The Imperial Concubine is the Most Favored in the Harem

No one had expected it—of all teams, it was the blue team that crossed the finish line first.

The result left the entire crowd in stunned silence.

The white and red teams, once considered the top contenders, had both fallen short. And now, the seemingly unremarkable blue team had seized victory at the last moment.

Noble Lady Chu was livid. Her teeth clenched, and she raised her voice, pointing furiously toward the lake.

"The race must be redone! Redone! The white team's boat was clearly sabotaged—how else could it have capsized? To continue racing while others flounder in the water—what an unjust win! The blue team has no honor!"

She had grown accustomed to throwing her weight around back in the Northwest. Even after arriving in the capital, she had yet to learn the necessary restraint. Her every word carried a note of arrogance, as though she were still in command.

But to speak so rashly before the Emperor?

She was courting disaster.

As expected, Noble Consort Lin's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Insolent! In the presence of His Majesty and the Fourth Prince, do you truly believe your lowly station permits such shameless outbursts? Have you forgotten your place?"

The words had barely left her lips before Noble Lady Chu's face flushed with fury. Her composure crumbled entirely.

She forgot the setting, forgot her status—and fired back without hesitation.

"Such tyranny from the Noble Consort! Is a person not allowed to speak the truth when injustice occurs? For years, it was our Northwest team that claimed victory. And now—what a coincidence! The boat capsizes mid-race? Are we to pretend this isn't suspicious? I implore His Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly and restore justice for our Northwest sons!"

She had found herself a convenient excuse. But Noble Consort Lin wasn't the sort to leave things be.

Her smile vanished. Her tone turned cool and razor-sharp.

"All dragon boats used today were crafted under the strict supervision of the Imperial Workshop. Do you mean to accuse them of treason? And let me remind you—those so-called 'Northwest sons' you champion so dearly—are they not sons of Great Wei? Under Heaven, all land belongs to the Emperor. You speak as though they were yours alone. It seems we must look into your own loyalties first, for only those with divided hearts would dare utter such divisive words."

Her words struck deep—not just a rebuke, but an open warning. She wasn't content to silence Noble Lady Chu; she intended to implicate the family behind her.

All eyes turned to Consort Yi, who remained composed, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She stepped forward and addressed the Emperor with serene grace.

"The Noble Consort speaks true. Under Heaven, all land belongs to His Majesty. My Liu clan has guarded the Northwest for generations. Since the era of the Grand Ancestor, one hundred eighty-nine of our kin have died in service—bloodied and unburied on the battlefield. If such sacrifice still earns suspicion, what must the soldiers on the front lines think? Would we chill the hearts of the very men who defend the realm?"

The Emperor said nothing. In the silence that followed, Consort Yi turned, strode up to Noble Lady Chu, and slapped her hard across the face.

"What did our grandfather teach us? Even if General Chu is too busy serving His Majesty to discipline you, someone should have taught you basic courtesy. To speak out of turn at a royal gathering—do you wish to throw your life away? Apologize to the Noble Consort at once!"

With that single blow, she pulled the entire situation back from the edge.

Noble Lady Chu's cheek flushed and began to swell, but she did not dare retaliate. She had always feared Consort Yi's power and influence.

Seeing her cousin's warning gaze, she bit her lip and bowed low.

"Forgive me, Your Ladyship. I had a few cups of realgar wine and lost my senses. I meant no offense."

Noble Consort Lin let out a quiet sigh. If she could not destroy her completely, then she would at least extract a public humiliation.

Her expression softened into a graceful smile.

"If that's the case, then you'd best return early and rest. The scriptures I asked you to transcribe have yet to be delivered. Once you've sobered up, continue copying them. A bit of quiet reflection will do you good."

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

There had never been any order to transcribe scriptures. This was nothing more than a subtle punishment—house arrest disguised as devotion.

Noble Lady Chu was furious, but powerless. Just then, a eunuch announced that the victorious blue team was requesting an audience with the Emperor—thankfully shifting everyone's attention.

She quietly retreated to the back, no longer daring to utter another word.

Compared to her embarrassment, Lin Wanyi's joy was overflowing.

Her brother—he had been on the blue team!

She had been too caught up in watching him, too overwhelmed by the reunion, to notice which team he belonged to. Now, as realization dawned, her eyes brimmed with tears.

She pressed her lips together tightly to keep from crying aloud.

Everyone in the palace had a vague idea why the Fourth Prince had been invited to attend today's festivities. This wasn't just a celebration—it was a subtle recruitment for the Royal Guard.

And now, with the blue team waiting just outside, the summons came swiftly:

"Summon the blue team to appear before His Majesty!"

At Eunuch Dong's sharp command, the blue team filed in with orderly precision—over twenty men arranged in two rows. As one, they knelt and offered a full salute.

"Long live His Majesty! May His Majesty live ten thousand years!"

Their voices rang out with disciplined vigor.

The Emperor's eyes swept over them. A rare, warm smile touched his lips.

"Rise."

"We thank Your Majesty."

"Impressive," said the Fourth Prince, smiling broadly. "Under Your Majesty's rule, the empire is at peace. Even the sons of nobility and clansmen show such humility and resolve. It is a rare and precious thing."

His praise struck the perfect note. The Emperor laughed heartily, clearly pleased.

Noble Consort Lin glanced sideways, her expression unreadable.

"Today's dragon boat race was a marvel," the Emperor said. "To remain calm, to work in unity—the blue team's performance was exceptional. Who led the team?"

A man with a square jaw and resolute expression stepped forward, bowed low, and knelt once more.

"My father is Feng Jichun, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards. I currently serve as a captain in the Royal Guard."

"Ah, a man from my royal uncle's command," the Emperor said with delight. "No wonder your actions were both bold and wise."

His words of praise made the Fourth Prince beam with pride, while Prince Zhan's expression turned cold and sullen.

He raised his eyes and fixed a gaze on the Fourth Prince, his heart roiling with resentment.

When the late emperor appointed his regents, the Fourth Prince had not even been considered. Back then, the entire imperial clan deferred to the Zhan family.

But ever since the Emperor's marriage, things had begun to change. The once-powerful regents had been quietly pushed aside, and the Fourth Prince—hardened by years on the battlefield—had steadily risen in favor.

If not for the Royal Guard being under his command, Prince Zhan would have acted long ago.

And now, he had to watch the man bask in glory before the court?

Unforgivable.