Chapter 38: Liu Zhaoyi’s Wine

Shen Yuling quietly observed another adversary—the Liu Zhaoyi who had provided Liu Jingyi with much assistance.

In the previous life of the original host, it was during this birthday banquet that Liu Zhaoyi had drugged her.

At that time, the original host thought she was merely drunk and went outside for some fresh air to sober up.

Little did she know, her consciousness was becoming increasingly unclear.

She was even led by a palace maid to a pavilion, where she foolishly undressed.

Fortunately, Liu Zhaoyi did not take things too far.

It seemed that Liu Jingyi hadn’t yet harbored such strong hatred for the original host back then; she merely wanted Feng Moheng to develop a dislike for her.

Moreover, since the original host was a member of the Shen family, if the matter escalated and the Emperor investigated, it would also be difficult for Liu Zhaoyi to escape blame.

Thus, in the end, only the Emperor, Liu Zhaoyi, Princess Xihe, and Prince Lingyang, among others who should have witnessed the original host’s disgraceful scene, saw her humiliation.

Quan Minghe had originally brought the Shen family daughter to Qianjing as a hostage.

Naturally, he did not want to bring shame to the Shen and Ye families over a single woman, so he forcefully sealed the matter and forbade any public mention of it.

After the original host awoke, she was melancholic for a long time due to this incident.

Her heart was filled with grievances and shame, nearly drowning her.

However, Feng Moheng’s affection for the original host was merely to provoke Liu Jingyi and make her jealous.

Thus, Liu Jingyi’s schemes did not affect Feng Moheng’s continued display of what he claimed to be affection for the original host.

Liu Jingyi mistakenly believed that Feng Moheng genuinely liked the original host, which is why he did not mind her bringing shame to the Prince’s residence.

Consequently, she resorted to even more ruthless tactics against the original host.

Yet…

Shen Yuling harbored doubts in her heart.

If Feng Moheng did not like the original host, then why had he consummated their marriage?

Why had he even allowed the original host to have a child?

And after the child was born, why had he been so heartless, watching the original host meet a tragic end in the raging flames?

These thoughts lingered in Shen Yuling’s mind.

It would be revealed in time.

For tonight, the most pressing matter was Liu Zhaoyi.

Liu Jingyi had been provoked by her in the Peony Garden last time, which had pushed her over the edge; her situation was different from the original host’s.

It was uncertain what insidious tactics Liu Zhaoyi would employ against her tonight.

As Shen Yuling pondered, the royal relatives and ministers began presenting their gifts to the Emperor.

The first to present a gift was Princess Xihe, the Emperor’s beloved elder sister, who held an extraordinarily noble status.

Following her was Prince Lingyang, Feng Moheng, who enjoyed the glory bestowed by Princess Xihe.

Feng Moheng rose gracefully.

Shen Yuling quietly followed behind him, keeping her head down the entire time.

Previously, when Quan Minghe heard Shen Yuling say she would celebrate the Emperor’s birthday alongside her husband, he had darkened in expression.

Now, the scene Shen Yuling described was unfolding before his eyes.

He had never seen Shen Yuling and Feng Moheng together.

Yet even now, standing side by side in such a formal manner, a sense of brutality arose in Quan Minghe’s heart.

His gaze deepened.

The thought of wanting to expel Feng Moheng from Qianjing grew stronger.

Fortunately, he was not worried about any illicit affairs between Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling.

Quan Minghe scoffed inwardly.

After Feng Moheng leaves Qianjing, he would lift the charm he had placed on him.

For now, he would have to endure this nephew of his; he certainly could not let himself be wronged.

Maintaining his dignified demeanor, Quan Minghe watched with a deep, unfathomable gaze at the two who were bowing in respect below.

Shen Yuling remained with her head lowered.

She did not want to provoke Quan Minghe.

It was better that he took his anger out on Feng Moheng instead.

Feng Moheng exchanged glances with the Emperor.

He sensed something strange in his uncle’s gaze tonight.

Yet, upon careful reflection, he could not pinpoint what was off.

Just as Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling finished their greetings and were about to return to their seats, Liu Zhaoyi suddenly spoke up.

