Consort Wei praised Bian Siyue to the skies, making her seem universally adored. Bian Siyue couldn't stop smiling.
Then, Consort Wei shifted her tone, lamenting that such a bright and perceptive person like Bian Siyue, after serving the Prince for so long and being so favored, was merely a *Ruren*.
"The Prince is a man of great deeds; he wouldn't bother with such trivialities. It's all handled by the Princess Consort. I saw you, my dear, serving the Princess Consort with all your heart, and I thought she must have made arrangements early on. Who knew..."
As Consort Wei spoke, she noticed Bian Siyue's face darken. A thrill ran through her; it seemed she had struck a nerve.
In reality, Bian Siyue was thinking: *She's calling me sister already? Who's your sister? I'm far more beautiful than you!*
Consort Wei sighed, "From the moment I met you, my dear, I felt a connection. I like you very much and truly feel for your situation. With your looks and talent, you should have been made a Consort long ago. It's a shame you have to be beneath me."
Bian Siyue felt like rolling her eyes. How could Consort Wei possibly think she would fall for such obvious instigation?
"...My dear, you are devastatingly beautiful, unparalleled in talent, and beloved by the Prince. It's no wonder the Princess Consort is wary of you. Speaking of which, during the Princess Consort's pregnancy and confinement, it was you who attended to the Prince. By rights," her gaze flickered over Bian Siyue's abdomen, "by rights, there should have been good news by now. You are so innocent and kind, you haven't suspected anything at all?"
Bian Siyue thought: *Suspect what, you old hag? I'm still a virgin! What good news?*
"Her Highness the Princess Consort appears so gentle, dignified, and graceful, yet I never expected her to be so venomous behind the scenes. Isn't she afraid of shortening the lifespan of the young Prince and Princess? Other mothers try their best to accumulate merit for their children, but she's so selfish, only thinking of her own favor!"
She brought up Wang Qingyao's two children, and Bian Siyue subconsciously frowned.
To Consort Wei, this was as good as Bian Siyue expressing her dissatisfaction with Wang Qingyao.
Finally, Bian Siyue sighed and took Consort Wei's soft hand, looking at her sincerely, "If I were Her Highness the Princess Consort, I would never let you suffer such injustice!"
Bian Siyue's heart jolted. She had thought Consort Wei was trying to flatter her to win her over to gang up on Wang Qingyao, purely out of jealousy for the Princess Consort and a desire for the Prince's favor. She never imagined Consort Wei's ultimate goal was to replace her!
What ambition!
She looked at Consort Wei in shock.
Her reaction was exactly as Consort Wei had anticipated.
Consort Wei curved her lips into a meaningful smile, "My aunt is the most honored Imperial Consort of the Great Sheng Dynasty. My sister is about to become the Crown Princess, and the Princess Consort's family..."
She didn't elaborate on the Princess Consort's family, but she knew Bian Siyue was well aware. Her parents were deceased, and though her paternal uncle was a high-ranking official, he was no match for Consort Wei's family.
"My dear, you are an intelligent woman. You know how to choose, and I am one who repays kindness."
Consort Wei departed gracefully.
Bian Siyue was itching to report to Wang Qingyao immediately. However, considering it was a joyous occasion for the young Prince and Princess, and she didn't want to spoil the Princess Consort's mood, she waited until the next day.
After listening, Wang Qingyao wasn't particularly surprised.
Consort Wei indeed wanted her dead, and not just dead, but she wanted to replace her!
Now that the Xiao family's curse was "lifted," it wasn't strange for Consort Wei, Imperial Consort Wei, and Wei Yu to know.
In the past, no one wanted to marry the short-lived Prince Ding'an.
But now, things were different.
He was a coveted prize.
Thinking further, Wang Qingyao felt she had lucked out. Without the talk of the Xiao family's curse and the prophecy from the Grand Tutor of Feng Fu, she wouldn't even qualify to be a concubine to Prince Ding'an.
"Let's expose her to the Old Dowager Princess and have her expelled from Prince Ding'an's manor."
Bian Siyue eagerly offered her plan, clearly knowing that Xiao Yun, as Wang Qingyao's kin, would believe anything Wang Qingyao said. The Old Dowager Princess, however, was being misled by that ambitious woman, Consort Wei, and still thought of her as a benevolent person! She, Bian Siyue, as an envoy of justice, couldn't stand by and watch the Old Dowager Princess be deceived! She would represent the sun and moon to expose Consort Wei! She even rolled up her sleeves.
Wang Qingyao, torn between laughter and tears, rolled her sleeves back down for her and said, "We have no evidence. Based solely on your word, how would the Old Dowager Princess believe us? Why don't you pretend to join Consort Wei and see exactly how she plans to replace me and become the new Princess Consort!"
Bian Siyue's eyes lit up, and she rubbed her hands together excitedly, "Oh, actually, ever since I was little, I've wanted to be a spy, to infiltrate an enemy country for the sake of the nation, only to accidentally attract the admiration of the enemy prince... However, I am a spy with no emotions..."