Since that night when the Empress Dowager's benevolent mask was unveiled, Lin Wanwan's world could never go back to what it was before.
She felt as if she had been suddenly kicked from a heartwarming pastoral drama into the deadly scene of a spy thriller.
In her eyes, the entire Kunning Palace was no longer a safe haven, but a transparent glass fishbowl watched by countless eyes. And she and Xiao Che were like two seemingly carefree fish in the fishbowl, whose fates were actually controlled by those outside.
This realization made her feel uneasy and restless.
She began to scrutinize everyone around her uncontrollably.
The palace maids who served her tea and water, the eunuchs who swept her courtyard, even the guards who stood watch at the gate... Behind every respectful expression of theirs, did they all hide another face? Were all their loyal words secretly priced?
Especially... her closest and newly appointed head maid, Ruolan.
Ruolan was a new person assigned to the Imperial Household Department after Chuntao was sent out to gather information. She was slightly older than Chuntao, with a beautiful appearance, a calm temperament, and was meticulous and shrewd in her work.
She was extremely caring and considerate towards Lin Wanwan.
If Lin Wanwan coughs, she can immediately hand her warm loquat syrup; if Lin Wanwan frowns, she can immediately guess that the sun is dazzling and quietly lower the curtain by the window.
She managed the Kunning Palace with great efficiency, was fair in rewarding and punishing her servants, and commanded considerable authority. No one could find fault with her.
She's too perfect.
Perfect...like a meticulously crafted, soulless mask.
In the past, Lin Wanwan might have felt fortunate to have such a capable assistant.
But now, in her skeptical mind, this impeccable "perfection" is itself the greatest imperfection.
How could a normal, flesh-and-blood person be without any flaws or emotions?
This impeccable demeanor is more like a professional attitude deliberately displayed after long-term, rigorous training.
In Lin Wanwan's heart, there was already a big question mark about this Ruolan.
But she had no evidence.
She could only bury this suspicion deep in her heart, while on the surface, she still showed complete trust and reliance on Ruolan.
That afternoon, Xiao Che came to the study in Kunning Palace as usual.
Lin Wanwan was reading a travelogue when she saw him arrive, so she got up to greet him.
"Your Majesty seems to be in good spirits today," Lin Wanwan said with a smile. This was indeed true. Ever since they "joined forces" to trick Consort Shu in the Imperial Garden last time, Xiao Che seemed to be in a good mood, and even the emoji above his head had become much more cheerful.
Xiao Che simply gave a faint "hmm" and walked straight to his desk to sit down.
Just then, Ruolan quietly entered, carrying a freshly brewed cup of ginseng tea and a plate of delicate osmanthus cake.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, please have some tea and refreshments." Her voice was gentle, and her movements were slow and deliberate as she placed the tea and refreshments steadily beside Xiao Che's hand. The entire process was carried out without making a single unnecessary sound.
"Thank you for your trouble," Xiao Che said without looking up.
“Serving His Majesty and Her Highness is my duty,” Ruolan replied respectfully. Then, with her head bowed, she quietly retreated with small, delicate steps.
She was impeccable from beginning to end.
However, just as Ruolan turned around, and her slender figure was about to leave the study, Lin Wanwan's gaze subconsciously drifted towards the top of Xiao Che's head.
Then, her pupils suddenly contracted!
She clearly saw that the moment Ruolan's figure disappeared through the door, the "Going to work.jpg" emoji that had been leisurely swaying above Xiao Che's head vanished instantly.
Instead, a brand new icon has been introduced that is extremely simple yet incredibly eye-catching.
It was a playing card with a human face drawn on it, which had been ruthlessly crossed out with a huge, blood-red X!
Beside it, there was a line of cold, emotionless text.
[This palace maid has something wrong.jpg]
At this moment, Lin Wanwan's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand!
The Emperor's "Official Certification"!
All her guesses and doubts were confirmed in that instant!
turn out to be……
It turns out that the closest, most capable, and most perfect head maid in her life was really... the "eyes" that the Empress Dowager had planted next to her!
This realization was like a bucket of ice water, drenching Lin Wanwan from head to toe.
She felt a chill slowly creeping up her spine.
That's terrifying.
The Empress Dowager's reach is so far and so deep!
She not only controlled the Imperial Medical Academy, but also planted top-notch "spies" in her own palace, the place she thought was the safest place!
So, have all her actions during this period, and all the details of her interactions with Xiao Che in the study, been reported to Cixi Palace without a single word being missed?
Did the Empress Dowager find out that she was pretending to study medicinal cuisine and going to the Imperial Hospital to check medical records?
In an instant, countless terrifying thoughts exploded in Lin Wanwan's mind, making her hands and feet feel cold.
She forced herself to calm down.
She knew that at this moment, she absolutely could not show any unusual behavior.
Once Ruolan, or rather, the Empress Dowager behind Ruolan, realizes that she has been exposed, then what awaits her will be a thunderous and fatal blow.
She must remain calm.
She had to continue playing the role of the naive and trusting empress who "trusted" Ruolan.
She slowly lowered her head, picked up the book on the table, and pretended to continue reading. But her mind was racing.
Now that we know Ruolan's identity.
Therefore, keeping her alive becomes an extremely dangerous thing.
However, if she were dealt with directly, the Empress Dowager would immediately become alert and send another "Ruolan," or even one more difficult to deal with.
Kill one, and ten more will appear; you can't kill them all, and you can't defend against them all.
What should we do then?
Lin Wanwan's gaze fell on the pages of the book, but her eyes gradually became deep.
A thought, like a flash of lightning in the darkness, gradually took shape in her mind.
Since we can't kill it or drive it away...
Then why can't we...use her for our own purposes?
An "eye" planted by the enemy can, if used properly, become the best channel for transmitting false information and confusing the enemy.
Now that we know you're a ghost...
Now it's my turn to set the stage and put on a show.
Lin Wanwan's lips slowly curled upwards into a cold, calculating smile.
She looked at Ruolan not far away, who was directing the little palace maids to meticulously wipe the bookshelves. The "loyal" and "diligent" appearance of the maids seemed particularly ridiculous to her.
She made her decision.
She's going to set a trap.
A situation that can make this nail willingly serve one's purposes.
And she will be the sole...director of this grand drama.
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