Chapter 68

Chapter 68

At this moment, Liang Jiugong wished he could vanish into thin air right then and there!

As soon as Consort Rong's words came out, he immediately dropped to his knees with a swift motion, and at the same time, sweat began to pour down his forehead. He didn't dare to wipe it with a handkerchief, and his breathing instinctively slowed down.

In the oppressive silence, Kangxi's gaze was fixed on Su Yi, seemingly calm, but in reality, it was the calm before the storm. The grip on Su Yi's shoulder tightened unconsciously.

As if sensing something, Kangxi slowly released his hand, turned his back, and his eyes fell elsewhere, icy and distant. When he spoke again, his tone had become much calmer.

"I have treated you well, and I have tolerated your temperament. Niohuru made a mistake and deserved punishment, but I did not intend to punish you. Consort Rong, you are too greedy." His words were somewhat incoherent.

"What do you mean? Your tolerance for me, isn't it just a facade you put on in the harem? Did you think that by pretending, it would become genuine?"

Su Yi couldn't help but laugh as she spoke, seemingly amused. She stepped closer to Kangxi, meeting his cold, unfeeling gaze, as if the usual gentle mask had been torn away, revealing his true nature.

An emperor is, by nature, heartless. If you think he has feelings for you, it's because he wants you to believe it.

Facing Kangxi's impassive expression, Su Yi's smile grew even more radiant, like a spring flower in full blossom. Her laughter was genuine, not feigned.

After laughing enough, Su Yi composed herself, her expression gentle as usual, speaking softly,

"When I first entered the palace, you granted me the title of consort and gave me a title similar to others. What was your intention? Did you think I was too naive to see through it? You've been pretending for so long, aren't you exhausted? But I don't want to play along anymore."

'It's really impossible.'

'I really wanted to believe you, but with your three palaces, six courtyards, seventy-two concubines, and dozens of children in the future, talking about deep feelings—even a ghost wouldn't believe it.'

Kangxi remained silent, his expression icy, but his hands, clenched into fists behind his back, trembled slightly from the tension.

"You have the nerve to speak to me like this. Do you know that in this harem, there are many who desire this favor?"

'People from different worlds really can't synchronize their words.' Su Yi thought to herself.

"Then, by all means, go ahead." Su Yi turned to leave first.

"Consort Rong, if you leave the Qianqing Palace today, don't regret it." Kangxi's voice came from behind.

Su Yi stopped, turned around, and Kangxi instinctively held his breath, his gaze filled with an urgency he himself didn't realize.

Su Yi smiled softly and curtsied, "I forgot to pay my respects earlier, so I'll make up for it now. Then, I bid you farewell."

With that, she turned and left.

Liang Jiugong, trembling on the side, was almost shaking uncontrollably. Consort Rong had left, but how could he leave now?!

At this moment, Li Dequan hurried back and ran into Consort Rong, "Consort Rong..."

After a hurried bow, he was about to say something when he saw Consort Rong had already walked past.

He wanted to tell Consort Rong what they had found in Yonghe Palace, but why wasn't she curious at all about what they had discovered?

Li Dequan felt that the expressions of the maids seemed a bit off, but regardless, he still had to report to the Emperor. They had indeed found something in Yonghe Palace.

Just as he was about to enter, he heard the sound of things being smashed inside, which made his heart skip a beat. No way?!

He had just returned and had to face the Emperor, who was clearly in a state of rage?!

How could he be so unlucky?!

Li Dequan's legs went weak, and he could barely walk.

He saw Liang Jiugong staggering out, clutching his head, nearly tripping over the threshold as he exited, looking utterly disheveled. This was a sight you’d rarely see.

Even Liang Jiugong, the emperor’s favorite eunuch and chief steward, was in such a state. One could only imagine how furious the emperor was inside.

Li Dequan was even more terrified to go in.

Liang Jiugong’s robe was drenched in a large patch as he emerged.

The moment Consort Rong left, the emperor’s calm expression turned stormy. Furious, he paced back and forth before snatching a teacup and hurling it. The teacup missed Liang Jiugong but shattered at his feet, splashing tea everywhere. Terrified, he ducked his head and froze.

Liang Jiugong hadn’t even stood up yet, not daring to look at the emperor’s face, and lay trembling on the ground. "Get out!"

"Yes! This servant will leave immediately!"

Liang Jiugong scrambled up faster than he ever had, bolting out like a frightened mouse, head down, as the sound of objects crashing to the floor echoed behind him.

Liang Jiugong thought he heard the sound of scrolls and brushes being swept off the table, but he didn’t dare to look closely, only hurriedly making his way out first.

What a disaster this was.

He must’ve been cursed for eight lifetimes.

With Consort Rong gone, he was now stuck dealing with the emperor’s fury.

