The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

After consummating their marriage, Qi Yitang had not seen Xie Ling for almost ten days.

In the past, she would have clapped her hands in delight and wished she never had to see him again.

But now, she seems inexplicably absent-minded.

Qi Yitang sat by the window, her fingertips unconsciously gripping the embroidered handkerchief, her thoughts drifting away.

That night she drugged him. Although she ended up consuming the aphrodisiac wine herself, there were many loopholes. Why didn't he investigate the reasons behind it?

[What's the female supporting character doing? She's been spacing out and daydreaming all the time lately. Has she given up and stopped helping the male lead seize the throne?]

When a child is quiet, they're probably up to no good.

According to the original novel, Qi Yitang should have tried every means to contact the male lead... However, since the poison was replaced with an aphrodisiac, the plot seems to have changed.

What's so great about loving a hypocrite like the male lead? I bet the female supporting character is thinking about the emperor; maybe she's already been seduced by the villain (evil laugh)

I agree. I'm totally shipping them! They're such a good-looking couple, it's so pleasing to the eye.

Qi Yitang snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing slightly.

She glared at the void with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, as if the tiny golden characters had read her mind.

"Your Majesty," Yunzhu, who brought in tea, noticed her dazed expression and cautiously suggested, "If you wish to see His Majesty, why not take the initiative to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation?"

Qi Yitang's eyes lit up, then she pursed her lips, "When did I say I wanted to see him?"

Yunzhu chuckled to herself, "Then... shall we go and express our gratitude? After all, His Majesty bestowed upon you a box of South China Sea pearls a few days ago."

Qi Yitang gave a haughty snort, but she already had a plan in mind.

It's not very polite to go empty-handed, so how about... bringing him some food?

……

The atmosphere in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was tense and stagnant.

The Empress Dowager's voice was cold and stern, "It is a grave taboo for an emperor to monopolize favor! Emperor, are you now ignoring even the remonstrances of your court officials for the sake of a Lady Qi?"

Xie Ling said calmly, "Mother, there's no need for you to say more. I know what I'm doing."

"Sense of propriety?" The Empress Dowager sneered. "Since you ascended the throne, you've only had three or five concubines in your harem, and you haven't even chosen any of them. Your offspring are dwindling, and now you're even postponing the imperial concubine selection for Lady Qi's sake. I think you've been bewitched by that vixen!"

Xie Ling said, "Tangtang is doing well, Mother, please be careful with your words."

The Empress Dowager was so angry that her heart ached. "Emperor, you've really become tough now, not even taking my words seriously."

"Your Majesty is overthinking it; I had no such intention."

No matter what the Empress Dowager said, Xie Ling remained completely composed, showing no emotion whatsoever.

It wasn't until the Empress Dowager changed her policy and began to patiently persuade him, "Yan'er, it's not that your mother is forcing you. If it were any other woman, it would be fine, but that Qi woman is definitely not a good match."

"She was engaged to your second brother, and in the two years she's been in the palace, she hasn't shown you any interest whatsoever. How can she be worthy of the position of Imperial Concubine? Why do you insist on pursuing her?"

One-sided wishful thinking...

Xie Ling felt a tightness in her chest, as if a raging fire was burning between her breastbones.

Yes, even though he held the throne and was the supreme ruler, he still couldn't win the heart of the woman he loved.

It can only be... wishful thinking.

Li Degui, listening outside the hall, broke out in a cold sweat. Why did the Empress Dowager have to bring up such a sore subject? His Majesty had finally been enjoying himself a bit lately, and if this caused a relapse...

Why do I keep feeling like the head on my neck is about to fall off?

Just as I was wondering what to do, I suddenly saw a slender figure gracefully approaching from afar—

The woman's face was radiant and fiery, like a pomegranate in bloom. Her begonia-red skirt fluttered in the wind, making her skin appear as white as snow, and her beauty was beyond compare.

Li Degui, as if seeing a savior, hurriedly went to greet her, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Qi Yitang waved the food box in her hand and said with a smile, "I personally prepared some food for Your Majesty to try. Is now a convenient time?"

Li Degui was so moved he almost cried. What a savior!

The Empress used to ignore His Majesty, but today she actually took the initiative to bring him food. His Majesty should be able to forgive her even if he is extremely angry.

Good, his head is saved.

"Please wait a moment."

Li Degui scurried in to announce, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine requests an audience."

The tense atmosphere inside the hall eased slightly.

A moment later, Xie Ling's deep voice came out, "Let her in."

"Your Majesty, please." Li Degui whispered in her ear, "His Majesty just had a brief argument with the Empress Dowager, please be careful in your response."

Qi Yitang knew that the Empress Dowager had always disliked her, which was actually normal. No mother-in-law would be happy with a daughter-in-law like that.

With gratitude in her eyes, she said, "Thank you for your advice, Father-in-law."

……

Qi Yitang stepped into the hall and said, "Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, I pay my respects."

Xie Ling sat upright on the left side of the dragon table, his black casual clothes highlighting his sharp brow bones, and his gaze fell on Qi Yitang.

His gaze was intense, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her.

Get up.

"..." The Empress Dowager couldn't help but roll her eyes. That's all she's got.

Xie Ling's gaze shifted to the food box in her hand. "What's this?"

A strange blush rose on Qi Yitang's cheeks. "Your Majesty... I thought that Your Majesty loved fish the most, so I made braised sea bass..."

Her unusual behavior was exactly what one would expect from a concubine trying to curry favor. The Empress Dowager watched coldly and sneered, "Qi, you're certainly being very attentive today."

Qi Yitang also knew that she was trying to cover up her secret.

But thanks to the thick skin she had cultivated since childhood, she stood tall and spoke with conviction.

"As Your Majesty's concubine, I naturally care about Your Majesty's preferences."

Even though she knew that Xie Ling would only come to the temple for no reason and that she probably had "ulterior motives" today, the corners of Xie Ling's lips still curved slightly.

He said calmly, "Bring it here."

Qi Yitang confidently opened the food box, and a dark, charred, unidentified object lay quietly in the plate.

The fish's body was an eerie charcoal black, and its tail stubbornly curled up as if making a final struggle, all exuding an indescribable aura.

Empress Dowager: "..."

Xie Ling: "..."

[Hahaha, holy crap, what kind of culinary disaster is this? The sea bass looks like it died with its eyes wide open!]

The Empress Dowager's silence was deafening: Well done, don't do it again.

Qi Yitang blinked, then belatedly realized: Uh, it seems like I've gotten a little too feverish?

It looked perfectly normal when she put it in, so why is it in this shape now?

Did the fish cook itself inside the food container?

"Although it's a bit awful, I assure you, it should be edible..."

Qi Yitang blinked, looking expectantly at the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty knows that you value filial piety most, Mother, why don't you try it first?"

The Empress Dowager didn't even bother to look at it a second time. "Emperor, since it's your favorite, then enjoy it slowly."

"Return to the palace."

Li Degui hurriedly said, "This servant respectfully sees off the Empress Dowager."

[Empress Dowager: If my son eats it, I can't have it. I'd better get out of here.]

[Haha, I find this Empress Dowager quite amusing.]

[Baby, your cooking skills are terrible, but your face makes up for it perfectly.]