These past few days, the emperor had been investigating the matter and had finally made so progress. He was so exhausted that he nearly collapsed.
After saying this, the steady sound of breathing rose above Jiang Xinyue's head.
The emperor had already fallen asleep.
The room was dimly lit by an oil lamp. Since Shuang Jiang was injured, Xi Que was the one sleeping outside to keep watch.
She had also overheard the conversation between the emperor and empress. Her not-so-bright little mind couldn't figure out how to answer the question her mistress had posed.
Why had the culprit specifically targeted Shuang Jiang?
Why not Xi Que?
Jiang Xinyue thought that as long as she connected this to the mysterious person who could change faces—the one they hadn't found yet—the answer would beco clear.
Shuang Jiang was introverted and low-key. Aside from the people in Kunning Palace, she hardly interacted with anyone from other palaces.
She didn’t have particularly close friends, nor did she have any serious enemies. It seed like she was on casual terms with everyone.
Soone like her, even if there were slight differences in her personality or speech, would hardly be noticed by others.
Xi Que, on the other hand, was different…
Not only had Xi Que grown up with Jiang Xinyue and knew her personality inside out, understanding her with just a glance, but her bold, outspoken, and decisive nature was also sothing that couldn’t easily be imitated.
Which palace maid or eunuch didn’t know Xi Que?
If soone targeted Xi Que, they would not only have to deal with everyone in the palace who knew her but also Jiang Xinyue herself. That would be incredibly difficult. And let’s not forget, Xi Que also had ng Qingyu, her fiancé!
In short, targeting Xi Que would make it far too easy to get exposed.
That person wanted to replace Shuang Jiang’s face and infiltrate Jiang Xinyue’s inner circle.
Once that was done, killing the crown prince or the seventh prince would be as easy as lifting a finger.
The next day, the emperor left early for court, and Jiang Xinyue, with her mind preoccupied, also rose early.
After Xi Que finished helping her wash up, she called Shuang Jiang over.
In the main hall, Shuang Jiang had dicine applied to her forehead, which Jiang Chuan and Xiao Xiangzi had found to reduce swelling and prevent scarring.
Although they hadn’t pleaded for Shuang Jiang, they had shown their care for her through their actions.
“Your Majesty, are you saying that the face-changer and the person trying to harm the seventh prince and the third princess are the sa person?”
“If not, there’s no way to explain her actions.”
Originally, the face-changer had given Mu Qianqian a face resembling Jiang Xinyue’s to sow discord between her and the emperor.
Since the plot was aid at Jiang Xinyue, it made sense that her children were now being targeted as well.
“What should I do, then?”
Shuang Jiang leaned in closer, and Xi Que also lowered her head, listening carefully to her mistress’s plan.
By the ti Jiang Xinyue had finished laying out her strategy, the sun had risen, but the autumn morning was still chilly.
Eunuchs and maids from various palaces would often pretend to pass by Kunning Palace to eavesdrop on the latest news.
Normally, they wouldn’t hear much, but today was different.
Hadn’t white phosphorus powder been found in Shuang Jiang’s room the other day?
Today, it seed like sothing was stirring.
Xi Que’s sharp voice rang out: “I treated you like a sister, and this is how you repay ? Her Majesty has been so kind to you, providing you with food and shelter, and you collude with outsiders to harm the young princes?”
“You’ve always been good at putting on an act, pretending to be obedient in front of Her Majesty, but the mont soone offers you a little benefit, your true colors show? Let tell you, Her Majesty might be soft-hearted and trust you, but I, Xi Que, am not so easily fooled. From today onward, all of you stay away from her. Anyone who dares to speak to her will have to answer to . I’ll make sure you’re driven out of Kunning Palace.”
Once the head maid of Kunning Palace had spoken, no one dared to disobey. After all, Xi Que held absolute authority in front of Her Majesty.
“Shuang Jiang from Kunning Palace is being ostracized by Xi Que?”
“Yes! It’s because of the fire in Kunning Palace a few days ago. Rumor has it that Shuang Jiang was bribed, but Her Majesty didn’t believe it and kept her around.”
“Xi Que is fiercely loyal to Her Majesty, so of course she can’t stand Shuang Jiang! Over the years, Shuang Jiang has been gaining influence as a senior maid, and Xi Que must have been secretly resentful.”
“Well, now she’s finally got her chance. With her fiery temper, Shuang Jiang is in for a rough ti.”
It was lunchti, and the dining halls for the palace maids and eunuchs were packed. Shuang Jiang had gotten her al and, as usual, tried to sit with the other Kunning Palace staff.
But as soon as she set her bowl down and before she could even sit, the entire table cleared out, as if she were sothing filthy—untouchable.
Being treated like a plague was bad enough, but the young maids and eunuchs who used to call her “Sister Shuang Jiang” now threw scraps of food at her.
“Traitor! Ungrateful wretch! How dare you sit with us?”
“That’s right! You’ve betrayed Her Majesty, so from now on, you’re our enemy. Xi Que said you won’t be allowed to leave Kunning Palace, but we’ll make sure you’re driven out.”
“You should know your place. Her Majesty is too kind-hearted to punish you, but you should be grateful and leave on your own. Stop leeching off Kunning Palace. Do you think Xi Que is going to let this slide?”
“Bang!”
“It wasn’t ! I didn’t do it!”
Shuang Jiang flipped the table over and scread hysterically: “I told you it wasn’t ! It wasn’t ! Her Majesty believes , so why won’t you?”
She roared: “What revenge for the young princes? Xi Que is just jealous! Jealous that Her Majesty values more, so she’s using this chance to get rid of ! She’s always hated —don’t think I don’t know!”
The maids and eunuchs of Kunning Palace were stunned. Was Sister Shuang Jiang really angry?
Weren’t they just acting? Why did she suddenly explode like this?
Was it part of the act, or was she genuinely furious?
They were too scared to continue.
“Y-you… why are you shouting? You’re the one who did wrong!”
One of Xi Que’s maids, though trembling with fear, mustered the courage to retort, allowing Shuang Jiang to continue her performance.
“What did I do? I told you it wasn’t ! Why won’t you believe ? Why won’t you believe ?”
She scread like a madwoman beside the overturned table, her ntal state crumbling—exactly what certain people wanted to see.
If you want to destroy soone, first drive them to madness.
A plain-colored robe disappeared around the corner, carrying news of what had just happened.
Mu Tan had just finished speaking when Consort Liang gasped, covering her mouth: “Xi Que always seed so sweet and adorable, but when she gets ruthless, she really doesn’t hold back!”
Before this incident, she and Shuang Jiang had been so close!
Even real sisters argue and fight, let alone Shuang Jiang and Xi Que, who were technically rivals.
In front of Her Majesty, there was only room for one head maid.
Everyone was watching Shuang Jiang’s downfall, and no one stepped forward to help her. It was clear that Xi Que’s reputation was not to be underestimated.
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