hands down, which indeed makes the hall no longer appear empty

This is Princess Danjia of the Tang Dynasty, renowned for her resolute wisdom

Be quiet

A glimmer of mockery and anger flashed in the eyes of the princess, yet she refrained from expressing it. Instead, she said lightly: "Fifth sister, you have finally arrived"

The emperor glanced at his face, which could not hide his concern, and knew that he was genuinely worried about him. He let out a sigh, allowing the cold air to fill his chest, "I have wandered through this Jinling city countless times since I was young, so you really need not worry."

Although there were no external news in the Fengxian Hall, it was unfortunate that there were also gossip-loving individuals among the subordinates of Emperor Zhao Yuan. While guarding the door, they idly chatted about the new favorite of the Emperor, which made the women, who were determined to uphold their loyalty and chastity for the country, feel both ashamed and angry

By the time dinner was served, the sky had turned completely dark, and the howling of the north wind sounded particularly alarming in the night.

As its life was nearing its end, someone came to summon: Dan Li was to immediately proceed to the Fengxian Hall

The snow-covered ground remained dazzlingly bright, but under the sunlight, it had become somewhat muddy and loose. Xue Wen stumbled a few times, nearly falling, yet he hurriedly followed, fearing that the Emperor, venturing out alone, might fall into the trap set by the sorcerer

Speaking of the overnight transformation, her voice carried a slight dryness, "But why did she become mad in her sister's palace?"

Let the practitioners come to take my life? Are they qualified?

Xue Wen hesitated to speak, clearly finding it difficult to predict what unexpected troubles his peers might bring to the emperor

A thing that willingly degrades itself

The princess, with her delicate brows furrowed, coldly exclaimed: "Qin Yu is merely a bandit and a brute, having usurped the imperial throne. He is like a monkey wearing a crown, merely enjoying a fleeting moment of power. How can he be worthy of the title 'Holy Majesty'!"

Emperor Zhao Yuan was extremely, extremely averse to practitioners of the arts of divination

Dan Li was well aware of the situation. It was Su Mu who used her divine thought to rebound against her, turning a perfectly normal person into a madman. In her heart, she secretly cursed "that madwoman," yet her face displayed an air of openness and surprise, "I haven't seen her come here..."

At last, she felt the oppressive atmosphere and yawned without doing so in front of everyone.

You also know how delicious it was last night, but do you know how much effort I put into this meal? Since autumn, I have been catching good crabs, extracting the roe and fat, and storing them in jars underground

... ...

Dan Li entered amidst the scornful, hateful, contemptuous, and suspicious gazes, still walking slowly as if he felt nothing at all

Immediately, the women began to scold her, and in their anger, they were almost ready to step forward and slap her.

Along with these palace maids and utensils, all of this was instructed by that Lord Xue, who probably thinks he is deeply favored by the sovereign

... ...

The cat meowed twice, and Dan Li frowned and glared at it, "Are you saying that dinner is not as delicious as yesterday's?"

Without waiting for Xue Wensong to catch his breath, Emperor Zhao Yuan turned around and leaped down. The sunlight shone on his black robe, majestic and imposing, yet it conveyed an indescribable sense of desolation and solitude.

The techniques of the practitioners are difficult to harm the true heir to the throne... However, they possess an endless array of ghostly powers that can affect you in other ways...

The gazes of the crowd instantly transformed into sharp arrows, piercing directly towards me as if they were intent on extracting my very heart and lungs

Her words flowed like a continuous stream, and under the weight of deep resentment, the Mahjong tiles were being shaken by her grip, already beginning to show their white sides.

Returning would still mean being treated as a prisoner, so it is better not to return

Dan Li nodded slightly, just about to respond, when the Grand Princess had already asked directly, "Last night I sent Aunt He to notify the various palace maids..."

She squinted her eyes, sparkling with light, clearly engaged in various schemes, allowing the palace maids to remove the dinner—almost seven or eight parts of it were taken away, yet it was not wasted

Emperor Zhao Yuan coldly laughed and said, as Xue Wen looked into his eyes filled with an inexplicable gloom, he suddenly recalled a subtle rumor.

Xue Wen sighed, feeling somewhat unsteady on his feet, yet he still followed along

The dinner was prepared by the royal chef who originally served the queen, and since the queen fled with the Tang emperor not long ago, whether she can return is still uncertain

In the Hall of Fengxian, there is a silence akin to death

There are numerous sects of practitioners, each inheriting different ancient divine skills, and each sect treasures its own unique techniques, never revealing them to others. Although Xue Wen possesses remarkable abilities, there are certain techniques that he has not only never seen but has not even heard of.

She stood alone, glancing only briefly at Dan Li, her gaze lingering for a moment on the cluster of newly embroidered palace attire.

The older concubine looked at her with a proud and disdainful expression, saying, "Your mother, the Jade Concubine, was also a clever and shrewd person. How could she give birth to such a shameless daughter like you!"

Did you not eat enough

Turning back, I saw the Mahjong tiles curled up into a ball, lazily meowing. Suddenly, I noticed that its belly was not overly round and protruding.

Before the rows of memorial tablets, a woman dressed in pure white stands at the forefront. She wears no hairpins or ornaments, her complexion strikingly beautiful yet tinged with a sense of sorrow and weariness. Nevertheless, she naturally exudes an air of noble resilience that captivates all who gaze upon her.

Last night ... ... in front of my palace gate ... ... '' She seemed to have a sudden realization and thought: `` Could it be that she happened to encounter the imperial carriage and was startled? ''

This morning, along with two large buckets of steamed buns, the unconscious Aunt He was also sent to the Fengxian Hall. The subordinates of Emperor Zhaoyuan did not dare to disturb their lord's "good fortune" last night, but unexpectedly discovered the unconscious Aunt He in the courtyard of Huaiyun Palace.

Someone scolded, "Aren't you ashamed? Who does he think he is, 'Your Majesty'?"