Ever since receiving Consort Hui's "fatal" intelligence, Lin Wanwan has been in a state of high excitement.
Joy, like a flood about to break through the dam, almost overwhelmed her.
She felt like a player with a god-like perspective, having already obtained the strategy guide for the final boss.
All of the Empress Dowager's schemes became transparent and laughable in her eyes.
All she had to do was follow the "script" provided by Consort Hui, set up the trap step by step, and then quietly wait for that foolish prey to walk into the inescapable net that had been prepared for her.
A thrilling and complete counterattack seems imminent.
That evening, Xiao Che arrived as promised.
Upon seeing him, Lin Wanwan could no longer contain her excitement and couldn't wait to share the joy of the impending victory with her "comrade-in-arms".
Of course, she couldn't implicate Consort Hui.
So she cleverly packaged this information as something her spy (Ruolan) had gathered at great personal risk.
"Your Majesty, guess what I discovered?"
Inside the study, Lin Wanwan personally poured Xiao Che a cup of hot tea, her face bearing a mysterious and smug smile, like a little fox who had just stolen some fish.
Xiao Che raised his eyes, looked at her radiant appearance, raised an eyebrow slightly, and gestured for her to continue.
Lin Wanwan then embellished and vividly recounted the conspiracy surrounding the "Silkworm Ceremony" and the "Poisonous Mulberry Leaves" to Xiao Che.
She deliberately emphasized the "wit and courage" of her informant, and also hinted at how she discovered this shocking conspiracy through subtle clues.
She was like a child eager to show off to her parents, hoping to see a hint of approval and shock on Xiao Che's face.
However, Xiao Che's reaction after hearing this was somewhat unexpected.
He showed no shock, no anger, not even the slightest surprise.
He simply listened quietly, his unfathomable phoenix eyes remaining calm and unreadable.
After a long while, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice still in that calm tone.
"Oh? Is that so?"
This indifferent response instantly cooled Lin Wanwan's burning excitement, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.
"Your Majesty... don't you trust me?" she asked, sounding somewhat aggrieved.
“I do not disbelieve you.” Xiao Che put down the vermilion brush in his hand, looked at her, and his eyes became somewhat profound. “I am just reminding you that the Empress Dowager is not a fool like Consort Shu. Since she dared to take action, she must have made thorough preparations. You… be careful and do not fall into her trap.”
trap?
A hint of disapproval flashed through Lin Wanwan's mind.
Witnesses (Xiao Luzi), physical evidence (poisoned mulberry leaves), time, place... everything is clear and unambiguous. What kind of trap could there be?
In her view, Xiao Che's words were nothing more than the instinctive suspicion and caution of an emperor.
She said confidently, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have a comprehensive plan and there will be no mistakes! When the time comes, we only need to use the 'catch the turtle in the jar' tactic to catch the Empress Dowager's people red-handed!"
Seeing her confident and even somewhat eager expression, Xiao Che didn't say anything more. He simply nodded slightly and turned his attention back to the memorial.
Seeing this, Lin Wanwan felt a little disappointed, but this was quickly replaced by the joy of impending victory.
She thought that when she finally brought down the Empress Dowager and revealed the truth about the poisoned bowl, he would definitely look at her with new respect!
Just then, Chun Tao's voice came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Consort Hui has personally prepared bird's nest soup to visit you."
"Let her in," Lin Wanwan replied casually, in a good mood.
Soon, Consort Hui entered gracefully, carrying an exquisite food box.
She seemed to have dressed up carefully today. Her light purple palace dress made her skin look even whiter than snow, and her eyebrows and eyes were adorned with delicate makeup, making her even more radiant and beautiful than usual.
As soon as she entered, she gave Xiao Che a perfectly respectful bow.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty and to my elder sister, the Empress." Her voice was so gentle it could melt water.
Xiao Che merely gave a faint "hmm," without even lifting his eyelids, clearly showing no interest whatsoever in this low-ranking concubine.
Lin Wanwan then affectionately took her hand and asked her to sit down next to her.
"Why did my sister come? She even brought soup."
"I heard that you have been working hard these past few days preparing for the silkworm-rearing ceremony, so I thought I would stew some bird's nest to nourish you." Consort Hui opened the food box and personally served the steaming bowl of bird's nest soup, which exuded a sweet aroma, to Lin Wanwan.
Her words and actions were gentle and proper, revealing her care and respect for Lin Wanwan.
She then turned her gaze to Xiao Che, who was reviewing memorials, her eyes filled with admiration.
"Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state, so you must also take care of your health."
After saying that, she seemed to realize that she had misspoke, and quickly lowered her head, looking frightened.
Looking at her understanding demeanor, Lin Wanwan felt even more affection and trust for her.
Consort Hui then turned to Lin Wanwan and spoke softly, in a tone that was tinged with both worry and admiration:
"Sister, regarding the silkworm-raising ceremony... do you have a plan? The Empress Dowager... is full of cunning schemes, sister, you must be very careful."
Lin Wanwan patted her hand, gave her a reassuring look, and smiled confidently, "Don't worry, little sister, I already have a plan in mind."
"That's good." Upon hearing this, Consort Hui seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief, and a genuine smile appeared on her face. "I knew that with your extraordinary intelligence, you would surely be able to prevent the Empress Dowager and the others from succeeding in their schemes! At that time, you will not only be able to turn the tide but also take this opportunity to completely purge the palace. It is truly... a great wisdom to kill two birds with one stone!"
Her words were perfectly apt.
It expressed concern for Lin Wanwan while subtly praising her "intelligence" and "wisdom".
Lin Wanwan felt comforted and considered her a confidante. She even thought that after this matter was accomplished, she would definitely mention it to His Majesty and raise the rank of this "good sister".
After exchanging a few more intimate words, Consort Hui tactfully rose to take her leave.
Lin Wanwan personally escorted her to the door, and watching her gentle and virtuous figure, her heart was filled with the warmth and joy of being supported by an "ally".
She turned around, a smile still on her face.
She habitually turned her gaze to the man who was still working at his desk.
She hoped to gain even a sliver of approval from him. Perhaps he would feel gratified to have a "wise and capable wife" like Consort Hui?
However……
When her gaze fell on the area above Xiao Che's head, the smile on her face froze completely and utterly in the next second.
She saw it.
She saw it clearly!
Just as Consort Hui's gentle and virtuous figure was about to disappear through the doorway!
Above Xiao Che's head, in the usually quiet area with emojis, a brand new, shocking icon suddenly appeared without warning, striking her like a thunderbolt!
That wasn't any animated little figure.
Instead, it's an extremely realistic picture of a cup of emerald green tea, with wisps of white steam rising from it!
And on that cup of "green tea," someone used a huge, blood-red fork to ruthlessly and mercilessly slash it off!
It's as if it's saying: This thing is extremely poisonous!
Beside this visually striking image, there was also a thoughtfully placed line of cold, emotionless, bold black text—
[Beware of this woman.gif]
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