[False Pregnancy Pill exchange failed. Host has insufficient Points.]
However, the System’s next words immediately made Chu Shengsheng feel somewhat awkward.
She actually didn’t have enough Points?!
The False Pregnancy Pill required 800 Points, but she currently only had 700—a shortfall of one hundred.
She sat waiting for a while, but Pei Zhen, who was far away, did not send her any more Points. Given the current situation, she couldn’t afford to wait any longer. So, her eyes darted around as she began negotiating with the System.
“System, how about we make a deal? Could you lend me the False Pregnancy Pill on credit?”
[No.]
As before, the System coldly refused.
But this time, she didn’t give up and continued trying to persuade it. “System, you need to face reality.”
“Right now, I’m about to be taken away by the women of the Eastern Palace. I’m sure I’ll be tortured again.”
“If they end up killing me, forget about Points—the mission will fail entirely. Don’t tell me your System won’t be affected by that?”
The System fell silent, offering no response. But this was a good sign. Since it didn’t outright refuse, there was still room for negotiation!
“Besides, I’m only short by 100 Points. If I successfully obtain the False Pregnancy Pill this time, I promise you—based on my plan—Pei Zhen will definitely send me loads and loads of Points.”
“Once I get those Points, I’ll immediately repay what I owe you—double, no, triple the amount!”
“Of course, if I lose this bet and Pei Zhen doesn’t give me any Points, then I’ll accept that my judgment was wrong. I’ll voluntarily abandon the mission and endure the agony of Soul Tearing.”
The carriage remained quiet, with no response.
Outside, the matron who had stopped the carriage waited for a moment, her expression turning completely cold.
A mere Outer Chamber Consort, yet putting on such airs!
With that thought, she raised her voice and repeated, “Miss Chu, Lady of Goodness invites you for a chat. Please follow this servant.”
Seeing the guards still blocking the carriage, she sneered mockingly, “What? Does Lady of Goodness need permission from you servants just to see her own sister and share a few intimate words?”
“After all, she’s from outside and doesn’t understand the rules. Her Ladyship is kind-hearted and intends to offer guidance and instruction. She should not be ungrateful.”
Before her words faded, several sturdy maids who had followed her closed in, clearly intending to use force.
Just as tensions were reaching a breaking point—
[Given the Host’s special circumstances, this System grants a one-time “Emergency Credit” privilege. Both parties have reached an agreement: upon success, triple the Points will be repaid.]
[False Pregnancy Pill exchange completed.]
Listening to the commotion outside, just as Chu Shengsheng was growing anxious, she finally heard the System’s response. Instantly, joy flashed in her eyes, and she let out a sigh of relief.
As soon as the words ended, a small pill with a strange, fragrant aroma appeared in her hand.
Without hesitation, she placed the pill in her mouth. It dissolved instantly upon contact, and a warm current flowed down into her lower abdomen.
The False Pregnancy Pill took effect immediately upon entering her body.
She quickly adjusted herself, her acting skills kicking in. Lifting her hand, she pushed aside the carriage curtain, revealing a face that appeared weak and exhausted. In a feeble voice, she said:
“Since Consort Liu has invited me, how could I refuse?”
“Please lead the way, Matron.”
Seeing this, the old matron snorted coldly. Taking in her appearance and recalling that she had just come from the palace, she instantly understood that this must be the result of some “instruction” from the Empress. A mix of smugness and disdain flashed in her heart, and she immediately said:
“At least you know what’s good for you. Let’s go.”
Thus, the carriage originally bound for the villa could only slowly change direction, following the Eastern Palace’s carriage as they both headed toward the Eastern Palace.
[Emergency Mission Issued: Deal with the Lady of Goodness’s harassment. Mission Reward: 500 Points.]
At the street corner, the Shadow Guard hidden in the darkness watched the carriage disappear into the Eastern Palace. Without hesitation, he immediately turned and swiftly went back to report.
Inside the Second Prince’s residence.
Pei Yang had been waiting for the Shadow Guard to bring the beauty to him. Instead, the news he received was that the beauty had been intercepted and taken to the Eastern Palace.
