How could this food be spoiled?

If it were the height of summer, it could be explained that the weather was too hot, causing the palace maids to delay delivering the food, resulting in it spoiling.

But winter is just around the corner, and even during the day there's a cool autumn breeze. How could the food spoil just because the delivery was delayed?

Wen Deqing considered a possibility, which was—

Someone deliberately spoiled the food before sending it to Consort Gu.

Did Consort Gu eat spoiled food to atone for her sins?

Wen Deqing found it somewhat unbelievable, but those were just his guesses, and he didn't say a word.

"Your Majesty, this servant will go to the Imperial Kitchen to find the palace maid named Fuling."

Xiao Dingyuan waved his hand, telling him to go immediately.

Gu Jiangli said at the opportune moment, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Wen."

This move further enhanced Wen Deqing's goodwill towards him.

Her act of bowing to Wen Deqing was of great importance.

When Wen Deqing went to find Poria cocos, he would probably report everything he saw and thought to the emperor.

She first needed to leave a mark of being sensible and gentle in Wen Deqing's heart.

As long as he can subjectively believe that she has become virtuous, kind, and well-mannered, then no matter how many bad things Fuling says about herself in front of him, Wen Deqing will not believe her immediately.

In this way, when he reports to the emperor, he will be biased in his words towards her.

Wen Deqing, it's up to you this time.

After seeing Wen Deqing off, Gu Jiangli should now see Xiao Dingyuan off as well.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes to visit Consort Shu, please do not let me delay your visit."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Dingyuan felt inexplicably displeased.

No matter which palace gate he went to, the concubines inside would be eager to welcome him and let him stay and rest in their palaces.

But Gu Jiangli actually urged him to go see Consort Shu as soon as possible.

That's really strange.

"You seem to be in a hurry for me to leave."

However, upon further reflection, Gu Jiangli is currently under house arrest, and it is not appropriate for him to spend the night in Yilan Palace.

Therefore, it was reasonable for Gu Jiangli to urge him to set off immediately to find Consort Shu.

Although he had convinced himself, Xiao Dingyuan still felt something was off, and coldly ordered the eunuch carrying the palanquin, "Let's go."

Upon hearing the instruction, the fathers-in-law immediately started again.

Gu Jiangli respectfully performed a deep bow: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."

As the footsteps of the group gradually faded into the distance, Gu Jiangli stood up, opened the door a crack, and pressed his forehead tightly against the door.

His eyes were fixed on the direction Xiao Dingyuan had left in.

Silently count to yourself: Three, two, one...

Xiao Dingyuan suddenly turned around at the corner, his gaze fixed on the red wooden door of Yilan Palace.

His turn of the head was carefully observed by Gu Jiangli through the crack in the door.

Gu Jiangli curled the corners of her lips. "Xiao Dingyuan, you're finished. You've fallen in love."