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

Chapter 59

Although the military equipment and military strength of Japan were just like children's play in the eyes of Emperor Li Qingge and the court officials of Dayan, and they did not take them seriously at all, General Shi Shuyu never dared to slack off. He knew very well that victory or defeat in war was often just a matter of a thought, and any slight negligence could lead to a total loss.

Before the expedition, Emperor Li Qingge repeatedly warned Shi Shuyu in the magnificent palace: "The Japanese are polite and elegant on the surface, but they lack righteousness in their bones. They are fanatical believers in Bushido and their worship of the emperor has reached a blind point. They will do anything to achieve their goals. Don't underestimate them." Li Qingge's voice was calm and firm, and her eyes revealed an unquestionable majesty. Shi Shuyu listened respectfully and secretly memorized every word of the emperor.

Li Qingge wore a gorgeous dragon robe and a golden crown, and her expression revealed a kind of awe-inspiring temperament. Although she was a woman, she had a stronger will and determination than men. Under her rule, the Great Yan Dynasty became increasingly powerful, and the navy reached an unprecedented scale.

Although the Great Yan Navy was sure of victory, Shi Shuyu knew that the Japanese were not easy to deal with. They might counterattack like trapped beasts and use extreme means. Therefore, he decided to send out Korean soldiers as a vanguard to explore the strength of the Japanese.

In order to show their loyalty to their suzerain, the Korean soldiers bravely advanced and fought with the Japanese warriors. On the sea, there were flashes of swords and blood flowing like a river. The Koreans' hatred for Japan was deep-rooted. Back then, when the Japanese pirates invaded the Central Plains, they also did a lot of harm to Korea, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil. This expedition to Japan was not only to show loyalty to Da Yan, but also to avenge the hatred of the country and the family.

The two armies fought fiercely, and the sea was dyed red with blood. The Japanese warriors were all strong and skilled in martial arts. They were fanatical believers in Bushido and were willing to fight for the glory of the emperor. The Korean soldiers were not to be outdone. They fought bravely and fought a desperate battle with the Japanese warriors.

Seeing that the Great Yan Dynasty and Goryeo were attacking together, the Japanese side did not say a word and directly let the Goryeo soldiers see what it meant to "bite like a mad dog". The two sides fought desperately, and the scene was horrible. General Tokugawa Ienari stood on the high command platform, looking at the tragic scene below, and was shocked and angry. He was still wondering why the Great Yan Dynasty suddenly got angry with him and attacked without even asking questions.

He hurriedly sent people to investigate the cause, and found out that it was his own warriors who were greedy for profit and intercepted the merchant ship of Da Yan. Upon hearing this, Tokugawa Ienari broke out in a cold sweat and gritted his teeth and said, "I heard that the founding ruler of Da Yan was a female hero who was ten times more brave and ruthless than men, and she loved fighting. There are so many things in the world that cannot be robbed, but you have to rob the merchant ship under her rule. Isn't this courting death?"

One of his daimyos quickly suggested: "General, why don't we hand over the people who hijacked the ship and pay ten times the value of the goods as compensation? Maybe that will calm the anger of Da Yan." Tokugawa Ienari shook his head and sighed: "Ten times is not enough. Even if it's a hundred or a thousand times, Da Yan may not accept it. I'm afraid this matter can't be solved so easily."

The daimyo was anxious: "We'll know only if we try! We can't just sit there and wait to die, right?" Tokugawa Ienari had no choice but to rub his forehead and nod in agreement. He knew that now he could only try his luck.

Therefore, Japan sent an envoy who was good at speaking to negotiate, intending to pay compensation and seek peace. The envoy was dressed in gorgeous clothes, holding a staff, and kept talking about peace. However, General Shi Shuyu knew that Emperor Li Qingge wanted to destroy Japan, so he did not accept this at all. He looked at the envoy coldly and killed him with a sword.

This sword cut off Japan's path to peace, and also cut off the last glimmer of hope in Tokugawa Ienari's heart. He looked at the envoy lying in a pool of blood, and an indescribable grief and anger surged in his heart. He knew that this war was unavoidable.

The battle between the Goryeo soldiers and the Japanese warriors came to an end soon. Although the Goryeo side fought bravely, they were eventually defeated with heavy casualties. By watching the battle, General Shi Shuyu had a deeper understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese. He witnessed the madness and bravery of those warriors, and also knew their weaknesses and flaws.

