When Gu Jiangli arrived at Cixi Palace, the Empress Dowager had already been waiting for a long time.

A large spread of dishes was laid out on the round table, which looked more like a banquet than a breakfast.

The Empress Dowager saw that she had come alone and asked with some displeasure, "Why are you alone?"

Granny Sun stepped forward and whispered in the Empress Dowager's ear, explaining everything about the young prince.

The Empress Dowager listened silently, her expression not very pleasant.

Looking at Gu Jiangli, she realized that the little prince was not sick at all; it was just an excuse from Gu Jiangli.

"The Imperial Noble Consort dares not bring her child. Is she perhaps worried that I might harm her?"

Gu Jiangli raised the corners of her mouth, neither denying nor admitting, and placed the box on the round table.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat displeased with her rude behavior, but considering her upcoming plans, she did not show her anger.

She looked at the box in surprise and asked, "What is this?"

Gu Jiangli found a seat for himself and explained:

"His Majesty was overjoyed to have a son, but the Empress Dowager was deeply distressed and did not prepare any gifts for the newborn child."

"But as the most favored concubine in the palace, I still have to be mindful of etiquette."

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has raised His Majesty for many years. If it weren't for you, there would be no His Majesty today. Without His Majesty, there would naturally be no imperial son."

"Therefore, it is only right that I prepare such a generous gift for you."

Gu Jiangli never forgot to make sarcastic remarks in front of the Empress Dowager.

As an elder, the Empress Dowager showed no respect for the Emperor's great joy and did not inquire about such an event.

Although what he gave her wasn't anything special, she certainly wouldn't let go of the chance to provoke her with words.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager's expression turned even more unpleasant upon hearing her words.

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, her eyes already filled with hatred: "I've lost my daughter and grandson, and I can't even hold a funeral. I'm too busy grieving to even think about preparing a grand gift for you?"

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. I didn't mean to blame you. Didn't you thoughtfully prepare this whole meal to celebrate the baby's one-month birthday?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager composed herself and put away her cold expression.

"Good to know, go ahead and eat."

Gu Jiangli glanced at the nannies and palace maids standing around him and said:

"I think it would be better if we enjoyed this meal alone. What does Your Majesty think?"

The Empress Dowager looked up and stared at her.

For a fleeting moment, her heart skipped a beat due to nervousness.

Gu Jiangli's calm and confident expression was simply too much to bear.

It was as if she knew all of my plans.

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time before waving her hand to dismiss the palace servants.

The room became more spacious and quieter.

"Does the Imperial Noble Consort have something to say?" the Empress Dowager asked.

Gu Jiangli's gaze swept around the room before finally settling on a candlestick in the center of the table.

"Yes, I have something I want to ask the Empress Dowager, and I've wanted to ask it for a long time."

The Empress Dowager feigned impatience, saying, "Then let's eat and talk."

"If I eat this meal, will I become unconscious, or will I become weak and powerless, unable to resist?"

The Empress Dowager was clearly taken aback by her words, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Isn't that so? The Empress Dowager has been using the same method to get rid of people who get in her way for so many years. It's really lamentable."

"What are you talking about?!" The Empress Dowager's face showed obvious panic, but she still tried her best to remain calm.

Gu Jiangli reached out her hand toward the candlestick in the center of the table.

The Empress Dowager's face grew increasingly pale.

"Actually, this candlestick can't provide light."

"A fuse was hidden under the candlestick, which was connected to several corners of the room and sprinkled with flammable cotton or kerosene. Once the tinder touched the wick, the flame would spread downwards from the center of the candlestick."

"In the blink of an eye, the house will be engulfed in flames."

"If I eat the food you offer and fall into a deep sleep, I will have no chance of escaping to heaven."

"I will turn into a pile of embers, just like Consort Yu and her children, right?"

The Empress Dowager was initially stunned, unable to believe that these words would come from Gu Jiangli's mouth.

Where did you learn all this?

Gu Jiangli smiled, picked up the candlestick, and indeed saw that it was hollow inside.

"What happened back then is already a knot in His Majesty's heart. If I were to die in the fire, I'm afraid His Majesty would never recover for the rest of his life."

"If I were to bring my child to your banquet today, the consequences would be even more severe."

“If I and the child are gone, His Majesty will surely go mad and live in agony.”

"Actually, Yun Sheng's survival or decline is not important to you at all. You just want all the people you hate to die so that you can control your son, making him suffer but forced to submit to your control. Is that enough?"

The Empress Dowager spoke harshly, without answering her question.

Gu Jiangli chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her voice, "Your Majesty, you're quite perverse. And using the same trick twice, is it because no one is here to offer you any advice this time?"

"How dare you! You dare to utter such foul language!"

"Yes, I have become much bolder since becoming a favored concubine, but I still can't compare to you."

The Empress Dowager's chest heaved violently; every conversation with Gu Jiangli inexplicably made her feel furious.

This time, Gu Jiangli even knew about what happened back then, which made her even angrier.

How could Gu Jiangli know about what happened back then?

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