The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 63: Chapter 063 I am the Evil Sister (Eighteen)

”Lady He, did she really say that?” the Emperor asked with great curiosity after hearing the eunuch’s report.

”Although Mrs. He’s voice was very weak, I heard her clearly; she said exactly that!”

The eunuch’s face was filled with an ingratiating smile as he eagerly said, ”And, I’ve noticed that Mrs. He’s gaze toward the medicinal herbs bestowed by Your Majesty was also quite extraordinary.”

”The way she looked at them, it wasn’t like she was looking at mere herbs, but rather as if she was gazing upon elixirs blessed by an Immortal!”

”The way Mrs. He looked, I can hardly describe it—it was just like a devotee beholding a gift from the gods!”

The eunuch went to great lengths with his flattery, speaking with great artfulness.

On the surface, he was gossiping about Duchess Wei, but in reality, he was frantically trying to butter up the Emperor.

”Ha ha, what devotee, what gifts from the gods, they’re just some items I gave her out of consideration for Boqing. How did they become magical elixirs?”

The Emperor was so amused that he burst into laughter.

Although he said so, his heart was quite pleased.

The Emperor was accustomed to the fearful and respectful ministers and officials, and he had heard more than enough sycophantic flattery.

But Lady He was different. She was a dying woman who didn’t have many days left and had no reason to put on such a performance.

Yet Lady He still spoke the words ”touched by the Dragon Energy” and valued the Emperor’s gifts so highly, showing her sincerity and gratitude were genuine.

Being used to his exalted position and knowing how his subjects submitted to him, Lady He’s near superstitious reaction greatly pleased the Emperor.

It was as if he, the sovereign, was a Savior, a life-saving Bodhisattva to a subject close to death.

”How can it not be a magical elixir? Mrs. He also said that the medicinal herbs you gave her were imbued with Your Dragon Energy, noble and magical!”

Seeing the Emperor delighted, the eunuch became even more zealous in his praise.

The Emperor was even more pleased.

Having heard too many elaborate flatteries in the Imperial court, the direct compliments and belief from the eunuch—or rather, from Lady He—felt refreshingly straightforward and satisfying.

”In that case, I shall bestow some more medicinal herbs upon Lady He!”

”Alas, if this saves Lady He’s life, it would also fulfill the friendship between me and Boqing.”

Kang Mo, to himself: ...Thank you so much! I truly cannot express enough gratitude.

Kang Mo couldn’t be blamed for feeling aggrieved; at that moment, he was immersed in memories of his wife’s many virtues and dreaming of a future with He Yi.

Especially now that ”He Tian” was again critically ill, plans for a new marriage were once more on the agenda.

Perhaps due to past experience and in light of ”He Tian’s” sacrifice to save her husband, Grand Madam was no longer opposed to the idea of Kang Mo remarrying a Miss He.

Marquis and Marchioness Yongchang were exceptionally active in the matter, directly bringing He Yi from Qingyun Temple to Duke Mansion, and under the pretense of ”caring for her sister,” they once again left He Yi at Duke Mansion.

The only one who hadn’t expressed an opinion was ”He Tian.”

However, everyone felt that it was He Tian’s idea to let her cousin become her husband’s second wife.

Now it was merely a renewal of past discussions—there was no reason for ”He Tian” to object.

Thus, while no one said anything on the surface, many things had already begun to take place behind the scenes.

The maids and matrons assigned to He Yi at the Duke Mansion also began to fawn over the future Duchess.

And there were some who, sensing which way the wind was blowing, secretly sought connections and relationships, trying to ensure that they could make a good impression in front of the future lady.

Having spent just one night at the Duke Mansion, He Yi immediately felt a significant difference.

Not to mention how the once haughty servants were now groveling and trying to curry favor with her, the meals sent from the kitchen alone gave away some clues.

”Miss Three, here’s some bird’s nest soup specially stewed for you by the kitchen, and it’s top-quality blood bird’s nest!”

