Chapter 096

Chapter 096

"You... you...!" Consort Liang felt that even when she was suffering in the Xinzhuku, she had never felt so humiliated. Her heart was heavy, and she wanted to vent something.

Su Yi looked at Consort Liang's expression of 'How could you say such a thing?' and, already somewhat annoyed with Consort Liang, she had even less patience now.

"Just because I treated you as a pastime, you really thought you were clever enough to dazzle me with your looks?" Su Yi said seriously.

Although she liked good-looking people, she also got bored quickly.

Qinxin, who had been secretly enjoying the conversation, thought: Wait, what did Her Ladyship just say? Looks?? Your Ladyship, don't jump to conclusions like that!

Yun Hua, on the other hand, was not surprised. Previously, Her Ladyship had been very enthusiastic towards her, affectionate and warm. At first, Yun Hua had felt a bit embarrassed, wondering how to deal with Her Ladyship's clingy attitude.

But later, she didn't need to worry anymore, as Her Ladyship became a bit colder.

In other palaces, they usually chose maids who looked steady and reliable, especially in appearance. But in Yonghe Palace, both the eunuchs and maids had one thing in common: they were all very handsome and beautiful, at least decent-looking, with no ugly ones.

Her Ladyship's preference for looks was not a new thing.

But Consort Liang, who had just faced Su Yi's blunt words, did not feel at all comfortable or relaxed.

It felt like, you thought that person might not be kind and gentle, that they were just putting on an act, but you believed they would always stick to that act, not tearing off the mask or saying or doing anything that didn't match their previous behavior.

But Consort Rong just did it!

After Consort Rong stopped pretending, why was she the one feeling uncomfortable!

It wasn't that Consort Liang was stupid, she just thought Consort Rong cared about face and wouldn't tear off the mask with her.

After all, they were similar. If Consort Rong targeted her specifically, wouldn't it make Consort Rong seem petty, unable to handle it, and picking a fight with a minor consort, making Consort Rong seem insecure? Only by maintaining a harmonious facade could Consort Rong's magnanimity be shown.

"Consort Rong, I didn't think that, I wasn't..." Consort Liang put on a pitiful, hurt expression, still trying to explain.

If she left like this, with Consort Liang looking so wronged and crying, it would surely make people think she had been greatly mistreated by Consort Rong.

Her tears seemed to have a switch. They had paused for a moment, but now they started falling one by one, and her makeup didn't smudge from crying; instead, she looked even more beautiful.

What a pure and innocent little white lotus, switching from tea-like behavior so effortlessly.

But Su Yi's patience was running thin, and Consort Liang kept crying.

Though she cried beautifully, Su Yi was already tired of it.

She reached out and slightly lifted Consort Liang's chin, a somewhat flirtatious gesture, her expression cold, her tone more indifferent than before, "Enough, crying like this is just annoying."

The pot-headed cat suddenly jumped out of Su Yi's arms, but Su Yi didn't mind.

She leaned in closer to Consort Liang, who instinctively tried to move back, but Su Yi held her chin, limiting her movement, forcing her to stay still.

Su Yi whispered in Consort Liang's ear, her voice just loud enough for her to hear, "Just because you have a somewhat similar face, you really think you can become me?"

Then she let go, wiping her hand on Consort Liang's clothes, and stepped back, watching Consort Liang's changing expression, and said leisurely, "You may leave now."

In her heart, she thought: Ugh! I got tears on my hand when I touched her chin!

Now it was Yun Hua and Qinxin's turn to step in. Qinxin stepped forward, her face expressionless, and said coldly, "Consort Liang, please."

Finally, they got rid of Consort Liang!

Previously, she had been jumping around, taking benefits while being wary of schemes. Seeing that Imperial Noble Consort did not punish her for her lack of manners, she really had the nerve to show off her cleverness in front of Imperial Noble Consort.

