Jiang Nanxi took two steps forward, instantly closing the distance between them.
“Do you want to bring down Side Consort Liu and claim a high position for yourself?” Jiang Nanxi asked in a voice only the two of them could hear.
Hearing this, Shen Zhi immediately understood that this woman was planning to form a faction. Moreover, she was the type who wanted to use others as a scapegoat.
“As long as Side Consort Liu is brought down, all of us concubines of His Highness will finally have our day to shine.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity. If we succeed, your rank might even rise a step or two.”
Listening to Jiang Nanxi’s words, Shen Zhi could only find it laughable.
That was Pei Lian’s white moonlight. If this Liangyuan Jiang wanted her to murder the woman, she would surely be the one pushed out to take the blame once the truth came to light. Then Jiang Nanxi would put on a pitiful act and say, “Sister Shen, you and I have no grievances or enmity. Why did you frame me?”
Shen Zhi would have a grievance she couldn’t voice. She had already experienced that exact feeling of being framed and backstabbed.
So, want her to kill Side Consort Liu?
Goodbye to you.
“Liangyuan Jiang, some words should not be spoken aloud. Are you plotting to harm His Highness’s Side Consort?” Shen Zhi abruptly took a step back, her eyes sharp as she questioned her sternly. “Liangyuan Jiang, why are you instigating me to frame Side Consort Liu?”
Jiang Nanxi had not expected her to shout it out so bluntly. A flash of panic crossed her beautiful face.
“Sister Shen, what nonsense are you talking about?” Jiang Nanxi grew anxious instantly and hurried to deny it.
“Then why did you say those things just now?” Shen Zhi pressed her.
Jiang Nanxi had never anticipated that the other party would tear off all pretenses so directly. Her hands clenched tightly in anger, but she could not throw a tantrum here and was forced to endure it completely.
As expected of an uneducated orphan girl, and a big mouth at that.
“Sister Shen, you must have misheard. I never said such things,” Jiang Nanxi quickly extricated herself from the situation. This wasn’t her own residence; it wouldn’t be good if someone caught wind of this.
Shen Zhi looked at her, a look of confusion on her face as she asked, “Liangyuan Jiang, did you really not say it?”
“No, absolutely not,” Jiang Nanxi said. She immediately grabbed her maid’s hand and prepared to leave. “Sister Shen, I still have matters to attend to. I shall take my leave first.”
Watching her fleeing back, Shen Zhi withdrew her gaze. Beside her, Suwen had already been left completely dazed.
Was her mistress always this reckless?
The other party was not someone to be easily trifled with. In just one day, she had managed to offend two women in a row. What were they going to do? Suwen’s gaze toward Shen Zhi turned entirely into worry.
Meanwhile, Qingxue, who was hiding in the shadows and had witnessed the entire exchange, grew even more silent. Perhaps this was the reason His Highness had ordered them to protect Fengyi Shen. After all, she really didn’t seem very bright.
Upon returning to Lanxin Pavilion, Nanny Zhao had already brought breakfast back from the kitchen. The moment Shen Zhi stepped through the door, she smelled the rich aroma, and her mouth almost began to water.
“Mistress, eat quickly while it’s still hot,” Nanny Zhao stood up happily when she saw them return from the morning greetings.
Once the kitchen staff learned that her mistress had received His Highness’s favor, they became far more enthusiastic than before the moment she went there.
“Alright!” Shen Zhi sat at the table, picked up her chopsticks, and immediately began to eat. Today’s breakfast was very sumptuous, much more so than usual.
After eating and drinking her fill, Shen Zhi lay on the daybed, holding a storybook as she began to read leisurely. Watching her like this, Suwen grew even more worried in her heart. Was her mistress planning to just give up and let things slide?
While Shen Zhi had begun her laid-back lifestyle, Jiang Nanxi returned to her quarters and was so furious that she smashed a whole set of teaware to pieces. At her outburst, the maids behind her immediately knelt and prostrated themselves on the ground. Everyone was trembling with fear, terrified of provoking Jiang Nanxi further at a time like this.
“That miserable wench truly doesn’t know what’s good for her, openly shouting it out like that. She must be tired of living.”
“Heh, but since she has offended that venomous woman Liu Yan, I doubt she will survive more than a few days anyway.”
“Since she doesn’t want to live, we might as well add some fuel to the fire and send her to see the King of Hell a bit sooner.”
As Jiang Nanxi spoke, her entire demeanor turned sinister and malicious.
Over the next few days, Pei Lian did not step into the backyard of the Eastern Palace again. Everyone assumed that Shen Zhi had been abandoned by His Highness, and both Liu Yan and Jiang Nanxi began to grow restless.
On this particular day, while Shen Zhi was drinking a newly formulated milk tea she had developed, Nanny Zhao walked in with a tense expression. “Mistress, I heard that tomorrow Side Consort Liu is hosting a flower-viewing feast by the lotus pond.”
“She has invited all the concubines of the Eastern Palace to attend, and you are expected to go as well.”
It was over; her mistress had truly been targeted by the other party. What should they do?
“Viewing flowers while sitting by the lotus pond? Hmm, that does sound quite nice,” Shen Zhi said, dipping her head to take another sip of her milk tea.
“Mistress, aren’t you afraid that Side Consort Liu will seek revenge against you?” Nanny Zhao’s voice pitched higher out of anxiety.
Hearing this, Shen Zhi tilted her head slightly and said with a smile, “Nanny Zhao, do not fret. When soldiers come, we send generals to block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth. No need to rush, no need to rush.”
Not long after they finished talking, someone arrived from Lanyue Pavilion to notify Shen Zhi that she absolutely must attend the flower-viewing feast tomorrow. Shen Zhi accepted with a beaming smile, and Suwen escorted the messenger out.
The flower feast hosted by Liu Yan was attended by every woman in the Eastern Palace, with the sole exception of Lin Shiya, who did not make an appearance. The grand display was quite impressive.
The next day, everyone dressed up beautifully and headed over. Shen Zhi went as well, styling herself to look beautiful, radiant, lively, and lovely. As soon as she arrived, she paid her respects to everyone present.
Seeing her arrive, the corners of Liu Yan’s lips curled upward. Since you’ve come, don’t even think about leaving.
After taking her seat, Shen Zhi truly began to admire the flowers. Truth be told, these flowers were cultivated beautifully. Even the lotuses in the pond were blooming exceptionally well; Liu Yan had truly spared no expense for this feast.
Everyone admired the flowers and chatted together, and there was no shortage of talented women among them. Some began to compose poetry and paint before the potted flowers, while others suggested playing a tune. Suddenly, everyone became less restrained, and genuine smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.
Shen Zhi spent the whole time eating and drinking. Whenever she saw a beautiful painting they had made, she would definitely applaud, and while listening to them compose poetry, she clapped her hands until they turned red.
Elegant! Truly elegant!
“I wonder what talent Sister Shen has to perform for us?” At this moment, Liu Yan called out Shen Zhi’s name in front of everyone.
Hearing this, Shen Zhi had no way to refuse. Since everyone else had already showcased their talents, it wouldn’t look good if she declined.
“This concubine shall play a tune for everyone.” With that, she walked straight toward the zither placed in the center and sat down.
Raising her slender, jade-like fingers, she lightly placed them upon the strings. As Shen Zhi’s fingertips gently plucked them, a crisp and melodious sound resonated through the air.