Jiang Huan’s inner self triumphantly laughed, hands on hips.
Hahaha, excellent, excellent!
All her hard work—moving the grill and making fried rice—had not been in vain.
And now, the results were immediate.
Jiang Huan discreetly pinched herself with her other hand, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes.
"Wuwu… It was my own carelessness."
Though she said this, her red-rimmed eyes and pitiful expression made it clear there was more to the story.
Huo Lin’s face darkened, and the air around them instantly grew heavy.
"I will stand up for you. Speak plainly."
Wang Degui also noticed something amiss. Having spent years in the palace, he had seen all sorts of dirty tricks.
He surmised that Jiang Huan had been bullied, and the culprit could only be a consort of higher rank than her.
With Changzai Zhuang currently serving the Emperor well, if she didn’t speak up now, the opportunity would be lost.
Out of regard for Changzai Zhuang’s diligent service to the Emperor, Wang Degui decided to offer a reminder.
He added persuasively, "Your Highness, please speak freely. His Majesty will handle everything."
Jiang Huan glanced at Huo Lin, then at Wang Degui, appearing swayed by their words.
"It’s… it’s my fault…"
Her voice trembled with tears as she choked out, "I don’t know how I offended Consort Yu, but after I delivered tangyuan to His Majesty last time, she confined me to my quarters and forbade me from stepping outside."
"Later, Consort Yu suddenly ordered me to prepare food for her, but my side chamber has long been empty. It’s not that I didn’t want to, but there was simply nothing left to cook with…"
As she spoke, Jiang Huan grew increasingly distressed, her sobs turning into broken gasps. After a moment to collect herself, she continued.
"My personal maid, wanting to protect me, tried to explain on my behalf but ended up offending Consort Yu and was punished… I tried to plead for her, but Consort Yu’s people held me down and gagged me…"
Tears streamed down Jiang Huan’s cheeks.
Her lashes, damp with tears, resembled butterfly wings soaked in dew.
Her almond-shaped eyes glistened, and the redness at their corners evoked pity.
Though the hidden pinch on her thigh stung quite a bit.
Huo Lin snorted coldly, his expression frosty and severe.
[So the reason Changzai Zhuang didn’t bring me food earlier was because she was confined!]
[Consort Yu must be tired of living, daring to cut off my food supply!]
[Once Changzai Zhuang returns, she’ll surely face punishment again.]
[No, I must send someone to warn Consort Yu!]
Huo Lin commanded, "Wang Degui, find Consort Li and report today’s events to her in detail. Have her go to Jin Hua Palace."
"At your service, Your Majesty."
As Wang Degui responded, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
Consort Li was the palace’s disciplinary matron and a longtime follower of the Emperor.
This Changzai Zhuang certainly had some skill.
Jiang Huan took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. The moment her face was hidden, she allowed herself a faint smile.
Plan accomplished.
Those hundreds of episodes of palace intrigue dramas hadn’t been for nothing!
If all went smoothly, Consort Yu would never dare bully her again.
Moving out of Jin Hua Palace was now within reach!
With the meal prepared and the grievance aired, Jiang Huan had achieved her goal and retreated.
Upon returning to Jin Hua Palace, before Jiang Huan could even change out of her maid’s attire, she heard hurried footsteps approaching.
Her heart tightened slightly, knowing Consort Yu was about to unleash her fury.
Sure enough, Consort Yu’s personal maid, Cui Ying, rushed in, her face etched with menace.
"Changzai Zhuang, Her Highness summons you. She has matters to inquire about."
Jiang Huan slightly lowered her eyelids. She had long anticipated this scene.
But now things were different!
She secretly wiped away bitter tears in her heart.
She had finally gained some standing, with someone to back her up!
Main Hall.
Consort Yu sat on the couch, her face clouded with displeasure.
Watching Jiang Huan enter, she snorted coldly.
"You wretch! Kneel before me!"
Jiang Huan bowed her head, feigning terror and unease.
"Your Highness, I don't know what offense I've committed to provoke such anger from you."
Consort Yu wasn't one to reason with anyone—she simply disliked Jiang Huan.
Her voice turned shrill: "Guards! Hold her down! I want to—"
But before Consort Yu could finish, a cold voice interrupted her.
"Consort Yu, it's improper to resort to beating and scolding imperial consorts so readily."
Jiang Huan thought, here it comes.
Her protector had arrived!
Sure enough, looking up, she saw Consort Li had entered unnoticed.
Consort Li appeared to be only in her thirties, her hair impeccably styled. At this moment, her face carried an air of authority, her gaze sharp as a blade sweeping over Consort Yu.
Consort Yu certainly recognized someone from the Emperor's inner circle.
She hadn't expected Consort Li to appear at this moment, her face instantly turning ugly, barely managing to force a smile.
"This is just a minor matter between me and Changzai Zhuang, no need for you to trouble yourself."
Having learned about the conflict between Consort Yu and Jiang Huan from Wang Degui, Consort Li wouldn't be easily fooled.
Moreover, the Emperor had sent her precisely to support Changzai Zhuang.
Consort Li snorted coldly, "His Majesty ordered me here specifically to handle what you call a minor matter."
Consort Yu's face instantly flushed with alternating shades of green and red, extremely unpleasant.
She glared at Jiang Huan with jealousy and hatred, this seductive minx!
What kind of bewitching potion had she given the Emperor!
Consort Yu desperately wanted to slap Jiang Huan right then to vent her anger, but she feared Consort Li.
Even Imperial Concubine Jia would show some respect when meeting someone like Consort Li from the Emperor's inner circle—she was definitely not someone Consort Yu could afford to offend.
But having come this far, Consort Yu naturally refused to yield.
"Changzai Zhuang behaved improperly before the hall today. I merely intended to teach her some manners to avoid displeasing His Majesty. This is perfectly reasonable. Are you going to interfere with this too?"
"In my opinion, the one displeasing His Majesty might be someone else entirely."
As she spoke, Consort Li's sharp gaze fell upon Consort Yu.
This was already a clear indication—her meaning represented the Emperor's will.
Consort Yu gritted her teeth in secret, knowing there was no room for argument.
She'd let Jiang Huan off today! After all, Jiang Huan was still in Jin Hua Palace—there would be plenty of opportunities to teach her a lesson later!
"Very well, out of respect for you, I'll let this matter drop. Changzai Zhuang, you may withdraw."
Consort Yu spoke these last words through clenched teeth, clearly reluctant.
"Yes, I take my leave."
Jiang Huan couldn't wait to leave quickly, offering no courtesy to Consort Yu.
It seemed having connections with the Emperor's people was truly effective!
From now on, she needed to build good relationships with those close to the Emperor!
As long as she maintained powerful allies, she needn't fear lacking resources.
The future looked bright indeed!
Consort Li followed beside Jiang Huan, and the two left the main hall together.
Returning to the West Side Hall, Jiang Huan discovered several palace maids in her side hall, placing items inside.
"Consort Li, what is this?"
Hearing Jiang Huan's question, Consort Li smiled faintly and replied, "This old servant heard from Chief Steward Wang that Your Ladyship's palace was running short of provisions, so I had some ingredients sent over."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan was overjoyed—this was a rare opportunity to curry favor!
"Thank you, Consort Li! If you have no other matters, why not stay awhile? I'll prepare some food for you."