Volume 5, Chapter 313 – Find a Palace Maid to Impersonate Qi Huang

Chief Steward Zhong’s facial muscles stiffened upon hearing those words. Even his forced smile faltered, his toes curling against the ground as an aura of sheer awkwardness radiated from his entire body.

“Serves you right! Serves you right for cursing me to be struck by lightning!”

Outside the palace, Qi Huang, holding the Shadow-Retaining Mirror, let out a gleeful, mocking laugh.

Meanwhile, Chief Steward Zhong stood frozen in place for a long moment, visibly struggling before finally stammering, “Th-This… I’m afraid that won’t be possible!”

“Why not? Does this Empress not even have the right to meet a mere Imperial Consort?”

Empress Zheng’s smile turned icy.

“Oh no, it’s not that! It’s just… the Imperial Consort Qi caught a chill on the journey. I fear she might pass it to Your Majesty, so it’s best not to meet for now.”

In his panic, Chief Steward Zhong managed to conjure up a somewhat plausible excuse.

“Is that so? Fine then. Another day, you will bring her to Our palace.”

Empress Zheng replied with an unreadable expression. She knew the truth yet deliberately made such a demand—clearly, she was intentionally making things difficult for Chief Steward Zhong, punishing him for his lies.

“As you command.”

Chief Steward Zhong’s face darkened.

“Very well. You may leave now, Chief Steward Zhong. This Empress still has some firecrackers left to set off.”

Empress Zheng dismissed him coldly.

‘Still setting them off?! Are you not tired of this?!’

Chief Steward Zhong was seething internally, but he dared not show it. Instead, he led the Imperial Consort Escort Team forward.

Qi Huang observed the Empress from the shadows. She didn’t know whether this woman had sent people to harm her before, but given her current strength, even if she confirmed the Empress as the culprit, she couldn’t act recklessly within the palace—the risk was too great.

From the start, Qi Huang had only planned to enter the palace to scare these consorts. Revenge would come later, when she had absolute power. And that day wouldn’t be long now.

Soon, Chief Steward Zhong arrived at Changshun Hall, the bedchamber of the current emperor, Lin Tu.

After a brief wait, Chief Steward Zhong was summoned inside. His nerves made his steps unsteady, a far cry from the demeanor of a true expert.

Rеаԁ оո KаtRеаdiոɡСаfе

‘What is this old eunuch so afraid of? With his strength, if that dog emperor really wanted his head, he could just flee. Why cower like this?’

Qi Huang couldn’t make sense of it.

“You make it sound so simple! Have you ever considered why Chief Steward Zhong, despite his immense power, doesn’t seize the throne for himself? Why remain a servant?”

Yaoyao’s voice echoed in her mind.

“Because he’s a eunuch?”

Qi Huang guessed.

“Who said eunuchs can’t be emperors? And do you really think he’s that self-aware?”

Yaoyao scoffed.

“Then there’s only one explanation, Lin Tu has something that makes him wary.”

Qi Huang quickly pieced it together.

“Isn’t that obvious? Did you think the Lin Clan maintained control over the Western Radiance Dynasty through benevolence alone?”

Yaoyao’s tone dripped with disdain.

“So the Lin Clan isn’t as simple as they appear on the surface…”

Qi Huang fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, Chief Steward Zhong had already entered the emperor’s presence. Having failed his mission, he immediately prostrated himself.

“Chief Steward Zhong, where is Imperial Consort Qi? Why hasn’t she returned with you?”

Lin Tu sipped his tea, his voice calm.

Beside him, Steward Ma wore a barely concealed smirk.

“Your Majesty, this old servant deserves death ten thousand times over! The Imperial Consort Escort Team encountered severe weather in Ronghua County. Imperial Consort Qi went missing during the storm. We searched the entire county but could not find her.”

Rеаԁ οո КαtRеαⅾіոgCаfe

Chief Steward Zhong kowtowed desperately.

“Oh? Are you certain it was the weather, and not… human interference?”

Lin Tu slowly set down his teacup, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

“Your Majesty, how would this old servant dare deceive you? The entire escort team witnessed the events. If you doubt me, you may question them!”

Chief Steward Zhong pressed his forehead to the floor, his voice trembling.

‘This old fool really has a death wish, lying even now!’

Steward Ma sneered inwardly.

“Let me ask you this, did you announce to the outside world that Imperial Consort Qi is dead?”

Lin Tu’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“No! Absolutely not! Since her body wasn’t found, how could this old servant claim she was dead?”

