I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

The arrival of Consort De was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the fiery atmosphere that had just begun to ignite in Fengyi Palace.

The Empress's smile faded, Consort Li pursed her lips, and even Consort Shu, who had just been enthusiastic, silently put down her cards.

This hand is beyond saving.

Playing with someone like Consort De requires you to think through every word she says three times and to figure out what she's up to with every card she plays.

What kind of entertainment is that? That's torture.

"Since Consort De is here as well, then everyone is here." As the head of the harem, the Empress still had to say these polite words.

But everyone could tell that the enthusiasm in those words was colder than the spring breeze outside.

Ye An'an sighed inwardly.

Well, another perfectly good mahjong game has been ruined.

She had no desire to compete with Consort De at the same table. This woman was too sophisticated; she only wanted to be a spectator, not a participant.

"Mother," Ye An'an leaned back lazily in her chair, her hand unconsciously touching her lower abdomen, "I suddenly feel a little tired. I'm afraid I can't play this game."

It's that trick again.

Consort De's eye twitched.

"Yes," Consort Li immediately chimed in, also feeling utterly bored. "The atmosphere just changed the moment Consort De arrived. What's the point of fighting now?"

Consort Li was always outspoken, and with a single sentence, she tore the secret to the heart.

Consort De's face turned pale and then red, but she couldn't lash out. She could only look at the Empress with a pitiful expression and say, "Your Majesty, I... I shouldn't have come?"

Her tearful appearance made it seem as if Consort Li had bullied her.

Ye An'an rolled her eyes inwardly.

Here it comes, the familiar taste, the familiar recipe.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" the Empress tried to smooth things over, but her tone was also somewhat impatient. "Since you're tired of this, let's call it a day."

The atmosphere inside the hall became extremely awkward.

"Ugh, this is so boring." Consort Li was the first to lose her patience with the silence. Her eyes darted around, and suddenly she remembered something. She looked at Ye An'an and said, "By the way, Crown Princess, I heard you're the best storyteller for the little princes and princesses. They're all completely engrossed. Why don't you tell us one too?"

This suggestion was like throwing a pebble into a stagnant pond.

"Tell a story?" The Queen also became interested. "That's a novel idea."

Consort Shu nodded silently, clearly finding it more interesting than playing cards with Consort De.

Ye An'an blinked. Tell a story?

Countless tales of palace intrigue, domineering CEOs, and fantasy cultivation flashed through her mind in an instant…

Which one should I talk about?

"Alright, alright, Your Highness, just tell one story," Consort Li urged.

"Yes, An An, I would also like to hear it," the Empress said.

Looking at the expectant gazes of everyone, and glancing at the Consort De who was forcing a smile and fidgeting beside her, Ye An'an suddenly had a brilliant idea.

"Very well then," she cleared her throat and began slowly, "I will tell you ladies a story that I read in an ancient book."

"This story takes place in a dynasty called the Great Zhou. The protagonist is a woman named Zhen Huan..."

Upon hearing that it was a story, and a story about a woman, everyone present perked up their ears. Even Consort Ning, who had maintained a cold expression, turned her head and showed an attentive look.

Only Consort De's smile was almost impossible to maintain.

She had finally managed to squeeze in, hoping to impress the Empress and integrate into this inner circle. Now, instead of playing mahjong, she's expected to listen to the Crown Princess tell stories?

What kind of nonsense is this!

But the Empress and Consort Li were both in high spirits, and if she ignored them or got up to leave, it would seem too deliberate and too unsociable.

She could only hold her breath and pretend to listen attentively.

"...Zhen Huan, born into an official family, was incredibly beautiful, but she didn't want to enter the palace. Before the imperial concubine selection, she even went to a temple to pray that she would not be chosen."

"Oh? There are women who don't want to enter the palace?" Consort Li found it unbelievable.

"Yes," Ye An'an smiled, "she only wished to find a single-minded lover and stay together until old age. Unfortunately, fate was unkind. She looked too much like the late Empress Chun Yuan, and on the day of the imperial concubine selection, the emperor took a liking to her at first sight."

