"If you want to be one of the concubines in the harem, why do you always oppose me? Haven't you heard the saying that the enemy of your enemy is your friend?"
Ling'er's eyes flickered with a hint of uneasiness, and she averted her gaze.
"What do you mean? I don't understand what you're saying. Since Sister Rui is now living here, she has to obey me. After all, those living in this side palace are all under my management."
"Really? You've contributed so much to this place, but no one remembers your kindness. Those people seem to obey you on the surface, but who knows how they slander you behind your back. Maybe some of them even act one way in front of you and another behind your back. Do you really like such a life?"
It has to be said that Concubine Rui is really good at grasping people's thoughts.
But her own thoughts in this harem are like a bomb. No one knows when it will explode, and by then she might not even have a chance to live.
She lowered her head and remained silent. Concubine Rui became even more persuasive.
"I know you don't want to live like this forever. How about this? I'll give you a chance to become the mistress of the harem."
When Ling'er heard this, a flash of expectation crossed her eyes, and then she quickly denied it.
"I don't know what Concubine Rui means by this. If it's to sow discord, then Concubine Rui should save her breath. I will never believe it. Moreover, I'm loyal to Concubine Ning and will never have the thought of betraying my master."
Concubine Rui raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect that a maid could resist such a great temptation for so long.
However, in front of her, all these were just child's play.
"Don't worry. I won't reveal your thoughts. Even though I'm currently being suppressed by Concubine Ning and the Princess Consort, I'm still a concubine in the harem after all. They can't keep suppressing me forever. When the King comes again, I'll be able to leave this place."
Ling'er tightly clenched the corner of her skirt, as if making a futile struggle.
"So what? The Princess Consort has the final say in the entire harem and even in the Western Regions. I'm just a low - ranking maid. I don't have Concubine Rui's scheming, nor am I as favored by the Princess Consort as other concubines. If one day there's a huge change in the harem, I might just die as a little maid."
Her eyes were full of disappointment, which made Concubine Rui even more determined that this maid could definitely be used.
Sometimes, a small character can play a decisive role in a game of chess. Didn't she herself struggle her way up from among the concubines in the harem to where she is today?
So, while thinking, she told Ling'er all her past experiences. Ling'er was truly surprised after hearing them.
As a maid, she usually had no idea about such secrets in the deep palace. Now that she knew everything was different from what she had thought before, she felt that her entire worldview had been overturned.
The position of the mistress of the harem didn't seem so far away from her. If Concubine Rui, who started as a low - ranking concubine, could achieve it, why couldn't she, as the most favored maid by Concubine Ning?
Maybe she could even do better than Concubine Rui in the future. Moreover, she had also heard about the King's plan. The King wanted to capture the land of the Great Liang and intended to unify the six states. By then, as such a powerful monarch, it would be reasonable for him to have three thousand beauties in his harem. She was in a favorable position, and maybe one day she could be on equal footing with her current master.
Once some crazy thoughts take root, they are absolutely uncontrollable.
For example, now, Ling'er finally couldn't resist the temptation and directly agreed.
"Concubine Rui must have had some ideas before daring to talk to me about these things, right?"
"You're right. You've been following Concubine Ning and lived a good life. Over the years, she hasn't treated you badly. Moreover, you probably like the King more than the Princess Consort, but they won't even let you be a concubine. I just feel sorry for you, so I'm telling you these things."
Although Ling'er had decided to cooperate with her, she also knew that Concubine Rui was not a simple character and always remained on guard against her.
"Concubine Rui, you might as well tell me why you don't go for the position of the Queen yourself but instead want to cooperate with me. Won't you feel regretful and jealous if you give that position to me?"
Concubine Rui's face was full of resentment at this moment: "Of course I'll feel a bit regretful. But if I think carefully, if I can make them pay the price, what does it matter if I don't sit on that position? I believe you won't act ungratefully."
Ling'er listened to this noble concubine talking to her like this, and it seemed as if she had already sat on the position of the Princess Consort and was looking down on the world.
Even her expression when she spoke again was quite different.
"Since Concubine Rui has already made up her mind, there must be a perfect plan. Just tell me about it."
After they finished talking, almost half an hour had passed. Concubine Ning couldn't help it anymore when she heard there was no movement in the side palace.
She frowned and said, "What on earth is going on? Don't they know what I told her to do? There's been no movement for so long. Could it be that she's softened her heart towards that woman? If that's the case, she doesn't need to stay by my side anymore."
Another little maid's face turned a bit pale when she heard this and quickly spoke up for Ling'er.
"Don't be in a hurry, Your Highness. I'll go and take a look first. Sister Ling has been with Your Highness for so long. She definitely won't waste Your Highness's efforts."
"Then be careful. Don't let some people notice you."
"Yes."
The little maid sneaked towards the side palace. Hearing that there was still no sound inside, she couldn't help but curiously push open the door.
What she saw next completely shocked her.
Concubine Rui had fainted for who knows how long, and Ling'er was sitting on her, constantly punching.
The little maid was in a daze for a long time before she came to her senses, and she felt a tingling sensation on her scalp.
She helped Ling'er aside in a flurry. After confirming that Concubine Rui was still alive, she heaved a sigh of relief.
"Sister, what are you doing? You've hit her too hard. Your Highness said that this person must be kept alive."
Ling'er casually twisted her wrist.
"Am I wrong for venting my anger for Your Highness? Don't you know that the King had promised that there would be no more concubines in the harem, but now he has brought back a widow. Where can our mistress put her face?"
Concubine Ning just happened to come over and heard these words. She was immediately touched. Sure enough, her people were the ones who cared about her the most.