Ah, you traveled through time too?

The night was dark and the lights in the palace were gradually extinguished, but in a secluded side hall, Mei Fei's secret meeting was quietly going on. She summoned some of her trusted ministers and important figures in the palace to discuss the next plan. Those who attended the meeting included Lord Li, Lord Wang, the Chief Censor, and several important officials in the court who were dissatisfied with the emperor.

Mei Fei sat in the main seat with a stern expression. She knew that this meeting was crucial and would determine her future in the palace and the court. She looked at everyone and spoke slowly: "Everyone, everyone is well aware of the recent situation in the court and the palace. We must take more radical actions to ensure our interests."

Lord Li spoke first: "What Concubine Mei said is absolutely right. Although the emperor has been alert recently, our arrangements in the court have begun to bear fruit. As long as we work harder, we will be able to weaken the emperor's authority."

Mei Fei nodded and said, "Lord Li, I am very aware of your efforts. Next, we need to focus on several key points. First, the financial issue. Lord Zhao has always been opposed to increasing military spending. We can use this to intensify our attacks on him."

The Imperial Censor, Lord Wang, took over the topic: "Madam Mei, I think we can make a fuss in public opinion. Through some censors in the court, spread rumors about Lord Zhao's poor management and put him in a passive position."

Mei Fei showed a hint of sneer: "Lord Wang, this is a brilliant plan. However, the war of public opinion is only the first step. We still need some practical actions. Lord Li, you need to intensify your offensive on financial issues and put the emperor and Lord Zhao in trouble."

Lord Li nodded and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have arranged several people. They will raise questions at the critical moment and force Lord Zhao to make concessions."

Mei Fei nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Secondly, we need to create more conflicts on the issue of border defense. Several generals in the court have been persuaded by me. They will raise objections at the right time and force the emperor into a dilemma."

A minister dressed in military uniform stood up and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, we are ready. As soon as the time comes, we will raise the urgent issue of border defense at the court meeting and force the emperor to express his position."

Mei Fei smiled slightly: "Okay, in this way, the emperor and Lord Zhao will be forced to choose between border defense and financial issues. No matter what they choose, it will cause greater conflicts."

She paused and continued, "In addition, I have also made some arrangements in the palace. Recently, the relationship between the sisters Lian Di and Lian Fang has eased, which is not good for us. We must continue to sow discord between them and not let them unite."

An older maid stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, we have placed several people around Lian Di and Lian Fang. They will continue to create misunderstandings and make the relationship between them more tense."

Mei Fei nodded. "Very good. Finally, we need to make sure that the Queen Mother will not interfere with our plan. Although she is old, her influence cannot be underestimated. We must find her weakness and prevent her from taking care of the affairs of the court and the palace."

Lord Wang took over the topic: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has not been in good health recently. We can take advantage of this. Through some medication and dietary arrangements, we can make her body even weaker."

Mei Fei smiled coldly: "Lord Wang, I admire your methods very much. As long as we can make the Queen Mother lose the ability to interfere, our plan will go smoothly."

After the meeting, Mei Fei looked at the backs of everyone leaving, and she was full of confidence. She knew that as long as these plans were implemented smoothly, her position in the palace would be more stable, and she might even replace the queen.

However, Mei Fei also knew that this struggle was not easy. Although the emperor was confused, he was not without the power to fight back. The wisdom and loyalty of the sisters Lian Di and Lian Fang were also challenges she had to face. She had to be more cautious in order to win in this struggle between the palace and the court.

Late at night, Mei Fei returned to her bedroom, sat in front of the dressing table, and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes revealed a firm will. No matter how difficult the road ahead was, she would achieve her goal at all costs.

Mei Fei knew that every step forward was crucial. She had to respond calmly and plan accurately to be invincible in this struggle. She took a deep breath and swore in her heart that she must let everyone see that she was the real controller of the harem and the court.

As the night deepened, the palace was silent, but beneath the calm surface, a more intense struggle was brewing. Mei Fei's secret meeting was just the beginning, and every step in the future was full of variables and challenges. The emperor, the empress dowager, Lian Di and Lian Fang were also quietly preparing to meet the coming storm.

In the early morning, the sun shines through the glazed tiles of the palace and onto the stone steps of the main hall. In the court, civil and military officials are on both sides, and the important officials of the three provinces and six ministries are waiting for the emperor's arrival with their own thoughts. Although the solemnity of the court is still maintained on the surface, everyone's hearts have been disturbed by the recent turmoil.

The three ministries and six departments played an important role in the court. The three ministries, namely Shangshu Sheng, Zhongshu Sheng and Menxia Sheng, had clear division of labor, while the six ministries managed the administrative affairs of the whole country. As Mei Fei's power in the court expanded secretly, these key departments were gradually overshadowed by her shadow.

The emperor sat on the throne in the court, looked around at the ministers, and felt a sense of uneasiness in his heart. He knew that the struggle in the court was not just a struggle for power, but also related to the fate of the country. Mei Fei's power had penetrated into every corner of the court, and he had to deal with it carefully.

The Minister of the Secretariat, Mr. Li, stepped forward and presented a memorial: "Your Majesty, this is the latest report on border defense. Please take a look."

The emperor took the memorial, glanced through it quickly, and frowned slightly. The report mentioned that the situation on the border was tense and there was an urgent need to increase armaments. Lord Li's proposal seemed reasonable, but the emperor knew in his heart that there might be a deeper conspiracy behind it.

Upon seeing this, Lord Zhao, the Minister of Finance, immediately stepped forward to refute: "Your Majesty, although border defense is important, the treasury is tight, and we must carefully consider the decision to increase military spending. Otherwise, the financial pressure will affect the economic development of the whole country."