Liang Jiugong, clutching his head as he ran out, patted his chest in relief, thinking such shocks would surely shorten his life.

His eyes met Li Dequan’s, who was cowering nearby. Liang Jiugong looked at Li Dequan, and Li Dequan looked back at Liang Jiugong.

He blamed Li Dequan’s dawdling—if Li Dequan hadn’t taken so long, Consort Rong, impatient as she was, wouldn’t have barged in, and the whole clash with the emperor might’ve been avoided.

This was all Li Dequan’s doing!!!

Trembling, Liang Jiugong pointed at Li Dequan, his face a mix of anger and despair. "Li Dequan! Li Dequan!! You! You!" As he spoke, he couldn’t help but step forward and hit Li Dequan with his whisk.

As he was being struck, Li Dequan had no clue what was happening. "Eunuch Liang? What did this servant do? Oh, Chief Steward, what is this? What happened?"

Liang Jiugong hit Li Dequan several times before stopping to lean against the wall and catch his breath.

"Why did you take forever to return from Yonghe Palace? The emperor sent someone to rush you, and now you finally show up. Do you have any idea what just went down?! If you’d come back sooner, maybe none of this would’ve happened."

Liang Jiugong was livid. He’d been stuck in the middle, caught between a rock and a hard place, and he was the first to pay the price.

The fight was over, and only then did Li Dequan show up. Liang Jiugong was too furious to speak, just jabbing a finger at Li Dequan.

Li Dequan had already sped up, moving as fast as he could. He’d just had the bad luck to walk into the emperor’s rage. Now, with Liang Jiugong’s words, Li Dequan was terrified, his legs trembling like leaves.

What a disaster this was.

The noise inside had died down, but Li Dequan didn’t dare go in. He looked at Liang Jiugong from the side. "Eunuch Liang, what exactly happened? Why is the emperor so furious?"

This whole scene had shaken him. The emperor rarely threw things unless he was truly enraged. Thinking of Consort Rong, who’d just walked past him, he wondered, could it be...?

"Is it because of..." Li Dequan pointed in the direction Consort Rong had left. Did Consort Rong do something?

It couldn’t be. Consort Rong seemed gentle and delicate. When they had met earlier in Yonghe Palace, although she looked a bit weak and her words were sharp, overall, she was easy to handle.

Strangely, Liang Jiugong seemed to understand his thoughts at that moment, and he nodded gravely.

Consort Rong is really something. She looks all soft and delicate, but she didn’t hold back at all when she kicked the door down.

He was just about to say something when the servants started causing a ruckus again. One of them hurried over, and Liang Jiugong frowned, thinking to himself, "What’s with all the noise at a time like this? If this wakes His Majesty, we’re all screwed."

"Eunuch Liang, Consort Rong just passed out at the Palace of Heavenly Purity’s gate and threw up blood. Imperial Physician Wang’s already on his way. What do we do? Should we tell His Majesty?"

The young eunuch clearly had no idea what had just happened and even dared to suggest informing the Emperor. Liang Jiugong, panicked, motioned for him to keep it down, "Shh! Keep your voice down!"

The young eunuch, clueless, got nervous too and whispered, "Eunuch Liang, should we get someone to take Consort Rong back to the Palace of Eternal Harmony?"

Liang Jiugong nodded, urging him to move fast. Right now, he didn’t dare knock on the door and bother His Majesty.

Consort Rong had just pissed off His Majesty, and now if he were to inform him again, it might not go well. His Majesty might chew him out. Moreover, after this incident, Consort Rong might get the boot from His Majesty. Sick or not, she might be in for some punishment soon.

Consort Rong herself is in a precarious situation. The best she can hope for is to stay holed up in her palace, recuperating and never appearing in the imperial harem again, basically vanishing from the scene. At least it’s better than what happened to Niohuru.

This is still a relatively good ending. Niohuru got sent to the Cold Palace, and that place is a nightmare. The once high-and-mighty lady would probably waste away in no time, no longer resembling a human.

Liang Jiugong just shook his head. Consort Rong did have a special spot in His Majesty’s heart, but she had to go and make a scene, which might totally wreck that special status.

Emperors don’t do real feelings. Sigh, favor and love—if there is favor, it can be considered love, but one shouldn’t ask for more. Otherwise, it becomes greed.

As for the people in the imperial harem, today has been a day of constant drama and spectacle.

First, the Imperial Noble Consort was deposed and sent to the Cold Palace. Then, people were sent to the Palace of Eternal Harmony for a routine inspection. On the surface, the deposed consort and Consort Rong were close sisters, with a good relationship. The deposed consort often sent gifts to Consort Rong, but all those gifts were harmful.

Long-term use of these items, whether they were food or decorations, would have adverse effects on the body. Especially the dirty substances on these items would gradually dissipate over time, making it impossible to trace anything back later.

