The "talent show" in the Imperial Garden caused quite a stir in the inner palace.
Everyone thought that the newly promoted Consort Xian was about to press her advantage and formally challenge the Empress.
Even Consort Shu, who had been dejected, became more lively, as if she felt that her powerful backer was finally about to make his mark.
However, to everyone's surprise, Su Jinxiu's next move was completely opposite to what everyone had imagined.
Instead of trying to "bump into" the emperor again, she focused all her attention on befriending Lin Wanwan.
She became a frequent visitor to Kunning Palace.
After paying her respects each morning, she would always find an excuse to stay a little longer. Sometimes it was to bring a plate of delicately flavored osmanthus cakes that she had made herself; sometimes it was to bring a scroll of the "Peace Sutra" that she had copied for the Empress, written in beautiful handwriting; and sometimes it was simply to bring a few fresh flowers from her palace, still glistening with morning dew.
The gifts she sent were never expensive, but each one was full of heartfelt sentiment and ingenuity.
What's even more remarkable is that she never mentioned the emperor when she was with Lin Wanwan.
Their conversations seemed to revolve around the most ordinary topics of conversation between close girlfriends. They talked about newly published poetry collections, the latest fashion trends, which brand of rouge was the best, and which type of incense was most calming.
Su Jinxiu was knowledgeable and had impeccable taste. No matter what Lin Wanwan said, she could always respond appropriately and offer unique yet unpretentious insights. Conversing with her was like savoring fine tea, leaving a lingering and pleasant aftertaste, making one feel incredibly comfortable and at ease.
Gradually, even the most cautious palace servants in Kunning Palace lowered their guard against her.
Ruolan said to Lin Wanwan more than once in private, "Your Highness, I think this Consort Xian might... really not be on the Empress Dowager's side. Look how sincere she is to you."
Lin Wanwan simply smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
She knew that a wolf that knew how to disguise itself as a sheep was far more dangerous than a wolf that could only howl. The more perfect Su Jinxiu's performance, the deeper her vigilance grew. She was waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity that would allow her to completely dismantle the Empress's defenses.
After laying the groundwork for a strong "sisterly bond," she finally began to extend a deeper olive branch.
That day, she came to Kunning Palace again to talk with Lin Wanwan. For some reason, as they talked, her eyes reddened.
Lin Wanwan asked with concern, "What's wrong, little sister? Did you suffer some injustice?"
She quickly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, forced a smile and shook her head, but her voice carried an undisguised sob: "It's nothing... I'm sorry to have made you laugh, sister. It's just some troublesome things that I can't tell outsiders."
Her hesitant, forced-to-be-strong demeanor is what evokes the most pity.
Lin Wanwan took her hand and gently comforted her, "We're sisters, what's there for outsiders to know? If you trust your sister, then tell her, so that your sister can share some of your burden."
Her tone was full of an elder sister's care and affection.
Su Jinxiu seemed to be moved by her "sincerity". After hesitating for a moment, she finally seemed to have made up her mind and "opened" her heart to her.
“Sister, as you know, my aunt is the current Empress Dowager.” She said in a low voice, her voice filled with deep helplessness and bitterness. “Because of this relationship, everyone in the palace thinks I am a spy planted by the Empress Dowager. Everyone is wary of me and avoids me.”
She raised her head, her clear, watery eyes brimming with tears, making her look exceptionally pitiful.
“Especially… Consort Shu.” She bit her lip, as if she had suffered a great injustice. “She is also my cousin, but she… she always feels that I entered the palace to compete with her for something. She often speaks coldly to me and openly or secretly excludes me. I… I really don’t know what to do.”
As she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Actually, I don't want to enter the palace at all. I just want to stay at home quietly, reading, writing, and painting. But how can the fate of my family be decided by a weak woman like me?"
"Sister, do you know? In this vast palace, the only person I can truly confide in is you. Because I know you and I are the same kind of person. Neither of us wants to get involved in those conflicts; we are both just caught up in the situation..."
She wept bitterly, portraying herself as a pitiful person who was also caught up in the fate of her family, alienated from the Empress Dowager's faction, ostracized by her own sisters, and genuinely wanted to pledge allegiance to the Empress, and was isolated and helpless.
Her performance was flawless. Every word, every tear, was filled with genuine emotion, enough to evoke boundless sympathy and pity in anyone with a soft heart.
Even Ruolan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but show a look of heartache, clearly believing her words completely.
Lin Wanwan sneered inwardly, but her face showed genuine emotion.
She took out her handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears, softly comforting her, "Silly sister, don't cry anymore. I understand your pain. If anyone bullies you again, just tell me, and I will definitely stand up for you."
“Sister…” Su Jinxiu looked at her with emotion, bursting into tears.
"Alright, alright," Lin Wanwan patted the back of her hand, comforting her, "Remember, from now on, Kunning Palace will be your second home. If you have any worries, you can come to your sister to confide in her anytime."
Her words undoubtedly gave Su Jinxiu the clearest promise of "protection".
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Su Jinxiu spoke with her for a long time until she calmed down before taking her leave.
Watching her departing figure, still bearing traces of fragility and dependence, Ruolan finally couldn't help but speak up: "Your Highness, you see, I told you so, Consort Xian is truly a pitiful person. She and Consort Shu are not on the same side at all."
Lin Wanwan turned her head, looked at Ruolan's innocent face, and smiled faintly.
"Yeah?"
She didn't say anything more. Some things are far more convincing when seen with one's own eyes than when spoken aloud.
Her gaze fell on the embroidered stool where Su Jinxiu had just sat.
There, quietly, lies a snow-white silk handkerchief.
It must have fallen accidentally when she was crying.
Lin Wanwan walked over slowly, bent down, and picked up the handkerchief. The handkerchief was of excellent quality and carried the same elegant orchid fragrance as she did.
She was about to speak, asking Ruolan to catch up with Consort Xian and return the handkerchief to her.
But the moment she unfolded the handkerchief, her movement stopped.
Her gaze was drawn to a very inconspicuous pattern in the lower right corner of the handkerchief.
It was a small flower embroidered with very pale pink silk thread using a very subtle hidden stitch technique.
Unless you look closely, you won't be able to spot it.
That was... a twin lotus flower.
A piece of information flashed through Lin Wanwan's mind in an instant.
Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress Dowager's favorite flower throughout her life was the twin lotus, which symbolized "unity of mind and heart." This flower pattern could often be seen on the utensils in her palace, her clothes, and even her letters.
Su Jinxiu, who claimed to be at odds with the Empress Dowager's faction and wanted to side with the Empress, secretly embroidered the Empress Dowager's favorite totem on her most private handkerchief in the most discreet way.
What this signifies is self-evident.
This is not proof of any estrangement, but rather the most loyal "identity mark" that will never be discovered by outsiders!
Lin Wanwan held the light handkerchief, yet it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
She looked up through the window at Su Jinxiu's pitiful figure, which was almost disappearing at the end of the palace road.
A cold smile slowly crept onto the corners of her lips.
That was a really good performance.
What a pity...
The fox's tail has finally been revealed.
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