She slightly turned her head.

With a sweet voice directed at the Emperor, she said, “Your Majesty, I truly did not expect that the Prince’s wife would be so beautiful and enchanting.”

“Your Majesty, when you decreed the marriage, bestowing such a beauty upon Prince Lingyang, it appears that the two of them are indeed a match made in heaven.”

Quan Minghe’s dark eyes seemed capable of dripping ink.

Shen Yuling continued to keep her head down.

She struggled to hold back her laughter, fearing she would burst out laughing at Liu Zhaoyi’s audacity to provoke her in front of Quan Minghe.

Quan Minghe said nothing.

Shen Yuling did not wish to speak up now, nor did she want to answer Liu Zhaoyi’s question.

Let Feng Moheng respond instead.

Feng Moheng maintained a calm and steady demeanor, speaking neither too humbly nor too arrogantly.

“Your Highness, you flatter me. It is truly a great blessing for my wife and me to have received Your Majesty’s decree for marriage. I only wish to support my wife and uphold our duties, serving Your Majesty and our dynasty, not to disappoint Your Majesty’s grace.”

Liu Zhaoyi nodded gently.

Then her gaze fell upon Shen Yuling, who still kept her head lowered.

“Prince’s wife, I am but the daughter of a civil official. I have heard many heroic tales of the Great Protector’s battles alongside Your Majesty, and I deeply admire him.”

“Today, to have the fortune of meeting the Prince’s wife feels like seeing the Great Protector in person.”

Being singled out, Shen Yuling had no choice but to lift her head, forcing a smile that did not reach her eyes as she looked at Liu Zhaoyi.

She did not dare glance in Quan Minghe’s direction.

“Your Highness overpraises me. My father fought bravely throughout his life, and what he did was merely his duty. To earn Your Majesty’s trust is the glory of the Shen family.”

Shen Yuling paused, words of flattery spilling forth.

“Your Highness hails from a family of civil officials, and your talent is indeed extraordinary. Now, as the foremost lady in the harem, you possess both virtue and grace. To meet you today is truly as the rumors say; your elegance and poise are exceptional.”

Liu Zhaoyi secretly sighed, realizing that the daughter of the Shen family was indeed difficult to deal with, speaking flawlessly.

However, due to the flattery, her smile grew even brighter.

Yet in her eyes, there seemed to be a hint of inscrutable calculation.

“The Prince’s wife has such sweet words; the Great Protector’s achievements are indeed remarkable.”

“Today, being the occasion of Your Majesty’s birthday banquet, the Great Protector is not here. I wonder if I may trouble the Prince’s wife to take the place of the Great Protector and share a drink with me?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuling’s heart sank, confirming that Liu Zhaoyi had no good intentions.

Mentioning her father’s great achievements while pointing out his absence at the Emperor’s birthday celebration, she had no reason to refuse, as she was supposed to drink on behalf of her father.

Before she could come up with a suitable excuse to decline, a palace maid approached, holding a tray with a cup of wine.

But how could Liu Zhaoyi’s wine be something to be casually consumed?

The original host had already drunk wine laced with Liu Zhaoyi’s drugs.

Shen Yuling stared at the cup of wine, silently gritting her teeth.

Yet she could only extend her hand to take the wine cup.

Holding the cup, her gaze remained fixed on the liquid, but she dared not bring it to her lips.

In the current situation, all eyes were on her.

She found no reason to refuse this cup of wine.

The high-ranking concubines in the harem saw Liu Zhaoyi’s behavior and couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

While Liu Zhaoyi schemed against the various concubines in the harem, it was unexpected that she would employ such tactics against the Prince’s wife.

It was obvious that this was all for her sister, who was a concubine in the Prince’s residence.

Yet while these concubines understood Liu Zhaoyi’s actions, whether they felt disgusted or resentful, they maintained an attitude of detachment, choosing not to interfere.

Liu Zhaoyi’s influence in the harem was immense, not something others could easily resist.

Just the two princes she had borne were enough to sway the Emperor’s affections towards her.

Who would dare to provoke her lightly?