After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 55

Seeing this, Amelia Su couldn’t help but feel a little confused, and couldn’t help asking: “Your Majesty, I don’t understand, why don’t we go directly to find the whereabouts of the Grand Princess, but instead check this folk princess?”

Li Qingge shook her head slightly, a hint of depth flashed in her eyes: "The Grand Princess is the only person in the Qing Dynasty who can be used to check and balance me. She must be under strict protection now. We just came here, and it is not easy to get news about her. After meeting the Grand Princess tonight, I am confident that I can take her back and not waste my time. As for this common princess, I think she has extraordinary behavior, and there will definitely be something interesting to watch in the future."

At this point, Li Qingge's thoughts could not help but drift away. She had originally planned to send someone to check the details of the successor, Nara, but now, she already knew that she was in the world of "My Fair Princess", and the successor was the villain queen who often opposed the protagonist and ended up badly. Li Qingge neither liked nor hated this queen. She felt that people were complex creatures with many sides. Just like Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the ministers thought he was moody, cruel and harsh, but the people praised him for punishing corrupt officials and developing agriculture, and he was a model of a wise monarch. To his first wife, Empress Ma, and the crown prince Zhu Biao, he showed a side of deep affection and kindness as a father. Therefore, a person's image will change due to different angles of observation. Only by combining all aspects can we see the whole person.

In the same way, the queen was dignified and reserved in front of the concubines, but in front of the protagonists, she and Rong Mama were regarded as old witches. Li Qingge was very curious, what would the queen's reaction be if she knew that her daughter who died young was still alive? Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable expectation in her heart.

As the night deepened, the moonlight filled the entire inn like water. Li Qingge changed into a nightgown and moved nimbly through the night. Her destination was the palace, where she wanted to see the person - the eldest princess.

The palace was brightly lit and heavily guarded. But Li Qingge was like a nobody, easily avoiding all the guards and patrols. She came to the Grand Princess's bedroom and gently opened the door. She saw the Grand Princess sitting in front of a bronze mirror, dressing herself.

When the Grand Princess saw Li Qingge, she was stunned at first, then she showed a look of surprise: "Qingge, why are you here?"

Li Qingge smiled slightly, walked forward, and held the Grand Princess's hand: "I'm here to take you home."

The eldest princess' eyes were moist, and she held Li Qingge's hand tightly: "I knew you would come."

The two smiled at each other, and without saying anything, they understood each other. Li Qingge took the eldest princess and easily avoided the guards of the palace and returned to the inn.

After a good night's sleep, the next morning, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds and sprinkled on the earth, Li Qingge had already changed into a dragon robe and put on a golden crown with twelve white jade beads hanging from it, looking majestic and solemn. She stood at the door of the posthouse, looking at the rising sun in the distance, her heart filled with infinite pride and ambition.

The Palace of Heavenly Purity was where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty handled government affairs and received distinguished guests. After the death of Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yongzheng moved to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but the Palace of Heavenly Purity was still the most important place in the harem. In order to show the majesty of the Celestial Empire, Emperor Qianlong specially ordered people to decorate it carefully to welcome Li Qingge's arrival.

Li Qingge brought the eldest princess and Su Xiaomei to the Qianqing Palace. The palace was magnificent with carved beams and painted buildings, showing the royal style. Emperor Qianlong had been waiting for a long time, and when he saw Li Qingge and others, he immediately came to greet them.

"Qingge, you are finally here." There was some excitement and joy in Emperor Qianlong's voice.

Li Qingge bowed slightly, his voice cold and firm: "Your Highness, I, Li Qingge, pay my respects to His Majesty."

Emperor Qianlong quickly helped her up and said with a smile, "No need to be polite, please take a seat."

The group sat down as host and guest, and Emperor Qianlong began to ask Li Qingge about the purpose of his visit. Li Qingge did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose: "I came here for two reasons: first, to bring back the eldest princess, and second, to see the prosperity and power of the Qing Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianlong laughed out loud: "Good, good, you are indeed a straightforward person. Don't worry, I will make sure that your trip is worthwhile."

