A middle-aged emperor, childless, was blessed with a beautiful and pregnant concubine who entered th

Su Jinse was in a great hurry, but then she thought about it again.

If she went to Weiyang Palace right after leaving Consort Chen's palace, wouldn't that be blatantly telling Consort Chen that she was a spy under Consort Zhen's command?

If Princess Chaoyang finds out, she'll be in big trouble.

She quickly pulled her raised foot back.

"Let's go see Sister Zhou."

Su Jinse and Zhou Nian'er initially lived together.

Zhou Nian'er is not outstanding in any way; she's like an invisible person.

Therefore, Su Jinse never took Zhou Nian'er seriously.

Like Chen Wanning, she was quiet by nature. However, Chen Wanning was well-read and a talented woman. It is said that she had recently been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber and could offer her own insights when discussing poetry, songs, and historical anecdotes with Emperor Qianwu.

For this, he received many rewards from His Majesty.

Su Jinse felt a pang of regret whenever the matter was brought up.

Her father was the Imperial Textile Commissioner of Jiangnan, and her mother was his principal wife.

As a noble legitimate daughter, Su Jinse has always had the best of everything since childhood. From a young age, her family hired a talented and virtuous female teacher from the local area to teach her music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and etiquette.

However, as the favored youngest daughter, she was always spoiled and willful, relying on her pretty appearance, and never studied properly from a young age.

Looking back now, I do feel a little regretful.

If she studies hard, and if she gains favor in the future, she can use her talent to make His Majesty remember her.

Now, even if she were truly favored, let alone whether she is, what would she have to offer to keep His Majesty?

She was absolutely no match for Consort Zhen.

Consort Chen is blessed with good fortune; Chen Wanning is well-read; Liu Xiuyuan is skilled in martial arts and horsemanship; Zheng Yanran is obedient, timid, and lovable; it is said that she can also make some pastries, which His Majesty greatly admires.

Consort Lan is said to be His Majesty's childhood sweetheart, while Consort Xu is said to be known for her strict adherence to etiquette.

That Consort Lin was said to be fertile, but she was not favored and was not particularly prominent.

Speaking of Lin Jieyu, Su Jinse felt a surge of hatred that made her grit her teeth again.

Lin Jieyu's fall didn't leave a scar, but it resulted in her being sentenced to be imprisoned in the palace forever...

Since returning from the Yongxiang Palace, Su Jinse has been working for Consort Zhen and hasn't bothered Consort Lin.

But then she vaguely realized that Zhou Nian'er, who seemed to have nothing, was not someone to be trifled with.

Could it be that Zhou Nian'er staged the whole thing—that wet clothes she wore back then?

Is it all so that people will think she's arrogant and willful, and secretly trying to harm others?

Later, she also taught her how to please Consort Zhen...

But she hadn't had time to do it yet, or rather, in her eyes at the time, Consort Chen's value far surpassed that of Consort Zhen.

I knew earlier...

Su Jinse grew angrier the more she thought about it.

So, you've been plotting against me since so early on?

I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!

Zhou Nian'er lives in a side hall of Jingren Palace. Ever since Su Jinse was banished to Yongxiang, she has been the only one living in this side hall.

After Su Jinse moved to Yonghe Palace, the two had little contact.

Chunying felt that Su Jinse's sudden departure today was not a good thing.

Su Jinse walked quickly, her steps hurried and heavy.

She was holding back a fire in her heart, a fire that had been burning inside her since she left Consort Chen's place.

Those words kept swirling in my mind, and the more I thought about them, the angrier I got.

When Zhou Nian'er first entered the palace, she wore a light blue dress and stood at the very back of the crowd, attracting no attention from anyone.

Su Jinse was the legitimate daughter of the Jiangnan Textile Commissioner. She was beautiful and dressed in bright colors, always the center of attention wherever she went.

But now?

She was imprisoned in Yongxiang for more than a month. When she came out, she was covered in dust and didn't even have a decent set of clothes.

As for Zhou Nian'er, the person she had never paid any attention to, she stayed quietly in the side hall, neither competing nor fighting, and lived a peaceful life.

On what grounds?

Su Jinse grew angrier the more she thought about it, and quickened her pace.

The door to the side hall of Jingren Palace was half-closed, and it was quiet inside.

Su Jinse pushed open the door and strode inside.

Zhou Nian'er was sitting by the window reading a book when she heard the noise. She looked up and saw Su Jinse's gloomy face. She was stunned for a moment, then put down her book and stood up.