Consort Liang tried to hold back and wanted to justify herself, but since Consort Rong had already made her attitude so clear, it was useless for her to persist. It would only make Consort Rong look down on her even more and use it to humiliate her. So, she reluctantly rose in anger, performed a reluctant bow, and hurriedly left.

Consort Liang did not want to bow to Consort Rong, but at this point, she was afraid that Consort Rong would use her lack of manners as an excuse to punish her. Therefore, she reluctantly performed a bow before leaving.

It could be said that she came with full confidence, thinking she could achieve her goal, but in the end, she left in disgrace.

On her way back, Consort Liang saw that the items in her side chamber had already been packed up. Having just been humiliated by Consort Rong with no outlet for her anger, Consort Liang immediately complained,

"Wasn't it agreed that you would wait for me to return before packing?! Why have you already packed everything up?!"

Even these eunuchs dared to disobey her and not take her seriously. The tea money she had thrown earlier could at least make a sound, but giving it to these eunuchs was like throwing it into a cesspool—completely worthless!

The leading eunuch smiled insincerely and said,

"Madam, we waited and waited but didn't see you return. To avoid delaying your move, we hurriedly packed everything up. If we had waited for you to return before packing, it might have been dark by then, and the Jingren Palace would have already been locked for the night."

Could you really expect Consort Tongjia to accommodate you, a minor consort? If you didn't arrive, would she not lock the gates?

You may not have a high rank, but your arrogance is certainly high.

You were quite confident when you left earlier. What, did you get humiliated by Consort Rong and now take it out on us servants?

Then, without waiting for Consort Liang to speak, he continued, "Madam, since you're so dissatisfied with us touching your things, you must be capable of moving these items to Jingren Palace yourself. We won't bother helping. We understand."

After saying this, he led the other eunuchs away.

If you're so confident, don't order us around. If you have the ability, move everything to Jingren Palace yourself. You were just a servant in the Xinzhuku before, and now that you're a consort, you act so high and mighty. You were even worse off than us servants before.

Consort Liang, watching the eunuchs leave, angrily threw the items beside her and couldn't help but curse, "Damn servants, all of you look down on people." It's just because she's a minor consort!

The maids serving her looked miserable. The eunuchs didn't have to serve Consort Liang, so they left, but the packed items still needed to be moved to Jingren Palace.

Consort Liang naturally wouldn't move them herself, but the maids serving her were in trouble. They would have to move everything, and the distance between Yonghe Palace and Jingren Palace wasn't short. After a few trips, they would be exhausted!

As expected, after Consort Liang vented her anger, she ordered them to quickly move the items, all the while complaining about their slowness.

When they arrived at Jingren Palace, Consort Liang could rest, but they still had to make several trips back and forth to move everything.

When Consort Tongjia saw Consort Liang arrive, she didn't want to give her any pleasant looks. Consort Liang seemed even more troublesome than Uya, and her appearance was quite off-putting. Was she supposed to see a face similar to Consort Rong's every day?

She was fine in Yonghe Palace, but now, she just shoved Consort Liang and Uya together. Let the two troublemakers live together. As for arranging things, having a place to stay was already good enough. Did she really expect to be well accommodated?

"Enough, don't give me that act. After paying your respects, return to your quarters. I don't have much patience to deal with you. Have your people quickly finish packing." Then she ordered the maids to 'escort' Consort Liang away.

Consort Liang, thinking that some items hadn't been moved yet, said, "Madam, my belongings haven't all been moved yet, and I don't have enough servants to help. Could Imperial Noble Consort please send a few maids to assist? That way, I can finish packing sooner and not disturb Madam's peace."

The word "peace" struck a nerve with Consort Tongjia. Wasn't she already at peace now?!

Consort Tongjia immediately retorted, "The eunuchs who moved your belongings earlier said that you didn't want them to touch your things and insisted on having your own people move them. Why are you now asking me to send people to help? Or do you, Consort Liang, find it inconvenient to order those servants and now need my people to move your things?!"

