He asked you to serve him in bed and become his concubine, how did you manage to win his heart and s

The incense is a specially blended "Joyful Fragrance," lacking the most important medicinal ingredient, so it is not as useful as the original, but it can still create an atmosphere that makes people feel warm.

But nothing is more important than state affairs right now. No matter how resourceful Li Ruolan is, she now understands clearly that the Emperor will not summon anyone to his bedchamber tonight.

But she was so angry that she shut the door and smashed a lot of porcelain.

The crashing continued for a long time, smashing almost everything in the hall to pieces, until Granny Gui appeared and finally stopped.

Less than a month after entering the palace, Li Ruolan felt that she had suffered all the hardships of her life.

"Granny, I hate it so much! I've already brought the Emperor to bed, but he... he..."

"Your Highness, you should understand this better than I do," the old woman said, hugging her tightly and patting her back to comfort her. "What Your Highness should be most concerned about right now is whether there is a traitor in our palace."

"traitor……"

Upon hearing this, Li Ruolan finally perked up.

"These chrysanthemums are usually under my care, so Consort Wan couldn't possibly have noticed. But today, I went out, and the two chrysanthemums of different colors ended up in her hands. Isn't that strange?"

"And..." Granny Gui finished speaking, her eyes flashing as they landed on Yunxi, "Xiaozhu told this old servant today that she took the chrysanthemums out to sunbathe on Yunxi's orders."

As expected of an old man who had been immersed in the palace for many years, his words hit the nail on the head, and even Yunxi, who was well prepared, couldn't help but sway her body.

"Granny Gui, this servant doesn't have it!"

Yunxi knelt down immediately, feigning a pitiful and innocent look, her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at them.

"Since the nanny wasn't here today, I dared not leave Your Highness's side. I served her all day, from Zhaoyang Palace until we returned, I was almost never separated from her..."

Upon hearing this, Li Ruolan couldn't help but nod.

"That's right. Yunxi did stay by my side and took care of me all day. She was also with me when Consort Wan came."

"Is that really the case?"

Granny Gui still didn't believe it, her sharp eyes fixed on Yunxi, as if trying to see through her inner secrets.

Yunxi looked back with red eyes and a slight sob, but she really didn't notice anything unusual.

Soon, as if she remembered something, she quickly wiped away the tears on her face and hurriedly reported to Granny Gui.

"It was yesterday! Yesterday I told Xiaozhu that I wanted to take out the bonsai that the Empress liked to sunbathe, because I was afraid that I would forget the important thing that I was supposed to hide while I was keeping watch at night..."

She became agitated as she spoke, as if it were a true reflection of her inner feelings, and kowtowed vigorously, begging for mercy.

They were still talking about what happened last night. Granny Gui's face was solemn, and she dared not say more.

Li Ruolan couldn't bear to see Yunxi disfigured. Seeing that her forehead was about to swell, she immediately stepped forward to help her up.

"Granny, Yunxi is my person, she wouldn't do that."

It's ironic that not long ago she was the one warning Yunxi not to trust anyone, but now, after just a few words, she immediately believes Yunxi is innocent.

Yunxi made thorough preparations for this.

The day before, news had been spread to the palace servants around Consort Wan, letting her know that Consort Lan had brought in a rare pot of chrysanthemums from outside the palace, intending to please the Empress Dowager.

Then, while the nanny was preparing to leave the palace, they secretly moved the chrysanthemums out.

Only Li Ruolan knew about Granny Gui's departure from the palace today; no one else knew. If it was planned in advance, she must have had divine insight, otherwise it just doesn't make sense.

Who would believe that Yunxi, a sinner, possesses extraordinary abilities?

Granny Gui's few words were merely a test, especially in case Yunxi developed inappropriate thoughts after spending the night with the Emperor.

Having tried it today, I felt a little more at ease, but my face still maintained that cold and solemn expression.

"If that's the case, then this old servant has indeed misunderstood you."

Granny Gui stepped forward and personally helped Yunxi up. "This old servant knows that you, Yunxi, are the second young lady of our Li family and are of the same lineage as the eldest young lady. Naturally, you would not do such despicable things."

Upon hearing the words "Li Mansion," Yunxi's hatred intensified.

Yes, that's why she hates them so much, precisely because they are from the same lineage!

I hate that they never treated themselves as human beings, and I hate even more that they treated human lives as worthless, as pawns, and used lies to deceive me time and time again!

Everything she did today was forced upon her by them!

Yunxi was finally cleared of suspicion, but Xiaozhu did not fare so well. That night, Granny Gui made up an excuse and sent her to the laundry department, where she was dragged away by two eunuchs.

Yunxi listened to her cry all the way, but she didn't feel any pity.

She still remembered the day she was sent to Prince Ji's mansion in her previous life; it was Xiao Zhu who carried her into the carriage.

She had also begged Xiaozhu back then, but was met with a mocking remark.

