" I don’t mind taking action against those beneath me."

This meant that although Evelyn's status was below her as an imperial concubine, Francois disdained to fight back due to Evelyn’s lowly status.

Tanya would definitely fight back.

So she was warning Evelyn to stop where it should stop.

Verdant knelt down quickly to relay the message. A hint of warmth lingered in the air, and Tanya squinted, her eyes shimmering with ripples of emotion.

After returning to the palace, images of Alexander lingered faintly in her mind. Clad in silver-white armor, he resembled a celestial being, smiling arrogantly at her against the light.

“Was the message delivered?” Tanya closed her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows on her delicate skin, her voice unconsciously softening.

“Replying to Your Highness, I conveyed your exact words to Lady Evelyn, but she showed no reaction and instructed me to tell you that she is aware.”

After a brief pause, she asked, “Does Your Highness have any further instructions?”

Tanya waved her hand, a glimmer of coldness flashing in her eyes. “No.”

“Please prepare another set of materials for making pouches, and this time, gather a wider variety of colors,” Tanya stated lightly.

Alexander's handsome face flitted through her mind, stirring emotions she didn't like but couldn’t ignore. She wanted to do something, but despite her desire to make amends, a lingering emptiness remained in her heart. It took longer than expected to finish sewing the pouch, and she worried it might seem too perfunctory.

With a resigned sigh, she set the task aside.

“Your Highness, you’ve seemed unsettled for several hours,” Verdant said, rolling up her sleeves as she presented a plate of fruits to Tanya.

Tanya nodded, her peach blossom eyes showing signs of restlessness. “Is there something?”

Verdant leaned slightly. “It’s about the Emperor， he has unexpectedly gone to visit Lady Francois and sent a message of apology to you.”

Tanya raised her chin, her gaze unwavering.

In recent days, Heliam had been visiting Francois’s residence more frequently. It seemed that Francois had regained some favor. The pouch Tanya had personally sewn for Alexander had never seen the light of day, remaining hidden deep in her sleeve.

“Your Highness, the flowers from Lotus Palace have arrived again. How would you like to handle them?” Verdant pushed open the intricately carved door, deftly lighting an incense for Tanya.

Lotus Palace was Evelyn’s quarters.

“From now on, there’s no need to report this matter to me. Just return it as it is,” Tanya replied, her brows furrowed as her jade hand lightly brushed her forehead.

“Understood.” Verdant bowed slightly and moved closer to Tanya, her delicate fingers gently massaging her temples.

“You seem quite fatigued, Your Highness,” she whispered.

Tanya offered a barely perceptible acknowledgment.

“Speaking of Lotus Palace, it’s been sending flowers daily for half a month now. I wonder what their intentions are,” Verdant’s tone softened, as if afraid to disturb Tanya.

Tanya squinted, the soft light outside casting a gentle glow on her side profile, her porcelain skin and crimson lips resembling blood-stained petals.

It had already been half a month.

“Lady Francois seems to be enjoying both favor and honor lately, and there have been many strange occurrences. The usually proud and aloof Lady Francois has even lowered herself to please the Emperor,” Verdant continued, not quite finished.

Tanya closed her eyes. “It’s not strange， the situation doesn’t allow for her pride.”

She spoke with clarity.

Francois’s pride was well-known, but it had been somewhat subdued since Evelyn’s arrival half a month ago. Her arrogance had curled up, not wanting to be outdone by Evelyn, whom she considered inferior.

“Your Highness, your words seem rather enigmatic,” Verdant remarked softly.

Tanya fell silent, savoring the faint floral fragrance， it felt as if she couldn’t detach from it, perhaps due to too many troubling matters.

“Your Highness, it’s bad news!” Tiffany burst in, raising her voice several decibels.

“The Emperor… the Emperor is in the study and wants you to come at once.”

Tanya raised an eyebrow， Heliam’s sudden summons genuinely surprised her, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. “What could it be?”

“Lady Evelyn is there too…” Tiffany’s voice trailed off at the end.

“I don’t know the details, but I passed by the study and was stopped by Eunuch Belmont, who said I should hurry, as the Emperor is furious, and I need to bring you there quickly,” Tiffany said, a hint of fear in her tone. “I asked Eunuch Belmont for more information, but I didn’t catch everything. He mentioned that Lady Evelyn was crying and demanding you come.”

Tanya understood, a faint smile curving her lips.

This could be considered a declaration of war from Evelyn.

The study was heavily guarded, and it was one of the places Heliam frequented the most.

Tanya nodded imperceptibly to Eunuch Belmont as she approached the study. “Please inform him that I am here.”

He acknowledged her and stepped aside, bowing slightly. “Your Highness, this way please.”

