The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

The figure standing by the well, silhouetted against the light, seemed to deliberately let Shuang Jiang overhear the argument between the Shi and Tong families. It was as if they wanted to make it clear to Shuang Jiang that the so-called sisterly bonds within the palace were nothing but a facade.

Why did she feel… so weak?

"You've been poisoned with a muscle-relaxing drug. Don't move!"

"Shuang Jiang, the way Xi Que treated you was clearly at the Empress's behest. Without her orders, would Xi Que dare to bully you so openly?"

The figure drew closer, and a familiar fragrance wafted through the air. "It's not Xi Que who wants you dead; it's the Empress. You've done nothing wrong. Are you really willing to die like this?"

"Give me your face, and I'll avenge you."

"I will kill all of the Empress's children and make them accompany you in death. So, please, give me your face, won't you?"

The woman's voice was mesmerizing, more intoxicating than the lingering scent on the walls, making Shuang Jiang's head spin. She couldn't make out the person's face clearly.

Her hand brushed against the signal flare behind her, and Shuang Jiang quietly grasped it, removing the cap and pointing it toward the well. "You want my face? Come and take it if you dare!"

This was the person who had hidden white phosphorus powder in her room, intending to burn the Seventh Prince and Third Princess to death.

The signal flare shot into the sky, illuminating the area with a bright light. Shuang Jiang forced her eyes open, determined to see who this person was.

"It's you?!"

Upon seeing the person's face, Shuang Jiang's mouth fell open in disbelief.

"What are you…?"

Before the woman could finish her sentence, several guards leaped down into the well, surrounding her.

Xi Que excitedly ran to the edge of the well, leaning over to get a better look. "Let me see who you really are!"

The Emperor and Jiang Xinyue approached at a leisurely pace, as if strolling through a garden. The area around the cold palace had already been sealed off with an inescapable net.

Moreover, Jiang Xinyue had a faint suspicion of who it might be, so she wasn't in a hurry.

Shuang Jiang had already been helped out of the well. Meng Qingyu sneered, looking at the woman who was covering her face. "Shall we escort Noble Consort Ye up, or will you come up on your own?"

They had already uncovered her identity!

The woman lowered her hand, revealing a strikingly beautiful yet cold and venomous face.

Without the disguise of a smile, her features now exuded cruelty and malice.

She hadn't expected Shuang Jiang to go to such lengths to lure her out, even allowing herself to be pushed into the dry well and knocked unconscious.

Shuang Jiang stood up, removing the soft cushion from behind her head, and gave a weak smile that was nothing short of a provocation.

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍wasn't foolish enough to jump from such a height without preparation.

The bottom of the well had been filled with soft soil, and she had cushioned her head with a soft pad, wearing thick clothing for added protection.

Though her arms and legs ached terribly, she felt it was worth it to expose the culprit and clear her name.

Ye Qiang'er let out a mocking laugh. "The Empress is indeed the Empress. I underestimated her."

With that, she flung a handful of white powder into the air and attempted to fly out of the well.

Meng Qingyu and the guards covered their noses and stepped back, quickly blowing a whistle.

As Ye Qiang'er was about to escape, Xi Que shouted, "The net!"

A large black net was thrown over Ye Qiang'er, ensnaring her before she could react. The net tightened rapidly, binding her tightly and tossing her at the feet of the Emperor and Jiang Xinyue.

Ye Qiang'er panted heavily, the innocence and kindness in her eyes completely gone, replaced by a cold glare directed at Jiang Xinyue. "When did you figure out it was me?"

Recalling every step of the plan, Ye Qiang'er realized it had all been a trap set for her.

They must have suspected her for a while.

"Ever since Mu Qianqian was exposed as having her face swapped, I started keeping an eye on you. I just didn't expect you to be so skilled—not only in face-swapping and disguise but also in martial arts and cunning deception."

Since entering the palace, Ye Qiang'er had played the role of a dim-witted concubine, currying favor with her peers and leaving an impression of sycophancy and stupidity.

While her fellow concubines faced one misfortune after another, she had used Jiang Xinyue's life-saving favor to infiltrate the social circles of Consort Shu, Consort Liang, and Jiang Xinyue, thriving within the palace.

She had the patience and the acting skills to deceive everyone, making them believe she had turned over a new leaf.

For a time, they had chatted, played cards, drank, and enjoyed the gardens and performances together, like close sisters.

Consort Liang's recovery from a severe illness was largely thanks to Ye Qiang'er's timely warning. Under normal circumstances, no one would have suspected her.

But Jiang Xinyue was a master of deduction and analysis, noticing details that others overlooked.

For instance, whenever Consort Liang and Consort Shu were present, Noble Consort Ye was always the one overlooked. Yet, as Jiang Xinyue's "close friend," she had free access to all areas of Kunning Palace, including Shuang Jiang's quarters.

She had even accompanied Consort Shu and Consort Liang to Kunning Palace on the day of the Seventh Prince and Third Princess's first birthday, presenting gifts to the young royals.

While Jiang Xinyue was distracted by her conversation with Consort Shu and Consort Liang, Ye Qiang'er had excused herself to play with the Fourth Prince and Crown Prince in the courtyard, sprinkling white phosphorus powder on the ground.

Then, she had calmly left with Consort Liang and Consort Shu.

She always hid behind these two "shields" when committing her misdeeds, which was why the Emperor had initially suspected Consort Liang and Consort Shu of colluding with the Jin Kingdom.

Now, Consort Shu and Consort Liang stood behind Jiang Xinyue like wooden statues, their eyes wide with shock. They could hardly believe that the mastermind behind it all was Noble Consort Ye.

It was her all along!

Weren't they supposed to be sisters?

Every time she did something evil, it was under the guise of visiting the Empress with them. How unfair!

No wonder the Emperor had warned the Empress not to associate too closely with them. It really was risky.

After rescuing Shuang Jiang from the well, Jiang Xinyue ordered Ye Qiang'er to be taken to Kunning Palace.

When it came to making a spy talk, physical torture was often futile. The key was to break them mentally.

It was said that the Jin Kingdom's Holy Maiden was soon to marry the Southern Court's Prince, becoming the Princess of the Southern Court.

The old Emperor of Jin, already facing public outrage, had been forced to abdicate in favor of the Southern Court's Prince. Once the marriage took place, the Prince would ascend the throne.

Jiang Xinyue wasn't sure if Ye Qiang'er had any emotional ties to the Jin Kingdom, but perhaps a conversation would reveal what she wanted to know.

After all, none of the people from the Jin Kingdom could be trusted.