But… Chu Jiujiu wanted it to be unstable, easily discoverable. After all, the original text included a “discovery” plot point.

Xiaolan bowed, “Mistress, do you have any instructions?”

The system interrupted: 【Host, repeat after me: Tonight, bury this sachet in the flowerbed of Consort Hui’s palace.】

Chu Jiujiu: “Tonight, bury this sachet in the flowerbed of Consort Hui’s palace.”

Xiaolan didn’t even look at the sachet Chu Jiujiu offered.  Hearing her words, she was shocked. She pointed at herself in disbelief, “I… I?” She was often flustered; she wasn’t the type to handle such a secret matter.

Hearing this, the little light in Xiao Kui’s eyes completely disappeared. She stepped forward and bowed, “Consort Rou, let this servant do it.”

Chu Jiujiu insisted on putting the sachet into Xiaolan’s hand, “Do it boldly. If anything happens, this concubine will take responsibility.”

“Mistress…” Xiaolan was afraid she wouldn’t do it well and endanger someone’s life.

“This concubine believes in you. You’ll definitely be able to handle this.” She patted Xiaolan’s arm, offering a reassuring smile.

Xiaolan was in a difficult position and had to obey. In just a moment, she was sweating profusely.

“This servant… will not disappoint your trust.”

Chu Jiujiu nodded confidently, “I believe in you.”

“Xiao Kui, you also believe Xiaolan can do this well, right?” She winked at Xiao Kui, encouraging her to give Xiaolan some confidence.

Xiaolan looked at Xiao Kui.  Could she really do it?

Xiao Kui saw her hands holding the sachet trembling constantly. She had to lie, “…Mistress is right.”

Chu Jiujiu winked at Xiaolan, “This concubine wouldn’t lie to you. Don’t worry.”

Seeing Xiao Kui say so, Xiaolan relaxed slightly, carefully putting away the sachet. Although she didn’t like the mistress doing bad things, she was the mistress’s person, and she would do whatever the mistress said.

In the crisp autumn night, a cool breeze blew. Xiao Kui’s eyes were dark as she looked at the full moon hanging in the night sky.

Having practiced martial arts since childhood, her hearing was exceptionally sharp. She heard rustling sounds behind her and turned to look.

A mistress and a maid were peeping from the doorway, both sneaking around.

“Mistress…”

Chu Jiujiu poked her head out from behind her, looking out into the dark night. Hearing Xiaolan call her, she absentmindedly replied, “Mm?”

“Can this servant really do it?” Xiaolan anxiously sought reassurance again.

“You can. Believe in yourself.” Chu Jiujiu gave her an encouraging gesture.

Xiaolan mustered her courage, “This servant hasn’t used her light skills for a long time. I don’t know if I can successfully scale the wall.” She was worried and afraid that the mistress would dislike her poor skills.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Chu Jiujiu excitedly grabbed Xiaolan’s arm, her eyes wide open, “Light skills?! You know light skills?!”

Xiaolan shyly nodded, “A little.”

Chu Jiujiu immediately looked at her with admiration, “You’re amazing!” Then, she clapped her hands.

Xiaolan was flattered, “This servant… is not as amazing as the mistress says.”

“Knowing light skills is already amazing.” Chu Jiujiu whispered in her ear.

Xiaolan had never been praised like this, especially by her mistress. She was both excited and moved, gradually losing herself under Chu Jiujiu’s admiring gaze.

Xiao Kui, who had heard everything clearly: “…” She silently turned her head.

So, on a dark and windy night, Chu Jiujiu watched Xiaolan leave the palace. As Xiaolan was leaving, she hesitated and looked back.

Chu Jiujiu waved to her, encouraging her to carry out the “task.”

Xiaolan gritted her teeth and turned to leave the palace. She would not disappoint the mistress’s trust. The opened palace door slammed shut, making a loud noise in the quiet night, startling the birds on the surrounding trees.

Xiao Kui: “…”

She turned around…

Chu Jiujiu smiled radiantly, looking at the reckless Xiaolan, nodding with great satisfaction.

Xiao Kui: “…” She’s finally gone mad.

In Hui Palace, three mistresses and maids listened to the loud digging outside in the dark palace.

Consort Hui and her two maids: “???” They looked at each other in astonishment.

Which concubine sent someone?  They were so… “thorough”…

“Mistress, should this servant go out?”

The maid quietly asked Consort Hui, who frowned, “No need. We’ll talk tomorrow.” The digging outside clearly indicated that a concubine was trying to frame her.

She wouldn’t let it go. She had to let the Emperor know…

“Don’t startle the snake.” She lowered her voice, telling her maids not to make a fuss.

“Yes, Consort Hui.”

In Li Fang Palace, Chu Jiujiu sat at the table, propping her chin, waiting for Xiaolan to return.

In a short while, Xiaolan returned, covered in dirt.

“Mistress, this servant buried the sachet in the flowerbed of Consort Hui’s palace.” She didn’t tell Chu Jiujiu that she buried the sachet very deep, making it difficult to find.

Chu Jiujiu took a gold ingot and gave it to her, “You’ve worked hard. Go wash up and go to sleep.”

Xiaolan unbelievably held the gold ingot, “Mistress, is this really a reward for this servant?”

“Take it.” Hearing Xiaolan’s excited thanks, Chu Jiujiu yawned. She was so sleepy her eyes were almost closing.

Xiaolan excitedly returned to the side room and hid the gold.

Xiao Kui shook her head helplessly, “Mistress, it’s late. You should rest.”

Chu Jiujiu yawned again, “Xiao Kui, wait a minute.”

Xiao Kui obediently waited for her instructions. A shiny gold ingot caught her eye.

Having been trained as an assassin since childhood, she showed a surprised expression at this moment.

Chu Jiujiu’s soft voice followed, “Xiaolan has one, so do you.” She put the gold ingot in Xiao Kui’s hand, then sleepily fell onto the bed, covered herself with a blanket, and fell into a deep sleep.