in2ebook Chapter 61 Consort Li is unwilling to accept it
Chapter 61 Consort Li is unwilling to accept it
After receiving the order, Li Quan respectfully bowed, then turned and left to begin arranging the relevant matters.
Yaoqin watched Li Quan's retreating figure until he completely disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn around, a hint of doubt on her face, and ask her mistress, "Why did Consort Jiang suddenly change her mind?"
Sitting in the main seat, Su Nuannuan narrowed her eyes slightly, took a sip of fragrant tea, and said slowly, "Change your mind? This matter is probably not that simple. In this deep mansion, the struggle between legitimate and illegitimate children has always been fierce. Who knows what kind of sordid things have happened? However, once these matters involve the Emperor, they become a huge taboo, and no one dares to speak out lightly."
Upon hearing this, Yaoqin seemed to understand something, but still asked uncertainly, "Your Majesty, do you mean...?" She stopped mid-sentence, realizing that what she had said might be inappropriate, and quickly stopped speaking.
Su Nuannuan waved her hand gently and said calmly, "I have no intention of interfering. From now on, we just need to stay out of it quietly. As long as they don't interfere with me, the rest is up to them. Whoever gets involved in this conflict is none of my business."
After a brief pause, as if remembering something important, Su Nuannuan turned to her other maid, Jinse, and instructed, "Jinse, keep a close eye on Consort Li's movements. I have a feeling she harbors ill intentions towards you. If you encounter her in the future, try to avoid her as much as possible. If you absolutely cannot avoid her, show her my token. Understand?" As she spoke, she handed Jinse an exquisite token.
Such identity tokens are possessed by anyone of the rank of concubine or above, and they usually have three. Su Nuannuan carries one of them with her at all times, while the other two are carefully stored away.
However, this token wasn't something to be shown to others casually. Within the inner palace, everyone knew perfectly well who belonged to which palace and whose servant they were. Therefore, the token was only shown when absolutely necessary, meaning someone might have delayed an important matter for their master. In such a case, the person who obstructed would bear all the responsibility and consequences.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Jinse respectfully accepted the token from Su Nuannuan's hand and bowed in response.
"I really don't know if the old nanny next to Consort Li knew anything about this whole scene?" Su Nuannuan murmured to herself thoughtfully.
"Your Majesty, I did not see that old nanny guarding Consort Li's side today." Jinse truthfully reported what she had observed, but did not make any speculations or draw any conclusions.
At this moment, in Consort Li's palace.
"Your Highness, I've told you countless times, you must not provoke Consort Zhuang," said Granny Guo to her mistress with a look of anxiety and anger.
It turned out that she already knew about Consort Li's provocation of Su Nuannuan's personal maid in the garden today, so her tone of voice involuntarily became serious and sharp.
"What's there to be ashamed of?" Consort Li's tone revealed a hint of contempt and indifference as she spoke casually.
Then, Consort Li opened her mouth again and continued to express her opinion: "Although her family has a title, they do not actually hold any real power. There is nothing for us to fear or worry about."
"I have no intention of raising those two useless good-for-nothings. If I can successfully bring down Consort Zhuang, then the Fifth Prince and the Little Princess will naturally become my children." As she said this, a smug smile appeared on Consort Li's face, as if she felt that victory was in the bag and she was determined to succeed.
However, Consort Li's unbridled words truly frightened Granny Guo, who was standing to the side. Nevertheless, Granny Guo still mustered her courage and earnestly advised, "Your Highness, as the saying goes, 'Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.' Consort Zhuang's family has produced two marquises, which is unprecedented since the founding of our Canglan Kingdom. It is an absolute honor and favor. Even if their family does not have actual power now, they still have connections in the army after so many years. Moreover, the second young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, and he is not someone we can easily touch or offend."
Despite Guo Mama's persuasion, Consort Li seemed extremely unwilling. She frowned and complained indignantly, "But I am truly unwilling to raise those two good-for-nothings. You must know, it is because of their existence that I have missed out on that supreme position!"
"Your Highness, please keep your voice down." Granny Guo looked at her mistress with a troubled expression, secretly lamenting her predicament.
Previously, his master was quite obedient and sensible, never acting recklessly on his own. What evil spirit has befallen him today? Why is he behaving so abnormally? Could there be some hidden reason? It seems this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated.
Consort Li, realizing she had spoken out of turn, pursed her lips and remained silent, but her face was still full of resentment, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Seeing this, Granny Guo knew that words alone would not be enough to dissuade her, so she quickly brought up the Madam: "Your Highness, do you still remember what the Madam said to you when you first entered the palace?"
Upon hearing the word "Madam," Consort Li trembled slightly and murmured, "My mother said... she doesn't ask for me to be rich and powerful, she only asks that I be safe and sound..." Before she could finish speaking, she wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, slowly lowered her head, and seemed to be lost in deep memories.
Seeing that Consort Li had finally calmed down and begun to ponder, Granny Guo breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, her mistress wasn't completely stupid; there was still hope.
However, she did not rest. She turned around and hurriedly left the room, summoning all the palace servants in the courtyard to ask them about the people the Empress had been in contact with recently.
After careful questioning, sure enough, she uncovered some clues. However, even the experienced Granny Guo was astonished when she learned who was behind it all—it was her!