Chapter 098

Chapter 098

"Good boy," Su Yi lowered her head and whispered soothingly, "I think this cat is just fine, very unique, it just doesn't like others touching it."

Perhaps hearing the praise, Guogaitou stopped making a fuss and even proudly lifted its chin, responding in a high-pitched voice, as if agreeing.

It was a completely different cat from the fierce one moments ago.

Hearing this, Rongpin smiled, thinking to herself, is Niohuru talking about the cat or subtly hinting at something else, blaming her for making the first move?

It's just a little animal, truly, like owner, like pet!

She would have to endure for now.

"Is that so? Sister is indeed a remarkable person, naturally raising a cat with such personality. It was my mistake to speak out of turn earlier, what matters most is that sister likes it." Rongpin could be flexible when needed, after all, she still had to stay in Yonghe Palace for a while longer.

It wasn't the right time to quarrel with Consort Rong.

"Hmm, it's good that you know you spoke out of turn," Su Yi replied with a smile.

Yun Hua, standing nearby, couldn't help but slightly tremble, biting her lower lip to suppress her laughter. Sometimes, the way the lady spoke was really hard to respond to.

Rongpin's smile faltered slightly, what was wrong with Consort Rong? She didn't mean for Consort Rong to say that.

She forced a laugh, "Sister is joking," Rongpin said, covering her lips with a handkerchief and smiling gracefully.

"I'm not joking, didn't you say that yourself?" Su Yi retorted.

So why play that game? Isn't this asking for trouble?

Rongpin had never directly confronted Consort Rong before, although she was prepared this time, she was used to speaking in a roundabout way, expecting the other to understand. But why did Consort Rong speak so directly?!

This was impossible to respond to! She must be doing it on purpose!

Qinxin calmly shifted her gaze, diverting her attention to avoid laughing inappropriately at this moment.

Rongpin was momentarily speechless, but quickly composed herself and continued, "Sister, didn't you just say you were willing to forgive my past mistakes? Sisters should live in harmony from now on."

She quickly steered the conversation back, skipping over the previous topic.

"I was just saying it casually," Su Yi looked at Rongpin with surprise, as if saying, 'Really? You took it seriously?'

Consort Rong!

She knew it, this bitch wouldn't let her off so easily.

"Sister, I really have no other choice, all the mistakes were mine. You must have heard about the incident with the Third Prince, losing him, I really, really don't know how to go on with life. The Third Prince is still so young, he can't be without his mother."

Rongpin began to play the sympathy card, selling her misery.

Su Yi just watched her quietly, not saying a word.

Although Su Yi wasn't responding now, Rongpin felt she could still continue. Compared to Consort Rong constantly undermining her earlier, now just listening quietly was still acceptable.

Su Yi: She just wanted to see what else Rongpin could come up with.

Seeing this, Rongpin continued, selling her misery and seeking sympathy, talking about how she had lost all her previous children and now only had the Third Prince left, she couldn't lose him too, etc. She said if the Third Prince could return to her, she would focus solely on him and no longer participate in any harem disputes, this was her guarantee.

Hinting that she would no longer incite the concubines to plot against her.

Rongpin spoke with increasing enthusiasm and immersion, as Consort Rong did not interrupt her, which likely gave Rongpin great confidence.

Moreover, her performance was impeccable, but as she reached the end of her speech, Rongpin found herself running out of words and feeling quite thirsty.

At that moment, a cup of tea conveniently appeared by her side. Rongpin instinctively reached for it, about to drink, but as it neared her lips, she remembered that it was likely handed to her by Consort Rong. She abruptly stopped and did not drink.

Su Yi looked at her and said, "Why aren’t you drinking? Aren’t you thirsty?" Her attitude seemed very kind.

But the kinder she appeared, the more Rongpin hesitated to drink. Did Consort Rong put something in it? Was this a way to lower her guard, something that even the imperial physician wouldn’t detect?

Rongpin’s heart raced, and she put the cup down, saying, "Thank you for your concern, sister. I’m not very thirsty, so I’ll save this cup of tea."

"Alright then. Qinxin, since Rongpin isn’t drinking, take her tea away," Su Yi said without pressing further.

