7.Blood Banquet : The Concubine' Game Begins

The morning air around Snow Pavilion seemed peaceful, but the grey sky hinted at secrets left unsaid.

Plum blossoms bloomed in silence, yet the shadows of their trees stretched like whispers creeping into every inch of the earth.

Zijiang Zhenyu stood before her dressing table, clad in a violet-blue silk robe adorned with flowing cloud patterns and golden-eyed phoenixes.

That color was once deemed too noble for a forgotten concubine like Qingyin.

But today, she wore it with her head held high.

Bai Ruoxi, who was helping her dress, couldn't hide her unease. "My Lady, are you truly going to attend the morning banquet?"

"Why not?" Zhenyu replied lightly, her fingers brushing the small pendant hanging from her sash.

"Consort Ji was the one who extended the invitation," Ruoxi whispered. "She usually uses such gatherings to humiliate or eliminate those she sees as threats."

Zhenyu offered a faint smile. "In that case... let's make sure she realizes who the real threat is."

---

Baihua Hall stood proud at the heart of the inner palace. Pale blue lanterns swayed gently from the ceiling, casting dancing shadows across the white marble floor. The fragrance of jasmine tea mingled with the scent of sandalwood incense, creating a serene atmosphere — yet every concubine present knew: this was no ordinary banquet.

Ji Suling sat in the seat of honor, surrounded by newly promoted or favored consorts. She looked resplendent in her wine-red robe embroidered with camellia flowers.

When Zhenyu stepped inside, all eyes turned. Murmurs quickly spread among the women, their sweet smiles ready to turn sharp.

Ji Suling rose slowly. "My, the third concubine from the Snow Pavilion. I thought your body was still too frail to grace us with your presence."

Zhenyu returned the smile — hers even thinner.

"This morning is too beautiful to miss, especially with such a gracious hostess."

A few soft laughs echoed, more from awkwardness than amusement.

---

After the tea was served, Ji Suling clapped her hands softly.

Servants entered carrying silver trays with gleaming cups and scrolls tied with red ribbons.

"We'll play a little game," said Ji Suling. "It's called Bloody Truth. The potion in these cups will cause the veins on one's wrist to flush red if a lie is told. Harmless. Nothing to fear."

A young concubine whispered, "Isn't that the same method palace guards use when interrogating traitors?"

Ji Suling chuckled. "Don't take it too seriously. It's just a game."

Zhenyu took her assigned seat, eyeing the cup before her. The floral aroma of jasmine tea was laced with something more bitter.

Aura-detection potion... and a trace of mild toxin to dull memory with repeated use. Clever. But too obvious.

"Who shall go first?" asked Ji Suling, eyes gleaming.

"Of course, our special guest," said Consort Hua with a honeyed smile.

---

Zhenyu lifted her cup as though offering a toast, then sipped it slowly. The liquid's chill spread across her tongue like the morning mist.

Ji Suling unrolled the first scroll. "Is it true that Concubine Qingyin once tried to take her own life out of jealousy toward Consort Ji?"

Several women held their breath. Bai Ruoxi stood behind Zhenyu, pale.

Zhenyu calmly set the cup down and opened her palm.

No change. Her pulse remained clear.

"No," she replied flatly. Then added, "But if I ever did, I'd choose a method that wouldn't stain the palace carpets."

Consort Hua choked on her tea. Consort Qiao quickly turned away, pretending to admire a painting on the wall.

---

One question after another followed. Some jabbed at Qingyin's origins, others dared to mention Jinhai by name.

"Is it true His Highness hasn't summoned you to his chambers in over two years?" asked Consort Bing, barely holding back a smirk.

Zhenyu gazed at her. "True. But sleeping alone is far more peaceful than being a decoration in the bed of a bored man."

Another scroll was read by Consort Qiao. "Have you ever cursed Consort Ji under the full moon?"

"If curses were that effective," Zhenyu replied while sipping her tea, "this palace would be full of female ghosts by now."

---

At last, it was Ji Suling's turn.

Zhenyu smiled and chose a scroll herself. "Have you ever bribed the palace physician to alter a medical report concerning another concubine?"

Ji Suling's face remained composed. "Of course not."

But as she opened her palm... a faint red hue crept beneath her pale skin.

Laughter floated in the hall — polite, but tight and sharp like held breath. Several women exchanged cautious glances.

Zhenyu rose gracefully and bowed slightly. "Ah... it seems this game is quite honest indeed."

---

As the banquet ended, Ji Suling intercepted Zhenyu at the doorway.

"Congratulations on your performance today," she said, smiling with the sharpness of a blade.

Zhenyu lowered her head slightly.

"The game has only just begun. And I do love games... especially the high-stakes ones."

She walked away, leaving behind the scent of tea and a vengeance yet to be settled.

From behind the curtains, Yuwen Jinhai watched everything. The prince's calm gaze hid a storm yet to erupt.

---

At Ji Suling's Residence – After the Banquet

Evening wind swept through the stone garden behind Qianrong Pavilion, Consort Ji's luxurious residence. Usually, it was a quiet place filled with the trickle of water and the scent of champaca blossoms. But today, the air was heavy — suffocating with barely-contained fury.

Ji Suling stood before a mirror, her hand gripping the jade table until her knuckles turned white. Her reflection remained beautiful, but cracked — like a mask about to shatter.

"She opened that scroll smiling, as if she knew its contents… Who placed it there?" she muttered coldly.

Her maid Chunling knelt behind her. "Forgive me, My Lady… the servants arranged the scrolls exactly as you instructed. Nothing was changed."

"Nothing was changed?" Ji Suling turned, her gaze like drawn steel. "And yet my blood shamed me before them all!"

She slammed her teacup onto the floor. The sound of shattering rang through the jade tiles.

After a long silence, she exhaled deeply and whispered,

"Helian Qingyin... or whatever name you use now... you may have won today. But you've disgraced noble blood. You think this is a one-act play?"

She smiled faintly, dipped her finger in the remaining tea, and wrote a single character on the table:

毒 — Poison.

"If truth doesn't work... let's try something more traditional."

---

On the Way Home – Zhenyu and Bai Ruoxi

Zhenyu walked slowly down a long corridor flanked by red pillars, surrounded by the scent of dry pine and the soft sound of silk shoes against marble. The evening sun hung low, its golden light stretching shadows across the path to Snow Pavilion.

Bai Ruoxi followed behind, hesitant to speak.

"My Lady… what will you do next?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

Zhenyu paused on a small step and looked up at the sky.

She answered without turning, her voice calm but colder than the coming night.

"If she thinks she's good at playing games, then let her play."

Ruoxi bowed deeper, waiting for more.

"I am not her pawn. I won't join her game."

Zhenyu turned slightly, her eyes shining like the night before a storm.

"She might think she's the Queen on the board. But I…"

She stepped forward, one foot catching the edge of sunlight slicing across her robe.

"I'm the one who moves the entire board.

Even if I must remove the King… I will do it. For one goal."

Zhenyu stared straight ahead. Her shadow merged with the tall trees in the distance.

"To win. For what I truly desire."

A soft whisper echoed inside her heart…

"Don't let them erase us again."

Zhenyu gave no reply, but her steps grew firmer.

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