Transmigrating into a book, seducing him to rise to power

Qi Wanyin's heart had sunk to the bottom, but she forced herself to remain calm and not let anyone see the turmoil in her heart.

She returned to the banquet, sat back in her seat, and seemed a little stiff.

Princess Minghui was still surrounded by many young men from noble families.

After all, Princess Minghui was the legitimate princess, and she grew up by the Empress's side since childhood, with the Crown Prince as her solid support.

The Crown Prince's actions in the court are evident to all, and it is only a matter of time before he ascends the throne. Naturally, Princess Minghui has become a highly sought-after princess.

In the kingdom, the dowry of a princess is always extremely generous, often including large tracts of land and a vast amount of wealth. This is especially true for a noble legitimate princess, whose dowry is even more extravagant.

Moreover, by marrying into the royal family, one's family can directly rise to the status of imperial relatives, greatly enhancing their influence in official circles and various social occasions.

For ordinary officials and their families, marriage to a princess could even allow them to network with a wider circle of powerful and influential people and expand their social connections.

Princess Minghui didn't even glance at these young men who came to curry favor with her.

Besides, she had already developed feelings for Yan Shuhan and felt nothing for any other man.

Princess Minghui chatted casually with the young men, her eyes inadvertently glancing at Qi Wanyin, and a plan instantly formed in her mind.

With a smile playing on her lips, she walked gracefully toward Qi Wanyin.

With a seemingly friendly smile on her face, she said in a clear, melodious voice, "Gentlemen, this is Miss Qi. Raised by her mother's side since childhood, she is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her court etiquette is exceptional."

Today, the Empress Dowager is also preparing to choose a husband for Miss Qi at this banquet. Why don't you take this opportunity to get to know each other?

Upon hearing this, Qi Wanyin frowned instantly.

She tried hard to ignore the strange looks from the young men around her, but their disdainful and mocking gazes pierced her like sharp arrows.

She could almost hear their laughter clearly.

"No matter how well you study, if your status is too low, you can only be a concubine when you marry into the family."

"If Miss Qi hadn't curried favor with the Empress, it's questionable whether she would have been included in the Qi family genealogy. The problem is, even if she were included, she would still have the blood of a woman from another ethnic group. Which family would be willing to marry a woman with blood from another ethnic group?"

"......"

These mocking voices swirled in Qi Wanyin's mind like a curse. Her head was buzzing, and the scene before her eyes began to blur, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Suddenly, she stood up abruptly, her voice trembling slightly: "Princess Minghui, I'm feeling unwell, I'll take my leave now."

Having said that, he turned and left hastily without waiting for Princess Minghui's response.

Princess Minghui looked bewildered, "Eh..."

Isn't Qi Wanyin being a bit too unruly?

She had just praised Qi Wanyin for her good manners in front of these young masters.

Besides, she didn't seem to have done anything excessive, so what exactly went wrong with Qi Wanyin? She acted as if she had bullied her.

Although she didn't really like some of the young men who were invited to the palace by the Empress Dowager, they were more than enough for Qi Wanyin. Could it be that Qi Wanyin was still eyeing her brother?

Thinking of this, Princess Minghui felt a surge of dissatisfaction.

After leaving, Qi Wanyin's steps seemed hurried, even somewhat flustered.

No, she absolutely cannot just sit here and wait to die.

My aunt is hosting this banquet today. Since she said she would help her choose a husband, if she doesn't choose one herself, my aunt will definitely arrange one for her directly.

She had no reason to refuse.

What should I do...?

Qi Wanyin's mind was in complete turmoil.

Just as Qi Wanyin was at a loss, she saw Su Jingxuan.

At this moment, Su Jingxuan was standing in the middle of a group of young masters, smiling and exchanging pleasantries with them with elegant manners.

It's him?

Su Jingxuan... he seems to be Miss Su's brother.

Qi Wanyin took a deep breath, composed herself, forced a smile, and walked over gracefully.

"Young Master Su, it's been a long time."

Su Jingxuan was somewhat surprised to see Qi Wanyin approaching him. He raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Miss Qi."

Wang Xiuwen, who was standing to the side, saw Qi Wanyin and was surprised to find that this Miss Qi actually knew Brother Su.

He rolled his eyes and then said tactfully, "Brother Su, I'll go with them to look around somewhere else, so I won't bother you any longer."