"Yes, Your Highness," Qinxin replied, stepping forward to remove the tea cup from Rongpin’s side.

After the tea cup was taken away, Su Yi leisurely poured herself a cup and sipped it slowly, seemingly savoring the tea, though in reality, she didn’t taste anything special—she was just playing around.

Rongpin, who had been thirsty earlier but had refused to drink, now watched as Consort Rong poured herself another cup and sipped it slowly. Her throat felt even drier, and she couldn’t help but swallow.

She truly didn’t believe that Consort Rong wasn’t doing this on purpose!

Suppressing her anger, Rongpin maintained a smile and said, "Sister, I’ve been talking for so long. Don’t you have anything to say?"

Su Yi put her cup down and, upon hearing Rongpin’s question, replied somewhat perplexedly, "You just said a lot, but I didn’t really hear anything, so I won’t offer any opinion."

Rongpin: ?!!

She had just poured her heart out, appealing to reason and emotion, and this was the simple response she got from Consort Rong?

"Sister, what are you saying? You are currently the most favored by His Majesty. If you could put in a good word for me, the Emperor would surely consider it out of respect for you. I would be eternally grateful, and both I and the Third Prince would remember your kindness," Rongpin said bluntly.

"And what use do I have for your eternal gratitude?" Su Yi replied, uninterested.

Rongpin had come seeking help, offering nothing in return but empty words of gratitude. She had exhausted all her sweet talk, relying solely on pity and sympathy. Did she really think she could get away with this? Or did she think Su Yi was an easy target, a naive beauty?

Just as Rongpin was about to say more, the sharp, high-pitched voice of a eunuch interrupted, "The Emperor has arrived—"

Immediately, a flash of joy appeared in Rongpin’s eyes. Indeed, in Yonghe Palace, she could meet His Majesty!

At that moment, she no longer cared about Consort Rong. She quickly stood up, straightened her clothes, wiped her face, and put on a smile, ready to go out and greet the Emperor.

Wasn’t this the reason she had come here—to wait for the Emperor’s appearance?

Su Yi propped her chin on her hand, watching Rongpin’s excited back. Ah, was this man’s timing perfect or not?

"Your Highness, Rongpin has gone out to greet the Emperor," Yun Hua reminded her.

"I saw that."

"Your Highness, should you also go out to greet the Emperor? Don’t let that Rongpin steal the spotlight," Yun Hua whispered.

Su Yi: ...

What spotlight was there to steal?

But then she thought of something.

She silently stood up without saying a word, put down the bangs in her arms, let it play by itself, and followed out.

But after she went out, she didn't go far. Instead, she chose a place to wait. There was a row of flower beds in front of the hall, and there was a place to sit by the side. She casually spread a handkerchief and sat down there.

Yun Hua followed behind, thinking that her mistress was about to make a move, but as she walked, she found that there was no one in front. When she turned her head, she found that her mistress had already sat down and stopped, looking like she was ready to watch the show. At that moment, she really wanted to hold her forehead.

"Your Highness?" Are you just here to watch the show?

She almost had a handful of melon seeds in her hand!

When Kangxi arrived, he thought the sun had risen from the west when he didn't see clearly, thinking that Consort Rong had also come out to greet him. But when he saw clearly, it was Rongpin. Kangxi's expression didn't change, but his eyes became colder.

Rongpin knew that the Emperor might not be happy to see her appearing in Yonghe Palace at this time, so she knelt down directly when she stepped forward to salute, and said softly, "Your servant greets the Emperor, may the Emperor be auspicious."

Then she explained, "Your servant happened to come to visit Consort Rong's sister. We were talking and time passed unknowingly. I didn't expect to meet the Emperor coming, so I hurried out to greet the Emperor. As for Consort Rong's sister, she might be too weak to come out to greet the Emperor."

Although this was an explanation for why Consort Rong did not appear, and only she came out, it was also very malicious.

Consort Rong was in good condition just now and had chatted with her for a long time. When the Emperor went in later and saw Consort Rong sitting there without moving to greet him, he would definitely think that Consort Rong did not understand the rules and was arrogant because of her favor.

