The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 381 Another purpose

The emperor stared at her face, feeling a sharp pain in his heart.

However, he could not say that Jianyang, which now shows the marks of time, is ugly or old.

On the contrary, she is now exceptionally beautiful.

This was also the first time he realized that girls can be beautiful at eighteen or thirty.

Time is truly amazing, and so is the process of people growing older.

Jianyang, unaware of his elder brother's sentiments, was still earnestly explaining to Zhang Dairong.

"The situation in the Brown Kingdom may seem chaotic, but Qi Yongji has already gained an absolute advantage, and his purge is about to begin."

Meanwhile, Qi Yongji, who was being thought of, was having a meal with the Empress.

He would occasionally put a piece of food on the Empress's plate, and Cai Min would always look back at him with emotion.

What a beautiful scene of deep affection between lovers.

In reality, Qi Yongji's eyes held a deep calculation, while Cai Min's subconscious avoidance stemmed from annoyance.

What appears to be a harmonious scene is, upon closer inspection, nothing but hypocrisy.

After eating until he was about 70% full, Qi Yongji finally got down to business.

"Zitong, the Imperial Concubine's birthday is in five days. She is delicate and often complains that life in the palace is boring, so I want to hold a grand celebration for her. This matter will require your help in organizing it."

Cai Min managed to keep her composure thanks to her years of upbringing.

She really didn't know where Qi Yongji got the audacity to act all lovey-dovey with her while asking her to host a birthday banquet for another woman.

Doesn't he know that this only makes him seem incredibly fake?

She also said, "She has a delicate personality"...

Does Qiu Manyun know that she could twist his head off if she got really serious?

Ah.

If he really wanted to give Qiu Manyun a facial, he should have taken care of it himself and made arrangements well in advance, instead of only thinking about it when Qiu Manyun's birthday was approaching.

They played the role of foolish people full of love in front of him, and he actually believed them.

His attitude was so perfunctory, as if he was afraid of wasting even a little effort. Was he so sure that Cai Min would not betray him?

Despite her suspicions and resentment, Cai Min was under someone else's roof and had no choice but to comply.

With a broad smile, she obediently agreed.

Qi Yongji patted her hand with satisfaction: "Will you stay here tonight?"

Cai Min looked troubled.

The head maid behind her understood and whispered, "Her Majesty is not feeling well today and may offend His Majesty."

Cai Min frowned, seemingly displeased that the palace maid had pushed the emperor away.

She opened her mouth as if to ask him to stay, but in the end it turned into a plaintive sigh: "Your Majesty, why don't you go to your other sisters' quarters today?"

She knew Qi Yongji's personality well.

He disliked her indifference and her unreasonable behavior, so she perfectly masked her feelings of caring but having to let go.

Qi Yongji was indeed moved with pity, and with a wave of his hand, a stream of rewards was sent into Cai Min's palace.

Before he left, he praised her generosity and understanding once again.

For the first time, he spoke of "not failing the virtues of the Empress" regarding this empress whom he had once considered deposing.

After he left, Cai Min leaned against the flower stand, looking at the open boxes scattered all over the floor.

Exquisite jade and precious objects, calligraphy and painting catalogs, fine silks and satins, gold and jade ornaments... the sheer variety is dazzling.

Just like the emperor's favor, it was adorned with jewels and extravagant luxury.

The head palace maid noticed Cai Min's melancholy and comforted her, "Your Majesty, the Emperor cares about you. Now, the Emperor truly cherishes you, so you don't need to be so careful anymore."

Cai Min, however, showed no joy on her face.

care?

The emperor's favor is more unpredictable than the clouds in the sky.

If someone takes advantage of this favor to act recklessly, their death is not far off.

She didn't explain, but touched her heavily made-up face and whispered, "I'm really afraid that one day I'll become someone I don't recognize."

The head palace maid had been with her since she was a child; how could she not know her aspirations and pursuits?

Sometimes she felt that her master was too foolish, and sometimes she felt that she didn't know how lucky she was.

But when she thought of her mistress's smiling face outside the palace and the mask she often wore now, she felt that it might not be so.

She sighed, unsure whether it was for her own precarious fate, like a floating duckweed, or for the edges her master had smoothed out.

"I'm here with you."

They, though of different statuses, are like birds flying into a golden cage, never to see the edge of the sky again.

Cai Min squeezed the head palace maid's hand back, her eyes filled with unspeakable worry.

Was this inexplicable banquet really held for Qiu Manyun?

She endured it for two days, but finally used the excuse of discussing the birthday banquet rules to meet with Qiu Manyun.

At that moment, Qiu Manyun was sketching her beautiful eyebrows and eyes.

Cai Min casually found a seat and sat down: "I heard that you begged and cried to Qi Yongji to host a birthday banquet for you?"

Qiu Manyun tilted her pen: "Who's putting a label on me again?"

"The biggest one in the palace."

Qiu Manyun wiped away the crooked eyebrow paint and casually asked, "You?"

"Don't talk nonsense."

“This isn’t the first or second time he’s used my name to do things. If you ask me, he should empty half of his private coffers and give them to me as compensation for me taking the blame for him.”

Cai Min remained silent.

Qiu Manyun's answer was within her expectations, but why did it make her so angry?

She tore at her handkerchief through gritted teeth: "How hateful! This time is different. I have a feeling he's going to cause something big this time."

Qiu Manyun turned back, her expression becoming much more serious.

"You're amazing, I believe in you."

Cai Min's lips curled up slightly, and she said with satisfaction, "Don't take it lightly. He's the kind of person who won't do anything without a benefit. If it were just to show his favor to you, he could have simply hosted a banquet for the harem. But he insisted on inviting the ministers of the previous dynasty to the palace as well. Moreover, the banquet was decided so hastily. I've been on guard. The palace patrols are getting tighter every day. I'm afraid this might be a trap!"

“Since it’s not targeting us, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid something will happen to your father? Then let him find an excuse to cancel.”

"Reject it? If he escapes this time, neither he nor I will ever gain that person's trust again in this lifetime."

They spoke in extremely low voices, creating an eerie, ghostly atmosphere in the quiet room.

Qiu Manyun sighed silently.

Although Cai Min is a lady from a prominent family and seems to enjoy all the honors and favors, she has to risk her life for every moment of peace and wealth. When will this kind of life end?

Looking at her relaxed demeanor, Cai Min was somewhat reluctant to admit that she actually envied Qiu Manyun a little.

"Why aren't you worried at all?"

Qiu Manyun's eyes darted around: "My father's position is insignificant; he might not even be on the invitation list. Why am I nervous?"

Cai Min snorted lightly: "You guessed right. However, the situation in the court changes rapidly. Perhaps it won't be long before your father ascends to the throne?"

Qiu Manyun waved her hands in alarm: "No way! My father and I are destined to be wealthy, how can a favored concubine possibly have a glorious family? I know my father's character, he's honest and simple, and his current position is his limit. Going any higher will only bring trouble..."