Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Kangxi’s expression was grave, and he remained silent, lost in thought. The atmosphere became increasingly tense, and Consort Tongjia instinctively felt her heart tighten.

She knew this was a risky move, but with Uya as a scapegoat, if things went wrong, she could simply shift the blame onto Uya. Even if the Emperor was angry with her, he was, after all, her cousin. Would he really be so heartless as to punish her severely?

If Uya’s prophecy turned out to be true, it would be a monumental achievement. The idea of becoming Empress made Consort Tongjia’s heart race like crazy. The position of Empress! Not only for herself but also for her family, who would gain even more favor from the Emperor. And if she were to bear a legitimate heir...

The potential rewards were too significant to overlook. It was worth rolling the dice. If successful, her position in the Emperor’s favor would be elevated. And if Uya dared to deceive her, she would make sure Uya met a miserable end.

"Consort," Kangxi’s expression had returned to normal.

"Your Majesty," Consort Tongjia immediately snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Kangxi. The hostility in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a look of unease, as if she were awaiting a verdict, her expression so pitiful that it would make anyone want to console her.

"Consort, you have shown great concern. The matters involved are complex, and it is rare for you to speak up. You’ve done a good job," Kangxi said gently, his voice soothing, though his eyes grew colder.

The earthquake, as Uya had foretold, might indeed be real. However, the specific date and time Uya had revealed to Consort Tongjia might not be accurate.

Unwittingly, Consort Tongjia had fallen into Uya’s snare.

Consort Tongjia lowered her head and spoke softly, "I only hope to be of help to the people and to Your Majesty. Even if Your Majesty misunderstands me, I’m willing to take it." Her face displayed an expression of steadfast loyalty, though inwardly she felt a sense of relief.

"In recent days, I have neglected you. You do not resent me, do you?" Kangxi suddenly brought up this topic, his expression tinged with regret.

Hearing this, Consort Tongjia’s eyes reddened. The pent-up grievances within her heart welled up. Seeing the Emperor’s gentle expression, tears welled up in her eyes. How long had it been since she last saw such a look from him?

Consort Tongjia stood up and moved to lean into his embrace. Only when she was in his familiar yet unfamiliar arms did her tears begin to fall, her voice choked with emotion.

"How could I resent Your Majesty? Your Majesty is just too busy to always be with me. I understand that. How could I resent Your Majesty?"

Consort Tongjia buried her face in Kangxi’s chest, sobbing pitifully. However, when she lowered her eyes, a flash of hatred passed through them.

If there was anyone to blame, it was that despicable Consort Rong. It was she who had enticed the Emperor away, always falling ill to draw his attention. Yet, if she were truly so ill, how did this sickly woman always manage to survive? It was all Consort Rong’s fault!

At this moment, Consort Tongjia was convinced that the Emperor had let go of the past and was now reconciling with her.

Her efforts had really paid off. Otherwise, she might still be waiting in vain in Jingren Palace. Now, it was time for Consort Rong to suffer the same fate!

Lost in her joy, she didn’t notice that when she hugged him, his body tensed momentarily before relaxing.

"Consort, you are very understanding. Don’t cry anymore; it’ll hurt your eyes," Kangxi gently comforted Consort Tongjia in his arms, his expression patient, the coldness in his eyes softened.

Consort Tongjia’s earlier words were meant to evoke the Emperor’s pity. Now that she had heard his comforting words, she stopped crying. She couldn’t risk annoying the Emperor by crying too much.

After she had cried enough, Consort Tongjia lifted her head from his chest and looked at Kangxi, a smile on her face. Her eyes were still teary, making her look fragile and pitiful, quite different from her usual haughtiness. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Kangxi smiled faintly, and though his smile was slight, Consort Tongjia’s eyes lit up.

Yet, she failed to notice that even as she leaned into his embrace and listened to his comforting words, he never reached out to hold her.

During dinner, Kangxi naturally stayed to dine in Jingren Palace.

Consort Tongjia was initially overjoyed but couldn’t help wondering whether she should proceed with her original plan, her resolve wavering.

