Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

Chapter 177 The Empress's Birthday Banquet

In mid-June, the Queen's birthday banquet was held as scheduled.

The banquets were mainly held in the evening, but officials usually arrived at the palace before 3 PM, and their families had to go to the inner palace first to pay their respects to the various masters.

Every corner of the palace was meticulously decorated, from the magnificent palaces to the winding corridors, all revealing the nobility and luxury of the royal family.

The palace maids and servants were all dressed in clean and presentable clothes, carrying flower baskets and placing delicate and beautiful flowers along the path to the banquet. Every few steps, they also placed a glass palace lantern. In an instant, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and the scene was beautiful and delightful.

The weather is hot these days, so the banquet is being held in the Imperial Garden. Golden curtains hang from the heights around the garden, embroidered with auspicious patterns of phoenixes and dragons symbolizing majesty and harmony.

Fushou Palace (Taijun's Palace).

Feng Rui arrived early, after all, today's matter still required the Grand Tutor's intervention. If it succeeded, it would truly be a meteoric rise to power. So he couldn't sit still any longer and came with Ling Wanzhen.

As for Ling Wanzhen, ever since Xue Wen entered the palace, Feng Rui has used various excuses to keep her living in his prince's residence.

To put it bluntly, Prince Rui was simply afraid that Xue Wen would take revenge on his daughter for the sins he had committed!

At this moment, Feng Rui and Ling Wanzhen sat on either side of the matriarch. The matriarch looked at the seemingly obedient Ling Wanzhen with great satisfaction: "It's been a while since I last saw you, Zhen'er seems to have improved quite a bit!"

Feng Rui's smile froze for a moment. He glared at Ling Wanzhen. He naturally knew why the child had suddenly become so obedient; it was simply because he had caused trouble again outside, and even killed someone...

But since she was her own daughter, Feng Rui didn't respond to the old lady's words. Instead, she asked with her eyes whether the old lady had prepared what she needed for today!

Seeing Feng Rui's gaze, the Grand Dowager first nodded to herself, indicating that everything was ready. Then, for some reason, she sighed and said to Ling Wanzhen, "Zhen'er, go out for a stroll first. Your father and I have something to discuss!"

Ling Wanzhen left reluctantly, muttering, "Is there anything I can't hear?"

After Ling Wanzhen left, the Dowager also dismissed all the palace servants in the hall before turning to Feng Rui sternly and saying, "Rui'er, do you know your mistake?"

Feng Rui looked bewildered by the question posed by the Grand Tutor, but he took the opportunity to get off the couch, kneel down and admit his mistake: "Father, your son knows his mistake."

Seeing his bewildered expression, the old lady helped him up and sighed softly:

"Alas! When you sent me the message three days ago, I was not in favor of it, but I was afraid of ruining your plans, so I did my best to make this birthday banquet happen."

"Father..."

Feng Rui was about to say something, but was interrupted by the Grand Lady raising her hand, and then continued:

"Let me finish speaking first. I feel that it was too hasty to act today. If we wait a little longer, Feng Han will also be exhausted and die."

Moreover, during this time, we can let the princesses fight amongst themselves, allowing us to develop our power and reap the benefits. Why take such a risk!

"Father, rest assured, your son and Feng Xin have reached an agreement, and we will surely succeed this time."

Feng Rui listened to the Grand Tutor's words with a rather dismissive attitude. Perhaps because he had hope of becoming the regent, he didn't want to wait a moment longer.

The matriarch shook her head: "This is precisely what I'm most worried about. Feng Xin is too cunning. Now that the Imperial Uncle's mansion has fallen, neither you nor I have anyone to rely on. I'm afraid that in the end, we'll just be doing the work for someone else..."

There's one more thing the Grand Tutor didn't say: although the Third Princess Feng Qing has been a good-for-nothing since childhood, who knows if she might be the second Feng Xin?

Upon hearing this, Feng Rui simply smiled and leaned slightly closer to the Grand Empress Dowager: "Father, rest assured, I am not that foolish. To show his sincerity, Feng Xin has already handed over his seven thousand guards, along with Chen Ping, to me... Hahaha!"

