The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress

Chapter 443

Rongyue opened her palm and looked at the serene concentric knot resting in her hand, which reminded her of many past memories with Xiao Jingyan. Whether sour, sweet, or bitter, she cherished and treasured them all, not daring to forget even a bit.

Zhao Hua had once told her that Jiang Muye was the only thought that kept Shang Yang surviving in the palace. And for Rongyue, wasn't Xiao Jingyan her own cherished thought?

After a while, Rongyue regained her composure and slowly lifted her gaze to look at Ruge, meaningfully saying, "This concentric knot protects me, and it protects you too."

Ruge was puzzled, "Huh?"

Rongyue glanced in the direction of the eastern side hall, "Let your people carefully examine everything in your palace."

Yesterday, after Ruge moved into Zhuixia Palace, many newly appointed concubines had come to meet her and brought her many eye-catching gifts.

Ruge's mother had instructed her that people in the palace were unpredictable, so she must not harbor ill intentions but also not fully trust others. Therefore, Ruge had already instructed Xiaoliu'er to carefully inspect each gift and only keep them after confirming that there were no issues.

So she said, "Why does Your Majesty suspect something? I have already examined each gift brought by the concubines yesterday."

"Is that so?" Rongyue sneered, "Then bring your makeup box and let me have a look."

Ruge was confused but still instructed Xiaoliu'er to bring the makeup box.

She first opened the box and inspected the makeup, making sure everything was fine before handing it to Rongyue, "I used this makeup this morning. Is there anything wrong with it?"

Rongyue remained silent, only raising her eyes to look at the bright sun outside the window.

Although it was already autumn, the mornings and evenings were still cool. But at noon, the glaring sun was still scorching, capable of burning people.

Rongyue opened the makeup box and casually placed it on the window sill, where it could be exposed to the sun.

Then she continued talking to Ruge as if nothing had happened.

After about half an hour, Ruge suddenly saw that the makeup, which had been neatly placed on the window sill, inexplicably caught fire!

She was startled and took several steps back, looking at Rongyue with astonishment, "Consort Shun, what...?"

But Rongyue calmly took a handkerchief from a basin and covered the burning makeup, extinguishing the fire.

Then she said to Ruge, "Wash your face, or else when you go out later, the fire might burn on your face."

Ruge had been well-protected since childhood, and she had never encountered such a dangerous situation. She had to repeatedly wash her face seven or eight times, rubbing it until her skin turned red, before finally asking with lingering fear, "Consort Shun, can you please tell me what exactly happened?"

Rongyue replied, "Have you noticed that your makeup today appears somewhat grayish in dim light, unlike the snow-white and translucent appearance when I first saw you?"

Ruge silently recalled that Rongyue's words were indeed true. She had noticed it while doing her makeup in the morning.

Ru Ge did not think anything was amiss at that moment. She simply believed that her restless night caused her to look a bit off.

Seeing her palpitations, Rongyue spoke:

"You're using pear blossom powder, but when I approached you earlier, I caught a faint, pungent scent mixed with the pear fragrance.

My father is an admiral in the navy and often carries phosphorus powder when he goes to sea. That stuff is highly flammable and can spontaneously ignite after being exposed to the sun for a short while. It's a good material for starting fires at sea by adding it to damp firewood.

So, that faint pungent smell on your face may go unnoticed by others, but I can discern it instantly. Additionally, phosphorus powder has a white-gray color, and your makeup has a pale gray hue. Therefore, I deduced that someone took advantage of yesterday when they were flattering you in your palace and surreptitiously mixed phosphorus powder into your makeup box."

Upon hearing this, Ru Ge couldn't believe it and touched her cheek in disbelief, her face instantly drained of color...

If it weren't for Rongyue's reminder, her face would have been burned by the midday sun.

Rongyue could sense Ru Ge's shock and continued:

"You're not an ordinary fish in the pond. Among this group of selected ladies, only you have received a title bestowed by the Emperor. It's a favor, but it's also bound to attract the jealousy of many.

Yesterday, the consorts who visited your side chamber all came to pay their respects. Those seven or eight consorts have all been in your inner chambers. If you want to thoroughly investigate who did this or who conspired together, I'm afraid it may be too late. For now, the best course of action is to be cautious and vigilant in all matters to minimize the possibility of being targeted by others."

Ru Ge felt a wave of lingering fear, so much so that she couldn't find her voice.

She could only nod repeatedly in response to Rongyue's words.

Just when she was in shock, she suddenly felt a gentle touch on the back of her hand.

Regaining her senses, she saw Rongyue holding her hand and gently patting the back of it, speaking softly:

"You've helped me today, and I will protect you in the future. Don't be afraid."

[Traditional arts, happy Monday~ It's Monday, so starting tomorrow, there will be three updates every day! Let's begin!]