Chief Steward Zhong sensed the underlying meaning and hurriedly clarified.

“Chief Steward Zhong… I don’t know whether to call you clever or foolish.”

Lin Tu suddenly smiled—an eerie, unreadable expression.

Chief Steward Zhong didn’t dare utter another word, trembling on the floor like a leaf.

“I will not punish you for this. But remember one thing, Imperial Consort Qi did not go missing. She did not die. She returned to the palace with you. Understood?”

Lin Tu rose to his feet, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Chief Steward Zhong felt as if he had been pulled back from the brink of hell. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the emperor, known for his ruthlessness, to show him such mercy. It was surreal.

Steward Ma, standing nearby, was equally stunned, his face twisting in disappointment. His scheme had failed.

Outside, Qi Huang, who had been secretly observing everything through the Shadow-Retaining Mirror, was also caught off guard. She couldn’t comprehend why this cold, heartless emperor would spare the old eunuch. It defied all logic.

Rеаԁ оո КаtRеаԁіոɡСαfе

But Chief Steward Zhong was no fool. He quickly realized the emperor’s true motive, saving face.

Four Imperial Consorts had already died after being selected. If this one also failed to enter the palace, how could the emperor maintain his dignity?

“Thank you, Your Majesty! This old servant will remember your boundless mercy and repay you with his life!”

Chief Steward Zhong kowtowed fervently, now understanding the emperor’s reasoning.

“Good. As for how to handle the outsiders… I trust I don’t need to instruct you?”

Lin Tu’s voice was cool.

“This old servant understands.”

Chief Steward Zhong bowed again.

“Excellent. Later, find a palace maid and register her at the Office of Palace Ceremonies. Tell her that from now on, she is Qi Huang.”

Lin Tu’s next order was delivered with chilling indifference.

“This old servant grasps Your Majesty’s meaning, but… Imperial Consort Qi bore the Doppelgänger Mark on her forehead, and her beauty was unparalleled. There are few women in this world who could impersonate her.”

Chief Steward Zhong hesitated.

“Which is why you must make it clear to this maid, the moment her identity is exposed, she dies. And the same goes for all of you.”

Lin Tu’s words were merciless.

Chief Steward Zhong’s face paled, but he had no choice but to obey. Even an ant clings to life, having a chance was better than none.

“Oh, and one more thing, the Imperial Consort Escort Team has Empress Zheng’s spies. Be mindful of what you say.”

Lin Tu dropped the bombshell casually.

“What?!”

Chief Steward Zhong’s eyes widened. Now he understood why the Empress had acted so strangely earlier. Her so-called “welcome” had been nothing but mockery. Humiliation burned in his chest.

Rеαԁ oո ΚаtRеαdіոgСafе

“It’s hardly surprising that palace maids are close to the Empress.”

Lin Tu waved a hand dismissively.

“This old servant understands. But if the Empress already knows the Imperial Consort is missing, what’s the point of hiding it?”

Chief Steward Zhong couldn’t help but ask.

“With the Imperial Consort gone, the Empress no longer sees her as a threat. She won’t be foolish enough to expose my lie, she wouldn’t have reached her position otherwise. Just do as you’re told.”

Lin Tu smiled confidently.

“This old servant obeys.”

Chief Steward Zhong bowed deeply. Though countless questions swirled in his mind, he knew better than to pry further.

Outside, Qi Huang had witnessed everything. Her young mind reeled in shock. She never imagined someone would go to such lengths for the sake of pride.

“Was this what it meant to be the Son of Heaven? Was face truly worth more than human lives?”

“Indeed, this is an emperor. If yet another Imperial Consort died on the way, his authority would plummet. How could he command respect? How could he rule? Do you still think face isn’t important?”

Yaoyao laid out the harsh reality.

Qi Huang finally understood, but it still left a bitter taste in her mouth. No matter how important face was, it should never outweigh human lives. A ruler should govern with benevolence and wisdom, not through intimidation and deceit.

Meanwhile, Chief Steward Zhong had already left Changshun Hall. Without delay, he gathered the Imperial Consort Escort Team in a secluded spot and relayed the emperor’s orders.

Upon learning they had been spared, for now, the guards wept with relief, swearing never to reveal Qi Huang’s disappearance.

Chief Steward Zhong dismissed the team and immediately began searching for a suitable palace maid to impersonate Qi Huang. Given the original’s extraordinary beauty, the replacement had to be both stunning and composed.

“Her. She’ll do.”

He didn’t deliberate long. As the Chief Steward of the Inner Palace, he knew the maids well.