Chapter 045

Chapter 045

Yipin originally wanted to turn around, to avoid seeing them, and continue redoing her makeup. She had already washed her face several times and had to redo her makeup, feeling increasingly frustrated. She didn’t want to see Wanbi or Consort Rong at that moment.

However, catching a glimpse of Consort Rong steadily holding the hot tea, she was startled.

Her gaze shifted between Consort Rong and the teacup, back and forth.

Clearly, her eyes weren’t deceiving her.

She instinctively touched her own fingers, their soft pads unable to tolerate even mildly hot objects. Yet, Consort Rong held the teacup without a saucer, as if it were nothing at all?!

Qinxin, standing nearby, grew increasingly anxious as Wanbi hesitated to accept the teacup. She knew how scalding the tea was, and the fact that Consort Rong held it so effortlessly, despite appearing unaffected, seemed impossible!

The water had just been boiled and poured into the pot moments before being brought over.

"Wanbi, the lady personally handed you the tea. Why are you hesitating to take it?" Qinxin urged from the side.

Wanbi stared at the teacup with fear, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

The steaming tea now seemed more terrifying than any devil to her!

She couldn’t bring herself to touch it!

She glanced pleadingly at Yipin, hoping she would intervene and stop Consort Rong, sparing her from holding the scalding teacup. Even if she were punished afterward, it would be better than holding such a scalding cup!

But Yipin, noticing the plea in Wanbi’s eyes, averted her gaze, clearly unwilling to intervene.

Was Yipin really going to let her suffer like this?!

The incident at noon had been Yipin’s idea, so why was she abandoning her now?!

Consort Rong’s gentle smile now sent a shiver down her spine. How could she smile so nonchalantly?

Noticing Wanbi’s hesitation, Su Yi let out a questioning "Hmm?" with a slightly sharper tone.

Wanbi, unable to delay any longer, tremblingly extended one hand. But Su Yi glanced at her other hand and teased, "What? Do you usually serve tea with just one hand?"

Tea is traditionally served with both hands.

Wanbi had no choice but to grit her teeth and extend both hands to take the scalding teacup, hoping against hope that the tea wasn’t as hot as it appeared.

The moment Su Yi placed the teacup in her hands, the searing heat forced Wanbi to cry out in pain, and she dropped the cup involuntarily.

The teacup shattered on the ground, splashing hot water everywhere, some of it landing on Yipin.

Yipin brushed at her clothes in displeasure and snapped, "Useless maid! Can’t even hold a teacup properly? What good are you?! You’ve embarrassed me—look at my clothes!"

The nearby maids quickly bowed and started dabbing at the wet spots on Yipin’s clothes.

Ignoring the pain in her hands, Wanbi hurriedly pleaded, "Please forgive me, my lady! I didn’t mean to! The teacup Consort Rong gave me was scalding—it was impossible to hold! She did it on purpose, I swear! Ah!"

Before she could finish, a sharp pain struck her face, and she covered it, glaring at the person who had hit her.

Qinxin calmly retracted her hand, having swiftly and decisively slapped Wanbi.

"Bold Wanbi, how dare you speak so disrespectfully to the lady! The lady, being kind-hearted, didn’t punish you but merely asked you to practice holding tea. Yet you show such ingratitude—you deserve to be struck!"

Yipin, watching her own maid being struck, was also displeased, but Wanbi had indeed spoken out of line earlier.

What an utter embarrassment.

Yipin glared at Wanbi, the source of her humiliation, and was seething with hatred. If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have given Consort Rong the chance to cause a scene, leaving her with no leg to stand on.

Moreover, if Consort Rong hadn't demonstrated holding the hot tea herself earlier, she could have argued that the tea was too scalding and unsuitable, suggesting they replace it with a pot of warm tea to spare everyone the discomfort.

But Consort Rong had held it as if it were nothing, appearing as cool as a cucumber. If she could hold it steady, how could Wanbi, just a lowly maid, fail to do the same?!

What could she possibly say now? That the maid was more fragile than her? That Consort Rong could hold it steady, but Wanbi, being even more delicate than Consort Rong, couldn't hold it at all?!

What a cunning move, Consort Rong!

Yipin shot a venomous glance at Consort Rong and then signaled her maid to keep applying her makeup, warning her not to tremble again, or she'd lose her temper. The maid nodded in understanding.

Wanbi begged for mercy, but Su Yi calmly told Qinxin to refill the cup and said gently, "Let's try that again."

Wanbi covered her face, shaking her head in desperation. Su Yi leaned in, gently touching her swollen cheek, her voice laced with pity, as if mourning the injury, "Don't cry."

Wanbi thought Consort Rong was about to show her mercy, and a grateful smile started to form, but it froze instantly.

