After I got into the drama, I led the plot astray

He Wan'er, however, would glance over here from time to time, but would soon turn her face away and concentrate on feeding Zheng Xi.

Zhao Fangping knelt on the ground for a long time. Seeing that no one helped her, she cried even more miserably and her whole body was shaking.

At this time, Du Feilong and Du Changfeng, father and son, came over with wine glasses in their hands. They passed by the kneeling Zhao Fangping, raised their glasses and said to me respectfully, "I offer a glass to the Empress Dowager Shu, thanking her for risking her life to save my daughter-in-law (my wife)."

I quickly raised my glass and said, "You two Lords Du, you don't have to be polite. You are my family, and saving Wushuang is only natural."

Du Feilong raised his cup and drank it all, saying, "I'll drink it, Your Majesty, please do as you please."

Du Changfeng also raised his head and drank the wine, then bowed to me.

It is well known that I have a low alcohol tolerance, so they didn't dare to force me to finish the drink.

After the Du family father and son toasted and left, I said to Zhao Fangping, "You don't have to feel wronged. You should have thought of this result when you put eye drops in my eyes and spoke in a tea-like manner. You still can't make decisions in this palace, so don't try to harm me. Although you have some means, your level is not enough. Don't hang around in front of me in the future. The reason why I didn't bother you a while ago was that I thought you were also studying medicine, so I let you follow me to broaden your horizons. I didn't expect you to become more and more excessive. Not only did you speak in a tea-like manner, you also slandered me in front of others and said bad things about me everywhere. If you do this again in the future, don't blame me for being rude."

Zhao Fangping looked at me aggrievedly, then lowered her head and said with a sob, "Yes, I know."

Zhao Fangping knelt in front of me. Everyone saw it, even Zhao Zhenyuan who was being forced to drink. But no one said anything. Only then did Zhao Fangping realize that the position I held in everyone's eyes was something she would never be able to surpass in her lifetime.

I waved my hand and said, "Get up and go back to sit. You will be the head of the harem in the future. You must set an example in your words and deeds. Don't let people laugh at you."

Give a slap in the face and then give a sweet date. I have some experience in this trick.

Zhao Fangping stood up and bowed to me, no longer daring to show dissatisfaction, and said seriously: "Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty."

Zhao Fangping was scolded by me, and the five concubines stood aside and watched, with different expressions on their faces.

They returned to their seats and sat down. Their seats were not too far apart, giving them a good opportunity to communicate with each other.

One of them whispered, "I think the Empress Dowager Shu is not very old, but she is quite majestic."

Another said: "Yes, that momentum frightened me to the point of panic."

Another said: "I think the Empress Dowager is quite easy to talk to, but it's better not to provoke the Concubine Shu."

One of them came up to Zhao Fangping and whispered, "Miss Zhao Si, is this Concubine Shu really your biological sister?"

Zhao Fangping's eyes were red, and she was also very handsome, so anyone who saw her would feel pity for her.

Zhao Fangping sighed softly and said, "My father is biased and has never liked me since I was a child. My sister was spoiled by my father, so she treats me like this. Don't ask me, or the queen will blame me."

Although the hall was noisy, I had excellent hearing and naturally heard every word they said.

After hearing this, my brows twitched. You are so good, Zhao Fangping. I just warned you not to talk nonsense, but you turned around and slandered me behind my back. I was just about to deal with her, but Zhao Zhenyuan came over with a wine glass.

Zhao Zhenyuan had just had a drink with Zheng Yan, and only turned to me after he finished drinking.

Zhao Zhenyuan glanced at Zhao Fangping, who didn't dare to look at him. When he saw Zhao Zhenyuan, he knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "My daughter greets my father."

The five concubines also quickly stood up and knelt down, saying in unison: "Your servants pay their respects to Marshal Zhao."

Zhao Zhenyuan hummed and said, "Get up. There are many gossips in the palace. You should control your mouths in the future and don't discuss gossip behind people's backs, or you will have your tongue cut off."

Zhao Fangping and the five concubines couldn't help but tremble a few times, and said in unison: "Yes, Marshal Zhao, your daughters (your concubines) will remember it."

I suspect that Zhao Zhenyuan heard what Zhao Fangping and others were saying about me just now, otherwise he wouldn't have walked up to us and said these words.

I picked up the glass and stood up, saying, "Father has fought for the country for many years and now he has finally won. I am very proud of you. I would like to offer you a toast."

There was some expression on Zhao Zhenyuan's dark and thin face, as if he was smiling, but it was ultimately suppressed by the awe-inspiring spirit from his years of fighting.

Zhao Zhenyuan said, "You can't drink much, so you should drink less. Father came here to teach you something."

After Zhao Zhenyuan finished speaking, he took out a palm-sized cloth bag from his arms and handed it to me, saying, "This is something your old friend asked me to pass on to you. He misses you very much."

I took the bag doubtfully. The bag was not heavy and it felt like it was filled with jewellery when I touched it gently.

I was about to open it when Yue Zhenyuan pressed his hand against mine and said, "Go back and look at it. There's no rush."

I had no choice but to put the bag into my sleeve and said, "Thank you, father."

After everyone finished their round of toasts, the hall fell silent, and then there were various singing and dancing performances.

After the performance, He Wan'er said, "The new concubines are also talented. Whoever performs well will be rewarded handsomely by His Majesty."

Even if there is no reward, having the chance to show up in front of Zheng Yan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that no one wants to miss.

Zhao Fangping was not among the newly promoted concubines, but in order to win the favor of Zheng Yan, she stood up and said loudly: "I am willing to play a song for your majesty."

I couldn't help but look at Zhao Fangping. This girl is quite courageous and a tough character. Perhaps this is why Zheng Xian chose her. If you are not tough enough in the harem, you can't suppress those ambitions that are ready to move.

He Wan'er looked at me after hearing this, and seeing that I had no expression on my face, she smiled and said, "That's great, Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Zheng Yan smiled and nodded. When he was young, he had been tempted by Zhao Fangping's beauty. In addition, Zhao Fangping had been with him for so many years, so there was always affection between them.

At this time, a palace maid came in with a guqin and handed it to Zhao Fangping. It seemed that she had prepared it a long time ago.

A palace maid had already moved a stool and placed it in the middle of the hall. Zhao Fangping took the guqin, walked to the stool and sat down. He gently plucked the strings, and a tinkling sound like spring water came out.

An expert can tell whether a piece is good or not just by watching it perform. Zhao Fangping has definitely practiced hard. Her fingering is skillful, her pitch is excellent, and her emotional involvement is appropriate. No wonder she wanted to perform first. This performance stunned everyone.

The piece Zhao Fangping played was "High Mountains and Flowing Water". This piece of music sometimes flowed like a gurgling stream, and sometimes surged like a waterfall. Everyone who listened to it was fascinated, and even I almost wanted to applaud her.