Upon arriving near the imperial kitchen, Lanxiang avoided the crowds and entered through a secluded small door, knocking on the door. Soon after, Hongxiu came to open it.
Upon entering a small courtyard, Lanxiang confirmed that no one else was there. Fearing that they might be discovered if she lingered too long, she quickly relayed Consort An's instructions.
After hearing this, Hongxiu felt a little troubled. She took Lanxiang's hand and said worriedly, "If that's really what the mistress ordered, then... I'm afraid it won't be easy to handle. After Consort Wuya became pregnant, her meals were all prepared by the head eunuch in charge of cooking, and then taken by Consort Wuya's head maid, Yuyin, in person. No one else was involved in the process. It would be difficult to tamper with her meals."
Before Lanxiang could react, Hongxiu continued, "Besides, plotting to harm the imperial heir is a serious crime. If it's discovered..." She didn't finish her sentence, but she believed Lanxiang would understand.
She shook her head and sighed. Lanxiang knew this method was too difficult for her, but she was just a lowly palace maid who could only follow her master's orders and had no say in the matter.
Holding Hongxiu's slightly trembling hand in return, she said helplessly in a low voice, "I know that it's not easy to fulfill the master's request, but you also know the master's character. What she asks to do must be done for her, otherwise if she gets angry, we will both be punished."
Hongxiu stood there with her hands at her sides, thinking for a long time and mentally preparing herself before gritting her teeth and agreeing. "I will do my best to handle this matter. As soon as I find an opportunity, I will take action, but it probably won't be that quick. Go back and tell Sister Yuxin to report to the master for me."
After speaking, Hongxiu felt that it was about time, so she urged Lanxiang to leave quickly.
Lanxiang nodded, indicating that she understood. She remained vigilant, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then left through the small door.
Back at Changchun Palace, Lanxiang told Yuxin everything that had happened in the Imperial Kitchen.
"Okay, I understand. Tell Hongxiu to be careful lately. This matter must be handled well, but it cannot be discovered that she and our Changchun Palace were behind it."
In the imperial kitchen, after seeing Lanxiang off, Hongxiu returned to her room. After removing her clothes, she lay on the bed, pondering how to complete her mission without being discovered.
After thinking for a long time without any results, Hongxiu gave up and could only wait and see what to do tomorrow.
In a secluded corner of Chengqian Palace, Yu Yin frowned. After listening to the message relayed by the young palace maid, she nodded to indicate that she understood. She took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to the maid, instructing her, "Yes, I understand. Go back now. Be careful on your way, and don't let anyone discover that you've been to Chengqian Palace." Then she waved for the maid to leave.
Carrying the freshly brewed medicine for preventing miscarriage, Yu Yin lifted the curtain and entered the east wing hall.
Yu Yin respectfully handed the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine to Wu Yaxin Yue and helped her drink it before whispering the news she had just heard to Wu Yaxin Yue.
"My lady, a message just came from the spy in Changchun Palace." As she spoke, Yu Yin looked up and observed Wu Yaxin's expression.
Sensing Yu Yin's movement, Wu Yaxinyue lay on the bed without raising her head, only glancing at her with a calm tone, "Just say it, what news?"
"Your Highness, I heard from that 'nail' that she saw Lanxiang, a third-class palace maid in Consort An's palace, secretly go to the Imperial Kitchen to meet a palace maid today. She said that Lanxiang's actions were suspicious and she was very careful, as if she was afraid of being discovered."
Hearing this, Wu Yaxin Yue became more interested. "Oh! It seems that Consort An has made arrangements and is in contact with the Imperial Kitchen. Could it be that she's targeting me?" Combining Yu Yin's words, Wu Yaxin Yue made a bold guess.
Consort An has always been jealous of her favor with the emperor. She had tried to harm her before but failed. Now that she has been diagnosed with pregnancy, it is not surprising that Consort An is targeting her again.
Yu Yin dared not reply to the young mistress's words and continued to report, "The nail secretly followed Lan Xiang and went to the imperial kitchen with her. He vaguely heard the two of them talking about Chengqian Palace, drugging, miscarriage and other such words."
"Heh, Consort An really is trying to make a move against me." Wu Yaxin chuckled twice, revealing a knowing expression.
Thinking of Consort An, Wu Yaxin sneered, "Consort An comes from a good family, has a high rank, and is quite good-looking, but she is too stupid and has an unpleasant personality. She has been in the palace for several years, but she has not won the Emperor's favor and still has no children."
“Consort An comes from a good family and holds a high rank. Although she has no favor or children in the palace, she lives a comfortable and carefree life. Instead of thinking about how to gain favor, she is only jealous of others. She can’t stand seeing anyone gain favor, so she resorts to petty tricks and secretly tries to harm others.”
Shaking her head, Wu Yaxin looked down on Consort An's methods. What a fool she was, not even bothering to find out about her background before harming others.
It turns out that although Wu Yaxin Yue was born into a bondservant family like other ordinary palace maids, what made her different from them was that her grandfather, Ersen, was the former head of the imperial kitchen.
Ersen had worked in the Imperial Kitchen for many years and had a wide network of connections. Many of the managers in the Imperial Kitchen today were promoted by him.
For Wu Yaxinyue, the Imperial Kitchen was like her own backyard. Her understanding and control over the Imperial Kitchen was the most detailed among all the concubines in the harem.
For Consort An to try and use the Imperial Kitchen against her is like trying to teach a master swordsman to teach an artisan to swim—it's like showing off one's axe skills in front of an expert.
After a moment's thought, many names flashed through her mind. Wu Yaxin Yue pondered and said, "Yuyin, go and instruct Meizhi in the Imperial Kitchen to keep a close eye on Hongxiu and pay attention to all of Hongxiu's actions. If possible, find an opportunity to let Hongxiu succeed, and after obtaining evidence of Hongxiu's harm, tell me."
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