Although the strength of the Great Yan Navy far exceeds that of Japan, if they really decide to fight to the death, they can also cause considerable damage to the Great Yan army. Therefore, General Shi Shuyu did not act rashly. He arranged the warships in formation, loaded the cannons on the side of the ship, and aimed at various ports in Japan.

Those ports are the economic lifeline of Japan! One shot can destroy them accurately. The Japanese saw that the Korean soldiers retreated, and the black warships of Da Yan turned their guns and aimed at their own ports, and they were scared to death. They knew that once those cannons were fired, their homes would be reduced to ashes.

Those fanatics who believed in Bushido boarded the small boats one after another, intending to crash into the warships of Da Yan and die together. They shouted the name of the emperor, with crazy lights flashing in their eyes. However, General Shi Shuyu would not give them this opportunity. He coldly ordered: "Fire!"

Following his order, the cannons on the Great Flame warships fired one after another. The shells streaked across the sky and landed accurately on the ports of Japan. Suddenly, flames shot up into the sky and smoke filled the air. Those ports were blown to pieces, and Japan's economic lifeline was completely destroyed.

The Japanese watched their homes being destroyed, filled with despair and anger. They knew that this war was irreversible. General Tokugawa Ienari stood on the command platform, watching the tragic scene below, with an indescribable sadness in his heart. He knew that his country was on the verge of collapse.

In this war, Emperor Li Qingge did not fight in person. But she has been silently supporting General Shi Shuyu behind the scenes. She constantly conveyed strategies and instructions to Shi Shuyu through secret letters and messengers. Her wisdom and courage became an important guarantee for the victory of the Great Yan Navy.

When the war finally ended and Japan was completely conquered, Emperor Li Qingge stood on the high city wall and looked at the scene below. She did not feel too much joy and excitement in her heart, but a faint sadness. She knew that although the war was won, it also paid a huge price. Countless lives disappeared in the war, and countless families were broken in the war.

However, she also knew that this war was necessary. Only through war could the dignity and interests of Da Yan be maintained. Only through war could those enemies who dared to provoke Da Yan know that the majesty of Da Yan was inviolable.

She took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. Her eyes revealed a kind of firmness and determination. She knew that the road ahead was still long, and there were many challenges and difficulties waiting for her. But she also believed that as long as she had enough wisdom and courage, she would be able to overcome all difficulties and lead Da Yan to a more glorious future.

A glorious chapter
Seeing this scene, Shi Shuyu's wrinkled face couldn't help but bloom into a chrysanthemum-like smile, and he laughed out loud, full of pride and ease, as if he had seen the dawn of victory. His eyes narrowed into a slit, and the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a mouthful of teeth that had been worn yellow by the years, but that smile was exceptionally bright, as if it could dispel all the haze.

Each of the warships of Da Yan was made of carefully selected iron materials and was carefully hammered by countless craftsmen before it was formed. They were resistant to acid and alkali, and were as solid as a copper wall and iron wall. No matter how the wind blew or the waves hit, they would not move at all. On the decks of these warships, there stood tall and straight Da Yan soldiers. They were wearing iron armor, holding spears, and their eyes were firm and cold, like a group of ruthless gods of war. It was completely different from the situation where the Titanic was doomed after hitting an iceberg. These warships were like the overlords of the sea, and no one could touch them at all.

Looking at the boats rowed by the Japanese warriors, it was like comparing the size of an ant to an elephant, they were totally not on the same level. The boats were swaying on the rough sea, as if they would be swallowed by the waves at any time. The Japanese warriors on the boats were terrified, their eyes were full of despair and anxiety, as if they had already foreseen their fate.

Shi Shuyu drew out his blood-red sword, the blade was blood-red, as if it contained infinite power. He shouted loudly: "Fire!" Before he finished speaking, hundreds of cannons fired at the same time, the sound was earth-shaking, like the angry thunder god, shaking people's minds. The shells whizzed towards the sea, and the splashes were higher than the mountains, as if they were going to overturn the entire sea surface. The Japanese boats were tossed to the east and west by the huge waves, and the warriors fell into the sea one by one like dumplings. Their wailing and cries for help intertwined together, forming a tragic symphony.