"I heard you were also born into the Li family, but in the end you were given to that old pervert, weren't you? That's your fate, the same worthless fate as mine, hahahahaha—"

That laugh was grating; even now, thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

It was only then that she discovered that all the palace servants around Li Ruolan were arranged by Granny Gui, both inside and outside the palace.

If you want to accomplish great things, you must defeat them one by one and not give them a chance to tip you off.

Xiaozhu was the first one.

There's still a lot to come, she's not in a hurry, she can take her time.

Those who are anxious might find themselves unable to sleep at night.

Li Ruolan and Granny Gui were still thinking about the chrysanthemums.

The Empress Dowager is about to return to the palace, but there's still no word from Consort Wan. How can they not be anxious?

Just the thought that Consort Wan would make the first move made them wish they could destroy the two-flowered chrysanthemum right now.

"Granny, this is someone the Li family specially went to the Western Regions to train. It took them five whole years, we can't just let it go like this!"

The first to become restless was Li Ruolan.

She was anxious just thinking about her mother's instructions before she left, and wished she could rush over there right now and snatch the things back.

But after today's incident, I'm afraid Consort Wan will be even more vigilant and won't give her any chance to make a move.

Time ticked by, and no matter how composed Granny Gui was, she was at her wit's end.

"Your Majesty, it seems we have no choice but to let this matter rest..."

"Forget it? Why should we forget it?!"

Li Ruolan was furious. "Granny, do you remember what my father and mother told me? Having offspring isn't enough. I also need the Empress Dowager's support. Otherwise, how could I have become Empress..."

"Your Majesty, this is the Imperial Palace. Please be careful with your words."

Li Ruolan once again spoke without thinking, and was abruptly interrupted by Granny Gui.

She was furious and bit her lower lip, sulking.

After a long while, she finally managed to suppress her anger and began to complain to the nanny.

"News has come from the previous dynasty that the war in the northwest is about to begin. His Majesty will probably not come to the inner palace for quite some time. Even if he does come, he will only go to Consort Su's place. What should I do? Granny, you must think of something!"

"What's so difficult about that? As long as there's news of an heir, why should the Emperor not come?"

Granny Gui grasped her hand, her tone unhurried, "Your Highness, don't forget why that person entered the palace and why he stayed by your side. All the people serving you here are your knives and your sharp blades."

offspring...

Hearing this, Li Ruolan was still very nervous.

"Is Mother's information really accurate? Can she really get pregnant on her first try? I'm not going to give that bitch another chance to serve me, and I certainly won't let her step on my head!"

"Rest assured, the person I personally selected will not be wrong."

"In that case, we can only wait for this news."

Li Ruolan sighed, her eyes filled with resentment.

Even though the nanny said that Yunxi was just a tool for having children, she was still unwilling to accept it.

She had seen Yunxi in a dance dress, and she had even seen her with makeup on...

How can one feel at ease with a woman who looks eight parts like oneself right next to them?

Not to mention, the emperor was indeed attracted to her face...

Such worries lasted only one night; the next day, they had something new to worry about.

Consort Wan is truly generous. She didn't hide such a treasure. On the second day, when she went to pay her respects, she directly sent the potted plant of two chrysanthemums of different colors to Consort Su in Zhaoyang Palace.

"Sister, look what a treasure this is! It's a rare sight, one in a hundred years. I discovered it in my palace not long ago. I thought it wouldn't survive, but it has sprouted flower buds in the past few days."

Consort Wan lied with ease, and even after she finished speaking, she looked at Li Ruolan with a cold smile.

If two people are in the same palace, they'll inevitably get hurt by this pot of flowers sooner or later. It's better to find a place that's most advantageous for them before they lose.

Consort Wan had considered presenting it directly to the Emperor, but unfortunately, the Emperor had not seen anyone for the past few days and had been discussing it with the Grand Councilors in the Dragon Palace for three days without reaching a good conclusion.

The only person who can see the Emperor now is Consort Su, because of her brother, the Emperor can't openly refuse her.

Now, Consort Wan presented the chrysanthemums to Consort Su in front of all the other concubines, showing no fear that Consort Su would keep them for herself.

The most tragic person was Li Ruolan, who ended up with nothing but empty promises. Watching them pretend to be close sisters in front of her forced her to speak up.

"Sister Wanpin, are you mistaken?" Li Ruolan stood up abruptly and walked to the chrysanthemum to examine it closely. "These chrysanthemums were clearly found in the side hall where I live. Have you forgotten?"

"Sister, you must be mistaken. My main hall and your side hall are quite far apart. Besides, I am the head of the palace, and I'm the one who manages your side hall..."

"Wrong! This potted plant is from my palace!" Li Ruolan turned around and pointed to Yunxi in the corner. "Yunxi, come here for a moment and let everyone see if there are any marks left on the bottom of this potted plant!"

This move was clearly intended to transfer Wanpin's hatred for Li Ruolan onto Yunxi.

Only Granny Gui could come up with such a vicious plan in such a short time.