You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

Chu Nianci is now a high-ranking palace maid in the imperial court, and according to regulations, she is entitled to be assigned one maid and one eunuch.

Tuanyuan naturally followed her. As for the eunuch, she didn't know many people in the palace. She found out that the little eunuch who guided her when she first entered the palace, Manbao, was nicknamed "Know-it-all" and seemed very clever. A few days ago, she asked Tuanyuan to go to the Imperial Household Department to get him and instructed him to find out about the situation in Chuxiu Palace.

After she finished washing and dressing, she asked Tuanyuan to summon Manbao. The little eunuch waited outside the door for a while and only entered after receiving permission. As soon as he saw her, he knelt down with a thud: "This servant Manbao greets Consort Huixuan."

Chu Nianci wasn't sure if he was someone else's spy. Being new to the place, it was difficult to make a judgment at the moment. She could only wait and see.

She sat upright on the chaise longue, raising her eyebrows slightly, her expression naturally carrying the majesty of a mistress.

In her previous life, she was a first-rank imperial consort. She knew that the way to manage subordinates was simply to first give them a big stick, then a sweet date, combining leniency and gentleness to win people's hearts.

She first said a few kind words that "from now on, we're all family," then changed her tone and gave him a light but not harsh warning.

Manbao hurriedly expressed his loyalty.

Chu Nianci didn't care whether he was sincere or just acting, and as usual, rewarded him with two taels of silver.

She had already inquired and found out that a young eunuch's monthly salary was only one tael.

She had to bribe people to gather information, and given her generous dowry, she was quite lavish.

Having received the reward, Manbao's smile became even more eager. She said a string of auspicious words and then took the initiative to say, "If there's anything you want to know, please feel free to ask. To tell you the truth, I have a nickname in the palace: 'The Informer.' Except for top secret matters, I can find out about all sorts of news, big and small."

Upon hearing the words "know-it-all," Chu Nianci couldn't help but chuckle, then asked, "You smooth talker, tell me, what are the backgrounds of Consort Shu, Consort Yue, and Noble Lady Qiao?"

She already knew the backgrounds of the other newly promoted concubines, but she didn't know the backgrounds of these three.

"These three," Manbao said, counting on her fingers as if she knew them intimately, "Consort Shu is the eldest granddaughter of the old prime minister. She just turned sixteen. I heard that the old prime minister is afraid of his wife, and the old lady is in charge of the household. She spoiled this granddaughter so much that she has a spoiled temper. She and His Majesty were childhood sweethearts, and His Majesty originally chose her as his empress. Unfortunately, Empress Lin interfered, so he is naturally somewhat dissatisfied. Today, there may be some conflict. Your Highness, just sit on the side and don't get involved. Consort Yue is the illegitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites. She is the most gentle and well-mannered. As soon as she entered Chuxiu Palace, she locked her door and didn't associate with anyone else. As for Noble Lady Qiao..."

He looked around and lowered his voice even further: "She was born to the concubine of the Imperial Household Department Director. She is beautiful and charming, and has exceptional talents. She was forced to be registered under the name of the principal wife in order to enter the palace. I heard that among all the concubines this time, the Empress gave her the most rewards. It seems that she is certain that she will win the Emperor's favor."

Manbao spoke eloquently, making Tuanyuan and Chu Nianci laugh.

"What have they been doing these past two days?" Chu Nianci asked with a smile.

"The ladies are all in Chuxiu Palace. Consort Shu has already started taking the medicine to help her conceive, preparing to serve the emperor," she said, then secretly took out a handkerchief from her pocket. "Your Highness asked me to keep an eye on Chuxiu Palace, so I took the liberty of wrapping up some of Consort Shu's medicine dregs. Please take a look."

Chu Nianci gestured for Tuanyuan to take it and place it on the table.

She pulled the silver hairpin from her hair and examined it closely.

There was nothing obstructing the way, except that some motherwort and angelica were found in the handkerchief.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. This pregnancy-supporting medicine usually contains herbs that protect the uterus and warm the blood, while motherwort is used to induce menstruation.

Chu Nianci pointed to the motherwort and asked, "Is this really the medicine Consort Shu uses to help her conceive?"

