Consort Jin came to deliver bird's nest soup to her.
What was the difference between this and a weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year?
Even if Chu Qianli were more foolish, she would know that this bird's nest soup was definitely not good.
Those who offer unprovoked kindness are either thieves or traitors.
"Consort Jin, I have urgent matters and need to go out. Please excuse me."
Chu Qianli didn't even glance at the bowl of bird's nest soup and quickly walked towards the door.
Consort Jin, however, stood at the door, blocking her path.
"How dare you! With just the title of a mere maiden, inferior to even a secondary consort, you still dare to put on airs in front of me?"
"I apologize, Consort Jin. You are the one coming to trouble me now. When have I ever put on airs in front of you?"
Was this considered being the instigator and then being a victim?
Did someone who comes to cause trouble expect a smiling face in return?
Consort Jin glared at her, displeased. "My imperial son has already placed you under house arrest. Where else can you go?"
"Where I can go is probably of no concern to you, Consort Jin."
"I know you are arrogant and defiant. I am not here to argue with you."
Consort Jin continued to block the doorway. As long as she stood there, she wasn't afraid that Chu Qianli would fly away.
She said coldly, "Currently, you are out of favor in this manor. The one who is in favor now is your sister, Chu Huaiyu."
Chu Qianli suppressed the urge to push her aside and looked at her expressionlessly.
She was indeed in a hurry to leave, but she also knew that the more anxious she appeared, the more Consort Jin would prevent her from leaving.
She needed Feng Yexuan to leave. At this juncture, if she argued with Consort Jin, Feng Yexuan would likely not let her out even more.
For now, she would endure!
"Your Highness, may I know what you wish to do by coming to see me so late?"
"I am merely here to deliver a bowl of bird's nest soup. I heard you were injured before."
Consort Jin glanced at her, her gaze subconsciously drifting towards her stomach.
Chu Qianli didn't know what she was looking at. What was so special about her stomach?
Had she gained weight recently and developed a "love handle" or two?
Chu Qianli couldn't help but lower her head and look at herself.
Her waist was still slender, with no visible trace of fat.
They were both women. What was so good about such a waist?
Chu Qianli was indifferent and said casually, "I am in good health. Thank you for your concern, Consort Jin. However, I really must go out. Please move aside, Consort Jin."
She didn't want to conflict with her, but that didn't mean she was willing to be submissive.
If her boundaries were crossed, she wouldn't mind a conflict.
"Heh, you insist on being so arrogant. Don't you know that if you want to be the main consort of Prince Xuan, you should try to appease those around him?"
Although she was Prince Xuan's adoptive mother, didn't she understand the saying that a birth mother isn't as anxious as an adoptive mother?
Chu Qianli found it amusing. "Let's not even discuss whether Consort Jin is truly that important in the Prince's heart. Even if we take a step back, I don't seem to have any intention of becoming Prince Xuan's consort."
So, appeasement?
Was she overthinking things?
Consort Jin's expression darkened.
This damned girl was unyielding and so difficult to deal with!
"I don't care! I personally brought the bird's nest soup here because I wanted to mend our relationship. I am doing this out of respect for Xuan'er!"
Consort Jin was blocking the doorway, looking resolute.
"If you still wish to stay in the manor, you will eat this bird's nest soup! From now on, I will be more accommodating to you!"
"Let's coexist peacefully. From now on, I'll go my way, and you'll go yours. We'll be strangers."
Consort Jin picked up the bird's nest soup from the maid's tray.
"Xuan'er asked me to mend our relationship. Don't think I genuinely want to appease you! If you don't eat it, you're disrespecting Xuan'er!"
Consort Jin knew that this vixen had been placed under house arrest by Feng Yexuan recently.
If she wanted to leave, she would definitely need Xuan'er's permission.
She wouldn't dare to conflict with Xuan'er now, or she wouldn't be able to leave.
Therefore, Consort Jin's use of Feng Yexuan as an excuse had indeed hit Chu Qianli's weak spot.
Chu Qianli looked at the bowl of bird's nest soup pushed towards her.
If it were truly Feng Yexuan's intention, she would eat it.
But why did it feel so wrong?
"Why would His Highness suddenly ask Consort Jin to mend our relationship?"
Hadn't he been utterly indifferent to her before?
It didn't seem like Feng Yexuan's style of doing things.
The more she thought about it, the more something felt off.
"Your Highness, could this bird's nest soup be poisoned?"
Consort Jin's face darkened, and a flicker of unease flashed in her eyes.
Although it flashed very quickly, it did not escape Chu Qianli's eyes.
This bird's nest soup indeed had a problem.
"Tell me, why do you want to poison me?" Chu Qianli's voice suddenly deepened.
In an instant, she took a step forward, closing in on Consort Jin!
Consort Jin was caught off guard and forced to retreat two steps.
Chu Qianli also seized this opportunity to slip out of the room, avoiding Consort Jin's obstruction.
Consort Jin's face turned green with anger!
"Bitch, how dare you slander me like this!"
"I was just asking casually. However, I don't like bird's nest soup. Consort Jin, please bring some pastries next time; they might suit my taste better."
Since she was able to get out, and she was in a hurry to return to the Duke's mansion, she didn't want to get into further entanglement with Consort Jin.
Chu Qianli turned and walked towards the main gate of Qianyun Pavilion.
Consort Jin hurriedly chased a few steps and said angrily, "Do you think Feng Xuan will pay attention to you if you go to him now? Chu Huaiyu is already by his side!"
Chu Qianli's eyes darkened, but she didn't respond, walking straight ahead.
Xier followed behind her, timidly catching up.
When they were far away, Xier said, "Consort, it's fortunate you were alert just now! Consort Jin offering you kindness for no reason must have had ill intentions."
However, daring to poison the Consort with bird's nest soup was too bold of Consort Jin.
But the Consort, with her current status as a concubine, truly had no standing in the manor.
Anyone could come and bully her!
It was too much!
Chu Qianli said nothing, but she was also a little puzzled.
Although Consort Jin hated her, she had finally managed to return to the manor. At this time, she would not rashly do something that would anger Feng Yexuan.
Why was she so bold as to try and poison her?
This matter was indeed a bit strange...
Arriving outside the gates of Wuzhou Garden, Chu Qianli turned to Xier and said, "You go wander around. Go back after Consort Jin leaves Qianyun Pavilion."
"Understood," Xier nodded.
The Prince disliked unrelated women entering his quarters. Following the Consort inside would also result in her being blocked at the door.
As for Qianyun Pavilion, if she returned now and encountered Consort Jin, Consort Jin would surely torment her.
Someone had to vent their anger on.
Xier turned and left, obediently.
Chu Qianli watched her walk away before turning back and slowly entering Wuzhou Garden.
Wuzhou Garden was brightly lit tonight.
Was Feng Yexuan entertaining distinguished guests?
As soon as she walked in, she heard a pleasant zither melody.
Moving closer, she looked up and faintly saw a graceful figure dancing enchantingly in the hall...