The Empress Dowager wanted to see her?

Yanshu was somewhat surprised.

Rendong, on the other hand, was a bit nervous and whispered, "It couldn't be about Consort Li and Concubine Zhang..."

—After all, it was she who had spread the news about Consort Li's Aunt by pretending to be a maid from Linhua Hall.

Yanshu calmly replied, "It probably isn't."

Given her relationship with the system, if there were any bad news, it would have informed her already.

Of course, whether good or bad, since the Empress Dowager had summoned her, she had to go. So she quickly got out of bed, changed her clothes, and left.

At that moment, in the study of Qianming Palace, the Imperial Guard was reporting to the Emperor.

"Your humble servant went to Ande County in Qingzhou and verified that Li Beauty is indeed from Qingzhou. Her father, Li Huaizhi, is the assistant magistrate of Ande County. Her mother, Ms. Zhu, manages the household and serves her mother-in-law. Li Beauty also has a younger brother, Li Tianrui, who is seventeen and passed the county examination this year."

"Li's father is known for his integrity, and the family lives frugally. They have a good reputation locally. During the selection of palace maids, the Ande County magistrate originally intended to send his own daughter to the palace, but because her appearance and character were barely passable, she didn't make it through. So he recommended Li Beauty, who was then chosen by the court officials."

Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. That night, among all the women in the hall, only she had left an impression on him.

Of course, this wasn't the main point. He asked, "Is the Li family native to Ande?"

The Imperial Guard replied affirmatively, "The Li family has lived in Ande for generations. We found no evidence of connections with the court or any other states."

In other words, the Li family was simply a small local official family in Ande County, without any backing or influence from other powers.

Yuwen Lan asked again, "Did anything unusual happen on their journey to the capital?"

The Imperial Guard answered, "After investigation, we found no unusual incidents. The only thing worth mentioning is that it rained for a few days during the journey, which delayed them for a bit."

Delayed for a few days...

Yuwen Lan pondered silently. Could it be possible that the girl sent into the palace wasn't actually from the Li family? Had she been switched during the journey?

He turned to another small eunuch in the hall, Fu Bao, "What about you?"

Fu Bao quickly responded, "Your Majesty, since entering the palace, Li Beauty has been cautious and low-profile. She rarely leaves her quarters, spending most of her time in Yongning Palace. She doesn't socialize with others; only Concubine Zhang occasionally visits her."

He paused briefly, glancing at the Emperor, and seeing no reaction, continued, "However, a few days ago, Li Beauty fell ill and didn't leave her room. No one went to see her."

Yuwen Lan asked, "What illness?"

Fu Bao replied, "An allergic reaction to peach blossoms."

Peach blossoms?

Yuwen Lan frowned, "Where are there peach blossoms at this time of year?"

Fu Bao explained, "Your Majesty may have forgotten, but there are peach blossoms in the greenhouse of the Imperial Gardens Bureau. They even sent some to the Empress Dowager a couple of days ago."

Yuwen Lan pondered again. If she often stayed in Yongning Palace, how could she have an allergic reaction to peach blossoms from the Imperial Gardens Bureau?

"However, even when Li Beauty was ill, her appetite remained good. She finished all four dishes and soup at every meal these past few days," Fu Bao added.

Yuwen Lan: "..."

He couldn't help but recall the inner thoughts he had heard during the New Year's Eve banquet—"If I can't have happiness in love, at least I can enjoy good food."

What kind of woman was she exactly?

What was her true purpose for entering the palace?

Why had their investigation failed to uncover any abnormalities?

As he was deep in thought, Fu Bao suddenly added, "Oh, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager just summoned Li Beauty."

"Hmm?"

Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow. What did the Empress Dowager want with her?

At that moment, in the Palace of Benevolent Peace, Yanshu was alone with the Empress Dowager.

After arriving, she had honestly answered the Empress Dowager's questions about her age, her family's hometown, and her parents' occupations.

Just as she was about to speak again, a voice announced from outside, "His Majesty has arrived..."

The Emperor was here?

It was worth noting that it was currently early afternoon, a time when the Emperor was usually busy reviewing memorials in his study. Everyone in the hall was somewhat surprised.

In the blink of an eye, he had entered the hall, dressed in a vermilion dragon robe, his hair bound with a golden crown, making his features appear even more handsome and refined.

Everyone hurriedly bowed, "We welcome Your Majesty."

Yanshu felt a bit dazed. What kind of luck had she stumbled upon today? Not only was it her first time in the Palace of Benevolent Peace, but she even encountered the Emperor?

Empress Dowager Zhou glanced discreetly at Yanshu, then asked Yuwen Lan, "How is it that Your Majesty has found time to visit today?"

Yuwen Lan replied, "I had just grown weary of reading memorials and realized it had been several days since I last visited Mother Empress, so I came over."

As he spoke, he ordered everyone to rise, his gaze sweeping over Yanshu.

She was indeed here.

Empress Dowager Zhou smoothly said, "A while ago, I received two snuff bottles from Qingzhou. Remembering that Li Beauty's family is from Qingzhou, I called her over to chat."

Yanshu thought to herself, the Empress Dowager was certainly quick to apply what she had just learned. She had only just asked about her family's hometown and was already putting that information to use. Truly worthy of the title "Champion of Palace Intrigue"!

