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After gaining favor in the palace, Consort Li's ambitions spread wildly in her heart like rampant weeds. She was never one to be content with the status quo; the confined world of the inner palace could not satisfy her thirst for power. She knew well that to establish herself and control the situation in the palace for the long term, the Emperor's affection alone was far from enough. She needed to weave a vast and solid web of influence outside the palace.
Upon hearing that Jiang Lian'er, the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, was not favored and her position was precarious, Consort Li's keen political instincts immediately seized this exploitable opportunity.
She quickly sent a message to Father Jiang, summoning his trusted confidant for a secret meeting in the palace. Within the opulent yet ominous palace, Consort Li lounged lazily on a couch, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, all of whom dared not breathe too loudly.
Father Jiang's confidant entered tremblingly, just about to bow in greeting when Consort Li impatiently waved her hand. "No need for formalities. Speak, how has Lord Jiang considered my proposal?"
The confidant hurriedly flattered her with a smile. "Your Highness is wise; Lord Jiang fully supports your plan. However, regarding Jiang Lian'er..."
Consort Li sneered and interrupted him. "Jiang Lian'er is merely a pawn in my hands. Those old ministers in court may be aged, but their foundations are deep, and they have many disciples. Once Jiang Lian'er marries into their family, with the old minister's lust for beauty, I will surely have her under my control. By then, who would dare oppose me both inside and outside the palace?"
As she spoke, she played with a jade hairpin in her hand.
The hairpin was crafted from top-quality mutton-fat jade, its head adorned with a blood-red gemstone that glimmered coldly in the candlelight, as if foreshadowing Jiang Lian'er's tragic fate.
Consort Li's eyes revealed unmasked malice and pride; she seemed to envision the day when she would hold power over all.
Beside her, Father Jiang silently lowered his head.
Then Consort Li began to meticulously lay out her plans within the palace, spreading rumors about Jiang Lian'er's poor character.
She bribed several palace maids and eunuchs to quietly circulate negative gossip about Jiang Lian'er throughout the inner palace.
"You all listen carefully. That Jiang family legitimate daughter, Jiang Lian'er, is usually arrogant and willful in the residence, showing no respect for her elders. She often contradicts them and has an unclear relationship with a man from outside."
These rumors spread like wildfire throughout the palace.
Consort Li, feeling it wasn't enough, casually brought up Jiang Lian'er during a banquet in front of the other concubines.
"Sisters, have you heard about the Jiang family's legitimate daughter? I shouldn't be gossiping, but if this matter gets out, it could tarnish the reputation of our women."
The other concubines eagerly pressed for details, and Consort Li embellished the rumors as she recounted them once more.
Her goal was simple: to instill a sense of aversion towards Jiang Lian'er in the Emperor's mind, thus allowing her plans to proceed smoothly.
Meanwhile, on the Jiang family's side, Father Jiang, driven by his own ambitions, completely disregarded Jiang Lian'er's well-being and became increasingly collusive with Consort Li.
They secretly plotted how to smoothly marry Jiang Lian'er into the Elder Minister's Residence, even discussing that if she resisted, they would imprison her until the wedding took place.
Unbeknownst to Jiang Lian'er, who remained oblivious to the impending danger, she continued to struggle against the difficulties imposed by Wang Shi in the Jiang Residence, unaware that a greater conspiracy was quietly closing in on her.
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