Hua Fei snatched the fan from Song Zhi’s hand and directly smashed it onto Cao Qinmo’s head.

Cao Qinmo didn’t dodge at all, and the fan landed squarely on her head.

“On such a scorching summer day, it’s only natural for the Empress to feel anger in her heart. As long as the Empress can calm down, this humble servant is willing to accept any punishment.”

Cao Qinmo came from a humble background. She was a fallen noble’s daughter, and when she was sent to the palace, she didn’t even have the chance to meet the emperor.

Had it not been for Hua Fei promoting her to serve the emperor, she would have had no opportunity to give birth to Wen Yi and become a favored concubine.

Cao Qinmo understood this very well, so for all these years, she had quietly endured under Hua Fei’s authority.

Hua Fei angrily said, “I don’t know what I’ve done to offend the emperor this time, to the point where he goes to the Summer Palace and doesn’t even take me with him.”

“It must be that Concubine Wan has bewitched the emperor, and with the Empress interfering, now I can hardly even see the emperor.”

She then shot a fierce glare at Cao Qinmo.

“I’ve protected you for so many years, and you never give me any ideas. What use do I have for you anymore?”

Cao Qinmo looked at Hua Fei and said, “Empress, please calm down. This humble servant is willing to serve you with all my strength.”

Hua Fei looked at her dismissively and said, “With you?”

Cao Qinmo mentioned how the emperor had a deep affection for Wen Yi and how the emperor was particularly fond of her.

Upon hearing this, Hua Fei allowed Cao Qinmo to rise and commented that she was lucky, having a daughter by her side, unlike herself, who had no one to rely on.

Cao Qinmo understood the unspoken meaning behind Hua Fei’s words and immediately responded that everything she had today was due to Hua Fei’s protection.

When Wen Yi grew up, she would certainly treat Hua Fei as a mother and be filial to her.

Hua Fei, hearing this, calmed down considerably.

“Look at you, your hair is all over the place, and you’re still here talking to me. You really are something.”

She then instructed Song Zhi to take Cao Qinmo away to tidy herself up.

Hua Fei also reminded Cao Qinmo to bring Wen Yi to greet the emperor.

Cao Qinmo knew very well that the relationship between Hua Fei and the Empress was tense, like water and fire, so she didn’t want to openly offend the Empress.

She used the excuse of not knowing how to speak, and Hua Fei had taken the initiative to give her a “Peony Phoenix” step ornament.

When the Empress and the emperor were discussing which concubines to bring to avoid the summer heat, Cao Qinmo quietly took off the ornament and began playing with Wen Yi.

The emperor immediately recognized that the ornament was one he had given to Hua Fei.

This gave Cao Qinmo an opportunity:

“Yes, Hua Fei always wears this ornament, and the princess always laughs when she sees it, so Empress Hua gave it to me to amuse the princess.”

Although she hadn’t really persuaded anyone, this simple statement changed the emperor’s mind, allowing Hua Fei to join.

Indeed, actions spoke louder than words, and a dog that bites doesn’t bark.

With just one simple sentence, the matter was settled.

This made Zhen Huan feel relieved. If Cao Qinmo had lived until the time of the bloodline test in her previous life, Zhen Huan was sure that no matter what, Cao Qinmo wouldn’t have passed.

Soon, the day to go to the Summer Palace arrived. This time, there were two more people than last time—Yu Ying’er and An Lingrong.

Zhen Huan, just like in the previous life, stayed at Bitong Academy.

Looking at everything familiar and listening to Huang Guiquan’s introduction, Zhen Huan felt very comfortable and said she would personally thank the emperor later.

Huang Guiquan mentioned that the emperor was currently practicing archery and horse riding, accompanied by Guo Junwang and Cao Qinmo.

Zhen Huan thought that this time, she and the emperor had met without using Guo Junwang’s name, so it wouldn’t matter much. She decided to go see Duan Fei.

Just then, Yu Ying’er rushed over in a panic, saying that she had heard from Hua Fei that Cao Qinmo was trying to use Guo Junwang to stir up discord between her and the emperor.

