Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

Consort Zhong was already worried that the Peony Fairy's affair would be discovered. Now that Consort Duan did not believe Song Ruozhen, she was overjoyed and hoped that the relationship between the two sides would sour, since it would not do her any harm.

As long as the Peony Fairy's affair remains undiscovered, she'll be happy to watch the show, no matter who is ultimately found to have poisoned her.

When Song Ruozhen saw that Consort Zhong had suddenly turned her attention to her, she slowly turned her gaze away, her eyes cold and sharp, filled with a chilling aura.

Consort Zhong was startled by the gaze and suddenly realized that Song Ruozhen and the King of Chu were indeed somewhat similar. The eyes were full of murderous intent, which even startled her.

"There is no misunderstanding between me and Prince Che. Although there was some conflict between me and Princess Che before, the matter has long been resolved."

I thought Prince Che didn't take it to heart, but it turns out Consort Zhong and Prince Che were quite concerned about this matter. So I apologized.

Song Ruozhen feigned surprise and slowly bowed, but her voice was several degrees colder than before, "Consort Zhong, your Peony Fairy is alright, but that doesn't mean Consort Duan's Peony Fairy is alright."

Even Buddha statues obtained from temples, whether they've been consecrated or blessed, aren't necessarily equally efficacious. Don't you agree?

Consort Zhong's expression froze. This brat's words were so venomous!

The Emperor glanced at Consort Zhong indifferently. He naturally understood Consort Zhong's little scheme and said coldly, "The harem has no need for such evil tricks. Guards, smash this Peony Fairy!"

"No!" Consort Duan said anxiously.

Just then, the Fourth Prince, Prince Liang, arrived. Upon learning that his mother had encountered an accident, he rushed over.

"Father, this is Mother's favorite Peony Fairy, which she worships devoutly every day. Why did you smash it?"

“This object is malevolent. Your mother’s current condition is very likely related to the Peony Fairy. If we are going to investigate, we must investigate thoroughly!”

The emperor had a stern face. He believed that evil practices were not allowed in the harem, but praying to gods and Buddhas was common practice, so he did not take it to heart.

“King Liang, this thing is not evil; it’s all nonsense from Princess Chu!” Consort Duan said stubbornly.

However, just as the argument was raging, Chu Junting stepped forward and smashed the Peony Fairy.

"This item was originally obtained by Consort Duan from the Empress Dowager, yet now she keeps slandering Zhen'er. Let's see if there's anything wrong with it!"

"Bang!"

The sound of shattering rang out instantly, and the Peony Fairy was torn to pieces.

However, after everyone saw what was on the ground, terrified screams came from inside the house.

"what--"

"Bugs! Lots of bugs!"

Countless insects emerged from within, their black bodies speckled with blood, enough to send shivers down one's spine and give one goosebumps.

"How could there be such disgusting bugs inside this Peony Fairy? It looks so scary!"

The concubines' faces were filled with panic. This insect was so strange; it was clearly not an ordinary insect. The Peony Fairy was obviously acting strangely.

"What's going on with so many insects?" The Empress's expression changed as she looked at Consort Duan. "Are you aware of this?"

Consort Duan's expression changed the moment she saw the insects. She had no idea there were such things here. The thought that she had been sincerely offering sacrifices every day, only to be feeding these insects, made her feel nauseous.

"How could this be? I don't know," Consort Duan said hastily.

The Empress Dowager's face was grim. "Ruozhen, do you know what this insect is?"

"Spirit insects".

Song Ruozhen spoke up, turning her gaze to Chu Junting, "Try stepping on one."

Upon hearing this, Chu Junting stepped forward and stomped one of the insects to death. Duanfei suddenly realized that the pain on her face seemed to have lessened a bit. However, with so many poisonous insects and only one dead, her feeling was not real.

“King Liang, try killing a few more,” Consort Duan said.

Upon seeing this, the King of Liang stomped on several of them, and everyone noticed that the terrifying, worm-like marks on Consort Duan's face had faded somewhat.

"My God, it really was caused by these poisonous insects!"

“This Peony Fairy was given to Her Majesty the Empress by Consort Zhong. Could it be that Consort Zhong, you…” Consort Liu suddenly looked shocked, as if she had thought of something.

Upon seeing this, the Empress immediately knelt down. "Your Majesty, you must do justice for me! I have never wronged Consort Zhong in any way, yet she tries to harm me like this!"

They went out of their way to send me this; I wonder what their intentions are!

"Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly! I really did nothing!" Consort Zhong knelt down in a panic. "This Peony Fairy was truly something I sincerely begged to be brought back. I sent it over to thank Her Majesty the Empress for her care over the years."

"Your Majesty, I do not know why the Peony Fairy was safe and sound with me and with the Empress, but only encountered problems with Consort Duan."

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Only Consort Zhong and the Empress could have orchestrated this.

"Your Majesty, the Peony Fairy was given to me by Consort Zhong. How could I have known beforehand that Consort Duan would suddenly come to ask for her?"

Many of my sisters witnessed it that day. Originally, I was unwilling to give it, but I couldn't resist Consort Duan's persistent pleas, so I finally agreed!

When the Emperor saw that Consort Zhong was trying to shift all the blame onto her, his eyes were filled with coldness.

I underestimated Consort Zhong before; she's so vicious!

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Consort Zhong cried out.

"Whether it's what Consort Zhong said or not, we'll know once we have the Peony Fairy, Consort Zhong's plan," Song Ruozhen suddenly said.

The Empress's eyes lit up, and she looked at Song Ruozhen excitedly, "Really?"

"These offspring are used to absorb people's luck, and all the benefits will appear on the mother insect. Whoever has the mother insect will be the one who benefits," Song Ruozhen said frankly.

With a stern face, the Emperor ordered, "Go, bring the Peony Fairy from Consort Zhong's palace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Consort Zhong was alarmed when she heard that there was such a thing involved. She had no idea that there were spirit insects involved. Could it be that the essence blood she offered every day was for spirit insects?

"Your Majesty, I really didn't do anything, you must believe me!"

The Empress, however, remained unperturbed and said, "I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

Soon, another peony fairy was brought over.

"boom!"

The Peony Fairy was instantly smashed to pieces, and among the pieces, everyone was shocked to see a huge red spirit insect.

All the larvae sensed the presence of the mother insect and flocked towards her.

However, the mother insect opened her mouth and swallowed the larvae whole.

With each larva the mother worm ate, it grew slightly larger, and after several larvae were consumed, the princess suddenly cried out in pain.

At the same time, the Empress noticed the changes in Consort Zhong.

"After the mother insect ate the larvae, Consort Zhong seemed to become even more beautiful."

Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively looked at Consort Zhong, and sure enough, she looked even better than before. In contrast, Consort Duan's already ferocious face looked as if her skin had aged considerably in an instant...