Chapter 073

Chapter 073

Yonghe Palace

"My Lady..." Qinxin had a hesitant expression, as news had just arrived from the Cold Palace that the deposed consort had... passed away.

"Why are you hesitating? Is there anything that can't be said now, or is there something that can still shock me?"

"At the Cold Palace, due to the maids' negligence, the deposed consort fell ill suddenly and couldn't receive treatment in time, and has... passed away." After finishing, Qinxin looked at Consort Rong. Life is unpredictable, and once one enters the Cold Palace, it's a permanent separation.

Even though the deposed consort had already been abandoned by the Niohuru family, her sudden death still brought some sorrow.

"Ah, I see," Su Yi said calmly, with little grief.

Her reaction was too calm compared to the sadness she had shown earlier.

Qinxin didn't know what to say and remained silent.

Su Yi added, "Actually, rather than suffering there, death can sometimes be a form of liberation. Perhaps she has returned to where she started."

Living in the Cold Palace is torment, and if one cannot escape, even living can slowly drive one mad.

But maybe she isn't really dead.

"Where she started?" Qinxin didn't understand what Consort Rong meant.

Su Yi didn't explain further and changed the subject, "Qinxin, do you think I should get a cat to pass the time?"

"Ah?" Qinxin was surprised that Consort Rong had shifted her attention so quickly.

Just then, Yun Hua entered and overheard the conversation, smiling as she replied, "My Lady, you want to get a cat? But cats have sharp claws, what if they scratch you? Wouldn't a dog be better?" She preferred dogs, and if the consort got a dog, she could take care of it often.

Qinxin, who preferred cats, immediately retorted, "What's wrong with cats? If you trim their nails regularly, they won't scratch. They're very well-behaved."

Then they began to argue, one saying cats were better, the other insisting dogs were better, especially since Qinxin and Yun Hua had a bit of a rivalry.

Su Yi watched from the side, amused by the debate over cats versus dogs.

Finally, both turned to Su Yi, who had been quietly watching, and asked in unison, "My Lady, which one should we get?"

Now Su Yi was under pressure.

Under the gaze of both, Su Yi remained composed, "A cat," she said firmly.

Because dogs need to be walked, while cats are much less trouble.

Qinxin felt a small thrill of victory and gave Yun Hua a triumphant look. Yun Hua was a bit disappointed but also liked cats, and since the consort had initially wanted a cat, her disappointment didn't last. She cheerfully said she would prepare for the cat.

But Qinxin, who had just been happy, now expressed concern, "My Lady, the Emperor has never liked such things. Previously, someone presented a yellow parrot in a gold cage and was severely reprimanded by the Emperor, who said it was a frivolous indulgence. It's rare for concubines in the palace to keep such small animals."

Su Yi's focus shifted, "A gold cage? What fool would do that? Of course, he got scolded." Su Yi couldn't help but laugh. Only someone with water in their brain would make a gold cage.

"My Lady, that's not the point."

Qinxin was exasperated. Her point was that given the current strained relationship between the Emperor and the consort, getting a cat might worsen the Emperor's opinion of her.

But the consort was more concerned about the gold cage.

Qinxin's implication was clear, and Su Yi understood. Mentioning the cage was a way to avoid bringing up Kangxi.

"Keeping a cat in our palace shouldn't interfere with the matters of the Qianqing Palace, right?"

Su Yi was somewhat impatient with these concerns, her face betraying her annoyance. Could the Qianqing Palace really come and punish her cat?

Everything always revolves around his whims, but it's not like anyone has seen him being particularly warm to anyone.

"Consort Rong just wants to keep a cat, after all, Sister Qinxin, you're really overthinking it," Yun Hua dared to retort to Qinxin this time, and after speaking, she bowed to Consort Rong and excused herself. She was now going to prepare the things needed for keeping a cat, not in the mood to argue with Qinxin.

Qinxin noticed Consort Rong's impatience and immediately stopped talking about it. She was actually worried that if Consort Rong and the Emperor grew increasingly distant, the days in the palace would be long. If Consort Rong didn't quickly win back the Emperor's favor, it might be even more unfavorable for her when new concubines entered the palace.

Su Yi propped her cheek with one hand, her expression cool and detached, and looked at Qinxin beside her, saying, "Qinxin, remember, this is Yonghe Palace, not the Niohuru family. Recently, hand over some of your tasks to Yun Hua. Once you've figured things out, come back to me."

When her eyes contained affection, she looked deeply at everyone, but once devoid of any affection, her gaze turned cold, leaving people feeling an inexplicable chill.

She was a contradictory person, at times affectionate and at others heartless.

