On the other side, there was Helian Qi.
Nan Gong Liuyun said a whole lot of flattering words and then reported the people he would take on his upcoming trip.
He also presented the list of laborers he had recruited in the capital city and the list of imperial guards he had selected from the palace.
Helian Qi glanced at those documents perfunctorily and then replied, "You've worked hard, my subject!"
Seeing the perfunctory look of the man in front of him, Nan Gong Liuyun felt even more confident. After all, the more incompetent and muddle - headed the emperor was, the sooner their plan would be realized.
Thinking of this, he bowed and let out two sly laughs where no one could see. Then he said, "This old subject would like to congratulate Your Majesty in advance!"
Helian Qi also let out two carefree laughs after hearing this. But as soon as Nan Gong Liuyun's figure gradually disappeared from his sight, the smile vanished instantly.
His expression became as cold as usual, and his heart was icy cold.
The plan was about to start.
The banquet ended as scheduled. By the time it was over, the moon had set in the west. The ministers on the scene came one by one to congratulate the emperor and then left the city tower one after another.
On one side, Dongfang Yi had just seen off her father. Just as she was about to return to the palace, she saw a man she hadn't seen for a long time - Helian Rong.
"My younger brother pays respects to the imperial sister - in - law," he said as he arched his hand.
Dongfang Yi nodded at him with a smile. Subconsciously, she thought of their last meeting. At the moment of parting, he had left in a hurry as if he had thought of something terrifying.
So she asked him, "Brother - in - law, you left in such a hurry last time. It must have been an urgent matter. Has it been resolved now?"
Helian Rong stared at her eyes intently. Those star - like eyes seemed to be shining, more dazzling than anything around him under the night sky.
"Not yet," he said, tilting his head with a bit of disappointment.
How could it be resolved? He didn't even know why he had fled in a hurry at that time.
All he knew was that his eyes couldn't escape the woman in front of him. No matter where she was, he always wanted to look at her.
He was afraid of his own feelings and even more loathed his inappropriate thoughts about his imperial sister - in - law. But he just couldn't control his urge to get closer.
"You should work hard then, brother - in - law," Dongfang Yi said with a smiling face.
Although she didn't know what the man in front of her was worried about, she could feel the atmosphere. So she could only encourage him with words.
Helian Rong just let out two bitter laughs after hearing this. Then he turned around and walked down the city tower.
Dongfang Yi couldn't help but shake her head helplessly. It seemed that since she had known him, they had never said a proper goodbye every time they met.
Thinking of this, she let out a long sigh and then walked down the city tower. She took the same carriage with Concubine Shu and the others back to the harem.
The night was boundless. A tiring late - night was destined to bring a good sleep.
After the whole harem fell into silence, one palace was not so quiet. It was the Palace of Concubine Chu.
Concubine Chu had just returned from the Mid - Autumn banquet, looking extremely angry.
Since it was late at night and the whole harem was too quiet, she couldn't smash things around to vent her anger.
So she took out her anger on a maid and didn't allow her to make a single sound.
The maid's whole face was beaten red and swollen, but she still endured her tears and didn't make any sound.
After a while, perhaps Concubine Chu was tired from beating. She then sent the maid away.
Why was Concubine Chu so angry? She was angry because she didn't understand why she had suddenly lost the emperor's favor.
She had attended the banquet in full regalia today, but the man's eyes had never once landed on her. Although she didn't really care about his favor, she knew that in the harem, she had to rely on it to gain others' good graces.
And that woman, Dongfang Yi, who seemed so useless, could sit in the most honorable position and enjoy the most honorable treatment. She was not convinced!
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but bite her lower lip tightly, and a murderous look flashed in her eyes.
But unfortunately, the person behind didn't allow her to touch Dongfang Yi at all. So her anger became even more out of control.
She was destined to stay awake tonight.
On the other side of the palace, there was also a person who couldn't fall asleep.
In the Palace of Concubine Shun, Concubine Shun was lying on the couch. The lights in the bedroom had been turned off, and the surroundings were empty. It seemed that even the sound of a silver needle dropping could be heard.
She was thinking about all that had happened tonight. She thought of her aunt ridiculing her in public. If it hadn't been for the Prince of Nanping to step in, she would have made a fool of herself in front of everyone.
Thinking of the Prince of Nanping, a man who resembled Helian Qi by seven - tenths. Although they were both equally handsome, there was no cold aura of a superior on him like Helian Qi. Instead, he was more gentle. If Helian Qi was ice, then he was the wind.
The wind that could easily slip into one's heart silently.
Thinking of this, her face flushed. She always felt that this man gave her a special feeling.
But this girlish sentiment didn't last long. Soon, she thought of the scene before Nanny Dong died. She thought of Nanny Dong crying out for help, but she could only lower her head and let everything happen.
She was heart - broken for her own cowardice and also resentful of Dongfang Yi's cruelty.
She had done nothing wrong! Why couldn't Dongfang Yi be more tolerant? If she had been more magnanimous and given them another chance, Nanny Dong might not have died. That woman who was like a mother to her could have continued to accompany her.
Thinking of this, her heart ached. Her hatred for Dongfang Yi could no longer be controlled.
So she stared wide - eyed in the darkness, letting hot tears slide down her cheeks one by one.
On this night, everyone had their own thoughts. Some slept soundly, while others couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
Helian Qi in the Chenggong Palace was the same.
All he could think about was Dongfang Yi's appearance at the Mid - Autumn state banquet today. It wasn't just her stunning dress, but also her lively and unrestrained look.
Helian Qi remembered that when he was talking to the two prime ministers, Nan Gong and Dongfang, she had stopped Prime Minister Dongfang from refuting in time. Otherwise, he didn't know what chilling words Prime Minister Dongfang would have said.
He always felt that Dongfang Yi seemed to have seen through something, but she never said a word.
Maybe this was just the best proof that she never cared about him.
Maybe it was a mistake to bring her back from outside the palace. Maybe she had already left her heart with that leftover from the previous dynasty, Situ Qing.
Thinking of Situ Qing, his eyebrows furrowed even more. Recently, the informants outside the palace had reported that there were people suspected to be from the previous dynasty becoming more and more arrogant. It was very likely that after Dongfang Yi entered the palace, it was Situ Qing, a royal from the previous dynasty, who had instigated them.