Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Kangxi was about to pick up his chopsticks when Consort Rong kept glancing over subtly, not obvious, but indeed hard to ignore.

Kangxi's brow twitched, wondering what this ancestor was up to again. "Is something the matter?" he asked, keeping his tone calm.

"It's nothing," Su Yi said, withdrawing her gaze and continuing to eat from her own bowl.

But secretly, she was eyeing someone else's bowl.

Why does he get an extra slice of braised beef?

Hmph!

Talk is cheap!

He says it's not good to eat late at night, but then he turns around and picks a portion with more ingredients!

So sneaky!

Kangxi: "..."

He silently counted and sure enough, it was true.

To keep Consort Rong quiet and enjoy his noodles in peace, he coughed lightly and said, "I’m not feeling this, it’s a bit too salty."

Liang Jiugong, hearing this, was about to grab a small dish to hold the food the Emperor didn't want to eat.

The Emperor is very health-conscious, avoiding overly salty or greasy foods.

Su Yi, hearing this, quickly glanced over. When she saw Kangxi pushing the braised beef aside, her eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. "I’ll take it, I don’t mind the salt. No need to waste it."

Liang Jiugong quietly tucked the small dish behind him. It seemed it wouldn't be needed.

Kangxi gave a nod and a hum.

"I’ll take it then," she said with a grin.

Su Yi grinned like a cat that got the cream, quickly scooping all the untouched braised beef into her bowl.

Su Yi was thrilled at the pile of braised beef.

Double the fun!

Double the beef in one bowl—what a steal! Let’s do this again.

Kangxi, about to smile, froze.

After eating, Su Yi headed off to freshen up. As she left, Kangxi sighed in relief and glanced at Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong quickly cleared the dishes to keep the Emperor from overeating.

He’d been on edge, relieved that Consort Rong didn’t stick around after eating.

After her bath, Su Yi sat down, letting Yun Hua dry her hair.

Having slept all day, she wasn’t tired, just bored, and not ready for bed.

Sitting in front of the dressing table, she propped her chin and began to fiddle with the items in the vanity.

Usually, she didn’t pay much attention, not really knowing what was inside, as she would just casually apply some makeup when getting ready, without using these gold hairpins and ornate headpieces.

However, it was quite pleasant just to look at them.

Emperor Kangxi had also gone to bathe, and now she was chatting with Yunhua in a desultory manner.

Yunhua was so obedient, always speaking in a way that pleased her; no wonder she had chosen this little beauty at first sight.

It would be even better if she could become her own.

At this moment, some noisy sounds came through.

But they were intermittent.

"Hmm?" Su Yi seemed to have heard something. "What’s happening?" she asked.

It seemed that something was amiss.

Yunhua, however, heard more clearly and could guess from a few words what had happened.

Her face paled slightly, her eyes turning cold, but she still spoke soothingly, "Your Majesty, this servant will go and see what’s going on."

The sound of a palace maid pleading for mercy could be heard, and with the Emperor bathing nearby, it could only mean that some careless maid had broken the rules.

To prevent the Empress from being upset, Yunhua intended to deal with the maid first and then instruct the other servants not to mention it to the Empress, simply saying that the maid had been punished for her misconduct.

With so many maids, the Empress wouldn’t likely care much about it.

"Let’s go together, we’ve got nothing better to do anyway," Su Yi said, tossing the hairpin she had been playing with back into the jewelry box and eagerly standing up, pulling Yun Hua along as she headed out.

Yun Hua: ?! Yun Hua was taken aback.

"Come on, Yun Hua, let’s move!" Su Yi urged, worried that they would miss the excitement if they were late.

People are naturally nosy, and it’s essential to get to the front row as quickly as possible to secure a good spot. Hearing about it later just isn’t the same as seeing it live!

Yun Hua couldn’t rein her in, no matter how hard she tried, and didn’t know how to dissuade her.

She was completely dragged along by Consort Rong.

Su Yi arrived just in time to see the palace maid being dragged out.

When the palace maid spotted her out of the corner of her eye, her eyes lit up with hope, which made Yun Hua frown.

It was Ping’er, who was one of the palace maids who served closely under Consort Rong, so she knew more than the others.

For those who served closely, they were kept on a tight leash.

To prevent them from taking advantage of Consort Rong’s kindness and betraying her, Qinxin had often warned them.

Ping’er was one of the careful ones, who had never caused any trouble and was considered reliable. She also knew how to say the right things to please Consort Rong.

After appearing so well-behaved for so long, she suddenly betrayed her mistress.

When Ping’er saw Consort Rong, it was as if she gained a burst of strength, breaking free from the eunuchs dragging her and rushing towards the consort.

She pleaded, "Your Highness! Your Highness! Save me! Save me!"

