Chapter 63

Xue Shi deeply regretted it. If she had listened to Xiao Xixi, she wouldn't have crossed the bridge.

But then she thought, perhaps it was precisely because she met Xiao Xixi that she was tainted with misfortune and encountered this unexpected disaster.

After all, for over a decade, nothing had happened at the General's Mansion. Yet, just the day after she brought her young daughter to meet Xiao Xixi, the two of them fell into the river, almost losing their lives.

Xue Shi didn't believe in such coincidences.

She remembered the words of the itinerant Taoist priest from sixteen years ago.

He said that Xiao Xixi was a natural harbinger of misfortune, specifically affecting her relatives. Anyone with blood ties to her would be doomed by her.

If one didn't want to be doomed by her, they had to stay far away from her.

Xue Shi thought the Taoist was right. She had only seen Xiao Xixi once, and she almost drowned in the river.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. She made up her mind to stay away from that harbinger of misfortune in the future.

The news that the Crown Prince spent two consecutive nights at the Qingge Hall quickly spread throughout the Eastern Palace.

Inside the Jinfeng Hall, Consort Li directly swept the medicine in front of her onto the ground, gnashing her teeth in hatred.

"I originally thought that Xiao Liangdi was a fool, and that she would obediently listen to me with just a little coaxing. I never expected that this woman's scheming is even deeper than that of Consort Bai. Her previous foolishness was all an act! I was deceived, the Crown Prince was deceived, and everyone was deceived by her!"

Caiyun hurriedly tried to calm her down: "Your Majesty, don't be angry. Xiao Liangdi is only temporarily favored. Let's wait and see; sooner or later, she will have her downfall!"

But Consort Li, now in a state of intense anger, couldn't listen to such words.

With red-rimmed eyes, she said, "I can't wait any longer. I can't let Xiao Liangdi continue to be favored. This woman is very devious and must be brought down as soon as possible!"

"What do you plan to do, Your Majesty?"

"Go and call Zhao Meiren. Tell her I have something to discuss with her."

The Crown Prince only said that she was not to leave the Jinfeng Hall until she finished copying the Buddhist scriptures, but he didn't say that her attendants couldn't leave, nor did he forbid her from inviting others into the Jinfeng Hall.

Caiyun hurriedly left.

Zhao Meiren had entered the Eastern Palace last year and was now seventeen years old. She had bright eyes and a beautiful smile, and was skilled in singing and dancing, making her a rare beauty.

However, because she was very timid and her father was only a minor official of the seventh rank, she was always cautious in her actions and words, afraid of offending anyone, which made her presence in the Eastern Palace quite low.

Upon learning that Consort Li wanted to see her, Zhao Meiren felt some unease but didn't dare to delay. She immediately followed Caiyun to the Jinfeng Hall.

The medicine that Consort Li had swept to the ground had already been cleaned up.

Consort Li had also calmed herself down. She was now reclining on a soft couch, looking pale and weak.

Zhao Meiren respectfully knelt and bowed.

Consort Li waved her over: "There's no need for formalities between sisters. Sister, come and sit down. We haven't had a heart-to-heart chat like this in a long time."

Zhao Meiren cautiously moved over, lifted her skirt, and sat down at the edge of the couch.

Consort Li took her hand, looked her up and down, and praised her: "It's been a few days, and you look even more beautiful. But your makeup is too plain, making you look less spirited. Caiyun, go and bring the jewelry box from the dressing table."

Caiyun quickly returned with a heavy, beautifully crafted wooden box.

Consort Li casually opened the lid, revealing the glittering jewels inside.

She generously said, "Sister, see if there's anything you like in here."