Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 280: Poisonous Scorpion and Snake

Chapter 280: Chapter 280: Poisonous Scorpion and Snake

Consort Liu completed her courtesies, slowly got up, and stared directly at the Noble Consort seated at the head of the room, a profound smile emerging on her face, yet her gaze was chilling to the bone.

The Noble Consort tensed up completely, as if facing a formidable enemy, and gritted her teeth as she hissed three words, "Liu Lingyi!"

Her "good sister" for many years, the murderer who made her lose her child!

She had known Liu Lingyi since their days in the boudoir. Not yet at the age of first flush of youth, they clicked immediately. Since then, they became close friends; they would gift each other fine beads, hairpins, cosmetics, fabrics, and clothes, often seen together.

Her family background was slightly better than Liu Lingyi’s—her family was a noble house, her father the Minister of Revenue early on, in charge of the dynasty’s land, taxes, household registration, military needs, official salaries, grain taxes, and fiscal revenue.

Whereas Liu Lingyi’s father was just a Libationer of the Imperial Academy, though noble, the position was not high.

She didn’t mind Liu Lingyi’s family background. They matched well in terms of social status; both were of outstanding beauty and young noble ladies. People of the Capital called them the two beauties of the city.

One year, when she was fourteen or fifteen, she was out on an excursion. There was a startled horse, and she met His Majesty, who was still the Crown Prince, and in his carriage was none other than the very Liu Lingyi who was before her now!

The first time she met His Majesty, she secretly vowed her affection for him but had no one to confide in, so she shared her feelings with her good sister, Liu Lingyi, who smiled and wished her that she would surely have her wish fulfilled.

Yet she never imagined that her "good sister" also harbored feelings for His Majesty and never spoke of it—while she confided her feelings, Liu Lingyi harbored ulterior motives.

When she learned from her father that the Former Empress Dowager intended to choose her as the Crown Princess Consort, she was overjoyed. She couldn’t contain her happiness, which did not escape Liu Lingyi’s notice.

She thought, since she was her good sister, and knowing her heart was set on the Crown Prince, speaking of it should do no harm, so she quietly told her.

But not long after, her position as the Crown Princess Consort was gone. She always suspected that Liu Lingyi was behind the sabotage, otherwise, no one would have known at that time, and how could the Late Emperor’s Favored Concubine have found out?

In her midnight reveries, she replayed the incident over and over in her mind. The more she thought about Liu Lingyi at that time, the more suspicious she became; she always had her suspicions, yet there was no proof.

But she was naive back then, deeply trusting in Liu Lingyi, even weeping to her once, saying she lost her position as the legitimate Crown Princess and had been made a concubine instead.

What followed after, a series of events, was something she could never have imagined. On the Crown Prince’s grand wedding day, the one who entered the Eastern Palace with her was also Liu Lingyi, this vile woman, who had deceived her so deeply!

After entering the Eastern Palace, although Liu Lingyi tried to explain, she started to doubt her, and they gradually drifted apart.

After she became pregnant, she guarded day and night, yet she still couldn’t ward off Liu Lingyi’s schemes. This woman made her lose her child and her support, ruining her body, leaving her unable to conceive again.

This vile woman still feigned innocence, more loathsome to her than even the Late Empress.

But she was no worse either and had paid this vile woman back in kind.

Seeing this vile woman looking even weaker than she had imagined delighted her, truly a fitting retribution; Liu Lingyi’s current state was all her own doing.

A flash of satisfaction crossed the Noble Consort’s eyes, but she quickly reverted to normal and resumed her smile, "So it’s Younger Sister Liu Lingyi. I hardly recognized you at first glance; it’s been such a long time. Why do you look so frail? Would you like me to find a skilled Imperial Physician to take a look at you?"

Consort Liu lowered her gaze, a venomous look flashing in her eyes as she weakly smiled and said slowly, "Thank you for your concern, dear sister, but there’s no need. You know my condition well; it can’t be cured."

The words carried a profound implication.

Noble Consort’s smile was malicious as she ordered the palace attendants, "Someone, arrange a seat for Consort Liu, and don’t tire our frail younger Sister Liu."

The people in the hall rose one after another, and after Consort Liu was seated, they paid their respects to her.

Concubine Fang felt somewhat awkward. It seemed Consort Liu was the real fragile beauty. Compared to her, she felt quite inferior.

She couldn’t help but glance at Lian Hua, thinking about the words of praise Lian Hua had told her before entering the hall, which bolstered her spirit. Although she still fell short, not as delicate as Consort Liu, she knew many poems and recited them beautifully. Maybe she should recite more in the future? To express the feelings in her heart through poetry?

It seemed feasible, and thinking this made her feel a bit better.

As they paid their respects, Xu Zhaoyi noticed that Consort Liu was intentionally or unintentionally looking towards Lian Hua, so she stepped directly in front of Lian Hua, completely blocking her line of sight.

Noble Consort Xue and Consort Liu, one a poison scorpion, the other a venomous snake; neither was good news.

The Emperor was truly miserable. None of the people he married during his time as Crown Prince were bearable; the Principal Consort was a foolish buffoon, and the two Liangdis were more venomous than the other, truly pitiable.

No wonder he clung to his Sister Lian as if a starving wolf upon seeing meat, holding on tight. Tsk, tsk.

While Xu Zhaoyi was internally criticizing the Emperor, Lian Hua stood by somewhat confused about the situation. She could feel there seemed to be sparks flying between the Noble Consort and Consort Liu, but it didn’t concern her; it didn’t affect her.

She was wondering when they could start the singing and dancing; she wanted to watch it, careless of their schemes. As long as the fire didn’t reach her and those around her, it was fine.

Once seated again, Consort Liu was the first to look towards Lian Hua, smiling gently, her demeanor becoming more graceful. She greeted, "Sister, have you been well?"

Lian Hua responded with a puzzled "Ah?" wondering why she suddenly asked about her, as she was just about to drink the honey water Xu Zhaoyi had given her, specially prepared by Ming Jing as it was something safe for her to drink.

She was also troubled; now with a pregnancy, she didn’t know what outside food she could or could not eat, which dulled her anticipation for banquets.

At Canglan Court, she was now well-fed and could eat whatever she wanted within limits set by Nanny Qi, no longer as gluttonous as before.

She had barely touched the food and drinks at the banquet, Sister Zhaoyi had whispered to her, reassuring her to eat without worry, saying His Majesty had surely had someone inspect the food personally; no need to fear any harm.

She had eaten some, but it wasn’t as delicious as what they made in Canglan Court, and she quickly lost her appetite; she had become picky and still preferred a hearty meal back at Canglan Court.

Consort Liu smiled gently and softly said, "It seems sister has forgotten about me; it’s also my fault for being seldom seen due to my poor health... Sister forgetting me is understandable..."

Her words were interrupted by a bout of coughing, and the Nanny behind her quickly helped her ease her breath, coughing persistently for quite a while.

While Consort Liu was coughing, Noble Consort turned from Consort Liu towards Lian Hua and took the opportunity to say, "It turns out younger Sister Liu and Sister Lian have met before."

She, of course, knew they had met before, just unsure of their relationship and whether they had conspired.

Holding the drink, Lian Hua was unsure whether to drink or not to drink, as the person who had spoken to her was still coughing, and the one speaking now wasn’t really asking her a question.

She thought it best to just continue drinking her water.