The Emperor had chosen to stay for dinner, and it was likely he would spend the night in Jingren Palace. Why should she let someone else benefit?

Today, the relationship between the Emperor and her had eased, as if they had returned to how things were before.

She didn’t need to proceed with her schemes. She could stop here.

The Emperor would no longer ignore her in the future, and she might be able to conceive a prince without using those methods.

However, if the Emperor frequently visits Jingren Palace, Uya is already completely under her control and not worth mentioning, but there is still Consort Liang.

She’s always hated Consort Liang’s face because it looks like Consort Rong’s, which is a problem. When the Emperor isn’t around, Consort Liang is bearable in her presence, and no matter how she treats Consort Liang, that face still helps her blow off steam.

But now that she’s finally made up with the Emperor, Consort Liang has become an eyesore.

If she keeps Consort Liang in Jingren Palace, wouldn’t it just give Consort Liang an advantage whenever she’s indisposed in the future?

Plus, that face is like a constant reminder to the Emperor of Consort Rong. No, no, no, this isn’t good.

Consort Tongjia’s mind raced, and she decided to go ahead.

So far, everything’s been going smoothly. Consort Tongjia glanced at the Emperor who was dining.

The thought of giving up the Emperor tonight made her heart ache, but it was for the future.

"Your Majesty, how do you like these dishes?" Consort Tongjia asked softly.

Kangxi just hummed without saying anything, but Consort Tongjia's smile remained undiminished. The Emperor’s always been strict about dining etiquette, so this reaction’s normal.

She personally served the Emperor a bowl of soup. Seeing the Emperor didn’t refuse, she felt a bit reassured, though her eyes kept drifting to that bowl of soup.

She was torn, wanting the Emperor to drink it but also not wanting him to.

But Consort Tongjia didn’t have to struggle for long.

Seeing that the Emperor was already drinking the soup with a spoon, Consort Tongjia slowed down her eating.

All the dishes had been tested with a silver needle and showed no trace of poison. If it’s not poison, how would the silver needle detect it? Besides, the catalyst isn’t here.

"Consort."

"Ah?" Consort Tongjia’s heart skipped a beat at the call, and her chopsticks shook, clinking against the bowl and breaking the silence.

"Your servant was rude, please forgive me, Your Majesty," Consort Tongjia immediately said.

She couldn’t believe she’d made such a mistake.

"What’s got you so deep in thought, looking so uneasy? I just called you, why are you so jumpy?" Kangxi stirred the soup in his bowl with a spoon, his tone casual, as if he was just asking a random question.

Seeing the Emperor was just casually asking, Consort Tongjia quickly pulled herself together.

"Your servant was just thinking about the last time I dined with Your Majesty, and wishing that I could dine with Your Majesty more often. But I know that Your Majesty cannot come every day, so I was momentarily sentimental. I wasn’t thinking of anything else, Your Majesty need not worry."

She put on a considerate front, even though her thoughts were different. But in front of the Emperor, she had to speak this way.

Consort Tongjia certainly remembered the last time she dined with the Emperor. It was not pleasant, and it was from that time that the Emperor gradually became distant towards her.

By bringing this up, she wanted to take advantage of the current moment to have the Emperor promise to visit her more often. Although it was a spur-of-the-moment thought, she truly wished for it.

After speaking, Consort Tongjia looked at Kangxi with a hint of expectation in her eyes. Even though she knew it was impossible, she still hoped the Emperor would comfort her.

Kangxi, however, just looked at the soup and said, "This soup is good."

Upon hearing this, Consort Tongjia's disappointment was almost palpable, but she replied considerately, "I'm glad Your Majesty likes it. If Your Majesty enjoys it, I will have this soup prepared every time Your Majesty visits."

Kangxi continued drinking the soup without responding.

As the meal was nearing its end, Consort Tongjia's personal maid suddenly exclaimed, "Imperial Noble Consort!" and quickly called for a cloak, stepping forward to shield her with a handkerchief.

Consort Tongjia, sensing something amiss from her maid's expression and actions, also grew tense. The maid whispered in her ear, "Imperial Noble Consort, your period has started. The back of your dress is stained."