The old lady was taken aback by these words, and instead of being comforted, her panic intensified: "Rui'er..."

"Alright! Father! It's getting late, and the banquet should start soon. Let's go over there! Please put your mind at ease!" Seeing that the Grandmother was about to persuade him again, Feng Rui stood up and interrupted her.

"Sigh!" The Japanese officer could only sigh helplessly upon seeing this.

Royal Garden.

There were quite a few people here today, but there were also quite a few who didn't come, such as Lin Shu, General Xiao Zhuqing, and the Third Princess!

As the call to summon the aunt was heard, the main characters of the night entered the room.

Feng Han, dressed in a black brocade robe with a dark gold crown, her face pale, was supported by her imperial aunt and Empress Xiao. She took a few steps, coughed lightly, and only after sitting down did she weakly say:

"Ahem... At today's banquet, my dear ministers, please do not be so reserved, just... ahem..."

The Grand Tutor and several other civil officials rose with concern, saying, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"

"Cough cough... It's alright! Let the banquet begin!" Feng Han gently covered her coughing lips with a handkerchief in her hand.

The ministers had different thoughts, and their eyes kept glancing at the Crown Princess and the First Princess, who were sitting to the lower right of the Empress.

The eldest princess frowned. Why was it that on such an important day, only Empress Xiao attended the palace banquet, and even Consort Xu, who was always arrogant and loved to join in the fun, did not come?

Before she could think further, she saw the Grand Madam turn her head and say to Feng Han in a cool and indifferent tone, "Han'er, you must try this medicinal wine today. It is a treasure that I have kept for decades and it can strengthen your body!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Han picked up his wine cup, sniffed it, his eyes flashed slightly, and said, "Excellent wine! It seems that you ministers are in for a treat today!"

Having said that, he was about to drink it, but Empress Xiao stopped him with one hand, her voice serious and brooking no argument: "No! His Majesty's health is not suitable for drinking!"

Feng Han smiled and shook her head helplessly at the Grand Marshal, saying, "Sigh!"

After giving Xiao Jun a meaningful look, the old lady said indifferently, "If he can't drink, then so be it!"

That's exactly what we want – to prevent Feng Han from drinking! Besides, there's really no poison in the wine or tea; in fact, they're beneficial to the body. They're just catalysts that can induce a medicinal effect!

"puff……"

Just as the singing and dancing were in full swing, the empress on the throne suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and then lost consciousness!

Feng Rui, Feng Xin, and Tai Jun exchanged glances and immediately pretended to be surprised and worried as they approached!

Seeing that Feng Zhao and Xiao Junhou were also about to approach, the Dowager Empress hurriedly ordered, "Quickly! Quickly carry Han'er back to her bedchamber."

Before the officials present could react, Feng Han lay pale and barely breathing in her bedchamber.

The officials whispered among themselves:

"Alas! Your Majesty is probably in serious trouble this time... What should we do!"

Shh! Don't say anything!

"..."

Grand Tutor Ji and several veteran ministers also anxiously went to Feng Han's bedroom to wait for news.

In Feng Han's bedchamber.

Looking at the Empress lying on the couch, her eyelids tightly closed, the lines of her face softened in the candlelight, completely devoid of her usual majesty...

After examining the patient, the imperial physician immediately knelt before the bed and stammered, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is beyond saving!"

Empress Xiao was kneeling by the bedside when she heard this, her eyes rolled back and she fainted. Feng Zhao rushed forward to support her, her expression filled with grief.

Behind them, Feng Xin and the others revealed a strange, triumphant smile. With Feng Han dead, only Feng Zhao remained!

Feng Xin turned her head and exchanged a glance with Feng Rui and Taijun. Feng Rui understood and glanced at the wet nurse behind her. The wet nurse then went out and sent a signal into the air!

At the same time, the authoritative voice of the Japanese commander also rang out:

"Guards! The Crown Princess murdered her mother to seize the throne! Seize her!"

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