Yuwen Lan: "???"

What did "Champion of Palace Intrigue" mean?

Was it a compliment to the Empress Dowager's capabilities?

Of course, this wasn't the main point.

He looked at her and asked in a calm voice, "Which part of Qingzhou are you from?"

Yanshu was startled. Was the Emperor speaking to her?

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Emperor?

Well, it was rare to hear a palace consort refer to him like that in their thoughts.

Rendong, who had come with Yanshu, was inwardly rejoicing, [Oh, heavens! His Majesty is finally speaking to my mistress!!! My mistress is about to rise to power and become the most favored in the harem!!! People of Ande County, our mistress has brought glory to us all!!!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

What was all this about?

However, based on this, it seemed her background should be genuine?

Yanshu answered, "This humble consort is from Ande County in Qingzhou."

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at him and couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, [He's even more handsome up close! Isn't this what they call a perfect face? It's flawless from every angle!!!]

Yuwen Lan: "???"

"Angle"? "Perfect face"?

What did these mean?

Why couldn't he fully understand this woman's inner thoughts?

Then he heard her sigh in her mind, [What a waste! Heavens, how can you create such a handsome man and make him impotent? Don't you have a conscience?!!!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Alright, feeling stimulated once again, he finally remembered the main issue at hand and asked her, "What does your family do, and who are the members of your household?"

Yanshu answered honestly, like an innocent little rabbit, lowering her head, "My father is the assistant magistrate of Ande County. My family also includes my grandmother, my mother, and a younger brother."

In her heart, however, she cursed, [How dare you ask? Why did you have to hold a selection for palace maids? Separating us from our families! How would you feel if you couldn't see your parents for three years?]

Yuwen Lan: "???"

What did she mean by "How dare you"???

This was the most disrespectful thing he had heard so far!

He should have her arrested on the spot!

But if he did so, it would alert others to his suspicions.

And he still hadn't heard the answers he wanted to know.

So he held back, trying hard to maintain a normal expression, and said, "Ande is quite far from the capital. The journey must have been difficult."

As soon as he spoke, the entire hall was shocked.

How long had it been since His Majesty had spoken so much to a consort!!!

He even showed concern about the difficult journey to the capital???

It was well known that in the past, even Consort Zhou could barely get a glance from him!

Everyone couldn't help but look at Yanshu.

They saw her with a demure expression, saying, "Even if it were a journey of a thousand mountains and rivers, to be by Your Majesty's side is a joy beyond measure."

[To hell with that! The journey took a whole month! That stupid county magistrate sacrificed others' happiness for his own glory and wealth, causing me to live as a widow in this prison. If I ever get the chance, I'll make him pay!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Well, he was hardly surprised anymore. This woman appeared obedient on the surface, but her heart was full of rebellion.

Of course, he couldn't hear the system talking to Yanshu at that moment, [First of all, as a consort, if you want to rise above others, you must gain the Emperor's favor.]

Yanshu: [...]

This task was indeed quite challenging.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She remembered that besides the "True Classic of the Plain Girl" and the "Extraordinary Book of the Bedchamber," there was also a set of rejuvenating acupuncture techniques that were said to be very effective. It was rumored that an emperor from a previous dynasty had used these techniques for health preservation, remaining as strong as a young man even in his fifties and sixties...

Yuwen Lan's brow twitched as he heard this. Re-rejuvenating acupuncture techniques???

How did she even know about such things?

He struggled to keep his handsome eyebrows from jumping up and spoke again, "How long has your father been in office? Has he always served in Ande?"

Yanshu replied, "Your Majesty, as far as I can remember, my father has been the assistant magistrate in Ande County for over a decade without change."

Alas, her poor father was upright and honest his whole life, never one for scheming or flattery, which is why he couldn't even become a county magistrate. If it weren't for being bullied by that dog of an official, why would she have entered the palace in the first place?

Oh Emperor, Emperor, don't just look at the capital city. There are plenty of corrupt officials in the small towns too.

Yuwen Lan: "..."

How did things suddenly become normal again?

These words did make some sense, though.

Just then, he heard the Empress Dowager ask him, "By the way, there's been quite a commotion these past two days about the Linwu Marquis's household. I wonder if it's true or false?"

Yuwen Lan snapped back to attention and said, "It must be true. Today, the Linwu Marquis came to the palace to accuse the Marquis Xiayi of seducing his wife. He's demanding that his wife be stripped of her noble title and that they be divorced."

Thinking about it still gave him a headache. He couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose.

But then he heard that girl inwardly clicking her tongue, [The Marquis Xiayi and the Linwu Marquis's wife had a relationship before marriage, not an affair after marriage. The Linwu Marquis has no grounds for accusation!]

"???"

What? They had a relationship before marriage?

How did she know about those two?

But before he could process this, he heard her sigh in her heart again, [The Linwu Marquis would be better off putting his energy into trying to have another son. If he ever finds out that even the Heir Apparent isn't his, he'll be devastated!]

Yuwen Lan was severely taken aback.

What? The Linwu Marquis's Heir Apparent isn't his?

And how on earth did she know this???