Qinxin's temperament actually suited her quite well—not too clingy and quite efficient in handling matters. But she always advised her on what was best for the Niohuru family, urging her to please the Emperor and reconcile with him quickly, which made her somewhat impatient.

She had her own plans and didn't need someone who couldn't know their place to teach her what was beneficial.

Qinxin stiffened all over, her face turning pale. Her heart seemed to stop for a moment as she realized Consort Rong was dissatisfied with her. She dared not say anything more, lowering her head and murmuring, "Yes, Consort Rong."

"Dismissed," Su Yi said coldly.

Her expression didn't change much, ignoring Qinxin's current feelings and thoughts. If someone couldn't understand their place, then replace them with someone who could.

Don't talk about status or class; she wasn't like this before, but people change, after all. The longer you stay in a different world, the more you are shaped by that world.

In the previous world, the right to speak was in the hands of the strong, and the strong were respected. She had been there for so many years, reaching the highest realm, naturally experiencing all kinds of people, and had her own way of navigating life.

"This servant will take my leave," Qinxin said, sweat dripping from her forehead, her mouth dry, forcing herself to bow and then gently retreating.

The next day, a eunuch from the cat and dog house carried a small basket to Yonghe Palace, the basket covered with a lid, and when opened, it revealed a tiny kitten.

Since Consort Rong was currently under house arrest and couldn't leave Yonghe Palace, she was still a concubine of rank. She informed the cat and dog house, and the next day, a eunuch immediately brought a basket of just-weaned kittens to Yonghe Palace.

Since the Emperor was not fond of such pets, the concubines in the palace would usually avoid them, so it was a rare good thing for a concubine to want to keep one.

"This servant is called Xiao Yunzi, greeting Consort Rong," Xiao Yunzi said upon entering, not daring to look around, respectfully putting down the basket and bowing, with a respectful smile on his face.

Even though Consort Rong's current situation was precarious, it was not something a servant like him could afford to offend.

"Please rise," Su Yi had already stood up and walked over. Xiao Yunzi had just stood up, about to pick up the basket and present it to Consort Rong, when he saw Consort Rong had already walked over and squatted in front of the basket, opening the small lid on top.

She looked like a girl eagerly awaiting a gift, her face full of joy, without the usual haughtiness of a concubine, but rather quite down-to-earth.

This was the first time he had seen such an unpretentious concubine, doing things herself.

As soon as the lid was opened, the kittens inside started poking their heads out, immediately catching Su Yi's attention. It wasn't the beautiful long-haired cat, but the black and white cow cat.

Its face was white, but its head was black, like it was wearing a black bangs wig. Amusingly, its entire body was white except for its head, which was black.

With the lid open, some kittens had already started climbing out of the basket, but the cow cat with the bangs stayed in a corner, unmoving.

Then, when other kittens climbed towards it, it would hiss at them, driving them away, and arrogantly occupied a spot, not letting anyone near.

Su Yi reached out and tapped its head, and the bangs cat seemed confused, not reacting immediately to who had just poked it, then hissed at a kitten passing by.

Seeing that Consort Rong was clearly interested in the black and white kitten, Xiao Yunzi had to remind her, "Consort Rong, this black and white kitten is the most temperamental one here. Maybe you should look at the others, this long-haired one is more gentle and docile."

The black and white kitten always hisses at the other kittens, with a very bad temper. It also hisses at people, quite wild in nature. If Consort Rong wants to raise a cat, it's best to choose a more docile one. Heaven knows, he initially didn’t intend to bring the black and white kitten.

Just now, when he opened the basket, he was surprised to find the black and white kitten inside.

Could it have sneaked in when he stepped away for a moment after packing the kittens into the basket?

That must have been the case.

Su Yi is fond of such a feisty kitten. She reached out again, first letting the kitten with the fringe sniff her hand. The kitten sniffed, as if trying to figure out who she was, then seemed to realize the scent was unfamiliar and was about to hiss when Su Yi quickly scratched its chin.

The kitten with the fringe initially wanted to hiss, but as it hissed, it couldn’t continue, feeling so comfortable that it started purring. Then, as if remembering something, it hissed again symbolically, as if trying to save its feline dignity, showing it still had a temper and wouldn’t give up just because of a human’s small gesture... purr purr.

Then Su Yi smoothly picked up the very spirited kitten with the fringe. Having just been comfortably petted, it no longer minded Su Yi’s closeness, lifting its head and squinting its eyes, its proud little look seemed to remind Su Yi to continue, not to stop.

Upon closer inspection, the black fringe seemed a bit uneven, like a poorly cut fringe, very distinctive.