Kangxi walked up to her and spoke indifferently, "Get up." Then, without waiting for Rongpin to get up, he walked straight past.

Rongpin originally wanted to stagger when she got up, so that the Emperor would reach out to help her, thus taking the opportunity to contact the Emperor.

But the Emperor walked past, and Rongpin had to take the hand of the maid beside her and was helped up by the maid.

And Su Yi: That's it? It's over??

Wasted her trip out.

Seeing Kangxi coming this way, Su Yi decisively chose to run back in three or two steps between staying in place and going back.

Yun Hua was stunned for a moment, and then she saw that Consort Rong, who had just been sitting there, was gone. Only the handkerchief she had just sat on was left there.

Hearing the footsteps coming this way, Yun Hua also turned around and ran back, not slower than Consort Rong at all.

Since the mistress had run away, she, she couldn't stay either, so she had to run back with the mistress.

The two of them slipped away too fast, as if their feet were smeared with oil, especially Consort Rong, who ran as if she had wind under her feet, fast and steady, as if she was stepping on the wind, neat and tidy, not like a sick beauty at all.

They really didn't let Kangxi see even a corner of their clothes.

Su Yi ran back and directly flew onto the recliner. Then she remembered something, covered her chest, and said with a lingering fear, "It really tired me out. I ran too fast just now, almost out of breath. I can't do this next time."

Yun Hua listened to her mistress's series of words, which were spoken smoothly and without a pause, and didn't know what to say.

She had also accelerated to catch up, but she didn't catch up with her mistress.

Her mistress was still wearing flowerpot shoes, but she ran more smoothly than her in flat shoes.

She could only say against her will, "Yes, Your Highness."

At this time, Kangxi also came in.

Su Yi got up slowly at this time, with a happy smile on her face. "Your Majesty, why are you here? Your servant greets the Emperor." Then she said so, but she was slow, and the smile on her face seemed a bit fake because it was too bright.

Her legs just bent symbolically, and Kangxi reached out to help her. Su Yi's legs, which had not yet bent down, instantly straightened.

Kangxi knew that if Rongpin wasn't standing here at this time, Consort Rong would probably be too lazy to move. Now she was just putting on a show. If he didn't help her, she would probably call him a dog man in her heart again.

"At ease."

Rongpin saw it all clearly from behind; Consort Rong hadn't even performed the proper greeting before the Emperor helped her up. She couldn't help but frown.

How could Consort Rong be so disrespectful? Did the Emperor not notice?

Su Yi smiled and then considerately said, "Your Majesty, since you're here, don't just stand. Cough, cough, please sit down."

She coughed a few times symbolically and added, "Your concubine is weak in health and couldn't come to greet Your Majesty. It's truly my fault, cough, cough."

Yun Hua felt a bit guilty upon hearing this. My lady, you might as well not have said anything. And your coughing sounds a bit fake; you just ran a while ago, and now your complexion is still good, with a faint blush on your cheeks.

Could Kangxi not know whether Consort Rong was really feeling unwell or just pretending?

"Is that so?" He sat down as he spoke, and Consort Rong followed suit immediately.

"Of course." Su Yi was about to take out a handkerchief to cover her mouth and cough a few more times, but when she reached for it, she found it missing. Huh?

Where is my handkerchief??

Then she remembered, she had used it to sit on when she went out earlier, and in her haste to run back, she had forgotten to bring it.

Don't panic, not having a handkerchief isn't a big deal.

Su Yi was just thinking this, preparing to raise her hand and cough dramatically, when Kangxi placed a handkerchief in her hand. Su Yi was about to thank the Emperor for his thoughtfulness.

But upon a glance, she noticed that the handkerchief looked suspiciously like the one she had used to sit on earlier.

Su Yi smiled as she picked it up and glanced again. It wasn't just similar; it was exactly the one she had used to sit on.

She wanted to put it away, but Kangxi held her hand, "What's the matter? I thought you were looking for a handkerchief. Why aren't you using it?"

Su Yi: How can I use the one I just sat on?! Are you doing this on purpose?