Lord Li smiled coldly and retorted, "Lord Zhao, national security is not something you can take lightly. Once the border is lost, the consequences will be disastrous. We must prioritize the needs of the army."

The debate in the court became heated again, and the emperor had to intervene to mediate: "I have heard the opinions of both adults. Border defense is indeed important, but financial issues cannot be ignored. I have decided to set up a special committee to study this proposal in detail."

Although Lord Li and Lord Zhao had their own thoughts, they could only accept the emperor's decision temporarily. The establishment of the special committee temporarily eased the debate in the court, but the undercurrents in the three provinces and six ministries still could not be calmed down.

The Secretariat was responsible for drafting imperial edicts and administrative orders, and several secretaries had their own plans. The secretary, Lord Wang, was a close confidant of Concubine Mei. He used his power to secretly modify the contents of some imperial edicts, making some of the emperor's orders less effective when they were executed.

The Ministry of Personnel was responsible for reviewing the documents of the Ministry of Central Secretariat. The Minister of Personnel, Lord Liu, had noticed this. Although he did not dare to openly oppose Lord Wang, he had already begun to collect evidence in private, preparing to expose it all at the right time.

At the same time, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War were also secretly competing. The Minister of Works, Lord Xu, and the Minister of War, Lord Yang, had always been at odds with each other, representing different interest groups. Lord Xu secretly supported Concubine Mei, while Lord Yang was loyal to the emperor. The two confronted each other many times in the court, competing for their respective power and interests.

Late one night, Lord Xu met with Lord Li in a secret room. Lord Li looked serious and said, "Lord Xu, the emperor has been a little tough recently. We must speed up our plan."

Lord Xu nodded and said, "Don't worry, Lord Li. I have already made arrangements with the Ministry of Industry. Next, we need to increase the pressure on financial issues so that Lord Zhao cannot cope with it."

Lord Li sneered, "Lord Zhao is just a scholar. Facing our joint offensive, he will be at a loss. As long as we can create enough chaos in the financial issues, the emperor's prestige will be greatly damaged."

Lord Xu agreed: "Yes, we must make the emperor isolated and helpless in the court. Only in this way can Concubine Mei's plan proceed smoothly."

At the same time, on the other side, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Liu, was conspiring with Lord Zhao. Lord Liu handed the evidence he had collected to Lord Zhao: "Lord Zhao, these are some secret correspondences between Lord Wang and Lord Xu, which involve many illegal things. As long as we can make these evidences public, we will be able to turn the situation around."

Lord Zhao took the letter and showed a trace of relief on his face: "Lord Liu, your loyalty and courage are admirable. With these evidences, we can expose their conspiracy to the emperor and restore justice to the court."

A few days later, the special committee met again to discuss border defense and finance. Lords Li and Xu prepared a new offensive, while Lord Zhao walked into the meeting with evidence.

After the meeting began, Lord Li spoke first: "Your Majesty, after our detailed research, the urgency of border defense is beyond doubt. We suggest that military spending be increased immediately to cope with the increasingly tense situation."

Lord Zhao immediately stood up and said calmly: "Your Majesty, I have important evidence to report to you. This evidence shows that someone is taking advantage of the border defense issue to secretly carry out illegal activities and try to disrupt the court."

A trace of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes: "Lord Zhao, what is the evidence? Present it quickly."

Lord Zhao presented the letter, and the emperor read it carefully, his face gradually becoming gloomy. He turned to Lord Li and Lord Xu and asked sternly: "Are these letters real? Do you have anything to explain?"

Lord Li and Lord Xu turned pale, knowing that the truth had been revealed and it was difficult to argue. Lord Li said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment, please forgive me."

The emperor smiled coldly: "Your behavior has seriously affected the integrity of the court and the stability of the country. Come, take them to the Dali Temple and interrogate them strictly."

With the arrest of Lord Li and Lord Xu, the turmoil in the court was temporarily brought under control. The emperor quickly took measures to clean up the lawless elements in the three provinces and six ministries and restore the normal operation of the court.

Mei Fei was furious when she heard the news. She knew that her plan had been thwarted again and she had to redeploy. She secretly summoned her confidants to discuss new countermeasures to deal with the emperor's counterattack.

However, the emperor's determination and the efforts of the loyal ministers in the court have disintegrated Mei Fei's conspiracy again and again. She knows that this struggle is far from over, and she must be more cautious and resourceful to be invincible in this power contest.

The inner palace has always been the center of the emperor's life and the activities of the concubines. Although it seems peaceful and harmonious on the surface, the undercurrent of power struggle has never stopped. Recently, the turmoil in the inner palace has become more intense, and various forces have launched a complex struggle on this gorgeous stage.

One morning, Lian Di was walking in the imperial garden. She had been feeling uneasy, and the recent disturbances had made her wary of Concubine Mei's movements. Suddenly, she saw a palace maid running towards her in a panic, as if she had something urgent to report.

"My lady, this is bad!" The maid gasped, her face pale. "Someone just found something strange outside Sister Lianfang's bedroom."

Lian Di's heart tightened, and she quickly asked, "What is it?"

The maid whispered, "They are some talisman papers with spells on them. They look like they are used for curses."

Lian Di's expression suddenly became serious: "Let's go and take a look."

She immediately rushed to Lianfang's bedroom, which was already full of palace maids and eunuchs, all whispering. Liandi pushed through the crowd, walked to the front, and saw the talismans on the ground. She thought to herself that this was a deliberate provocation, and it was obvious that someone wanted to use this to create chaos.