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh, "It even has a little fringe. This is the one."

Seeing that Consort Rong and the black and white kitten got along quite well, Xiao Yunzi didn’t urge her to look at other kittens anymore. Raising a cat is also about fate, and it seems they just hit it off.

Yun Hua was also watching. She originally preferred dogs, but who could dislike kittens?

Meanwhile, Qinxin, who had argued with Yun Hua about cats versus dogs, stayed put.

Finally, Xiao Yunzi left with a smile, his arms filled with generous rewards from Yonghe Palace. The weight was undeniable; Consort Rong was indeed generous, beautiful, and approachable, and the people of Yonghe Palace were quite amiable.

Yun Hua had originally planned to keep the kitten in the side hall, prepared a cat bed, and assigned a eunuch and a maid to care for it.

But later, another cat bed was set up in Su Yi’s bedroom, with the excuse that the cat bed wasn’t limited to one, providing more options.

Yun Hua’s look at that moment was like a mother’s helplessness watching her child bring a small animal home and insist on keeping it in their room.

After grooming the kitten, it was brought over, its fur even more glossy, and its sharp nails trimmed.

Despite the maids and eunuchs’ relaxed expressions, they had actually engaged in a battle of wits with Consort Rong’s new black and white cat to achieve this result.

This kitten, though small, was indeed a handful, with a temper as bad as Xiao Yunzi from the cat and dog house had warned.

First, during the bath, it slipped away unnoticed, and chasing it took a lot of effort to catch again, running around several times, quite exhausting.

During the bath, it didn’t make much noise but was fidgety, always looking for a chance to escape again. You had to stay alert, or catching it again would be a hassle. Only after finishing the bath could they relax.

Now, groomed and delivered, the black and white kitten clearly held a grudge, immediately turning its backside towards them once in Consort Rong’s arms.

But when it meowed at Consort Rong, it was completely different from before. Previously, its meows were probably feline curses, quite foul.

Now, meow meow, huh, this kitten really has two faces.

Yonghe Palace has a cat, and the news that Consort Rong is addicted to cat cuddling every day is known to all the concubines in the palace.

Those who wanted to see Consort Rong in despair, melancholic and anxious every day, were disappointed, secretly cursing, still having the mood to raise a cat, really asking for dislike.

Who doesn’t know that the Emperor despises such things.

And the beautiful palace maid from Xinzhuku, who deliberately created an opportunity to meet the Emperor that night, became increasingly anxious after waiting several days without good news, constantly reviewing what went wrong that night. She had even shown signs of trying to climb up.

A man couldn’t see her like that without having some thoughts.

Seeing the steward’s attitude becoming more and more attentive these days, she became more and more annoyed, but dared not offend the steward too much, fearing she would have no way out.

Luckily!

Someone suddenly arrived at the Xinzheku (the palace laundry), exchanged a few words with the supervisor, and upon hearing the eunuch's message, the supervisor's expression nearly froze, but quickly turned into a smile. He then called out Wei Shi, the beautiful palace maid from that evening.

Wei Shi could hardly contain her joy; finally, some good news; it was worth all the sleepless nights.

She thought, with her beauty, if she hadn't fallen into Xinzheku, she could have won the selection.

"Wei Shi, congratulations, you've received a great honor. You no longer need to stay in Xinzheku. The Emperor has conferred you the title of Lady Liang. I, your humble servant, greet Lady Liang here. Please follow me."

The supervisor on the side smiled even more falsely, looking at Wei Shi, feeling somewhat unwilling but not daring to show it at this moment, could only join in the congratulations and pay respects to the newly promoted Lady Liang, feeling extremely regretful—the cooked duck had flown away!

Just a little bit more, now nothing could be done.

The news of a new Lady Liang in the palace quickly spread among the concubines. Upon learning of her background, the ladies of various palaces nearly gritted their teeth in frustration, and many items in the palaces were reported as 'accidentally' broken.

When Su Yi saw the eunuch in front of her and the qipao-dressed beauty beside him, she slowly raised an eyebrow in question.

Upon hearing who this was, she realized, oh, Lady Liang.

Isn't this the future Consort Liang?

The one who gave birth to the Eighth Prince.

After sorting it out, the records of Yonghe Palace later showed it as the residence of Consort De, who after giving birth to the Fourteenth Prince, became close to the Eighth Prince, probably because they lived in the same palace.

So there was a slight discrepancy in Yonghe Palace, but it didn't affect Lady Liang's arrival.

Having figured it out, Su Yi smiled and said, "I understand, I will arrange for Lady Liang to stay here. It will take some time to prepare the residence for you. Lady Liang, don't just stand there, come and talk with me."