As they neared the main hall, Shun Gonggong whispered in her ear, “Lady Evelyn seems quite aggressive this time， she must have come prepared. You should be cautious.”

Tanya appreciated his words, locking her gaze on him for a moment. “Thank you for the reminder.”

“Is it Vivienne?”

Heliam’s indifferent voice floated into her ears. Tanya held a smile on her face as she straightened up and bowed. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

When she raised her eyes again, her gaze was soft and inviting.

Heliam raised an eyebrow, his devilishly handsome face bearing a hint of coldness, like a layer of ice. Yet, after Tanya’s sweet bow, his demeanor softened.

“There's no need for formalities.” His words stirred up memories of his past affection for Vivienne.

“Do you still have the face to come here?” It was Evelyn’s voice, lounging nearby.

Only then did Tanya leisurely turn her gaze toward her, but just for a moment, before drifting away, clearly refusing to meet her eyes.

Evelyn wore a light purple dress, adorned with golden threads and blooming peonies at the hem. Her long hair was half tied up, with the remaining strands cascading a few inches over her shoulders. The red pigment on her forehead paired with her enchanting purple hue was truly captivating. However, no matter how lavishly she dressed, Tanya would never regard her with respect.

"You dare call me sister, yet I have no reason not to come," Tanya said coldly, her indifference casting a chill around her, even Verdant felt a hint of fear.

"Sister, why treat Evelyn this way..." A glimmer of shrewdness flashed in Evelyn's eyes, immediately transforming into a delicate, tearful figure.

Tanya remained unyielding. "Sister should be clear about her identity， you are merely a concubine beneath me. You call me sister yet fail to bow when we meet and speak rudely to me."

Suddenly, her expression shifted. "Are you even aware of the palace rules?"

Evelyn's face paled, her brows tightly knit, but Heliam remained silent, seemingly approving of Tanya's words. Gritting her teeth, she stood and bowed to Tanya. "I was foolish, please don't hold it against me, sister."

Tanya maintained her rebellious demeanor, lips curling slightly, reminiscent of Alexander's attitude. "If you know your foolishness, then refrain from putting labels on others."

Evelyn's expression stiffened. "Sister, you exaggerate..."

Heliam, having seen enough, scrutinized Tanya, noting how much his Vivienne had blossomed.

"Evelyn," he said coldly, fixing his gaze on Tanya. "Speak of your grievances."

Evelyn complied, lowering her head, her eyes shimmering with tears. "I was born in Southland and loved flowers from a young age. When I last saw Sister Vivienne sewing a sachet, I was enchanted and admired her even more."

Her voice was soft and sweet, prompting Tanya to think that if she were a man, she wouldn't withstand such charm.

"My foolishness made my admiration for my sister deepen over time. Inspired by my maid Biluo, I sent her fresh bouquets every day."

Biluo stepped forward, saying, "The flowers were personally picked by the maid from the mistress’s hands. To select the best blooms, the mistress would stroll through the little garden the night before."

Tanya’s patience thinned， this was clearly a self-scripted play that had bored her before it began.

Heliam's expression darkened, displeased with Biluo's interruption. "When the master speaks, when did it become your place to interject? Have the rules of Lotus Palace become so frivolous that you dare show disrespect?"

Biluo stiffened and quickly bowed, falling silent. Evelyn glanced at her and continued, "Yet Sister Vivienne seems not to appreciate my gifts, often returning them unchanged."

"Yesterday, when Evelyn fell ill and called for the imperial physician, I learned that I had long inhaled toxic powder, laying the groundwork for my sickness. My body belongs to His Majesty， I must not be careless."

"We gathered all the servants of Lotus Palace to trace the source."

With that, tears streamed down Evelyn's face. "It was the bouquet Sister Vivienne returned to me. The physician diagnosed it as poisonous, albeit in a light dosage that went unnoticed. I have suffered for over half a month before realizing my illness."

Her tears soaked the purple skirt on the floor.

Heliam frowned, his lips twitching but ultimately saying nothing.

Evelyn turned and knelt before Heliam, eyes brimming with tears. "I fear not death, but that if I die now, I will leave many wishes unfulfilled."

"I dream of gaining His Majesty's favor one day. Each meal shared with him is cherished， I fear not death, only the loss of such moments."

Her words hinted that Tanya was the cause of her plight. Tanya's brows tightened as her expression darkened.

Heliam, fond of favored consorts, was swayed by Evelyn's display, regardless of her flawed words.

What a vicious woman she was.

As expected, Heliam lovingly helped the kneeling Evelyn up and embraced her, turning coldly toward Tanya. "Vivienne, do you have anything to say?"

Feigning weakness was ideal at that moment, but facing Heliam's unpredictable nature, Tanya suddenly lost her interest.