After hurriedly leaving the house, Li Tiao suddenly remembered something important: "Is Master still in the Prince's quarters?"

The red leaves nodded.

Li Tiao composed herself, putting aside her resentment towards the Fourth Prince, and then personally brewed him a cup of flower tea before going to find him.

"Sir, you've just eaten so much meat, let's cleanse your palate."

The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, his gaze shifting from Li Tiao's fawning smile to finally settling on the teacup on the table.

"This is kumquat honey tea, Your Highness, would you like to try it?" Li Tiao, like a perceptive saleswoman, immediately introduced it to the Fourth Prince.

Actually, the Fourth Prince didn't have a sweet tooth, but seeing Li Tiao like this, he inexplicably picked up the glass and took a small sip. "What is it? Speak."

"What are you saying, Master? Can't I see you if there's nothing wrong?"

"If there's nothing else, then go out. I'm busy." The Fourth Prince's demeanor instantly turned as cold as an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

Rubbing her hands together, Li Tiao said, "Actually... just now, Consort De sent someone to deliver a message saying she wants to see me... so I came to ask you, Master, whether I should go or not?"

"Are you being sent to Yonghe Palace?" the Fourth Prince asked.

Li Tiao looked at the red leaves.

Hongye said, "Reporting to Master and Mistress, the messenger said that Her Highness is about to finish her midday rest and may go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. So she came to ask Master if you have time to go for a stroll together. She also said that strolling around more would be good for Master's injury."

"The Imperial Garden? Let's go there!"

Li Tiao, terrified, pressed her hands on the table and looked at the Fourth Prince: "Your Highness, Consort De treated me... It was you who said it before, Your Highness. Consort De's methods of tormenting people are so severe that even if I don't die, I'll be severely injured... I..."

“You injured your head earlier, and even the imperial physicians weren’t sure if you were alright. Even if your mother is very angry with you, even if she wants to do something to you, she will wait until your injury heals before she does.”

That's what she said, but Li Tiao felt that the Fourth Prince's attitude had changed... He wasn't like this when Consort De came to see her before.

"But sir, what if the Empress..."

"We haven't moved out of the palace yet. If Mother really wants to target you, it's impossible for Master to save you every time."

"but……"

"Don't you pride yourself on being clever? I heard that Mother saw Chunxi in the Imperial Garden a while ago, and now she wants to see you. Is there anything else in your head besides money?"

I've been insulted!

While Li Tiao was furious, she also realized something: the Fourth Prince meant for her to use Chunxi.

She wanted to ask, but the Fourth Prince had started reading or something again, so Li Tiao didn't want to disturb him any longer and reluctantly left.

"Hongye, what do you think Master means?" Li Tiao asked, resting her chin on her hands, as Hongye was tidying up for her.

"Your Majesty, I think the master probably wants you to find a way to make the Empress wary of you."

What is that?

Li Tiao instantly perked up. She was quite clever, but how could she make Consort De, who was always looking for trouble with her, wary of her?

This is a bit fantastical.

"My lord, there's a saying that goes, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'"

After a few seconds of blank stare, Li Tiao narrowed her eyes and asked, "You mean Chunxi?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, I do not know the reasons why Chunxi displeased you before, or why she was given to the Fourteenth Prince by the Prince."

However, I did see Chunxi's attitude towards her mistress in the Imperial Garden earlier.

Chunxi harbors resentment towards you, Your Majesty, but the Empress also dislikes Chunxi because of the Fourteenth Prince.

Li Tiao understood, her pupils dilating considerably. She muttered to herself, "Does the Fourth Prince mean that I should take advantage of the conflict between Consort De and Chunxi to form an alliance with Consort De?"

What a schemer! Li Tiao thought to herself, coincidentally, she was also very curious about why the relationship between Consort De and the Fourth Prince was so bad.

Moreover, in the Imperial Garden, Consort De would probably not embarrass herself too much in broad daylight; at most, she would just use harsh words.

Li Tiao thought to herself, "Fine, fine, I'll go see him myself. Anyway, I've always wanted to use Consort De to get myself and the Fourth Prince divorced."

Thinking about it this way, Li Tiao's anger towards the Fourth Prince lessened considerably.

If you don't want the money, then don't. This will also lull the Fourth Prince into a false sense of security and make him think that you have no intention of running away.

As instructed by the messenger, Li Tiao arrived at the pavilion in the Imperial Garden a little early to wait for Consort De.

I thought Consort De would be late to keep me waiting, but to my surprise, Consort De arrived almost one after the other.

After paying her respects, Consort De didn't even bother with any sarcastic remarks towards Li Tiao. Instead, she asked directly, "Judging from Chunxi's words, the Fourth Prince has hidden the real Miss Li. Try to find out from him where he's hiding her."

Consort De's discovery that she was not the real eldest daughter of the Li family left Li Tiao somewhat at a loss for words.

He even forgot whether he should continue to pretend that he had a head injury and was a little forgetful.

"What? Is it so difficult for you to do something for me?"

Because Li Tiao remained silent and seemed lost in thought, Consort De became somewhat displeased.

Li Tiao quickly regained her composure: "Your Majesty, this servant did not, it's just..."

"I heard from Chunxi that you've always wanted to leave the palace and leave the Fourth Prince, right?" Consort De asked again.

Chunxi's mouth is really... Although these are facts, Consort De is too unpredictable. Li Tiao dares not admit it. She can use Consort De, but she cannot really ask her for help. She must stay out of it quietly and leave without making a sound.

"Your Majesty, this servant absolutely..."

"You don't need to deny it. I don't care about your relationship with the fourth prince, but Chunxi absolutely cannot be by the fourteenth prince's side. You need to find out from the fourth prince where the real eldest daughter of the Li family is. After that, I will take care of Chunxi for you."

Servants like Chunxi, who betray their masters and scheme against them, must not be allowed to live.

Li Tiao swallowed hard.

"What? You don't want to again?"

Li Tiao quickly shook her head: "Your Majesty, I think you should ask Chunxi faster than you ask me, after all, you know how the Fourth Prince feels about me..."

"It's because I know that the Fourth Prince cares about you that I'm looking for you."

Does he care? Li Tiao thought that the Fourth Prince's concern was a bit too unusual, but now was not the time to argue with Consort De about these things.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to speak, if we find Miss Li, I will die. Although I do not covet wealth and honor, if I were to die like this... well..."

“Even if we find the person, I will not expose you.” Consort De said, “You are already on the royal register. If I touch you, it will have far-reaching consequences.”

"I just don't want Chunxi to be too arrogant; I can't let her spout nonsense in front of my fourteenth son."

Li Tiao exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, do you mean... Chunxi is threatening you?"