Xiao Cui had been holding back for a long time. She quickly stepped forward and recounted everything in detail: how Liu Chan went to the Imperial Garden to feed the cats, encountered Talent Sun, how the conflict between them started, and how they were both reprimanded by the Emperor.
Now, the matter of the cats was no longer important.
As expected, Jing Guifei didn’t dwell on the cat issue either. The suspicion in her eyes instantly vanished without a trace. Although she couldn’t quite figure out the Emperor’s attitude toward Liu Chan, she clearly understood that this incident wasn’t initiated by Liu Chan.
“Stay in Weiyang Palace these next couple of days and don’t go out,” Jing Guifei said after a moment’s thought. “When the Empress Dowager’s Birthday comes, you’ll return with your grandmother.”
Liu Chan bowed her head and acknowledged the instruction.
Chun’er personally stepped forward to support her as she left, whispering contemptuously, “Don’t take it to heart, Miss Liu. It’s all because that Talent Sun spoke nonsense in front of Her Highness, which made Her Highness misunderstand you for a moment.”
“How could I misunderstand my sister? She has been so good to me,” Liu Chan quickly shook her head with genuine emotion. Suddenly, she glanced at several potted flowers nearby that were nearly wilted and got an idea. “Chun’er, yesterday I saw two pots of Yilan flowers in my sister’s room.”
At these words, Chun’er’s hands unconsciously tightened their grip.
As if unaware, Liu Chan continued cheerfully, “I wanted to compliment them yesterday. Those flowers are truly beautiful. My sister’s taste is indeed excellent.”
“…They were all sent by the Internal Affairs Bureau,” Chun’er said, secretly relieved to see she merely liked the flowers. “If you like them, Miss Liu, this servant will have two pots sent to your room as well. They’re not particularly precious flowers, just ordinary Yilan blossoms.”
“Wonderful, thank you Chun’er,” Liu Chan’s face lit up with delight.
When Chun’er escorted Liu Chan back to her room and turned to leave, Liu Chan suddenly called out to stop her.
Hesitantly, Liu Chan spoke, “When His Majesty summoned me to Taiji Hall today, he mentioned my sister. He said my sister has had a difficult journey and praised her for having the heart of an orchid and the wisdom of a lotus.”
To praise someone, one must strike where it hurts most.
In this ruthless harem, even those in high positions often live in constant fear—no one has it easy.
Moreover, Jing Guifei had no sons. To secure an heir… it was truly challenging!
Chun’er indeed showed a hint of pleasure. “Did His Majesty really say that to you?”
Liu Chan nodded firmly. “Every word is true.”
After all, Jing Guifei wouldn’t go to Xiao Lin for verification.
Currently isolated and vulnerable, Liu Chan couldn’t allow Jing Guifei to harbor even the slightest suspicion toward her intentions. Otherwise, it would be like a mayfly trying to shake a mighty tree—seeking her own destruction.
On the contrary.
She still needed to coax Jing Guifei and earn her trust.
Chun’er quickly returned to Jing Guifei and repeated everything Liu Chan had just said.
Jing Guifei indeed became excited upon hearing this. “His Majesty really said that to her?”
“This servant thinks Liu Chan didn’t seem to be lying,” Chun’er whispered. “Perhaps although His Majesty has doubts about you this time, he understands your difficulties, Your Highness. His Majesty is a man—some words he finds embarrassing to say directly to you. Maybe he’s using Liu Chan to express his affection toward you?”
Hearing this, a blush crept across Jing Guifei’s face, and her eyes sparkled.
Covering her face with a maidenly demeanor, she said, “It must be so. Chun’er, help me prepare a bowl of Ginseng Soup in the small kitchen and deliver it to His Majesty personally. Tell him I made it with my own hands.”
Chun’er smiled and acknowledged the order.
On the other side, Liu Chan returned to her room to rest, while Xiao Cui ordered servants to bring in water for her to wash away the day’s misfortune and fatigue.
Since Liu Chan had entered Weiyang Palace, she had been provided with the finest of everything. Even the medicinal ointment for her body was the same expensive kind that Jing Guifei used daily.
On the surface, it appeared that Jing Guifei doted on her “family member,” but behind the scenes… it was all for the sake of the child.
Although the plan had failed for now, Jing Guifei had not taken back any of the luxuries.
Weiyang Palace was indeed favored and wealthy.
Liu Chan lazily sat in the wooden tub, her slender, fair fingers gently tracing her skin, which felt smooth and supple. Though she was still young and some parts of her body had not fully developed, she was already quite striking.
When Xiao Cui entered from outside and saw Liu Chan’s face, slightly closed-eyed in the misty steam, she was momentarily stunned by her beauty.
To put it bluntly, Miss Liu’s appearance was outstanding even among the various consorts and ladies in the palace. If only… Miss Liu were a mistress in the palace, she would truly adore her.
Startled by her own dangerous thought, Xiao Cui shook her head and approached Liu Chan, whispering, “Miss Liu, the flower room has sent over two pots of Yilan flowers.”
“Hmm,” Liu Chan responded drowsily, but her mind was already calculating.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the love potion Jing Guifei used was likely a combination of Yilan flowers and that incense.
Yilan flowers inherently possessed a certain aphrodisiac effect.
After her bath, Liu Chan found an excuse to send Xiao Cui away. Only then did she retrieve a small cloth bundle from a hidden pocket in her sleeve.
She dared not leave the incense she had collected that day in her room, so she carried it with her every day.
The most dangerous place was often the safest.
Liu Chan took a bit of the Yilan flower’s stamen and lit a tiny amount of the incense over a candle flame. Holding her breath, she inhaled just a little and immediately felt a tingling sensation throughout her body.
Seeing this, she quickly drank the cold tea she had prepared earlier.
It took her a good while to recover.
A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips. She turned and sat before the dressing table, her eyebrows slightly raised, exuding a seductive charm. Then, pressing her lips together into a smile, she resumed the appearance of an innocent, unworldly girl.
In her previous life, she had watched others act enough while staying by Xiao Lin’s side. In this life, she could effortlessly replicate it.
With that settled, all she needed was to find the right opportunity on the day of the Empress Dowager’s Birthday.
Liu Chan rested quietly in Weiyang Palace for two days. Apart from listening to Xiao Cui share amusing palace gossip, she spent her time engrossed in storybooks she had managed to acquire, leaning against her bed.
The medicine prescribed by Royal Physician Wang was quite effective—the swelling in her ankle had mostly subsided.
She could even squeeze into her everyday shoes now.
Though it still hurt a bit to walk normally, if one didn’t look closely, it was hard to tell she was any different from anyone else.
The Empress Dowager’s Birthday soon arrived.
Early in the morning, Liu Chan washed and dressed, maintaining a modest and proper appearance. Even though Jing Guifei had sent over some jewelry, she only wore a few simple pieces, ensuring she drew no attention and maintaining her usual “respect” for Jing Guifei.
Given the grandeur of the palace banquet that day, Jing Guifei also abandoned her usual plain, innocent attire and dressed in slightly more elaborate robes.
They first headed to the Empress Dowager’s Shou’an Palace.
As soon as they entered, Jing Guifei frowned and paused in her steps.
Liu Chan, standing nearby, keenly sensed Jing Guifei’s shift in mood. She glanced over and couldn’t help but feel a flicker of amusement.