The "soup-delivery incident" at the entrance of the Imperial Study ended with Lin Wanwan's complete victory and Consort Xian's crushing defeat.
The news caused another uproar in the palace.
Everyone could see clearly that even though Consort Xian was exceptionally talented and had a powerful background, in His Majesty's heart, she still did not hold a place as important as the Empress in Kunning Palace.
The status of Kunning Palace has become increasingly stable.
Su Jinxiu, however, did not lose heart after that public defeat, nor did she, like Consort Shu, show her dissatisfaction and jealousy on her face.
Instead, she became more humble and submissive than ever before.
She continued to pay her respects at Kunning Palace every day, and remained as caring as ever towards Lin Wanwan, as if the scene at the entrance of the Imperial Study had never happened. Her composure and equanimity earned her even higher regard from Lin Wanwan.
An enemy who knows how to quickly adjust his strategy after a setback and can remain calm is far more terrifying than a reckless brute who only knows how to charge forward.
Lin Wanwan knew that she must be brewing a new plan.
This time, however, she chose a more hidden and insidious approach.
That day, Su Jinxiu came to Kunning Palace again to talk with Lin Wanwan.
Unlike usual, today she dismissed all the palace servants who served her. Even Lin Wanwan's personal maid, Ruolan, was politely asked to leave by her under the pretext that she "wanted to have some private words with her sister."
Only the two of them remained in the side hall.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat unusual.
Lin Wanwan understood; she knew that her real "main act" was finally about to begin.
She remained as gentle as ever, personally pouring Su Jinxiu a cup of tea and asking with a smile, "Little sister, why are you being so mysterious today? Is there something important you want to discuss with your older sister?"
Su Jinxiu did not speak immediately. She picked up her teacup and gently blew on the rising steam. A deep, unyielding sorrow filled her beautiful eyes.
She remained silent for a long time before, as if she had made a great decision, she put down her teacup, raised her head, and looked at Lin Wanwan with a very sincere yet somewhat worried gaze.
“Sister,” she lowered her voice, her tone heavy, “what follows is between the two of us. Once we step out of this door, I will never acknowledge you again. Saying this may seem presumptuous, but I am truly worried about your situation.”
Her preparations were thorough and successfully piqued the other party's curiosity.
“Sister, please speak freely,” Lin Wan-wan said, feigning concern. “What can’t we say to each other?”
Her tone was full of an elder sister's care and affection.
Su Jinxiu seemed encouraged by her "trust," leaning forward slightly and speaking to her in an almost whispered voice, "Sister, you are currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, which is certainly a great blessing. But... but you must also be careful."
"Be careful of what?"
“Sister, please forgive my bluntness,” she said, her expression growing more serious, “I have heard that His Majesty seems to be... intending to promote several military officers from humble backgrounds in court recently.”
She emphasized the phrase "military general from humble background" when she spoke.
Lin Wanwan's heart stirred, but she remained expressionless and listened quietly.
Seeing that she didn't react, Su Jinxiu continued, "As you know, our dynasty has always governed by civil officials, and most of the power in the court is in the hands of powerful aristocratic families. My aunt... the Empress Dowager has always advocated maintaining stability in the court. His Majesty's move is undoubtedly an attempt to cultivate his own new power and break the existing balance. This... this goes against the wishes of the Empress Dowager and most of the civil officials and aristocratic families in the court!"
His words were clear and logical, directly addressing the core contradictions within the imperial court.
She raised her eyes, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Wanwan, her tone filled with earnest concern for her: "Sister, you are the Empress, and your family, the Lin family, is a powerful military clan. His Majesty's promotion of commoner generals, while seemingly strengthening imperial power, is too radical and will inevitably provoke a strong backlash from the Empress Dowager and the civil officials. When that happens, they won't dare direct their anger at His Majesty, so they will... they will definitely vent all their discontent on you, on the Lin family!"
"At that time, you and the Lin family will become the targets of His Majesty's struggle against the Empress Dowager and the powerful families, and you will be put on the hot seat. How difficult your situation will be!"