Zhen Huan was confused. “How could this happen?”

Yu Ying’er lowered her head, looking embarrassed, and said, “Sister, I forgot to tell you something. When Hua Fei sent someone to Yi Mei Garden to find me, I told her that Guo Junwang had spoken up for you, saying that Concubine Wan’s position was truly unfair to you…”

Seeing that Zhen Huan didn’t say anything, Yu Ying’er blamed herself and said, “It’s all my fault, but at that time, I had no choice…”

Zhen Huan thought for a moment, then playfully pointed to Yu Ying’er’s head and said, “I’ll settle this with you later! Right now, I’m going to see the emperor. Do you want to come along?”

“Go, go, go! I’m coming…”

“Anyway, Hua Fei told me to stay by your side and pay attention to your usual behavior. If it looks like I’m close to you, she’s more than happy to have it that way!”

So, Zhen Huan, Yu Ying’er, and their personal maids went to where the emperor was practicing archery and horse riding.

As soon as they arrived, a wild pigeon flew down in front of them, and Yu Ying’er exclaimed, “What great swordsmanship!”

Zhen Huan looked at it and explained to Yu Ying’er, “This is the wild pigeon from the western part of the capital, known for its agility and speed. It can be pierced through the eyes with one arrow. The swordsmanship is truly precise.”

The emperor noticed Zhen Huan’s arrival and said, “Concubine Wan, what are you two doing here?”

“I heard the emperor was practicing archery and horse riding here, and I couldn’t resist. I dragged Ying’er along to come see the emperor in action.”

“I didn’t expect to walk in just in time to see the emperor shoot down a wild pigeon. Your swordsmanship is truly precise.”

Upon hearing Zhen Huan praise him, the emperor couldn’t help but smile broadly.

“Concubine Wan, you always know how to speak. I love hearing it.”

“However, this wild pigeon was shot by my younger brother, the Seventeenth Prince. I can’t take credit for his achievement.”

The emperor, in a good mood, looked at Guo Junwang, who was walking over, and couldn’t stop praising him.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliment.”

At this moment, Cao Qinmo walked over, looking at the emperor with a smile and said, “Your Majesty, it seems that Concubine Wan highly praises Guo Junwang. I wonder if she heard about the prince’s great name when she was still in her boudoir?”

Zhen Huan understood that Cao Qinmo’s words, though seemingly lighthearted, contained a hidden trap. But since she was already here, she wouldn’t be afraid.

She smiled and walked up to the emperor’s side.

“Older sister Cao, after watching for so long, I naturally know that this pigeon was shot by Guo Junwang. But I just arrived and didn’t know about it. In my eyes, there’s only the emperor. I thought it was you who shot it!”

Zhen Huan looked at the emperor with admiration, making him smile even more.

Seeing that Cao Qinmo didn’t say anything, Zhen Huan continued, “But just now, even the emperor praised Guo Junwang’s swordsmanship. Doesn’t older sister Cao agree?”

Cao Qinmo lowered her eyes and glanced at the emperor before replying, “Since the emperor says so, I naturally agree. Guo Junwang’s swordsmanship is extraordinary, and I admire it very much.”

The emperor burst into laughter. He patted Guo Junwang on the shoulder and pointed at Zhen Huan and Cao Qinmo, saying, “Seventeenth Brother, look, they’re even arguing about this.”

Guo Junwang gave Zhen Huan a glance before bowing to the emperor and saying, “I truly envy Your Majesty, who enjoys such harmonious blessings.”

The emperor laughed again.

Zhen Huan stepped forward, took the emperor’s arm, and, as if joking, said, “Your Majesty, just now older sister Cao asked if I had heard of the prince’s great name when I was still in my boudoir. But my family is very strict. I’ve never left home much. If it wasn’t for meeting you on New Year’s Eve, I wouldn’t even know who the prince is!”

“But older sister Cao is different. She’s been serving in the palace for a long time.”

“Your Majesty, could you help me ask if older sister Cao has long admired the prince’s great name?”