"Sister Su? What brings you here?"

Her voice was soft, tinged with surprise and concern.

He looked gentle and obedient, exactly the same as before.

Looking at her face, Su Jinse felt the fire in her heart burn even brighter.

"Zhou Nian'er, stop pretending to be a good person!"

Zhou Nian'er's expression changed slightly, but she remained calm and said softly, "Sister Su, what are you saying? I don't understand..."

"Don't you understand?"

Su Jinse sneered, took two steps forward, and grabbed one of her wrists.

"When your clothes got splashed with water, did you dry them yourself?"

Zhou Nian'er's eyes widened slightly.

She never expected that this fool would suddenly have an epiphany.

Did I suddenly figure it out?

Or is she being guided by a mastermind?

However, it doesn't matter what.

"Sister Su, what's wrong...?"

"You deliberately made people think I did it, didn't you?"

Su Jinse stared at her, her gaze like a knife. "You deliberately played the victim in front of Consort Zhen, making everyone think you were an honest person. You taught me to curry favor with Consort Zhen, while you hid behind and watched the show. Zhou Nian'er, you are so cunning!"

Zhou Nian'er's eyes reddened.

"Sister Su, I didn't... I really didn't..."

Her voice trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. "I know you're upset after just being released from the Yongxiang Palace, but you can't wrong me like this..."

"You've been wronged?"

Su Jinse's voice suddenly rose, "You still have the nerve to cry foul?"

She grabbed the teacup on the table and smashed it on the ground.

Porcelain shards flew everywhere, and tea was spilled all over the floor.

Zhou Nian'er was so frightened that she took a step back and bumped into the corner of the table. Her face turned pale with pain, but she bit her lip and didn't make a sound.

"Sister Su, calm down..."

Her voice was still trembling, yet still soft and weak.

Su Jinse became even angrier when she saw her expression.

She grabbed the book on the table, tore out two pages, and threw them on the floor.

"What are you pretending for? You've been pretending since the day you entered the palace! Do you think I can't see through it?"

Zhou Nian'er's tears finally fell.

"Sister Su... I really don't know what you're talking about... I've never harmed you..."

Her sobs were soft and delicate, but tears streamed down her face, making Chunying feel a pang of pity.

Chunying stepped forward and whispered, "My lord, please don't do this..."

Su Jinse pushed her away.

"Get out of my way! I'm disciplining her, what right do you have to interrupt?"

Chunying staggered a couple of steps after being pushed, and dared not speak again.

Su Jinse stood in front of Zhou Nian'er, looking down at her.

"Zhou Nian'er, you'll remember this. You think you can fool everyone with your pretense? Let me tell you! No way! I will expose your actions to the world. I will tell Consort Chen, and I will tell Consort Zhen!"

"We'll see!"

After saying that, she turned and left.

Halfway there, she suddenly stopped and turned to look back.

Zhou Nian'er was still crying with her face covered, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably, looking incredibly pitiful.

Su Jinse sneered and slammed the door shut as she left.

The moment the door closed, Zhou Nian'er's tears stopped instantly.

She stood there, looking at the broken porcelain shards and scraps of paper scattered on the ground, her face expressionless.

She bent down and picked up the broken pieces of porcelain one by one, her movements unhurried and deliberate.

The palace maid ran out from the inner room and turned pale with fright when she saw the mess on the floor.

"Lady Cai! Lady Su... how dare she..."

Zhou Nian'er shook her head.

"Stop talking. Clean it up."

She placed the broken pieces of porcelain into the tray, her finger cut and blood seeping out.

She glanced at it, wrapped it with a handkerchief, and remained silent.

The palace maid was frantic: "Lady, you can't let this go! Consort Su is bullying us! Let's go tell the Imperial Concubine!"

Zhou Nian'er was silent for a while, then shook her head.

"Need not."

The palace maid was stunned.

Zhou Nian'er looked out the window and said softly, "People will find out about this soon."

The palace maid was puzzled, but dared not ask any further.

The news spread even faster than Zhou Nian'er had anticipated.

In less than half a day, everyone in the palace knew that Su Jinse had caused a huge scene in the side hall of Jingren Palace, smashing Zhou Nian'er's room to pieces.

Some people sympathized with Zhou Nian'er, some watched the spectacle, and some gossiped privately, saying that Su Jinse had just come out of the Yongxiang Palace and was already so arrogant, probably not knowing her own death.

When the news reached the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Qianwu was reviewing memorials.