In the following days, accompanied by Emperor Qianlong, Li Qingge visited various scenic spots in the imperial palace and witnessed the prosperity and strength of the Qing Dynasty. She also had a better understanding and appreciation of this Qing emperor. Although Emperor Qianlong was a bit ambitious, he was indeed a capable monarch. Under his rule, the Qing Dynasty was peaceful and the people lived and worked in peace.

Li Qingge's arrival also brought a breath of fresh air to the Qing Dynasty's imperial palace. Her intelligence and unique insights impressed Emperor Qianlong and the concubines in the harem. Her deep friendship with the eldest princess was envied by everyone.

During this time, Li Qingge did not forget the common princess. She secretly sent someone to investigate her life experience and background, and learned that she was indeed a kind, smart, and brave woman. She was full of expectations and curiosity about this princess. She knew that the appearance of this princess would definitely bring an unusual storm to the Qing Dynasty palace.

This storm will also become Li Qingge's most exciting experience in the Qing Dynasty palace. She is looking forward to meeting this princess and showing her wisdom and courage in this storm.

Last night, the moonlight was like a silver thread, quietly sprinkled on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, covering this ancient imperial city with a layer of soft silver gauze. Li Qingge, a woman who was a little special in the palace, was sleeping soundly, her sleeping face was peaceful and serene, as if all the noise from the outside world could not disturb her dreams. However, Emperor Qianlong suddenly felt that the place where she lived was not grand enough on this quiet night, and was not worthy of her upcoming status. So, he gave an order, and the people in the palace surged like a tide, busy all night and until dawn, just to make it lively and show the royal style.

At this moment, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was truly magnificent. The morning sun shone through the clouds and sprinkled on every corner of the palace, bathing the entire palace in golden glory. The flowers seemed to have sensed this glory and blossomed even more brilliantly, covering the entire courtyard like brocade. The silks were spread out like clouds, colorful and glittering. Everywhere were glittering jewels, and the gold and silver were dazzling, as if the prosperity of the entire Kangxi and Qianlong eras was condensed here.

Emperor Qianlong sat on a high dragon throne, wearing a dragon robe and a crown, looking majestic and solemn. He said he wanted to invite guests for dinner, so he specially called Li Qingge here and set up a grand banquet in the middle of the palace. The banquet was extremely luxurious, the tablecloth was silk embroidered with gold and silver, the tableware was finely carved jade, and every dish was a delicacy carefully prepared by the imperial chefs, the aroma was fragrant and mouth-watering.

The emperor sat in the middle, high above, but seemed a little lonely. Below him were people sitting on the left and right. On the left were the royal family's relatives, who were dressed in gorgeous clothes, sitting or standing, with different expressions. On the right were the civil and military officials, who were dressed in court robes, with solemn expressions, waiting for the banquet to begin.

On the royal family side, Prince Zhuang Yunlu sat in the front row. He was the sixteenth son of Emperor Kangxi. Since the death of the thirteenth prince Yinxiang, he was the closest to Emperor Shizong. Now, all the sons of Emperor Kangxi were gone. Yunlu was the sixteenth son and inherited the title of the Iron Hat Prince. Therefore, he had the highest generation and the closest blood relationship among the royal family, and his status was even more noble. He was dressed in gorgeous princely clothes and a crown inlaid with gems, and his demeanor was solemn and majestic.

Prince Hong Zhou sat next to Yun Lu. He was the younger brother of Emperor Qianlong and was famous for his absurdity. He particularly liked to hold his own funeral. Whether this absurdity was true or not, only he knew it. Hong Zhou was dressed in gorgeous clothes, but his expression seemed a little lazy and indifferent, as if he was not very interested in the banquet.

Hongxiao, as Yinxiang's son, inherited the title of Prince Yi and was also one of the iron-hat princes. He sat behind Hongzhou. Although he was of noble status, he looked a little reserved and humble. He knew that his cousins ​​were not as close as his brothers, so he always kept a certain distance and politeness in his seat.

The other royal relatives were seated according to their status and closeness to the emperor. Some were sitting, some were standing, some were chatting and laughing, some were bowing their heads in deep thought, each immersed in their own world.

