A stream of gold and silver jewelry was delivered to the Lin family.
The Lin family themselves hadn't even realized what was going on, but the ministers already understood the meaning behind Qi Sichen's warning, and that was enough.
They immediately restrained themselves, knowing that Qi Sichen truly cared for Lin Wanyue and wouldn't allow others to easily offend her.
The well-informed imperial concubines quickly learned of this matter, and their focus was entirely on whether Lin Wanyue could really tell fortunes.
Some people believe it, while others don't.
Consort Liu was one of those who didn't believe it. She said with some disdain, "It's just that you people believe everything you hear. Even if a five-year-old girl has some skills and can please His Majesty and that person, to say that she can tell fortunes? Isn't that a joke?"
"Sister Su and I also saw that little girl that day. Although she looked quite cute, we didn't see any extraordinary abilities in her. We guess it was all just bluffing."
Others objected: "Even if this little girl is bluffing, we all know what kind of temper Lord Bai has. He can't stand these kinds of people, so why would he help this little girl put on an act?"
Consort Liu was speechless.
She opened her mouth, but she really couldn't figure out why the stubborn Lord Bai Shitao would help Lin Wanyue lie.
People tend to be very busy when they feel awkward.
Consort Liu did the same; her eyes darted around, and she spotted Consort Xiao leisurely sipping her tea beside her.
In fact, Consort Xiao didn't really like to talk about these gossips with them, but when they did, she would occasionally add some news from outside the palace.
After all, Consort Xiao held a high position of power and influence, and the official positions of her brothers outside the palace were also higher than those of their maternal families, so naturally they knew more information.
"Your Highness, Consort Xiao, what do you think? How could this possibly be true! I certainly don't believe it either," Consort Liu asked Consort Xiao.
The others also looked towards Consort Xiao, especially Consort Su, who usually loved gossip, her eyes brimming with a strong thirst for knowledge.
Consort Xiao smiled, put down her teacup, and glanced at the gossipy consorts... The only one who didn't fit in with them was Liu Shuhua, who was still eating.
Liu Shuhua acted as if it were none of her business, focusing only on eating, her face expressionless.
Sunlight streamed through the old palace. She sat quietly in the corner, only her mouth moving slightly. The light and shadow fell on her face, like a silhouette, or like a monster carved from wood.
"If you ask me..." Consort Xiao's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly masked it and said to her gossipy sisters, "I don't know if it's true or not, but it's all over the place. To be honest, I don't believe it either. No matter how clever that child is, she's only a five-year-old girl. Maybe she's just being used. Who knows?"
Consort Xiao's reasoning was plausible. In the palace, they had witnessed countless innocent people being manipulated and tricked before they even understood what was happening.
However, this raises the question of who was behind this scheme and why they had to create a little princess who could tell fortunes, a matter that is certainly worth discussing.
It's said that three women make a drama, let alone so many eloquent imperial concubines gathered here, discussing these intrigues and gossips—it's certainly quite interesting.
Several women chimed in, saying, "I think the Regent is most likely behind this little princess's affair. No matter how strong-willed Lord Bai is, he has no choice but to obey in front of His Majesty and the Regent."
"You make it sound so easy! Everyone knows that the Lin family and that little princess of unknown origin were brought here by our Regent, and who knows, she might be his illegitimate daughter with some wild woman. But the problem is, even if the little princess has no ability, if he wants to make her a princess, there's nothing we can do to stop him."
"Why did he have to make up this story about this little girl being able to tell fortunes? It makes no sense!" Although Consort Liu had lost the argument earlier, she had now rallied and resumed her heated discussion.
Consort Su, standing nearby, held her handkerchief and nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right. We all know about the Regent's relationship with the Lin family. If it weren't for him, there wouldn't be this little princess. I heard from my brother that the Lin family owns a shop on Jinbao Street, doesn't it?"
"It's said they're not selling gold or silver, but those little cakes! I don't know what's wrong with this family. They're already being protected by the Regent, yet they still make such a small profit! Isn't that competing with the people for profit? And the Regent doesn't even stop them. Even the people working in their shop are from the Prince's palace. Tell me, isn't this like they're going to keep the whole family under surveillance?"
When everyone was discussing this earlier, they all felt that the Regent Prince was exceptionally kind to Lin Wanyue's family, after all, he bestowed titles and titles upon them, and even thoughtfully sent over the maids and servants from the mansion.
But after Consort Su's explanation, they all widened their eyes and couldn't help but say, "Oh dear, that's really the case. Sending so many people to keep a close watch on them, isn't that the meaning of surveillance? So, it seems that the Regent doesn't completely trust their family! There's probably someone else involved here?"
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