Inside Yulian Palace.
Side Consort Bai was kneeling on a soft cushion, a tea cup resting on the low table before her.
Her fingertips touched the teacup, making them appear all the more translucent, white, and slender.
Lady of Fine Deportment Chen knelt by her side and said with caution, “Has Sister heard about what happened at the birthday banquet last night?”
Side Consort Bai asked, “What matter?”
“It is the matter of Virtuous Consort Xiao being poisoned! I heard she spat blood and lost consciousness on the spot, almost dying. She was only saved later by the imperial physicians. Tsk-tsk, her life is truly tenacious.”
Side Consort Bai sighed. “Virtuous Consort Xiao is truly pitiful, suffering such a great ordeal for no reason.”
Lady of Fine Deportment Chen curled her lips in secret, thinking to herself that this white lotus was putting on an act again.
Lady of Fine Deportment Chen praised her with practiced ease, “Sister, you are just too kind-hearted. I think this is all Virtuous Consort Xiao’s own doing. If she hadn’t seduced the Crown Prince into taking her to the birthday banquet, she wouldn’t have been poisoned. Sister, you don’t need to sympathize with her.”
Side Consort Bai lamented softly, “We are sisters, after all. Since she has encountered such a thing, how can I sit by and do nothing? By right, I should go visit Virtuous Consort Xiao, but unfortunately, this body of mine is too disappointing and has been feeling unwell these past two days. Sister, if you have time, could you visit Virtuous Consort Xiao at Qingge Palace on my behalf?”
Lady of Fine Deportment Chen had been waiting for these exact words. She quickly responded, “Of course. I happen to be free lately, so it will be good to go see her.”
“Then I must trouble you, Sister.”
After leaving Yulian Palace, Lady of Fine Deportment Chen walked while making calculations in her mind.
She had originally wanted to secure a firm foothold in the Eastern Palace by attaching herself to Side Consort Bai.
Side Consort Bai was weak and sickly, and she treated others gently, making her look like someone with an easily manipulated temperament. But after spending more time with her, Lady of Fine Deportment Chen realized that this woman was a white lotus. Her weakness was merely a facade she deliberately wore; in truth, her mind was deeper than anyone else’s.
She accepted Lady of Fine Deportment Chen’s flattery and pleasing gestures completely, yet she did not let Lady of Fine Deportment Chen reap a single benefit.
Clearly, Lady of Fine Deportment Chen had entered the palace before Virtuous Consort Xiao, yet Virtuous Consort Xiao was already able to have the Crown Prince take her to the birthday banquet, while she found it incredibly difficult to even see the Crown Prince once.
If this continued, the Crown Prince would completely forget her sooner or later.
She believed her appearance and talents were not inferior to any other woman in the palace, and she was unwilling to be forgotten just like that.
She wanted to vie for favor; she wanted to become someone of high standing!
Since Side Consort Bai could not help her, she would find a way herself!
Xiao Xixi had paralyzed herself on the bed for the entire morning.
It was not until noon that she got up to eat a meal, and then she went to the backyard to walk and digest her food, taking the opportunity to admire the overbearing CEO rooster and his harem.
Xiao Xixi said, “I think that hen over there doesn’t seem to like moving much. Could it be sick?”
Baoqin asked, “Do we need to ask a veterinarian to examine it?”
“No need, just stew it directly. It will be perfect to nourish my body.”
“…”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Baoqin said expressionlessly, “Your body is still relatively weak right now, and your stomach’s digestive capacity is limited. You cannot eat food that is too greasy.”
Xiao Xixi refused to concede, “Even if I cannot eat chicken, we can give it to the Crown Prince. Isn’t he coming to our place for dinner tonight? Let’s kill a chicken to entertain him properly. If he finds it delicious…”
Baoqin’s eyes lit up. “If he finds it delicious, he will come to Qingge Palace again in the future!”
“No, if he finds it delicious, he will allow us to expand the chicken coop to raise more chickens and ducks. Then I will be able to eat chicken every day in the future, hehehe!”
“…”
Baoqin silently slapped herself.
I am so foolish.
How could I think my mistress was trying to find a way to vie for favor?
Even though her mood was filled with despair, Baoqin still carried the hen that didn’t like to move and went to the small kitchen.