The Female Psychology PHD Got Time Travelled To The Royal Harem

Chapter 75

"Think about it some more," Jiang Xinyue said, giving her a gentle push on the head. "Use that pretty little brain of yours. Which high-ranking concubine doesn't have a brother working in the palace these days?"

Even if they didn't have blood brothers, there was always a relative or two from their extended family. Otherwise, how would these concubines communicate with their families?

Not only did the Empress and Consort De have such connections, but Consort Liang, Consort Jin, Ye Baolin, and even Concubine Li and Consort Wan all had them too.

Of course, their backgrounds varied, and so did their abilities, which led to different levels of success.

Those who hadn't fared well naturally envied those who had. When a rare opportunity presented itself, who wouldn't seize it?

Xi Que gazed into Jiang Xinyue's eyes, feeling her own foolish reflection staring back from her mistress's wise gaze.

Jiang Xinyue wasn't in a hurry. She let Xi Que think it through on her own while she sat by the gauze window, her elbow propped on the desk as she read a book.

"Ah!" After a long while, Xi Que finally exclaimed, "I understand now! If we spread the news that you stabbed a guard, they'll start framing each other."

Jiang Xinyue nodded. "When that happens, they'll go to great lengths to frame one another, even fabricating wounds that match the golden hairpin I supposedly used. Why should I exert myself when others will perfect the lie for us?"

By evening, news of Concubine Zhen stabbing a guard in the chest had spread throughout the imperial harem.

Concubine Li grabbed Xia He's hand. "Is it true that Concubine Zhen herself said this?"

Xia He nodded vigorously. "Yes, My Lady. Concubine Zhen told the Emperor herself. Three imperial physicians were present at the time. If you don't believe me, you can summon Dr. Yan to confirm it."

"It must be true then," Concubine Li paced back and forth in the great hall, visibly excited. "I knew it. The Emperor's sudden decision to hold a grand martial arts competition was all for Concubine Zhen's sake. He wants to find the injured guard."

"It's been two days already, and they haven't finished testing all the guards who've gathered. I wonder if they'll be able to find him?"

Xia He's eyes darted about as she spoke. "My Lady, I heard that the Empress's second brother has gone back to Changan County to visit family. It will take a few days for him to return. He serves as a fourth-rank guard in the palace."

A fourth-rank guard was considered a fifth-grade official. While not a particularly high position, it offered great potential for advancement, unlike her own family's illegitimate brother, who was still just a sixth-grade musketeer in the imperial guard.

"Go, write a letter to grandfather. Tell them they must intercept Zhu Erlang and find out what Concubine Zhen's golden hairpin looks like. This time, I'm determined to deliver a crushing blow to the Empress."

Concubine Zhen's status was too low to be compared with hers or Empress Zhu's. No matter how much the Emperor favored her, she could only remain a concubine for life—a mere plaything, not worth worrying about.

Only the Empress posed a real threat in the harem. To have a chance at becoming the next Empress, she had to bring down the current one.

If Concubine Li could think of this plan, so could Empress Zhu, Consort De, Consort Liang, and the others.

Suddenly, the number of letters leaving the imperial harem multiplied several times over compared to usual.

The Xuanwu Emperor kept one eye open and one eye closed, instructing Wang Dequan to make a record of all the guards, maids, and eunuchs who delivered messages for the concubines. When the time was right, he would replace them all with his own trusted servants.