The sudden burst of strength caught the two young eunuchs off guard.

They never expected they’d fail to hold onto Ping'er, letting her break free. Seeing her run toward Consort Rong, they quickly chased after her.

Ping'er, spotting Consort Rong, naturally clung to this lifeline, running faster than her usual small steps.

Her earlier struggle and commotion were meant to catch Consort Rong’s attention.

If Consort Rong came out and asked what was happening, she might still have a chance.

After all, Consort Rong was usually lenient, treating the maids kindly and never lashing out at them.

Unlike other consorts, who often vented their anger on the pretty maids.

Consort Rong was different—she was gentle with the good-looking maids.

Though Consort Rong had been angry before, it was with those from other palaces—those who judged by status and fawned over the powerful—which infuriated her.

Back then, they were a bit afraid of her, but later she never got angry again and treated the maids of Yonghe Palace kindly.

Since Consort Rong treated the maids of Yonghe Palace so well, she likely wouldn’t let her suffer or lose her life.

She just wanted to help the consort.

The Emperor visited Yonghe Palace often, but the consort was too unwell to serve him.

The Emperor was a man—how long could he endure? Eventually, he might be swayed by others from other palaces.

Besides, the consort never stopped the beautiful maids from appearing before the Emperor.

It seemed tacitly allowed—otherwise, why let the good-looking maids appear before the Emperor?

Ping'er rushed over, aiming to throw herself at Consort Rong’s feet, but Yun Hua stepped in and kicked her away.

What seemed like a light kick landed painfully on Ping'er’s stomach. "Ah!"

Ping'er was kicked to the ground, clutching her stomach, her face pale and hair disheveled—a pitiful sight.

Her looks were a mix of bright and delicate, earning her Consort Rong’s favor—she’d even praised her beauty.

Despite the pain, she clung to Consort Rong as her lifeline, her face pale as she cried, "Consort, save me!"

Her crying wasn’t ugly—knowing Consort Rong favored good looks, she kept her composure, crying beautifully.

"What’s wrong? Why are you crying like this?"

Su Yi motioned for Yun Hua to step aside, asking gently, her face showing concern.

How did a good girl end up so pitiful?

Seeing Consort Rong’s reaction, Yun Hua wanted to speak up, but she softened, knowing the consort didn’t understand the situation.

If she knew, she wouldn’t fall for Ping'er’s act.

She regretted holding back earlier, letting Ping'er keep enough strength to play the victim.

"Consort, it was a moment of madness—I made a mistake. Save me! I still want to serve you. I won’t mess up again. Please, plead for me—have mercy!"

Ping'er pleaded pitifully, kneeling before Consort Rong and clutching her hand, begging for mercy.

Yet, she did not confess what mistake she had committed to deserve such punishment.

She only begged Consort Rong to intercede on her behalf, hoping that Consort Rong would take pity and plead with His Majesty, who would then spare her out of respect for Consort Rong.

Liang Jiugong had already emerged.

Hearing the commotion, he felt compelled to explain.

He didn’t want Consort Rong to take His Majesty’s punishment of this maid as a personal affront, causing a rift with the Emperor, which would ultimately result in his own suffering.

Seeing the maid still trying to be evasive, Liang Jiugong didn’t indulge her and directly said, "Your Ladyship, don’t be fooled by this maid’s pitiful act..."

In a few words, he revealed how the maid had the audacity to seduce His Majesty while delivering clothes, even claiming it was on Consort Rong’s orders to serve His Majesty.

How brazen!

His Majesty flew into a rage and ordered the maid to be dragged out and executed by beating.

But the maid put up a fierce struggle, creating such a ruckus that it drew Consort Rong’s attention.

Liang Jiugong shot a glare at the two eunuchs, failing to handle such a straightforward task.

Ping'er was seething with anger and anxiety. With Liang Jiugong speaking up, she couldn’t intervene and could only cry more pitifully,

"Your Ladyship, I won’t dare anymore. I only had Your Ladyship’s best interests at heart. I don’t want to die. They’re going to beat me to death. Please, Your Ladyship, spare me for my loyal service."

Seeing that Consort Rong didn’t push her away and instead looked down at her, Ping'er quickly turned her tearful eyes to Consort Rong, filled with pleading.

"You..." Su Yi sighed, brushing Ping'er’s disheveled hair with her other hand, her face softened with emotion, as if she couldn’t bear it.

Liang Jiugong: This Ping'er is quite the actress. Her act is just as convincing as it was before His Majesty! Could it be that Consort Rong is really being fooled by this maid’s act?

Yun Hua: What do we do? It seems we can’t pick maids who are too beautiful for Her Ladyship. She mustn’t let beauty cloud her judgment and spare Ping'er!

