Chapter 156 New Voices

The next morning, just after Jiang Huan had finished her breakfast, a messenger came from Cining Palace to deliver a message.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has decreed that Your Highness is invited to Cining Palace for a discussion."

Jiang Huan frowned almost imperceptibly.

It's the Empress Dowager again.

She just didn't understand. The Empress Dowager disliked her every day and summoned her every day. Why was she still so angry and frustrated?

However, it's likely that the Empress Dowager wouldn't be able to sit still because Huo Lin forcibly stopped the talent show.

So, taking advantage of the opportunity to warn the concubines in the harem, he paved the way for those newly arrived imperial concubines.

And while you're at it, add insult to injury for her.

Jiang Huan knew exactly what was going on, and wore a polite smile.

"Understood, I will be there shortly."

Changing into a relatively dignified but not ostentatious palace dress, Jiang Huan led Xiao Zhao to Cining Palace.

Upon entering the hall, one finds that many people are already seated inside.

Besides the concubines from the palace, the most eye-catching were the three new faces sitting not far below the Empress Dowager.

Liu Shuyao, dressed in an elegant moon-white dress, looked even paler than yesterday. She sat there quietly, her eyelashes lowered, as if everything around her was irrelevant to her.

Wen Yilin, dressed in a bright peach-colored palace gown, had an undisguised arrogance in her meticulously drawn eyebrows and eyes. Her gaze swept across the hall without any politeness, and when she saw Jiang Huan enter, a clear hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

He Ling sat at the very end, looking somewhat uneasy, with her head down, trying to minimize her presence.

Jiang Huan paid her respects to the Empress Dowager according to her rank, and then exchanged greetings with the other concubines.

She sat down in her seat, her gaze falling on He Ling, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Is it just my imagination?

There's something off about this girl.

It's like they're from another world.

Jiang Huan was lost in thought when, without warning, an unfamiliar voice entered her mind.

[Oh no, System! Consort Zhuang looked at me! Did she recognize me as the woman from the restaurant that day?]

[Yesterday, even the buff from seeing the Emperor didn't work. System, do you think it's because Consort Zhuang is too beautiful, and my buff isn't strong enough?]

[Ugh, this walkthrough is so hard, when will it ever end?]

Jiang Huan's pupils contracted sharply. It was the voice of a young girl, filled with panic.

It is He Ling.

Recalling the severe headache Huo Lin experienced before regaining his memories yesterday, coupled with the system mentioned in He Ling's thoughts, everything can now be closed!

The world is full of wonders. If she could travel through time, why can't others?

The same principle applies to cheat codes; she gained the ability to read minds, while He Ling likely possesses some kind of strategy system.

Huo Lin was injured after meeting He Ling, and it was after that day that she could no longer hear Huo Lin's inner thoughts.

It wasn't until yesterday, when Huo Lin encountered He Ling again, that his memory returned.

It's likely that Huo Lin's amnesia and the failure of his inner voice are both inextricably linked to He Ling.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes as she stared directly at He Ling.

Regardless, using cheat codes to harm people is going too far.

He Ling shuddered at Jiang Huan's sudden gaze and lowered her head even further.

[System, her eyes are so scary. Does she suspect I'm up to no good?]

"Warning: Target Jiang Huan's hostility towards the host has increased dramatically. Please remain calm! Activate 'Pitiful and Delicate' defense mode."

This time, it wasn't just He Ling's inner thoughts that were being heard; Jiang Huan also heard an electronic voice playing at the same time.

It really was her.

He Ling is very likely a modern person as well, but Jiang Huan is unsure whether she was forced by the system or acted entirely voluntarily.

Alas, when fellow villagers meet, their ribs are covered in blood.

Moreover, this system is quite intelligent; it can even detect hostility.

Jiang Huan narrowed her eyes, knowing she needed to be careful.

We absolutely must not let He Ling and the system know that we can hear their thoughts.

Jiang Huan calmly withdrew her gaze, concealing the coldness in her eyes, as if that sharp glance from just now was merely He Ling's illusion.

At this moment, Liu Shuyao, who was sitting diagonally opposite, slightly raised her head and looked at Jiang Huan.

She coughed softly twice, her voice as weak as ever.

"Shuyao greets Consort Zhuang. I have long admired your virtue and grace, and today I have finally met you. Indeed, you possess extraordinary bearing."

She paused, her voice softening slightly: "A few days ago, in the market outside the palace, Shuyao saw Your Highness. Your Highness remained calm and composed in the face of danger, displaying remarkable grace, which Shuyao has never forgotten."

Jiang Huan was slightly taken aback, but then she remembered.

That day, when she was being harassed by Liu Quanren, Liu Shuyao was in the teahouse next door and even spoke up for her.

This courage and kindness greatly increased Jiang Huan's affection for her.

Unfortunately, after going around in circles, everyone is once again suffering in the pot of soup that is the harem.

Forget about being best friends, she'd be grateful if they didn't have a falling out.

Just as Jiang Huan was about to respond, a sharp, coquettish voice cut in first, filled with sarcasm.

"Oh, Sister Liu, are you trying to get closer to Consort Zhuang?"

Wen Yilin glanced sideways at Liu Shuyao, then gave Jiang Huan a sarcastic look.

"Your Highness is of noble status and busy with countless affairs of state. How could you possibly have time to remember such trivial matters outside the palace? Sister Liu, you are frail. You should speak less, lest you cough so hard you can't breathe and fall ill in Cining Palace. Your Highness, do you agree?"

These words were a barrage of veiled barbs.

First, they portrayed Liu Shuyao as sickly, and then they accused Jiang Huan of being arrogant and disrespectful. Their words were extremely harsh.

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly, and the lower-ranking concubines all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

The Empress Dowager remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she was satisfied.

Although Wen Yilin's words were harsh and a bit rash, her spirit was commendable.

The imperial harem needs fresh blood like this.

With so many women, if they don't have their own ideas, how can they compete with others for the emperor?

Jiang Huan remained completely unmoved by Wen Yilin's barbed words.

Sister, compared to Consort Jia, you're still too green.

What methods did Consort Jia use in the past?

Fighting her would involve assassinations and poisonings, large-scale operations, and people would be risking their lives.

You know what, these days a few sarcastic remarks actually sound quite pleasant.

Jiang Huan picked up the teacup beside her and slowly skimmed off the foam.

She simply nodded slightly to Liu Shuyao and gave her a peaceful smile.

"Consort Liu's good intentions are all in the past."

This attitude was neither too warm nor too cold, maintaining just the proper demeanor befitting a concubine.

Wen Yilin was so angry at being ignored by Jiang Huan that her face turned red and white, but she didn't dare to act recklessly in front of the Empress Dowager. She could only clench the handkerchief in her hand tightly.

Upon receiving Jiang Huan's response, Liu Shuyao smiled faintly, nodded slightly, and said no more.

Huddled in the corner, He Ling watched the undercurrents swirling around her, her heart trembling with fear.