Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

Watching her departing figure, Consort Lan gritted her teeth in secret.

Just as anger was rising in his heart, a sudden surge of heat welled up in his nose.

Consort Lan instinctively covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, and her trusted maid Jinshu also rushed over, exclaiming in surprise, "Your Highness?!"

Once the heat in her nose subsided, Consort Lan lowered her hand.

She stared intently at the handkerchief, which was indeed soaked in blood.

It's happening again!

I'm bleeding again for no reason!

Ignoring her filth, Consort Lan clenched her handkerchief and squeezed her eyes shut.

Jinshu stared at the blood-stained handkerchief, her eyes reddening. She helped her into the sedan chair and said urgently, "This servant will go to the Imperial Hospital right away and summon a physician to examine Her Majesty."

Consort Lan leaned against the sedan chair wall, a mocking smile on her face.

Should we find a royal physician to examine him?

It's not like we haven't tried.

I've seen them all, both inside and outside the palace, famous and experienced!

But in the end, nothing could be found.

She was simply told that she was in good health!

Doesn't she know whether she's unwell or not? This is clearly poisoning!

She was even certain that the poison was given to her by the Imperial Noble Consort!

But after all this time, she still couldn't find the source of the poison, let alone any evidence!

Her life is now in the hands of the Imperial Noble Consort. The Imperial Noble Consort is becoming increasingly aggressive and ruthless towards her, and she doesn't know when or where she might die without explanation.

If she dies, what about Qi Zhan?

Given the Imperial Noble Consort's temperament, she certainly wouldn't let Qi Zhan off the hook.

Consort Lan couldn't help but think that she couldn't endure it any longer; perhaps it was time.

She was determined to fight for her and her child, to fight for a way out.

*

The emperor was furious about the fight that broke out in the Imperial Study.

For two whole days, the princes and their attendants were not allowed to leave the Fengxian Hall; only the eunuchs were allowed to bring them food and drink.

Consort Lan and Consort Hui often visited the Fengxian Hall to see the suffering eldest and second princes, and they couldn't help but shed tears.

The next evening, just before dinner time, the two met at Fengxian Hall.

Without much small talk or greetings, they simply exchanged a glance and then went inside with their respective palace servants.

Both of them brought exquisite and delicious food.

The two princes and their companions couldn't wait to eat it.

The two sides were at odds, so naturally they did not dine together.

A low table was set up on the west side of the hall, and another low table was set up on the east side. The original food and snacks were also placed on the table.

They were all teenagers, and after kneeling for so long, they were already starving.

They all swallowed hard and waited.

Once everything was laid out, no more rules were needed; they devoured the food in a whirlwind.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, Consort Lan suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

The eldest prince looked up at the sound and asked in confusion, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Consort Lan forced a smile and said to him, "It's alright, you can eat."

The eldest prince nodded and continued eating.

Consort Lan gasped and gestured to Jinshu beside her. Jinshu understood and put away a plate of pastries on the table.

After straightening her clothes, Consort Lan went to Consort Hui and the Second Prince.

Seeing her approach, Consort Hui asked coldly, "What is it?"

Consort Lan glanced at the table and fixed her gaze on the jujube paste cake. She smiled and said, "This jujube paste cake doesn't look fresh. It was probably made this morning. Don't give it to the children."

As she spoke, she ordered Jinshu to remove the plate of pastries.

Consort Hui frowned.

This jujube paste cake isn't fresh at all; she thinks it looks fine.

What exactly did Consort Lan mean by saying that?

Just as she was pondering this, she heard Consort Lan continue, "Sister Hui, let the children eat here. Shall we two go to the side hall to catch up?"

Consort Hui stared at her for a moment, then suddenly replied, "Alright."

The two men, accompanied by palace maids, went to a side hall and sat facing each other.

Consort Hui cut to the chase: "Alright, just say what you have to say."

Consort Lan specially sent her here so that she could speak with her alone.

Consort Lan lowered her eyes, pondered for a moment, and then spoke, "Sister Consort Hui, actually, this maid of mine has some knowledge of medicine."

Consort Hui's eyes darkened slightly: "What do you mean?"

Consort Lan looked at her, hesitated, struggled for a moment, and finally spoke: "Jinshu noticed something was wrong with the plate of jujube paste cake on the table, which is why I lost my composure just now."

Consort Hui pondered, "What's wrong?"

Consort Lan sighed, "Jinshu said that someone mixed morning glory seeds into this jujube paste cake."

Consort Hui frowned: "What is a morning glory seed?"

Consort Lan explained, "Morning glories, when ground into powder and eaten, have a laxative effect. In severe cases, they can deplete body fluids, leading to dehydration and exhaustion. These children have been kneeling for most of the day, already barely holding on. If they really eat this snack, I'm afraid their chances of survival are slim..."

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui's face turned ashen, and she got up to leave.

Consort Lan stopped her in time: "Consort Hui, where are you going?"

Consort Hui turned around and said in an icy tone, "Naturally, I will go to the Emperor's presence and tell him about this."

Consort Lan gave a wry smile: "Sister, you are too naive and reckless."

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui frowned and asked unhappily, "What do you mean?"

Consort Lan looked directly at her and sighed softly, "If this succeeds, who do you think will benefit the most?"

Consort Hui was taken aback, then her expression turned serious, and she stopped moving.

Consort Lan pressed her back into her seat, poured her a cup of tea, and handed it to her. "If it really was that person's doing, even if you report it to the Emperor, it will be of no use. At most, the palace maid will be punished, and the matter will be dropped."

She didn't name names, but the two of them knew who it was without saying a word.

Consort Hui did not accept the teacup, but instead asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Consort Lan paused in mid-air with her teacup in hand, then slowly lowered it. "Naturally, we should proceed gradually."

Consort Hui looked her up and down for a while before asking, "Have you made up your mind?"

Consort Lan's gaze was distant: "The princess only suffered minor injuries, yet that person was so domineering, secretly attacking both princes. It shows how ruthless she is. If she gives birth to a prince in the future, our two children will block the little prince's path, and I'm afraid our lives will be in danger."

Consort Hui paused for a moment and said, "She is the sole favorite in the harem and is still young. It's only a matter of time before she gives birth to a prince."

Consort Lan's voice became heavier and deeper: "So, we can't just sit here and wait to die."

Consort Hui's voice carried a hint of irritation: "She already wields considerable power, and you won't let me tell His Majesty about this. What can I do?"

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

Consort Lan's voice, faint as smoke and mist, drifted through the air: "The only way forward is for the two of us to join forces and completely bring her down to save our own lives and our child's. After it's done, that position will belong to the most capable. Sister, what do you think?"