"Shen Li, let's go. There's a good show to watch..." I grinned, a surge of excitement coursing through my veins.
My last clash with the Empress had left her as furious and flustered as a fish out of water, while I felt like a cat that had just swallowed a canary.
This banquet promised to be magnificent.
The banquet hall was thick with the heavy scent of perfume and falsehood.
Everyone was forcing their falsest smiles, nodding and bowing like a flock of overly enthusiastic pigeons.
I could practically taste the deceit.
The Empress sat rigidly on her throne, fighting for composure like a volcano on the brink of eruption.
Speaking of eruptions...
The moment I arrived, my eyes locked onto Lord Zhang.
He was clutching his stomach dramatically, his face twisted into an expression that looked less like someone who had been poisoned and more like someone who had just bitten into a lemon.
From time to time, he stole anxious glances toward the Empress, as if they were exchanging silent signals.
Amateurs, truly.
The clinking of wine goblets, the polite chatter, the rustle of silk robes—all of it faded into the background noise as I zeroed in on my target.
The charade was so transparent I half-expected to see the strings the Empress was using to manipulate Lord Zhang's limbs.
Then, right on cue, as the wine flowed freely and everyone let their guard down—bang!
Lord Zhang doubled over suddenly, letting out a groan that could rival a dying walrus.
The hall fell instantly silent.
All eyes shifted to the writhing nobleman, and then turned to me.
"My lord!" the Empress cried, her voice dripping with feigned concern.
"What is wrong with you? Imperial Physician Su, go examine him immediately! Why haven't you cured him yet?" She shot me a venomous glare.
Let the games begin, Your Majesty.
I strolled leisurely toward Lord Zhang, my heart beating a merry tune against my ribs.
I knelt beside him, took his wrist, and pretended to take his pulse.
His skin was slick with sweat, but not from a fever.
His pulse was remarkably steady, quickened only by nerves.
Honestly, the man was a terrible actor.
He really should have stuck to politics.
"Fascinating," I muttered, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
I stood up and dusted off my hands as if I had just touched something... unpleasant.
"Lord Zhang's symptoms are... most peculiar. Tell me, my lord," I turned to him with a sly smile, "have you recently consumed an excessive amount of extra-strong pickled radish juice? It is known to cause... rather similar... discomforts."
Whispers rippled through the crowd as people exchanged bewildered glances.
Lord Zhang's eyes widened in sheer panic.
He stammered, trying to deny it, but the words caught in his throat.
"You see," I continued, growing more confident with every word, "while these symptoms mimic far more serious maladies, a careful examination reveals the truth. The slight discoloration at the corners of the mouth, the specific pattern of perspiration on the brow—all point directly to an overdose of pickled radish juice. An embarrassing predicament, certainly, but hardly life-threatening."
The whispers grew louder, now laced with a hint of amusement.
The Empress's face contorted with rage, her carefully maintained composure crumbling like a poorly baked cake.
"You lie!" she shrieked, her voice cracking.
"He is gravely ill! You are incompetent!"
"Oh, I assure you, Your Majesty, I am exceptionally competent," I replied, my voice as smooth as silk.
"Perhaps if Lord Zhang had been honest about his... culinary indulgences... we could have avoided this... unpleasantness." I glanced down at Lord Zhang, who was now sweating profusely, his complexion matching curdled milk.
"Perhaps," I added, locking eyes with the Empress, "if certain individuals hadn't orchestrated this little... performance... we wouldn't be wasting everyone's time."
The ensuing silence was deafening.
You could have heard a pin drop.
Or perhaps a crown slipping.
Fires raged in the Empress's eyes, but her lips were pressed into a thin, pale line.
She knew she had lost this round, too.
I smiled inwardly.
Two wins out of two.
Not bad for a lowly physician, right?
The banquet resumed, but the atmosphere had shifted.
The air was no longer filled merely with perfume, but with suspicion and unease.
The Empress sat stiffly upon her throne like a statue of brewing wrath.
And I felt a rush of exhilaration.
I had won this round.
Yet the look in the Empress's eyes told me this game was far from over.
As I turned to speak to Shen Li, a cold dread crept into my mind.
"Shen Li," I murmured, a sudden tightness gripping my stomach, "I have a feeling..." "Shen Li," I said softly, a trace of unease in my voice, "I have a feeling this is only the beginning."
A flicker of worry crossed Shen Li's eyes, but she nodded resolutely. "My lady, no matter what happens, I will be by your side. And don't forget, we still have His Highness the Heir secretly helping us."
I smiled faintly, a wave of warmth washing over me.
Though the situation here was constantly fraught with peril, at least I had such trusted allies.
The banquet's atmosphere remained delicate after that minor disturbance.
Nobles whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with suspicion and unease.
The Empress still sat high upon her seat, wearing a forced smile, though the anger simmering beneath it was almost suffocating.
"A magnificent performance, wouldn't you say?" a low voice murmured beside my ear.
I turned to find Lu Zhao standing close by, his gaze complex, as if weighing something in his mind.
"What do you think, Your Highness?" I countered, a hint of provocation in my tone.
Lu Zhao glanced toward the distant Empress, his eyes chilling slightly. "Mingyue, what you did today was brilliant. But remember, the Empress has far more tricks up her sleeve. She won't give up easily."
I nodded, knowing well that he was right.
Though the Empress's scheme had failed this time, she would certainly not let the matter rest.
I had to remain vigilant and leave no room for error.
"Thank you for the warning, Your Highness. I will be more careful," I replied, sincerity lacing my voice.
Lu Zhao smiled slightly, a gentle warmth returning to his expression. "You are a clever woman, but if you ever need help, remember to come to me."
I nodded, an inexplicable emotion welling up inside me.
Despite his usual cold exterior, Lu Zhao always extended a helping hand when it mattered most, bringing a flicker of warmth to my heart.
The banquet dragged on, but the palpable tension never truly dissipated.
Though the Empress was temporarily powerless to retaliate, I could feel her burning anger and dissatisfaction.
A vengeful gleam flickered in her eyes, as if she were poised to strike again at any moment.
Just then, Eunuch Zhao appeared beside the Empress, whispering a few words into her ear.
The Empress's complexion turned ashen. She stood up and announced the end of the banquet, her tone carrying an unmistakable threat: "Today's banquet concludes here. You may all return to your estates."
The guests bowed and quickly dispersed.
I caught the gaze of Xiao Jingming, who gave a slight nod to signal that I should exercise caution.
I felt a quiet sense of relief; having such a backing provided an extra layer of security.
Back in my chambers, Shen Li helped me out of the heavy ceremonial robes. I sat before the vanity mirror, looking at my own reflection, and sighed inwardly: this seemingly calm court was actually a turbulent sea.
Behind every smile lay sinister intentions, and every decision could bring unexpected consequences.
"Shen Li," I whispered, "help me prepare some herbs. Tonight, I must study them thoroughly. I must prepare in advance for the Empress's next trap."
Shen Li nodded.
I smiled, a steadfast strength rising within me.
No matter how arduous the road ahead, I would overcome every obstacle.
Because I was not only Su Mingyue, but also the physician capable of reversing fate itself.
Tonight, I would make the most thorough preparations for the showdown to come.