Yueji was a newly appointed concubine by the emperor.
Given her background and past experiences, no other concubine in the harem was willing to speak to her.
She frequently visited the Empress Dowager's palace and also often came to see Gu Jiangli.
Since she never brought anything with her when she came, and only chatted with Gu Jiangli about everyday things, the Empress Dowager did not refuse her visits to Yunguang Palace.
In other words, apart from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the person she saw most during her pregnancy was Yueji.
Based on this, she seems to be the most suspicious one.
The emperor frowned and, without hesitation, ordered: "Bring Consort Yue to the Yun Guang Palace."
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Rose remained silent throughout her journey to Yunguang Palace.
Everyone says that Consort Gu has passed away.
The Empress Dowager had even arranged for funeral preparations, but the Emperor refused to believe that Consort Gu was dead and stayed by her body, refusing to leave.
When her father-in-law invited her over, she thought the emperor had come to his senses and wanted her, Consort Gu's "good friend," to see her one last time.
But once inside the Cloud Light Palace, they realized just how terrifying the scene before them was!
Gu Jiangli sat on the bed, with a yellow cloak, the kind reserved for emperors, draped over his shoulders.
The emperor was extremely gentle, wiping her hands and face, doing the chores a servant should do.
The Empress Dowager sat to the side, and even though she saw the Emperor's condescending behavior, she did not say anything to stop him. Instead, she watched the scene with a smile in her eyes.
"This servant...this servant greets Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and...Consort Gu."
She simply couldn't believe that Gu Jiangli was still alive.
The emperor ignored her grand gesture.
The Empress Dowager spoke first, "Rise, I have a few questions for you."
The rose, with its head bowed in a humble posture, said, "This servant will tell you everything I know without reservation."
The Empress Dowager was very pleased with her attitude and asked:
"I've heard that you've been coming to Yunguang Palace to chat with Consort Gu lately?"
"Your Majesty, I do indeed come to Yunguang Palace often. Consort Gu's personality is very similar to my sister's. I owe my current status as a talented lady to Consort Gu speaking well of me, so I am very grateful to her. I am also very happy when I am close to her."
"Have you heard that Consort Gu has fallen seriously ill?"
A look of grief immediately appeared on Yueji's face.
"Yes, I heard about it. I originally wanted to come and see Consort Gu, but I know that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager must be even more saddened than I am. So I dared not come to Yunguang Palace, for fear that my tears would upset His Majesty and the Empress Dowager even more."
"This servant prays and worships the gods in my room day and night for Consort Gu, hoping that Heaven will take pity on my sincerity and let Consort Gu recover as soon as possible."
As she spoke, a relieved smile appeared on her face.
"Fortunately, Consort Gu has woken up today, and it seems that her health is no longer a problem."
Rose's words were very sincere and impeccable.
The Empress Dowager then asked, "When you came to Yunguang Palace, did you scent your clothes or bring any other sachets with you?"
Yueji was startled and immediately denied it, "Of course not. I know that pregnant women are extremely sensitive to fragrances, so I never wear a sachet when I come to Yunguang Palace."
"Moreover, I understand that the diet of a pregnant woman is also very important. That is why I never send snacks to Consort Gu, for fear that Consort Gu will get an upset stomach."
Her expression was sincere, without any flaws.
Gu Jiangli confirmed her words, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Yueji did not lie. When she came to Yunguang Palace, she indeed did not bring anything."
The rose seemed to understand the meaning behind those questions.
He immediately knelt on the ground again.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Consort Gu treats me like a younger sister. How could I possibly harm her? That's absolutely impossible. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager."
She clasped her hands together, pressed her head against the back of her hands, and lay face down on the ground, looking quite frightened.
Gu Jiangli keenly noticed the bright red nail polish on her fingers.
"Your nail polish is very beautiful. Was it done just these past few days?"
The Empress Dowager had begun to believe Yueji's innocence, but upon hearing Gu Jiangli's words, she frowned again.
She stepped forward and examined closely the red nail polish on Yueji's hand.
The rose wanted to hide, but the Empress Dowager grabbed her hand.
"Consort Gu's fate is uncertain, and you, who treat her like a sister, actually have the interest to make nail polish?"
"This servant..."
When Gu Jiangli saw Yueji's flustered expression, it was not simply a matter of feeling guilty for being hypocritical.
She still remembered that this was an entity whose good or evil value could not be determined by the system.
The questions the emperor asked her before preparing the surprise for her seemed unusual to her.
She spoke to the Empress Dowager:
"Your Majesty, there is no need to be angry about this. Everyone loves beauty, and I'm sure Consort Yue is no exception."
"It's just a nail polish; Yue Cairen can wash it off."
Unexpectedly, after Gu Jiangli said those words, Yueji became even more nervous.
"Sister, I didn't expect this nail polish to make you unhappy. I'll go back and wash it off right away, and I promise you'll never see this unsightly nail polish again."
Gu Jiangli narrowed his eyes.
When Yueji said that, she wasn't just trying to wash away the red nail polish; she was trying to run away.
"There are also things to wash off nail polish in Yunguang Palace, so let's wash it here to avoid upsetting the Empress Dowager and His Majesty."
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