Chapter 219 Testing the Waters

Consort Li looked coldly at Liu Shuyao.

"I heard that you and Consort Ling had a very pleasant conversation. So, are you planning to return what I gave you to me as is?"

Liu Shuyao's back pressed against the cold, rough artificial rock, causing her pain.

The strong scent of cosmetics emanating from Consort Li was so overpowering that it gave one a headache.

Her face remained pale, but her clear, cold eyes showed no sign of panic, only the calm stillness of an icy lake.

Liu Shuyao did not answer immediately. Her gaze swept half a step behind Consort Li, where a figure with lowered eyes and dressed in ordinary palace maid clothes stood.

She seemed to have seen this palace maid before, at the corner of the corridor outside Consort Ling's palace.

She was looking down, as if she were pruning flower branches; it turned out she was one of Consort Li's people.

It seems that her every move with He Ling was under Consort Li's surveillance.

Liu Shuyao understood, and a cold, hard smile even appeared on her lips.

"Consort Li."

Liu Shuyao's voice was clear and cold, neither hurried nor slow.

"Your Highness does not understand. My visit to Consort Ling was merely a casual chat between sisters."

She slightly raised her chin, exuding the reserved and aloof demeanor characteristic of a noblewoman.

"As for the note Your Highness mentioned, I don't know what it is, nor do I know why Your Highness wants me to give it to Consort Ling."

"I don't know?" Consort Li's voice suddenly rose as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Liu Shuyao, stop pretending to be confused. You dare say you didn't receive what I gave you?"

Liu Shuyao's expression remained unchanged, her eyes calm and unwavering: "Your Majesty has indeed never given my sister anything. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may send someone to search her."

She looked calmly at Consort Li, her back ramrod straight, like a green bamboo in the wind and snow, aloof and proud.

"Heh, a body search?" Consort Li scoffed, her eyes growing even colder.

"It's just a note. You can just toss it away. What can I possibly find? You dare to disobey my orders, Liu Shuyao. Do you think I can't do anything to you just because your father is the Prime Minister?"

She took a step closer, almost touching Liu Shuyao's face, her voice low and sharp as a knife.

“In this deep palace, without the emperor’s favor, you, Liu Shuyao, are nothing. Even if you have a father who is the prime minister, he is powerless to help you.”

"You think He Ling is innocent, but what about you? Are you really so pure and abstinent that you don't want the Emperor's favor? What are you pretending to be so high and mighty in front of me?"

Consort Li's words pierced the softest spot in Liu Shuyao's heart.

The Emperor's favor...

Liu Shuyao's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes were momentarily dazed, but this was quickly replaced by a deeper clarity.

Yes, she admires the Emperor; she has admired him since childhood.

But this love is like the bright moon held dear in my heart, not an excuse to frame others or commit such despicable acts!

Looking at Consort Li's face, twisted with jealousy and anger, a feeling of disgust welled up inside her.

“Your Majesty.” Liu Shuyao’s voice remained cold, yet carried an undeniable firmness. “What I want and what I don’t want is my own business. I would never stoop to framing the innocent.”

She lowered her eyes slightly, no longer looking at Consort Li.

"If Your Majesty is dissatisfied with this matter, I am willing to accept any punishment."

"You!" Consort Li trembled with rage, her finger shaking as she pointed at Liu Shuyao. "Fine! Fine, so you have your own principles! Fine, so you disdain to do such things! I'd like to see how long you can keep up this pretense of righteousness!"

"In this harem, anyone who dares to offend me never has a good ending!"

Consort Li threw down those words viciously, then abruptly turned and stormed off with two matrons and the maid.

Liu Shuyao stood alone, leaning against the cold artificial hill.

Seeing her pale face, the palace maid quickly stepped forward to support her: "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Liu Shuyao shook her head, but her eyes were unusually clear and sharp.

Consort Li will not let this go, but what does she have to fear?

Her father taught her to be upright and honest; how could she do such a despicable thing for her own selfish reasons?

Liu Shuyao took a deep breath, suppressing the dull pain in her chest, and, holding onto the palace maid's hand, slowly straightened her body, her back as straight as a pine tree.

"Return to the palace." Her voice was calm and serene, carrying a tranquility that came after weathering many storms.

Meanwhile, inside Changchun Palace.

He Ling was staring blankly at the pile of colorful origami by the window, wondering what color paper crane she should give Liu Shuyao next time she came.

Pink? That's too youthful and doesn't suit Sister Liu's style.

Blue? It's too cold.

How about white?

As she was struggling with her decision, footsteps sounded outside the hall.

"Consort Ling." A young palace maid from Weiyang Palace entered and bowed respectfully. "Her Highness Consort Zhuang said she has some fresh seasonal vegetables and has personally cooked a few dishes. She invites you to join her for a meal."

He Ling was taken aback, then her eyes lit up instantly.

The Empress herself cooked, and even specially invited her over?

My goodness, this is such divine treatment! Happiness came so suddenly.

He Ling cheered with joy, temporarily putting aside her agonizing over the color of the paper crane.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

She responded cheerfully, immediately stood up, and quickly tidied her appearance in front of the mirror to make sure she looked energetic and well-behaved.

Yes, her hair is neat and her clothes are tidy.

Perfect! Off to the Empress's lovingly prepared feast!

She followed the little palace maid, practically skipping into Weiyang Palace.

The hall was filled with the enticing aroma of food. Jiang Huan was sitting at the table with several exquisite dishes in front of her, their colors appealing and steaming hot.

"Your Majesty!" He Ling's eyes sparkled, and she was practically drooling. "You cooked again? It smells so good!"

Jiang Huan was waiting with her chin resting on her hand. When she saw her overjoyed expression, she smiled and waved.

"Please sit down and have a taste. Today we've prepared some seasonal dishes."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

He Ling quickly sat down opposite Jiang Huan and looked at the dishes on the table.

The stir-fried seasonal vegetables were bright green and tender, the bamboo shoots stir-fried with shredded pork were refreshing and delicious, there was also a small bowl of smooth egg custard and a plate of sliced ​​fruit.

The fruit platter contains sliced ​​pears, grapes, and orange segments.

He Ling picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of bamboo shoot, and found it crisp and sweet.

"Delicious! Your Majesty, you are a culinary genius sent from heaven!"

Jiang Huan smiled, picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of pear, and gently bit into it.

"Yes, it's this pear. It's quite sweet, but it gets a bit cloying after a while."

She put down the pear slices, glanced at the plate of fruit, sighed softly, and said deliberately.

"Sigh, the fruits sent by the imperial kitchen are always the same few kinds, they taste the same no matter how many times you eat them, there's nothing new about them. Sometimes I really want to eat something different."

Jiang Huan spoke in a relaxed and casual tone, as if she were chatting about everyday things, but her eyes subtly observed He Ling's reaction.