The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

After a long time, even now that her daughter had become the Imperial Noble Consort, she still spoke these supportive words to her.

Outsiders mocked the current Imperial Noble Consort's mother for being merely a lowly dancing girl from the Ruyang Prince's Residence. Her husband often sighed, saying that due to her humble origins, it would be difficult for her to become the Empress.

Having been in the palace for just one day, she had already heard the gossip about her daughter's lowly birth status among the palace ladies. She had been very anxious, wondering if her daughter would blame her or resent her own origins.

Before coming, she wasn't sure how Yue'er would treat her now.

But that single sentence "No matter what troubles Mother encounters, daughter will help you resolve them" dispelled all of Lady Ruan's worries and unease.

Her sweet daughter was still the same as when they lived in the residence - her pillar of strength.

The news that Jiang Xinyan was staying at the Changchun Pavilion quickly reached the ears of the Emperor and other interested parties.

Concubine Ye fanned Noble Lady Liu: "Could it be that the Imperial Noble Consort is trying to secure her favor by bringing her own sister into the palace to serve the Emperor together?"

She heard that she had quarreled with the Emperor last night, so bringing her sister to the Changchun Pavilion now did seem suspicious.

"The Imperial Noble Consort is really calculating. Her sister is as beautiful as flowers and jade - is she planning to have the Emperor wrapped around their fingers, so he'll listen to whatever the two sisters say in the future?"

Noble Lady Liu glared at Concubine Ye: "If you want to bring down the Imperial Noble Consort yourself, then do it yourself. Don't try to sow discord here with me. I don't like her, but I dislike cowardly fools like you even more. You all think I have a hot temper and want to use me as cannon fodder!"

Concubine Ye repeatedly said she "wouldn't dare" and stopped mentioning Jiang Xinyan.

She did want to replace the Imperial Noble Consort's position, but she neither had the otherworldly beauty to make the Emperor pause in his tracks, nor powerful family backing. She couldn't even compare to a single strand of Jiang Xinyue's hair - what could she use to fight against her?

She could only stir up trouble here and there, fishing in troubled waters for some benefits.

"Where's Cheng Nianhe?"

Noble Lady Liu rolled her eyes: "I asked you to investigate her whereabouts, and here you are talking about irrelevant things."

"I did find out," Concubine Ye said in a low voice. "The local officials have prepared a banquet for the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort tonight. Concubine Cheng went to the Treasure Joy Quarter early this morning, supposedly to practice the zither. She's probably planning to make a grand showing at tonight's banquet!"

If she could attract butterflies with her zither playing in front of everyone, it would surely create a sensation.

However, when Noble Lady Liu heard she went to the Treasure Joy Quarter, she immediately sat up from her lounging couch and quickly put on her clothes: "Let's go take a look."

Hmph!

What nonsense about zither music having spirit that attracts butterflies?

It's nothing but cheap tricks, did she think others couldn't see through it?

Previously, since all the ladies from Chuxiu Palace were on the same side, they formed an alliance hoping to gain the Emperor's favor. They had agreed then that whoever gained favor would help lift up their sisters, not just enjoy the good life alone.

That's why she hadn't exposed Cheng Nianhe's little tricks.

She was clever enough to "dispose of the evidence" by destroying that zither herself, otherwise Liu Xiaoxiao would have definitely reported this matter to the Emperor.

This would count as deceiving the Emperor, wouldn't it?

Speaking of which, the six of them had sworn sisterhood in Chuxiu Palace back then.

Noble Lady Liu gave a mocking laugh and muttered softly: "In glory and wealth... never forget each other... hah..."

Lower Concubine Wang, Lower Concubine Bai, Lower Concubine An...

If they truly meant to share glory and wealth and never forget each other, why had these three silently exited the stage of history?

A two-faced person like Concubine Cheng would kick people aside after using them - how could she possibly help her former sisters?

It was already good enough if she didn't kick them while they were down.

On the way to the Treasure Joy Quarter, Noble Lady Liu came across Jiang Xinyue playing chess and enjoying the cool breeze by the lake with her sister. This was rare - she had thought their arrogant Imperial Noble Consort would shut herself away again and keep the Emperor out!

"Is that Noble Lady Liu who upset sister yesterday?"

That figure in the distance seemed to be deliberately avoiding Jiang Xinyue - must be one of the concubines who didn't get along with her sister.

Jiang Xinyue didn't even look up, just snorted: "Just a clown, not worth your attention."

Hearing this clown dare to call her sister of lowly blood, Jiang Xinyan's eyes rolled thoughtfully, and she gave a signal to the maid behind her. The maid nodded and withdrew while Jiang Xinyue was making her move.

"Ah! Even after practicing chess for two years, I still can't beat sister!"

Jiang Xinyan clung to Jiang Xinyue's arm and pouted: "Sister won't even let me win."

Her ungloved fingers were fair and delicate as she poked her sister's forehead: "How can you win when you're distracted?"

Caught by sister!

"Don't put the oil on the stone path, it's too easily noticed. Put it in the sole layers of her shoes. As she walks from Lanyue Chamber to the cobblestone path ahead, the oil in the layers will be squeezed out onto the soles, and then - bang!"

"Bang!"

Jiang Xinyan's shoulders jumped at the loud noise.

"Owww... it hurts so much—"

The maid who hadn't even reached the cobblestone path yet stood with her mouth agape, watching as Noble Lady Liu's feet flew up and she landed flat on her back with a heavy thud.

She raised both hands toward Jiang Xinyan, shaking her head to indicate she hadn't even poured out the oil yet!

It wasn't her doing!

"Sister already had a plan to deal with her!"

Without a doubt, sister must have put oil in the layers of Noble Lady Liu's shoes.

How brilliant!

Jiang Xinyue smiled: "I told you, she's just a clown. There's no need for you to act. Just stay here happily with sister for a while, get plump and healthy, and sister will help find you a good husband."

Originally she had thought to matchmake between her sister and the painter Xie, but after the Emperor mentioned last time that painter Xie had once been his first choice for an imperial son-in-law, plus the incident that happened last night, Jiang Xinyue removed painter Xie from the list of potential brothers-in-law.

For her sister, anyone with even the slightest risk was not a suitable match.

Jiang Xinyan blushed: "Sister loves to tease me."

"Sister is teaching you how to resolve troubles quietly when there are conflicts in the inner quarters."

She was referring to putting oil in the shoe layers: "In the future, no matter whom you marry or whose wife you become, remember - you yourself are the most important. You don't need to compromise yourself for anyone. As long as sister lives, sister will protect you. My little sister deserves the best man in the world."

If possible, she hoped Jiang Xinyan could live freely and happily, without being trapped in the scheming of the inner court.