As she spoke, Consort Han instructed her servants, "Quickly send these lychees and durians to the Emperor's bedchamber."
The servants quickly got to work.
"No need," the emperor said calmly.
"I've only come to see the Imperial Concubine. There's no need for you to be so nervous. Since you enjoy the food, then eat your fill."
The emperor turned and left, leaving behind a chilling atmosphere.
This was tantamount to a public expression of dissatisfaction with Consort Han. This was the first time Consort Han had encountered such a situation, and she knelt stiffly on the spot, not knowing how to react.
She could only say in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."
Once the emperor was out of sight, Consort Han rose from the ground, utterly distraught, with no desire to savor the lychees any longer.
She slapped Granny Zhou across the face: "You old slut, it's one thing for you to take this kickback, but you have to push me into a living hell, making me suffer so much."
"His Majesty has never treated me like this before. How will I live without His Majesty's favor?"
Granny Zhou's face stung from the slap. When their mistress fell out of favor, the servants also suffered. She was afraid.
"Your Majesty need not worry. The Emperor loves the eldest prince the most after Your Majesty gives birth to him."
As Granny Zhou said this, the eldest prince had recently been punished by the emperor and was still under house arrest, so her words lacked conviction.
During this period, both mother and son experienced difficulties.
Her eyes lit up, and she thought of shifting the blame elsewhere.
"Your Majesty, in the end, it all comes down to the Qiao family, to that Qiao Lian'er. I have a feeling she did it on purpose this time."
Consort Han frowned slightly.
"Your Majesty, think about it. We only wanted to make things difficult for the Qiao family, but Qiao Lian'er came back and actually put out the top-grade durians and lychees that were presented to the Emperor. Didn't she know that this was an overstepping of bounds? She was just waiting for us to take the bait."
"At the time, I was only thinking about being a good daughter to Your Highness and didn't have time to figure out her intentions. Now it seems that she had ulterior motives."
Granny Zhou's logical analysis made Qiao Lian'er, who was sitting on the soft couch, nod in agreement.
That's exactly right, Granny Zhou was right.
Consort Han narrowed her eyes, a hint of coldness flashing within them.
"That Qiao Lian'er is indeed not simple. First, he harmed my son, and now he's framing me."
At this moment, Consort Han's good mood was completely gone, and she wished she could tear that girl apart immediately.
"Since she is pressing me step by step and trying to put me in an unjust position, I will not be polite to her. Qiao Lian'er, I have been rooted in the palace for many years. No matter how powerful you are now, you are nothing but an ant. What can you do to fight against me?"
Qiao Lian'er was somewhat puzzled. Who was pressuring whom step by step?
It's not surprising, though; bad people always feel innocent and wronged, only then can they act with impunity.
However, now that Consort Han's intentions are clear, there will be someone to pursue if anything happens in the future.
In the days that followed, Qiao Lian'er kept a close eye on what was happening here.
After Consort Han bought lychees and durians, and the emperor confirmed the situation, he never came again.
Previously, the Emperor would visit Consort Han no more than once every five days.
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