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

For no other reason than that Qin Lianyue wanted them to see it with their own eyes.

They used to fawn over Qi Yitang and the Qi family; now they're the ones fawning over her.

At the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet.

Several of the noblewomen were shrewd enough to see through Qin Lianyue's intentions. They flattered her and occasionally belittled Qi Yitang, even comparing her to Bao Si and Daji.

Most remained silent. Consort Qi had always been the emperor's darling, maintaining her position as consort without relying on family background or children. Her temporary confinement and loss of favor were merely temporary setbacks; who could guarantee that she wouldn't make a comeback someday?

Qin Lian Yue, who always only listened to what she wanted to hear, deliberately asked with a smile, "Madam Qi, don't you think so?"

Qi Yitang was domineering, and Ning Wanrong was no pushover either.

Given her past personality, if anyone dared to make such veiled insults and slander against her daughter, she would have already grabbed that person by the collar and given them a real fight.

But at this moment, Ning Wanrong simply smiled and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. This humble woman has learned a great deal."

Ning Nishang found it grating to hear, but Ning Wanrong was quite unfazed.

This "cowardly" behavior greatly disappointed the ladies who were waiting to see a show of things. They had thought they would see the Qi family and the Qin family openly confront each other, which would have been very interesting.

Unexpectedly, they were so pragmatic. Perhaps they felt that Consort Qi had no imperial heir to back her up and couldn't win the competition.

Finding no excitement, the crowd lost interest and changed the subject.

"I heard that His Majesty intends to choose a wife for Prince Anning. The Prince's visit to the palace today must be to discuss this matter."

"Prince Anning?" Qin Lianyue's cousin, Qin Xinxi, asked curiously. "Which prince is this? I don't think I've ever heard of him before."

The man said, "Of course Miss Qin has never heard of him. This Prince Anning is His Majesty's maternal uncle. He has lived in Chezhou for a long time and has only been to the capital a handful of times. He rarely appears in Shengjing."

Uncle?

Qin Xinxi's curiosity vanished instantly. "Oh, so he's just an old man..."

He's so old and still unmarried, he probably has some serious illness.

"Miss Qin, you are mistaken. Prince Anning is only of a higher generation; he is actually a few years younger than His Majesty. He is twenty-three years old now, handsome and dashing, and his household is quiet and peaceful, without even a concubine."

Qin Xinxi was tempted by what he said.

Such a person of status and position, who is still unmarried, is a rare find even in the entire capital.

Qin Lianyue also became a little curious. "Oh?"

Seeing that Qin Lianyue was interested, the noblewoman became even more enthusiastic in her introduction, "The ancestors of this Prince Anning were merchants. He was granted the title of a prince of a different surname by the emperor's grace, and his family has a great fortune... The Dowager Princess is kind and generous. Whoever marries into her family will directly become the mistress of the house."

This is like a golden opportunity that fell from the sky!

Many noblewomen secretly dreamed of the best that would happen if one of them were fortunate enough to marry Prince Anning…

In terms of seniority, she is His Majesty's maternal aunt, a unique case in the capital.

The Prince's residence only had one Dowager Consort. With no one above her to control her and no need to compete for favor with the concubines below her, it was simply wonderful.

Unfortunately, you were born before I was born, and you were born after I was old. Most of you here are over thirty or forty years old, and some of you are already grandmothers... If you were twenty years younger, you might really have fought for it, which would be a lifelong benefit.

Qin Xinxi was even more eager to make a move.

She is seventeen years old, the age when she should be married. Her family has long planned to find her a husband, but Qin Xinxi thinks too highly of herself.

She is a member of the Qin family; how could an ordinary young man be worthy of her?

I don't like most people, and the ones I do like aren't suitable for me in various ways. So, it's been dragging on for a year or two.

Qin Xinxi was unwilling to compromise. Although her cousin was a Noble Consort, she had the Empress Dowager above her, Consort Qi on her left, and several other concubines on her right. It was all so boring and full of infighting.

Why not marry Prince Anning? Then you'll become His Majesty's elder, and you can do whatever you want in Shengjing.

