Chapter 31: The Empress Ascendant

The next day, the palace banquet took place.

The entire court, both civil and military officials, attended with their families. The once quiet palace had finally come alive again. Lanterns and decorations adorned every corner, and performers from outside the palace—acrobatics, a circus troupe, and dancing girls—were invited to entertain.

“Your Majesty, how about this one?”
“And this one? It was also specially made for you at the Emperor’s order.”

Cuizhi and Lanxin held out a pile of garments, yet Yuan Peipei did not find a single piece to her liking.

With his exquisite mustache, neat short hair, and a well-tailored long coat, Wei Renwu looked revitalized, dispelling the gloom that had clouded him. At least now, Sun Rui was truly certain that neither Li Yue nor Yang Jian harbored ill will toward him.

When she stepped out, the guards had already piled an unusually tall stack of firewood within the camp, preparing to light a bonfire after nightfall.

---

The two returned to the pavilion together. Consort Rong sat down, extending her slender wrist provocatively as she smiled at Yun Qixi.

“I’m waiting,” she said.

Huo Junzhe responded coldly, gripping her tightly with both hands. He leaned in, pressing his face against her neck, inhaling deeply. The scent was intoxicating, sweet and alluring, making him want to bite her hard.

Longtai Mountain was a royal forbidden area. It was unclear if the imperial tomb lay there, but aside from royal ancestral rites, no one else was allowed to ascend. The mountain’s lush trees marked it as a place of fortune.

The wound on Liu Baimu’s neck instantly widened. With a sudden jerk, his head fell to the steps with a heavy thud, then tumbled down the slope.

Because of this, Qin Dongmin looked at the instant-fried noodles in his hand, yet his mind was preoccupied with critical issues affecting the battle’s outcome. How could he not be serious, how could he not be solemn?

Lieutenant Jason never expected the advancing Chinese tanks to suddenly change formation, executing a pincer movement from both flanks to encircle his eight M26 heavy tanks.

I rarely blush, but his serious expression made me a little embarrassed. I turned and casually stuffed it into a drawer in the wardrobe.

Chen Zhuolin, however, hung his head and ignored her. He was determined to sell the factory no matter what.

Chu Qing’s barrage of questions struck Jiang Li like a slap in the face, leaving her stunned.

In mere moments, Cheng Hao thought of many things, but the situation before him left no room for contemplation.

---

“Uncle Wang, the main culprit has been found,” Fang Yi glanced at Wang Shanhai as he entered, smiling faintly.

“My brother is here to bid as well!” Fang Tou immediately stepped forward, his round face beaming, and shook hands with Cheng Hao.

Hearing Lin Xinyue’s voice calmed my anxious heart considerably. Awakening from sleep, I felt an intense thirst—a sign of profound spiritual injury. When I looked at the pale blue juice, that thirst only deepened, and without hesitation, I drank it all.

The staff around exchanged glances, wondering where this reckless fool had come from to so boldly insult the CEO. Under normal circumstances, such a person would surely be finished for the day.

“Pick your hero first. If your hands are still shaking badly after entering the game, just play cautiously,” Su Xiang said. There was no quick fix for a newbie’s nerves; only practice and adaptation would help. Expecting instant calm was impossible.

Though sharp-tongued, Ziyan’s expression became noticeably more vivid at that moment. She paused her movements and packed away the purple wig.

Ling Yi bowed with clenched fists, trembling violently, unable to comprehend how the previously kind sect leader’s face had suddenly changed.

Of course, these people were not without gains; at least they had uncovered some hidden rules of the competition environment.