What nonsense, thinking she could order her people around.

Then she directly ordered the maids to drive Consort Liang out. Consort Liang truly gained nothing today.

Consort Liang didn't expect that the eunuchs who took the tea money not only failed to do their job properly but also came to complain first. Damn servants! When she rises to a higher position, she will make those damn servants pay!

The maids serving Consort Liang finally managed to move everything after much toil, only to be scolded by Consort Liang for being slow. She had been sitting there for a long time without anyone to serve her, and now she was thirsty with no one to pour her tea or water.

The servants, exhausted and without even a sip of water, were being called useless!!!

"Sigh, there's no fun anymore, it's so boring, so dull." Su Yi lay on the recliner, languidly sprawled out as if half-dead.

The sun shone on her, warm and cozy, as if enveloped in a faint halo.

Finally, Su Yi achieved her goal of lying outside to bask in the sun.

Qinxin, standing nearby, expressed some concern, "Your Highness, do you think Consort Liang might hold a grudge? She has gone to Jingren Palace, and if she incites the one there against you, what should we do?"

She had just felt relieved, but now she couldn't help but worry.

Su Yi gave Qinxin a look that was hard to describe, leaving Qinxin puzzled. Was there something wrong with what she just said?

"Even if I had sent Consort Liang off with dignity, would she not still harbor ill intentions?" She would still cause trouble, so what's the difference?

Qinxin fell silent, realizing that this was indeed true. After all, Consort Liang had never been very compliant; her ambitions were written all over her face.

Even if Her Highness treated her well, it was unlikely that Consort Liang would appreciate it.

Su Yi turned over to lie flat, raising her hand to slightly shield her eyes from the sunlight. With Consort Tongjia, Uya, and Consort Liang all gathered together, she really wondered what kind of schemes they could come up with.

She had thought the level of resentment wasn't high, and Consort Liang had lost her motivation. But now, Consort Liang could continue to strive with renewed vigor.

With three already gathered, they just needed one more to play mahjong.

That cunning man Kangxi was truly wicked. Having Consort Tongjia, Uya, and Consort Liang all together made it convenient for surveillance and saved a lot of trouble.

Su Yi's lips curved into a slight smile, appearing to be in a good mood.

Who said that fate cannot be defied?

Isn't it possible to do so?

"Consort Rong!" Two small hands quietly covered Su Yi's eyes from behind. "Guess who." Then, the little one started giggling in a childish manner.

"Is it Baocheng?" Su Yi said with a smile, playing along with the little milk dragon in this childish game.

"You guessed right, Consort Rong!" the little milk dragon said happily, then removed his hands from Su Yi's eyes and bounced over to her front, his face full of excitement.

Su Yi moved aside and patted the empty space, saying, "Do you want to lie down together?"

The little milk dragon immediately agreed with great enthusiasm, "Yes!"

Then, without asking for help, he started climbing onto the recliner by himself, his movements clumsy but adorable.

Even when Yun Hua offered to help pull him up, the little milk dragon refused, somewhat proudly saying, "I can do it myself."

The little milk dragon successfully climbed onto the recliner by himself and received a sweet kiss on the forehead from Su Yi, along with a compliment, "Baocheng is so great, he doesn't need help and can do it by himself."

"Of course," the little milk dragon replied, beaming with joy.

Lying together with Consort Rong was so wonderful. It had been such a long time since he last heard Consort Rong tell him stories to help him sleep.

Su Yi reached out and hugged him, "Why did you come here?" Kangxi didn't come himself, which was quite unlike that cunning man's usual behavior.

The little milk dragon blushed with excitement and obediently replied, "After finishing my homework, I told Imperial Father, and he said I could come play with Consort Rong for a while, as long as I returned before dinner. Consort Rong, are you feeling better?"

"Much better, especially after seeing Baocheng, I feel even better," Su Yi said, gently stroking his head.