Among the civil and military ministers, Agui was undoubtedly the most outstanding one. He was dressed in the armor of a general and a red tasseled hat, and he looked heroic and majestic. Even the emperor's favorite Heshen and the clever Ji Xiaolan could not compare to him. Agui was an outstanding talent in the Qianlong Dynasty who was good at both civil and military affairs, and the emperor liked him very much. Last year, he made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion of the Hezhuo brothers. His family had been prominent for generations, and he had a lot of military achievements, which often made Heshen look inferior. At the banquet, he sat upright, with a solemn and majestic look, as if he was an unshakable mountain.

He Shen sat next to Ah Gui, wearing a gorgeous court dress and an official hat, but his expression was a bit complicated. He knew that his status in front of the emperor was not as good as Ah Gui, so he always kept a certain distance and was cautious at the banquet. He would steal a glance at Ah Gui from time to time, secretly thinking about how to gain more favor in front of the emperor.

Ji Xiaolan and Liu Yong sat opposite Heshen. Both of them were wise men in the court and often competed with Heshen in wits and courage. At the banquet, they talked and laughed, looking relaxed, as if they did not regard the banquet as a big deal. However, they all knew in their hearts that the political turmoil and court struggles were hidden behind this banquet.

Emperor Qianlong seemed to have forgotten that he had to meet Queen Dayan today. He waved his hand and the palace servants filed in and filled the tables with delicious food and drinks. The emperor and the ministers ate happily and laughed from ear to ear, as if the whole palace was immersed in this joy and bustle.

However, behind this joy and bustle, there is an unknown tension and worry. The eunuch Li Yu stood beside the emperor, frowning slightly, his eyes revealing a trace of worry and uneasiness. He whispered to the emperor: "Your Majesty, the Queen of Dayan has been waiting for a long time..." He knew that the emperor wanted to show off his power, but thinking of the queen's power and the possible consequences, he couldn't help but feel a little scared.

Emperor Qianlong smiled when he heard this. He seemed not to take the Queen's arrival as a big deal. He said seriously, "Let her in." The word "Xuan" actually regarded the Great Yan Dynasty as a small vassal state. In his eyes, the Queen's status was not as high as that of a county king, let alone a prince. This arrogance and contempt was undoubtedly a provocation and insult to the Queen.

Li Yu walked quickly to the entrance of the palace and shouted loudly: "Queen Xuan Da Yan Ming De is here to see you!" When these words came out, everyone in the room was stunned. They all put down their chopsticks and wine glasses, turned their heads and looked at the entrance of the palace, waiting for the arrival of the queen. The royal relatives and ministers didn't know that the queen was coming. When they heard this, they realized that today's banquet was to entertain the queen. But the banquet started before the people arrived, which seemed a bit disrespectful, and everyone was scared. They secretly thought about the queen's reaction and possible consequences.

The door of the hall slowly opened, and the sun poured in from outside, illuminating the entire hall. A woman dressed in gorgeous clothes and wearing a phoenix crown slowly walked into the hall. Her steps were steady and solemn, as if every step was stepping on people's heartstrings. She was the Queen Mingde of Dayan, the overlord of the south, a legendary figure. Her arrival made the entire hall fall into silence and solemnity. People stood up and saluted to welcome the noble queen. And Emperor Qianlong, in this silence and solemnity, showed a solemn and dignified look, as if he was welcoming an impending storm.

In the magnificent palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated faces that were either surprised or curious. The knowledgeable relatives and ministers put down their chopsticks one by one. The carefully prepared delicacies seemed to have lost their appeal at this moment, and the scene fell into unprecedented chaos. The crisp sound of silverware colliding and whispers intertwined to form a subtle picture.

As soon as Li Yugang finished speaking, ripples spread rapidly, just like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake. At this moment, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall. The sound was as heavy as thunder rolling down a distant mountain, shaking the ground as if it were trembling. The wine on the table splashed due to the sudden vibration, falling on the delicate porcelain like drizzle, sparkling with crystal light. This extraordinary movement was caused by Li Qingge's internal strength. Her strength was so profound that it was said that she could penetrate ten layers of ice, which made people shudder.