Su Yi thrust the freshly filled teacup back into her hands, as if goading her, "Alright, wipe your tears and try again."

Several teacups were prepared, so there were plenty to go around.

Wanbi's hands shook violently as she clutched the scalding teacup, and as she trembled, the hot water spilled out again. She cried out in pain, desperate to drop it.

She glanced at Consort Rong, and a fierce determination surged within her. She considered deliberately trembling and splashing the hot water onto Consort Rong's face, to let her taste the pain of being scalded.

She wanted to see if Consort Rong could still smile after being disfigured!

Even if she faced severe punishment afterward, it would be worth it!

But Su Yi seemed to read her mind and suddenly grabbed her hands, rendering Wanbi immobile.

At that moment, Su Yi leaned close to her ear, her voice as soft as a lover's whisper, "What if I had your sister come to serve in my palace, serving me tea like this every day? How would that be?"

Wanbi, who had been struggling fiercely, was struck dumb by these words. Her mind went blank, and she even forgot about the burns on her hands. She wanted to ask Consort Rong what she meant!

But Consort Rong stepped back, sitting down again and gently smoothing her dress, as if straightening out the wrinkles.

At the same time, Wanbi followed her movements and noticed the sachet hanging from Consort Rong's waist. Her eyes widened in shock—it was a sachet made by her sister, identical to the one her sister had given her.

How did her sister's sachet end up with Consort Rong?!

"You!"

Wanbi suddenly remembered that before Consort Rong arrived, she had visited the Yikun Palace.

Her sister was currently serving in the Yikun Palace. Since they rarely communicated, few people knew she had a sister, and their relationship was very close.

Even Yipin didn't know about this—how did Consort Rong find out?!

But Su Yi didn't say anything more about her sister, only reminding her, "The water spilled. Let's try again."

Qinxin picked up the teapot and poured more hot water into the half-empty teacup.

This time, no matter how scalding it was, Wanbi clenched her teeth and held the teacup firmly, even as the hot water spilled onto her hands, she refused to let go.

Although Wanbi was a maid, she primarily served Yipin and didn't do much manual labor. Her hands were smooth and delicate, without any calluses, almost as well-maintained as Yipin's.

Previously, Wanbi had always been quite satisfied with her hands, which had no calluses at all, feeling that compared to Yipin, she wasn't lacking in anything.

But now, her lack of calluses was causing her great suffering.

Without any calluses, her hands couldn't withstand the high temperature, but because of Consort Rong's words, Wanbi dared not let go even though her hands were scalded red. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she clenched her teeth and bore the pain.

Yipin, who was applying her makeup nearby, occasionally glanced over, her eyes filled with suspicion. What had Consort Rong said to Wanbi that made her endure so obediently, despite the pain?

Seeing Wanbi's hands scalded red, Yipin curled her lips in disdain, thinking how useless Wanbi was to be so quickly subdued by Consort Rong's methods.

The maid beside Yipin gazed at Wanbi's reddened hands with a mix of pity and relief, feeling fortunate that she wasn't the one who had provoked Consort Rong earlier that day.

Su Yi, watching Wanbi's scalded hands, showed no emotion, simply propping her chin and calmly saying, "Again."

No matter how much hot water Wanbi spilled, Qinxin would just refill it.

At first, Wanbi trembled from the heat, but gradually she grew accustomed to the temperature, spilling less and less water, and eventually holding the cup steadily.

Qinxin hefted the teapot in her hand, "Your Highness, there's no more water. Shall I go and brew a new pot of tea?"

Wanbi's heart tightened, a bitter taste on her tongue, fearing that Consort Rong wasn't done tormenting her and would have a new pot of hot tea brewed.

Yipin squinted at Consort Rong, hoping she would know when to stop and not push her luck, as her patience was limited.

Su Yi, naturally knowing when to stop, said, "No need, Qinxin. Look, Wanbi can now hold the teacup steadily. It seems this little exercise was quite effective."

"Yes, Your Highness."

A flicker of regret appeared in Qinxin's otherwise indifferent eyes, but she obediently put down the teapot.

Su Yi, taking Qinxin's hand, stood up and turned to Yipin with a smile, "It's getting late; I should head back. No need to see me off, Yipin."

Yipin really wanted to retort, "Who wants to see you off? What bad luck!"

Turning back to see her fully made-up face, she was furious once more. Thanks to Consort Rong, she had washed her face several times today, nearly ruining it!

Now that her makeup was done, Consort Rong left. Who was she supposed to show it off to?

Only after Consort Rong left did Wanbi dare to put down the teacup.

