Chapter 75: Entering the Palace
The constables couldn’t respond, their bodies sprawled on the ground like lizards, unable to move. The only change visible was the twitching muscles in their faces, a testament to their fear.
Qi Huang contemptuously withdrew her spiritual sense, then picked up the waist token and tooth token from the table, playing with them.
“You… you you…”
The constables regained their freedom, each retreating in panic, but due to their extreme terror, their limbs trembled, and they couldn’t even stand. They looked as if they had seen a ghost.
“What do you mean, ‘you’? According to the previous plan, if you send me into the palace now, you will regain your freedom. Otherwise, you die immediately.”
Qi Huang narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, as according to her observation, those who previously sent imperial concubines into the palace needed to have proof issued. Since they were going to act, they had to act convincingly enough to avoid revealing any flaws.
“Yes… yes yes…”
Constable Yao was the first to react, and he replied with a tremble.
“Let’s go!”
Qi Huang stood up impatiently and beckoned, then walked towards the door with leisure.
Constable Yao gritted his teeth, tried his best to support himself on the chair to stand up, and then, with the other constables helping each other, followed behind.
“Hmph!”
Qi Huang snorted contemptuously. These sorts of people actually wanted to kill her to silence her? They were truly overestimating themselves.
The constables were as quiet as cicadas in winter. They had never dreamed that such a seemingly harmless little lamb would be a ferocious beast in human form. They had many doubts in their hearts, but none dared to speak for fear of their lives, only daring to follow obediently.
Thus, led by Qi Huang, they arrived at the Imperial Palace gate.
Constable Yao took a deep breath, and after calming his emotions, he stepped forward to negotiate.
“Why is she wearing a veil?”
The guard pointed at Qi Huang and asked.
“Sir, I caught a cold on the way.”
Qi Huang attempted to bluff her way through. After all, her main body was a public figure, so she tried not to show her face if possible.
“Once you reach the Imperial Palace, never mind a cold, even if you have a stroke, you must take off your veil.”
It was clear that the palace guards were not easily fooled.
The constables exchanged glances, their expressions becoming more flustered.
Qi Huang didn’t argue further. She reached out and took off her veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. Apart from the jade ornament between her eyebrows, there were no other coverings. If the other party insisted on seeing, she couldn’t do anything. If she was recognized, it wouldn’t be a big deal; she would just reveal her true identity.
The guards’ eyes widened instantly, some even drooling at the corners of their mouths.
“Sir? Sir? What’s wrong? Did you have a stroke?”
Qi Huang seized the opportunity to ridicule them without mercy.
“Let’s go!”
The guard in charge of the inspection recovered, then, with an embarrassed expression, let them pass.
“Hehe…”
Qi Huang smiled triumphantly, then swaggered into the palace gate. The few followers trailed behind her as if treading on thin ice.
“Chen Yuzhu? There’s such exceptional beauty among this batch of imperial concubines. She looks even more stunning than Consort Jin and the Sixth Princess.”
“Strange, such a beautiful woman, why have I never heard of her before?”
“What’s so strange about that? The Xihui Dynasty is vast and rich, you can’t possibly have heard of everyone, can you?”
“No matter what, those imperial consorts are going to be unlucky. Such incredible beauty will surely stir up a tempest in the harem.”
…
The guards’ voices could be faintly heard.
Qi Huang, already knowing the location of the Shangyi Bureau, did not delay for a moment and headed straight in that direction.
The constables were confused but did not dare to ask any more questions, following her cautiously like servants.
“What are you planning to do after you enter the Shangyi Bureau? Are you going to help Ouyang Tong get by, or replace her and play out the acting session?”
Yaoyao curiously inquired through telepathic transmission.
“Let’s take it one step at a time. If I can help her deceive them, I won’t participate. I’ll just find an opportunity to disappear on the first day of the month.”
Qi Huang replied after a moment of thought.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to scare those imperial consorts?”
Yaoyao reminded her.
“A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, and besides, I won’t need ten years. It’s better to be careful for now.”
Qi Huang explained very rationally.
“What if she doesn’t act well? What if you personally go on stage to act, and then your true identity is recognized?”
Yaoyao then asked again.
“Then those imperial consorts will just have to blame their bad luck. I’ll scare them to death.”
Qi Huang smiled smugly.