He Yi’s maid, who had accompanied her from Marquis Yongchang’s Mansion, came over with a tray, brimming with excitement as she walked and proudly said, ”I offered to give them some money, but they insisted it was a tribute to you, how could they accept money?”

He Yi felt immensely relieved after hearing these words.

You see, during He Tian’s serious illness when she first arrived at Duke Mansion, she had suffered no small unjust treatment from those malicious servants.

To not even mention the idle gossip and finger-pointing; primarily, they would deliberately make things difficult for her in certain respects.

Initially, she couldn’t get used to the bland meals made in He Tian’s small kitchen and wanted to change her taste, so she sent her maid with some Copper Coins to negotiate with the cook.

The result? Not only did the dishes remain unchanged, but she was also bullied by those despicable slaves who looked down on others.

On that day, He Yi was so angry she almost wanted to go home.

It was only later when He Tian’s condition worsened and Duke Wei grew closer to He Yi that those opportunistic dogs finally began to restrain themselves slightly.

But to take the initiative to curry favor like today was still the first.

”Miss Third, people from the sewing room are asking, they said they want to make new clothes for the Mid-Autumn Festival, what kind of style do you want? Do you have any preferred fabric or embroidery patterns or colors?”

Another little maid ran over, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her eyes full of pride and exhilaration.

Even the sewing room came to flatter?

He Yi tried her best to keep it together, not wanting to show too much excitement and become a laughing stock.

But in her heart, she was truly elated.

During her second visit to serve the sick at Duke Mansion, she finally experienced the wonders of ”power and prestige”!

However, before He Yi could feel excited for long, the imperial reward arrived.

The First-Rank State Duchess’s imperial decree was resplendent, the big red and gold ceremonial outfit, and, and several boxfuls of precious medicinal materials.

Standing in the corner, He Yi’s eyes filled with envy, her handkerchief twisted into a knot.

”...She won’t live long! All this glory is just for these few days!”

”Wait for me... I, I too will receive the decree, I too will receive rewards from the nobles in the palace!”

He Yi desperately comforted herself with such words.

But before she could adjust her mood, a new round of ”blows” came.

The eunuch who had just returned to the palace actually came back and brought another huge box of medicinal materials and foodstuff for ”He Tian.”

The Emperor bestowed rewards twice consecutively; the first time could be said to be for Kang Mo’s sake, but the second time?

Perhaps, the Emperor also greatly admired Lady He’s heroic act of risking her life to save her husband.

With the Emperor making his stance so clear, the Empress Dowager, Empress, Four Concubines, and other ladies followed suit, all directing eunuchs to bring various rewards.

All sorts of treasures, fabrics, and medicines... although not quite on par with the Emperor’s rewards, were still excellent.

The key was the honor; it indeed made Lady He stand out among the noblewomen of the capital.

Many families familiar with Duke Mansion even came over specially to offer their congratulations.

The Yan Family also sent several ladies, with Ninth Lady Yan acting coquettishly and insistently bringing her mother along.

Taking advantage of Mrs. Yan’s exchange of pleasantries with Grand Madam, Ninth Lady Yan approached the bed in the inner room, finally seeing Mrs. He, who had regained consciousness.

”...Mrs. He, you must get well!” Don’t let that vile woman succeed.

Ninth Lady Yan hadn’t missed the lady in pink lurking in the corner. Humph, while Mrs. He was still alive, He Yi was already pushing herself forward, truly shameless!

Outsiders all said it was Mrs. He’s doing, but having witnessed a certain scene firsthand, Ninth Lady Yan felt it was two despicable people secretly colluding.

”Miss Nine, thank you, I will be alright,” He Tiantian, sensing the kindness in the thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl’s eyes, couldn’t help but feel warmth in her heart and softly spoke a word of thanks.

Yes, she must be alright. After all, Mrs. He was now the Emperor’s personally decreed First-Rank Decree Madam, even if Lord Duke really changed his heart, she was not afraid of him fooling around!