The spring flowers bloomed brilliantly.

Those viewing the flowers gradually all arrived.

After court ended, the Emperor also came to join the excitement.

As soon as he sat down, the Emperor began coughing.

Consort Yun, who was closest, asked with concern: “Has Your Majesty caught a chill?”

Eunuch Gao, standing behind, replied with bowed head: “He did catch a chill a few nights ago. Imperial physicians have already prescribed medicine, but somehow the coughing has grown worse and worse.”

Consort Yun’s brows were full of worry: “Have the imperial physicians examine him more carefully later.”

Li Jingshu lowered her head and took a sip of tea, her lips curved in an enigmatic smile.

When His Majesty began falling ill, it meant the parasitic worm had already taken root in His Majesty’s body.

When she became Empress would be when she cured His Majesty of the poison. She wanted to stand hand in hand with His Majesty at the highest place, admiring together this vast empire…

Midway through the flower-viewing banquet, a young woman from among the palace consorts stood up.

Yun Chu recognized her as a palace maid who had been quite favored by His Majesty two years ago. After becoming pregnant, she was enfeoffed as Noble Lady Wu. A few months ago, she had just given birth to the Ninth Princess.

“Your Majesty!” Noble Lady Wu spoke delicately, her voice full of grievance. “This consort requests Your Majesty render judgment…”

The Emperor coughed several times, his brows showing obvious impatience: “What is it?”

Tears streamed down Noble Lady Wu’s face: “After this consort gave birth to the Ninth Princess, according to regulations, this consort’s palace should receive an additional portion for the Ninth Princess’s monthly allowance, along with daily necessities that must be added according to princess specifications. But, but…”

Hearing this, Consort Yun frowned: “I already had the Ministry of Internal Affairs register the Ninth Princess’s portion. It’s been delivered every month.”

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs hasn’t delivered it to this consort’s palace before it was, was intercepted.” Noble Lady Wu said tearfully. “It was Madam Jin… The chief palace maid beside Madam Jin took the Ninth Princess’s allowance right before this consort’s eyes… This consort knows such matters should be referred to Elder Sister Consort Yun for judgment, but Elder Sister Consort Yun isn’t the Empress. How can she manage Madam Jin, who saved His Majesty’s life? This consort could only dare to request His Majesty render judgment!”

As these words fell, many people present changed expressions.

That Madam Jin living in Yangxin Hall was one thing, but now she was even seizing the allowances of imperial consorts—wasn’t that too domineering?

Under everyone’s strange gazes, Li Jingshu’s expression also turned aggrieved: “Your Majesty, it’s clearly Consort Yun who has withheld my allowance, so I…”

Hearing this, Consort Yun actually laughed in anger: “May I ask Madam Jin, what rank of allowance should I give you?”

A noble lady living in Yangxin Hall was already absurd enough, yet she still wanted an imperial consort’s allowance—since when had there been such precedent?

Li Jingshu’s expression grew even more aggrieved: “When I was at the Duke’s residence, my food, clothing, and daily needs never fell short. Your Majesty, I should just return there…”

Her gaze met the Emperor’s eyes.

As the Emperor looked at her eyes, he seemed to be drawn in, momentarily losing focus.

When the Emperor came back to his senses, his gaze turned cold as he looked at Consort Yun: “Consort Yun’s audacity grows ever greater—you even dare withhold Madam Jin’s monthly allowance!”

Consort Yun knelt directly: “This consort received temporary orders to manage the inner palace. I would never dare withhold anyone’s monthly allowance. Everything is clearly registered. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe it, this consort will immediately have the accounts brought for Your Majesty’s inspection!”

“Regardless of how your accounts are registered, you shouldn’t have let Madam Jin suffer grievance.” The Emperor spoke slowly. “Consort Yun has lost propriety and is insufficient to hold the phoenix seal…”

Consort Yun couldn’t believe it.

His Majesty didn’t even investigate before directly taking away the phoenix seal?

