Chapter 145

Chapter 145

If the maid hadn’t caught her in time, she would have fallen directly to the ground—that would have been so embarrassing!

Consort Tongjia had a point because her maid indeed didn’t react in time.

By the time the maid realized and rushed over, it was too late to catch her. Watching Consort Tongjia about to fall to the ground, the maid panicked, her face turning even paler than Consort Tongjia's.

Just then, Consort Rong grabbed Consort Tongjia, preventing her from falling, and pulled her back into her arms. The maid sighed in relief and hurried over to help support her, while loudly exclaiming, "My lady! My lady has fainted! Someone, come quickly!"

Her voice was loud enough for the servants inside the hall to hear and come out to check, but no one came out.

The maid repeated her call, but still, no one appeared.

She stammered, "What should we do now?" The maid believed Consort Tongjia had truly fainted. Since they had come to Cining Palace with only a few attendants, and those who had accompanied them were left outside, there was no one to help carry Consort Tongjia.

Consort Tongjia, though her eyes were closed, knew what was going on. Why hadn’t a single servant from Cining Palace come out when she, a noble consort, had fainted?

The servants wouldn’t dare act so boldly—it must be the old woman above playing tricks.

If she hadn’t fainted, she could have woken up right away, but that would risk exposing her act. Since she had already committed to the act, she had to see it through now.

Why had she fainted so quickly earlier?

Now, only Consort Rong was awake. Would she be able to handle this? Consort Tongjia was getting nervous!

"Stay calm. Since no one’s coming, let’s take Consort Tongjia back and call a doctor," Su Yi said calmly.

After all, they didn’t have to stay here. If no one was coming out now, it would be easier for them to return.

"But, Lady Consort Rong, should we just leave?" the maid asked uncertainly. Shouldn’t we tell the Grand Empress Dowager first? If they left without her knowledge, she might think their mistress had left without permission and punish them later.

Consort Tongjia wanted to strangle this silly maid. Why not just leave now? Did they expect her to stay here like this?

She was ‘sick’ now—wasn’t that normal?

The Grand Empress Dowager had disrespected her first! She couldn’t blame her for pretending to faint!

Consort Tongjia had long resented the Grand Empress Dowager. Previously, due to their status difference, she couldn’t openly defy her and had to endure it.

But this time, the Grand Empress Dowager had gone after her too, reigniting her hidden dissatisfaction.

If the Grand Empress Dowager had stayed as sharp as before, with everything under her control, her presence alone would have been intimidating.

But now, suffering from headaches, she looked old and weak, her once-sharp eyes now clouded and frail.

This Grand Empress Dowager no longer inspired the same respect.

This made it easier for Consort Tongjia to resent her.

"If we don’t leave, should we just stay here?" Su Yi shifted most of Consort Tongjia's weight onto the maid. If the maid could endure holding her up without moving, Su Yi could keep waiting, but Consort Tongjia had no such patience.

The maid suddenly bore most of the weight, almost toppling over.

Though Consort Tongjia wasn’t heavy, her elaborate attire and headdress added significant weight. The maid was soon drenched in sweat.

"Consort Rong, we’ll do as you say."

The maid had no choice but to go along with Consort Rong’s plan, especially since Consort Rong’s own maids weren’t lifting a finger to help, just standing there holding her up. She couldn’t keep this up much longer.

"Exactly, your mistress’s health comes first," Su Yi said, looking relieved.

She’d faked illness so many times, she was getting tired of the act. It was nice to let someone else take charge for once.

However, just as they were about to leave, the main hall, which had been eerily quiet despite their earlier shouts, suddenly seemed to realize what was happening. An old matron, followed by a bunch of hefty, burly matrons, came bustling out.

They didn’t look like they were there to help—more like they had other plans.

The group quickly closed in on them, pretending to be concerned, but really cutting off any chance of escape.

Qinxin could tell something was off—these people didn’t seem friendly.

These matrons, clearly used to hard labor, were all big and burly, each strong enough to take on two maids. They hadn’t shown up earlier, but now they’d come swarming out and surrounded them.

What the hell were they up to?!

Su Yi, acting like nothing was wrong, patted Qinxin’s shoulder, telling her to stay calm. She glanced at the blazing sun; it was supposed to be a lazy day, but here they were, stuck in this mess. So annoying.

Her tone remained as gentle as ever,

"The sun’s too harsh today, and the Imperial Noble Consort’s got heatstroke. I was just about to take her back and call a doctor, especially since you all seem to have gone deaf and couldn’t hear her cries for help.

If we’d waited any longer for you to show up, the Imperial Noble Consort might’ve been in real danger. I’ve said it before—the servants in the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace have no manners, and now I’m sure of it."

Her tone was sweet, but her words were sharp.

She’d thought the Grand Empress Dowager could wait, but as soon as she saw Su Yi using the Imperial Noble Consort as an excuse to leave, she couldn’t hold back.

She could guess what the Grand Empress Dowager was thinking—that her time was running out, and she needed to settle her biggest problem fast.

With her ‘on the verge of death’ act, she could later use her illness to play the sympathy card, tug at family ties, and downplay everything.

After all, she hadn’t killed her, just taken away her ability to have kids—pretty merciful, right?

Her dear imperial grandmother was on her last legs, just trying to fulfill one final wish for peace, all for her grandson’s sake. How could she possibly harm her own grandmother?

Hmm, what a crafty old woman.

After Consort Rong’s blunt words, the matrons’ faces darkened, their eyes turning hostile.

Now that Consort Rong was in the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace, as long as things were handled properly, whatever happened in the palace wouldn’t leak out if they didn’t want it to.