He Shen, the minister who was always known for his wit and cunning, stood up angrily at this moment, his face livid, as if someone had violated the biggest taboo. "The Queen of Dayan is so rude, making such a big fuss, obviously she doesn't take our emperor seriously!" His voice was filled with undisguised anger, and his eyes flashed with hostility towards the unknown.

Emperor Qianlong, the supreme ruler sitting on the dragon throne, frowned, his face was obviously unhappy, and a complex light flashed in his deep eyes. He slowly put down the jade chopsticks in his hand, his eyes passed through the crowd, as if waiting for something.

The guests had not seen anyone yet, but just hearing the shocking footsteps filled their hearts with endless curiosity and imagination. They exchanged glances, wondering in their hearts: Who exactly is this legendary Lord of the Great Flame? Is he really as described in the rumors, with a ferocious appearance, a green face and fangs, a voice as deep as an old cow, and a cruel and bloodthirsty person? For a moment, all kinds of speculations and imaginations intertwined in their minds, making the atmosphere in the entire hall even more tense and subtle.

Just as everyone was immersed in their own thoughts, Li Qingge had already walked in with her head held high. The Great Yan Kingdom worships fire and regards red as noble. The vermilion brocade dragon robe she wore was even more gorgeous under the candlelight. The robe was embroidered with twelve chapters and dragon patterns, and every stitch and thread revealed exquisite craftsmanship and extraordinary status. The golden crown and the robe complemented each other. There was no extra decoration, but it was more noble and majestic. Except for the difference in gender, she was dressed like a majestic male emperor, and every step she took was like a king.

She walked with an upright posture, and every step she took seemed so firm and powerful. The white jade tassels on her crown swayed gently with her steps, but she always remained motionless. Her demeanor was truly awe-inspiring. It is said that a king would not change color even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, or be frightened even if a tiger was pressing behind him. Look at this queen, she actually has such a calm and majestic temperament, as if she was born to be a king. No matter where she is, she can become the focus of everyone's attention.

She wore a bronze mask on her face, revealing only a pair of eyes as bright as autumn water. Those eyes were as cold as ice and as sharp as a blade, as if they could see through people's hearts and split people in half in an instant. Her eyes revealed an unquestionable majesty and murderous aura that made people dare not look directly at her.

When the guests saw the Queen coming in person, except for Emperor Qianlong, they all stood up to greet her and tried to treat her with courtesy. However, Li Qingge, as if she hadn't seen anything, walked straight into the hall with Su Xiaomei, Yang Tianxiong and others, only three feet away from Emperor Qianlong's throne. She looked straight at Emperor Qianlong, neither bowing nor greeting him, but just observing him quietly, as if she was measuring the weight of this Qing emperor.

Yang Tianxiong, as the envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom, bowed slightly and said in a loud voice: "Our Queen greets the Emperor of the Great Qing!" His voice echoed in the hall and was particularly clear.

The Qing Dynasty, as the pinnacle of the feudal system, had strict rules and the supremacy of the monarch. When ministers attended court, they sat in the Tang Dynasty and stood in the Song Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, they had to kneel to report matters. The same was true for greeting, which required kneeling first and then greeting. When Qianlong saw that Li Qingge did not follow the rules to perform the greetings and asked others to greet him, and did not even kneel, he immediately felt that he had lost all face and showed an anger that was difficult to conceal on his face.

However, Li Qingge had her own plans. She thought to herself, "It's not polite if you don't return the favor." You gave me a warning first, so why should I be so fussy about formalities? A sly look flashed in her eyes, as if she had seen through Qianlong's mind.

He Shen understood Qianlong's thoughts best and knew that Qianlong valued face the most. Since he ascended the throne, he had never encountered such a rude situation. He stood up suddenly, his finger almost poking Li Qingge's nose, and angrily said: "Since you have come to see the emperor, why don't you follow the rules and perform the ceremony? It is arrogant enough to let your entourage perform the ceremony on your behalf, not to mention that you are not polite and disrespectful to the emperor. What crime should you be punished for?"