Since His Majesty regarded Madam Jin so importantly, why let her live improperly and without justification in Yangxin Hall, subject to gossip? Why not simply enfeoff Madam Jin as an imperial consort?

Li Jingshu’s fingers also paused.

She had used the parasitic worm to make His Majesty unconditionally side with her. Why had His Majesty only simply taken away the phoenix seal?

She raised her face and looked toward the Emperor sitting in the highest seat.

As if sensing this, the Emperor also looked at her, lost focus again, then spoke: “Consort Yun has lost virtue to such extent—immediately confine her to the Cold Palace…”

As these words fell, everyone present erupted.

Even knowing such occasions weren’t suitable for discussion, some still couldn’t help whispering to each other.

“Heavens, Consort Yun is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family. For the sake of an outside noble lady, His Majesty actually wants to confine Consort Yun to the Cold Palace. Too absurd!”

“Moreover, Consort Yun did nothing wrong at all. How can this be called losing virtue? Offending Madam Jin equals losing virtue?”

“I finally understand why His Majesty never gave Madam Jin a title—he wants Madam Jin to become Empress?”

“How is Madam Jin qualified to be Empress? Entering the palace without the three letters and six rites, completely without propriety! Never bearing even one son or daughter for His Majesty, with no merit to the imperial house! Yet she dares harbor such delusions—truly laughable!”

“Lower your voice, be careful His Majesty punishes you!”

“…”

Consort Yun was already stunned.

Before the banquet began, she had been telling Chu’er that she wanted to compete for the Empress position.

But before anything had even begun, it seemed to be ending.

In His Majesty’s heart, she wasn’t worth even one of Madam Jin’s fingers…

Noble Lady Wu, who had been first to complain, went completely rigid.

She never imagined His Majesty wouldn’t investigate the truth but would confine Consort Yun to the Cold Palace.

Then didn’t that make her, the complainant…

A chill slowly spread from Noble Lady Wu’s spine.

Li Jingshu’s lips curved into a smile.

The more His Majesty cared for her, the stronger the parasitic worm’s effect. That Western Region witch truly hadn’t deceived her.

She tucked a strand of hair back, suppressing the parasitic worm surging within her.

She needed to find a good opportunity to have His Majesty enfeoff her as Empress…

Just as she was fantasizing in her heart, a figure stood up from the crowd.

It was Yun Chu.

She walked out and walked to the bottom of the steps, kneeling together with Consort Yun: “This daughter-in-law has a letter to present. I request Father Emperor review it.”

Eunuch Gao descended the steps, received the letter, and delivered it before the Emperor.

Those present were all thinking this letter was probably a personal letter from the Pillar of State, Grand General and Grand Marshal. Consort Yun was the Grand General’s own younger sister. With the Grand General vouching for her, His Majesty probably wouldn’t confine Consort Yun to the Cold Palace.

Li Jingshu sneered coldly.

Even if Yun Silin came personally, it would be useless. With the parasitic worm present, whatever she thought in her heart, the Emperor would do!

Then the Emperor’s expression suddenly changed dramatically as he looked at Yun Chu: “Where did this letter come from?”

Yun Chu spoke slowly: “From a woman calling herself Li Jingshu, who wrote it to this daughter-in-law, requesting this daughter-in-law pass it to her second young master.”

“What?!”

The Emperor suddenly stood up.

Li Jingshu’s expression also changed abruptly.

The real Li Jingshu… had gone mad over thirty years ago and been confined by her in an estate in the suburbs of the capital, locked up day after day, growing more and more insane. She had imperial physicians examine her. The physicians said that wretch had completely lost her mind and couldn’t possibly be cured.

Therefore, she had relaxed her vigilance. Over a year ago, that wretch had escaped.

She had arranged for people to search everywhere but never found any trace. She thought the wretch had probably died, and even if not dead, a madwoman couldn’t possibly live much longer…