It’s no secret that Consort Rong has a weakness for beauty.

Seeing Consort Rong’s reaction, Ping'er called out eagerly, "Your Ladyship!"

"What a fool. Isn’t it better to remain by my side? Isn’t being with me better than being with His Majesty?" Su Yi said with a puzzled expression, giving Ping'er a look of utter disbelief.

Ping'er was stunned, forgetting to continue crying, just standing there looking particularly foolish.

Not just Ping'er, but everyone present was dumbfounded by Consort Rong’s words.

Yun Hua fell silent.

Liang Jiugong: "..." Her Ladyship’s words are quite bold, and they sound a bit strange.

Su Yi had expected something grave, but it turned out to be such a cliché plot of a maid betraying her mistress to climb into His Majesty’s bed. What a letdown.

Isn’t it better to stay by my side?

I treat all the beauties so well. Isn’t being with me better than being with that stinky man?

She never spoke harshly, treating them like delicate flowers, almost spending every moment together, yet they still chose the stinky man over her. Su Yi was very displeased.

"You really have no taste, choosing His Majesty over me. I’m so disappointed." Su Yi let go of Ping'er’s hand, her previous gentleness disappearing in an instant.

Yun Hua: "..." What should I do? She’s also panicking now; she’s also the Emperor’s woman.

Qinxin, who came to apologize to Consort Rong for failing to manage the maids, was puzzled: "??"

Liang Jiugong: *Cough cough*, Consort Rong’s words always seem to cause misunderstandings.

"‘Consort!?’ Ping’er was equally shocked. She had expected Consort Rong to be angry at her for harboring such thoughts.

Who knew Consort Rong was furious, but her anger stemmed from Ping’er not choosing her!?

How can those two things even compare!

Even if Consort Rong treats her kindly, she’s still just a maid—forever in a servile role.

But by the Emperor’s side, she could follow in Uya’s footsteps, rising from a maid to a concubine, never having to serve again!

How could that even compare?

Consort Rong is truly twisted!

But Ping’er can’t say that, "Consort, please give me another chance. I promise to stay by your side and serve you faithfully, never daring to entertain improper thoughts again."

She reaches for Consort Rong’s hand again, but this time Consort Rong pulls away, as if avoiding something filthy.

‘That won’t do,’ Su Yi gently refused, turning to leave. ‘Out with the old, in with the new—the next one will be more compliant.’

She was already anticipating the new maids the Imperial Household Department would send.

"‘Consort!’ Ping’er watched Consort Rong’s retreating figure, finally breaking down. No longer caring about her image, she let out a heart-wrenching scream.

She scrambled to her feet, desperate to chase after her, unable to fathom Consort Rong’s heartlessness!

If even Consort Rong wouldn’t help her, she was as good as dead.

Overwhelmed by the fear of death, Ping’er sobbed uncontrollably, tears and snot streaming down her face—far from the pitiful figure she had once been.

With Liang Jiugong pressing them, the two eunuchs didn’t dare delay any longer.

Seeing Consort Rong’s indifference, they swiftly restrained Ping’er, dragging her away to avoid further trouble, using all their strength to ensure she couldn’t escape.

Ping’er struggled with all her might but couldn’t break free.

Seeing Consort Rong leave so callously, without a thought for their past bond, Ping’er gave up, shouting at her retreating figure,

"‘Consort, why are you so cruel! Your kindness was always a facade—pretending to care for us maids, but in truth, you’re nothing but a hypocrite!! It’s all an act!’"

She began to curse Consort Rong, accusing her of feigning kindness to the maids, claiming she was heartless and refused to save her!

It was all just a ploy to win people’s loyalty!

Hearing this, Liang Jiugong stepped forward and slapped the ungrateful maid. ‘Nonsense! Gag this wretch at once!’

"‘If believing that makes you feel better, then so be it.’"

Su Yi spoke without turning her head, her tone light and dismissive.

Yun Hua hurried after her, noticing Consort Rong’s somber mood upon returning. It seemed Ping’er’s words had struck a chord; Consort Rong had taken them to heart.

She wanted to comfort Consort Rong, urging her not to grieve over such an ungrateful wretch—it wasn’t worth it."

Just then, she heard,

"It's so infuriating, as if I’m not on par with the Emperor.

How could anyone, blessed to be by my side and witness such beauty daily, basking in my radiant glory, still look at others?

This is truly disrespectful, utterly detestable, don’t you agree, Yun Hua?"

Su Yi was genuinely angry, reminiscing about her days of being highly sought after in the cultivation world.

What a tasteless fool!

Yun Hua stayed silent, unable to speak.

