Jiang Yingcheng remained completely unaware of the suddenly eerie atmosphere around her, her fatal internal monologue continuing to spill out one sentence after another.
[Those palace ladies punished by Noble Consort Rou didn’t dare speak out afterward, so everyone outside believed it was really the beautiful auntie who did it!]
[How despicable! But that wasn’t enough – Noble Consort Rou even sent people to spread rumors everywhere about the beautiful auntie being cruel and vicious, hoping to make Father Emperor subconsciously believe it too.]
[Three people spreading rumors makes a tiger, three people spreading rumors makes a tiger!]
The three people present who could hear Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts were all shocked by the information revealed, instinctively overlooking how inappropriate such speech was for a child her age.
Changshun Gonggong was the first to regain his composure, suddenly remembering the Mingze Emperor’s instructions. His gaze swept back and forth across the faces of the people in the room.
Both Lan Zhaorong and Qing Guifei had widened their eyes, staring in panic at the little dumpling standing in the center of the group with her head lowered, completely unaware that her inner thoughts were being heard.
He lowered his head, concealing the emotions in his eyes.
These two must also be able to hear the Little Princess’s thoughts, while the Little Princess remained completely oblivious to the changing atmosphere around her.
Qing Guifei’s fingertips began to tremble uncontrollably.
Since entering the palace, she had always been kind to others, never mistreating even the palace servants in her hall.
She had thought that by doing so, she could stay away from palace conflicts and live peacefully in her corner, never expecting her opponent would pursue her so relentlessly, even boldly bullying her right in her own hall!
[Ah!!]
Jiang Yingcheng’s inner voice suddenly rose in pitch, as if she had heard something surprising.
What? What happened?!
Qing Guifei quickly suppressed her churning emotions, holding her breath and concentrating, afraid of missing any important information.
Jiang Yingcheng finally raised her head, her eyes quickly glancing at Qing Guifei’s waist.
[Is it that sachet?]
Sachet?
Qing Guifei looked down dazedly.
She did have a sachet hanging from her waist today, one that Noble Consort Rou had personally given her two months ago.
Qing Guifei’s breath caught.
Could it be…
[Hmm, how should I tell the beautiful auntie that there are spices inside that can make her infertile?]
!!!
Qing Guifei’s vision darkened as she stumbled backward, nearly collapsing to the ground. Only the quick support of her palace maid behind her kept her upright.
There were actually spices inside that could make her infertile?!
Qing Guifei’s mind raced, memories from the past flashing before her eyes like a revolving lantern.
Noble Consort Rou had always maintained an appearance of detachment and indifference around her, making Qing Guifei believe she had found a kindred spirit in the palace. They often called each other sisters and frequently exchanged gifts.
Like this sachet, Noble Consort Rou would send a new one almost every few months. They had been replaced intermittently, who knows how many times already.
Qing Guifei nearly fainted.
Then… what about the previous ones? Had they also been mixed with such spices?
Had her inability to conceive been because of this??!
Trembling with rage, Qing Guifei reached to tear off the sachet and throw it far away when she suddenly heard—
“Auntie, are you unwell?”
Qing Guifei’s vision cleared momentarily at this concerned inquiry.
The little one’s eyes were filled with confusion and genuine concern, leaving Qing Guifei momentarily unsure how to explain such an absurd matter as being able to hear her inner thoughts.
Moreover…
She secretly wished to glean more information from the child’s unspoken words…
Taking a deep breath, Qing Guifei spoke weakly, “It’s nothing, just an old ailment. Sometimes I can’t stand overly pungent smells.”
She turned to instruct her maid to remove the sachet from her waist, but noticed the child’s eyes suddenly lighting up with brilliance.
“That’s wonderful!” Jiang Yingcheng exclaimed excitedly. “Then can Auntie give this little sachet to Chengcheng?”
Qing Guifei froze, instinctively wanting to refuse: “This…”
It’s poisonous!
[Hehehe, later when we go to Noble Consort Rou’s chamber, we’ll hide this sachet in her room!]
Instantly revitalized, Qing Guifei swiftly untied the sachet and pressed it into the child’s hands: “Take it.”
These were items that required prolonged contact to cause poisoning, so she wasn’t worried about the brief exposure harming the child.
Watching the little one carefully store the sachet away, Qing Guifei genuinely wanted to offer her a token of gratitude.
Supported by her maid, Qing Guifei slowly knelt down to meet the child’s clear gaze at eye level, speaking softly: “Is there anything else Chengcheng likes? Auntie can give it to you.”
Jiang Yingcheng’s almond-shaped eyes widened further: “Anything at all?”
[Tong Ge! Tong Ge! Now we have an excuse to get rid of all the poisonous items!]
The child’s inner voice radiated palpable joy, but Qing Guifei’s heart sank to the depths.
She had intended to sincerely gift the child something, but hearing these thoughts left her both comforted and horrified—
Just how many more poisonous items were hidden in her quarters?
Qing Guifei clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, using all her strength to keep her voice from sounding strained: “Of course.”
She emphasized heavily: “Anything at all.”
She couldn’t describe her current state of mind—hoping the child would remove all the toxic objects, yet terrified to realize she had been coexisting with these poisons for so long.
However, the little one remained completely unaware of her complex emotions. After cheering excitedly, she began bouncing around the room.
“Chengcheng really likes this little box!”
[This was repeatedly soaked in saffron infusion by Noble Consort Rou. Dangerous!]
“Chengcheng wants to take this stack of Xuan Paper back for calligraphy practice!”
[The villain even prepared hyssop-infused paper for the beautiful auntie to use!]
“This one Chengcheng…”
“Likes…”
Jiang Yingcheng scavenged through the small reception room like a tiny bandit, quickly gathering numerous items that she promptly shoved into her accompanying maid’s arms.
All of Qing Guifei’s doubts gradually dissipated with the child’s actions.
Every single item the little one selected had originally been gifted by Noble Consort Rou…
The maid behind Qing Guifei watched in stunned silence, eventually unable to contain her complaint: “Niangniang, just like that…”
“Silence!” Qing Guifei hissed sharply.
Consort Qing’s breathing grew labored, the dizzy sensation from earlier washing over her once more.
She didn’t crave the Mingze Emperor’s favor, but she had always yearned for a child of her own.
She wanted to watch a little one grow from babbling infancy to becoming learned in poetry and literature, to see them stand tall and graceful or grow handsome and dignified—she simply wanted to have her own child!
The world within these palace walls was far too small, leaving her genuine affections with nowhere to rest.
Yet she never imagined someone could be so calculating, so intent on destroying her only hope!
She clenched her jaw tightly, unwilling to lose composure before so many people.
The hatred burned so fiercely within her that she wanted to rush straight to Noble Consort Rou and throw these things right in her face.
But she couldn’t.
This palace valued power above all else.
Noble Consort Rou’s maternal family held extraordinary status—she could only bide her time and plan carefully.
Consort Qing slowly closed her eyes, seeking temporary escape from the scene before her.
But the child’s inner voice persisted, relentlessly piercing through her thoughts.
【Sigh…】
【They’ve moved everything from here, but there are still so many things in Auntie’s bedchamber…】
Jiang Yingcheng anxiously tugged at her own hair.
Consort Qing: “……”
No more patience remained—today she would storm straight into Noble Consort Rou’s palace!