In Lingxue Hall, when Consort Liu heard that Lady Liang had been taken away, her heart sank to the pit of her stomach.

She immediately sent someone to find out why Lady Liang was taken.

Lady Liang hadn’t been particularly discreet about her activities, and many in the palace were aware of them. It only took a little probing for Consort Liu’s people to learn the whole story.

After hearing the report, Consort Liu’s expression turned exceedingly grim.

She tried to hold it in, but in the end, she couldn’t stop herself from cursing under her breath.

"Imbecile!"

’The deed was already done. All Lady Liang had to do was stay put quietly in her own residence.’

’But no, she just had to go parading around, practically asking for death.’

’This is just great. The Emperor must suspect Lady Liang now.’

’With a mind like hers, she’ll never withstand harsh interrogation.’

The more Consort Liu thought about it, the more panicked she became.

She knew full well that her relationship with Lady Liang was one of pure mutual exploitation, with not a shred of friendship between them. Once Lady Liang confessed, she would surely implicate her as well.

Consort Liu forced down her anxiety, silently telling herself.

’The more critical the moment, the more important it is not to lose my composure.’

’I’ve been in the palace for so many years. What storms haven’t I weathered? If I just think carefully, I can definitely come up with a suitable solution.’

Perhaps the self-suggestion worked, as Consort Liu truly began to calm down, little by little.

’I am an Imperial Concubine. In the rear palaces, my status is second only to the Empress Dowager and the Empress.’

’I even bore the Fifth Prince for the Saint.’

’My elder brother holds a key position in the court and is a man the Saint finds very useful...’

’With so many advantages on my side, what do I have to panic about?’

’So what if Lady Liang rats me out?’

’As long as I deny it to the death, the Saint won’t do anything to me based on Lady Liang’s one-sided testimony, even if he has his doubts.’

’Yes, all I have to do is deny everything.’

Consort Liu had psyched herself up.

She slowly exhaled, her heart feeling much more settled.

’A mere Lady Liang is nothing to be afraid of.’

Consort Liu called out for Zijuan.

Zijuan was her Chief Palace Maid, exceptionally clever and competent. She had earned Consort Liu’s deep trust and reliance; whenever any trouble arose, Zijuan was the one sent to handle it.

This time was naturally no exception.

But Consort Liu called her name several times without any sign of Zijuan.

Consort Liu couldn’t help but frown and summoned another palace maid.

"Where did Zijuan go? Why don’t I see her anywhere?"

The palace maid replied with downcast eyes, "This servant doesn’t know either."

’What’s wrong with that girl Zijuan? Vanishing at a critical moment like this. When I find her, I’ll be sure to teach her a good lesson.’

Consort Liu said to the palace maid before her.

"Go and get Quan Fu."

"Yes."

Soon enough, Quan Fu appeared before Consort Liu.

Quan Fu was a sharp fellow and knew how to handle things. He was very popular among the eunuchs and palace maids, which made him an expert at gathering information.

Consort Liu said, "Go and find out how Lady Liang is doing now. Has the Saint sent her back?"

"Yes."

Quan Fu agreed with a bow and a scrape.

Watching his retreating back, Consort Liu suddenly recalled something Zijuan had said before—

"Your Grace, just now on his way to the Imperial Hospital to get medicine, Quan Fu happened to see Prince Zhao entering the palace."

"Quan Fu did a little asking around and heard that the Saint had an errand for Prince Zhao, so he had him summoned to the Imperial Palace early this morning."

As if by some supernatural whim, Consort Liu called out to Quan Fu.

"Wait."

Quan Fu stopped in his tracks at once and asked cautiously, "Does Your Grace have any other orders?"

Consort Liu asked, "Last time, when you went to the Imperial Hospital for medicine, how did you just happen to see Prince Zhao on the way?"

The Imperial Palace wasn’t massive, but it wasn’t small either.

There were many paths from Lingxue Hall to the Imperial Hospital. Why would Quan Fu just happen to run into Prince Zhao on the way?

A flicker of doubt arose in her heart.

Quan Fu thought for a moment and recalled what the Noble Consort was asking about.

He answered truthfully.

"It was because Mistress Zijuan said the peonies in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom."

"She wanted this servant to stop by the Imperial Garden and pick some peonies on my way back from getting medicine at the Imperial Hospital."

"She wanted to replace the slightly wilted roses in Your Grace’s room."

"As Your Grace probably knows, the Imperial Garden is quite close to Hanzhang Hall."

"When this servant was passing through the Imperial Garden, I happened to see Prince Zhao enter Hanzhang Hall."

"This servant often heard Mistress Zijuan talk about Prince Zhao."

"She said that Prince Zhao was a formidable person and that we must pay close attention to him."

"So, this servant secretly went to inquire about the reason for Prince Zhao’s visit to the palace. I didn’t expect to actually find out the truth."

The more Consort Liu listened, the more alarmed she became.

On their own, Quan Fu’s words seemed to have no issues.

But when connected to the fact that Zijuan had deliberately suggested to Consort Liu that Prince Zhao might have harmed the Fifth Prince, the implications were enormous.

There was no "happened to see." There was only Zijuan’s deliberate arrangement.

She had deliberately hinted for Quan Fu to keep a closer eye on Prince Zhao, and then, when Prince Zhao was summoned to the palace by imperial decree, she had deliberately arranged for Quan Fu to be picking flowers near Hanzhang Hall.

After Quan Fu found out about Prince Zhao, Zijuan then went to Consort Liu to whisper poison in her ear, flinging mud at Prince Zhao’s name.

At the time, Consort Liu was distraught over the matter with the Fifth Prince. Coupled with her already poor impression of Prince Zhao and the fact that Zijuan was someone she trusted, she had been swayed with almost no hesitation.

’Thinking back now, how could I have believed Prince Zhao was the true culprit behind the harm to the Fifth Prince without a shred of evidence?’

’It was all because of Zijuan’s instigation.’

’The reason Zijuan is missing now must be because she has a guilty conscience and went into hiding beforehand.’

Quan Fu waited a long time for the Noble Consort to speak. He cautiously raised his head, only to find her expression incomparably dark, her beautiful eyes filled with malice.

A shiver ran down Quan Fu’s spine. He hastily averted his gaze and lowered his head again, not daring to look any longer.

Consort Liu clenched her fists tightly and said through gritted teeth.

"Go find Zijuan."

After a pause, she added with heavy emphasis.

"No matter where she is, even if you have to turn the entire Imperial Palace upside down, you will find her for me."

"No matter what, I want her found—dead or alive!"

The last sentence was practically squeezed out through her clenched teeth.

Anyone could hear the ruthless fury in Consort Liu’s voice.

Quan Fu didn’t understand what mistake Mistress Zijuan, who was usually so highly valued by the Noble Consort, could have committed to incite such hatred from her.

He didn’t dare say a word, nor did he dare to ask. He simply accepted the order obediently and left.

Finding Zijuan in such a large Imperial Palace was no easy task.

Consort Liu had already prepared herself for a wait of several days.

Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Quan Fu would bring Zijuan before Consort Liu.

"Reporting to the Noble Consort, this servant has found Mistress Zijuan."