"What?" Li Ruhua was completely confused. She had no idea who the other girl was referring to.
"Oh, it's Su Qingwen. She wants to cook preserved egg and lean pork congee for my elder brother. Just the thought of it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I've got to go and take a look." Hua Xue'er rubbed her hands excitedly, her eyes shining with a lively light.
"I see." Li Ruhua lowered her head. A hint of malice flashed in her eyes as a plan began to form in her mind.
She remembered that she had brought some sleeping pills with her when she left. Now was the perfect time to use them. Without hesitation, Li Ruhua quickly reached out her hand and scattered some white powder into the air.
Hua Xue'er didn't even know what was happening when her vision suddenly went dark. Her head felt dizzy, and she couldn't think clearly. Her eyes glazed over, and she just stared blankly ahead, unable to say a word.
"Princess, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Li Ruhua bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Hua Xue'er rubbed her eyes and walked forward unconsciously.
Li Ruhua quickly returned to her room, determined to find a reliable person to carry out her grand plan.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on a thin and petite maid. She walked over and lifted the maid's chin, asking, "What's your name?"
"My name is Xiao Cui, Your Ladyship. I've been paying attention to you since the first day I came here. I know you're a person who can achieve great things, so I'll definitely serve you loyally." As she spoke, Xiao Cui knelt down in front of Li Ruhua.
Li Ruhua's eyes widened in surprise. She squinted and carefully sized up Xiao Cui.
This girl was plain-looking. In terms of beauty, she was just average. There was no way she was trying to seduce Hua Yueye. Maybe she was just looking for a better future?
"What do you want?" Li Ruhua knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
"It's simple, Your Ladyship. If you ever achieve great things, I'll be able to benefit from it too." Xiao Cui lowered her head, and her eyes suddenly turned red. "People like me usually have no hope in life. But you're different. You're young and beautiful. If you ever gain power, your future will be limitless."
"Hahaha." Everyone liked to hear compliments, and these few words from Xiao Cui had really flattered Li Ruhua.
She walked over and patted Xiao Cui on the shoulder. "You're a smart girl. You know which way the wind is blowing. Since that's the case, I'll give you this task. Xiao Cui, you mustn't let me down. From now on, we're in this together. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Your Ladyship." Xiao Cui nodded eagerly, accepting the task.
"Good. Now, go and disguise yourself as the little eunuch beside Gao Quan. Enter the imperial kitchen through the back door. Don't pay attention to anything on the way. Just go straight ahead and then slip out unnoticed. Do you understand?" Li Ruhua thought for a moment and then instructed.
"Yes, Your Ladyship." Xiao Cui knew what she should and shouldn't ask. She quickly nodded and strode away.
Li Ruhua nodded in satisfaction. Then she took out a packet of powder from her bosom and said, "Put this in the congee that Su Qingwen is making. Be careful."
Xiao Cui took the packet and quickly left.
Watching Xiao Cui's back, Li Ruhua sneered. A strange light flashed in her eyes.
At this moment, Su Qingwen was busy preparing the preserved egg and lean pork congee.
[System: Honey, don't you think the congee seems a bit off?]
"What?" Su Qingwen wrinkled her nose and sniffed. It seemed normal to her.
[System: You dummy. You forgot to put the preserved eggs. How can this be called preserved egg and lean pork congee? This is just a joke. Hurry up and find the ingredients!]
"Oh my god! How could I forget such an important thing?" Su Qingwen slapped her forehead in despair and rushed to the side, rummaging through the cabinets to find the preserved eggs. Since she rarely came to the imperial kitchen, it took her a while to find them.
Just then, Xiao Cui, disguised as a little eunuch, entered the kitchen. Seeing that Su Qingwen was not around, she quickly walked over and put the sleeping pills in the congee. Then she stirred it with a spoon for good measure.
"What are you doing?" Su Qingwen stood up straight and was startled to see someone suddenly enter the kitchen. She quickly walked over and asked.
"Um..." Xiao Cui looked back at Su Qingwen. Her face turned a little red, and she cleared her throat. "I saw that Your Ladyship had been in here for a long time, so I thought I'd come and see if I could help."
"I see." Su Qingwen was so busy that she didn't think much of it. She waved to Xiao Cui and said, "You came just in time. Come and help me find the preserved eggs. I've been looking for them for ages, but I can't find them."
"Okay." In order not to expose herself, Xiao Cui had to brace herself and walk over. She quickly squatted down and started looking. After a long search, she finally found the preserved eggs.
"Here they are." Xiao Cui picked up the preserved eggs and said.
"Great! Thank you so much." Su Qingwen nodded and quickly took the preserved eggs from her, then continued with her work.
"Then Your Ladyship, I'll leave you to your work." Xiao Cui lowered her head and quickly backed out.
After leaving the kitchen, Xiao Cui let out a sigh of relief. It had been so close. She had almost been exposed. Fortunately, nothing had gone wrong.
Thinking of Li Ruhua's instructions, Xiao Cui took a deep breath and walked quickly with her head down, trying not to attract anyone's attention.
Just then, Hua Xue'er passed by. In her daze, she seemed to see someone who looked like the little eunuch beside Gao Quan.
Was it really him? Hua Xue'er rubbed her eyes. She wasn't sure. She quickly took a step forward to get a better look. Yes, it was definitely the little eunuch beside Gao Quan.
Why was he coming out of the imperial kitchen? Could he be up to no good? Hua Xue'er thought to herself and tried to call Xiao Cui to a stop.
"Hey, stop!" She lifted her head and reached out her hand.
Hearing this, Xiao Cui looked up in shock. Then she quickened her pace and ran forward as if she hadn't heard anything.
"Humph! How dare you run away?" Hua Xue'er snorted and continued to run after her.
But because she had been affected by the sleeping incense, Hua Xue'er couldn't run fast. She could only watch helplessly as Xiao Cui ran away and disappeared from sight.
"Damn it! Why is she running so fast?" Hua Xue'er cursed angrily. Her face turned a little pale.