Consort Rong's words suddenly enlightened Jiang Xinyue
Her eyes widened, clearly revealing her thoughts: Could it be that all of the Empress Dowager's actions were actually Consort Shu's intentions
It wasn't the Empress Dowager being stubborn and controlling Consort Shu, but rather Consort Shu hiding her true nature, seeking favor by making the Empress Dowager play the villain while she remained pure and blameless
Jiang Xinyue narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint flashing as she scrutinized Consort Rong: "Why are you telling me all this? Aren't you and Consort Shu usually thick as thieves
As sisters, they should naturally rise and fall together
Consort Rong knew that Concubine Zhen was a clever woman. With just a little hint, she would understand the deeper meaning behind her words
Her sister was a refined egoist, willing to use even her own sister as a stepping stone if it benefited her
"Hah
A cold laugh tinged with bitterness escaped her lips. For a moment, Consort Rong's eyes flashed with resentment, but it quickly passed
She immediately returned to her innocent facade, blinking her large, guileless eyes as she said, "Has sister Concubine Zhen ever heard of an elder sister killing her own younger sister's unborn child to regain favor? Thick as thieves... Ha ha ha ha... Have you ever seen such 'solidarity
What
This truly shocked Jiang Xinyue to her core
She had previously suspected that the Empress Dowager might have harmed Consort Rong's child to force Consort Shu to compete for the Emperor's favor
But whether Consort Rong's child lived or died, and who harmed her, had little to do with Jiang Xinyue, so she hadn't investigated further
The Empress's inquiry had concluded that a palace maid had accidentally spilled oil on the floor while serving food, and the matter was settled with the execution of a single maid.0
Could it really have been... Consort Shu?0
If so, her schemes were terrifying indeed.0
In the Xuanwu Emperor's heart, she was the purest and kindest, someone who would never do anything malicious
"That time she invited you to Jingren Palace, it's a good thing you didn't go
Consort Rong's eyes flashed with mockery: "If you had gone, she would have found a way to frame you for the murder of my child. With her whispering in the Emperor's ear, you would have been sent to Kunning Palace for interrogation. What awaited you there would have been unbearable torture, and you might not have survived
How venomous
Truly venomous
It took Jiang Xinyue a long while to calm her emotions after hearing this: "But since I entered the palace, I've never offended her. Why would she target me? Why does she want my life so badly
In truth, she already believed Consort Rong's words, but... she couldn't understand Consort Shu's hostility towards her
At that time, she wasn't particularly favored. There was Concubine Li before her, and Consort Liang and Consort De after, all beloved by the Emperor. Everyone saw her as merely Concubine Li's replacement, and no one truly considered her a rival in the palace struggles
"The Emperor looks at you differently
Consort Rong's gaze was firm as she looked at Jiang Xinyue: "Ever since you regained favor in Xihuo Palace, the Emperor has looked at you differently. Consort Shu grew up with the Emperor, and if even I can see it, don't you think she noticed long ago
She had long noticed the Emperor's different treatment of Concubine Zhen, so she rushed to act, wanting to eliminate her early
She just didn't expect her to be so lucky, escaping by chance time and time again
Jiang Xinyue's mind raced
Consort Rong's implication was that Consort Shu, whom the Xuanwu Emperor had always regarded as his unattainable love, had deliberately approached the Emperor from the very beginning... many years ago... as far back as over a decade
There was never any kind, innocent girl who pitied the Emperor and accompanied him, comforted him, bringing light into his dark life
It was all the Xuanwu Emperor's own delusion
There was also no Consort Shu being forced to enter the palace and accept his favor; it was all part of her plan
If the schemes of Concubine Li and her ilk were child's play, Jiang Xinyue had to admit that Consort Shu was on an entirely different level. She could truly be called a worthy opponent
She was even willing to risk her life to prove her innocence – wasn't she afraid of actually dying
Gambling addicts are frightening, but those who gamble with their lives are even more so.1
Consort Shu's persona was that of the Xuanwu Emperor's unattainable love, hiding behind the Empress Dowager while committing all manner of evil deeds, eliminating any concubine who threatened her position. On the surface, she remained calm and aloof, presenting an image of conflicted pain: "You love me, but I can't love you because of my family." This both frustrated the Emperor and aroused his competitive spirit
The unattainable is always alluring
Jiang Xinyue's appearance made Consort Shu feel greatly threatened, so she used Concubine Li and her faction to carry out a series of persecutions and schemes against Jiang Xinyue, while hiding in the shadows, waiting for the chance to deliver a fatal blow
Unfortunately
From the very beginning, Jiang Xinyue had never believed that any of the concubines in the palace were good people
Among those who could preserve their lives and maintain a presence before the Emperor, how could any truly be kind and gentle
Although the incident of falling into the water was Jiang Xinyue's own design, Consort Shu wasn't entirely innocent
Combining Consort Rong's implications, Jiang Xinyue suspected that the water plants at the bottom of the lake were likely prepared by Consort Shu
She was just waiting for the right moment to push her into the water, where she would be entangled by the plants and "accidentally" lose her life
By then, with the person dead, what could the Xuanwu Emperor do
If things went awry, the Dowager Empress Wu would be there to take the blame. As long as Consort Shu cried and claimed ignorance, she would remain the unattainable love in the Xuanwu Emperor's heart
One human life meant nothing to her; it wouldn't affect her in the slightest
Consort Rong must have known that after hearing all this, Jiang Xinyue would never let Consort Shu off the hook. Nevertheless, she put on a somewhat angry expression and looked at Jiang Xinyue: "You're telling me all this because you want me to avenge you
Consort Rong smirked: "I have no intention of making an enemy of you. I'm merely warning you that even if you don't go after her, she will never spare you. I just thought that perhaps you could defeat her in this power struggle. If you win, my revenge will be complete. Surely this doesn't count as using you, does it? What do you think, sister Concubine Zhen
So telling her all this was actually for her own good
Jiang Xinyue's eyes crinkled with a smile as her gaze met Consort Shu's across the distance. Her smile grew even brighter: "Indeed, those who have made me suffer will endure a thousandfold of what I've experienced. Consort Rong, you and I are now allies. In the future, if Consort Shu makes any moves, please inform me in advance. I will surely avenge your unborn child
Consort Rong said nothing, but she returned a faint smile, silently acknowledging their newfound alliance
Jiang Xinyue's smile didn't reach her eyes, causing Consort Shu's heart to race. She frowned and whispered a few words to the palace maid beside her. In no time at all, that maid stood behind Consort Rong and said with a concerned tone, "Consort Shu has sent me to bring you some pigeon soup to replenish your blood and energy. Consort Rong, you're still very weak. If you're tired, I can escort you back to rest
Using Consort Shu's sedan chair to send her back would make it appear to others that the two sisters shared a deep bond