After carefully reporting his findings, Fuquan stole a glance at His Majesty's expression.

Emperor Qianwu paused for a moment, without even raising his eyes.

After a long pause, he suddenly asked, "Which Consort Su?"

This question put Fuquan in a difficult position.

Emperor Qianwu then asked, "Is it the daughter of Su Huaiyuan, the textile commissioner of Jiangnan?"

Fuquan quickly replied, "Yes."

"Consort Su caused a scene in the side hall of Jingren Palace, smashed up Consort Zhou's room, and said a lot of nasty things."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent for a while.

"Has Consort Zhou come to complain?"

Fu Quan shook his head hastily, "No."

"Zhou Cainu was always quiet and never caused trouble."

"I was bullied by Consort Su today, but I didn't talk back. I cleaned up the house by myself."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent.

Su was restless, but also not very bright.

As for Zhou Nian'er...

He summoned her to his bedchamber once, but only because she happened to be there when he went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

He didn't have a deep impression of her. He only remembered that she didn't talk much, answered questions one by one, and was neither obsequious nor nervous. She seemed to regard herself as a blade of grass in the palace, unyielding to the wind and rain.

Emperor Qianwu tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk.

"Tonight, let's go to Zhou Cai Nu's place."

Fu Quan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly agreed.

When the news reached the side hall of Yonghe Palace, Su Jinse was drinking tea.

After hearing Chunying's words, she smashed the teacup in her hand on the ground with a "clatter".

"What? His Majesty went to Zhou Nian'er's place?"

Chunying lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Su Jinse's face turned white, then red, and finally pale and then flushed, looking quite beautiful.

She smashed Zhou Nian'er's room, but His Majesty went to Zhou Nian'er's place instead.

Isn't this a slap in the face for her?

Su Jinse stood up and paced back and forth in the room, both anxious and angry.

"Why? Why?"

She recalled that since she left the Yongxiang Palace, His Majesty hadn't even given her a second glance.

That little bitch Zhou Nian'er did nothing, yet His Majesty went to her.

Su Jinse gritted her teeth, her nails digging into her palms.

She is not reconciled.

She couldn't just give up like that.

Su Jinse sat down, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

"Spring Oriole, bring me paper and pen."

Chunying was stunned for a moment, then quickly went to get it.

Su Jinse picked up her pen and wrote a letter, listing what Consort Chen had said, Chaoyang's battle of wits with the Crown Prince, her poisoning of her own mother, and how Chaoyang was a ruthless person. She wrote all of these things on a piece of paper.

After she finished writing, she folded the letter and handed it to Chunying.

"Send it to Weiyang Palace. Deliver it to Lianwu personally."

Chunying took the letter and hesitated for a moment.

"My lady, aren't you going yourself?"

Su Jinse shook her head.

"I can't go."

"Now that I am on good terms with Consort Chen, if I go to Weiyang Palace, it will inevitably arouse suspicion. Since Consort Chen trusts me, I cannot betray her trust."

Upon hearing this, Chunying subconsciously raised her head, her brow twitching slightly, but she said nothing.

He simply nodded and put the letter away.

Su Jinse thought for a moment, then stood up.

"Let's go to Chang Le Palace."

Chunying was stunned.

"Talented lady, are you still going?"

Su Jinse glared at her.

"If I don't go, wouldn't that arouse even more suspicion? I'll just say I'm going to complain to Consort Chen."

Chunying dared not ask any more questions and quickly followed.

In Chang Le Palace, Consort Chen was leaning against a soft couch, listening to a palace maid read aloud.

When she saw Su Jinse arrive, she raised her eyelids slightly.

"What's wrong? Your face is all pale?"

Su Jinse's tears immediately fell.

She walked up to Consort Chen, knelt down, and cried uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, you must do me justice..."

Consort Chen frowned.

"What is it? Speak properly."

Su Jinse recounted the events of the day, her voice trembling with sobs.

The reason she went to see Zhou Nian'er was because she remembered something from the past.

"Zhou Nian'er isn't as gentle and harmless as she seems at all. She's incredibly scheming and terrifying!"

"I only asked her one question: did she make that dress herself? She said a lot of things that angered me. In a fit of anger, I did all these things. Now you can see for yourself, everyone in the palace is talking about me!"

"Isn't this blatantly setting a trap for the concubine?"

"Now everyone speaks highly of her. She was bullied by me, and His Majesty even personally went to comfort her? Who benefits from this?"

Her eyes were red from crying, and she looked very pitiful.