Under everyone’s gaze, Imperial Physician Hong shook his head: “Your Majesty, there is only paper inside the sachet, nothing else.”

Paper? The concubines looked at each other in confusion. Why would there be paper inside a sachet?

As soon as Imperial Physician Hong spoke, Consort Hui stopped crying. This unexpected turn of events was something she never anticipated. Paper?

“Is it poisonous?” Eunuch Li looked at Consort Rou with suspicion, cautiously asking Imperial Physician Hong to confirm.

Imperial Physician Hong clearly shook his head: “This minister can confirm that both the sachet and the paper are non-toxic.”

The people in the hall looked at each other in astonishment. This answer was clearly unexpected by everyone.

Consort Hui was stunned. Non-toxic? Then why did she bury the sachet in the flowerbed of Yu Hua Palace?

“There are also words written on the paper,” Imperial Physician Hong vaguely glanced at it before immediately reporting to the Emperor.

This development greatly piqued Han Chu’s interest: “Read it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Imperial Physician Hong unfolded the paper.

“The paper says: ‘Wishing Consort Hui early favor, early birth of a noble child, full of blessings, a smooth life.'”

Everyone: “…” Amazing.

Chu Jiu Jiu slowly spoke: “This concubine finds the elder sister easy to get along with, so this concubine wanted to use the deepest blessings, planting them under the flowers in elder sister’s palace. Deeply planted blessings symbolize good fortune.”

Consort Hui: “…”  This string of auspicious words made her want to throw the sachet back into the soil.

Eunuch Li almost couldn’t help but laugh. This Consort Rou was too interesting.

Even Han Chu was rendered speechless, his lazy voice tinged with helplessness: “Although you had no malicious intent, you arbitrarily sent someone to trespass into Consort Hui’s palace. Do you know your wrongdoing?”

Chu Jiu Jiu continued to lower her head and eyes: “This concubine knows her wrongdoing.”

A deep voice then sounded: “Knowing your wrongdoing, remember it in your heart.” He had no intention of punishing her.

Chu Jiu Jiu froze: 【Does this mean…】

Eunuch Li quickly reminded her: “Consort Rou, you should quickly thank the Emperor for his teaching.”

Chu Jiu Jiu’s tongue was exceptionally quick: “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your teaching. Your Majesty is wise and valiant, unparalleled in the world, commanding the world, handsome and compelling, with many descendants…”

Han Chu: “…Stop.” The praise was getting increasingly absurd.

Chu Jiu Jiu immediately stopped, knowing when to quit. If he changed his mind, it would be bad.

Consort Li didn’t expect the Emperor not to punish her, only giving a verbal reprimand, which couldn’t even be called a reprimand.

Staring at her overly dazzling face, an unprecedented sense of crisis arose. The Emperor had let her off twice. Could it be that he favored Consort Rou?

But…the Emperor hadn’t summoned her to serve him.  In fact, the Emperor hadn’t touched any concubine in the entire palace. It was unknown whether Consort Rou would gain favor in the future.

Chu Jiu Jiu quickly gestured for Xiao Lan to finish her courtesy and stand beside Xiao Kui. If Consort Hui blamed them, they would have to argue again.

Xiao Lan looked at her with admiration. Madam was amazing. No wonder Madam was so calm; it turned out the sachet was harmless.

Seeing Xiao Lan finish her courtesy and stand beside Xiao Kui, Chu Jiu Jiu returned to the ranks of concubines with peace of mind.

Han Chu’s figure, like a cold bamboo stalk, passed by her side. The faint fragrance of ambergris wafted over, causing Chu Jiu Jiu a moment of trance. It was intoxicatingly fragrant and pleasant.

With the Emperor’s departure, the concubines who had come to watch the excitement dispersed. The events of the day were unexpected. Who would have thought Consort Rou would escape again?

Chu Jiu Jiu knew it was not a good place to stay long and left Yu Hua Palace with Xiao Lan and Xiao Kui, following the other concubines.

Watching everyone leave, Consort Hui couldn’t continue to hold a grudge. After all, Consort Rou had planted auspicious words.  It was just that…she couldn’t understand Consort Rou’s true intentions.

Outside Yu Hua Palace, Consort Li looked at Chu Jiu Jiu’s receding back, lost in thought.

“Consort Li.” Xin Meiren softly called out to Consort Li.

Consort Li turned around. Seeing it was her, she asked with a smile, “Xin Meiren, do you have something?”

“Reporting to Consort Li, this concubine would like to invite you to Xia Yue Palace tomorrow.” Xin Meiren bowed gently and invited her.

Consort Li seemed to remember the conversation from yesterday about visiting her to see her paintings: “Sister, you’re thoughtful. Would you mind if a few more concubines came to see your paintings?”

At the sudden suggestion of adding more people, Xin Meiren was only stunned for a moment before gently replying, “Everything is as Consort Li says. It is this concubine’s honor.”

Consort Li knew she wouldn’t refuse: “This concubine is worried you’ll be uncomfortable. Painting requires concentration, otherwise, the painting will lack atmosphere.”

Xin Meiren remained gentle, bowing slightly: “This concubine thanks Consort Li for her concern. This concubine will certainly not disappoint you.”

Consort Li took her hand: “If tomorrow’s painting is refreshing, this concubine will definitely speak well of you to the Emperor.”

Xin Meiren bowed again: “This concubine dares not.”

“Don’t be modest. With your talent, you’re no worse than other concubines.” Consort Li always spoke beautifully, but the traps she set were everywhere, often catching people off guard.

How could Xin Meiren not notice Consort Li’s intentions? Whether tomorrow’s painting was good or bad, she would mention it to the Emperor. The concubines Consort Li called tomorrow probably had ulterior motives.

“Consort Li is too kind. This concubine is not as talented as you say.” Xin Meiren refused to take the bait.

Consort Li didn’t mind whether she accepted her words or not: “This concubine knows your character. This concubine will definitely mention you to the Emperor.”

Xin Meiren knew the other party intended to “kill with kindness”: “This concubine wants to invite one more person.”

Consort Li didn’t care: “Sister, just say it.”

“This concubine wants to invite Consort Rou to Xia Yue Palace.” Xin Meiren’s words were shocking.

Consort Li almost couldn’t control her expression: “…Consort…Consort Rou?” She began to rub her temples, showing how much of a headache this caused her.

“Reporting to Consort Li, this concubine doesn’t know if Consort Rou will agree.”

Consort Li: “…” She’d better not agree.

But on the surface, she couldn’t say anything: “More people make it lively.”

Xin Meiren seemed unaware of the “bomb” she had dropped, bowing and echoing, “Consort Li is right.”