Chapter Five: The Urge to Kill

“Oh?” The Empress Dowager finally opened her eyes and glanced at her once more.

Hearing the term “aunt,” it was clear there was some secret matter to discuss.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, dismissing all irrelevant attendants. Only Yushu and Aunt Fanghua remained in the hall.

“Aunt, Ren Xixi is currently in the palace. She intends to fake her death together with Consort Wan to escape!”

“How dare they!”

The Empress Dowager, furious, slammed the teacup beside her onto the floor. Porcelain shards scattered everywhere, some striking Su Zhinian heavily, yet she didn’t even furrow her brow.

“How could they possibly dare?”

Faking death—how could they attempt such a thing?

“Your Majesty, please calm down and take care of your health,” Aunt Fanghua quickly soothed the Empress Dowager.

“His Majesty favors Consort Wan so much; why would she consider faking her death to leave the palace?”

As the Empress Dowager’s confidante, Aunt Fanghua spoke frankly.

“What if it’s to deal with the Empress?” Su Zhinian said expressionlessly.

Although Consort Wan was favored now, everyone knew the Empress was expecting, and once she bore a son, he would be the future Crown Prince.

All these were conclusions Su Zhinian drew from information from her previous life.

Hearing this, their faces changed.

Su Zhinian spoke bluntly, “If Consort Wan attempts to frame the Empress for this, given His Majesty’s favor, he won’t lash out immediately.”

“But if that thorn remains in his heart, how could he easily let it go?”

After all, how could the living defeat the dead?

Once the matter concluded and they returned from their feigned deaths, the Emperor would surely cherish this lost and found ideal woman even more.

Su Zhinian knew clearly that with her own abilities, she could not contend with Gu Shijin.

She needed to gain the power to stand against him.

The Empress Dowager’s expression suddenly darkened. Gripping the armrest of her chair tightly, she demanded sharply,

“Where did you learn this?”

A sorrowful aura enveloped Su Zhinian. She bit her lip, as if struggling to gather her strength before barely speaking.

“Aunt, you may not know. Ren Xixi told me this herself. She’s hiding now, letting Gu Shijin believe I’m the one sheltering her.”

“For this, Gu Shijin hates me with all his heart.”

“Yes, Miss was almost beaten to death by the general!” Yushu couldn’t help but whimper.

Su Zhinian revealed the bruises on her shoulder, making the Empress Dowager and Aunt Fanghua gasp sharply.

“Good heavens, Gu Shijin actually struck so brutally?”

Aunt Fanghua covered her mouth in disbelief.

Three years ago, Gu Shijin had actively sought to marry into the Su family, promising a lifelong commitment between two people — a promise that had caused quite a stir.

Now he dared to strike someone directly, showing how unreliable a man’s words could be.

A hint of pity flickered in the Empress Dowager’s eyes as she helped Su Zhinian to her feet, her gaze softening.

“Child, you’ve suffered.”

Tears glistened in Su Zhinian’s eyes as she grasped the Empress Dowager’s hand, sobbing softly.

“Aunt, Gu Shijin is outside now. He said if he can’t see Ren Xixi, he will kill me.”

“I have nowhere else to go; I can only beg you for help!”

The Empress Dowager’s face instantly turned cold and sharp. She snorted contemptuously.

“That scoundrel Gu Shijin! Let him dare lay a finger on you!”

“And that Ren Xixi—what kind of person dares to conspire with Consort Wan to stage this fake death?”

“If they want to put on a show, then I shall see it through with them. Humph, if they intend to fake death, I will lend a hand.”

“If they want to become a fixation in His Majesty’s heart, then so be it!”

At this moment, the Empress Dowager’s heart turned completely against Consort Wan. Anything threatening her power must be eliminated!

With these words from the Empress Dowager, Su Zhinian finally felt at ease.

But there was still Gu Shijin to deal with—he needed to see Ren Xixi in the palace with his own eyes before he would give up.

Su Zhinian’s voice softened, like a frightened little animal, hesitantly speaking.

“Aunt, I have an impertinent request. I hope you will agree.”

The Empress Dowager had thoroughly changed her opinion of Su Zhinian. This niece was no fool and might one day prove useful.

Considering this, she smiled kindly and patted Su Zhinian’s hand.

“Speak freely, child. I will not be stingy with my help.”

Su Zhinian’s small face brightened with a radiant smile.

“Aunt, I want to meet Consort Wan.”

The Empress Dowager immediately understood her intent and nodded.

“Go ahead. I will send for her.”

To avoid raising suspicion, Su Zhinian first put on the appearance of someone deeply wronged and stormed out of Cining Palace.

Later, after finding Gu Shijin, they disguised themselves and followed Aunt Fanghua back to Cining Palace.

Gu Shijin looked puzzled, but since this was beside the Empress Dowager, he dared not act out of line.

“General Gu, are you planning to break your word again?”

“Impossible! A gentleman’s word is his bond. I, the general, never go back on my promises!”

Seeing him so earnest, Su Zhinian could only chuckle inwardly. She cleared her throat and said firmly,

“General Gu, did you not promise to obey my commands once inside the palace?”

“Yes!” Gu Shijin nodded.

“Then from this moment on, please keep your mouth shut, watch where you look, and behave yourself like a transparent person. Can you do that?”

“... Fine, this general...”

“Silence!”

“...”

Gu Shijin had never been so reprimanded before. He held back his fury but forced himself to endure.

Soon, Aunt Fanghua arrived at Cining Palace with Consort Wan.

“I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be blessed with eternal peace.”

Consort Wan wore a simple moon-white, diagonally crossed robe adorned with plum blossom patterns. Several plain hairpins decorated her bun. Her pure and delicate face gave her an ethereal, otherworldly aura.

“Rise.”

The Empress Dowager’s expression was gentle, showing no intention to make things difficult, which relieved Bai Wanwan.

“I summoned you today because His Majesty told me that the Empress is expecting a child and enduring hardships. He hopes you can help manage the inner palace. What do you think?”

At these words, Bai Wanwan’s relieved expression had yet to fade before a serious look appeared.

She rose with solemn dignity and saluted, speaking calmly.

“Your Majesty, I must respectfully decline.”

“Oh? Why is that?” the Empress Dowager asked in surprise.

Behind the screen, Su Zhinian watched silently, a cold smile curling her lips.

Why else could it be?

It was because this Consort Wan preferred to maintain her detached and refined appearance.

None of these things were truly hers.

They were all forced upon her.

In the end, all the good reputation belonged to her.

Sure enough, Bai Wanwan spoke with righteous conviction, enunciating every word clearly.

“In the inner palace, there is the Empress Dowager above and virtuous consorts below. There is truly no place for me!”