After saying that, he left with the others, and soon only Qi Wanyin was left by Su Jingxuan's side.

"Young Master Su, do you have time to go for a walk?"

"it is good."

Su Jingxuan nodded, also curious about what she wanted to say to him.

Qi Wanyin led Su Jingxuan towards a less crowded area, completely unaware that a tail was following them.

"When did Young Master Su return to the capital?"

She asked questions as she walked, glancing at Su Jingxuan every now and then.

"Just two days ago," Su Jingxuan replied calmly.

"Does Young Master Su know the purpose of his aunt's hosting this banquet?"

"I know a thing or two. It's to choose a husband for Princess Minghui and also to announce your identity as a member of the Qi family to everyone," Su Jingxuan said truthfully.

After hearing this, Qi Wanyin sighed deeply, seemingly filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"A Qi family girl? The Qi family only included me in their genealogy because of my aunt. If it's the palace and the Qi family, I'd rather live in the palace."

Her eyes dimmed.

"However, Young Master Su, you may not know this, but my aunt is also planning to choose a husband for me at this banquet," Qi Wanyin said with a wry smile.

Doesn't she like the Crown Prince?

Su Jingxuan originally thought that Qi Wanyin would have the Empress bestow her upon the Crown Prince.

Seeing his reaction, Qi Wanyin chuckled lightly, with a hint of self-deprecation: "Young Master Su seems quite surprised."

"Has Miss Qi relinquished the Crown Prince?" Su Jingxuan couldn't help but ask.

"I've let myself off the hook."

Qi Wanyin slowly raised her head, looking at the sky as if to release all the troubles in her heart, her face showing a relieved expression.

Su Jingxuan's gaze was complicated. After not seeing her for several years, she seemed to have become even better at hiding herself.

Has she really let go?

If she had let go, she wouldn't have kept staring at the Crown Prince ever since he appeared at the banquet, her eyes filled with clear longing and resentment.

They certainly wouldn't ignore the young masters who came today, nor would they have any desire to learn about them.

"Miss Qi, do you have a suitor in mind?" Su Jingxuan asked casually.

"Whether I like it or not is not important, my aunt will help me choose the good ones."

Qi Wanyin's voice was filled with helplessness and disappointment, and her head was slightly lowered.

The two chatted casually along the way.

With each additional word she spoke, Qi Wanyin's heart sank lower and lower.

She had already hinted so obviously, but Su Jingxuan remained as still as a block of wood, refusing to respond.

Since her cousin could no longer marry her, she could only plan for a better future for herself.

Young Master Su was different from other young masters in the capital. He didn't care much about his background or the foreign blood in her body. He was a gentle and refined man.

Marrying him might be the best choice for her right now.

They walked on a path paved with pebbles, but Qi Wanyin's mind was completely elsewhere.

Suddenly, her foot twisted, she lost her balance, and fell straight down.

"Miss Qi, are you alright?"

Su Jingxuan subconsciously reached out to help her, but stopped halfway through.

Men and women should not have physical contact; he could not tarnish a woman's reputation because of momentary impatience.

"I feel like I can't get up; my ankle hurts a lot."

Qi Wanyin frowned, a pained expression on her face, but in her heart she hoped he could help her up.

Although Qi Wanyin deliberately led Su Jingxuan to a less crowded area, there were palace maids and eunuchs everywhere in the palace, only differing in number. Otherwise, Su Jingxuan would never have been so easily alone with Qi Wanyin.

His upbringing would never allow him to be alone with a woman like this, lest it damage her reputation.

"I'll have the palace maids help you up, and then I'll inform the Empress and have her send a sedan chair to take you home."

Qi Wanyin never expected that even after all she had done, Su Jingxuan would still refuse to touch her.

"No, no need. Let the palace maids over there help me to Qinghuan Palace in front. I don't want my aunt to worry about me."

Su Jingxuan agreed and then waved for the palace maid to come over.

The palace maid carefully helped Qi Wanyin up, and she limped towards Qinghuan Palace with the maid's support.

At this moment, Qinghuan Palace was deserted, with only a cleaning maid busy in a corner.

The palace had been uninhabited for a long time, making it appear exceptionally empty and quiet.

The cleaning maid never expected anyone to come. After hearing the noise, she went to bring up a pot of tea.

After Qi Wanyin sat down in the chair, she looked up and said softly, "Young Master Su, please sit for a while and have some tea."

