I just want to rob you of your luck

Three days later was Lin Jiuer's seventeenth birthday, and Li Cheng insisted on giving her a big celebration.

And asked Xiao Anzi to arrange a grand birthday party.

Lin Jiuer was a little helpless about this. How could a royal palace hold a grand birthday banquet for a concubine?

Even for some favored concubines, it would be considered a good thing if the mansion set up a few tables for them and the whole family got together to have a meal to celebrate.

Li Cheng, on the other hand, not only prepared a grand banquet for the guests, but also invited many relatives, friends, and other princes and nobles who had established their own palaces.

Lin Jiuer tried to persuade him, but the answer was no. If this got out, people would say that he favored his concubine over his wife, right?

He didn't care. After all, no one could do anything to him as he was the queen's legitimate son. But what about Lin Jiuer?

She doesn't want to be the target of public criticism.

But she really couldn't beat Li Cheng.

Now that Lin Jiuer is in charge of the palace's household affairs and has great power, naturally many servants will voluntarily surrender.

She also selected a few people to train as her confidants.

With more subordinates, she naturally had clearer eyes and ears, and all the gossip, big and small, in the palace could be heard by her.

Even news from outside the palace could quickly reach her ears.

Today, a trusted woman who is in charge of purchasing for the kitchen came to tell Lin Jiuer a piece of news.

This old woman often went out to shop and was well-informed about the news in Kyoto.

"Concubine, I heard some bad news when I went out shopping."

As she spoke, she carefully observed Lin Jiuer's expression.

This concubine looks gentle and kind, but she is very decisive in doing things.

As soon as he took over the supply, he dealt with a large number of people, and he knew exactly what they had done.

This immediately shocked the servants in the palace, and no one dared to look down on her anymore.

"Oh? What's the matter? Just tell me."

Lin Jiuer guessed from her expression that it must be related to her.

Sure enough, the old woman continued, "Recently, rumors have spread in Kyoto that the prince favors his concubine over his wife, and that the prince is so stupid and incompetent that he is bewitched by a maid and wants to hold a birthday party for her."

Lin Jiuer laughed out of anger, but when she thought about it carefully, she realized that what she said was all true.

But she didn't believe that such a thing could spread in such a short time without someone fanning the flames.

"Okay, you've worked hard, reward!"

Tao'er quickly stuffed a purse with some change in it into the old woman's pocket. The old woman took the purse, thanked her happily and left.

Now Xing'er and Tao'er are both very loyal to Lin Jiuer, and Lin Jiuer has found out about the difficulties in their families.

She helped them solve their problems, and from then on these two people became hers completely.

Xing Er said angrily: "People outside know nothing, how can they say this about the prince and the concubine."

Tao Er pondered for a moment and said, "Concubine, I always feel that this matter is not that simple."

"Oh? Then Tao'er, tell me why it's not simple?"

"The prince only recently decided to hold a birthday party for you. The news spread too quickly. I wonder if someone spread it on purpose?"

Lin Jiuer looked at Taoer with admiration and encouraged her, "Then who can you tell me who would spread this kind of news?"

Tao Er frowned and thought for a while, her expression changed, and finally she said, "I suspect it was the Princess who did it."

She was only a maid after all, and she felt a little uncomfortable with her master making random and malicious assumptions.

Lin Jiuer smiled and said, "You are right, I think so too."

She was quite satisfied with the two maids, Xing'er was lively and simple, while Tao'er was calm and intelligent.

Xing Er was furious when she heard this: "Did the princess really spread this? How could she do this? What good will it do her if the palace has a bad reputation?"

Tao'er: "Don't forget, according to the rumors, the prince favors his concubine over his wife, and she is that wife. Now, I guess people outside are very sympathetic to her as the Princess Kang and hate the concubine."

Lin Jiuer thought for a moment and said, "Has the person I asked you to place in Wangyue Pavilion not sent any news recently?"

Tao Er replied, "Most of the people we sent in were only third-class maids. The princess was very cautious and never let anyone she was not familiar with get close to her."

"But I heard that the princess has been in a bad mood recently. She often beats and scolds Miss Tinglan. Our people have seen it several times."

"Today, go and find out if anyone around the princess has left the palace recently, or if there is any situation with the princess. The more detailed the better."

Tao'er and Xing'er followed the order and went down.

Lin Jiuer sneered. Lin Yaner has really grown up. She can even use public opinion to build momentum for herself.

But I guess she has run out of ideas and has no other choice.

If she doesn't cause trouble soon, she will probably be killed soon.

Very good, I hope she won’t let her down this time. It would be best if she can complete the task in one go.

However, she also had to restore her reputation. She was going to be the Princess Kang in the future, and she would not allow any stain on herself.

Speaking of stains, Lin Yan'er has quite a few.

After a while, Xing'er and Tao'er came back.

"Concubine, I secretly asked the people we placed there, and found out that there was indeed a maid who left the palace several times recently." Tao'er said.

Xing Er said a little embarrassedly: "When I went to ask other people, Ting Lan accidentally saw me. But she didn't ask me anything and just walked away as if she didn't know."

Lin Jiuer seemed to be lost in thought. Tinglan was the only trusted maidservant left by Lin Yaner. If she found out that someone of hers had gone there to get information, would she tell Lin Yaner?

If Lin Yan'er really gets desperate and causes some trouble, it would indeed be a bit troublesome.

At this time, a little maid outside reported: "Concubine, Miss Tinglan is here."

Lin Jiuer was startled, then smiled: "Let her in."

After Tinglan came in, she looked at Lin Jiuer with a complicated expression. This woman who used to be the same as herself or even worse than herself, is now the prince's favorite.

He also completely suppressed Lin Yan'er, how could she not feel emotional?

"Your servant Tinglan pays respects to the Concubine."

Tinglan bowed and greeted respectfully.

"Hurry up and get up. We are already acquaintances. There is no need to be so polite. Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Lin Jiuer looked at Tinglan. She was now much thinner than before and her complexion did not look too good.

It seems that Lin Yan'er has been bullying him a lot recently.

"I came here secretly to warn the concubine that the princess is planning to murder the prince, and she will probably do it at your birthday banquet."

Lin Jiuer became excited when she heard this: "Oh? How is she going to do it?"

"She planned to poison the prince's drink."

Lin Jiuer nodded, thinking that the news should be reliable.

"Tinglan, telling me this is equivalent to betraying the princess. If she finds out, do you know the consequences?"

Tinglan knelt down with a plop: "I only ask Concubine to give me a chance to live. I have been tortured by the princess to the point of collapse. I have no other choice but to beg Concubine."

"Please, Madam Concubine, save this servant of mine since we grew up together?"