"Your Majesty's move of 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind' not only diminishes Consort De's prestige but also eliminates a rival in the harem," Caiyue whispered in Consort Rong's ear.
"From now on, our Yong'an Palace will get better and better, and will flourish!" said the palace maid Caiyue proudly.
"Of course." Consort Rong looked around to make sure the other concubines had dispersed before continuing.
"Trying to fight me? You're still too green!" Consort Rong sneered.
"Hmph, that vile Consort Yu, relying on her looks, thinks every day about how to seduce His Majesty, and even wants a fertility potion? How laughable! How can I let her succeed?"
"If she were to have another son, wouldn't that mean there would be another contender for the throne?" Consort Rong rolled her eyes.
"As for Consort De, she's stupid to begin with. Now that the Third Prince has no hope, as long as our Chun'er squeezes out the First and Second Princes, he'll have a chance to become the Crown Prince." Consort Rong was excited and proud. Her son, Yun Yichun, was finally one step closer to the throne and to becoming the Crown Prince.
"This little princess is truly pitiful, but there's no other way. If we don't take this step, how can we drag Consort De and Consort Yu down with us?!" Consort Rong's tone was filled with pity, disdain, and indifference.
On the road to becoming queen, her hands would inevitably be stained with blood. She didn't care who lost their lives or what price they paid to pave the way for her son. As long as she won in the end, she was willing to use any means necessary.
When Consort Rong was walking towards Yong'an Palace, she happened to pass by Fu Shuang Palace.
Seeing that no one was around, the master and servant spoke with a certain recklessness, feeling quite smug.
His tone was full of arrogance and disdain, and his voice gradually grew louder.
Yun Duoduo lay on the bed, still feeling very weak. Although she had taken medicine, the Huangguo powder had damaged her spleen and stomach, and it would take some time for her to recover.
She closed her eyes slightly, trying to fall asleep, and in her drowsy state, she vaguely heard Consort Rong and Caiyue's voices and thoughts.
[So it turns out that the yellow fruit powder was added by Yu Meiren, which means it has nothing to do with Consort De.]
She also felt that although her third brother's mother wasn't as kind to her as the Empress, she didn't seem like a very bad woman.
She continued listening, and the sound gradually faded into the distance. Suddenly, she heard an important clue.
Wait, does she mean Consort Rong is also involved?
Connecting the dots, she realized that the mastermind behind the poisoning was Consort Rong, while Consort Yu was merely an executor.
[I've become a victim of your struggle.]
[Consort Rong, Yun Duoduo has written this down in her little notebook. Just wait and see!]
Jin Jinzhi looked at Yun Duoduo, who had closed her eyes, and suddenly opened them, asking curiously, "Little girl, why did you suddenly show such a fierce expression again?"
"You just took your medicine and you're very weak right now. Go to sleep." Jin Jinzhi gently patted Yun Duoduo's shoulder. Yun Duoduo grabbed Jin Jinzhi's hand and moved closer to him.
Normally, besides Aunt Xiang, Jin Jinzhi is the one who spends the most time with her. She has become accustomed to seeing his handsome face before she closes her eyes, and seeing his angular face when she opens them.
She really liked this long-term companionship and protection; it felt very heartwarming and comforting.
If only my brother Sumire could stay with me like this forever...
Jin Jinzhi was taken aback. The little girl's hands were soft, which meant she felt insecure.
"Go to sleep, I'll stay here with you." Jin Jinzhi gently stroked Yun Duoduo's head, looking at her tenderly and affectionately.
Yun Duoduo held Jin Jinzhi's hand, feeling the warmth in his palm, and closed her eyes in peace.
...
Inside the Cold Palace, Consort Zheng, who was half-reclining on a soft couch, heard the noise at the door and lazily walked out.
Why are there footsteps so late at night? They don't even sound like one person.
Could it be that someone from the Cold Palace has arrived?
It seems someone is coming to keep me company.
Consort Zheng curled her lips into a forced smile, her whole demeanor lazy and languid.
Since her beloved younger sister, Consort Ling, was given a death sentence, there has been little contact with her in the harem. She has yet to find a concubine to cooperate with, and her fighting spirit has been somewhat worn down these days.
"Princess Yu, the Cold Palace is just ahead. Go there yourself!" A eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the Cold Palace.
"Ugh, they made us come here for this errand, what bad luck!" Several palace maids and eunuchs grumbled as they pushed Yu Meiren to the ground, dusted off their sleeves with disgust, and walked away complaining.
Yu Meiren watched the departing figures of the group, unable to pinpoint any resentment or hatred. This was always how things were in the palace; people were treated differently depending on their status. Those of low status naturally received no respect and were not given a kind look.
She struggled to her feet, her clothes and hair ornaments in disarray from the dragging.
She dragged her weary body into the cold palace.
With a creak, the dusty and cobweb-covered door to the Cold Palace was pushed open.
"Cough cough!" A cloud of dust swept over her, making Yu Meiren gasp for breath.
The cold palace was eerily quiet, and the pale moonlight cast a chilling glow, creating an inexplicable sense of coldness.
"This young lady looks unfamiliar?" Consort Zheng crossed her arms and sized up the person who pushed the door open and entered.
"Oh dear, why are your clothes so disheveled?" Consort Zheng noticed Yu Meiren's disheveled clothes.
There seemed to be tear stains on her face, and her makeup was ruined.
"Sister Consort Zheng, I am Consort Yu." Consort Yu knew that Consort Zheng lived in the Cold Palace. She was about to pay her respects, but then she thought, since she was already in the Cold Palace, why bother with such trivial matters?
“My sister’s rank is so low, no wonder my sister doesn’t remember,” Yu Meiren said self-deprecatingly, her tone full of sadness, resentment and frustration.
"Oh, what kind of talk is this? There are so many beauties in the harem, and you and I, sisters, have hardly ever met." Looking at her appearance, Consort Zheng could roughly guess that her younger sister was probably being used.
"Come here quickly and sit inside. How come, with such a beautiful face, you've been banished to the Cold Palace at such a young age?" Consort Zheng tried to get information out of Consort Yu.
Thinking that she would be living with this old lady from the Cold Palace in the future, Yu Meiren did not hide anything and told her the whole story.
"So, my sister was used by Consort Rong?"
"That vixen!"
"Little sister, do you want to take revenge yourself?"
"revenge?"
"Doesn't my sister get angry that Consort Rong did this?"
"But my sister is in the cold palace, without any eyes or ears. How can we take revenge?"
Consort Zheng's eyes gleamed slyly. "It all depends on human effort."
She came up with a plan and started to scheme.
In the darkest corner of the harem, a small spider web is silently spreading in the darkness.
...?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
