Chapter 518: Chapter 171: Finding the Cause of Illness, Xiao Jinxing’s Concern_3
I truly admire Xiao Jinxing’s quick wit.
"Then that’s easy to handle," Xiao Jinxing spoke candidly, "We just need to find someone to do what we want, and it can be done."
Ye Qichi frowned.
"You must have seen her at the Winter Solstice palace banquet, Liu Xinran, the legitimate daughter of the Chief Scholar."
"I’ve met her."
"We can have her win over Father’s favor," Xiao Jinxing blurted out.
"You mean, let Liu Xinran bring food for your emperor father?"
"For concubines to please the Emperor is only natural. Having Liu Xinran deliver desserts to Father every night is nothing out of the ordinary. Moreover, in the eyes of the Imperial Concubine, it would seem merely a normal act of ingratiating herself with Father, arousing no suspicion. Coupled with the Imperial Concubine’s confidence that Father has no interest in them, she would be even less vigilant."
"But Liu Xinran’s father is a man of the Prince of Chu."
"Which is precisely why we let them fight amongst themselves," Xiao Jinxing sneered.
Ye Qichi just watched Xiao Jinxing.
This guy really is despicably cunning.
Zhao Mengyu made Liu Xinran a concubine, naturally to give the Chief Scholar an explanation, to secure his undivided loyalty to the Prince of Chu. But if Liu Xinran gains the emperor’s favor, Zhao Mengyu would never tolerate it. Once Zhao Mengyu makes a move on Liu Xinran, the Chief Scholar will no longer follow the Prince of Chu with blind faith.
Thus, killing two birds with one stone.
"To be safe, besides Liu Xinran, it wouldn’t hurt to rope in Qin Junsheng as well. After all, you don’t know your father’s taste; in case he doesn’t fancy Liu Xinran’s style, Qin Junsheng could come in handy."
"Hm," Xiao Jinxing nodded in agreement.
"So how do we go about gaining the favor of these two now?" Ye Qichi began to consider, "If I go, it would be too conspicuous. The Imperial Concubine will definitely suspect I have ulterior motives."
"Of course, not you going. Let Hezhen do it," Xiao Jinxing had already thought of the candidate.
Ye Qichi looked at Xiao Jinxing.
To achieve his goals, this guy really stops at nothing.
Knowing full well that Hezhen disliked these palace struggles and schemes, yet he still insists on dragging her into it.
"Hezhen, having married Wu Xufan, is bound to not escape these affairs," Xiao Jinxing explained.
Ye Qichi rolled his eyes.
"Hezhen missed the Winter Solstice palace banquet due to catching a cold and is now recovered. She needs to enter the palace to apologize to the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine; her visit won’t be sudden, nor will it raise suspicion. Liu Xinran and Qin Junsheng, being new to the palace and summoned by the other concubines to be acquainted, is also the most normal of things. I will arrange in advance for Hezhen to meet Liu Xinran and Qin Junsheng when she enters the palace; Hezhen will know how to guide them," Xiao Jinxing shared his plan with Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi listened.
He didn’t ask further.
After all, the things Xiao Jinxing set out to achieve usually bear no mistakes.
"After you go back, hurry up with preparing the medicine. It will be ready for use when Hezhen enters the palace," Xiao Jinxing instructed.
"Just a reminder," Ye Qichi said, "Your father seems to have been eating the Imperial Concubine’s lotus seed soup for years now, and certainly, it won’t be possible for him to recover suddenly; it requires gradual nurturing, at the very least three months. So this is not a matter of one or two days. Be prepared."
"I know," Xiao Jinxing nodded.
He is certainly not in a rush.
As long as a breakthrough is found, making the father take a bodily interest in other concubines and begin favoring the harem, the Imperial Concubine will no longer be able to dominate the harem alone. Moreover, the Imperial Concubine might feel threatened and jealous as Father begins to favor others, potentially leading to some extreme actions.
Once such extreme actions are discovered by Father.
The position of the Imperial Concubine in the harem could also become precarious.
And with the Imperial Concubine’s downfall, Xiao Jinsen would also be implicated.
Xiao Jinxing was plotting some affairs.
Ye Qichi leisurely enjoyed the snowy scenery outside by herself.
After midday, it had stopped snowing in Xun City, and the sun had come out.
Shining down, it felt somewhat warm.
Ye Qichi suddenly took an interest, "Xiao Jinxing, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Hezhen. How about visiting Marquis Mansion? Since you need Hezhen’s help with something, instead of having someone pass the message, it’s better to go to Marquis Mansion and tell her in person."
"You want to see Hezhen?" Xiao Jinxing asked.
"Being cooped up in Prince Chen’s Mansion all day, or going to the palace, is quite boring."
"Hm," Xiao Jinxing nodded.
Unexpectedly, he didn’t refuse her, which was quite a pleasant surprise for her.