Before they could swim back to the shore, the second round of artillery fire poured down like a rainstorm, impenetrable and without giving them a chance to breathe. There were only bangs one after another, and the warriors who were hit by bullets didn't even have time to cry out in pain before they were blown to pieces, with nothing left but blood and bones. The sea surface was dyed red, and the port was a sea of ​​fire. The broken ships floated on the sea, burning with raging flames, as if they were going to swallow up the whole world. Although it looked gorgeous like fireworks, the scene was horrible, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood and burnt.

For the navy of Da Yan and the soldiers of Goryeo, the artillery fire was like fireworks to celebrate and a symbol of their victory. They cheered and jumped for joy, as if they had seen the dawn of victory. But for the Japanese warriors, it was simply a nightmare. Those fanatical guys were blown to ashes, and the timid ones were even more frightened, with wailing all over the ground. They desperately fled, life and death were on the line, and the whole of Japan was shrouded in this terrifying atmosphere.

Before long, the whole country of Japan fell into panic. The peace of the past was gone, and the nightmare was like a dark cloud hanging over everyone's heart. People were panicked and fled everywhere, as if the end of the world had come. Their eyes were full of fear and despair, as if they had lost the courage and hope to live.

……

In the faraway Forbidden City, it was a good time to enjoy chrysanthemums. The sun shone through the clouds, casting mottled shadows, adding a bit of warmth and peace to this ancient palace. After lunch, Li Qingge took a bath and changed her clothes, preparing to dress up to enjoy the chrysanthemums. She was in a particularly happy mood, as if the fragrance of chrysanthemums was filled in the air.

When Su Xiaomei walked in, she saw Li Qingge taking off her mask, revealing a stunning face. She was carefully drawing her eyebrows, and every stroke revealed her concentration and meticulousness. Su Xiaomei was so surprised that she widened her eyes, as if she had seen something incredible.

"Your Majesty, what are you going to do?" Su Xiaomei asked curiously, with a hint of confusion and surprise in her voice.

Li Qingge took the eyebrow pencil and said to the mirror with a smile: "Draw your eyebrows. How can you face people when you go out without making yourself neat and tidy?" Her voice was clear and pleasant, like the sound of a spring.

“But your majesty…” Amelia Su suddenly seemed to understand something, her eyes lit up, “Your majesty, are you going to take off your mask?”

Li Qingge smiled as brightly as a flower, and her eyes sparkled with determination and confidence: "Dayan is now prosperous and peaceful, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. My wish has been fulfilled. All the people are loyal to me, so this mask is of no use. From today on, I will face the world with my true face."

Su Xiaomei nodded and smiled, "It should have been done a long time ago. Your Majesty, you are so beautiful, it's a pity that you have been covered by the mask all the time. Today, when we appreciate the chrysanthemums, you must be the king of flowers. The peonies will feel ashamed of themselves when they see you!" Her voice was full of praise and admiration.

Li Qingge smiled and scolded: "Don't talk about being the most beautiful woman in the harem. I'm not one of the women vying for favor in the harem." Her tone was relaxed and happy, as if she had unloaded all the burdens.

"Your Majesty, you said that a woman's beauty is not only to please men, but also to please herself." Su Xiaomei said seriously, "Appreciating your own beauty in the mirror is also a refreshing thing!"

"You're right!" Li Qingge nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Women's beauty is diverse, and we should bravely show our beauty and confidence."

"Then please wait for a moment, Your Majesty." Su Xiaomei waved her hands skillfully and began to dress up Li Qingge. She skillfully combed Li Qingge's long hair and put an exquisite pearl crown on her head. Then, she drew eyebrows and eyes for Li Qingge and applied powder, making her look even more beautiful and charming.

After finishing her dressing, Li Qingge stood in front of the mirror. She was wearing a gorgeous palace dress, a pearl crown on her head, her face was like a peach blossom, and her eyes were like stars. She smiled slightly, as if she could charm everyone. She turned to Su Xiaomei and said, "Let's go and enjoy the chrysanthemums."

The two walked out of the palace hand in hand and came to the imperial garden. It was the time when chrysanthemums were in full bloom. The chrysanthemums in the garden were blooming in competition, competing for beauty. Some of them were in bud, and some were already in full bloom. Their colors were also varied, including red, yellow, white, purple... like a colorful painting.

Li Qingge and Su Xiaomei strolled among the flowers, admiring the chrysanthemums in the garden. They stopped to admire and chatted softly, as if they were in a dreamlike world. The sun shone through the clouds, casting mottled light and shadows, adding a bit of mystery and elegance to them. The breeze blew, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.