Li Qingge glanced at him coldly. This glance seemed to contain a great force, which made Heshen's scalp numb and his hair stand on end. She snorted lightly, and although the sound was light, it seemed to penetrate people's hearts. Then, she used her inner strength to transform into an invisible wall and slammed into it. The invisible force stirred in the air, making the surrounding air seem to solidify, making people suffocate.

In the magnificent palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated scenes of power and dignity. Heshen, a minister known for his cunning and cleverness, was struck by a bolt from the blue. He trembled violently, as if an invisible force had penetrated his body. A fishy and sweet taste surged in his throat, a mixture of fear and anger. Blood flowed out of the corners of his mouth uncontrollably. He hurriedly wiped it with his sleeve. His flustered and embarrassed appearance formed a sharp contrast with his usual calmness, which shocked people.

The princes and ministers at the banquet looked at each other in astonishment and uneasiness as they saw the imperial power being insulted so directly and Heshen losing his composure. They didn't know what to do, as if they were in a sudden storm and couldn't extricate themselves. In the center of the storm, Li Qingge stood there quietly like a proudly blooming winter plum. She looked at Qianlong sitting on the throne with a half-smile on her lips, which contained both sarcasm and provocation. She said, "You are the master of the Manchus, and I am the king of the Han Dynasty. The emperors of our two dynasties are now standing side by side, without distinction of superiority or inferiority. So, I will send my subjects to say hello on my behalf." Her voice was clear and firm, as if every word contained infinite power.

After saying that, she curled the corners of her lips and smiled, "I heard that the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty is wise and powerful, attaches great importance to etiquette and abides by the rules. He will definitely understand the special status of our identity. After all, times have changed!" Her smile revealed an indescribable self-confidence and arrogance, as if she had completely grasped the initiative of this contest.

Indeed, the times have changed a lot. Back then, Li Qingge was just a subordinate of a traitor, living in fear all day, fearing that he would lose his life one day. But now? Da Yan has become a powerful force on par with the Qing court. Although the Qing court was indignant, it was powerless and had to recognize Li Qingge's regime in the end. This change was undoubtedly earth-shaking for Li Qingge.

Qianlong was already over fifty years old, and the years had left deep marks on his face. At this moment, his face became increasingly gloomy, as if a dark cloud was pressing down on his head, as if he would burst into earth-shaking anger at any time. He pursed his lips tightly, and his knuckles turned white, which was a sign of extreme anger. He looked at Li Qingge, as if he was pierced by a sharp sword, with murderous intent. He said, "The Queen of Dayan is indeed not an ordinary person. I am so lucky to see her with my own eyes today. The banquet is ready, please move to the seat of honor, Queen." His voice was low and powerful, as if every word contained endless majesty and pressure.

Upon hearing this, Li Yu quickly shouted, "Serve the meal!" His voice penetrated the entire palace, making the already tense atmosphere even more solemn. As soon as he finished speaking, palace servants came in one after another. They were well-trained and agile, and quickly set up a long red sandalwood table next to Qianlong's throne. The table was filled with delicacies and fine wines, and it really had everything, as if all the delicacies in the world were presented in this feast.

However, facing this feast, Li Qingge had no appetite at all. She turned her head to look at Yang Tianxiong standing beside her and shouted: "Baoli——" Her voice was crisp and loud, as if it could penetrate the hustle and bustle of the entire palace. Yang Tianxiong was stunned for a moment, but soon understood what she meant and smiled and replied: "Your Highness." His voice revealed an indescribable firmness and loyalty.

"Pour me some wine, I want to toast the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty!" Li Qingge said. Her voice revealed an undisguised provocation and teasing, as if she wanted to push this contest to a climax.

"As you wish!" Yang Tianxiong replied. He picked up the wine pot, slowly filled a glass of wine, and then respectfully handed it to Li Qingge. His movements were smooth and graceful, as if he was performing a sacred ceremony.

