Even if the Empress was spared, the Emperor himself harbored suspicions. However, Lady Li had been ill for a long time and had not left the palace gates. How could she be blamed? Furthermore, as the Imperial Noble Consort was returning, she encountered several consorts and proceeded to slap them, calling them all vixen spirits who wanted to seduce the Emperor.
As a result, many people complained to the Emperor that very day. The Emperor, weary of the endless trouble, realized this situation could not continue. He intended to win over the families of several consorts and did not want to displease them, so he could only sacrifice the Imperial Noble Consort. Su Dan Novel Network.
The Imperial Noble Consort, already close to madness, was driven to the brink by the Emperor’s actions. She spent her days either smashing things or beating her palace maids.
Unless absolutely necessary, all palace maids kept a wide berth from her. In their eyes, her Ladyship had truly gone insane, and approaching her would only result in being beaten.
Whenever she thought of the Emperor, she would either cry uncontrollably or burst into laughter, often muttering to herself, "Your Majesty, you wouldn't be so heartless, would you? You won't forget me, you'll come see me. We've spent so many years together, how can you just refuse to see me..."
At times, her heart ached so fiercely that she would bang on her palace gates, shouting loudly outside, "Let me out, let me out! I want to see the Emperor! I am a Noble Consort personally enfeoffed by His Majesty! How dare you lock me up? His Majesty will surely not let you off..."
These events soon reached the Empress's ears. The Empress, upon hearing this, could not have been happier. After all, she had struggled against the Imperial Noble Consort for so many years without being able to suppress her. Now, she was utterly ruined. If she had not feared incurring the Emperor's displeasure, she would have prepared to hold a grand banquet in the palace to celebrate.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye. By the end of those three months, the Imperial Noble Consort could no longer bear it and hanged herself. The news reached the Emperor. He remained silent for a long time, locking himself in his study for a night. The next morning, he could still be seen with red, swollen eyes. He instructed the eunuchs to bury the Imperial Noble Consort with the ceremony befitting her rank, yet he never went to see her, not even once.
Meanwhile, Lady Lü, who had been confined for three months – no, to be precise, now Lady Lü – could finally walk out of her palace gates openly. Unfortunately, the Emperor had long forgotten who she was. After the scandal, no eunuch dared to present her token.
As she was feeling dejected, she was unexpectedly visited by an uninvited guest.
Having been in the palace for so long, she was not familiar with anyone, including Lin Ziqin. However, she recognized her, as she was Lin Ziyou's sister. Furthermore, Lin Ziqin was a legend in the palace, so beautiful, yet the Emperor never summoned her. They had often mocked her behind her back.
"What wind has blown you here, Lady Lin?" Lady Lü raised an eyebrow, asking with some curiosity.
"You could say you are my sister's close friend. You've been in the palace for over a year, and we've only met a few times. Coincidentally, I'm in the palace with no acquaintances and no friends, so I thought I'd come see you," Lin Ziqin said calmly, looking at her.
Although Lady Lü felt her purpose for visiting was not so simple, she could not refuse a smiling face. She quickly beckoned her, "Please, come sit. We are from the same hometown, from the same place, so we should indeed get to know each other."
"Yes, the misfortune that befell my sister over a year ago has caused me great harm. We sisters haven't had much time to be together for so many years, leading to some misunderstandings. Could Lady Lü tell me about some of your interesting stories from our hometown? I wish to understand her past, so that if I ever have the chance to see her again, we can clear the air," Lin Ziqin looked at her with her bright, limpid eyes, as if she were there to simply chat about trivial matters.
"Speaking of which, your sister lived quite happily in our hometown. Although she and her son had no status in your Lin family, that place you know, everyone believed she was the daughter of an official from the capital. When she went out, others showed her courtesy. Even my father told me to maintain a good relationship with her. Coupled with her loving mother, maternal grandfather, grandmother, uncle, and aunt, her life was undeniably carefree." As she spoke of this, Lady Lü felt a pang of envy, even intense jealousy.
Why could she live such a simple and happy life, while her own mother was a weak woman who had to scheme relentlessly from a young age to secure a place for herself and her brother in the household, to stand out?
"So, you two grew up together, must have been able to talk about anything. She probably trusted you exceptionally," Lin Ziqin continued naturally.
"Yes, after all, I was her best friend. Your sister was also quite simple." Although Lady Lü didn't grasp the deeper meaning behind her words, she still spoke truthfully. These things could be easily investigated, so there was no need to lie.
"I envy you for having such a confidante. If my sister and I didn't have so many misunderstandings, perhaps we could have been sisters who could talk about anything," Lin Ziqin sighed with emotion.
Lady Lü didn't quite agree with this. After all, from birth, the two were destined to be adversaries. Nevertheless, she nodded politely.
After that, the two chatted about various specific childhood events, and before they knew it, it was noon. Lin Ziqin then rose to take her leave.
"Miss, this servant does not understand. Why did we go to Lady Lü's palace today and have such an insignificant conversation?" Her personal palace maid asked in surprise. She did not believe that her young mistress truly wanted to be friends with her elder sister and understand her past.
Lin Ziqin remained silent. She couldn't help but recall the content of a piece of paper. It read: Lin Ziyou and Lady Lü were close friends who talked about everything. The reason Lin Ziyou contracted chickenpox was that Lady Lü had someone do it out of jealousy.
She had come today with a tentative hope. Although Lady Lü had concealed it well, she could still see a trace of jealousy in her eyes. She dared not imagine if, when no one was around, Lady Lü harbored thoughts of killing her.
As she thought of this, she became even more certain that the content on the paper was true. Although she didn't know the other party's motives, it didn't stop her from seeking revenge. If not for Lady Lü's schemes, with the beauty of the two sisters, they could have truly flourished in the palace.
Someone as simple as Lin Ziyou, if she were to speak of sisterly affection, she could have risen to prominence, rather than facing this uncertain future.
Since she dared to act, she should have considered the consequences if her actions were exposed.
The palace maid watched her mistress's somber expression and remained silent, no longer daring to ask.
Lin Ziqin, however, was lost in thought, contemplating her plan for revenge.