Jia Yinger felt exceptionally pleased whenever she thought of Jiang Yiyun’s despair and anguish that day.
Yet the moment she remembered that she had lost someone as well, she became furious.
Huan Cui had always been her capable right hand, helping her deal with many people and handling matters efficiently. Fortunately, she still had a palace maid named Huanyu by her side, Huan Cui’s younger sister, which spared her some worry.
Consort Li spoke again at this moment. “Imperial consort, upon closer consideration, we do not necessarily have to deal with Consort Chun first.”
Jia Yinger raised her delicate brows. “What do you mean?”
“Consider this: Consort Chun is now being guarded extremely strictly, while you are favored above all women in the six palaces. If anything happened to her, suspicion would naturally fall most heavily upon you. No matter how you calculate it, it would not be worth the trouble.”
Jia Yinger pondered carefully for a moment before saying, “Then what do you mean…”
“You should secure the position of empress as soon as possible. The current empress has already lost all momentum. Once you possess this identity, would dealing with anyone still be difficult? As for the bastard Consort Chun is carrying, whether she can give birth safely, and whether the child can survive after being born, are still uncertain. We can take our time. For now, dealing with the empress is the priority.”
“Do you even need to tell me that? But that wretched woman manages to turn danger into safety every time! After all, she is wholeheartedly helping the emperor eliminate the Eastern Depot, and the emperor will show her considerable mercy out of regard for that.”
Jia Yinger turned her gaze toward the silent Consort Rong beside her. “Consort Rong, what are you thinking about?”
Consort Rong was merely a powerless and influence-less imperial consort, an utterly ordinary minor figure in the imperial harem with no particular ability. All she could do was obey commands.
Consort Rong was timid and terrified of answering incorrectly, so she spoke softly and cautiously. “If the empress helps the emperor eliminate Prince Bianjian, she may directly turn the situation around.”
Jia Yinger felt somewhat frightened after hearing this, while Consort Li beside her secretly began to ponder.
“Speaking of the empress, she has never been favored, yet she has occupied this position for two whole years. I wonder how she has endured the loneliness of the deep palace.”
After Consort Li finished speaking, something suddenly seemed to occur to her, and a trace of slyness crossed her face. “Imperial consort, I have a good idea. Not only can it eliminate the empress, it can also suppress Prince Bianjian and allow you to establish some merit.”
Jia Yinger’s eyes brightened. “What method?”
Consort Li slowly approached Jia Yinger, bent down, and whispered into her ear.
The entire plan of the three women was overheard by An Luo, who was hiding in the shadows…
The gentle and timid Consort Rong lowered her eyes and instantly suppressed her gaze. No one could possibly detect it!
The enormous palace was resplendent with gold and jade, yet a biting chill pervaded it, sparing not a single corner.
The flickering candle flames danced faintly, making the place appear cold and sinister.
A person knelt with their head lowered in the exact center of the main hall. Though their head was bowed, their brows and eyes were filled with icy indifference.
This person was none other than the timid and weak Consort Rong. Yet now, she seemed like an entirely different person: neither servile nor overbearing. Her finely embroidered robes had long since been removed, replaced by martial attire that lent her a slightly heroic air.
At this moment, she kept her head lowered, waiting for the person seated on the ornate couch to speak.
On the ninth tier of steps, Gu Hanjue was reclining elegantly on the couch. He continuously stroked and toyed with a silk handkerchief in his hand, occasionally lifting it to his nose and inhaling, the corners of his lips faintly curved.
The sight appeared somewhat bloody and bizarre, yet the person within it was thoroughly enjoying himself.
“Where were you just now?” Gu Hanjue finally lifted his gentle, smiling eyes and looked toward the person kneeling on the floor.
Consort Rong opened her mouth, her calm and elegant voice utterly unlike her former timid tone. “This subordinate was just saying that Noble Consort Li and Consort Li intend to conspire to frame the lord.”
Gu Hanjue gave a mocking laugh. “So it is them.” After saying this, he rose gracefully. “I truly never expected their scheme to target this seat.”
“What should be done next? Please issue your orders, director.” Consort Rong raised her eyes.
Gu Hanjue’s tied black hair had long since come loose. He descended the steps slowly with several leisurely strides, his hair flowing like a waterfall beneath the light. If not for knowing his identity, anyone would surely have mistaken him for some family’s delicate beauty.
“The Eastern Depot under this seat has truly been enjoying great fortune lately. First, someone allowed this seat to take advantage of her for an entire night, and then someone else delivered a ‘gift’ to this seat.”
“What does the director mean?” Consort Rong asked, puzzled.
He spoke with contempt. “Since someone is delivering a gift, how could this seat stop them? Refusing would only seem distant. Therefore, this seat certainly will not disappoint Noble Consort Li.”
“This subordinate is only afraid that…”
“What is there to fear?” Gu Hanjue interrupted Consort Rong. “This seat will let Noble Consort Li see for herself that even if this seat enters her entrapment scheme, she will still be unable to do anything to this seat. Heh.”
Gu Hanjue slowly ascended the steps again. His movements were unhurried and refined. After taking his place, he said, “It is simply unknown what the empress will do. After clashing with her several times, she has actually never been at a disadvantage.”
“That is only because the lord held back repeatedly. If you truly attacked, how could she withstand you?” Consort Rong snorted.
Gu Hanjue curved his lips. “Do not underestimate the empress. This woman still possesses endless untapped potential. It is merely a pity! She is hopelessly obsessed with a man. It truly makes this seat sigh.”
Murderous intent filled Consort Rong’s eyes. “If you dislike her, simply find an opportunity to resolve her in private.”
Gu Hanjue smiled faintly. “There is no need. This seat would rather watch her slowly grow and see what level she can ultimately reach.”
After saying this, he sighed again. “Empress, empress… I only hope you will not disappoint this seat.”
Consort Rong understood and lowered her head. “Since the lord intends to turn their scheme against them this time, this subordinate will not intervene. Let the empress and Noble Consort Li fight until one of them dies.”
Gu Hanjue pondered for a moment. “Act according to the circumstances. Do not let the empress lose too miserably. At the very least, she must wait until this seat grows tired of playing. Even in death, she must die by this seat’s hand.”
At this point, he suddenly began recalling that soul-stirring night. The mysterious woman had been favored by him, yet the hatred and grief on her face could not conceal the expression at the corners of her eyes.
That night, tears had streamed continuously down her face, yet she had stubbornly bitten her red lips and refused to make a sound.
Even afterward, she had maintained her resolute and imposing bearing. Merely thinking about it made her seem somewhat adorable.
He had always been composed. Though the medicinal effect had already been dispelled that night, he himself had unexpectedly been unable to stop.
A faint curve appeared at the corners of his lips. “Have you found any information about the woman who attempted the assassination of this seat?”
Consort Rong lowered her head. “This subordinate has handled the matter poorly and has still been unable to discover the female assassin’s origins.”
“Truly mysterious. It is fine; withdraw for now.”
After saying this, he smelled the silk handkerchief. Strange—there was not even the slightest trace of a bloody odor. It was filled entirely with chilling fragrance…