"I don't need to rush things now. I just want the information," Consort Xi said, not wanting to waste time chatting with Consort Mei. After all, the two of them had once been rivals. How could their relationship be mended simply through cooperation?
Consort Mei sighed, put down the teacup in her hand, and then motioned for Cuisi to hand a note to Consort Xi.
"Take a look. All the information you want is in it," Consort Mei said, gesturing for Consort Xi to check the note herself.
Consort Xi opened the note doubtfully and saw two big characters written on it: "Consort Hua".
"So it's her!" There was a look of "I knew it" in Consort Xi's eyes.
It seemed that Consort Hua was also a person with hidden depths. She had the guts to poison the queen. Without any powerful backer, she still dared to do such a thing. It was really hard to say whether she was overly bold or just plain ignorant.
However, this would make things easier for them.
"When do you plan to take action?" Consort Xi handed the note back to Cuisi, who then took it to the incense burner and burned it.
In response to Consort Xi's question, Consort Mei said calmly, "Don't be in a hurry. There's another interesting piece of news. I think you'll be interested."
"Are you referring to the girl the emperor and the queen brought back from outside the palace?" Consort Xi had heard a bit about it.
Consort Mei nodded slightly. "Yes."
"I don't think it's an interesting thing," Consort Xi said. She had no interest in this matter at all. A little girl about ten years old, what was there for them to pay attention to?
At this moment, Consort Mei began to doubt whether it was a bad idea to cooperate with Consort Xi.
However, upon further thought, Consort Xi was just a pawn for her to regain favor. The more stupid she was, the more useful she would be.
With this thought in mind, she became more patient with Consort Xi. "It's definitely related. She's the Holy Maiden of Southern Border. If we can gain her favor, we can make good use of her. You know, the people of Southern Border have many useful things."
This news was told to her by her grandfather. Her idea was to make use of all available people.
Hearing her words, Consort Xi's eyes lit up. She thought Consort Mei's idea was great. If they could get the people of Southern Border to take action, that bitch Su Wan'er would be completely finished.
Most importantly, they could clear themselves of any suspicion. Why not do it?
"What do you plan to do?" Consort Xi asked.
Consort Mei showed a helpless look on her face and said to Consort Xi, "I'll have to trouble you with this. Consider it as an early practice of raising a child."
"Are you using me as a gun?" Consort Xi's face immediately darkened.
"Don't put it so harshly," Consort Mei said calmly. "I'm under house arrest in the palace now. There are several imperial guards guarding the door. Do you think I can go out?"
"Come to think of it, I'm doing this for your own good. If you can get the help of the Holy Maiden of Southern Border, it will be a powerful weapon for you in the future, whether it's to ascend to the position of the queen or to make your child the emperor," Consort Mei said casually, as if she were talking about something ordinary.
However, Consort Xi became vigilant. "What you said is really tempting, but... Have you ever thought that I might point this weapon at your throat?"
Consort Mei said helplessly, "Of course I've thought about it, but this is the only way. As long as the queen is still in power, even if we have the most powerful weapon, we won't be able to use it. After the queen is removed, I hope you'll show mercy."
Consort Xi thought it made sense and nodded. "Don't worry. If the queen is removed, I won't let the Holy Maiden of Southern Border deal with you."
After saying that, she turned around and left with her entourage.
Cuisi asked Consort Mei puzzledly, "Your Majesty, why don't you go there yourself? You clearly..." had a way to get out, just like when she met Lan Tian before.
Consort Mei sneered disdainfully. "Do you think the Holy Maiden of Southern Border is so easy to deal with? One wrong move and you'll suffer the pain of ten thousand worms devouring your heart..."
"Your Majesty, are you planning to let Consort Xi go and test the waters?" Cuisi seemed to understand her meaning.
"That stupid woman. If it weren't for the empress dowager protecting her all the time, she would have been swallowed up by the harem long ago," Consort Mei sneered disdainfully. From beginning to end, she never regarded Consort Xi as a worthy opponent.
"Forget it. Don't mention her anymore. Now go and prepare some rare snacks. When Consort Xi returns in defeat, it will be our turn to take action," Consort Mei said contemptuously, then turned to give instructions to Cuisi.
Cuisi replied and then retreated.
She had just walked out of the palace gate when she met Consort Xi.
"How about it? What's your mistress's real intention?" Consort Xi asked Cuisi calmly.
Cuisi saluted and then slowly looked up at Consort Xi. She said respectfully to Consort Xi, "Your Majesty Xi, my current mistress is you."
"Come on. It's Consort Mei. Tell me, what's her plan?" Consort Xi asked Cuisi.
Cuisi then told Consort Xi Consort Mei's plan, including her disdain for Consort Xi at the end, word for word.
"Being protected by the empress dowager?" Consort Xi sneered disdainfully. "It seems I can rest assured." She motioned for her personal maid to give Cuisi a purse. "This is the money as promised. The more information you give me, the more money you'll get."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Cuisi said respectfully. After saluting, she continued walking towards the imperial kitchen.
Everything seemed to have never happened, but it was all clearly seen by the secret guards hiding in the dark.
After hearing the report from the secret guard, Su Wan'er sneered. "Playing both sides and offending neither. This girl is very smart." It should be said that life in the harem had created such people.
Not just one person, but a group of them.
Si Junlin looked up from the memorial in his hand and glanced at Su Wan'er. "Didn't you know about this a long time ago? There's another thing..."
"What?" Su Wan'er asked.
"Fang Xi said that you haven't been to your mother's place for a long time. You should know what to do, right?" Si Junlin said calmly.
"It has indeed been a long time," Su Wan'er thought to herself.
She didn't know if it was because she was afraid of the empress dowager's power or because she was really busy, but she didn't want to set foot in the empress dowager's palace.
But now it seemed that if she didn't go for too long, it would be a bit hard to explain.
"Okay, I know what to do. But do you want to go with me?" Su Wan'er knew Si Junlin's thoughts. Since Si Junlin had always been a very filial son, after not seeing his mother for so long, he must miss her very much.