Lin Haihai paused. She knew? The woman was not only shrewd, but also smart and observant. No wonder she came after me, Lin Haihai thought with a wry smile. That was what she deserved for seducing someone else’s husband. Although Consort Zhuang was a mistress as well, her relationship with Yang Shaolun was official. Unlike Lin Haihai, who was a secret lover that had to hide. Consort Zhuang had the moral high ground no matter what the perspective was.

Faced with Lin Haihai’s silence, Consort Zhuang laughed and said, “Do you think anyone would be able to save you? The empress dowager has taken those idiotic women to the imperial garden to observe the flowers, and all the guards are with them, awaiting orders. The sixth prince has been held up by his brothers and wouldn’t be able to take his leave anytime soon. As for His Majesty, he’s too busy taking care of himself to think about you! Fate has granted me the perfect opening. Even though he cannot have spicy food, he ate so much just to spite you. Doesn’t that make your heart ache? It does for me!

“It’s been years. He’s never even spared me a glance. I’m a fixture in the harem. More of a forgotten wife than a consort. Even the empress is shown some care every once in a while. Although it is common knowledge in the palace that they no longer act like husband and wife, he still visits her some nights to preserve her reputation. But me? I’ve been in the...