"Your concubine suddenly doesn't feel like coughing anymore. Speaking of which, Your Majesty, this handkerchief looks a lot like the one I use. What a coincidence." Su Yi replied with a smile.

"It's not a coincidence. Actually, I found this handkerchief on my way here, right by the flower bed in front of your palace." Kangxi also smiled slightly.

He had seen it earlier, noticing that it resembled the pattern of the handkerchief Consort Rong usually used, and it was neatly placed there. Kangxi almost guessed that Consort Rong had probably been sitting there watching the commotion earlier, and when she saw him coming, she hurried back.

After entering, he glanced around and saw that Consort Rong indeed didn't have a handkerchief on her, confirming his suspicion. Consort Rong had been there just moments ago, and she had returned so quickly, her legs must be quite nimble.

Su Yi heard this and thought, found it?

So you found the handkerchief and now you're conveniently giving it to me to use??

The handkerchief I sat on, for me to cover my mouth with??!

I really appreciate it!

Su Yi's smile brightened, "Your Majesty, you are so thoughtful. Your concubine's handkerchief was lost at some point."

Then she examined the handkerchief more carefully, "Hmm, upon closer inspection, it really is the handkerchief I lost. Yun Hua, quickly put it away. After all, it was found by the Emperor, so it must be treasured." Yeah, right!

Then she handed the handkerchief to Yun Hua beside her. Yun Hua, holding back her laughter, put the handkerchief away. She had also thought about retrieving the handkerchief earlier, but she figured the Emperor wouldn't notice. She didn't expect the Emperor to pick it up and give it back to the lady.

Kangxi couldn't be bothered to expose her.

But Rongpin couldn't bear it any longer. The Emperor and Consort Rong were sitting side by side, almost without any distance between them, appearing very close. Earlier, Consort Rong had sat beside him without the Emperor's permission, and he hadn't reprimanded her.

She herself was only sitting on a stool nearby, watching Consort Rong and the Emperor chatting intimately, feeling very uncomfortable.

Knowing that Consort Rong was currently favored was one thing, but seeing it with her own eyes was another.

The Emperor's attitude towards Consort Rong was so gentle.

Consort Rong's handkerchief had fallen outside. Earlier, she had clearly seen Consort Rong carrying a handkerchief, but now it was missing and found outside, indicating that Consort Rong had also gone out earlier but didn't go to greet the Emperor.

Couldn't the Emperor see that?!

Consort Rong clearly knew the Emperor was coming but deliberately didn't go to greet him, showing such lack of decorum, and the Emperor didn't even reprimand her!

Seeing the two of them talking as if they had forgotten about her presence, Rongpin couldn't help but interrupt, "Your Majesty."

"Rongpin is calling you, Your Majesty," Su Yi kindly reminded.

Finally, the scoundrel had come over. He should handle the mess he created himself, not in vain after listening to so much nonsense.

Kangxi looked at Rongpin beside him, his expression not as gentle as before, "What is it?"

Just as he finished speaking, he felt something tugging at the hem of his robe. Looking down, he saw a pitch-black head emerging from under the recliner, biting his robe and shaking its head.

The only cat in Yonghe Palace that could be so bold was the two-faced cat raised by Consort Rong!

This immediately reminded Kangxi of the night he was chased by this fierce little kitten, and his expression turned sour.

Earlier, when Kangxi arrived, the cat named Guogaitou had just been taken away by the maids.

Now, Guogaitou had been let down by Consort Rong to play on its own, but it hadn't gone far and was playing around here.

Guogaitou, happily chasing its own tail in circles, suddenly noticed another two-legged creature.

Guogaitou tilted its head, seemingly pondering something, then remembered—this was that annoying two-legged creature!

Immediately, it stealthily crept over to his feet, and when no one was looking, it popped out from underneath, biting his robe and trying to tear it apart, its sharp little teeth piercing through the fabric.

After being discovered, Guogaitou intended to retreat, but it seemed its teeth were caught in the fabric, and it couldn't pull away.

In the moment of eye contact between the man and the cat, there was an intense exchange of glances.

'Let go!'

'Meow meow' No! The cat's mouth was firm, even if it was stuck, it would not yield!