"No need, I'll have someone fetch a royal physician to take a look at you."

Qi Wanyin trembled slightly, but did not speak. She simply lowered her head slowly, her voice so low it was almost inaudible.

She murmured, "Am I really that annoying now...?"

Su Jingxuan paused.

He knew she was always very sensitive and fragile, and suddenly wondered if he had been too cold and heartless.

Thinking of this, a look of reluctance appeared on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he turned around and sat down.

"Don't overthink it. I just think your ankle needs to be examined by the imperial physician as soon as possible."

Su Jingxuan's tone softened slightly.

Qi Wanyin raised her head, forced a smile, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup for Su Jingxuan.

"Young Master Su, this cup of tea is for you. My aunt will betroth me to someone else after today, and we may never see each other again. Thank you for your kindness."

Su Jingxuan was taken aback by her words, but in the end he did not refuse. He took the teacup, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Outside Qinghuan Palace, Chu Yinxue had been itching to show herself since Qi Wanyin deliberately twisted her ankle, but seeing that Young Master Su did not reach out to help her, she refrained from revealing herself.

However, a full quarter of an hour had passed since the two entered Qinghuan Palace, so why hadn't Young Master Su come out yet?

Chu Yinxue grew increasingly anxious, biting her lip tightly.

Never mind, she should go in and take a look!

Chu Yinxue made up her mind, took a deep breath, and stepped into Qinghuan Palace.

To everyone's surprise, the Qinghuan Palace was completely empty!

Chu Yinxue looked puzzled, her brows furrowed, and her beautiful eyes quickly scanned the hall.

Without giving it much thought, he began searching each room in the hall one by one.

After searching several rooms, we finally found them in a side hall!

Chu Yinxue stared in astonishment at the scene before her, her mouth agape.

Young Master Su lay quietly on the bed with his eyes closed, while Qi Wanyin lay on top of him, her clothes disheveled and even a little undressed.

She instantly realized that it must be Qi Wanyin who was behind this.

She must have drugged Young Master Su, hoping to use this to get close to him!

How shameless!

She stormed in and struggled to lift Qi Wanyin, who was also unconscious.

Chu Yinxue knew she couldn't lift Young Master Su, so she could only move Qi Wanyin away first.

Gritting his teeth and using all his strength, he finally moved Qi Wanyin to the next room.

Chu Yinxue was panting heavily from exhaustion and hadn't even had a chance to rest when she heard a commotion outside.

Could it be that Qi Wanyin hired someone to catch her cheating?

Chu Yinxue's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

She was still young and had never witnessed such scheming tactics before, and was once again shocked by Qi Wanyin's deep cunning.

Outside the palace, the Empress heard the flustered report from Qi Wanyin's maid that Qi Wanyin had injured her ankle and was having difficulty moving. She went to find palace servants from the Imperial Household Department to carry her sedan chair, but when she returned, she found Qi Wanyin alone with a man, and the two were very intimate. She was so alarmed that she rushed over to report.

"Which room is Wanyin in?" the Empress asked sternly.

The maidservant led the Empress over tremblingly.

When she reached the door, her hands trembled as she pushed it open. She had intended to point to the bed and reply to the Empress, but upon closer inspection, she found only Young Master Su lying unconscious on the bed.

The Empress's eyes instantly sharpened.

The maidservant knelt down in alarm, repeatedly saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me." Where had her young mistress gone? Weren't she and Young Master Su both unconscious? How could they have disappeared?

The Empress stared at the unconscious Young Master Su on the bed and immediately understood the trickery involved.

Is Qi Wanyin planning to marry the young master of the Su family?

The Su family only has this one son. Even as the Empress, she cannot easily arrange a marriage between the legitimate son of the Su family and a concubine's daughter, let alone a woman with foreign blood.

Thinking of this, his face grew even uglier, and his lips pressed tightly into a line.

"Jinhua, Young Master Su is tired from the banquet and is resting in Qinghuan Palace. Please send someone to inform Miss Su."

She would never allow Qi Wanyin's schemes to tarnish her reputation.

"Send someone to fetch the Crown Prince again. I wish to discuss Wanyin's marriage with him."

Since the Crown Prince wanted to arrange a marriage for Qi Wanyin, now that this has happened, he, as the Crown Prince's cousin, should think of someone else to marry her off.