338 Affection (Third Watch of the Night)

The matter of Grand Consort Jing was so significant that in but a day, everyone in the royal court knew of the two attempts on her life.

"Who do you think... could have done it?"

In a corner of the royal court, a group of minor maids and eunuchs gathered, speculating quietly on the issue of Grand Consort Jing.

"Who else could it be? Think about who in the entire palace would be least happy to see Consort Jing return?"

"Could it be the Grand... of Renshou palace?"

"Hush! Lower your voice! Do you want to be beheaded? Don't even mention her title, bury it deep in your heart and don't even dream about it! Otherwise, you'll be waiting for your head to be chopped off! There have been hundreds, if not thousands of maids and eunuchs who died at her hands."

"This brutish?"

The new palace maid was terrified.

Not only the maids and eunuchs thought so, even her Majesty's own niece, Consort Zhuang, believed that the serial attempts on Consort Jing's life were orchestrated by her aunt.