This is no joke, after all, the little milk dragon is the most willing person to provide her with auspicious energy.

This is much more effective than any medicine.

"Really! Consort Rong!" the little milk dragon said happily, worried that Consort Rong might find him annoying. Knowing that Consort Rong is also happy to see him made him even more delighted!

"Yes, Consort Rong hopes that Baocheng can always be this happy."

Please don't become less adorable after growing up, it would truly make her very sad.

Su Yi looked at the little milk dragon gently, her gaze soft.

The little milk dragon suddenly whispered, "Consort Rong, would my imperial mother also like Baocheng as much as you do?" Because Consort Rong is really gentle, is this what a mother feels like?

Having never seen his imperial mother since childhood, the little milk dragon felt somewhat blank and confused.

Almost no one mentioned his imperial mother in front of him, and he was quite unfamiliar with the concept.

"Of course," Su Yi answered without hesitation.

"She loved you very much, as if you were her life." Although Su Yi couldn't quite remember Hesheli's face clearly, it was true that she had given her life to bring the little milk dragon into the world.

The little milk dragon stared blankly at Su Yi. In truth, he was very unfamiliar with his imperial mother, and even though Consort Rong had just spoken, he still didn't feel much of a connection.

"Consort Rong would also like..." Here, the little milk dragon didn't continue.

"Be good," Su Yi comforted, patting the somewhat sullen little milk dragon.

She knew what the little milk dragon had wanted to ask, but unfortunately, she couldn't answer that.

She could only try her best to prevent the little milk dragon from meeting the same fate; he shouldn't end up like that.

Kangxi was a diligent emperor, reviewing memorials daily, and would never leave today's work for tomorrow.

During a break, he asked how Baocheng was doing in Yonghe Palace.

This was a question Liang Jiugong could answer.

When the Emperor asked about the Crown Prince in Yonghe Palace, one couldn't just talk about the Crown Prince alone.

He had to answer fully.

But today, Yonghe Palace was quite thrilling, or rather, Consort Rong had once again made shocking remarks.

After listening, Kangxi was silent for a while before saying, "Where did Consort Rong learn these words? Has she been reading those messy storybooks again?"

What does it mean to just treat someone as a pastime, to be captivated by mere looks??

How could Liang Jiugong respond? He had no idea what Consort Rong was thinking. These words sounded like something a patron would say to a courtesan who had taken things seriously.

Thinking this, Liang Jiugong couldn't help but shake his head, trying to shake off the thoughts. What was he thinking?

"Perhaps from what she read before?" Liang Jiugong swallowed and said, maybe the previous books were even more exciting.

Kangxi glanced at Liang Jiugong and said nothing.

Why not just say that Consort Rong was being two-faced again and had the maids find new storybooks to read, because he couldn't control her while she was under house arrest.

"How are the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince?" Kangxi decided not to dwell on this and asked seriously.

This is much easier to answer, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince used to cry and fuss for his mother when he first arrived, but recently he has been well taken care of by experienced nannies, and he has no trouble with eating or sleeping.

As for the Fourth Prince, he is even easier to take care of. The nannies looking after him have said that the Fourth Prince is well-behaved and doesn’t fuss. He eats when he’s hungry and sleeps when he’s tired. His illness has also improved quickly, and he has a strong constitution."

The Fourth Prince, who is younger than the Third Prince, is actually easier to take care of. The Third Prince often cries and fusses, but the Fourth Prince hardly ever does. He’s so easy to care for, it’s almost miraculous.

"That’s good," Kangxi nodded, the Fourth Prince’s behavior was entirely within his expectations.

Everyone cries and fusses, except for the Fourth Prince, who is the most worry-free and yet the most worrying.

If Kangxi had previously been unsure about which wandering spirit had taken over the Fourth Prince’s body, he was now certain that it was indeed the real Fourth Prince.

