Quick Transmigration: Playing the Role of a Devoted Tool

When all the flowers were in full bloom, a banquet was held in the palace.

It appeared to be a flower viewing event, but in reality, it was a selection process for the emperor to choose his concubines.

All the princes had to attend, and Gu Qing, thanks to the Crown Prince's influence, was also granted permission. The Imperial Household Department even sent him newly made clothes.

Gu Qing changed his clothes and accompanied the Crown Prince to the banquet.

All eyes turned to the boy beside Gu Wensi. These gazes were not friendly; some were contemptuous, while others were malicious scrutiny.

Gu Wensi took his seat and called to Gu Qing, who was about to go to the corner, pointing to the seat next to him and saying, "Ninth Brother, sit down. Why are you sitting so far away?"

Gu Qing nodded, his gaze falling on the seat next to Gu Wensi, and sat down with neither arrogance nor servility.

He quietly allowed those gazes to scrutinize him until His Majesty and Consort Xiao arrived together, at which point everyone rose to pay their respects.

The emperor embraced Consort Xiao and took a seat, after which everyone else sat down.

At the banquet, young women from various families showcased their talents, each hoping to be noticed, and they put a lot of effort into their dances.

Qi Ran stood behind Gu Qing, watching with great interest.

When that faint gaze fell upon him, he looked around but found nothing.

But soon, Qi Ran's gaze fell on the person being stepped on by Consort Xiao's feet.

That's Blue Lake.

In the past few days, Qi Ran has heard many eunuchs speak ill of Lan Bo, saying that he groveled and fawned over Consort Xiao to curry favor with her, that he was cruel and a good dog by the Consort's side.

Now, witnessing Lanbo kneeling on the ground to make a footrest for the imperial concubine, I felt a pang of sympathy.

In this palace, who is truly living a good life?

All he wanted was to survive.

Qi Ran shifted her gaze and continued to enjoy the song and dance performance.

At the same time, Lan Bo pursed her lips, quietly gazing at the figure in the distance, her last struggle dissipating.

What will he think?

Will he be like everyone else, thinking he's despicable and vicious?

Lan Bo never cared about other people's opinions, but he didn't want that boy to think of him that way.

He wanted to be the dog by the imperial concubine's side, the most suitable dog for her.

Lanbo's heart is dead.

Just like the peonies that Consort Xiao had crushed at this banquet where a hundred flowers were in full bloom.

The singing and dancing were boring, or perhaps there were too many beauties. Consort Xiao never showed her jealousy in front of the emperor. She peeled a lychee and fed it to the emperor, her words praising the dance of a certain minister's daughter.

"The youngest daughter of the Ling family has a beautiful figure. Your Majesty, I wish to request that the Ling family's daughter accompany me in the palace. Would Your Majesty grant my request?"

Gu Yan's gaze fell on the Ling family girl who was trembling and waiting for an answer. His dark, cold eyes were like a stagnant pool.

"Since my beloved concubine likes it, it is permitted."

With a wave of his hand, Gu Yan rewarded Prime Minister Ling's family with a sum of money and detained his youngest daughter in the palace.

Prime Minister Ling tried to plead for leniency, but the emperor brushed it off with a few words, and he was almost charged with treason.

When the banquet ended, Prime Minister Ling stood up blankly and staggered away from his seat.

The next morning, Qi Ran went to the Imperial Household Department to get tea. He overheard several eunuchs saying that the youngest daughter of the Ling family had fallen and broken her arms and legs the night before and had been carried out of the palace and sent back to her residence.

Qi Ran felt a chill run down her spine as she recalled the beautiful woman sitting next to the emperor at the banquet.

Palace intrigue is terrifying.

The spring breeze swept over the palace walls, carrying a few pink and white apricot petals, which swirled and landed on the bluestone-paved corridors, making a soft rustling sound.

The palace lanterns under the eaves were not yet lit. The warm sunlight filtered through the gaps in the eaves and brackets, casting dappled shadows on the ground, half bright and half gentle.

Qi Ran carried a gilded lacquer box, her steps extremely light.

The box contained freshly brewed tea from the imperial kitchen, still carrying a faint warmth. It mingled with the cool air under the eaves, creating a thin layer of white mist.

He wasn't very familiar with this road, but the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

He turned past a vermilion pillar and heard muffled sounds of fists and feet coming from ahead, mixed with suppressed groans of pain.

Qi Ran immediately stopped and quietly retreated behind the pillar.

He was afraid of encountering something bad.

In the open space under the corridor, a boy dressed in a dark silk eunuch's robe stood with his back to him. He was only thirteen years old, but his figure was tall and straight, yet he exuded a ruthlessness that was inconsistent with his age.

This young man is none other than Lan Bo, who is currently extremely popular by Consort Xiao's side.

He wasn't particularly handsome, but what stood out more were his single eyelids, which gave him an indescribable chill when he looked at people.

Qi Ran recognized him, and a look of horror flashed in her eyes.

Lan Bo raised his foot and kicked the kneeling eunuch in the chest.

The eunuch screamed and curled up on the ground, his face bruised and swollen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He didn't even dare to cry out loud, but kept kowtowing and begging for mercy.

"Please spare me, Eunuch Lan! I'll never dare to do it again!"

Lan Bo's face was cold, his eyes were like ice, and his tone was devoid of any warmth.

"You dare to disobey the Imperial Concubine's decree? I think you're tired of living."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and slapped the eunuch across the face again, the crisp sound particularly jarring in the quiet corridor.

The swallows on the peach tree outside the corridor were startled and took flight in a flurry, disappearing in an instant.

The wind blew through the corridor, carrying the fresh scent of new grass growing at the foot of the palace wall, making Qi Hou's neck stiff.

He gripped the tea box tightly in his arms, his fingertips turning white, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

The Lan Bo he knew before, though composed, never possessed such a terrifying aura.

Qi Ran didn't know the reason behind it, so she didn't say anything and could only hide behind the pillar and wait for the matter to pass.

"Get lost. If you dare to slack off again, you'll regret it."

Lan Bo kicked the eunuch, his tone impatient.

The eunuch felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled to his feet, clutched his chest, and limped away, not even daring to turn back to pick up the hat that had fallen to the ground.

Qi Ran was about to slip away quietly when she heard Lan Bo's voice behind her: "Who's there?"

He panicked, knowing he couldn't avoid it, and had no choice but to bite the bullet and come out.

The wind outside the corridor softened, causing the hem of his blue robe to sway slightly, creating a stark contrast with the dark silk eunuch's robe worn by Lan Bo.

Qi Ran bowed respectfully to Lan Bo: "Eunuch Lan."

Lan Bo is now a favorite of the Imperial Concubine, holding a position far above his.

The term "father-in-law" is a matter of etiquette, but it also acts like an invisible wall, widening the distance between the two people.

The tiles on the eaves hummed slightly in the wind, as if providing accompaniment for this awkward reunion.

When Lan Bo recognized him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and his fierce aura dissipated somewhat, but it was quickly replaced by a layer of melancholy.

It was like having all my joy extinguished by a bucket of cold water.

He opened his mouth, but the familiar address that was about to come out got stuck in his throat. After a moment of silence, he asked with difficulty, "You saw everything?"

Qi Ran lowered her head and replied softly, "I only saw a little bit."

Are you afraid of me?

Lan Bo's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

He was all too aware of his current reputation in the palace, just like Consort Xiao's ruthless methods.