Although it was Consort Yin's birthday celebration, the first play performed was one that the Empress Dowager loved to watch.

The Empress Dowager was captivated by the play on stage and was enjoying it when suddenly she felt a rumbling in her abdomen and a dull, cramping pain.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager looked unwell, Aunt Sun asked with concern, "Empress Dowager, what's wrong?"

"I..." The Empress Dowager was about to say that she was alright when suddenly her stomach growled again, and a gust of turbid air rushed to her vent, making a muffled "plop" sound that was long and had its own lilt.

The Empress Dowager was immediately extremely embarrassed.

Aunt Sun smelled a stench but dared not utter a sound, her face full of shame: "This old servant deserves to die. This old servant was greedy this morning and ate a few extra mouthfuls of bean porridge."

Before she could finish speaking, there were a few more thuds behind the Empress Dowager. She couldn't hold back any longer and grabbed Aunt Sun's hand tightly, saying urgently, "Quickly, quickly help me to the latrine."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's distressed expression, Aunt Sun knew that there was no time to lose, so she quickly called for help to help lift her down.

Princess Zhaoping sat there holding her breath, unsure whether to follow or not.

Ji Fengyao glanced at the scene sideways, then comfortably shifted her posture, thinking to herself: You old hag, first you wanted to cut off my fertility, then you wanted to take half my life. I'll cleanse your intestines for a couple of days and clear out the accumulated toxins; that's repaying evil with kindness.

As soon as the Empress Dowager left, the Empress and Consort Yin visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

After sitting for a short while, the Empress also returned to her palace.

With the Empress Dowager absent, she, a dignified Empress, spent her entire birthday celebration with a mere concubine.

Ji Fengyao observed coldly. This Empress was nothing like Miss Chen the Second. She was someone who didn't show her emotions and was ruthless and didn't talk much. It was best not to provoke her.

Consort Yin was exceptionally beautiful, exuding charm with every gesture, truly deserving of her title as the most favored concubine in the harem. She possessed fox-like eyes, which, though alluring, would occasionally gleam with a shrewd glint, clearly revealing her as a smiling tiger, not someone to be trifled with.

Thinking about the others in the Prince's mansion, Ji Fengyao felt a sense of balance.

Compared to the Emperor, the Ninth Prince is indeed much better. He didn't bring in an Empress or Consort Yin to her residence. When she gets back, she'll praise him properly, make him some medicinal soup to soak in, and help him strengthen his body.

At this moment, a palace maid came in to add fresh tea.

Ji Fengyao glanced at the palace maid's hand holding the new teapot. It was perfectly steady, yet the teapot suddenly slipped from her grasp. She had intended to dodge, but her body couldn't keep up with her thoughts, and a small portion of the tea splashed onto her skirt.

"This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die, please forgive me, Ninth Princess!" The palace maid was so frightened that she knelt down on the spot and kowtowed repeatedly to beg for mercy. Her forehead swelled up after only a few kowtows, which showed how hard she was working.

Ruthless people have always emerged from the palace; this one is certainly putting on an act with his life on the line.

Ji Fengyao snorted coldly: "Since you claim you deserve to die, why are you begging me for mercy? Xique, tie him up and send him to Consort Yin. Today is her birthday banquet, and he is her person, so she should deal with him as she sees fit."

"Princess Ninth Prince, please spare me! I didn't mean it! If you give me to Consort Yin, I'll lose my life!" The palace maid cried, tears streaming down her face, but dared not cry too loudly.

She wasn't sent by Consort Yin; if Consort Yin discovered her true identity, she would naturally be doomed.

Ji Fengyao ignored her and helped Lin Shuang to change her clothes.

Since she has chosen to betray her master and harm others, she should be prepared to die. She is not a saint; there is no reason for her to spare someone's life just because they want her dead.

She did as they wished, jumping into the trap they had set for her; in a way, this palace maid's death was worthwhile.