Chapter 60: The Situation is Getting Worse

She had originally been reluctant to come.

She had planned to return to her family today.

Concubine Rou sighed, her eyes a bit puffy. “You don’t know how troubled I’ve been lately, missing Fifth Brother so much. Unfortunately, the Tyrant Emperor has decreed that he cannot return to the capital.

You’ve been surrounded by the Third Prince, so you can’t understand how much I miss my son.

Especially since Fifth Brother has been away, I keep hearing strange female voices in Qixiang Palace at night, just like…”

Concubine Rou glanced around to ensure no one else was nearby before continuing, “It sounds exactly like Concubine Li!”

Concubine Hui frowned. “Concubine Rou, are you sure you’re not just imagining things because you miss Fifth Brother so much? Concubine Li has been dead for over three months. How could you hear her voice?

Besides, it wasn’t you who caused Concubine Li’s death. Even if her ghost were seeking vengeance, it wouldn’t be after you.”

“That’s what I thought too. It was Concubine Li who tried to frame the Concubine De, leading to her being cast into the cold palace and committing suicide in a well. If anyone is to be haunted, it should be the Concubine De.

But it’s strange. I hear her calling every night, and it’s really distressing.

I must have Taoist Baiyun examine this today.”

“If you’re ill, you should seek medical treatment. But Taoist Baiyun isn’t a doctor,” Concubine Hui weakly pointed out. “Oh, Concubine Rou, is that Princess Changping and the Concubine De over there?”

The Concubine De didn’t expect to encounter Concubine Rou and Concubine Hui at the Taoist temple.

After only a few days, the Concubine De felt that Concubine Rou looked even more haggard.

[Wow, Concubine Rou seems to be haunted by an evil spirit]

[Her vitality is weakening. If this continues, Concubine Rou might not last more than two months]

The Concubine De furrowed her brows.

After hearing Ah Bao’s thoughts for the past few months, she had begun to understand some strange terms.

For instance, (gēpì) means “to die.”

She heard Concubine Rou speak, “Are the Concubine De and the Princess here to see Taoist Baiyun as well?”

The Concubine De nodded. “Yes.”

She hesitated, thinking of a way to hint to Concubine Rou, but wasn’t sure how to start.

“It’s getting late. Princess and Concubine De, you should go in first,” Concubine Rou suggested.

Taoist Baiyun’s visits were rare, and many people came to the temple each time he returned.

However, Taoist Baiyun only saw a few people each visit.

The Concubine De glanced at Changping and Shangguan Ze.

Shangguan Ze seemed preoccupied, having been whispering with Changping ever since they arrived at the temple.

The Concubine De, holding Ah Bao, felt awkward interrupting their private conversation.

“You two go ahead. I’ll wait here for a moment.”

Concubine Rou didn’t insist on accompanying them. “Alright. Concubine Hui, you stay here with the Concubine De”

Concubine Hui was pleased, as she had not wanted to follow Concubine Rou inside. “Sure, Concubine Rou. I’ll wait here for you.”

Concubine Hui and the Concubine De didn’t interact much on usual days, and their encounters were rare.

For a moment, neither knew what to say.

The atmosphere became quite awkward.

People continued to come and go at the entrance not far away.

Ah Bao’s eyes darted around.

[The aura in this Taoist temple feels strangely familiar]

The Concubine De raised an eyebrow.

Could it be that in a past life, Ah Bao was a practitioner, and that’s why the temple felt familiar?

Unnoticed by anyone, while the Concubine De and Ah Bao were interacting, Concubine Hui subtly lowered her head.

A soft, small bead slipped out of her sleeve and fell to the ground.

The bead seemed to have a life of its own, slowly crawling towards the Concubine De—

[There’s an evil aura!]

[How can a place with such good feng shui have an evil aura!]

Ah Bao, resting on the Concubine De’s shoulder, suddenly noticed a black mist rising near the Concubine De’s feet.

Ah Bao lightly curled her small finger, and a burst of spiritual energy was about to strike the black mist.

However, she saw it suddenly drill into the Concubine De’s foot.

Ah Bao stopped—

[Mother, watch your feet! Don’t move!]

[There’s a bug!]

The Concubine De suddenly felt a sharp sting on her foot, as if something had bitten her, followed by a numbing sensation that spread through her entire body. Her grip on Ah Bao loosened.

Ah Bao was about to fall from her embrace—

“Ah Bao!”

The Concubine De cried out in alarm, her body feeling weak and powerless.

At that moment, Concubine Rou, who had just exited, was lost in thought about what Taoist Baiyun had told her.

Her head was buzzing when she heard the Concubine De’s scream.

She then saw Ah Bao about to fall to the ground.

Concubine Rou rushed over and caught Ah Bao just in time. She ended up sitting on the ground, feeling a sharp pain in her tailbone from the impact.

The Concubine De snapped back to reality. “Ah Bao!”

The Concubine De was filled with guilt, nearly in tears. “My precious daughter, I’m so sorry. I was too careless just now.”

How did she lose her grip?

How did she almost let Ah Bao fall?

“Concubine Rou, are you alright?”

Concubine Rou, sitting on the ground and feeling a lot of pain in her back, managed to stand up with difficulty. “I’m fine. Just a fall. Princess, is Ah Bao alright?”

“Fortunately, you arrived in time. Otherwise, Ah Bao would have fallen.”

Concubine Rou responded with a forced smile, “It’s good that the Princess is fine.”

The commotion quickly attracted the attention of Princess Changping and Shangguan Ze.

They approached, followed by Concubine Hui and Concubine Rou.

The Concubine De gently comforted Ah Bao, afraid she might have been frightened.

“Concubine De, you really scared me. I was daydreaming when the accident happened. Thankfully, the little princess is alright.” Concubine Hui looked panic-stricken and regretful.

[So it was Concubine Hui. Finally found the culprit.]

The Concubine De: Concubine Hui?

Could it be that—

[Mother, Concubine Hui is a bad woman.]

[Just now, I saw Concubine Hui release an evil insect. No wonder Concubine Rou has been suffering from an evil aura lately. It’s likely that Concubine Hui did it.]

[At this rate, Concubine Rou will eventually be harmed by Concubine Hui. By then, Concubine Rou won’t even know how she died.]

[Concubine Rou would never expect that her good sister, Concubine Hui, is sabotaging her behind her back. This is the so-called “plastic friendship,” where one pretends to be supportive in front of others but stabs you in the back.]

[Concubine Hui seems harmless but is actually deeply scheming. Not only does she want to harm Concubine Rou, but also the Concubine De and Ah Bao.]

The Concubine De’s expression darkened.

This reminded her of the time during the Queen Mother’s birthday banquet when Zhilan dropped the Buddha beads. Apart from Concubine Rou, Concubine Hui was also present.

Could it be that Concubine Hui had already targeted her regarding the fake Buddha beads?

“Concubine De, what happened just now?” Princess Changping asked, quickly approaching.

The Concubine De lowered her eyes. “I twisted my ankle, which caused the accident.”

Princess Changping didn’t believe this explanation.

She had heard Ah Bao’s thoughts.

Intrigue among the women of the harem was common, given that several women were revolving around one man, which inevitably led to friction.

But even so, Princess Changping would not tolerate anyone harming the Concubine De and Ah Bao!