Chapter 241 Offending Consort Li

Princess Mingzhu panicked when she heard that the new food was a limited edition.

"Oh dear, that won't do."

She jumped down with a start, then hurriedly tore off the shawl around her neck and shoved it haphazardly to a palace maid beside her. Her movements were so swift and decisive that she didn't seem like someone who was contemplating suicide at all.

"Quick! Take me to Weiyang Palace! I need to find Consort Zhuang! I want to eat cake!"

She grabbed the nearest eunuch and rushed out in a hurry.

Shen Yi looked at this energetic little darling, shook his head helplessly, but a triumphant smile played on his lips.

Done! The power of delicious food is truly amazing.

The Emperor's jar of pear blossom wine is now his.

He waved to the still bewildered palace maids and eunuchs: "Alright, alright, disperse, go do what you were doing."

After saying that, he turned around and leisurely walked towards the Imperial Study.

He has to go collect his reward.

Meanwhile, in the west hall of Changchun Palace.

He Ling carefully tidied her makeup and hair in front of the bronze mirror.

She specially chose a light green palace dress today, which made her skin look as white as snow.

The weather's so nice today, it's a perfect opportunity to go and chat with the Empress, and while I'm at it...

Hehe, let's see if I can earn some points.

He Ling felt very happy. Humming a little tune, she walked briskly out of the room and headed towards Weiyang Palace.

However, she hadn't gone far when an arrogant figure blocked her way.

It was Consort Li.

She wore a magnificent crimson palace dress, adorned with a golden hairpin, her makeup exquisite, and her eyes held a condescending scrutiny.

Behind Consort Li were two burly old women, who were equally imposing.

He Ling's heart skipped a beat, her smile froze instantly, and she subconsciously took a half step back.

Oh no, how did I run into this jinx?

Every time I see her, I feel like I'm going to lose a piece of my own flesh.

"Oh, isn't this Consort Ling?" Consort Li deliberately dragged out the last syllable, making it sound sarcastic. "Dressed up so extravagantly, where are you going?"

He Ling quickly curtsied and said, "This concubine greets Consort Li. This concubine... this concubine was just taking a casual stroll."

"Just taking a stroll?" Consort Li sneered, taking a step forward and getting closer to He Ling. "I see you're in a hurry to curry favor with that vile Consort Zhuang, aren't you?"

He Ling's heart tightened, and she quickly shook her head.

"I dare not, I only..."

"Just what?" Consort Li interrupted her, her voice suddenly turning stern.

"He Ling, I know you've been getting close to Consort Zhuang lately. What, do you think you can look down on me now that you've climbed up the social ladder?"

She reached out, her bright red nail polish almost poking He Ling's face.

He Ling was forced to take another step back, her face turning slightly pale and her palms sweating.

[System, what should I do! She's so fierce!]

I...I'm a little scared...

"Ding, host, please calm down. It is recommended that you play along and avoid direct confrontation."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I dare not." He Ling's voice trembled slightly.

"Dare not?" Consort Li scoffed, withdrew her hand, and stood with her arms crossed. "It'd better not dare. I'll give you a chance to prove you dare."

She lowered her voice: "That vile Consort Zhuang, relying on her looks and the Emperor's favor, is arrogant and opposes me at every turn. I want you to be my eyes and ears, to keep an eye on her and tell me everything she does!"

He Ling's heart sank. Was she really to be allowed to spy on the Empress?

No, absolutely not.

The Empress is the only one who knows her secret and helped her solve the predicament brought about by the system. How could she betray the Empress?

Seeing that she didn't speak, Consort Li assumed she was afraid and softened her tone.

"Don't worry, as long as you behave and do this for me, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. Gold, silver, jewels, silks, whatever you want, I can give you. In fact... I can even put in a good word for you with the Emperor so that you can gain his favor sooner. How about it?"

She threw out the bait, but her eyes were fixed on He Ling, full of pressure.

He Ling lowered her head, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, and couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly.

They even helped her gain favor with the emperor sooner, describing themselves as being like Daji (a legendary femme fatale).

It's hard to say whether the emperor even remembered her face.

At the same time, the system will issue an audible reminder.

"Warning: If the host agrees to Consort Li's request, it will severely damage the relationship with the target, Jiang Huan. The favorability rating may be reduced to zero or even negative, and the host's life will be threatened. It is strongly recommended that the host refuse!"

Finally, one day, this broken system was on the same page as her!

She is now the Empress's person in life and in death, so she doesn't care about Consort Li's petty gains.

An unprecedented surge of courage, mixed with anger at the long-standing oppression of Consort Li, suddenly rose from the bottom of his heart.

He Ling raised her head and looked directly into Consort Li's calculating eyes. Although her voice was still trembling, it was unusually firm.

"I appreciate Consort Li's kindness."

Consort Li raised an eyebrow, thinking that He Ling had wisely agreed, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face, but then she heard He Ling continue speaking.

"But I cannot agree to that."

Consort Li's smile froze instantly, and her eyes turned icy cold.

"What did you say?"

He Ling took a deep breath, decided to go all out, and raised her voice a few decibels.

"I say, I cannot agree to that. Consort Zhuang has treated me very well. I respect and am grateful to her. I would never do such an ungrateful thing, much less help you to spy on or frame Consort Zhuang!"

She finished speaking in one breath, her chest heaving violently, her cheeks flushed with excitement, but her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

I said it, I really said it.

"Your Majesty, I've protected you!"

[System, am I super brave?!]

"The host's courage is commendable, and the system expresses its appreciation."

Consort Li never expected that He Ling, who usually seemed timid and easily manipulated, would dare to reject her so bluntly.

"You...you actually dared..." Consort Li was so angry that she trembled all over, and her finger pointing at He Ling was shaking.

"Fine, fine, He Ling, you think you've grown wings, huh? You dare to challenge me? You just wait! I'll show you what happens when you offend me!"

The two old women behind her also had fierce looks on their faces, and were eager to do something.

Although He Ling was trembling with fear and her legs were weak, she straightened her back and did not back down when she thought of Jiang Huan.

"I am merely stating the truth; I dare not challenge Your Majesty." She tried to make her voice sound calm.

"If Your Majesty has no further instructions, I shall take my leave!"

After saying that, without waiting for Consort Li's reaction, she forced her weak legs to support her and turned to leave.

Consort Li stood there, watching He Ling's retreating figure, her face turning ashen with anger.

"This is outrageous!" she gritted her teeth. "One by one, they're all going against me! Very well, He Ling and Consort Zhuang, you just wait!"