Chapter 27: The Crippled Young Lady (Twenty-Seven)

Chapter 27: The Crippled Young Lady (Part 27)

Feng Qingqing flushed slightly and said in a soft voice, "Your humble daughter is Feng Qingqing, daughter of Grand Preceptor Feng. I am indeed among those selected for the imperial harem."

Yuan Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this. He clapped his hands and exclaimed repeatedly, "Excellent, excellent, excellent! Such a dance belongs only in the heavens; it is rare to witness such a performance in the mortal realm. Grand Preceptor Feng, you have taught her well! Someone, bring the rewards!"

Seeing the Emperor offer such praise, the officials immediately followed suit with smiles, cheering and echoing his acclaim.

Grand Preceptor Feng’s eyes lit up. He struggled to suppress the joy on his face, quickly rose, walked to the foot of the stairs, and knelt, bowing with utmost reverence. "Your Majesty is too kind with your praise!"

Su Kui had no interest in watching what happened next. Her nimble hands skillfully used the crab-eating tools to dismantle a plump, succulent crab, carefully extracting the meat and placing it into a small dish.

She then pushed the dish toward the Old Madam.

The Old Madam’s attention was still fixed on the father and daughter from the Feng family in the great hall. She gave a cold snort, "A seductive creature, just like her aunt!"

Su Kui nodded inwardly; she was indeed exactly like the Fourth Aunt—deceitful, skilled at deception, and calculating.

Yet, it was precisely because of these traits that she would eventually ascend to the position of Empress.

In this dynasty, such a disposition was not necessarily a disadvantage. It was only a pity that—

They were on opposing sides. The play had already begun, and it would inevitably end with one of them destroyed.

"Grandmother, do try this autumn crab. I peeled it myself," Su Kui said, interrupting the Old Madam’s heavy thoughts, fearing she might make herself ill with worry. She nudged the dish full of crab meat closer to her.

The Old Madam heard her and quickly collected her thoughts, putting on a kind, grandmotherly smile. "Anything peeled by Ran’er is naturally the best."

She picked up her chopsticks, tasted a morsel, and offered endless praise.

Watching Su Kui’s seemingly innocent expression, the Old Madam sighed. Her dear Ran’er, what would become of her in the future?

Once Feng Qingqing had caught the Emperor’s eye, her rise to power was inevitable. The Old Madam knew that with Feng Qingqing’s methods, she would certainly survive and thrive in the treacherous, intrigue-filled inner palace.

It was only her dear Ran’er who suffered...

How much longer could her own frail bones protect her?

Su Kui knew the Old Madam was preoccupied. She pretended that the crab meat was delicious, though in truth, as the matriarch of the Grand Preceptor’s estate, what delicacy had she not tasted?

It was all to humor her; the Old Madam’s deep affection for Feng Yanran warmed Su Kui’s heart.

Over there, Grand Preceptor Feng had received his rewards. One look at the envious expressions of those around him told her the bounty must be substantial.

What surprised Su Kui even more was that Feng Qingqing had been conferred a title just like that.

Although it was only the rank of 'Beauty,' for a woman to catch the Emperor’s favor before the grand selection was complete, her prospects were truly limitless—not to mention that Feng Qingqing had even been granted a specific title.

'Beauty Rou'—

Just as the crowd was in an uproar, filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment, a low voice suddenly cut through the atmosphere at a most inappropriate moment.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty for gaining such a beauty. I have an impertinent request; I wonder if Your Majesty would be willing to grant it?"

'I'—

Su Kui curled her lip in secret. There was no one else who would dare to refer to himself as 'this Prince' in front of the Emperor besides Jun Mo.

A flash of gloom crossed Yuan Chen’s eyes, so swift that almost no one noticed.

He clenched his fists, feeling the sharp sting of his fingernails digging into his palms. A surge of violent rage rose in his chest. One day—

One day, he would make sure this empire bore only his name!

He forced a smile, his expression appearing innocent. "Uncle, you are too formal. Whatever you desire, I shall procure it for you!"

Jun Mo stood with his hands behind his back, his long, narrow phoenix eyes making Su Kui feel as though he were staring directly at her.

"I want her. I wonder if Your Majesty would permit it?"