Her voice was full of emotion, her face etched with worry and reluctance, as if she had already foreseen Lin Wanwan's tragic future.
What a brilliant scheme to sow discord by "opening one's heart"!
Lin Wanwan sneered inwardly.
Her words sounded like they were all for the Empress's sake, a "reminder" that the Emperor's actions might implicate her and her family.
But in reality, she was subtly instilling a thought in Lin Wanwan—
Your husband, the current emperor, is an impulsive and reckless man. For the sake of his power, he can unhesitatingly push you and your family into the limelight as shields.
He is unreliable. He will drag you down with him.
She was trying to create a crack in the unbreakable trust between the Emperor and Empress, and plant a seed of suspicion.
As long as Lin Wanwan believes her words and has even the slightest doubt or dissatisfaction with Xiao Che's actions, their goal will be achieved.
What a vicious and insidious thought!
Lin Wanwan's murderous intent towards her reached its peak at that moment.
However, her face revealed shock, worry, and even a hint of panic at just the right moment.
"How...is this really true?" she murmured to herself, as if she had been completely stunned by the news.
Her reaction was clearly within Su Jinxiu's expectations.
Looking at her "panicked" appearance, Su Jinxiu's eyes flashed with a hint of smugness, but her expression remained one of sympathy and sincerity.
She reached out and placed her hand on Lin Wanwan's hand, which was resting on the table, and gently patted it, comforting her, "Sister, don't be too anxious. Things... might still have room for improvement."
Lin Wanwan raised her head and looked at her with eyes full of pleading and dependence: "Sister, then... then in your opinion, what should I do?"
She perfectly portrayed the image of a terrified and bewildered empress.
Su Jinxiu seemed quite pleased that she had "taken the bait" so easily.
She pondered for a moment, as if racking her brains for a solution, before finally "risking" revealing a more specific "secret" to her.
“Sister, I… I only overheard it from someone close to my aunt.” She said cautiously, “It is said that His Majesty most wants to promote a border army captain named Zhao Kuo. He is brave in battle and has made great achievements, but he comes from humble origins and has no connections.”
She leaned closer, lowering her voice even further: "Sister, you are His Majesty's most trusted person. Perhaps... perhaps you could find an opportunity to subtly advise His Majesty. Make him understand that while promoting trusted confidants is important, things should not be rushed. Taking things slowly is the best policy. This way, we can save His Majesty's face, appease the Empress Dowager and the court officials, and avoid a major upheaval. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
She's finished speaking. The truth has been revealed.
Her ultimate goal was to use the Empress's words to interfere with Xiao Che's political decisions.
As long as Lin Wanwan actually goes to "advise" him, regardless of the outcome, the seed of suspicion will be sown.
Looking at her beautiful face, which was filled with "sincerity" and "concern," Lin Wanwan felt a chill in her heart.
From an angle she couldn't see, Lin Wanwan's lips slowly curled into a smile of triumph.
That's exactly what she was waiting for.
Lin Wanwan grabbed Su Jinxiu's hand with such force that Su Jinxiu was slightly taken aback.
The Queen's eyes were filled with tears of "emotion," and her voice trembled slightly with "excitement."
"Sister!" She looked at Su Jinxiu, her face filled with gratitude and tears. "Good sister! Today, if it weren't for you... if it weren't for you speaking such heartfelt words to me, I... I almost became arrogant because of His Majesty's favor and made a terrible mistake!"
"Sister, it's my honor to be able to help you." Su Jinxiu smiled even more gently as she looked at her "touched" appearance.
"Don't worry," Lin Wanwan said, holding her hand tightly, "I will remember your kindness. From now on, you will be my closest sister in this palace!"
Su Jinxiu saw that the Empress could no longer hide the gratitude in her eyes.
She thought she had succeeded.
She thought the fish had completely taken the poisonous bait she had laid down.
Little did she know, Lin Wanwan was not a fish.
She was the fisherman who was preparing to turn the tables and reel in the catch.
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