"This humble servant greets Consort Nian!" Lady Liu stood before Lady Nian like a magnolia blossom.

"Sister Liu, you look so beautiful in that outfit! Get up!" Madam Nian had already rested for lunch and was having her afternoon snack.

"Thank you, Consort Liu!" Lady Liu frowned slightly for a moment.

"Bring some of these pastries to Princess Liu as well," said Madam Nian. "These aren't the kind from the kitchen; they're all bought from outside. They're delicious, why don't you try some?"

Liu stretched out her slender, white fingers and took a piece of yam cake from the plate that Birou brought over, and ate a little.

"How is it?" Nian's eyes shone with a crystal-like light, and a pink pearl hairpin lightly brushed against her cheek.

"They are so delicate and smooth! The pastries here, Consort Liu, are indeed quite different from those from the Imperial Kitchen," said Lady Liu.

"Money makes the world go round! I'll give them some silver to sell!" said Madam Nian.

Madam Liu knew that she was definitely not talking to her about the pastries, but rather telling her that in this inner courtyard, power and money were more important than anything else!

“What Consort Nian says is true! I am willing to follow Consort Nian!” Lady Liu no longer concealed anything from Lady Nian.

“Very well, I knew Sister Liu was a straightforward person. From now on, we are on the same side. We share the same fate, and we share the same fate. As long as you follow my instructions, we will definitely make sure you are valued by the master,” Lady Nian said with a smile.

"I would like to hear the details. Please enlighten me, Consort Liu," Liu replied.

“Sister Liu, do you know where Fourth Master goes most often these days?” asked Madam Nian.

"I don't know, but I've heard some rumors that Consort Niu is highly regarded by the master. She even bore him his third son," said Madam Liu.

“You’re absolutely right. Niohuru is currently the one most favored by the master in our inner quarters. She didn’t just have three children, she had four, and another son is being raised by Geng.” When Nian said this, her expression was very cold.

Liu looked at Nian in surprise, then quickly regained her composure and said, "Nian, the concubine, is also someone the master values, otherwise he wouldn't have moved to this East Courtyard. This place is much bigger than the South Courtyard."

It must be said that Liu was very good at speaking. After hearing these words, Nian's originally jealous expression softened considerably.

“Besides Niohuru, there is another person who also holds a place in the master’s heart, and that is Wuya, who is now pregnant.” When Nian spoke of Wuya, her expression was still contemptuous. She had always looked down on Wuya, who came from a humble background.

"This Lady Wuya looks quite old, even older than the concubine. How could she have won the master's favor?" Lady Liu asked, puzzled.

“Because this Lady Uya is the niece of Consort De in the palace, and also our master’s cousin. They have known each other since they were young. Our master is a man who values ​​relationships, so he still cherishes his first love. Lady Uya is not only older than this concubine, but she has also been married before,” Lady Nian said.

Upon hearing this, Liu no longer dared to underestimate this woman who was over twenty-five years old.

“So besides the South Courtyard, our enemies also include Lady Wuya. If the two of them can fight each other, then I, the concubine, can reap the benefits,” Lady Nian said.

"Wouldn't the South Courtyard be a thorn in the side of the Uya clan?" Liu asked.

“No, our Consort Niu is unpredictable in her actions, and I can’t see through her. She’s on good terms with Lady Song, Lady Wu, and Lady Geng, but she never associates with Lady Wuya, and she has no dealings with me either. So it’s hard to find fault with her,” Lady Nian said.

“The more someone is like that, the harder they are to deal with. Because you simply can’t find any flaws in them,” Liu said.

“That’s absolutely right. Niohuru is the most difficult person to deal with so far. I, as a concubine, can find ways to deal with the others, but the South Courtyard is like an iron barrel, making it very difficult to handle,” said Lady Nian.

Holding a piece of pastry, Liu pondered for a moment, then said to Nian, "Why doesn't Consort Nian work on this cousin? Since she holds a special place in the Master's heart, perhaps only she can shake the position of the South Courtyard."

Nian's phoenix eyes flashed, and she curled the corners of her mouth, saying, "Continue."

Liu placed the pastries on a plate, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and said, "Princess Wuya is pregnant now. I imagine Niohuru's feelings towards her are quite complicated. If she becomes jealous and resentful and harms Princess Wuya's pregnancy, then won't you be disappointed in Niohuru?"

"Haha, Sister Liu, you and I are thinking the same thing! Good!" Lady Nian said happily.

Lady Liu looked at Lady Nian in surprise and asked, "Consort, you've already thought of this? Is there any way to do it?"

Lady Nian clapped her hands and said, "Now we need to see how to make Lady Wuya miscarry and then pass the miscarriage onto Lady Niohuru. Sister Liu, think about it, if the master discovers that the woman he has always doted on has such a vicious heart, wouldn't he be very disappointed in her?"

Lady Liu nodded and said, "What Consort Nian said is absolutely right. Lady Wuya seems to be in good health, so it won't be so easy to make her miscarry."

Lady Nian smiled and said, "My sister is indeed very shrewd. In fact, I have already made my move. Wuya is doomed to die, but it will be difficult to link her death to Niohuru."

Lady Liu looked at Lady Nian in surprise once again, and pondered, "Could the concubine tell my sister about the concubine's method?"

Lady Nian thought for a moment and then said, "Actually, knowing too much isn't a good thing for you. How about this, you go back and think carefully about how to get Lady Niohuru into this mess. Once you've thought it through, come and talk to me, the concubine."

Seeing that Nian was unwilling to say any more to her, Liu did not press the matter and got up to take her leave.

After she left the East Courtyard, Hongqiao, supporting Liu's hand, said, "This concubine has quite the appetite, actually wanting you to go to the South Courtyard. My lady, I've been used as a tool by her."

The gentleness on Liu's face vanished instantly. She turned to look at the East Courtyard and said, "I didn't expect this Sister Nian to think so highly of me, putting me in charge of the South Courtyard right away."

“Master, why don’t we think about it again? You don’t necessarily have to side with the Nian family,” Hongqiao said.

“Besides her, I have no one else to rely on. Niohuru’s temperament is unpredictable, and she has no interest in us. If that woman goes to her, she will probably just patiently listen to what I said,” Liu said.

“But if the master finds out about dealing with Nan Xiaoyuan, it won’t be good for the princess to leave the country,” Hongqiao said.