"These chrysanthemums are so beautiful!" Li Qingge exclaimed, "They bloom proudly despite the severe cold. It's really admirable."

"Yes," Su Xiaomei agreed, "Your Majesty is just like this chrysanthemum, beautiful and strong. You have used your wisdom and courage to bring prosperity and peace to Da Yan."

Li Qingge smiled slightly, with a firm and confident light in her eyes. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but she was ready to face the world with her true face and meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Pretty Widow Makeup
The so-called pretty widow makeup is for a beautiful woman who has just lost her husband and is eager to find a young partner. She disregards worldly views and dresses herself up to look tender and tender, yet elegant and refined. This makeup is both sad and expectant, and is truly a rare sight in the world.

Li Qingge stood in front of the bronze mirror, holding a delicate makeup box in her hand, and painted the pretty widow makeup on her face bit by bit. Her eyes were deep, as if hiding endless sorrow and expectation, but also flashing with a determined light. Her skin was like jade, and with this makeup, it looked even more delicate. Her red lips slightly opened, revealing a faint melancholy, but full of expectation smile.

After putting on her makeup, she looked at herself in the mirror, and her lips lifted up unconsciously, smiling sweetly. In that smile, there was both nostalgia for her deceased husband and longing for her future life. In her heart, there was both sadness and hope, like a delicate flower swaying in the wind and rain, which remained tenacious despite the frost and wind.

At this time, the golden nine-dragon chariot outside had been waiting for a while. The chariot was extremely gorgeous. The six white horses pulling the chariot in front of it were as white as snow. They ran majestically, like the clouds in the sky, light and agile. The chariot was inlaid with gems and pearls, the dragon and phoenix patterns were lifelike, and the gold leaves were glittering. At first glance, it was known that it was used exclusively by the royal family. It was very imposing. Such a chariot was not available to ordinary people. Only those with noble status could enjoy this honor. Li Qingge moved her lotus steps lightly and slowly walked towards the nine-dragon chariot. Her steps were light and elegant, as if every step was on the clouds. She was wearing a gorgeous palace dress with a fluttering skirt, like a fairy descending to the earth. She got on the chariot and sat there, with a noble and elegant temperament.

Su Xiaomei followed closely behind with the White Horse Army, and the group rushed to the harem in a mighty procession. The White Horse Army was brave and mighty, wearing silver armor and holding long spears, like heavenly soldiers and generals. They escorted Li Qingge all the way to the harem without any obstacles.

It was late autumn when we arrived at the imperial garden of the harem. All other flowers had withered, but the chrysanthemums were in full bloom. The clusters of chrysanthemums, yellow, white, and purple, were vying for beauty, as beautiful as an embroidered scroll. The chrysanthemums and the fiery red maple leaves complemented each other, decorating the entire garden like a poem or a painting, so beautiful that it made people intoxicated.

The queen and a group of concubines were enjoying the flowers in the garden. They were wearing various palace costumes, wearing pearls and jade on their heads, holding round fans, and laughing. They ate chrysanthemum cakes, drank newly brewed chrysanthemum wine and brewed chrysanthemum tea, and chattered non-stop. The laughter and talking were intertwined, very lively, as if to dispel the chill of late autumn.

However, this year's chrysanthemum appreciation party was different from previous years. The protagonist was changed to Li Qingge, the queen of Dayan. This legendary woman made all the concubines curious and awed. They usually stayed in the deep palace and had only heard of the queen's name but never saw her in person. Although they talked about her behind her back, saying that it was against the rules for a woman to be the master of the house, they actually envied her in their hearts. They envied her high status, great power, and freedom, without having to fight for favor like them all day long.

What made them even more envious was that Li Qingge could sit on an equal footing with Emperor Qianlong and govern the country together. They dared not even think about such treatment. Therefore, when they learned that the queen would attend this year's chrysanthemum appreciation meeting, they all dressed up beautifully, wanting to see the queen's true appearance.

This chrysanthemum appreciation party was nominally for flower appreciation, but in reality it became a stage for the concubines to compete secretly. They looked at each other openly or secretly, commenting on each other's makeup, clothing and temperament. And before Li Qingge arrived, undercurrents were already surging between them.

"Have you heard? Her Majesty the Queen always wears a bronze mask and never shows her true face." A concubine whispered.

"Yes, yes, I heard that too. I wonder if she will take it off today and let us see it?" another concubine asked curiously.

