"Consort Ning, do you understand what I mean?"
Consort Qing couldn't help but catch her breath, and then continued to press Consort Ning to ask whether she was truly ignorant or deliberately feigning madness.
How could Consort Ling be alive? Consort Ling's survival is the greatest threat to them!
Consort Ning: ...
Consort Ning unconsciously frowned, especially when she noticed that Consort Qing's expression was not good.
She had the kind of appearance that made it obvious that there was something wrong with her at a glance, but Consort Qing herself didn't seem to care. Instead, she continued to press her for information about Consort Ling's dangerous situation.
Tsk tsk
Consort Ning shook her head, sticking to her own point of view, and continued to ignore Consort Ling as before.
When Consort Qing pressed her for an answer, Consort Ning summed it up in one sentence: the other party's stroke condition posed no threat to her, and she would not do anything to eliminate the threat completely.
Concubine Qing:......
Consort Ning was like an immature child, while Consort Qing was like an adult constantly correcting her.
Both sides stuck to their own arguments, each trying to assert their own viewpoint.
Consort Ning was alright; she didn't force Consort Qing to agree with her. But Consort Qing was different. Consort Qing hoped that Consort Ning could share her views and, ideally, join forces with her to deal with Consort Ling of Yongshou Palace.
The final result is self-evident. Consort Ning was no minor concubine; she would nod in agreement if Consort Qing said something.
If Consort Ning were so obedient, how come she has only managed to get Chen Yuwei to command her and make her loyal?
It's clear that no one else can control Consort Ning; only Chen Yuwei has an extra skill.
"Consort Ning, you will regret what happened today."
Consort Qing was furious. She got up, threw her clothes, and stormed off.
Her expression clearly showed that she was furious and embarrassed, as if Ning Fei's refusal would cost her her life.
Consort Ning didn't understand, shook her head, and kept the matter in mind.
She summoned her personal maid and said, "Secretly have someone keep an eye on Consort Qing. If anything unusual happens, remember to come and tell me immediately."
The personal maid nodded in agreement and hurried off to make the selection.
Having been in the harem for many years, even if Consort Ning is not competitive or ambitious, she would still have some connections.
It's used solely for self-rescue, so that in case of an emergency, there won't be enough time to call for help.
With her duties assigned, Consort Ning stopped paying attention to Consort Qing.
Consort Ning already had a lot to do, and with Chen Yuwei not returning to the palace, the entire palace affairs basically fell on Consort Ning's shoulders.
This further squeezed Ning Fei's work time, leaving her with no energy to focus on other things.
As a result, one day, the personal maid rushed in from outside the door, panting, to report to Consort Ning that something had happened at Yongshou Palace.
To be precise, it was Consort Ling of Yongshou Palace who got into trouble.
"Consort Ling suddenly fell seriously ill, vomiting blood and losing consciousness. The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital have diagnosed her and said that someone deliberately poisoned her, which caused Consort Ling's health to deteriorate and lead to this incident."
Consort Ning jumped up from her chair. "Someone poisoned me?"
Is it Consort Qing? Consort Ning subconsciously recalled how Consort Qing had tried to win her over.
"How is Consort Qing? Has she made any unusual moves lately?" Consort Ning asked her personal maid about Consort Qing.
The personal maid shook her head, looking completely bewildered. She remembered the task her master had assigned her, but she hadn't received any news.
After sorting through the original information, the personal maid briefly summarized Consort Qing's situation over the past few days.
He mostly interacted with some concubines, spent most of his time in the palace, and the rest of the time he went to Baohua Hall to chant sutras and pray for blessings.
Consort Ning: ...
"So, Consort Qing hasn't been near Yongshou Palace during this time?" But Consort Ling must have had an accident.
As far as Consort Ning knew, the only person who couldn't forget Consort Ling and wished she could take her life was Consort Qing.
"Put aside Consort Qing's matter for now and come with me to Yongshou Palace for a visit."
"Yes, I understand."
Consort Ning changed her clothes, trying to dress as simply as possible.
At least it looks like they went there to handle something, rather than just going there to join in the fun.
Who knows if the Emperor will go? If he does, and she's dressed in such a flashy outfit, wouldn't that give the Emperor something to use against her?
Consort Ning didn't think the Emperor would do anything to vent Consort Gui's anger, but she believed that her attire might upset the Emperor, causing him to associate it with her own issues and thus make things difficult for her.
Don't think this kind of thing won't happen; the probability of it happening is very high.
While she was lost in thought, the maid beside her reminded her that they had arrived at Yongshou Palace.
Consort Ning sighed as she sat in her sedan chair, really not wanting to look at Consort Ling's face.
"Let them wait at the door, we'll go in."
He lowered his head and smoothed out the wrinkles pressed into his clothes.
Consort Ning took a step and slowly walked into the main hall of Yongshou Palace.
There were relatively few palace servants serving inside the palace, at least in Consort Ning's opinion, they were far from befitting the rank and status of a Noble Consort.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and Yongshou Palace looks even more desolate now.”
Unlike Yikun Palace, which was not needed because the mistress had not returned, Yikun Palace had voluntarily reduced its staff.
The Empress Dowager was lying in Yongshou Palace, but because she was unable to move, all the palace servants with any spirit had left.
Consort Ling's current fate is the same as that of some other concubines who have fallen out of favor in the palace.
However, Consort Ling's fall from favor stemmed from her health, which was slightly different from other people who offended the emperor.
"Your Majesty, watch your step."
The personal maid whispered a word about it, then helped Consort Ning step over the stairs.
Consort Ning glanced at it and then looked away, turning her head to look into the palace.
There weren't many people; they were mostly the concubines living in Yongshou Palace, and the people came from Jiangnan.
As for Consort Qing, she did not see the other party's figure.
He casually inquired about Consort Ling's condition, only to be met with a face filled with panic and dismay.
Consort Ning: ...Hmm?
"What exactly happened? Is there anyone who can talk?" She wasn't just sitting around doing nothing.
Interrupted by Consort Ning's deep voice, the concubines, who had unconsciously huddled together, spoke weakly, "Your Highness Consort Ning, the Imperial Concubine Ling is unconscious. We... we have been waiting here for some time and... we do not know the details."
They were simply standing outside the main hall, separated from the inner chamber by a large screen.
It may take courage to speak out; once one person finishes speaking, others will dare to speak up as well.
Consort Ning listened with a frown until the part of the sound that had been heard completely disappeared.
"Yes, I am aware of this. You may wait here for now."
After saying this, he gestured for the maid to stay and keep an eye on the seemingly timid and weak concubines, while he went around the screen to visit the unconscious Consort Ling.
Compared to the previous visits, Consort Ling's condition is clearly much worse now.
Especially her pretty face, which has lost all its former youthful vigor.
The pale corners of her lips, perhaps just wiped by palace servants, faintly revealed dark red bloodstains.
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