Originally, he had placed him in Consort Tongjia’s palace to raise, which also made it easier to keep an eye on him. But now that he was certain, he no longer intended to leave the Fourth Prince in Consort Tongjia’s care.

The Fourth Prince really is a 'good son'!

As he was thinking about how to separate the Consort and the Fourth Prince, the Consort did something foolish, which gave him the opportunity to move the Fourth Prince to be raised by the Grand Empress Dowager.

If he were truly a baby, he wouldn’t know how he got sick, but the Fourth Prince isn’t completely clueless. That night, when the Consort had the old nanny do those things to him and say those words, it was enough to drive a wedge between the Fourth Prince and the Consort.

And by placing the Fourth Prince under the care of the Grand Empress Dowager, there’s no need to worry about him becoming too close to Khorchin.

A child wouldn’t understand, but the Fourth Prince surely knows the stakes and understands the boundaries.

"But..." Liang Jiugong wasn’t sure if he should speak.

Kangxi frowned with displeasure, "When did you learn to stammer like that?"

Seeing this, Liang Jiugong quickly said, "The lady from the Palace of Earthly Honor has come again, asking to see Your Majesty."

These days, Rongpin has been going from the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to plead her case. She hasn’t fully recovered from her illness, yet she comes every day. If she faints, someone has to carry her back. And if the Emperor refuses to see her, she kneels until she faints. How bad would it sound if this got out?

Isn’t Rongpin in such a hurry all for the sake of the Third Prince?

The Emperor intends to have the Fourth Prince raised by the Empress Dowager, but the Third Prince will eventually be returned to Rongpin.

Rongpin’s current frantic behavior is only going to make the Emperor more displeased.

"Tell her to go back to her palace and reflect. Her weeping is annoying," Kangxi said with a stern face, his tone showing impatience.

This isn’t showing weakness, it’s a threat to him.

Liang Jiugong knew that Rongpin had been like this recently, and the Emperor was growing increasingly impatient. He didn’t dare bring up Rongpin again.

Then he went out and told the servants to 'escort' Rongpin back, so she wouldn’t kneel until she fainted and had to be carried back.

After giving the order, Liang Jiugong was about to return to the Emperor’s side when he suddenly realized something. What the Emperor had just said sounded so much like what Consort Rong had said.

They both spoke the same kind of heartless words! Ah, no, no, what heartless words? Stop, stop, how could he think that!

Rongpin stubbornly knelt outside, refusing to leave. She came every day.

At the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, she had cried and said everything she could, but in the end, she was just sent away by the Grand Empress Dowager’s people.

The Empress Dowager’s side was guarded by the Grand Empress Dowager’s people, so she didn’t even get to see the Empress Dowager, let alone the Third Prince.

It had been a long time since she had seen the Third Prince. Hearing that the Third Prince was crying for his mother, Rongpin’s heart was breaking. Her Third Prince had never been away from his mother before!

No matter how well those servants take care of him, how could it compare to the care of his own mother!

She had no choice but to turn to the Emperor again, hoping that he would consider their past affection and not take the Third Prince away from her!

But she didn't expect that the Emperor's heart had hardened even more than before. Despite her repeatedly kneeling until she fainted, the Emperor refused to see her, only ordering people to send her back.

Consort Rong refused to give up. Even in her weakened state, she insisted on coming, believing that the Emperor would eventually soften his heart.

After this, she would truly behave herself. She would dutifully care for the Third Prince and not meddle in affairs anymore.

"Consort Rong, please go back. Stop kneeling," a maid who came out from inside said to Consort Rong.

Consort Rong shook her head, "I won't leave unless the Emperor agrees to see me. Otherwise, I won't go."

Then she was 'escorted' back. Although Consort Rong was reluctant to cooperate during the process, she eventually returned to her own Zhongcui Palace.

When Uya learned that a new consort had arrived—Consort Liang—her expression became complicated. She then took her maids to 'get to know' this Consort Liang.