"Like a body double?" The Empress frowned slightly, clearly curious about this concept.

"You could say that," Ye An'an nodded. "She entered the palace with two close friends from similar backgrounds. One was Shen Meizhuang, who was proud and upright, and the other was An Lingrong, who came from a humble background and was timid."

When she mentioned the name "An Lingrong," Ye An'an deliberately slowed down her speech, and her eyes glanced lightly at Consort De out of the corner of her eye.

Consort De paused almost imperceptibly in the hand holding the teacup.

"An Lingrong, because of her humble origins, was bullied during the imperial concubine selection. It was Zhen Huan who helped her. She was grateful to Zhen Huan, and the three of them became sworn sisters, promising to support each other in the palace."

"And then what happened?" Consort Shu rarely asked this question, clearly indicating that she had taken it to heart.

"Later... this harem isn't a place for sisterly affection." Ye An'an sighed, her tone carrying a hint of world-weariness. "The human heart is the most vulnerable thing."

"An Lingrong appears gentle and weak on the surface, and is obedient and respectful to everyone, always putting Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang first. But in her heart, she is insecure and sensitive, and has an exceptionally strong sense of jealousy."

Ye An'an's voice was unhurried, as if she were telling someone else's story, or talking about someone she knew.

"She felt that Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang had everything: family background, looks, and the emperor's favor... while she herself was like a vine clinging to them. She depended on Zhen Huan while simultaneously being jealous of her."

She too came from humble beginnings and climbed her way up step by step. She was gentle and humble to everyone, but how could she not be jealous of Consort Li's family background and Consort Shu's peaceful life? Now, she was even more jealous of this Crown Princess who was showered with love and affection from the moment she arrived!

"These kinds of people are the most terrifying," Consort Li bluntly commented. "They're like sisters to your face, but stab you in the back. I despise these kinds of people the most!"

The Empress did not speak, but looked at Ye An'an thoughtfully, and then at Consort De.

"Crown Princess," the Empress suddenly spoke, "continue your story, what happened next?"

Later, Zhen Huan gained the emperor's favor because she resembled Chun Yuan. An Lingrong, on the other hand, was so nervous that she was carried back unharmed on her first night with the emperor, becoming the laughingstock of the entire harem.

"Hahaha, is that really true?" Consort Li laughed so hard she almost fell over.

"After that, An Lingrong became even more insecure. The Empress saw her insecurity and jealousy and began to secretly win her over. She gave her a few benefits and said a few intimate words, and An Lingrong felt that she had found a backer. Gradually, she sided with the Empress and became a pawn used by the Empress to deal with Zhen Huan."

Ye An'an spoke vividly, thoroughly dissecting An Lingrong's pitiful yet hateful mentality.

"She could sing, she had an exceptionally good voice, so she practiced her singing diligently to win the emperor's favor. She was also skilled in perfumery, and she used those insidious fragrances to harm pregnant concubines..."

"So vicious?" Consort Shu frowned upon hearing this.

"The most insidious thing is," Ye An'an paused, whetting everyone's appetite, "that she outwardly maintained a close sisterly relationship with Zhen Huan. When Zhen Huan was pregnant, she sent her a scar-reducing gel laced with musk, claiming it could remove scars; when Zhen Huan was down, she feigned comfort, but secretly revealed Zhen Huan's whereabouts to their rivals."

"My God!" Princess Li exclaimed, "Isn't that a poisonous snake?!"

A soft "snap" sound.

The teacup in Consort De's hand fell to the ground and shattered.

All eyes were on her.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, my hand slipped." Consort De hurriedly stood up, her face pale and her forehead covered in a fine layer of cold sweat. "I have disturbed Her Majesty the Empress and all my sisters. I deserve to die."

"It's alright, just have the palace servants clean it up," the Empress said calmly, but her eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

Ye An'an chuckled to herself.

Can't stand this? An Lingrong's outrageous actions are nothing compared to this.