Such methods are truly despicable.

Some of the items had additional effects after consumption.

If one were to become pregnant later, these items would be extremely beneficial for the fetus. However, if the fetus were overly nourished, it would grow too large, making childbirth difficult and likely resulting in a difficult labor. Given Consort Rong's frail condition, she probably wouldn’t last long.

If something were to happen to Consort Rong because of these items, the deposed consort could not only escape blame but also gain a child. As the child's aunt, if she hadn’t been deposed, she would likely have been the one to raise the child.

No one would ever know she was the one behind it.

If she hadn’t been deposed, she could have used her status as the Imperial Noble Consort to cover everything up, leaving no evidence or traces to prove she had harmed her own sister.

Moreover, the smallpox-infected rice powder found in the Palace of Eternal Harmony recently was also the work of the deposed consort!

At the time, people said that Consort Rong was clearly more favored than her elder sister, the deposed consort. The deposed consort acted as if she cared deeply for Consort Rong, sending her gifts and playing the role of a loving elder sister, making it seem like the two were united against the others.

Now that the deposed consort has fallen, if it weren’t for the unburned voodoo doll and the smallpox-infected rice powder found in her possession, they wouldn’t have had to revisit the Palace of Eternal Harmony and discover that all the gifts the deposed consort sent to Consort Rong were problematic.

This is also because the deposed consort was too overconfident, thinking she had everything under control. Now, caught off guard, she has fallen, and it’s too late to clean up the mess. Everything has been exposed.

The funniest part is that Consort Rong seems to be unaware of all this. She rushed to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to plead for the deposed consort, Niohuru, even while Li Dequan was still inspecting the items.

It is said that His Majesty refused to see Consort Rong, and she, growing impatient outside, forced her way in despite being stopped. She left looking utterly dejected.

Clearly, she returned empty-handed, possibly having been severely reprimanded by His Majesty. The shock was too much for her, and she didn’t even make it back to the Palace of Eternal Harmony before vomiting blood and fainting at the gate of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

In the end, His Majesty didn’t even come out to see her. He simply had her sent back to the Palace of Eternal Harmony.

Wow, they really got to see quite the show—the whole drama between the Niohuru sisters.

Previously, many were worried that the imperial harem might eventually become the domain of the Niohuru sisters. Now, one's already in the cold palace, and the other seems to be on her last legs, so what's there to hope for?

Before, Consort Rong at least had the deposed consort to lean on. Even without favor, the palace servants are always quick to kiss up and kick down. Without favor, the servants dare to be disrespectful and not take their master seriously.

Consort Rong is still sickly and barely hanging on, probably even less able to control those servants.

When Su Yi came to, Yun Hua was by her side, crying and wiping her tears, while Qinxin stood nearby, her expression also not looking good.

When Yun Hua saw Su Yi wake up, she threw herself over, wiping tears as she lay by the bed, saying, "Your Highness, you're finally up. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left first, or else this wouldn't have happened."

Su Yi wanted to touch Yun Hua's face to comfort her, but since Yun Hua was crying, Su Yi couldn't bring herself to do it, so she patted Yun Hua's head instead, "It's okay, it's not your fault."

This really wasn't Yun Hua's fault.

She had sent Yun Hua away on purpose to keep her out of trouble. So Su Yi made up an excuse to send her away, so she wouldn't have to worry about her.

"Your Highness, if I hadn't come back and failed to stop you, this wouldn't have happened. Was it right for me to leave you alone?"

Qinxin said coldly from the side. She had never liked Yun Hua much. As a senior maid, Yun Hua was unsteady, unreliable, and always crying when something happened.

"Alright, what were those eunuchs looking for in Yonghe Palace? I left in a rush and didn't have time to ask."

But there were some things in the storeroom that couldn't stand up to scrutiny. They might fool the maids, but the imperial physicians would know.

Su Yi felt uncomfortable talking while lying down, so she slowly sat up. Qinxin quickly put a soft pillow behind her to make her more comfortable.

Yun Hua was a step behind and could only pull her hand back, quietly kneeling there without a word.

Su Yi motioned for her to get up, but she didn't. Qinxin had already started talking about what had happened after Su Yi left.

Not to mention those who came to inspect, even she was truly shocked. She had thought it would be some other kind of frame-up.

But in the end, it turned out like this.

The Imperial Noble Consort, no, the deposed consort, could actually use such methods against her own sister.

The things sent by the deposed consort, after all, she was her own sister. How could one have thought that she would start scheming from the very beginning? She had personally overseen the careful placement of these items in the storeroom, thinking they were good things. Who would have known!

It was simply unbelievable to Qinxin. The woman who was usually gentle and kind-hearted, what kind of scheming was hidden beneath? Sisters, to have come to this point today, perhaps the deposed consort's downfall was destined.