"Humph, what's the point of taking it off? How much power can a woman have?" A beautiful concubine dressed in gorgeous palace clothes said disdainfully. Her words were full of jealousy and dissatisfaction, and she was obviously resentful of Li Qingge's status and power.

The one they attacked the most was the concubine Ling. Concubine Ling Wei was of humble origins, originally a bondservant, and not as good as those Manchu and Mongolian noble women. But with her gentleness and scheming, she remained in favor for more than a decade, rising from a palace maid to one of the four concubines. Her existence made those concubines of noble birth feel greatly threatened.

"Look at that Concubine Ling. She has such a humble background, yet she can climb over our heads." A concubine said sourly.

"That's right, what right does she have? Isn't it just relying on that foxy face and those little tricks?" another concubine echoed.

Their words were full of contempt and dissatisfaction towards Lingpin, as if they wanted to step on her to vent their anger. However, Lingpin seemed not to hear their discussions, and still sat there with a smile on her face, quietly sipping chrysanthemum tea.

At this moment, a crisp sound of rings and pendants came, breaking the noise in the garden. Everyone looked up and saw Li Qingge, wearing a gorgeous palace dress and pearls on her head, slowly walking into the garden. She still wore the bronze mask on her face, but her eyes seemed to be able to see through everything. Her temperament was noble and elegant, as if a true king had descended.

The concubines stood up and saluted, praising the queen's majesty and beauty. However, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions. There was jealousy, envy, awe, and dissatisfaction. But no matter what, they all knew that Her Majesty the Queen was a height they could never reach.

Li Qingge walked up to the queen, bowed slightly, and sat on the seat prepared for her. She picked up a cup of chrysanthemum tea, took a sip, and then smiled slightly. The smile was both majestic and friendly. She said, "Today's chrysanthemums are so beautiful, and all the sisters are dressed up beautifully. It's really pleasing to the eye."

Her words were gentle and kind, which eased the tension in the concubines' hearts a little. They all echoed the queen's words, praising the beauty of the chrysanthemums and the queen's majesty.

However, this chrysanthemum appreciation party is not just a simple flower appreciation party. In Li Qingge's heart, it has a deeper meaning. She hopes that through this party, the concubines will understand a truth: in this palace, no matter what your background or status is, as long as you have scheming, wisdom and courage, you can gain a foothold here. And she, Li Qingge, is the best proof.

As the party went on, the undercurrents among the concubines gradually subsided. They began to truly appreciate the chrysanthemums in the garden and the elegance of Her Majesty the Queen. Li Qingge also kept a faint smile and quietly observed all this. Her heart was full of expectations and confidence for the future. She knew that no matter how many difficulties and challenges she would encounter in the future, she would be able to face and overcome them bravely. Because she was Li Qingge, Her Majesty the Queen of Da Yan.

Chrysanthemum feast, undercurrent surges

The sun gently sprinkled on every corner of the Forbidden City, covering this ancient palace with a layer of golden gauze. In the Imperial Garden, chrysanthemums of various colors bloomed, red like fire, yellow like gold, white like snow, purple like clouds, forming a colorful picture. Everyone was admiring the chrysanthemums with great interest, some whispering, some stopping to gaze, some caressing the petals, enjoying this rare tranquility and beauty.

Suddenly, a beautiful lady came from a distance. She was like a breeze in autumn, instantly attracting everyone's attention. It was Lingpin. She was wearing a magnolia-colored Manchu dress, which was well-cut and outlined her graceful figure to the fullest. It was embroidered with a pattern of butterflies flying through flowers. The butterflies were dancing and the flowers were so beautiful that they seemed to be floating in the wind, which complemented her graceful steps and was very charming. Her hair was gently pulled up, revealing her smooth forehead and delicate neck. She walked lightly, and every step seemed to be on the clouds, which made everyone stunned.

Concubine Ying spoke first, her voice was sharp and sarcastic, with sting in her words: "Oh, isn't this Concubine Ling... Oh no, it's Concubine Ling. Why don't you reflect on yourself in your own palace, but instead come here to appreciate the flowers? Aren't you afraid that the Emperor will punish you again?" Her eyes were full of provocation and gloating.

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yu smiled contemptuously, with a playful arc at the corner of her mouth: "I am busy serving the emperor, and I have a precious daughter like Princess Huanzhu. How can I have the time to reflect on my mistakes? Besides, which flower in this imperial garden doesn't belong to the emperor? It is only natural for her to come and take a look." Concubine Yu's words revealed her contempt and dissatisfaction with Concubine Ling.

