Chapter 200 The Overlooked Consort Xi

Yonghe Palace, West Annex Hall.

Uya sat calmly and sternly in front of her dressing table, listening to Zhuxi's report.

“Your Majesty, Xiao Gu saw it clearly. When Consort Qi Jia came out of Kunning Palace, her steps were much lighter. She must have paid back the money, which is why she felt so relaxed.”

Zhu Xi lowered his voice, his tone certain.

Upon hearing this, Uya smirked, but there was no hint of amusement in her eyes.

"She should be relieved now. It's better to lose money than to suffer any more trouble. The matter with the Empress can be considered temporarily resolved."

She picked up a plain silver hairpin and slowly twirled it between her fingers, her tone growing increasingly somber.

“But I have never forgotten her plot to kill me. Now that she has given the Empress the money she wanted, it is time for me to settle accounts with her.”

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable resolve.

"With such a good neighbor who worries about my life day and night next door, I can't feel at ease for a moment."

Zhu Xi's heart tightened, and she lowered her voice even further.

"Master, what do you intend to do?"

Wuya stopped turning the hairpin, raised her eyes, and looked at Zhuxi seriously as she spoke.

"Zhu Xi, do you... know about raw aconite?"

Zhu Xi's pupils contracted slightly. He glanced subconsciously at the silent outside the hall before speaking with a hint of nervousness.

"Master, how...how did you know about this medicine?"

Raw aconite, after special processing, can be used as medicine to treat diseases; if not processed and the dosage is slightly excessive, it will become a deadly poison.

Moreover, the symptoms of poisoning are extremely similar to those of acute illnesses, and it is very difficult to detect unless a skilled imperial physician thoroughly investigates the source.

Seeing her reaction, Uya knew what was going on.

A hint of smugness flickered across his face.

She knew it, of course; the packet of medicine Li Guiping had given her before was this very thing.

She even used this medicine to get rid of that nanny, and the imperial physician examined her thoroughly but found nothing wrong.

Although the unused medicine was later taken back by Li Guiping.

But she remembered the name and potency of this medicine very clearly.

Now, if she wanted to get rid of Qi Jia Shi quietly, that was the first thing that came to her mind.

She glanced at Zhu Xi with a reassuring look in her eyes, her tone calm yet unquestionable.

"Don't be nervous. I know that obtaining this medicine was also a matter of chance. I only ask you, is it possible for you to have gotten your hands on this medicine?"

Uya leaned forward slightly, her voice barely audible.

"If it could be used on Qi Jia Shi... it would be done without anyone knowing."

Seeing the unwavering determination in her mistress's eyes, Zhu Xi knew that she had made up her mind.

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded emphatically.

"Master, the medicine... I can find a way to get it. But..."

A hint of unease appeared on her face.

"The Imperial Pharmacy is strictly managed, and these kinds of medicines are even more strictly controlled. If we want to get them out without anyone noticing, we need to bribe quite a few people, and I am really short of money."

Upon hearing this, Uya waved her hand dismissively.

“I thought it was something important that required money to bribe people, that’s only natural.”

She got up, walked to the bedside, and took out a small mother-of-pearl inlaid box from under the pillow.

Inside the box were several silver notes and some loose silver coins.

“I have saved up some money over the years since I entered the palace. A few days ago, thanks to the Emperor’s favor, my mother’s family also sent some silver to help me. It should be enough.”

She handed the box to Zhuxi.

"Take as much as you need. Make sure it's done properly and don't leave any loose ends."

Zhu Xi took the box, feeling its heavy weight, and then looked up at Wu Ya Shi for one last confirmation.

"Your Majesty, are you... really determined to do this? She is, after all, one of the Emperor's concubines. What if... what if the Emperor investigates thoroughly afterward..."

Uya's eyes turned cold, and she resolutely cut off the iron road.

"Since I've made my move, I never intended to show any mercy. Only the dead can stop harming me. Otherwise, if I keep this menace around, wouldn't I be living in constant fear and unable to sleep at night?"

She paused, her tone becoming even colder.

"Furthermore, have you forgotten that person in Chengqian Palace? The Tongjia clan probably wants me dead even more than the Qijia clan. If the Qijia clan gets the Tongjia clan's help and gets some insidious stuff, then I'll be the one who dies!"

She took a deep breath and concluded.

"Strike first and you'll have the upper hand; strike later and you'll suffer. You should know this principle."

Seeing that his master had thought things through and was determined to kill, Zhu Xi said no more and nodded solemnly.

"This servant understands. Rest assured, my master, this servant will certainly handle the matter properly."

She paused, then asked.

"Then... shall I go now?"

Wuya's eyes flashed, revealing a resolute determination.

"It's better to act sooner rather than later, lest things get complicated. You must be careful in your actions and not let anyone notice anything amiss."

"Yes, this servant knows what is important."

Zhu Xi carefully put away the silver notes, bowed to Wuya Shifu, and then quietly left the bedroom.

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The main hall and sleeping quarters of Changchun Palace.

As night deepened, a few dim palace lanterns illuminated the vast palace, making it appear somewhat empty and desolate.

Hesheli sat alone in the main seat of the rosewood armchair, her figure appearing somewhat thin in the light and shadow.

She was not the legitimate daughter of the Hesheli family, but rather one of the more outstanding and composed members of a collateral branch.

With the death of Empress Hesheli, the family's power in the imperial court and palace was greatly diminished, and they urgently needed new bloodlines and pawns.

She was able to be selected to enter the palace thanks to the influence of her family.

Upon entering the palace, Emperor Kangxi may have been mindful of the Empress Dowager's affection, or perhaps he was trying to save face for the Hesheli family.

By keeping her alone in the main hall of Changchun Palace, it's clear to everyone that she's destined to become a concubine in the future.

She was well aware of the mission she carried.

One priority is to produce a prince with the family bloodline for the Hesheli family.

Secondly, he sought an opportunity to deal with the currently powerful Empress Jiang Nan.

And Ma Jia, the accomplice who led Empress Yuan to her death.

However, the family is overestimating her.

For the two years since entering the palace, she has been extremely cautious, existing almost like an invisible person.

I've heard from my family how the current Empress Jiang Nan uprooted the powerful Yuan Empress's faction.

She finally understood how to make the family's Suo'etu lose face.

To be an enemy of Empress Jiang Nan is simply asking for trouble.

Therefore, after entering the palace, she decided to lie low.

He was honest and unassuming, never competing or vying for anything, and even tried to keep his presence as inconspicuous as possible when it came to paying respects to his ancestors morning and evening.

Sure enough, her tactfulness was so great that even the Empress seemed to ignore her, as if she didn't exist in the harem at all.

For her, this was actually a form of safety.

The hall was silent, with only the occasional soft crackling of the lamp wicks.

She suddenly spoke, her voice remarkably clear in the empty hall.

"Granny."

The old nanny, who had been standing silently, stepped forward upon hearing the voice and bowed.

"Master, this old servant is here."

"What news has come from home this time?"

Hershey's voice carried a hint of weariness.

The old woman hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Fujin has sent word... that the concubine Ma Jia in Yikun Palace has been confirmed to be two months pregnant. The Fujin said that the first three months of pregnancy are prone to instability, making it the perfect time to act. She wants you to... seize the opportunity."

The old woman paused, then lowered her voice even further.

"The Princess Consort also said that Lady Magiya was one of the accomplices who caused the late Empress to die in sorrow, and this grudge must be avenged."

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