After all, as the highest-ranking concubine in the harem, once she turned venomous, there would be no peace in the harem. She would have used her established position in the palace and the connections left to her by the Niohuru family to dominate.

If she hadn't been discovered, that would be one thing. But once discovered, it would be like today, the Niohuru family would likely be dragged down by the deposed consort, and ultimately destroyed by her.

Now the Niohuru family is already in a precarious position because of the deposed consort, and now even more so, it has wasted Consort Rong's heartfelt efforts. If Consort Rong had heard the outcome, perhaps she wouldn't have risked offending the Emperor by pleading for the deposed consort at the Qianqing Palace.

But what's the use of saying this now? The message from the Niohuru family came too late.

After Su Yi quietly listened, her reaction wasn't one of heart-wrenching betrayal or repeated questioning, as if questioning the other or questioning herself why. She just silently lowered her eyelashes, covering the emotions in her eyes, appearing somewhat detached and cold.

It seemed like she was too shocked to react immediately.

Su Yi wanted to squeeze out some tears, but at this moment, pretending to be emotional was enough. She didn't want to leave any tears for the Imperial Noble Consort, so she covered her eyes with her hand, seemingly refusing to accept this reality.

In a cold voice, she said, "Everyone, leave. Let me be alone for a while."

This gave off a sense of fragility, making everyone think she was truly heartbroken by this matter, unable to speak, just wanting to be alone for a while.

Qinxin replied softly, "Yes." She then glanced at Yun Hua, who was still kneeling, gesturing for her to rise quickly and follow her out.

Yun Hua didn't dare delay and quietly rose to her feet, following behind Qinxin. Before leaving, she turned back to look; the Imperial Noble Consort remained in the same position, unmoving.

Qinxin, noticing that Yun Hua hadn't caught up, turned around and hissed under her breath, "Hurry up and follow!"

"Oh," Yun Hua quickly turned back and caught up with Qinxin.

When Su Yi was finally alone in the room, she removed her hand from her face, her expression unnaturally cold. Her usually affectionate peach blossom eyes now betrayed a coldness beneath.

In fact, her decision to provoke Kangxi was made just before arriving at the Qianqing Palace.

Initially, she had only planned to put on a show to plead for Niohuru and then return to feign illness. But as she waited at the Qianqing Palace, she realized that Niohuru, who in the novel's plot had risen to become the Empress Dowager, was not as fortunate as she had imagined.

Even Kangxi harbored some dislike for Niohuru, though he hid it well. But emotions between people are unpredictable; no matter how well hidden, they can sometimes be sensed.

Niohuru's sudden downfall seemed unexpected, but it was likely part of someone's plan.

Niohuru knew everything about the future and wanted to change it to one that was entirely in her favor.

Now, Niohuru found herself in the cold palace. After calming down, she would likely obsess over where things had gone wrong.

What would happen next?

In that brief moment, Su Yi decided to change her plan and directly provoke Kangxi.

First, no matter what Kangxi did, the harem still needed Niohuru.

Second, she had nothing to fear.

Spending time together in the Qianqing Palace would still build some goodwill, even if only a little.

Su Yi gazed at the dense purple aura in her palm. Others would only see her seemingly examining the lines on her palm, unaware that she was seeing a purple aura invisible to them.

Cold Palace

Niohuru, clad in plain white, sat disheveled in a cracked corner, curled up. Her hair was tangled, as if it had been yanked, leaving it disheveled.

She seemed slightly unhinged, muttering continuously, "Impossible, impossible, I am the Empress, I am Empress Xiaozhaoren, how could this be? How could this be?"

Niohuru kept repeating these words. The cold palace had only a handful of servants and was a desolate, remote place with crumbling buildings. The servants sent here were all unlucky, assigned as punishment.

Usually idle, they now had a new arrival, a former Imperial Noble Consort, now demoted to a common concubine, effectively ruined.

The servants in the cold palace, struggling to make ends meet, had no intention of serving someone else. As soon as the person who delivered her left, they immediately drove her to the most dilapidated house.

She tried to assert her authority as the Imperial Noble Consort, throwing a tantrum to make them serve her, but they wouldn't listen. She was just a fallen concubine with no future. Once in the cold palace, no one ever left.

They all slowly faded away in the cold palace. So, the servants didn't indulge Niohuru, first teaching her a lesson to let her know that this was the cold palace, not some other place. There were no ladies or masters here.

Here, it's all about who has the stronger fist!

After being beaten, Niohuru finally quieted down. She couldn't believe the current situation; she was supposed to be Kangxi's second Empress, so why had Kangxi sent her to the cold palace!

The things she had done, ridiculous, many women in the harem had done similar things, and the early deaths of the princes had nothing to do with her!

Kangxi didn't even see her before sentencing her, convicting her!

No, no, there must be something she had overlooked.