Looking at Lady Liang's face, she gave a warm smile. She always had patience with beautiful women; if she lacked patience, it was only because she had grown bored.

Su Yi took Lady Liang's hand and led her to sit down, her gaze very gentle. Under the gaze of those affectionate eyes, Lady Liang, who had prepared herself for Consort Rong to immediately target her, found it hard to maintain her composure, even starting to suspect that Consort Rong was hiding a knife behind her smile, appearing gentle but actually plotting against her.

But as the principal consort, her rank was higher, and Wei Shi wisely smiled along, after all, Consort Rong's attitude was quite good for now.

The eunuch who had brought Lady Liang was also somewhat at a loss for words; the task had been completed unusually smoothly. Didn't Consort Rong notice that Lady Liang's features somewhat resembled her own?!

Was this the normal reaction?

This didn't seem like the Consort Rong who could kick down a door.

Yun Hua, standing by, saw the eunuch's complex and somewhat dazed expression; she knew why—the lady was simply someone who appreciated beauty.

Lady Liang was indeed very beautiful, and the moment she saw Lady Liang, she noticed the lady's eyes visibly brightened.

The lady's attitude towards the Emperor had always been somewhat unpredictable, and after being confined for so many days, Yun Hua was really worried that the lady was pretending not to care on the surface but was actually struggling inside, which would inevitably show. But the lady ate and drank as usual, no different from before, and it turned out, the lady really didn't care!

Shocking; she felt it was shocking when she realized it.

Especially recently, the lady was so engrossed in her cat that even looking at her own face didn't seem appealing anymore. Sigh, Yun Hua couldn't help but touch her own face and then look at Lady Liang's face.

Finally, it had come to the point where she couldn't compete with beauty.

Lady Liang remained vigilant, originally intending to speak cautiously, but as time passed, she found herself relaxing without realizing it, and her residence was already prepared.

"Lady Liang, we've talked for quite a while; you should go and rest now. If you need anything else, just let me know; I'll have it prepared for you," Su Yi said with a good temper.

This made Lady Liang, who had just relaxed her guard, feel startled. Consort Rong was too deceptive; she had been secretly on guard but was unknowingly led by her rhythm, only realizing later that she had let her guard down.

Consort Rong is certainly no pushover.

The Noble Lady Liang, following etiquette, excused herself and went to her residence. She first dismissed the maids assigned to her and then inspected the room herself to see if anything suspicious had been placed inside, waiting for her to let her guard down and think Consort Rong was a good person, only to plot against her later.

Coming from a humble background, her stunning beauty only made her more of a target for jealousy, given her low status. If she hadn't been constantly vigilant, her face might have been destroyed, and she wouldn't be enjoying the life she has now.

You can never be too careful. Despite her fatigue, Noble Lady Liang continued to inspect the room thoroughly. Only after finding nothing suspicious did she finally relax, but she couldn't shake the suspicion that Consort Rong's methods were too clever for her to spot.

Though Noble Lady Liang appeared to have dismissed the maids, leaving the room empty, it wasn't hard to guess what she was up to.

Yun Hua, always blunt, couldn't help but say, "She really can't tell when someone's being kind. Her Ladyship went out of her way to prepare nice things, but Noble Lady Liang acts like it's all some scheme."

Qinxin remained silent and quietly went about her tasks, returning to her initial state of being cautious and reserved.

Su Yi just smiled, unfazed. She said it was just normal palace caution, nothing to worry about.

"Your Ladyship, how can you laugh? That Noble Lady Liang looks like..." Yun Hua didn't finish her sentence, seeing that Her Ladyship was now sitting in front of the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Your Ladyship?"

Su Yi looked at herself in the mirror from left to right. The reflection was so blurry—it didn't do her beauty justice at all. She touched her face and sighed, "If Noble Lady Liang resembled me more, seeing her would be like seeing my reflection. Ugh, my stunning beauty just doesn't get the recognition it deserves."

Qinxin: ...

Yun Hua: ...

So that's why you were grinning at Noble Lady Liang all day?!

Because when you were looking at her, you were actually admiring your own beauty?!

Today we found out Her Ladyship isn't just into beauty—she's downright vain!

Meanwhile, the eunuch from the Qianqing Palace returned and immediately went to report to Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong pulled him aside and asked, "Tell me, what was Consort Rong's expression like? Was there any hint of jealousy, dissatisfaction, or anger?" His tone was somewhat expectant.

The eunuch listened to Liang Jiugong's guesses and thought, "Nope, not even close!"