Her hands were red and blistered from the scalding. The pride she felt when she knocked Yun Hua over at noon, causing her to scald her hands, was now replaced by deep regret.

Yun Hua was scalded, and Consort Rong specifically came to seek vengeance for her.

But her own mistress, Yipin, could only watch as she was bullied by Consort Rong without saying a word to help, only scolding her for being useless.

Wanbi looked at Yipin, her reddened hands trembling, and choked out, "Your Highness..."

After seeing Wanbi's hands, Yipin showed no pity, instead speaking with disdain,

"Get out of here quickly, don't clutter my sight. You're more of a hindrance than a help! You've only made me lose face in front of Consort Rong! How dare you still stand before me?!"

After leaving Yipin's quarters, Su Yi untied the sachet from her waist and said to Qinxin beside her, "This sachet is really well made, isn't it?"

The story goes back to when Su Yi left Yonghe Palace and had someone detour to Yikun Palace, fulfilling her promise during her illness to visit the Imperial Noble Consort once she felt better.

Since she was already out, it wouldn't be right to go directly to Yipin's place without stopping by Yikun Palace.

So she also made a stop at Yikun Palace.

After the two met, they were very clingy with each other, like sisters. Su Yi, who was already shameless, still couldn't match her knack for handling situations. Setting aside the Imperial Noble Consort's ulterior motives, she really seemed like a gentle elder sister.

Not only did she care for you, but she also gave you things to take away when you came, and then fussed over you, saying you should ask her if you needed anything.

This time, she didn't give any health supplements but instead gave fabrics, jewelry, and various ornaments that women like, which were very impressive but still within the bounds of propriety.

Su Yi: I didn't want to accept them, but she gave so much.

For this reason, Su Yi specifically had someone send the items back to Yonghe Palace first, lest Yipin think she was bringing gifts for her when she visited later.

That wouldn't do; she had earned these gifts through her own skills, so of course, they should be taken back to Yonghe Palace first.

Just before Su Yi left, she suddenly stopped in front of a palace maid and said naturally, "The sachet on your waist is beautifully made. May I have a look?"

The palace maid hesitated for a moment but then untied it and handed it to Consort Rong with both hands.

Su Yi took it, turned it over and over, and couldn't put it down, saying with delight, "I really like this sachet. Can I trade something with you for this sachet?"

The Imperial Noble Consort smiled gently on the side, like an elder sister indulging a younger sister, and before the palace maid could nod in agreement, she said, "It's just a little sachet. Since Min Yi is so fond of it, just take it. No need to talk about trading."

She didn't give the palace maid a second thought and made the decision herself. How could a maid refuse her mistress's request? The palace maid could only agree.

The palace maid lowered her head and replied meekly, "The Imperial Noble Consort is right. Consort Rong, please feel free to take it. There's no need to trade anything with this servant."

Su Yi clutched the sachet, smiling with delight, as if she had found something she truly cherished, and was in a very good mood, "Then I won't hold back."

Only then did she bring her people to Yipin's place.

She didn't request this palace maid from the Imperial Noble Consort, who was Wanbi's sister, to serve in Yonghe Palace, but to intimidate Wanbi.

If it weren't for this, how could she have obediently held that cup of tea, instead of wanting to splash hot water on her face.

As for how she knew that Wanbi's sister was serving in the Imperial Noble Consort's palace.

It was thanks to the original book. When Yipin first entered the palace, Wanbi was assigned to serve Yipin, while her sister served the Imperial Noble Consort in Yikun Palace.

This was a hidden line set up by the Imperial Noble Consort from the beginning.

Her sister was naturally held by the Imperial Noble Consort, making Wanbi her spy by Yipin's side.

Originally, Su Yi was just trying her luck. There were so many palace maids in Yikun Palace, it wasn't certain she would run into Wanbi's sister.

But she remembered that Wanbi's sister was exceptionally good at making sachets, very skillful, and liked to wear lilac-colored sachets, while Wanbi's were turquoise.

Both sisters would carry them as tokens between them.

Su Yi casually scanned the room and saw only one palace maid wearing a lilac-colored sachet.

And sure enough, it was Wanbi's sister.

So, people really shouldn't have bad intentions.

If you get caught, it's not good.

She looked at the lilac sachet in her hand and handed it to Qinxin beside her, saying casually, "Help me put it away. I'm not used to hanging things on my waist."

"Yes, Your Highness." Qinxin tucked the lilac sachet away and then helped Consort Rong continue towards Yonghe Palace.

Although there was a sedan chair, Su Yi really found it too bumpy, and sitting on it required a certain posture, making it quite uncomfortable.

Usually, she prefers to walk a bit when she occasionally goes out.

Of course, usually, she doesn't go out to avoid trouble.

