That girl leaned against the window, her whole body shining with a crystal-like luster like snow jade, with a touch of green in her raven hair, just like a celestial being.

  Mei Gui Pin gazed at Chen Lu who was meditating with her eyes closed, and felt dizzy and bewildered. A hint of jealousy arose in her heart.

  Her face was filled with surprise and delight: "So sister's body has already recovered!"

  Morning dew turned back, saw it was her, and was about to get up. Mei Guibao hurriedly came forward to support: "Sister be careful!"

  The two of them sat down as host and guest, and the palace staff brought over some fresh pastries, four plates with eight varieties, all bestowed from the Qianqing Palace.

  Mei Gui Bin looked at the exquisite pastries, all of which she had never seen before, and her heart felt even more bitter. Chen Lu invited her to eat first, but she just said that she had already eaten breakfast and really couldn't eat any more.

  Morning dew watched her pick up the tea and take a light sip, that gesture was extremely familiar, she was elegant in her demeanor, yet didn't touch anything - this is the manner of palace women: never truly consuming anything from outside.

  She thought of the girl who had been so carefree and natural at the queen's banquet, savoring each bite with relish, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

  In this palace, like deep ink, what person cannot be dyed black?

  "Now that I see my sister is safe and sound, I can finally feel at ease - my sister has regained our family's honor for me, and even I, her younger sister, feel a sense of pride!"

  She spoke with a lively and innocent tone, and when she talked about the praise of the people in the harem, it was as vivid as if she had seen it herself. Finally, she said: "Even the Empress Dowager and the Queen heard it, they were surprised - there is such an extraordinary woman in the palace!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Ah! Chenluo sneered coldly in her heart, but smiled and said: "It must be that Your Ladyship has praised me too much, which made the two masters curious!"

  "Sister, why are you blaming me!" Mei Gui Fei's spoiled and charming rebuke, her big bright eyes seemed to speak, couldn't help but make Yuan Qi feel guilty for staying in her palace all this time.

  "Two masters and mistresses, having heard all sorts of rumors, want to see the real person! Tomorrow, Empress Dowager is hosting a family banquet, all sisters must attend, and she also said to bring Shang Yi along!"

  Although these words were spoken in jest, they also contained a hint of truth. Chen Lu listened with her head bowed for a long time before raising it to smile and say: "This is the two masters' way of showing favor, I truly feel unworthy."

  "It's settled then! I'll come pick up sister on time tomorrow!"

  Mei Gui Pinn reached her goal and left with a gentle and elegant demeanor.

  Chenlu stared at her figure in a daze for a while, then smiled lightly.

  That smile was like the morning dew, breathtakingly beautiful, yet it had a chilling quality that sent shivers down one's spine.

  She narrowed her eyes, and in the clear pupils, there was an unmistakable flame of hatred.

  Lin Yan... Finally, we're going to meet again!

  Just as Chenlu thought, the other side of the front court was indeed extraordinary.

  In the Taihe Hall, a solemn and dignified atmosphere prevails. Civil and military officials are lined up on both sides, not a sound is heard from the crowd.

  In the imperial throne room, Yuan Qi supported his cheek with one hand and listened intently.

  In the center of the great hall, one of the two envoys, a young man, was loudly reading the national letter of Hulü Khan.

  His tone was somewhat strange and sounded quite ridiculous, but in the heavy atmosphere of the imperial court, no one had the heart to laugh at her.

  Yuandi was calm and unhurried, with a hint of a smile. After the envoy finished reading, he didn't ask them to withdraw, but instead looked around at the officials in the hall and asked: "Do you gentlemen have any insightful views?"

  This sentence is too vague and doesn't reveal any emotions, everyone present are old hands at officialdom, who dares to touch this sore spot, so the room falls silent.

  The young envoy had no understanding of the officialdom in the Central Plains, and seeing that everyone was silent, he thought they were all afraid of the Tartar iron cavalry. He couldn't help but say with a sense of pride: "My great Khan inherits the benevolence of the long-lived heaven, and does not want to create more killing karma. Let you hand over these annual tributes, in exchange for the peace of the Central Plains, it is really a very cost-effective thing!"

  "What's 'age tribute'?" Yuan Qiying raised an eyebrow, seemingly hearing this fresh term for the first time, and instead of anger, she smiled.

  "How dare you, a barbarian, utter such insolent words in the imperial court! When has our great empire ever paid tribute to you, and what is this talk of annual tributes?!"

  Everyone knew it was Huang Shangshu without even looking up, with his straight and bookish air.

  The young man seemed to be waiting for him to say this, and just as he was about to provoke him, the emperor finally spoke up.

  His voice was not loud, but the steady and hidden oppression made the Tartar envoy vigilant.

