Lu Xuan focused her thoughts—with the new emperor ascending the throne, the imperial harem would inevitably be flooded with fresh faces, all vying for favor. Concubine Shen, who had once enjoyed immense favor in the prince's mansion, would become the prime target of the newly arrived consorts.
Yet, at this critical juncture, the Shen Clan had been "banished from the palace."
It was highly suspicious.
"Miss, should we send someone to investigate Donghua Mountain?" the maid Little Qin suggested proactively.
Lu Xuan gazed at the white chess piece in her hand, then shook her head after a moment. "The Donghua Mountain retreat is where the Empress Dowager recuperates. The security is tight. Our Duke's household lacks the means to investigate. If we alert the Empress Dowager and she traces it back to us, the consequences would outweigh the gains."
Little Qin frowned with worry. "But what if the Shen Clan returns to the palace later and monopolizes the emperor's favor? What then?"
