Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 228 The Emperor Was Snatched from Her Hands

Seeing Murong's expression, Lou Suyi knew that he didn't trust her.

Although she was exaggerating a bit, she really didn't think about any other old friends. She wasn't the kind of person who would stop moving forward for a man who had wronged her. She wasn't a masochist, so how could she demean herself?

But this man is quite funny. She never held a grudge against him despite having so many women of her own. She only had brief interactions with two men, yet he was so petty and constantly suspected that she still had feelings for someone from the past.

It really is gender inequality.

Fortunately, the banquet began soon, with music playing and dancing filling the air.

Quite a few people said auspicious words to Lou Suyi, the newly appointed empress, and Lou Suyi was quite comfortable with this kind of scene.

But socializing is tiring too. Lou Suyi laughed for most of the night, and her cheeks were a little sore.

She was about to tell Murong that being the empress was very hard, but the lights suddenly dimmed until the sound of the guzheng began, and the dancers gracefully moved their water sleeves to the accompaniment of the guzheng.

"The curtain rises and falls, she lowers her gaze and gently adjusts her flowing sleeves..."

A clear, melodious female voice rang out, and as the dancers dispersed, everyone finally saw a circular stage in the center. The stage was veiled by a gauze curtain, and the beautiful figure inside was faintly visible; the singer was none other than this unknown beauty.

Lou Suyi felt that she had never heard this singing style before; it resembled opera but was not entirely so. This beautiful woman played the guzheng well, and her musical style was also very unique.

She looked at Murong and said, "Is this the extraordinary person His Majesty has found? I've never heard this singing style before; it's very novel."

Murong listened intently, saying, "I was unaware of this program. The singing style is indeed unique and refreshing."

Lou Suyi was the co-organizer of the banquet. She was unaware of such a program, and Empress Dowager Chen was not informed of it either, which can only mean that someone came up with the idea at the last minute.

Could it be that one of the concubines in the imperial harem added this program on the spot to compete for the emperor's favor?

She looked around, but Consort De was nowhere to be seen.

Thinking back, Consort De had always had many unusual ideas, so it wouldn't be surprising if the one on stage, half-concealing her face while holding a zither, was Consort De.

Upon listening more closely to the singing and vocal style, she confirmed that the person hiding their true identity was indeed Consort De.

On stage, Consort De sang with a plaintive tone, "Waiting for the grand performance to begin with heavy makeup, on stage I sing of both joy and sorrow." She actually felt that Consort De's song was quite fitting for the situation.

Not only was Lou Suyi captivated by the performance, but Murong also unusually shifted her attention to Xiao Muchen, becoming curious about the singer behind the gauze curtain.

Empress Dowager Chen nodded repeatedly: "This song is good. I have never heard such a singing style before. It is interesting."

The important figures in the seats of honor listened intently, and the others were equally captivated.

As the dancer's flowing sleeves traced graceful arcs and the last note faded, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Empress Dowager Chen was very pleased and asked the singer to come forward to receive the reward.

When the dancer lifted the veil, Consort De, dressed in simple white and looking like a fairy, was exposed to everyone's gaze.

Her makeup used to be heavy, but today both her makeup and clothing were very simple, simply because on such an important day, most women would be dressed up. Her simple appearance, on the contrary, would make her the center of attention.

As expected, everyone was somewhat surprised when they realized it was her.

Whether it was because the song she sang earlier was so beautiful, or because her makeup was truly stunning, everyone felt that Consort De was breathtakingly beautiful tonight.

Empress Dowager Chen was surprised to see that it was Consort De: "Was that song you sang just now?"

Consort De smiled faintly, "It is indeed this concubine. I am sorry to have made Your Majesty laugh." She studied vocal music in modern times, but she had never had the opportunity to showcase her talent before. At first, she disdained to compete for favor and originally planned to perform for Murong alone one day. However, plans can change. She wanted to make Murong remember her tonight, and it would be best if she could snatch Murong away from Lou Suyi.

People have a natural curiosity, and her ancient-style songs, sung in a style never heard before by people in ancient times, will surely make everyone remember her.

Seeing Empress Dowager Chen's surprised expression, she knew she had succeeded halfway.

Empress Dowager Chen smiled and said, "Indeed, it's rare to find someone with such a kind heart."

Upon hearing this, Consort De looked at Murong, her eyes bright: "Does Your Majesty like it?"

Murong nodded slightly: "Not bad, a reward is due!"

If the occasion weren't inappropriate, Consort De would have loved to ask if his reward could be that he spend the night with her.

But all she could do was step forward and express her gratitude.

She was certain that she had performed well tonight and amazed everyone, including Murong. Why was Murong's reaction so indifferent?

This was a piece of music she had carefully prepared, but it did not achieve the effect she had expected.

Lou Suyi knew what Consort De wanted, and she figured out that Consort De's real purpose was probably to serve her in bed tonight.

Murong seemed not to have thought that far ahead, so he rewarded Consort De in public and let the matter drop.

If she were Consort De, she certainly wouldn't be willing to give up so easily; she would definitely have to compete for the Emperor's favor again.

As expected, when the banquet ended, Consort De came to Murong's side.

She was dressed lightly tonight; the nights in mid-August were already chilly. Her face was pale, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, and she looked at Murong pitifully, saying, "I'm a little cold, Your Majesty. Could you please send me back to Changqiu Palace first? Consider it a reward for me."

Murong seemed somewhat embarrassed and subconsciously looked at Lou Suyi.

Lou Suyi thought he wanted her to hold the child, so she said, "Your Majesty, please give me the child?"

Murong paused, then handed the little prince to Lou Suyi before saying to Consort De, "I will escort my beloved consort back."

Consort De was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lou Suyi watched as Murong and Consort De walked away hand in hand. She was about to return to Xianfu Palace with little Muchen in her arms when she saw Empress Dowager Chen looking at her helplessly.

Lou Suyi pretended not to understand Empress Dowager Chen's gaze: "It's getting late, Mother, you should go back and rest early too."

Empress Dowager Chen sighed, "I don't know what to say about you."

She always felt that Su Yi was too passive and lacked ambition, which made her future look bleak.

Lou Suying smiled and helped Empress Dowager Chen into the palanquin. Only after Empress Dowager Chen's procession had gone far away did she get into the palanquin and head back home.

Yan Hui could no longer contain herself. Seeing that everyone around her was one of her own, she said in a low voice, "Consort De deliberately chose today to compete for the Emperor's favor. She knew that His Majesty would be staying overnight at Xianfu Palace today. This is outrageous!"

"Perhaps it's just because of the festival that Consort De prepared this program?" Lou Suyi yawned, feeling tired and sleepy.

She sat in the head seat for two hours, which was really tiring. It was nothing like the comfort she had when she didn't have a rank. After all, she was sitting in the most prominent position, and everyone was watching her every word and action.

"Consort De clearly took His Majesty away from Your Majesty on purpose. Tomorrow, there will be more bad rumors spreading in the harem," Yan Hui said angrily.

Consort De's ambition to seize the emperor's favor is common knowledge!