In the Queen's Palace.
What Helian Qi didn't know was that Dongfang Yi had already started thinking about organizing the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet.
She was planning a grand national carnival, overturning the previous conservative banquet model and choosing to celebrate the festival with the common people.
When she told her plan to Concubine Shu, the latter's excited and dancing appearance amused Dongfang Yi.
"Your Majesty, this idea is simply wonderful! If the Emperor hears about it, he will surely like it very much," Concubine Shu said.
Hearing her words, Dongfang Yi unconsciously lowered her eyes. She had no intention of pleasing Helian Qi, nor did she care whether he would think her capable because of this. She just didn't want others to think she was weak and easy to bully.
However, to organize this event, she still had to meet and discuss with Helian Qi. Just thinking about it made her feel a bit conflicted, and at the same time, there was an involuntary tinge of anticipation.
"I haven't fully figured out the specific details yet. Sister, you must help me," Dongfang Yi said to the woman in front of her.
"Of course I will!" Concubine Shu jumped up and replied, her happy expression obvious.
Dongfang Yi watched her delighted face, and her own mood became better. For a moment, all the messy thoughts in her mind disappeared.
Not long after, Concubine Shu left. But after her departure, an uninvited guest came to the Queen's Palace.
Dongfang Yi was tired after a long day and just wanted to lie on the bed and rest for a while. At this time, Xiao Qian rushed in and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Shun requests an audience."
Dongfang Yi sat on the bed, frowning in confusion. She wondered what Concubine Shun was doing here.
But there was no use thinking too much. Soon, a woman in a red velvet robe with a golden flower hairpin on her head walked in. It was none other than Concubine Shun, who had been quite prominent recently.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty," Concubine Shun said, bowing slightly.
Then, seeing that the person she had called on was in her nightgown and seemed to have finished washing up and was about to rest, she quickly added, "Is Your Majesty about to retire for the night? Did your humble servant disturb you?" After saying that, there was a look of guilt on her face.
Dongfang Yi squinted at the woman in front of her. She thought this woman was really quick - witted. She had come in without waiting for permission. So she said, "Concubine Shun came in quite quickly. I was just about to go to bed."
As she said this, her eyes were cold, and the meaning in her words was that Concubine Shun had disturbed her rest. The blame was obvious.
"Your Majesty, please forgive your humble servant. I really have something important to discuss," Concubine Shun quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness after hearing her words.
"Oh? What important matter do you want to discuss?" Dongfang Yi sat up straight and raised her eyebrows slightly, looking curious.
"Your Majesty, you know about the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet. The Emperor... he said he wants your humble servant to organize it," Concubine Shun stammered. After saying that, she looked at the woman in front of her nervously.
She had thought about it for a long time in the palace, but still felt that she didn't want the Queen to resent her because of this.
Dongfang Yi had originally looked indifferent, but after hearing her words, her heart suddenly sank as if something had dropped.
She had been thinking about the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet all day and had planned it quite carefully. But now, Concubine Shun's sudden words made her extremely angry. She thought that among the women in the harem, who could be more suitable than her, Dongfang Yi? Helian Qi was really protective of Concubine Shun.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. She raised her eyes and stared intently at the woman opposite and said, "Then why did Concubine Shun come to tell me this?"
Was it to show off how indulgent Helian Qi was to her?
Concubine Shun lowered her head guiltily. She wasn't here to show off. She could see that the Emperor treated the Queen differently, so she didn't want them to become enemies.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant can't organize this banquet. Among all the women, of course, Your Majesty is the most noble and suitable. The Emperor must have made a mistake..."
Concubine Shun was about to continue, but was interrupted by a roar from the woman opposite.
"Enough!" Dongfang Yi really didn't understand this Concubine Shun. From the very beginning, she had seemed very friendly. Now that she had received such a great honor, the first thing she did was come to apologize to her.
Dongfang Yi wasn't a petty person, nor would she casually take others' kindness for ill - will. But she really didn't understand what this woman in front of her was up to. Was she the so - called "holy mother" figure?
Thinking of this, she continued, "Concubine Shun, what exactly do you want to say to me?"
After saying that, she stared intently at the woman in front of her, with a skeptical smile on her lips.
"Your Majesty... your humble servant can feel the Emperor's different attitude towards you, and your humble servant can also feel that you..."
Before she could finish her words, Dongfang Yi interrupted her again.
"Who do you think you are? Who allowed you to make unfounded remarks about the Emperor and the Queen?!"
She roared angrily. She had thought she would say something else, but unexpectedly, it was such nonsense.
What did "different" mean? She didn't want this useless "difference" from Helian Qi.
Seeing the Queen in front of her suddenly fly into a rage, Concubine Shun immediately bowed nervously and apologized, "Your Majesty, please forgive your humble servant. I didn't mean it..." After saying that, she lowered her head, looking aggrieved.
Dongfang Yi looked at the woman in front of her and felt extremely helpless. She thought to herself why she was getting angry with her. She hadn't done anything wrong.
It was just that Helian Qi doted on her extremely now. It made sense. If one truly loved someone, they would want to give them the best things. That's why Helian Qi had let her organize the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet, which could show her noble status.
"You may leave," Dongfang Yi said to her weakly.
Concubine Shun raised her head, her lips moving but not saying a word. Then she turned around and left the Queen's bedroom.
After her figure completely disappeared from Dongfang Yi's sight, she fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling of the palace. Suddenly, a feeling of loneliness welled up in her heart.
Why was there such an emotion as love in the world? Dongfang Yi thought. It had been so long, and she had promised herself in her heart that she would never miss him again. But she still envied the women he favored.
Thinking of this, she reached out and covered her face with the quilt beside her. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
When would she be able to let herself go?