When Granny Zhou arrived at the main hall, she whispered a few words in Consort Yue's ear before standing respectfully to the side.

Consort Yue lazily placed her teacup on the table and gestured to Granny Zhou, who immediately stepped forward to support her.

"I am tired and will rest for a while. Ladies and young ladies, please make Qixiang Palace your own home and do not be shy."

"Respectfully seeing off the Imperial Concubine."

…

Gu Nanjiao changed her clothes and before she even reached the main hall, she saw a little eunuch.

The young eunuch said respectfully, "Madam Lu, my lady requests your presence!"

Gu Nanjiao curled her lips: "Lead the way."

It seems that Zhou Mama left in a hurry just now, probably to report to the Imperial Concubine.

Now a young eunuch has informed her that the Imperial Concubine wishes to see her.

Let her guess?

Consort Yue is also very shrewd; she cleaned up the mess from back then so thoroughly that it would be difficult for her to be found out.

Now that her face is ruined, Consort Yue breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time realized her usefulness.

They're probably trying to win her over by appealing to her emotions.

Since Consort Yue wants to play, she doesn't mind playing along.

The eunuch led Gu Nanjiao into the inner room, where Consort Yue was lazily resting on the chaise longue, while a maidservant beside her nervously massaged her legs.

Upon seeing Gu Nanjiao enter, Granny Zhou gestured, and the maid and Granny Zhou withdrew.

Gu Nanjiao remained silent, waiting for Consort Yue to speak.

"You've come!"

Consort Yue opened her eyes, parted her lips slightly, and said softly, "Please sit down!"

After speaking, she stood up and adjusted the hair ornaments in her hair.

Gu Nanjiao teased, "It's really not used to Your Majesty being so gentle."

"Child, don't blame me. Which one of those in power isn't ruthless?" Consort Yue moved gracefully to Gu Nanjiao's side and reached out to remove her veil.

Gu Nanjiao quickly covered it, saying, "Your face is ugly and might offend Your Majesty's eyes."

Consort Yue paused, not stepping forward again, and said, "Now that you know your true identity, killing you back then was out of necessity. Once your face is exposed to His Majesty, none of the three hundred members of the Zhou family, including you, will have a chance to survive."

Gu Nanjiao sneered: "Knowing it was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family, why did you do it back then? My father and I were completely innocent, yet you were so ruthless as to not even spare us."

Consort Yue sighed, feigning helplessness, a stark contrast to her previous dignified and domineering demeanor.

"Child, I was also blinded by greed. Let's not dwell on what happened back then, given the current situation..."

Gu Nanjiao curled her lips. Here it comes, Consort Yue is finally going to reveal her purpose.

Consort Yue said, "The Crown Prince is the future heir apparent and the legitimate son. If he succeeds to the throne, the Zhou family will collapse."

Gu Nanjiao shrugged: "What does this have to do with me? He's succeeded to the throne, dealt with you all, and now no one wants to kill me. Isn't that great?"

Consort Yue was so angry that her liver hurt. She suppressed her anger and said, "If Prince Cheng ascends the throne, I will be the Empress Dowager. You are my daughter. At that time, I will want to make you a princess. You will be the most noble princess in the Great Chu."

"As long as you and your husband can serve King Cheng, you will be rich and powerful."

It turns out that Consort Yue, unable to kill her, wanted to win her over.

Did she really think she was that easy to talk to?

However, since Consort Yue is currently enjoying great favor and is ruthless, it's best not to be defiant and to feign compliance for now.

Gu Nanjiao feigned excitement: "Really? I can be a princess in the future?"

"Really!" Consort Yue narrowed her eyes and smiled, "As long as we control the world, we can have fame, fortune, power, and status—whatever we want."

Her daughter was too young; with just a few words and a little temptation, she immediately revealed her desire for power.

Who wouldn't want to be a princess? Especially a princess with immense power.

Even she couldn't let go of her thirst for power, and she was willing to fight to the death, even kill her own flesh and blood, to climb to the top.

Seeing that Gu Nanjiao had agreed, Consort Yue began to inquire about her well-being, asking how she had been all these years.

Gu Nanjiao carefully considered her answer to Consort Yue.

Before leaving, Gu Nanjiao said to Consort Yue, "The Crown Prince already knows about my background. I hope Your Highness will make preparations as soon as possible."

"Understood." Consort Yue's eyes were cold and sharp, shooting out icy light. She wondered why the Crown Prince insisted on removing Gu Nanjiao's veil at the Emperor's birthday celebration; it turned out he already knew about it. She had truly underestimated Chu Luoxun.

Gu Nanjiao came out at the appropriate time, while Cui'er was still waiting at the palace gate, not yet sending out the blueprints.

Gu Nanjiao thought that if she didn't feign politeness with Consort Yue, she might even try to kill her. This woman had no blood ties whatsoever; she only had ruthlessness and a thirst for power.

Chu Luoxun has repeatedly schemed against her and Lu Yanzhao. He is extremely suspicious and following such a person is no different from asking a tiger for its skin.

After returning home, Gu Nanjiao didn't rest. She drew up the blueprints for the sewing machine and went to see the Minister of Works.

The Minister of Works, surnamed Zhao, was a middle-aged man in his thirties who had no airs of a high-ranking official and mingled well with his subordinates.

Upon seeing Gu Nanjiao arrive, he hurriedly poured tea with great enthusiasm: "Madam Lu is here. Could you help me take a look at this foot-operated threshing machine you've made?"

Gu Nanjiao looked around the foot-operated threshing machine and nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. Have you tested it with some millet yet?"

Lord Zhao said excitedly, "I've tried it, I've tried it, it really saves time and effort."

Lord Zhao then changed the subject: "However, over time this gear has become rusty and can no longer turn. If we were to make a new gear, it would probably take a lot of time and effort."

Gu Nanjiao nodded. It was good that she could identify the problem. She had only talked about many things theoretically. Take this foot-operated threshing machine, for example. She drew it according to the blueprints and disassembled and reconstructed the parts one by one. Gu Nanjiao admired Lord Zhao and his men for being able to make it.

So today, she brought with her a pattern of a sewing machine and a pattern of disassembling its parts.

She wanted to ask Lord Zhao and his men for help in making a sewing machine for her.

Lord Zhao took the blueprints and asked in confusion, "What kind of foot-operated farm tool is this?"

"This is not a farm tool; it's a sewing machine that I invented."

"A sewing machine?" Lord Zhao's voice was shrill, rising several decibels: "What kind of torture is this? A machine that can sew people together? This, this, Madam Lu, you can even design torture tools?"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Gu Nanjiao's forehead. She wiped it away and explained helplessly, "This isn't a sewing machine; it's for making clothes."

"With this, the clothes sewn are finely stitched and the speed is fast. One sewing machine can replace dozens of embroiderers. It not only saves time and effort, but also makes the clothes look like they are made without any flaws."

Lord Zhao's eyes widened in disbelief: "Is it really as miraculous as you say?"

Gu Nanjiao smiled incredulously: "Isn't it amazing? I'd appreciate it if Lord Zhao could make one for me. If it really works, I'll give one to your lady. I'm sure she'll love it."

Lord Zhao readily agreed: "Very well, I will have my men get to work starting tomorrow."

Good heavens! What kind of treasure did he encounter? It even knows how to make sewing machines, and can actually make seamless clothes. Wouldn't that be heavenly garments worn by immortals?

Gu Nanjiao didn't seem to be talking nonsense. Besides, he could even make a foot-operated threshing machine, so a sewing machine would be a piece of cake for him.