"My lord, I have found out." Biyu walked in with a happy expression and said to the person inside.
"Come in and we'll talk!" said Lady Fucha, who was reclining on a soft couch by the window in the inner room.
"Your Majesty, it took me a lot of effort to find out from that little eunuch that Consort Nian wanted pearl powder," Biyu said hurriedly as she entered.
"Pearl powder? This isn't anything rare, so why can't it be used to attack Yikun Palace?" Lady Fucha hadn't expected that Bai Zhi only wanted ordinary pearl powder. This kind of thing wasn't rare in the Imperial Household Department; it was always kept on hand.
“We do have pearl powder, but Consort Nian wants pearl powder made from wild South Sea pearls, which is very rare,” Biyu quickly said.
"Wild South Sea pearls?" Fucha turned her head and stared at Biyu.
“Yes, and it started more than half a month ago when Consort Nian suddenly demanded a large amount of pearl powder,” Biyu said.
"What does she need so much pearl powder for?" Lady Fucha muttered to herself in surprise.
"Your Highness, is Consort Nian making a beauty cream? I've heard that pearl powder is good for beauty. Consort Nian suddenly wants so much pearl powder, it can't be for eating," Biyu said smugly.
"You might be right about that. Pearl powder is indeed often used for facial beauty. Hmph, she's already had two children. No matter how much she dresses up, she can't compare to the beauties of her later years. She's only doing this because the Emperor is about to hold a selection of concubines," said Lady Fucha.
"Your Highness, I think those two palace maids who were given the punishment of being beaten to death must have said something that provoked Consort Nian, which is why she was so angry that she had them beaten to death," Biyu guessed.
"Your guess is probably pretty close. Biyu, from now on, you will keep an eye on everything that happens in Yikun Palace. I need to know Consort Nian's movements," Fucha said to Biyu.
“Yes, this servant will keep an eye on their movements,” Biyu said.
Meanwhile, when Lady Nian heard that the two palace maids had died, she felt a pang of regret, but it was too late; they were already dead.
The two palace maids were insignificant; their deaths caused no ripples in the palace.
But their words seemed to be etched into Nian's very bones. She felt as if she could hear people mocking her behind her back for being old and losing her beauty, and for the emperor's favor waning.
"Bai Zhi, when will the Imperial Household Department be able to supply pearl powder again?" Madam Nian asked, stroking her face with one hand.
"Your Majesty, they said it will be ready in three days. Don't worry, Your Majesty, I have enough for three days," Bai Zhi said.
“Wild South Sea pearls aren’t anything rare. If my brother weren’t currently being impeached, he could send me boxes and boxes of them if I asked him,” Mrs. Nian said discontentedly.
"Your Majesty, General Nian is currently facing impeachment. It would be best if Your Majesty did not contact him to avoid gossip," Bai Zhi advised.
"Bai Zhi, my most important task right now is to restore my appearance. You must find a way for me, do everything you can, understand?" Lady Nian said.
"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured. This servant is currently developing another skin-beautifying ointment for Your Majesty," Bai Zhi said, looking at Nian Shi with concern.
Consort Nian, who was once unmatched in the Fourth Prince's harem, was filled with fear and unease from this moment on. She dreamt of her two dead sons or the wronged souls of the servants she had beaten to death.
The once incomparably beautiful Nian Shilan is aging at an irreversible rate amidst her daily anxieties.
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