Lan Huier stood trembling to the side, carefully observing the princess's expression.
She remembered that not long ago the Princess had shown her great dislike and disgust, saying many unpleasant things, yet today she had suddenly summoned her. She dared not be careless and could only cautiously ask:
"I wonder why the Princess has summoned me here?"
The eldest princess raised her eyes slightly, put down her teacup, and said in a stiff tone, "I heard that you are very dissatisfied with Consort Chen being above you, and even made a fuss about it in front of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."
Lan Huier's face turned particularly ugly as she argued, "I'm not dissatisfied with His Majesty's decision, but I can't stand Consort Chen's arrogant attitude. Princess, please don't misunderstand. Whatever rank His Majesty gives me, I will accept it."
The eldest princess scoffed, "Don't I know what you're thinking? His Majesty's favor is inseparable from the rank of his concubines. Those he likes will have a high rank, and those he doesn't like will definitely be inferior."
“Your maternal family may be more powerful than Consort Chen’s, but you are no match for her. I heard that after you entered the palace, my brother only visited your palace once, and left in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If you can’t win my brother’s heart, how can you possibly surpass Consort Chen?”
Lan Huier had been troubled by Consort Chen's matter for a long time, and she became even more anxious upon hearing the Princess's words.
"Please enlighten me, Princess, on how to win His Majesty's favor."
The eldest princess smiled smugly, but her eyes held a hint of contempt.
"My uncle is your uncle-in-law. Compared to that Consort Chen, I would much rather you win the heart of my elder brother."
"I'm willing to help you. Are you willing to listen to me?"
Lan Huier's eyes lit up. Upon hearing that the eldest princess was going to help her, she disregarded everything else and completely forgot about the humiliations the eldest princess had inflicted on her before.
"Thank you, Princess. I will follow your orders."
Her expression was urgent, with a hint of ingratiation.
The eldest princess slowly took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Lan Hui'er.
"At the royal family banquet in three days, find a way to get the emperor to eat this. I don't care if you secretly pour it into his wine or put it in his food, just get it into his stomach."
Lan Huier obediently took the porcelain bottle, a hint of doubt on her face. "Your Highness, may I ask what this is?"
The eldest princess put away her sinister smile and said mysteriously:
"This is a good thing I brought in from outside the palace. After my brother eats it, I will find a way to get you to Jinghe Palace. Then, like dry wood meeting a raging fire, you will surely make him dream of you and never forget you until death."
Lan Huier blushed instantly.
She quickly tucked the porcelain bottle into her chest, nodding rapidly, as if she could already imagine the scene of the usually indifferent Emperor showering her with affection.
This is a forbidden item in the palace, and it is strictly forbidden for the concubines to use it.
Indeed, only the eldest princess, who was outside the palace, could bring them in.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I... I will certainly live up to your kindness and will definitely put Consort Chen in a position to avenge you!"
The eldest princess nodded to her.
Watching her hurried departure, a sinister smile crept onto his lips.
Fortunately, there was a fool like Consort Lan in the harem, otherwise she really wouldn't have thought of who to send to do this.
————
No sooner had Lan Huier left the Princess's room than Gu Jiangli received the news.
Lotus said worriedly, "I heard that the Princess had always disliked Consort Lan and insulted and mocked her the first time they met. There must be something fishy about her taking the initiative to meet Consort Lan."
Gu Jiangli thought so too, "The eldest princess has always looked down on Lan Huier, so the fact that she took the initiative to find her must mean that she has something to ask her to do."
Lotus frowned. "Does the Princess intend to harm you?"
“I’m afraid she’s not in the mood to care about me right now.” Gu Jiangli’s eyes turned cold. “She’s ruthless, but she doesn’t dare to do it herself. So she can only find someone who is stupid and easily manipulated to be her knife. Lan Huier is a good candidate.”
Lotus seemed to slowly understand, "Your Majesty, do we no longer need to send people to keep an eye on the Princess?"
Gu Jiangli nodded with satisfaction. Hehua was beginning to understand her thoughts. "Yes, everyone keep an eye on Consort Lan. The Princess asked her to make a knife, so we'll keep an eye on that knife."
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
————
After returning to her palace, Lan Huier held a porcelain bottle and looked at it again and again, then opened the bottle and smelled it repeatedly.
Every movement was stealthy, like a thief.
The two palace maids of Delan Palace were watching her from the shadows. Even they could tell from Lan Zhaoyi's appearance that there was something strange about the contents of the bottle, let alone Gu Jiangli.
Upon hearing this, Gu Jiangli couldn't help but sigh.
The eldest princess was ruthless, and the methods she came up with were as direct and simple as her impetuous nature. But it must be said that the simpler the method, the more effective it was.
She couldn't guess what was in the bottle, but she knew that if the emperor ate it, he wouldn't live to see the child born.
The Double Ninth Festival is in two days, and the palace will hold a family banquet on that day, which is the easiest day to tamper with things.
"Lotus, find an opportunity to have our two palace maids sneak into the imperial kitchen. During the Double Ninth Festival family banquet, make sure they keep a close eye on Consort Lan. If necessary, do whatever you need to do."
Lotus was quick to understand, "Yes, this servant understands."
Two days flew by.
The Double Ninth Festival family banquet has always been a day that the palace attaches great importance to.
At this time of year, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor would invite the concubines of the harem to dine together.
However, not all concubines would participate. Some who had never been favored after entering the palace, or those who disliked such occasions, could choose not to participate.
Gu Jiangli, the original owner of the body, had never attended the Double Ninth Festival family banquet. She was neither favored nor liked such occasions.
Whether she's there or not, this banquet will be exactly the same.
This time, however, Gu Jiangli, as a favored concubine, was seated to the left and below the emperor.
She arrived outside the palace early, but instead of taking her seat, she waited for the emperor outside.
To ensure everything went smoothly, she had to tell the emperor that he could not eat anything Lan Hui'er brought.
A gentle autumn breeze blew, and Gu Jiangli wrapped her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
Soon, her eyes lit up.
The emperor's palanquin stopped ten paces away, and she hurriedly ran towards him.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
The emperor alighted from his sedan chair, and his indifferent expression subtly changed upon seeing her.
Why don't you go inside and sit down?
He lifted his foot and walked forward slowly, slowing his pace to make sure Gu Jiangli could keep up.
As Gu Jiangli followed him, she whispered against his shoulder, "Your Majesty, I've been waiting for you here. Consort Lan might bring you some food today, but please don't eat it."
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