For several days in a row, every night Fucha and Biyu went to the bamboo forest to light incense burners, and because they were careful, no one noticed.

The next morning, Lady Fucha was woken up by Biyu. Because she had been going out every night recently, she often got up very late, so when Biyu woke her up this time, she asked unhappily, "What is it!"

"Your Excellency, someone from Jingren Palace has just arrived. The Empress requests your presence."

"Empress?" Upon hearing Biyu's words, Empress Fucha sat up from the bed and asked Biyu to help her with her toilette.

"They probably can't wait any longer and want me to go over and ask them how to deal with Consort Nian."

Empress Fucha's voice was filled with anger and dissatisfaction: "The Empress only wants to reap the benefits, leaving me with all the hard work and suffering. She's only doing this because she's still the Empress. But one day, this Empress position will be mine!"

Biyu picked up her palace dress and said, "Your Highness, please don't get angry. Be careful not to hurt yourself. Our relationship with the Empress is nothing more than mutual exploitation. Right now, the most important thing is to deal with Consort Nian, who is a threat."

"Yes, after Consort Nian, the next ones will be Changchun Palace and the Empress."

Fucha arrived at Jingren Palace quickly in a sedan chair. The Empress's maid was already waiting at the door, saying, "Your Highness has finally arrived! The Empress has been waiting for you for a long time!"

Lady Fucha nodded to the palace maid: "Please take me inside, Aunt."

Upon entering the palace, one sees the Empress sitting on a throne, dressed in a magnificent moon-white palace gown. The color is simple and elegant, but the hem is embroidered with alluring red peonies, exuding a sense of nobility and grace.

As Lady Fucha stepped forward to pay her respects to the Empress, the Empress said, "No need for formalities, please sit down!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lady Fucha, supported by Biyu, walked to the chair and sat down.

"How is the matter going?" the Empress asked, leaning back on her couch and fiddling with her prayer beads.

Empress Fucha turned to the Empress and said, "Your Highness, I have found a way to deal with Consort Nian."

The Empress straightened up and said to Empress Fucha, "Tell me your plan!"

“Every night, I go to the bamboo forest and burn incense containing poisonous powder. The incense turns into smoke, which then condenses into dew, making the dew used for brewing tea in Consort Nian’s palace poisonous,” Fucha said smugly.

"That's a good idea. You are intelligent, and I was right about you," the Empress praised.

With a fawning smile, Empress Fucha said, "It's all thanks to the Empress's guidance; I've only done my bit."

Seeing her like this, the Empress found it uninteresting and waved her away, saying, "Alright, I already know everything. You've done a good job, and I will treat you well."

Lady Fucha was more than happy to see this, and without saying anything about staying to serve her, she immediately curtsied and left with Biyu.

The relationship between the Empress and her was merely one of mutual exploitation; why should they get in each other's way?

What do you think of Lady Fucha?

Lingxiu, who was beside him, said, "She is too scheming and I'm afraid she will harm you in the future."

The Empress hummed in agreement. "It's best to be careful with this kind of person. If she behaves herself, I might spare her life, otherwise..."

Back in her palace, Empress Fucha felt a little relieved. After all, pretending in front of others was too tiring, but how could she survive in the palace if she didn't know how to pretend?

I changed into my everyday clothes for indoors, lay on the bed for a while to rest, and waited for night to fall.