After all, she was from the Southern Neighboring Country. Fortunately, Concubine Lian was smart enough not to be directly swayed by the words of the woman in front of her. Instead, she remained vigilant and didn't answer.
Yao Ji seemed to have anticipated her reaction. She curled her lips slightly and took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom.
Wasn't that the aphrodisiac she had given to Concubine Chu before?! How did it end up in her hands? Concubine Lian's face showed a hint of surprise.
But she still pretended to be calm and asked, "What is this?"
She naturally couldn't let this incriminating evidence fall into someone else's hands, or she would lose control of her own fate.
Yao Ji continued to smile, seemingly showing disdain for the woman in front of her. Then she said, "I won't tell anyone about this, not even Concubine Chu. If I'm not mistaken, if Concubine Chu found out, you wouldn't be able to survive, would you?"
As she said this, she glanced at her sideways.
Concubine Lian was immediately hit where it hurt the most. She felt as if her embarrassment was about to be exposed. Her teeth involuntarily bit down on her lower lip, and her eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"What on earth do you want?!" she roared.
The woman in front of her had clearly caught her in a compromising situation but had passed up the opportunity to curry favor with Concubine Chu and instead come to her. There must be a purpose.
Yao Ji stuffed the porcelain bottle back into her sleeve. Then, half - closing her eyes, she replied, "I want to cooperate with you. I'll help you do what you want, and you help me achieve my plan."
As she said this, she raised her eyebrows at the woman in front of her, seemingly confident that she would reach an agreement with her.
After a moment of thought, Concubine Lian indeed nodded firmly. She had already risked everything. Whether it was setting up Concubine Chu before or cooperating with Yao Ji now, she had already embarked on a path of no return.
But wasn't all this forced upon her by the harem? She was already fed up with all the scheming here. So, why not take a chance? Maybe there was still a way out.
Thinking of this, her eyes cleared, and there was a hint of wildness on her face.
Yao Ji looked at the woman in front of her and felt a sense of triumph. She had sent people to investigate Concubine Lian and knew that her entire family was under the command of the Nangong Mansion. Even she herself was being oppressed by Concubine Chu. Naturally, she no longer wanted to endure it.
She had also secretly discovered that Concubine Lian had made the aphrodisiac for Concubine Chu, so she knew that she wasn't the kind of person who was willing to be submissive. That's why she had approached her.
After all, she needed an accomplice in the harem, and Concubine Lian was clearly the most suitable candidate. She had a bit of intelligence but lacked the strength to fulfill her own ambitions. Such a person was the perfect pawn for her.
Thinking of this, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up, showing a devilishly charming expression. Looking at the figure of the woman walking out of the tent, she seemed to have already thought of the next step in her plan.
On the other side, Dongfang Yi's tent had already been tidied up. After eating some of the special delicacies from the hunting ground, she decided to go out of the tent and take a stroll.
After all, the real winter hunting competition wouldn't officially start until tomorrow, and today was for making full preparations.
Donghua came to her with a basket of arrows and said, "Your Majesty, these are our arrows for tomorrow. There are our marks on the arrowheads, which will make it easier to count the prey after the hunting."
There was a competition in this hunting. It was said that the person who won the first place in this competition could get a favor from the emperor. As long as they won, they could ask for anything.
Although Dongfang Yi wasn't very interested in this favor, if someone else got it, she would feel annoyed. Just thinking about Helian Qi having to grant someone's wish made her feel unhappy. So, she must win this hunting competition.
Thinking of this, she lifted the curtain of the tent and walked outside. It was not yet dark, but torches had been lit in some places. There were guards around them to ensure their safety.
After walking around for a while, Dongfang Yi felt it was rather boring because they were not allowed to enter the woods casually. So, she decided to go to Helian Qi's tent to see him.
Just as she was about to arrive, she saw a familiar figure enter the emperor's tent one step ahead of her. That woman was none other than Concubine Chu.
She frowned, wondering what tricks she was up to this time. She quietly tiptoed to the outside of the tent and listened intently to the conversation inside.
Inside the tent, Helian Qi, who had been reading memorials, saw Concubine Chu come in. His eyebrows frowned imperceptibly.
Nangong Liuyun had sent several letters hinting that he should get closer to Concubine Chu, but he had ignored them all. What was she doing here now?
After thinking for a while, he asked, "My love, what do you want?"
Outside the tent, Dongfang Yi stuck out her tongue and thought to herself: What a fake 'my love'!
Concubine Chu bowed respectfully. Then she waved her hand, signaling the maids behind her to put the soup on the table. She said, "Your Majesty, I made a bowl of tremella and lotus seed soup for you myself. Don't overwork yourself."
As she said this, she pretended to frown worriedly. If an outsider saw her, they would surely think she was a well - educated and virtuous concubine.
But Helian Qi sneered inwardly. He had already seen through the vicious intentions of the woman in front of him. However, he still replied coldly, "Thank you, my love."
Thank you, my love? He wasn't afraid of hurting his tongue! Dongfang Yi rolled her eyes continuously outside. She accidentally stepped on something and made a noise.
She quickly squatted down, afraid of being discovered eavesdropping.
Both people inside the tent were vigilant and looked to the side. But Helian Qi seemed to think of something and said to the woman in front of him, "I still have official documents to read. If you have nothing else to do, please go back."
Concubine Chu hesitated for a moment. The man clearly meant to drive her away. Thinking of this, she bit her lips.
"I've recently learned some new cooking skills. Your Majesty, please come and take a look tonight," she said.
Helian Qi squinted at the woman in the distance, snorting coldly in his heart. But he agreed on the surface. He wanted to see what tricks this woman was going to play.
After Concubine Chu left, he said loudly into the air, "Have you eavesdropped enough? Come in quickly!"
He had realized that it was Dongfang Yi when he heard the noise, so he had quietly allowed her to eavesdrop until now.
Dongfang Yi pouted unhappily. She had just heard Helian Qi agree to go and see Concubine Chu tonight.
So, she walked into the tent with a scowl, her eyes filled with the anger of wanting to kill the man in front of her.
"Helian Qi!"