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the room was stunned. You know, in the minds of people at that time, taboos were an extremely important thing. Especially the name of the monarch, you have to be careful and cautious, and you can't mention it casually. Just like Emperor Taizong of Tang had to change the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva because there was a "Shi" in his name; Emperor Yongzheng was named Yinzhen. After he ascended the throne, the names of his brothers of the same generation had to change "Yin" to "Yun". Only Prince Yi Yinxiang was granted permission to use his original name. There is also the name of the empress dowager, which must be avoided. For example, Empress Lu's name was Zhi, and the people had to use pheasant instead. And now, Li Qingge actually shouted "Baoli" directly, which was the title of Prince Bao of Qianlong in the past. She shouted like this, obviously teasing Qianlong's name and provoking his authority.

When Prince Yi Hongxiao heard this, his face changed instantly. He shouted, "How can you say the emperor's name casually? Queen Da Yan is so arrogant and rude!" His voice revealed an undisguised anger and dissatisfaction, as if he wanted to completely suppress Li Qingge's arrogance.

Qianlong was moved when he heard Hong Xiao's words. He remembered the deep friendship between the late emperor and his uncle, and Hong Xiao's loyalty to his master. These memories came to his mind like a tide, and he felt a surge of gratitude. But this gratitude was soon replaced by anger. He was more angry than ever before, and his eyes widened as he stared at Li Qingge, as if he wanted to see through her. He clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles white with anger, as if he would burst out with earth-shaking power at any time.

Everyone at the banquet was shocked to see Qianlong's anger. They knew that when the emperor was furious, the heaven and earth would change color. Queen Dayan's actions were undoubtedly against the dragon's reverse scale! They all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at Qianlong's anger. The whole palace fell into a dead silence, as if even the air had frozen.

However, in this dead silence, Li Qingge stood there quietly like a plum blossom blooming proudly. She looked at Qianlong's angry face and felt secretly happy. She treated him the way Qianlong treated her, so that he could also taste the feeling of being insulted and provoked. This feeling of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was really refreshing! She seemed to have seen herself winning this contest and becoming the real king.

In the magnificent and brightly lit Qianqing Palace, a banquet was going on. Li Qingge, the queen of Da Yan, was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe and pearls on her head. Her eyebrows revealed a heroic spirit that could not be ignored. There was a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if she could see into people's hearts.

She explained with a smile: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I didn't offend your name. The 'Baoli' I mentioned just now is actually the 'Bao' which means to protect the country and the people, plus the 'Li' which means to be able to carry a tripod. Together they form 'Baoli'. This name is quite common in our Dayan. I heard that a real estate tycoon recently also used this name, but it's just a pseudonym." Her voice was clear and pleasant, like the gurgling of a mountain stream, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

As she spoke, she took the wine glass handed over by Yang Tianxiong. The wine glass was made of fine white jade, crystal clear, as if it could reflect the secrets in people's hearts. She raised the wine glass to Qianlong and said with a smile: "Come, I want to toast the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty!" After that, she raised her head and drank it all in one gulp. Her posture was free and easy, and quite masculine.

When Qianlong saw that she drank alone and didn't accompany him, his face darkened. He said coldly: "Isn't the Queen's explanation a bit far-fetched?" His voice was low and powerful, as if it could penetrate the fog in people's hearts.

Li Qingge smiled like a flower, her smile was bright and brilliant, as if it could illuminate the entire palace. "Where is it far-fetched? The custom of avoiding taboos is outdated. My name is Li Qingge. Many of my subordinates wear gold and jade, and many have the same name. I didn't force them to change their names. I think that truly confident people are strong inside. If you get angry over a few words, it would be too narrow-minded. Isn't it said that a prime minister can hold a boat in his stomach? Your Majesty, you are the emperor, you should be broad-minded, how can you care about these trivial matters?" Her words revealed an indescribable self-confidence and arrogance, as if she was the queen who could control everything.

Qianlong was choked by her words, and his face darkened. He said coldly: "The Queen of Dayan is not only superb in martial arts, but also speaks as sharp as a sword, and every word is like a thorn. She is really a wonderful woman!" His voice revealed an anger and unwillingness that was difficult to conceal.

