Chapter 218 Consort Liu's Visit

[...]

He Ling slumped onto the soft couch, too listless to even move a finger.

[Forget it, why bother raising favorability?]

[If I swipe the card, you accuse me of cheating, of violating the rules, basically you just won't honor the promise.]

[Just let the missions unfold naturally; system, do whatever you want!]

Just as He Ling had completely given up on treatment and was preparing to lie flat on the soft couch, a palace maid's voice came from outside the hall.

"Reporting to Consort Ling, Consort Liu has arrived."

Consort Liu? Liu Shuyao?

He Ling jumped up from the soft couch with a start.

She remembered this person; she thought she was the prime minister's daughter.

Wait, when did they become so close that they could visit each other's homes?

However, I heard that Liu Shuyao is a nice person, but her health is not very good.

[System, quick, check what she's here for!]

System: "Target person Liu Shuyao detected approaching. Current favorability: 0. No threat."

That's good, they probably aren't here to cause trouble.

He Ling breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not be negligent.

She rushed to the dressing mirror, hurriedly tidying up her slightly disheveled clothes and hair, and then patted her cheeks to try and look more presentable.

She tried her best to appear dignified and proper as she went out to greet them.

"Sister Liu, what brings you here? Please come in." He Ling greeted him with a warm smile and a clear, melodious voice.

Today, Liu Shuyao was dressed in a moon-white palace dress, which made her already fair skin appear even paler. Her figure was so slender that she looked as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

Supported by a palace maid, she slowly walked into the hall, a gentle and dignified smile on her face.

"Sister Ling." Liu Shuyao's voice was soft as she smiled at He Ling. "I was feeling bored staying inside, and I thought it would be quiet here, so I came over to sit for a while. I apologize for bothering you."

"Sister, what are you saying? Please have a seat."

He Ling quickly invited her to sit down and then instructed the palace maids, "Quickly serve tea and snacks, the best of everything!"

Looking at Liu Shuyao's frail appearance, she felt a strange pity for her.

This beautiful woman, though ill, is gentle and has an extraordinary temperament.

If it weren't for her chronic illness, she would probably have lived a more vibrant life.

Sigh, who knows, we might even become good friends, but...

Let's forget about it.

In this palace, who knows what anyone is thinking?

Keep your distance and maintain a superficial friendship.

Liu Shuyao sat down on the soft couch, her gaze sweeping across the hall. She noticed some colorful papers and a few folded trinkets scattered on a small table by the window.

There are paper cranes, paper roses, and even a three-dimensional origami that looks like a small house.

"Sister Ling is so skillful! These little trinkets are so exquisitely folded, they're so lifelike!" Liu Shuyao exclaimed sincerely, picking up the paper crane to examine it closely. "I've never seen the way the wings are folded before."

"You flatter me, sister." He Ling waved her hand somewhat shyly, but secretly felt a little proud.

"I was just bored and figuring out how to fold some small things to pass the time."

She developed this origami skill out of sheer boredom after transmigrating, drawing on her memories of modern times and a bit of cleverness. Unexpectedly, it became her pastime in the deep palace.

The palace maids quickly served hot tea and several plates of delicate pastries.

"Sister, try it!"

He Ling greeted them warmly, temporarily putting aside the unpleasant matter of system points.

Liu Shuyao picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, took a small bite, and nodded.

"Yes, the imperial kitchen's cooking skills are naturally excellent."

Even so, her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the exquisite origami.

"If you like them, I'll give you a few later." He Ling understood immediately and agreed.

The two drank tea and ate snacks while chatting about trivial matters.

For example, they would tell you what new flowers had bloomed in the Imperial Garden, or what rewards the concubines of which palace had received, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Looking at Liu Shuyao's gentle smile and listening to her soft words, He Ling couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

If it weren't for the intrigue and power struggles within the palace, the two of them would actually get along quite well.

But it's fine to keep it like this.

Liu Shuyao also smiled at He Ling, her eyes gentle.

Consort Ling is simple-minded but clever; she folds these little trinkets in a really interesting way.

only……

Her hand, hidden in the wide sleeves of her robe, unconsciously caressed a piece of paper.

That was given to her secretly by someone sent by Consort Li.

The contents of the note made her even more terrified.

Consort Li told her to find an opportunity to casually "drop" the note in front of He Ling, or simply to give it to He Ling directly.

Liu Shuyao knew all too well what Consort Li was capable of.

If He Ling sees this note, or if anyone else discovers it, it will be enough to ruin her forever.

Liu Shuyao held the note in her hand, her fingertips icy cold.

No matter where Consort Ling offended Consort Li, it had nothing to do with her.

Should we really get involved in this mess and do as Consort Li says?

But looking at He Ling's innocent and harmless smile, Liu Shuyao simply couldn't bring herself to do it.

She was torn between her inner turmoil, her face grew even paler, and her hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

"Sister Liu, what's wrong? You look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

He Ling noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern.

Liu Shuyao snapped back to her senses, quickly put down her teacup, and forced a smile.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired, it's an old problem, it's nothing serious."

She quietly slipped the note back into her sleeve pocket, as if it had never existed.

She is Liu Shuyao, when did she have to do these things for others?

"Sister Ling, I'll head back now. I'll come back another day." Liu Shuyao stood up, her voice relaxed.

"Take care, sister. I'll see you off." He Ling quickly got up to see her off.

"No need, sister, please wait." Liu Shuyao waved her hand and, supported by a palace maid, slowly walked out of the palace gate.

He Ling stood at the palace gate, watching Liu Shuyao's slender figure disappear around the corner of the palace road, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Why did she leave so suddenly?

Her complexion looks worse; could she really be feeling unwell?

Alas, living in such a secluded palace, it's truly a torment to be in poor health.

He Ling didn't think much of it, shook her head, and turned back into the hall.

Supported by a palace maid, Liu Shuyao walked slowly along the palace path, her mind heavy with worries.

Consort Li's threat weighed on her heart like a boulder, making it hard for her to breathe.

Letting He Ling go would be tantamount to pushing oneself into an abyss.

How should she deal with this?

Just as she was thinking this, as she passed a rockery, a hand suddenly reached out from the shadows and pulled her away.

"Ah!" Liu Shuyao was caught off guard and exclaimed in surprise, almost falling over.

The palace maid was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that she screamed.

"Shut up!" a cold yet familiar voice rang out.

Liu Shuyao looked closely and saw that Consort Li was standing behind the artificial hill, staring at her with a sinister look and an angry expression.

"Liu Shuyao, how dare you!"

Consort Li's voice was sharp and piercing, "Is this how you carried out the task I assigned you?"