[1]The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue

Zhuang Fei was unusually quiet on the way back, her expression dazed and distant. She returned to the Chaohui Palace with a wooden look on her face.

As soon as the palace maid saw her return, she hurried to serve hot tea, pouring a cup into a green lotus teacup.

Zhuang Fei's expression suddenly changed, as if set on fire. With a furious roar, she grabbed the cup and hurled it violently at the maid's feet.

Both Yulan and the maid were startled out of their wits. The maid immediately knelt down, trembling and enduring the sharp pain on her foot as she pleaded, "Please calm your anger, Your Highness. Please calm your anger."

Zhuang Fei's chest heaved like stormy waves at sea. She bellowed, "Why?! In what way am I inferior to that wretched woman?!"

Yulan mustered her courage to step forward. "Your Highness, please don't harm your health. His Majesty is only momentarily intrigued by Zhaoxiuyi."

Zhuang Fei's eyes blazed with fury as she glared at the floor, her anger uncontrollable. "I used to think the same! But His Majesty kissed that wretched woman! He kissed her!"

Yulan looked up in shock, now understanding why Zhuang Fei was so furious. She motioned for the kneeling maid to leave.

Zhuang Fei's mind replayed the scene in Chengguang Hall—His Majesty's hand on that woman, their lips touching. So passionate, so intimate!

"That seductive wretch! That vile temptress! She's seduced His Majesty into favoring her like this!" Her deep eyes turned bloodshot, unable to suppress the wildfire burning inside her.

Yulan was too frightened by Zhuang Fei's terrifying appearance to offer any more comfort, instead standing quietly to the side, wringing her sleeves anxiously.

Zhuang Fei grew angrier by the second, her face darkening and her gaze turning vicious, filled with killing intent.

She gritted her teeth. "Except for her! I must eliminate her!"

After a long pause, something seemed to occur to her. Her pupils contracted, and she said coldly, "Summon Chongyi Mifei."

Yulan quickly obeyed and carefully exited the hall.

By the time Mifei arrived, Zhuang Fei had composed herself. She sat calmly, lost in thought while holding a freshly steeped cup of tea. Her expression was serene, but her eyes were unusually sharp.

After bowing and sitting down, Mifei asked, "Your Highness summoned me—what is it you need?"

Zhuang Fei casually skimmed the tea with the lid and asked lightly, "Do you hate Zhaoxiuyi?"

At the mention of that name, Mifei's brows tensed, and a ghostly blue flame of rage flickered between them. She gritted her teeth, "How could I not? Everything I've suffered is because of her!"

The thought that she could no longer bear children filled her with bitter hatred. She longed to tear that woman apart.

Zhuang Fei smiled coldly, clearly having expected this response. "Good. Then in this regard, you and I are the same—we both loathe her to the bone."

Mifei studied her. "Does Your Highness have a plan to deal with her?"

She didn't believe Zhuang Fei summoned her for small talk. She was curious what schemes Zhuang Fei was brewing this time.

Zhuang Fei set the cup down and beckoned her closer, whispering softly into her ear.

After hearing it, a graceful smile slowly formed on Mifei's lips. "Your Highness, what a clever plan! This might just work."