Li Qingge smiled, her expression unchanged. She seemed not to sense Qianlong's anger, and remained calm and composed. "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I don't deserve it. What I am good at is chopping off a few more enemy generals' heads on the battlefield." Her words revealed a bloody and cruel atmosphere that shocked people.

These words were like salt sprinkled on the wound in Qianlong's heart. He said gloomily: "The Queen of Dayan is really as good as a man, young and talented, my children can't compare to you!" His voice revealed a kind of helplessness and emotion.

Li Qingge didn't answer, she just drank by herself. The wine was a strong liquor specially made by the Qianqing Palace, with a bright color and a fragrant aroma. She drank a few cups in a row, even a strong man would get drunk, but she was still sober. Her every move revealed the demeanor of an emperor, that calmness and composure seemed to be innate.

Qianlong suppressed his anger, his eyes flashing with complex light. He asked: "I heard that the queen's voice is like that of a young woman. I wonder if you have a lover?" His voice revealed a kind of curiosity and expectation that was difficult to conceal.

Li Qingge uttered one word: "No!" Her voice was crisp and clear, without any hesitation.

Qianlong was slightly delighted and asked again: "Then what kind of man do you like?" His voice revealed an eagerness and desire that was difficult to conceal.

Li Qingge was stunned for a moment, then she thought of something and felt a chill in her heart. She said coldly: "I like young and handsome men who speak gently and humorously. I hate those old and ugly men who think they are young, daydream all day, and think that all women in the world like their greasy appearance." Her voice revealed an unconcealable disgust and disdain.

Qianlong knew she was scolding him, and he was resentful in his heart. But he still smiled and said, "The queen's requirements are really high, but according to this standard, where can we find such a person in the world?" His voice revealed an irony and sarcasm that was difficult to conceal.

Li Qingge said calmly: "Forget it if I can't find one. Marriage is all about fate. I won't get married just for the sake of getting married. It's good to be alone and quiet. As the old saying goes, the debt of children is the hardest to repay. If you give birth to unfilial children, you won't even have the face to cry in front of the ancestors, that would be really infuriating." Her voice revealed an indescribable indifference and detachment. It was as if she had transcended the constraints of the world and became a true king.

In this banquet full of undercurrents, the contest between Li Qingge and Qianlong seemed like a silent war. Their words revealed their respective positions and attitudes, as well as their suspicion and vigilance against each other. However, in this war, Li Qingge always maintained her calmness and composure, as if she had seen through it all and became the real controller.

Li Qingge's words "There is no sorrow in front of the deceased's spirit" refer to the 13th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign when Empress Xiaoxian passed away. The national mourning made the entire Forbidden City immersed in solemnity and sorrow. It was a gloomy day with a gray sky, as if even the heavens were mourning the passing of this virtuous empress.

The eldest prince Yonghuang and the third prince Yongzhang stood in front of their stepmother's spirit, both wearing black mourning clothes, but their faces looked a little wooden. Yonghuang was just in his early twenties, thin and handsome, but at this moment his eyes revealed an indescribable confusion and helplessness. Yongzhang was even more like a child, with a few tears on his chubby face, but he obviously couldn't cry out the heart-wrenching feeling.

Emperor Qianlong stood aside, his eyes piercing as he scanned his two sons. His face was stern, and his brows revealed an unquestionable majesty. When he saw that Yonghuang and Yongzhang did not show much sadness in front of their stepmother's spirit, his anger was instantly ignited.

"You two unfilial sons!" Qianlong's voice was like thunder, echoing in the mourning hall, "Your stepmother treated you as her own children, and now that she is gone, you don't even have the slightest expression of sorrow! You are unworthy of being sons!"

Yonghuang and Yongzhang were so frightened that they trembled. They wanted to defend themselves, but they dared not speak. After all, under the wrath of their father, any defense seemed so pale and powerless. Yonghuang was so upset that he knew he was not unfilial, but facing the death of his stepmother, he really couldn't cry out of the heart-wrenching feeling. Yongzhang was so frightened that he fell ill and died soon after.