As Qin Xinxi was lost in thought, she suddenly heard someone say, "But I've heard that His Majesty has specially summoned the Prince to the capital this time, and he already has someone in mind—"

Ning Nishang clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

She knew about Prince Anning's trip to the capital earlier than anyone else, and she also knew that it was Tangtang who suggested it to His Majesty.

Tangtang told her how great Prince Anning was, saying he was ten times better than Xie Jingyu and Qin Yuanchao, and that she had to meet him no matter what.

Ning Nishang wasn't opposed to it. Anyway, she couldn't rely on her aunt and uncle for the rest of her life. She was going to get married anyway, so it didn't matter who she married.

But now that Tangtang is under house arrest, how could she have the mind to go on a blind date?

Ning Nishang did not actively publicize it, but now it has been said in public by someone.

"—It is Consort Qi's cousin, Miss Ning."

In an instant, Ning Nishang became the focus of the crowd.

All eyes turned to them, each with their own thoughts. If His Majesty had taken the initiative to act as matchmaker, wouldn't everyone else have no chance at all?

As expected, Consort Qi is still the one who wins His Majesty's heart the most. Even though she is under house arrest, His Majesty still cares about her family and thinks of her whenever he has something good.

Qin Xinxi nearly knocked over her teacup, and Qin Lianyue's smile vanished.

It's Qi Yitang again. Why is she everywhere?

"Miss Ning?" Qin Lianyue lay lazily on the chaise lounge in the pavilion. "May I ask who you are? Come forward and let me see you."

Ning Nishang rose from her seat, walked to the pavilion, curtsied, and said, "This humble woman, Ning Nishang, greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

"Raise your head."

As the female protagonist of the original novel, Ning Nishang's appearance is naturally outstanding. Her skin is like solidified cream, her lips are naturally red, her black hair is tied into a cloud-like bun, and the rest of her black hair falls over her shoulders, adorned with pearl flowers and jade hairpins, which makes her features look like a painting, serene and peaceful.

Her temperament was not as alluring and flamboyant as Qi Yitang's, but rather a different kind of cool and serene beauty, with an ethereal and jade-like appearance, as if a goddess descended from the heavens.

Qin Lianyue fiddled with the rim of her cup with her fingertips, her tone devoid of emotion, "She really is a pleasing person. Uncle is truly blessed."

"Even the prince might not be interested," Qin Xinxi muttered.

Qin Lianyue reprimanded Xi'er gently, "Xi'er, you mustn't be rude."

"Please forgive me, Miss Ning. My cousin is spoiled by her family and speaks without thinking."

"Your Highness is too kind," Ning Nishang said, lowering her eyes.

"But Xi'er is right about one thing: marriage depends on fate. It's not something that can be accomplished just by meeting once. If the other person's temperament is not compatible, even if a celestial being descended to earth, it may not work out."

Qin Lianyue changed the subject, "However, I think Miss Ning is more knowledgeable and reasonable than your cousin. I wonder if Sister Qi has made any progress while she has been confined to her palace for so long to reflect on her actions? If she can learn some of Miss Ning's charm, then your aunt will not have to worry about this."

Ning Nishang's fingers tightened slightly. Just as she was about to say something, she saw a eunuch walking over from the other side.

Holding a whisk, his eunuch robes were much more elaborate than those of ordinary eunuchs.

"This servant greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

Upon recognizing Li Degui, Qin Lianyue quickly sat up straighter from her reclining position. "Why are you here, Eunuch Li? Does my cousin have something to discuss with me?"

"Not at all," Li Degui said with a smile. "His Majesty has instructed me to invite Miss Ning on a journey, and His Majesty will reward me."

Is there a reward?

The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment. Why would His Majesty bestow a gift upon the daughter of a deceased foreign official for no apparent reason?

Recalling what was mentioned earlier, Prince Anning is now also in the palace, so it seems His Majesty intends to arrange a meeting between the two.

Seeing Li Degui leave with Ning Nishang, Qin Xinxi's eyes darted around. She clutched her stomach, feigning pain, and said, "Your Majesty, I think I've eaten something bad. I need to go change my clothes..."

"A lazy donkey on a millstone poops and peees a lot," Qin Lianyue said impatiently as she lay back down. "Go on."

Qin Xinxi quickly followed.