Upon hearing this, Consort Tongjia was so startled that she knocked over a bowl and dish, which shattered on the floor. At this moment, she was completely unaware of the mess.

Just then, the maid brought the cloak and draped it over Consort Tongjia, providing some cover. Only then did Consort Tongjia feel slightly better, though her face was a mix of pale and red.

"Your Majesty, I am currently indisposed and have behaved improperly in your presence. I must go change my clothes," she said, flustered and embarrassed. She quickly stood up, gave a hasty bow, and hurried off to change, with her maids rushing to assist her.

Kangxi remained seated and ordered the meal to be cleared away. He glanced at Liang Jiugong, who gave a subtle nod. Kangxi then calmly sat back, waiting.

Once inside her room, Consort Tongjia immediately changed out of her soiled clothes. She looked at the soiled clothes with disgust.

Among the discarded clothes was a small blood bag, now deflated, its contents completely drained. It was clear that the 'period' had been faked.

"Get rid of these things, and make sure it's done discreetly," she instructed. The blood-stained clothes would start to stink if left too long, and that could raise suspicions. They had to be disposed of immediately.

Then she asked, "Has Consort Liang been summoned?"

"Someone has already been sent. Consort Liang should be on her way now," the maid replied, efficiently wrapping Consort Tongjia's clothes in cloth and separating the blood bag for easier disposal.

"Good. Consort Liang should be grateful to me. She's always wanted to serve the Emperor, and now I'm giving her that opportunity," Consort Tongjia said with a sinister smile, her voice sharp and cutting.

When Consort Liang received the summons from Consort Tongjia, she could hardly believe it.

She had been trying to figure out how to get close to the Emperor without directly confronting Consort Tongjia. She had planned to wait outside the main hall, hoping the Emperor would notice her when he left. This way, she wouldn't be seen as directly opposing Consort Tongjia.

Although she knew Consort Tongjia would still hold a grudge, she believed that out of respect for the Emperor, Consort Tongjia wouldn't push it too far.

Consort Liang had braced herself for Consort Tongjia's anger and had even thought about how to appease her afterward.

But she never expected that Consort Tongjia would suddenly have her 'period' and call for her to come and serve.

Consort Liang was momentarily stunned by this unexpected turn of events, but then she was overjoyed, thinking to herself that Consort Tongjia's 'period' had come at the perfect time!

This was Consort Tongjia's own summons, not her own attempt to intercept the Emperor.

Consort Tongjia was indisposed and unable to serve the Emperor, but tonight the Emperor had stayed for dinner and was likely to stay the night. Now, with this situation, if Consort Tongjia didn't want the Emperor to leave and go to Yonghe Palace, she would have to find another way to keep him in Jingren Palace.

But ever since Uya had appeared, all the maids in Jingren Palace had been strictly forbidden from dressing up under Consort Tongjia's orders. Even the more attractive ones had been transferred away, leaving only the most ordinary-looking maids.

But how could such plain women serve the Emperor? Hmph.

Consort Liang quickly glanced at herself in the mirror, confirming that she looked her best, and then hurried over.

At this moment, who else would be called to serve if not her? Certainly not Uya. Hmph, thanks to Uya, she could now follow behind Consort Tongjia and get a share of the benefits.

A eunuch approached Liang Jiugong and said, "Consort Liang has arrived. She says she was summoned by Imperial Noble Consort to come and serve."

"Your Majesty, Consort Liang is outside," Liang Jiugong reported, thinking to himself that everything was going exactly as planned.

"Let her in," Kangxi said casually.

Consort Liang didn't have to wait long outside before receiving permission to enter. She suppressed her excitement, knowing this was an opportunity given by Consort Tongjia, and she had to seize it well.

All her efforts to humble herself before Consort Tongjia had not been in vain.

Now that Consort Tongjia had remembered her, her efforts had paid off.

Consort Liang composed herself and, upon entering, only glanced up briefly before gracefully kneeling and bowing, "Your servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless happiness and peace." Her voice was soft and gentle, her eyes filled with affection.