The little eunuch scouting ahead came back and said the street was being cleared because the Emperor was up ahead.

"Oh," Su Yi nodded and naturally changed direction, deciding to take a detour.

Qinxin: Huh??

Aren't you going to greet the Emperor up ahead, Your Ladyship?

Just leaving like that?!

This is a rare chance, Your Ladyship. You shouldn't miss it.

Su Yi said confidently, "What did you just hear? I suddenly remembered that taking a detour and walking a bit more is good for the health."

She didn't even see him, so why chase after him just to say, "Your servant greets the Emperor, wishing you good fortune"?

To make her presence known, to remind him she's still in the harem.

And then Kangxi would coldly say, "Rise."

And she would flatly say, "Then your servant will take her leave."

As if she's an idiot?

As long as she doesn't go up to meet him, she won't know Kangxi is ahead.

She's just tired of walking and wants to change direction.

Qinxin: ...

So the group followed Su Yi and turned.

Kangxi was up ahead, hands behind his back, seemingly engrossed in admiring the flowers. Liang Jiugong stood behind him, watching the Emperor's pretentious pose, glanced at the sky, and thought how blue it was today.

He thought, Consort Rong should be here by now.

But after a while, there was no sign of her.

Liang Jiugong was puzzled; even at a slow pace, Consort Rong should have arrived by now.

This isn't right.

Then a little eunuch ran over and whispered to Liang Jiugong that Consort Rong had suddenly changed direction, taking a detour and bypassing this place.

Liang Jiugong: What?!

He widened his eyes slightly and looked at the little eunuch, who nodded firmly in confirmation.

Liang Jiugong: Oh no.

He glanced at the Emperor, still in the same flower-admiring pose, and braced himself to step forward, speaking hesitantly, "Your Majesty."

Liang Jiugong cleared his throat, pondering how to phrase it better.

"Why are you stammering? Do you have phlegm stuck in your throat?"

Kangxi turned his head to glance at Liang Jiugong, his tone tinged with displeasure.

Liang Jiugong clenched his teeth and spoke bluntly, "Consort Rong just took a different path."

Then he nervously watched the Emperor's face.

Seeing that Kangxi's expression remained unchanged, he turned back as if continuing to admire the flowers, "I wasn't waiting for her; I just came out for a walk because I was tired."

Liang Jiugong thought, *Alright, Your Majesty, if you say so, then this servant has nothing more to say, but please don't take it out on me later.*

Then Kangxi stubbornly lingered a bit longer before slowly saying, "Never mind, there's nothing worth seeing anyway."

His boots moved with more force, his footsteps heavier, as if each step was firmly planting itself on the ground, leaving no trace.

Liang Jiugong sighed, "Ah, they almost met. What happened?"

The Emperor was clearly waiting here, hoping for a reconciliation, but would Consort Rong actually show up?

Hmm, not only did she not come, but she also played dumb and took a detour.

Everyone knew the Emperor was right ahead during the street-clearing.

Others would at least bow from afar.

Wow, this Consort Rong, despite her delicate look, really dares to play dumb and not show up.

Su Yi, eager to get back, walked briskly despite her flowerpot shoes.

Qinxin, supporting Su Yi in her flat embroidered shoes, couldn't keep up unless she sped up.

"Your Highness, perhaps you should rest for a while," Qinxin, slightly out of breath, advised, as she couldn't keep up.

Su Yi, seeing Qinxin flushed from walking, felt bad about tiring her out and said considerately, "No need to rest; let's just slow down."

Qinxin breathed a sigh of relief, finally having convinced Her Highness.

Her Highness was unusually energetic today, walking for half a day without a problem.

Her Highness was fine, but Qinxin really couldn't keep up.

The eunuchs trailing behind were also getting tired.

But since Consort Rong was their mistress, they couldn't complain.

Luckily, Qinxin had convinced her; they didn't stop to rest, but at least the pace slowed, letting them catch their breath.

Today's detour had them walking around more than half the palace!

Su Yi couldn't help but say, "Today's been exhausting; I need to lie down when I get back."

Qinxin, silently supporting Su Yi, twitched her eyelids but said nothing.

If Su Yi hadn't been walking faster and faster, almost sprinting, dragging the servants around half the palace without breaking a sweat, you might have believed she was exhausted.

Su Yi led the group of eunuchs and maids, who had been dragged around half the palace, back to Yonghe Palace, planning to lie down on the soft couch before dinner.

When she arrived, she noticed the palace maids were unusually tense, and upon seeing Su Yi return, they looked relieved, saying, "Your Highness, you're finally back."

Seeing herself being looked at as if she were the savior, Su Yi had a bad premonition. No way, no way?