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After finishing the drink, the Noble Consort set the medicine bowl down, and Cai Qin timely offered up a handkerchief.

Cai Xia watched Cai Qin with hidden resentment, herself having served the medicine from start to finish, orchestrating everything, while this wretched girl always swooped in at the last moment with a handkerchief to steal the credit.

The Noble Consort took the handkerchief and wiped her mouth, letting out a cold laugh, "The Imperial Physicians are becoming more useless by the day. I’ve drunk so much medicine, and yet it’s all for naught, what difference does it make whether I drink it or not?"

Cai Xia dared not respond to these words; she couldn’t possibly say that Her Ladyship’s headache was congenital, incurable, and only manageable with temporary relief, right?

With her eyes cast down, Cai Qin calmly said, "Your Ladyship, drinking the medicine does ease the headache somewhat, and it allows for better sleep during the night."

"Enough, it’s only for relief, a bunch of incompetent quacks," the Noble Consort said impatiently, returning the handkerchief to Cai Qin.

In actuality, the Noble Consort was all too aware that the headache had been with her since the womb, likely to follow her for life; it was just the annoyance of taking the medicine that provoked her complaint.

She looked back at the handkerchief on the table and, after a moment’s thought, asked, "Has nobody from Huaying Hall come to urge me again?"

Now, her biggest worry was competing with that woman from Huaying Hall for power.

Cai Xia, about to take the empty bowl away, hurriedly replied upon hearing this, "No, they came just a few days ago, but as instructed, I told them Your Ladyship was suffering from a migraine and they haven’t returned."

"Mhm, I understand, you may go now," said the Noble Consort, dismissing Cai Xia with a wave and resting her hand on her forehead as she began to concentrate on her thoughts, her expression turning somewhat grim.

She had already formulated her plan: if Xu Rongying sent someone to ask her about managing the harem again, her first move would be to "stall" by finding excuses to delay relinquishing power;

Once she had stalled for enough time, her second move would be to throw some petty yet troublesome matters at Xu Rongying, leaving her overwhelmed and entrenched in difficulties;

Finally, she’d sabotage an affair under Xu Rongying’s charge, creating an unsolvable issue to prove that Lady Xu was unfit for managing sundry matters, and then she would step in to tidy up the mess, naturally reclaiming her authority in the Emperor’s view.

This was the Noble Consort’s plan: within three moves, she would gradually dismantle Xu Rongying, ensuring she remained content as Consort De, and they would return to the previous state where they did not interfere with each other’s affairs.

Having operated in the palace for so many years, she certainly had the capability for this.

However, having just implemented the first move, Xu Rongying had sent someone to inquire once, without personally showing up, and then stopped altogether, which truly puzzled the Noble Consort.

Still, she was not worried; if Xu Rongying truly wished to divide her authority, she would never surpass her!

The Noble Consort had long prepared herself for the event of Lady Xu’s promotion during the Mid-Autumn festival night; it was just the timing she hadn’t anticipated.

Considering General Xu’s status and contributions, Xu Rongying’s restoration to nobility was inevitable.

Moreover, the Emperor’s favoritism towards Xu Rongying had not been for just a day or two; the Noble Consort never paid it any heed because she knew that no matter what, the Emperor would never fancy a barbarian girl like Xu Rongying.

And previously, Xu Rongying herself had appeared indifferent to power, as long as she was not provoked, this "barbarian girl" would also stay out of harem affairs.

The Noble Consort believed that it was these years of performance that lulled her into complacency, leading to her current downfall.

After that, the Emperor visited Huaying Hall several more times, causing her great distress.

The Noble Consort touched her forehead anxiously, thinking that His Majesty had become increasingly indifferent toward her.

The people below were all watching, and there were no shortage of opportunistic fence-sitters in the harem, but fortunately, they were all under her control; her years of management in the harem were not in vain.

Now, not only had she not dealt with that person from Canglan Court, but there was also Xu Rongying, who shared power with her. Moreover, Canglan Court was on good terms with Huaying Hall, and the two of them were united as one, which only made matters worse.

As for His Majesty’s attitude, she was becoming more and more unable to fathom it. Could it be because of Beauty Li’s false accusation during the small feast that His Majesty had grown tired of her?

But over the years, she had managed the harem well; if not credited with achievements, she at least had put in hard work. Why would His Majesty treat her like this?

Or was it simply because His Majesty wanted to stand up for that person from Canglan Court?

Thinking of the Emperor caused the Noble Consort a pang of pain in her heart as she struggled to restrain herself from dwelling on the matter.

Before entering the palace, her father had taught her that nothing was more reassuring than holding power in one’s hands. Over the years, she had come to agree more and more with this statement.

She dared not ponder the Emperor’s heart now, with that person from Canglan Court in favor and at the height of exclusive patronage. How could she afford to ponder such matters?

It would be better to think about how to eliminate that person from Canglan Court and secure power in her own hands.

The Noble Consort took a deep breath and reconsidered the current situation before asking Cai Qin, "How was the matter with Nanny Chen handled?"

"Consort, be assured, it has been taken care of," Cai Qin’s voice was as calm as ever, but the look in her eyes as she gazed at the floor was thick with mockery.

The eldest daughter of the Xue Family was selfish and greedy, always thinking of herself.

She appeared gracious on the surface, generous to those who proved useful, skilled at winning hearts, but in reality, she was extremely cold-hearted and could discard those who were useless without a second thought.

She had always observed these traits, but the fact that Noble Consort Xue had saved her couldn’t be denied. She had been grateful for years and had tried to repay the kindness.

Only recently had she learned of the other things Noble Consort had done to her, ha!

Noble Consort Xue couldn’t see Cai Qin’s expression and after pondering for a moment, she explained, "That old thing was incompetent and knew too much. Sending her out of the palace to enjoy her last years was indeed the best outcome for her."

Both Cai Qin and Nanny Chen were capable people she had brought into the palace from outside.

Now that Nanny Chen was unreliable, Cai Qin was her competent assistant.

To prevent stirring emotions of sympathy, it was still necessary to explain a thing or two, a skill she had honed over many years of managing her subordinates.

Thinking of that old thing, rage surged in Noble Consort Xue’s heart.

The woman had been foolish, incapable of achieving success but adept at causing failure.

She begrudged passing her power to Cai Qin and, without informing the consort, had secretly sent people to watch over Beauty Lian’s relatives from Yanqing.

That would have been fine, had there been some unexpected gains allowing the old woman to atone for her faults or, at the very least, if she had covered her tracks well enough to be forgiven.

However, she hadn’t expected that all the people the old woman sent to spy had gone missing, causing her to panic—worried that they had fallen into someone else’s hands, ready to be used against her.

This issue was like a fishbone stuck in her throat, unbearably uncomfortable, not knowing from where or when the enemy would strike.

That old thing truly deserved to die; even leaving her with a single breath was too kind!

Had it not been discovered by Cai Qin, the old thing would have tried to deceive her. If she kept such a person around, who knew how she might be betrayed next.

Cai Qin’s voice rippled softly as she respectfully answered with her head bowed, "Nanny Chen has received her just deserts, and Consort’s magnanimous heart spared her life, which is already a great kindness."

The Noble Consort suppressed her anger, nodded and smiled.

Cai Qin spoke little, but her words were always to the point, and she was efficient in handling matters.

If it weren’t for that incident years ago leaving doubts in her heart, she wouldn’t have kept her in a position of lesser use for so long.