Chapter 1: Bloodshed Phoenix Life

Spring Equinox has passed, and the bustling capital of Taiaojing should have been warm and charming, but recently it has been constantly drizzling, with a musty smell permeating the air, making people feel repulsed by the season.

Outside a deserted palace in the imperial palace, several young palace maids in green clothes were gathered together, talking about something.

A round-faced palace maid suddenly saw a hurriedly looking old maid coming out, and quickly went up to her and asked, "Has the noble concubine passed away?"

The old maid sneered in disdain and spat, "Whether she's dead or not, it doesn't matter. She's been banished to the cold palace and still carries herself as if she were the noble concubine. Even in her disabled state, she dared to overturn the sacred items bestowed by the emperor. Anyway, today is the day the empress will deal with the noble concubine. Everyone must be on high alert and cover up this matter, so as not to cause trouble for the empress."

That was the purpose of the old maid coming out, as there were many gossipy people in the palace, and she was afraid that the young palace maids might speak carelessly.

A slender-faced palace maid, looking puzzled, said, "It's really strange. The empress and the noble concubine share the same father, and they are obviously sisters. Why would the noble concubine do such a thing, daring to harm the unborn child of the empress?"

The round-faced palace maid took the slender-faced palace maid's hand and hushed her, saying, "Keep your voice down. The empress has always been good to us, so we must protect her reputation. This is the fault of the noble concubine, her malicious heart. Our new empress is very popular."

So the palace maids fell silent, carefully listening to the faint sounds coming from inside the palace.

Normally, it's an age-old fact that autumn winds sweep away fallen leaves, but now, a chilly wind blew, causing some old, yellowing leaves to detach from the branches, making a faint rustling sound as they were swept away.

One of the leaves spun in the air and landed on a plaque, which was still gilded. It seemed to have been eroded by loneliness and despair for many years, becoming extremely mottled. Upon closer inspection, one could make out a few words on it: Fengrong Palace.

The sharpness of the characters on the plaque was like the proud backbone of a woman, but now it looked a bit disheveled and desolate, like a person with a strong will who had lost the ability to withstand the wind and rain.

Inside the palace, a slender figure sat weakly on the ground, looking very lonely. The smooth silk clothing accentuated the woman's slender cheeks and despairing eyes, but also revealed a sense of resolute determination in her appearance.

Even though her appearance was resolute, with delicate features like lotus petals, it couldn't conceal the woman's obvious flaws. Her left hand had been severely burned by charcoal, with the fingers tightly fused together, while her right hand seemed to have been scalded by boiling water, with wrinkled skin and fingers that seemed unable to stretch out.

The woman's face displayed a mixture of pride and self-doubt, creating a color of sorrow that felt ugly under scrutiny.

Scattered around her were some miscellaneous items, including a three-foot-long white silk, a pair of scissors, and a cup of poison, which had been spilled on the ground, indicating what had just happened.

In front of the disheveled woman sat another woman, dressed in the new attire of the empress, with a luxurious outfit and precious jewels. The contrast between the wealthy woman and the woman sitting on the ground was stark. Upon closer inspection, the two young women bore a resemblance, even to the point of being recognized as sisters at first glance.

"Sister, why do you have to suffer like this? You caused the death of the former empress, and now you have caused the death of the child in my womb. His Majesty is merciful and has spared your life. If you continue to be so stubborn, His Majesty will surely strip you of your noble concubine status, accusing you of plotting against the former empress and the royal heir. Then you will be buried in an unmarked grave."

Although the wealthy woman, Duan Youxi, had a smile on her face, her tone was filled with arrogant satisfaction.

Duan Gexi raised her head and looked at Duan Youxi, who was dressed as the empress, with disdain in her eyes. "Where does the word 'plotting' come from? I don't like the former empress, and I don't like the child in your belly, but I, Duan Gexi, have always been upright and honest. Even as a woman, I would never do such despicable things. The false accusations you've made are firmly established. Five years ago, the former empress died, and her family crippled my hands. Now my hands are disabled like this, and you have repeatedly humiliated me. It's truly my good sister."

Duan Gexi, who had long been confined to the cold palace, was once the most favored concubine of Emperor Qin Xiuyi in name.

Although she was the most favored concubine, whenever Emperor Qin Xiuyi held her in his arms, he would always say, "For the sake of my country and people, I must ensure fairness to all. Gexi, don't blame me. I have no choice."

At that time, Duan Gexi always maintained a demeanor of understanding and righteousness in front of Emperor Qin Xiuyi, never showing jealousy or resentment. She would say to him, "Your Majesty, go ahead. I understand."

So Emperor Qin Xiuyi would turn and leave, his back always so resolute. Duan Gexi concealed her sense of loss and spent the night playing the pipa in the Fengrong Palace.

Later, the former empress, Xue Shanxue, for some reason came to see her once, ate something in the Fengrong Palace, and then died of poisoning after returning home.