"Why aren’t you saying anything, Yun Hua?" Su Yi turned around, her face showing a faint trace of sorrow,

"Are you no longer my little sweetheart? You’re not even defending me." Her tone was sorrowful, yet carried an inexplicable edge of danger.

Yun Hua’s survival instincts kicked in, and she quickly spoke up,

"Your Ladyship is right; Ping'er failed to recognize Your Ladyship’s goodness and hurt Your Ladyship’s heart. It’s truly detestable."

Whether it’s right or not, Her Ladyship’s thoughts are always peculiar, and Yun Hua knew it well, so she hurried to appease her.

Lest Her Ladyship think she’s no longer her little sweetheart for not responding—alas, she’s been led astray too.

When Her Ladyship’s temper flares, even the Emperor struggles to handle it, let alone her.

Hearing this, Su Yi immediately smiled.

Yun Hua thought, 'Phew, crisis averted.'

"My little Yun Hua, truly my sweetie, if you can speak, say more—I love hearing it."

Su Yi’s expression said, 'You know me best,' her eyes and smile lighting up, her earlier unhappiness instantly forgotten.

Her emotions shift quickly—sometimes gentle, sometimes delivering heartless words with a soft tone, but when she’s kind, she’s truly kind. She’s a complex person.

Yun Hua picked up the comb to style Consort Rong’s hair, which was nearly dry.

"Your Majesty." Yun Hua heard footsteps, quickly set down the comb, stepped aside, and bowed.

Kangxi had just finished bathing, trailing a mist of water vapor. Liang Jiugong, behind him, waved at Yun Hua, signaling her to leave quickly. She hurriedly bowed and retreated.

Su Yi glanced at Kangxi and casually handed him the comb, making it clear: ‘You do it.’

Kangxi, with mixed feelings, took the comb from Consort Rong. How dare she order him around so unceremoniously?

Couldn’t she at least say something pleasant?

So Yun Hua is her little sweetheart, and Consort Rong is so casual—everyone’s her little sweetheart!

"No seat." It’s inappropriate for him to stand like this; ordering people around isn’t done this way.

"Alright, alright." Su Yi quickly fetched an embroidered stool, patted it, and said, "Sit down."

At least she made some effort.

At least Consort Rong moved it herself—usually too lazy to budge, so moving a stool now was quite the effort.

Kangxi sat down with an air of pride and reserve, started combing Consort Rong's hair, which still felt slightly damp and had a nice texture.

Earlier, when Consort Rong heard some commotion and went out, Liang Jiugong turned around and told Kangxi about her reaction, which gave him a real headache.

Consort Rong's reactions were always uniquely different. Even if she put up with a maid's betrayal on the surface, she was seething with anger inside.

Consort Rong was indeed angry, but it was because she hadn't been chosen.

Because he had outshone her.

Kangxi was so furious he felt a lump in his throat, struggling to breathe.

"That maid earlier..." Kangxi decided to bring it up and have a serious talk with Consort Rong about it. While the master might be lenient, the servant might not appreciate it, and the schemes in their heart wouldn't disappear just because the master treated them well.

From now on, it’s best not to be so nice to the maids.

"Oh, Ping'er? What about her?" she replied casually.

She began rummaging through the jewelry box filled with different jade stones, all shaped like cat paws, each one utterly adorable.

Su Yi was lining them up one by one, thinking about finding some matching beads to string together into a handheld ornament she could switch out daily.

Kangxi gently tugged at her hair, "Play later, I’m talking about something serious with you."

"I’m listening, I can multitask," Su Yi said confidently.

This was truly shameless, claiming to multitask.

Kangxi took a deep breath and started talking about what happened that evening, saying she really needed to change her ways.

Otherwise, the maids would just grow bolder and stop respecting their master. If the rules of Yonghe Palace were stricter, how could the maids dare betray their master like this?

"You have a point," Su Yi said with a serious expression.

Kangxi: "..." He was a bit surprised by how quickly she agreed.

'Indeed, being overly kind isn't good. One needs to be cold occasionally to create a sense of crisis and tension, so they will naturally strive to stay by her side.'

'What comes too easily isn't worth cherishing.'

Kangxi never expected Consort Rong to take it this way: "..." The familiar feeling of headache and helplessness returned.

No, you completely missed the point!

How did you conclude that what comes too easily isn't worth cherishing from a discussion on managing subordinates?

I never said that.

Kangxi's hand holding the comb tightened with frustration, and he really didn't want to speak anymore.

Su Yi turned around and saw Kangxi combing her hair with a cold expression, clearly in a bad mood, "What's wrong?" she asked.

Seeing her turn around, Kangxi didn't give her a pleasant look either. He let go of her hair, placed the comb back on the dressing table, "That's enough." Then he got up and went to bed first.

Consort Rong actually had the gall to ask, what’s wrong!