Ying Fei and Yu Fei, two Mongolian noblewomen, have been good sisters since they entered the palace. They are domineering in the harem and love to bully the weak. They are children of the grassland and have straightforward personalities. They can't stand Wei's pretentious and weak appearance. They always think that she is using this weak appearance to confuse the emperor.

Lingpin was furious in her heart, but she pretended to be fine. She knew her current situation very well. Since she was favored, what rumors had she not heard? She twitched her lips slightly and said with a fake smile: "This chrysanthemum appreciation meeting is for the sisters in the harem to have fun together. How dare I not come to join in the fun? It's the sisters who came early, which is really thoughtful." Her voice was soft and polite, but her eyes flashed with an unyielding light.

Concubines Ying and Yu were met with a soft nail, snorted in dissatisfaction, and turned back to admire the flowers. Although they were unwilling, they also knew that it was not appropriate to confront Concubine Ling head-on now. After all, the emperor's mind was unpredictable. What if she was favored again one day?

Then, several other concubines also spoke in a sour tone, their words were full of thorns, piercing Lingpin's heart. They either mocked her background, or ridiculed her behavior, or hinted at her future, as if they wanted to throw her into an abyss from which there was no return.

The Queen watched from the side, feeling so happy. She hated and feared Lingpin, hated her for stealing the Emperor's favor, and feared that she would threaten her position one day. Now that she saw Lingpin being humiliated, she was naturally very happy. She was also hoping that someone would be more ruthless and slap her directly, so that she would know the rules and power of the harem.

Lingpin was about to retort, but the Queen suddenly shouted, "Shut up! Today is a day to appreciate chrysanthemums, not a time to quarrel, and the Imperial Garden is not a market!" Her voice was majestic and powerful, instantly silencing everyone present. After that, she glared at Lingpin fiercely, as if she wanted to vent all her anger on her, "You were demoted to a concubine because of your inappropriate words and deeds, angering the emperor, and you don't repent, and you are still making trouble here. How can you be a concubine!"

Lingpin's face turned pale, and she was shaking with anger, but she had to endure it. She knew how powerful the queen was, and she knew who would dare to disobey the emperor's order. She could only bite her lower lip tightly, as if to suppress the panting sound that was about to come out, and she dared not say a word.

Seeing this, Concubine Ying took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire: "The Queen is right, Lingpin, you need to cultivate yourself and stop flirting with the Emperor, or you will become a beauty who brings disaster without even realizing it." Her words were as harsh as they could be, like a slap in Lingpin's face. Her eyes were full of pride and provocation, as if she wanted to trample Lingpin into the dust.

Lingpin's face changed like a palette, and she was so angry that she almost fainted. She clenched her hands tightly, digging her nails deep into her palms, as if to suppress the anger that was about to burst out. The other concubines saw this scene and covered their mouths and laughed secretly. Some of them were gloating, some were sympathetic, but most of them were contemptuous and dissatisfied with Lingpin.

Shu Fei also joined in the fun: "That's right, a concubine like Lingpin who was born into a bannerman family does have her 'uniqueness'. We can't match her ability to be servile and pretentious." Her voice was full of sarcasm and contempt, as if she wanted to trample on Lingpin's dignity.

Just as everyone was immersed in ridicule and sarcasm, the eunuch's shrill voice came from the gate of the Imperial Garden: "The Queen of Dayan has arrived!" This voice was like a thunder that broke through the sky, and everyone present changed their faces. Shu Fei, Ying Fei, Yu Fei and others immediately restrained their smiles and became gentle and virtuous. Those who had just laughed at Ling Fei now pretended to be friendly, as if nothing had happened.

Lingpin was even more exaggerated. Her dark face softened instantly. Her tender look made people's hearts soften. She lowered her head slightly, her eyes flashing with respect and awe, as if she wanted to swallow all the grievances and anger. The speed of her face changing was so fast that even the masters of Sichuan opera had to admire her!
With the arrival of Li Qingge, the atmosphere in the Imperial Garden instantly became solemn. She wore a gorgeous phoenix robe, a head of pearls and jade, and walked into the garden steadily. Her eyes were sharp and deep, as if she could see into people's hearts. Everyone present held their breath and waited quietly for her instructions.