"It is indeed Consort Shu's," Manbao replied. "This servant dares to guarantee it."

Who gave Consort Shu the medicine to induce menstruation and promote blood circulation? What was their intention?

But Consort Shu had no dealings with him, and Chu Nianci didn't want to get involved in this matter.

Besides, I can handle this matter myself, but I need to inform Duanmu Qingyu first.

At this moment, Manbao secretly looked up at her, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

"Is there anything else?" Chu Nianci asked, her face showing displeasure at his hesitation.

"My lady, there's something I need to tell you, but please don't be angry. I don't know where this rumor came from, but it says that you and Imperial Physician Lin are having an affair." Man Bao's voice grew softer as she spoke, and she secretly sized up her mistress with her big, round eyes.

Chu Nianci's heart sank.

His face fell; the rumor seemed suspicious.

Manbao lowered her head and hunched her neck, looking down like a quail.

Chu Nianci lowered her eyes, her slender fingers tapping the table one tap at a time.

Although her past with Lin Jingrui was not a secret, it just so happened to spread before the audience with the emperor, as if someone was deliberately trying to sabotage things.

But since we don't know what the other party's intentions are, we can only react to their moves as they come.

Just then, Tuanyuan came in carrying a brocade box, saying that His Majesty had asked her to bring it along when she went to Kunning Palace, as a gift for the newly promoted concubines.

Chu Nianci opened it and found a box containing six palace-made pearl hairpins.

The design is exquisite and beautiful. Upon closer inspection, the flower's stamen is inlaid with a real Dongpu pearl, though it is not conspicuous.

There is another gardenia hairpin that she admires alone, and its materials and craftsmanship are even more exquisite.

She picked up the gardenia hairpin and examined it closely; it was actually carved from a single piece of white jade.

Gardenia, in Chinese, sounds like "knowing".

His Majesty is... sending her to listen and observe, to find out what's going on.

Recalling the phrase "I would gladly die for it" from a few days ago, a slight smile appeared on her lips... The job came so quickly.

Although the task is simple and doesn't require death, it must be handled carefully.

She placed the gardenia hairpin in her hair and instructed Manbao, "Go and tell Consort Lan that I am waiting for her in the back garden of Kunning Palace, and we will go to pay our respects together."

Then, pointing to a packet of medicine, he said to Tuanyuan, "You don't need to come with me. If I'm not back by noon, give this medicine to Eunuch Jingxi and say that it's Consort Shu's medicine for fertility, and ask him to take His Majesty to Kunning Palace."

She didn't know who was behind the scheme, but she had to keep a backup plan.

As long as the message is delivered, no matter what trouble arises, it won't involve her.

Now she is all alone in this palace, and the only one she can rely on is His Majesty.

Since he transferred me to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and assigned me a task, I am now considered his person. Even if it's just for the sake of face, he will protect me.

After giving the instructions, she carried the gift tray alone and headed towards Kunning Palace.

At the same time, several young apprentices in the Imperial Pharmacy were huddled together whispering.

"Have you heard? Academician Lin somehow offended His Majesty, and now he's forbidden from entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

"It seems to be because of a woman..."

"Could she be His Majesty's woman? Hehe..."

The apprentices huddled together, laughing hysterically, but before they could finish, a cough came from outside the door…

Lin Jingrui walked in with a sullen face, and the room immediately fell silent.

He gave the crowd a cold glance, then sat down in a chair: "Looks like you all have too little to do, so much free time?"

The apprentices remained silent, terrified.

A young apprentice nervously presented the tea. Lin Jingrui took it, tapped the lid lightly, and the others immediately stood at attention, bowing their heads obediently.

"If I hear anyone gossiping again," he said slowly, "they'll pack their bags and get out of the Imperial Pharmacy."

Everyone held their breath.

At this moment, his trusted confidant, Xiao Dongzi, peeked out from the doorway.

Lin Jingrui frowned: "Xiao Dongzi, what are you doing sneaking around like that? All of you get out of here and stop standing around."

Xiao Dongzi hunched his shoulders and leaned closer. After everyone else had left, he pretended to offer a cup of tea and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Excellency... Consort Huixuan asked someone to pass on a message that she is waiting for you in the back garden of Kunning Palace."