His expression froze, a hint of displeasure crossing his face. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Do you know which Lady of Goodness from the Eastern Palace took her?”
“It was Consort Liu.”
“It’s Yiyi…”
The Shadow Guard kept his head lowered, pretending not to have heard, for what prince would address a Crown Prince’s Lady of Goodness with such intimacy?
“Send a message to Yiyi. Tell her not to play the girl to death. After she’s done, send her to my residence. I’d like to see her too.”
Pei Yang smirked wickedly. He knew Liu Yiyi’s temperament better than anyone.
Facing Pei Zhen’s Outer Chamber Consort, did she really invite her over to be good sisters?
He was growing more and more eager for what was to come. Moreover, he had a particular fondness for beauties who were delicate, bullied, helpless, and fragile to the point of being on the brink of death.
That made it all the more interesting.
Meanwhile, Chu Shengsheng had already alighted from the carriage and arrived at the Eastern Palace, entering through a secluded back gate.
This was her first time seeing the Eastern Palace since arriving here. High walls, deep courtyards, vermilion gates, jade steps—it was imposing and majestic. However, she had no mind to appreciate it now, nor did she have the time, as she was being led—or rather, escorted—by several matrons, walking briskly inward.
Though it was called being led, it was almost like being marched under guard. There was a matron in front, two on either side, and more behind her. She couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Was Consort Liu so afraid she would run away?
After winding through numerous twists and turns, they finally arrived at the courtyard where Consort Liu resided.
In the main room, Liu Yiyi sat upright in the host’s seat, leisurely sipping tea, with several matrons standing by her side.
Seeing Chu Shengsheng being “assisted” inside, she set down her teacup. Her gaze swept over her slowly, as if appraising goods, taking in every detail of her injuries and her precarious, fragile state.
A flicker of jealousy and satisfaction passed through her eyes, but her face showed just the right amount of concern as she asked:
“Oh, so this is Miss Chu? Please rise, no need for such formalities. How… did you end up in such a state? Was the journey too rough?”
Chu Shengsheng followed the instruction and performed a curtsey, her movements making her appear even more unsteady.
Seeing this, the corners of Liu Yiyi’s lips curled into a deeper smile. Her tone was so gentle it could drip with honey as she slowly said, “I’ve long heard of you but never had the chance to meet. Now that I see you today, you truly are… someone to be pitied.”
“Although you are merely someone His Highness has placed outside, sooner or later you will enter the Eastern Palace. From now on, we are sisters. There’s no need to be so afraid or reserved.”
Hearing this, Chu Shengsheng lowered her eyes and sneered inwardly. This opening act, with its hypocritical concern, was truly identical to the performance she had witnessed in the Empress’s palace.
Afterwards, this Lady of Goodness Liu truly acted like a considerate elder sister, asking in detail how she had met the Crown Prince, what she usually liked to do, and whether she was accustomed to living in the separate residence—her words were filled with concern.
Chu Shengsheng answered softly one by one, her voice faint and weak, appearing utterly submissive.
Seeing her so meek, submissive, and fragile, Liu Yiyi could no longer suppress the irritation and jealousy in her heart. She waved her hand to dismiss the other maids in the room, leaving only her trusted matron.
As soon as the door closed, the gentle mask on her face instantly fell away, and her eyes turned venomous.
“Chu Shengsheng, you’re quite something, truly skilled!” She slammed the table and scolded, “I’ve long wanted to meet you! A lowly Outer Chamber Consort, relying on a bit of beauty, dares to bewitch the Crown Prince so thoroughly that he doesn’t even return to the Eastern Palace’s rear courtyard!”
“Tell me, what kind of bewitching potion did you give the Crown Prince? What despicable methods did you use?”
Chu Shengsheng only lowered her head further, her body trembling slightly as if terrified to the extreme. In reality, she sneered inwardly: So she can’t keep up the act anymore?
Thinking this, she put on a performance, making herself appear even paler and weaker, swaying unsteadily as if she might faint at any moment.