Li Qingge looked around and her eyes stayed on Lingpin for a moment. She frowned slightly, as if she was aware of the atmosphere here. But she didn't say anything, just said lightly: "Today is a chrysanthemum appreciation meeting, everyone should be happy. Why should we hurt the harmony for some trivial matters?" Her voice was soft and majestic, making everyone present feel an invisible pressure.

Everyone nodded in agreement, expressing their agreement with the queen's opinion. Some bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes, while others apologized to each other, as if to write off the grudges just now. But have they really let it go? Perhaps only they themselves know.

What about Concubine Ling? She stood aside, watching all this silently. Her heart was filled with complex emotions: anger, grievance, unwillingness, and helplessness. But she knew that in this harem, she had to learn to be patient and strong. Because she knew that only by living could there be hope; only by persevering could she see the sun tomorrow.

Phoenix in the Sky: The Legend of Li Qingge
The autumn breeze blew gently, and the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City looked particularly solemn in the sunset. The golden light sprinkled on every brick and tile, as if covering this ancient palace with a mysterious veil. In the imperial garden, chrysanthemums competed for beauty and fragrance. The queen stood there, dignified and serious, with no ripples on her face, like a calm lake, without any waves. She was dressed in a gorgeous phoenix robe, with pearls and jade on her head, and exuded the majesty of a mother of the country. Under her leadership, many concubines greeted her respectfully, each wearing colorful palace clothes, but all of them looked a little dull.

At this time, a burst of light footsteps broke the silence, and Li Qingge slowly walked into the imperial garden. Her outfit was particularly eye-catching. She wore a plain white Ming Dynasty-style top with delicate lotus patterns embroidered on the collar, as if to imply her noble character of being untainted by mud. She wore a dark black horse-faced skirt with nine lifelike golden dragons embroidered on the hem. The golden dragons flew through the clouds and mist, as if they were about to soar into the sky. The combination of black and gold was both dazzling and noble, showing her domineering power while retaining her feminine elegance.

When the queen and the concubines first saw Li Qingge, they were all attracted by her cold eyes. Those eyes were as clear as the lake water in autumn, and as deep as if they could see into people's hearts. They stared ahead quietly, but seemed to be able to penetrate all hypocrisy and vanity, reaching the depths of people's hearts. People could not help but feel awe, as if they were facing an inviolable goddess.

All the beauties in the harem seemed to be eclipsed at this moment. They were either beautiful, elegant, or charming, but in front of Li Qingge, they all seemed to have lost their luster. Only she was radiant and leading the way. Her beauty was not only in her outstanding appearance, but also in the temperament and charm that emanated from the inside out.

People often say that the beauty of a woman is likened to the distant mountains, but no matter how green the mountains are in spring, they cannot compare to the beauty of the crescent moon between her eyebrows. Her eyebrows are as curved as the crescent moon, delicate and soft, adding a bit of gentleness and tenderness to her face. The skin is likened to the white snow, but no matter how white the snowflakes are in winter, they cannot compare to the white and rosy, soft texture of her skin. Her skin is like the finest mutton-fat jade, delicate and smooth, as if it would break at the slightest touch. Although roses and magnolias are delicate and elegant, they are not as pure and bright as her facial features, which are so gorgeous that people can't take their eyes away.

Her eyes are especially breathtaking. When they are still, they are as deep as black pearls, shining with mysterious light, as if they can attract people's souls. When they are moving, they are like thousands of stars across the night sky, shining brightly, making people fall in love at first sight and never forget it. Those eyes seem to have magic, which can see through people's hearts and also seduce people.

Recalling the time when Li Qingge first entered Baixianglou, she was still a thirteen-year-old girl. At that time, her body had not yet fully developed, but she was already regarded as a treasure by the brothel owner and cultivated as a cash cow. She was smart and quick to learn, and soon she became a star in Baixianglou. However, with the integration of Jiang Yuyan's hundreds of years of cultivation, her figure and appearance have undergone earth-shaking changes, as if she had been reborn. Today, she is no longer that immature girl, but a queen of peerless elegance.

At this moment, she took Su Xiaomei's hand and walked towards her step by step. Su Xiaomei was her personal maid and the person she trusted the most. The two walked side by side, their steps were light and graceful. Every step was like a lotus in full bloom, as beautiful as a fairy in a painting. Li Qingge's sleeves fluttered in the wind, revealing the agility and charm between mountains and rivers. Her smile was gentle and subtle, like the warm sun in spring, making people feel warm and comfortable.

(End of this chapter)