  " Envoy, should I address you as Lord Muna or Prince Muna?"

  Yuanyi's words left everyone in the palace stunned.

  The envoy did not expect this turn of events and was shocked into retreating several steps back, but was caught by Qi Yun with a big grasping hand.

  "Don't be alarmed, prince. I don't intend to detain you here - just trouble yourself to report back to your father Khan that the requests in his letter are all denied!"

  Mu Na didn't struggle either, staring blankly with a hint of disdain.

  "When my Mongol army arrives, your Central Plains and rivers will be reduced to ashes in an instant!"

  "I'll have no choice but to follow the example of the previous emperor and drive you back to the north of the desert!"

  Yuan Qi smiled and said in a warm and leisurely tone, without getting angry or impatient, adding another sentence:

  "Before sending troops to our dynasty, you should still pray for your father Khan to win in 'Mitu'!"

  The emperor uttered a faint sentence and ended this court meeting. He stood up easily, without even looking at Mu Na who was frightened to death below the steps, and returned to the palace.

  The wind blew across his forehead's crown, sparkling and flowing with gold, making his eyes even more profound, his demeanor was like a god.

  It was just past dinner time, and the various palaces in the imperial palace were bustling with activity. The Empress Dowager had set up a family banquet in the Cining Palace, although it was said to be a joyful and harmonious occasion for the imperial family, none of the consorts dared to slack off. After dressing up, they rode in soft sedan chairs, arriving at the Cining Palace in twos and threes to wait on the Empress Dowager.

  After a while, Ye Gu Gu, who was beside the Empress Dowager, came out of the palace and slightly curtsied, saying: "The Empress Dowager invites all the ladies to enter!"

  The many consorts knew that she was the most favored by the Empress Dowager, and even the Emperor had to address her as "Auntie", so who dared to receive such a great honor? They all avoided her, chirping and chattering, thanking her one sentence at a time, before carefully entering according to their ranks.

  Only a road of auspicious and peaceful air, all the precious instruments are full of ancient charm, but somehow feel fresh and elegant, can't see any decline, only in the flowing light, occasionally revealing a hint of grandeur.

  Passing through the four pairs of double-hung doors with auspicious longevity and prosperity carvings, a group of palace maids had been waiting respectfully. After passing through the curtain made of 108 sandalwood beads, they entered the main hall.

  The place was not luxurious, the palace staff were attentive and thorough, but the concubines just stood with their hands down, their usual liveliness and cleverness nowhere to be seen.

  Only a faint cough was heard from Aunt Ye, and a group of people rushed out, supporting the Empress Dowager as she ascended to the throne in the main hall.

  There was a new addition to the imperial harem, and in the past, she had only paid her respects from afar at dawn and dusk without getting a clear look. Now, stealing a glance, she couldn't help but take a cold breath.

  The empress dowager, although in her forties, still had a face as bright and clear as the moon, with beautiful features that were unmatched. A pair of sparkling eyes, rotating between them, showed a natural air of majesty.

  The Empress Dowager came from a high-ranking family and the Lin family had a blood relationship with the imperial family in the previous dynasty. This kind of lineage made her demeanor noble and dignified.

  Her eyebrows and eyes resemble those of the empress, but the empress standing beside her can't compare to her charm.

  She gazed at the two rows of imperial concubines, a warm smile in her eyes. After they finished their curtsies, she hastily ordered them to rise and turned to the empress with a smile: "They are truly a colorful and vibrant bunch, each with their own unique charm. Can you still compete with them?"

  The queen smiled and accepted it, but pouted and refused: "Mother saw the younger sisters and forgot about Shu Jing!"

  The empress dowager smiled and pointed at her with a fan: "This little demon is jealous!"

  The people below were clever and quick-witted, hastily picking out pleasant words to say, trying to curry favor: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager shouldn't be angry, it's just that all the sisters saw the Empress and, like a warm sun, couldn't wait to receive more of her kindness - after all, they only took away one day from Your Majesty, and the Empress treats you like her own flesh and blood!"

  She spoke with shining eyes, every word and sentence coming from the heart. She not only flattered the Empress Dowager to the sky but also subtly complimented the Empress without showing any signs of it. The other consorts saw how clever and quick-witted she was, and they secretly despised her, but on the surface, they all agreed with her. In an instant, countless praises and compliments flew towards the Empress Dowager like clouds and fog.

  The empress dowager smiled and accepted, but unlike ordinary women, she didn't smile with her eyebrows and eyes. Instead, she sighed: "As for my kindness to you, it's actually flattering this old woman... The former emperor passed away early, I was quite strict in teaching the emperor, and also not lenient with you..."

  PK countdown~~~~~~~ PK is going to start tomorrow, someone's heart is so nervous~~ Everyone, it's all up to you now!