Chapter 1255: Chapter 1255: Partners in Crime 2
Chapter 1255
After two or three days of rest, her body finally felt a bit better.
Early this morning, Luo Manman washed her face herself, and found the cleanest set of clothes to change into.
Since there was no mirror in the room, she tidied her hair and makeup using the water in the basin.
She took the medicine bottle that Shih Wanxin had sent a few days ago, used her fingernail to apply a bit of ointment, and spread it evenly over her scars on her body and face.
After doing all of this, she smiled contentedly.
Her eyes were filled with hope for the future.
Emperor!
Since your harem insists on competition, then Manman must also learn to vie for favor!
Since you have forgotten me, Manman will find a way for you to remember!
Even though she’s already over thirty.
But she has lived frugally these years, appearing thin and frail, and because she has always lived alone, her mindset remains as it was back in the palace.
So she doesn’t possess much of a mature woman’s demeanor, more of a woman’s mature charm and allure.
A woman like this, if cared for properly, is far more enchanting than a youthful girl.
Yet, alas...
Zhao Junyao hasn’t held any selections for several years, surrounded by women more beautiful and attractive than her, with even-handed attention unlikely, let alone care!
Moreover, the Emperor no longer attends to all equally.
Speaking of maturity and charm, who can surpass the Empress by half?
Thus, all her schemes are destined to fail.
But at this moment.
Who knows? She herself doesn’t know.
Anyway, Luo Manman has made up her mind.
She no longer wants to live such a life worse than pigs and dogs.
Rather than wait passively for death, she prefers to pursue it fervently.
...
While she was lost in her thoughts.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard at the door.
Luo Manman looked up to see Shih Wanxin arrived.
She was dressed in a loose plain robe, her hair neatly tied in a bun at the back, appearing clean and tidy, and carrying an exquisite carved lacquer food box in her hand.
Upon entering, she greeted her warmly with a smile.
"Sister Manman!"
Shih Wanxin was indeed younger than Luo Manman, and calling her sister showed respect and warmth.
Luo Manman was quite unaccustomed to it, but she still stepped forward to greet her.
"Ah, it’s you!"
Shih Wanxin first looked her over from head to toe.
Seeing that her complexion had improved quite a lot, and her clothes were changed, her hair combed smoothly.
Instantly she smiled.
"Looking like this, could it be you’ve understood?"
"In that case, we’ll be sisters from now on!"
Luo Manman looked at her, with a trace of a bitter smile at the corners of her mouth, eventually nodding solemnly.
"Alright!"
Shih Wanxin’s eyes instantly brightened.
She seemed already to see her plans flourishing after success.
Placing the food box on the dilapidated table, she declared with firm conviction.
"Given the friendship between sister and the Emperor, just a little effort must yield prosperity as a concubine or consort!"
Luo Manman chuckled mockingly.
"Ha!"
"I’m not asking for much!"
"I just want to reclaim what I own!"
Shih Wanxin’s eyes burned stronger with influences of ambition and revenge.
Grasping her hand, biting her lip, she reassured firmly.
"Don’t worry!"
"Certainly it will happen!"
Luo Manman’s eyes also gleamed with a chilling light.
The former Luo Manman is already dead.
Now, she has no emotions, she’s merely possessed by love.
Beyond him, she desires nothing else!
Shih Wanxin felt very pleased.
Having an ally was way better than battling alone.
She opened the food box and took out three small dishes—a meat dish and two vegetarian ones—along with a steaming bowl of white rice, concealing hatred with full gleaming smiles, said.
"I knew you weren’t eating well, so I specially brought dishes from Ningshou Palace here!"
Luo Manman looked at the dishes in front of her, somewhat puzzled.
"Ningshou Palace?"
Shih Wanxin sighed bitterly.
"Yes!"
"I live in Ningshou Palace now, staying with the Empress Dowager!"
Hesitating for a moment, she finally confessed her current situation in full honesty.
"I won’t hide from you!"
"Right now, I’m nothing!"
Luo Manman was utterly shocked.
"Nothing?"
Shih Wanxin nodded.
"Seriously speaking, I should count as a palace maid next to the Empress Dowager! In any case... I do not belong in the harem anymore!"
Luo Manman’s eyes full of disbelief.
Shih Wanxin, on the verge of tears, began to cry.
Crying, she told her own experiences over the years, embellishing them.
In short.
Her situation was all caused by the malice of the Empress, while she herself was entirely innocent!
Luo Manman listened on pins and needles, thinking.
The former Consort Shih was already formidable enough, yet someone even more formidable emerged in the harem!
Seems she... indeed needs to be careful now.
Shih Wanxin hurriedly spoke.
"Don’t worry!"
"I’ll help you, and with the Empress Dowager, we’re all in the same boat!"
"With the Empress Dowager’s help, you will certainly reclaim the Emperor’s heart!"
Luo Manman grinned coldly.
"Indeed!"
"I must reclaim the Emperor’s heart!"
Once Shih Wanxin saw her determination, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She wiped away tears and laughed again.
"Oh look at me, talking away!"
"The food’s getting cold! Come on, eat up, eat up!"
Luo Manman looked at her, then at those dishes, ultimately setting aside her concerns, she picked up the bowl and ate heartily.
She must not die, absolutely not!
Only after nourishing herself she could regain everything.
Shih Wanxin watched as she consumed all the food, an unintended smile of accomplishment secretly flashed by the corner of her mouth, fleeting enough for no one to notice.
...
Ever since that day.
Shih Wanxin frequently had people send things over here.
Sometimes it was food, sometimes things to use.
Whatever was lacking here, she’d send a bit more.
And Luo Manman reciprocated her kindness.
She devotedly stayed in her room daily, focusing on recovery.
When one’s will to live is strong, no one can stop her.
Thus, after half a month.
Not only did she recover from her injuries, but even her complexion improved significantly.
Time flies, May arrived, Dragon Boat Festival was just around the corner.
Though not a grand festival, each year at this time, the palace holds banquets.
Of course.
Being Ninth Grade, naturally, such banquets had nothing to do with her.
But if Shih Wanxin remembered correctly.
This palace banquet each year is held beside the pavilion by Taiye Pool.
This means.
The Emperor would visit the harem, stroll through the Imperial Garden.
Implying that Luo Manman would have the opportunity to meet by chance!
Shih Wanxin was very excited.
"At that time, you must seize the opportunity! You must make the Emperor remember you!"
Luo Manman calmly listened to Shih Wanxin’s advice, silently shaking her head.
"Why? Isn’t my suggestion good?"
"Hmm!"
Luo Manman nodded.
"Suddenly meeting him by chance wouldn’t achieve the purpose, rather it may evoke the Emperor’s aversion, and might end up losing more than gaining!"
Shih Wanxin slightly squinted her eyes, thinking: Not bad! A bit of brains, glad not to be mistaken.
She feigned realization.
"Oh so that’s the case!"
"Your thoughtfulness prevails!"