“What if you can’t get out and are caught by that dog emperor to have children?”
Yaoyao said maliciously.
“It’s alright, at worst, I won’t reveal my true qi. On the first day of the month, at the selection event, I’ll make a stunning appearance. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, let’s see how he can keep me.”
Qi Huang said very seriously.
“I hope everything goes as you wish!”
Yaoyao said noncommittally.
The Imperial Palace was vast. Qi Huang led the constables, taking many turns, and it took her a full two hours to reach the entrance of the Shangyi Bureau.
“After registering, you can leave. If you want to live, then as we agreed, do not speak of this matter to any outsider.”
Qi Huang reminded them again.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
The constables nodded eagerly.
“Don’t look so glum, as if you’re sending this young lady to her death. To tell you the truth, I’m not an imperial concubine, nor was I sent to the Imperial Capital by anyone, so you don’t need to worry about being discovered.”
Qi Huang kindly reminded them.
“Really?”
Constable Yao was overjoyed, and his brothers also reacted, their faces showing expressions of having narrowly escaped death.
“To be honest, after knowing you for so long, I’ve rarely heard you refer to yourself as ‘young lady’.”
Just then, Yaoyao’s voice suddenly sounded in her mind.
“Ah? Did I just say that?”
Qi Huang asked uncertainly.
“Yes! And you said it very naturally.”
Yaoyao confirmed.
“Damn it!”
Qi Huang sighed helplessly, truly hating Cheng Ling in her heart.
“Is there a problem? Isn’t it normal for a girl to call herself ‘young lady’?”
Yaoyao asked, confused.
“No… no… it is indeed quite normal.”
Qi Huang quickly brushed it off, thinking that it was normal for others to refer to themselves that way, but it was problematic for her to do so.
Qi Huang didn’t want to dwell on the topic any longer. She hurried towards the entrance of the Shangyi Bureau and then revealed her identity to the two beautiful palace maids guarding the entrance.
“Imperial Concubine Chen, welcome.”
The two palace maids said very politely. In the palace, the status of an imperial concubine was higher than theirs. The reason was simple: although the former’s future was unknown, she was at least considered the Emperor’s person for the time being, whereas they were already dismissed maids.
“They are the ones who sent me into the palace. Can they come in?”
Qi Huang looked at the five constables.
“I’m sorry! Imperial Concubine Chen, this Shangyi Bureau is a place for women to reside. Men are not allowed to enter. After you enter and register, the stewards will issue you a certificate. You can then have them take it back.”
A palace maid explained very politely.
“You all wait here!”
Qi Huang did not force the issue. She instructed the constables and then followed one of the palace maids into the Shangyi Bureau.
As soon as she stepped through the entrance, Qi Huang’s eyes became a little blurry. As far as the eye could see, various flowers were competing in beauty. Beautiful girls were playing among them, their sweet voices filling the air. Skirts fluttered, revealing glimpses of skin. The fragrance of maidens mingled with the scent of flowers, filling the entire space. It was all so beautiful, like a dream, making one’s head feel dizzy.
If an ordinary imperial concubine entered this Shangyi Bureau, she would surely feel immense pressure, because every competitor was outstanding in appearance, with figures ranging from plump to slender, and diverse temperaments. What kind of beauties were not present? How difficult it was to stand out!
Qi Huang was different. Firstly, she was not a real woman, and secondly, she was not here to compete. This place was simply paradise for her, so her eyes were completely unrestrained, constantly stealing glances at private areas, hoping to see some stimulating scenes.
“What are you sneakily looking at?”
Yaoyao couldn’t stand it anymore and said.
“I wasn’t looking at anything. It’s my first time here, I have to get familiar with the situation around here to make it easier to act.”
Qi Huang explained guiltily.
“The situation you mentioned, does it refer to the physical condition of those women?”
Yaoyao pressed.
“Who told you? Don’t you dare talk nonsense.”
Qi Huang immediately became indignant.
“Talk nonsense? I’m not blind. What’s with you constantly leering at people’s bodies? Don’t try to argue. We’re both women, you should understand how sharp women’s intuition is.”
Yaoyao said frankly.
“What do you mean leering? I’m using a critical eye! They’re practically undressed in broad daylight, what kind of order is this? I have to use the Recording Mirror to film it later as evidence to report them.”
Qi Huang said indignantly.
