Chapter 27: The Canary Captured by the Enemy Emperor 14

The incident had truly frightened many of the concubines. After all, the highest-ranking woman in the palace was the Imperial Consort, known for being ruthless and wild. Even a single glance from the emperor at someone else could be fatal—yet now someone had actually fought her. This was a first.

People could only say that Shuyi Lin, emboldened by the Emperor’s current favor, had become far too daring.

The Left Prime Minister immediately entered the palace to support his daughter.

Meanwhile, Lin Muqing returned to Shuyu Palace and began discussing how to cook braised lion’s head meatballs with Xiaoyu.

She then listed the dish on the system’s marketplace for sale.

In this world, anything bought or sold could not be brought into the next world. So, purchases were limited to whatever was needed for the current timeline.

Having taken a God-Level Fertility Pill last night, she now prayed she wouldn’t end up pregnant with too many. It was time to start paving a path for the child’s future.

With a plate of braised lion’s head, she listed her desired item: Enlightenment Pill.

It was one of the most sought-after pills—she had never managed to snag one. According to its description, taking it would grant unparalleled comprehension in a particular field.

For example, someone gifted in mathematics might be able to master the subject to its very limit—capable of solving the world’s most difficult problems.

In her previous life, she had only seen such a pill once at the age of 40—and someone else bought it almost instantly. She never saw it again.

Unless she could trade with cultivators from another realm, there was no way to get one.

So, she had Xiaoyu make a variety of dishes, pretending she’d eaten them herself, offering them all in exchange for Enlightenment Pills.

Whether Jun Yuanming would favor other women once his health returned didn’t matter—she would never forget her main mission: produce an heir.

—

That evening, the Empress Dowager brought the Imperial Consort to confront her.

Lin Muqing had just finished eating and was walking around a small garden with Xiaoyu and Xiaoliu, chatting and laughing.

Suddenly, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort approached with a crowd of maids and matronly attendants—clearly, this wasn’t a friendly visit.

“Greetings to the Empress Dowager,” Lin Muqing curtsied.

This time, the Empress Dowager looked truly angry—unlike her detached tone yesterday, today she was clearly incensed.

“Shuyi Lin, kneel!”

Two old attendants stepped forward to press down her shoulders, intending to force her to the ground. The Imperial Consort stood smugly behind a veil, watching the scene with glee.

But Lin Muqing pushed away both women, firmly holding them off.

“Your Majesty, please investigate clearly. It was the Imperial Consort who tried to push me off the bridge…”

The Empress Dowager had never encountered anyone who dared talk back to her. Her raised hand trembled with fury. “You dare talk back? The Consort is covered in injuries while you remain unscathed—still trying to fool me?!”

“That adds another crime to your list! Don’t think Yuan’er’s favor means you can act lawlessly!”

The Empress Dowager already knew the Emperor had brought Lin Muqing to the Hall of Mental Cultivation last night. She simply wanted to take advantage of the Emperor’s absence to crush Lin Muqing’s growing influence—before she became a real threat.

“Kneel and apologize to the Consort!”

Lin Muqing’s gaze turned cold, her hands still firmly blocking the old women.

“I did nothing wrong. I won’t kneel.”

“What are you all waiting for?!” The Empress Dowager had never been treated this way since her return from the Cold Palace over a decade ago. Seeing her attendants frozen in place only made her angrier.

The Imperial Consort could hardly hide her glee. With her father stalling the Emperor, she didn’t believe Lin Muqing had any way to escape.

“Mother.”

A voice rang out—calm, cold, and unmistakably authoritative.

The truth was, the attendants weren’t frozen from indecision—they had seen a figure approaching rapidly in the distance.

That figure was now nearly upon them.

Lin Muqing remained calm, merely loosening her grip.

Next time, I’ll still hit her.

Jun Yuanming walked up, a man in black following behind—not Eunuch Qin, but someone faintly familiar.

An outsider appearing in such a scene…

An imperial shadow guard?

Lin Muqing watched Jun Yuanming come to stand beside her, as if they were allies.

Her heart beat faster.

She sneaked a glance at his chiseled, cool profile—so calm, so commanding.

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” she said.