After this incident, Qianlong deprived Yonghuang and Yongzhang of their right to inherit the throne. In this rage, both sons lost their hope of succession, which was a rare thing among emperors. And the aftermath of this incident is far from over.

Time flies, and decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Li Qingge, the queen of Dayan, has grown into a heroic woman with both wisdom and courage. She is not only an excellent martial artist, but also has a sharp mind and sharp words.

On this day, Li Qingge was invited to Qianlong's banquet. The banquet was crowded with guests and very lively, but Li Qingge always maintained a calm attitude. She wore gorgeous clothes, pearls and jade on her head, and her face was beautiful and cold, as if all the worldly prosperity could not touch her heart.

When Qianlong saw Li Qingge, a complex light flashed in his eyes. He knew that this queen was not only skilled in martial arts, but also had extraordinary wisdom and courage. So he said sarcastically: "Li Qingge, your words are like knives, which is really uncomplimentary!"

Li Qingge sneered when she heard this. She said back without showing any weakness: "Emperor Qianlong, you are not kind either! Your daughter is naturally unfilial." Her voice was clear and powerful, as if it could penetrate all hypocrisy and affectation.

Everyone in the room lowered their heads, fearing that the disaster would affect them. They all knew how powerful Li Qingge was, and even more so, how majestic Qianlong was. At this moment, they wished they could find a crack in the ground to hide in, so as not to be involved in this storm.

Everyone said that Li Qingge, the queen of Dayan, was good at fighting and conquered people with force. But at this moment, they found that Li Qingge was also very good at talking. When she spoke to Qianlong, every word seemed to be thorny and weird, poking directly into Qianlong's heart. This courage was really surprising!
Qianlong was so angry at Li Qingge's words that his face turned blue, but he suppressed his anger and didn't lose it. He knew that this banquet couldn't be disrupted by his anger, so he took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

At this moment, Qianlong suddenly changed the subject and said with a smile: "I praised you as a person of character, and you really didn't disappoint me. Meeting you today is originally a happy event, but I want to add some more happiness. What do you think?"

Li Qingge raised her eyebrows and asked, "How to add joy?" There was a sense of playfulness and curiosity in her voice.

Qianlong smiled and said, "Reunion of relatives, isn't this a happy event?" There was a profound meaning in his words.

Li Qingge's smile gradually faded, and she replied, "Of course it's a happy event, but I don't know who this relative is?" She had already vaguely guessed Qianlong's intention in her heart, but she continued to ask calmly.

Li Qingge already knew from previous correspondence that Jin Aicai and Jin Zhaodi had been arrested by Emperor Qianlong. She knew that Emperor Qianlong was trying to use these two people to test and threaten her. But she was not afraid at all, and instead had an urge to compete with Emperor Qianlong.

Qianlong smiled meaningfully, but without saying anything directly, he asked Li Yu to bring the person up. Li Yu left in response, and soon brought a person in. The person was thin, quite old, with white hair and a hunched back. She was wearing old coarse cloth. When she saw Qianlong, she knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "I, a commoner, greet the emperor and all the nobles."

Li Qingge saw that she was looking down, so she couldn't see her face clearly, but as soon as she heard the voice, she knew it was her aunt Jin Zhaodi in her memory. She suppressed her inner excitement and anger, and slowly tasted the soft fried tenderloin on the table with her gold and silver chopsticks. It tasted crispy and delicious, but she felt like chewing wax.

Qianlong smiled and said to Li Qingge, "Turn around and look at the person on your left. Do you recognize him?" There was a hint of teasing and provocation in his voice.

Jin Zhaodi raised her head in fear and met Li Qingge's eyes. After not seeing her for several years, her aunt looked older. Her face was full of traces of frost and her hair was much whiter. Maybe it was because of the suffering she suffered in prison, or maybe it was because she hated her own brother's betrayal, she looked particularly haggard and much older than her actual age.

Li Qingge looked at her aunt's haggard face, and an indescribable sadness welled up in her heart. She remembered her aunt's love and care for her when she was a child, and the hard work and sacrifices she made for their family. Now, her aunt has become a pawn in Qianlong's hands, used to test and threaten her.

(End of this chapter)