The Empress, seeing that Consort Lü, though flustered, was trying to maintain her composure, couldn't help but smile. Suddenly, her expression turned stern. "How dare Consort Li trifle with us, the Empress and His Majesty! To orchestrate such a play, what is your true intention?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Lü quickly knelt and stammered, "Your Majesty, I do not understand your meaning. My family heirloom was indeed lost. Otherwise, how would I dare to make such a public spectacle of searching for it?"
"But His Majesty said the item was found in your chambers. Do you have anything to say?" The Empress's gaze was sharp. Personally, she was inclined to believe Consort Lü; she likely wouldn't have the audacity for such a scheme. Yet, the fact remained that the item was discovered in her quarters. His Majesty had tasked her with handling it, and she needed to provide him with an explanation.
"Impossible! Someone must have stolen my belongings and, seeing that I had stirred up such a fuss, decided to frame me." Consort Lü hastily defended herself. She trusted Mo Yu, having lived together in the Lü manor for so many years, weathering storms side by side.
Her first thought was that Consort Lü had discovered their planted item and was playing along.
"One must have evidence when speaking and acting. If someone is framing you, then find that person. All I know is that His Majesty is extremely displeased, believing you have mocked him. Furthermore, as I manage the inner palace, you have thrown the entire harem into chaos, causing widespread resentment. Without punishing you today, it would be difficult to win the people's respect." As Empress, she was willing to see them tear each other apart, as long as the conflict didn't involve her. However, at times, she also needed to maintain the outward peace of the harem.
"I am truly wronged. If they placed the item in my room, it couldn't have been done silently. I implore Your Majesty to be my advocate and help me investigate," Consort Lü made her final plea.
"I advise you to confess quickly. His Majesty has already investigated, and no one has framed you," the Empress said calmly. After a pause, she continued, "You are demoted to the rank of Beauty and confined for three months."
Consort Lü became anxious. She felt she had tried to gain an advantage but ended up losing everything. She had finally been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady, only to be returned to her former status overnight. Three months of confinement meant she couldn't be seen in the harem. By the time she emerged, His Majesty would likely have forgotten her. This punishment was undeniably severe.
However, she lacked the courage to beg for mercy in front of so many concubines and could only kowtow with resignation, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Without needing to lift her head, she knew the expressions of the harem members were filled with mockery. Especially Consort Li, who must feel a sense of relief, believing that her schemes had led to this outcome.
That same evening, as night fell, rendering it impossible to see one's hand, in a deserted palace building, a woman, supported by her maid, cautiously pushed open the door and walked inside.
Seeing the figure waiting there, she asked with some curiosity, "I want to know why the Prince is helping me?"
Amu Yun turned around and smiled. "You only need to know that she and I have an enmity. I advise you not to inquire about other matters."
"Regardless, we are now partners. Some things still need to be understood. From what I know, the Prince and Consort Lü are worlds apart. The only person likely to have any connection with her would be the future Princess Consort." This woman, who had wrapped herself up so tightly, was none other than Consort Li. Having learned her lesson, she believed that without Amu Yun, she would now be in grave danger, possibly even implicating her family. The thought sent shivers down her spine.
"You are quite clever. How did you manage to be outmaneuvered? For the sake of our future pleasant cooperation, I will advise you to remember this: no woman in the palace is simple. Always be on guard," Amu Yun wanted to continue cooperating with her, so he was willing to let her know a little. However, there were limits. If she were to learn any more, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate her.
"I didn't realize the Prince was such a devoted lover. I truly envy the Princess Consort. Before even entering the palace, she has already provoked the Prince to champion her cause." Consort Li said this sincerely, her tone filled with helplessness. In fact, she too had once experienced true love, but it succumbed to reality. The other party, finding a woman with a better family background, had promptly dumped her. In a fit of pique, she entered the palace.
"Alright, let's not dwell on such matters. I called you here today because I need your help with something." Amu Yun's demeanor shifted from playful to serious as he looked at her.
"What is it?" Consort Li, seeing his expression, knew it was a matter of great importance and asked with some confusion.
"The plan is all written on this paper. I will give you the item and this paper together. After you return, think carefully. If you are unwilling, burn this item to avoid trouble. If you are willing, then carry it out." With that, Amu Yun stepped forward and handed her the items.
Consort Li accepted them with some hesitation and then said, "Is there anything else? If not, I must take my leave. I have been out for quite some time, and it wouldn't be good if someone were to see me."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the person in front of her vault over the wall and leave, leaving only her and her maid. This left Consort Li somewhat stunned. "What kind of person is this? Not even a word of farewell." She muttered to herself.
The deserted palace was in disrepair, overgrown with weeds, exuding a desolate and bleak atmosphere. A gust of wind blew, instilling a sense of dread in their hearts, and they quickly pulled Mo Yu away.
The two cautiously returned to their room, lit an oil lamp, and looked at the writing on the paper. Consort Li fell into deep thought.
Once she was certain she had memorized the contents, she placed it on the fire and watched it gradually turn to ash.
She truly hadn't expected that Consort Lü, who had always treated her like a sister, would frame her. When Amu Yun's people approached her, stating that someone had planted an item in Mo Yu's room, she initially didn't believe it.
Finally, with the attitude of "better safe than sorry," she thoroughly searched her room. Finding nothing, she breathed a sigh of relief, but then her gaze inadvertently fell upon the ceiling beam. It seemed there was something there, slightly protruding.
At that moment, her heart pounded. Standing on a stool, she retrieved a hairpin, aged but inlaid with emeralds. It was clearly very valuable. Both of them felt that something was amiss.
They quickly contacted Amu Yun, who told her he would turn the tables and instructed her to quietly place the hairpin on Consort Lü's ceiling beam. He also said that he had saved her life this time and that in return, she would have to do some things for him in the future.
Consort Li was terrified at the time and nodded blindly. Later, people from the palace continuously searched her room, even alarming His Majesty and the Empress. Consort Li felt even more fortunate, and it also gave her a new understanding of the deep palace.