Consort Rong still didn’t seem to understand the situation, daring to speak so boldly in the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace. She really didn’t know the severity of the situation.

The Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Rong had each brought only one maid with them. Now that the Imperial Noble Consort had fainted, her personal maid was too busy attending to her to be of any help.

Consort Rong had only one maid by her side, and now they were outnumbered by these specially selected stout matrons. Even if Consort Rong had some strength, with several of them rushing at her together, they were confident they could subdue her.

"Consort Rong, we’ve come out with our people to help. Since the Imperial Noble Consort has suffered from heatstroke, instead of rushing back to summon a physician, it would be better to carry her into the side hall and directly summon the physician to the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager is very concerned about the Imperial Noble Consort’s fainting," the leading matron said in a stern and rigid tone, her expression as stiff as if she had a poker face, not showing any anger at Consort Rong’s earlier words.

Consort Tongjia worried: if the imperial physician came to Cining Palace, and if the Grand Empress Dowager inquired, the physician, under her authority, might expose her feigned fainting. What could she do?

The Grand Empress Dowager would definitely use this chance to scold her, accusing her of avoiding her duties by pretending to be sick. Her reputation would be tarnished, and even the Emperor might accuse her of unfilial behavior.

If she returned to her own palace and summoned the imperial physician, she could easily get the physician to cover for her.

But now, it was obvious the Grand Empress Dowager was up to something. Earlier, no one showed up, and now they appeared at the worst possible time.

"Carry her?"

Consort Rong looked surprised.

"What’s the matter, Consort Rong? Is there a problem? The Imperial Noble Consort is unwell and needs immediate attention. Naturally, we must quickly carry her to the side hall. Is Consort Rong trying to stop this?" The old matron spoke with conviction.

"Very inappropriate," Su Yi said firmly, then quickly explained, "Anyone would think you’re talking about carrying a pig. When slaughtering a pig, it’s carried with its four legs up in the air." She kept a smile on her face.

Qinxin was sweating bullets: Her Majesty’s mouth...

Consort Tongjia, who was pretending to faint: Carry a pig?!!!! If those servants were to carry her in, wouldn’t that mean she was a pig! How dare Consort Rong say that!

The old matron’s face fell at Consort Rong’s words.

Especially those usually harsh matrons, with strange and bad tempers, who bullied young maids relying on their seniority. Their tempers were even worse now.

If it weren’t for the fact that Consort Rong was a concubine, they would have treated her like they usually did with young maids.

Now that they had received orders, they were eager to go after Consort Rong, ready to rough her up when they got her!

Then, they would see if Consort Rong’s sharp tongue could still speak.

The old matron’s face showed a strange smile, and she didn’t continue to argue with Consort Rong. She gave a signal to the people around her, and the matrons who were waiting nearby, as if they had received the signal, quickly stepped forward.

The maid supporting Consort Tongjia panicked, "Stop, what do you want to do? If you harm the Imperial Noble Consort..."

Before she could finish, she felt a lightness in her body and saw a matron snatch Consort Tongjia away. Just as the maid was about to step forward, she heard the matron say,

"I’m just helping the Imperial Noble Consort to the side hall." The matron emphasized the word 'helping,' as if refuting Consort Rong’s earlier implication of 'carrying a pig.'

Consort Tongjia: Damn servant, I had almost forgotten, why bring it up now?!

Especially since this matron was rough and careless, someone Consort Tongjia would never allow near her.

But the Grand Empress Dowager actually sent this matron to assist her, making Consort Tongjia feel slighted and even more furious.

If she weren’t pretending to faint, she would know clearly. If she were really unconscious, it was hard to imagine how she would be mistreated by these servants, completely unaware.

This really infuriated Consort Tongjia. If it weren’t for the wrong timing, she would have given this careless matron a hard slap!

At this moment, she didn’t know that the matron was in a hurry to assist her out of the encirclement to make room, so as not to accidentally harm her.

The other matrons all went for Consort Rong and Qinxin.

Qinxin wanted to stand in front of Consort Rong, but she was pulled away, no match for those stout matrons.

"What do you want to do? How dare you!" Qinxin struggled, her hair disheveled.

The head matron stood outside, saying, "We wouldn’t dare harm the ladies."

She appeared to have everything under control, "We just want to give Consort Rong a bowl of Summer Cooler Soup. Her ladyship is frail, and since Consort Tongjia has already suffered from heatstroke, I’m afraid Consort Rong might also faint from the heat.

If both ladies were to faint in the Cining Palace, it might seem as if the Grand Empress Dowager has done something to them, leading to both falling ill at once. I’m worried about the Grand Empress Dowager’s and both ladies’ reputations. Consort Rong, don’t resist."

Seeing Consort Rong held down by the maids on either side, she signaled for the prepared 'Summer Cooler Soup' to be brought over and forced down Consort Rong’s throat.

Qinxin fought hard beside them, sure this wasn’t just any Summer Cooler Soup!

If it were, why the aggressive approach, clearly hell-bent on making someone drink it.

What could they do? The maids they’d brought were all outside and hadn’t come in, likely unaware of what was happening.

Qinxin never imagined the Grand Empress Dowager would dare do something like this!

And bringing so many maids—it was clearly premeditated.

It was to make sure a few maids couldn’t pin the lady down, hence many accustomed to rough work were brought over.

The idea was, even if the lady could shake off one or two maids, could she escape a whole group?

Everyone gets tired eventually.

You have to admit, the Grand Empress Dowager’s plan was downright cunning.

Now the lady couldn’t possibly shake off those maids, Qinxin stared wide-eyed as one maid was already walking over with the so-called 'Summer Cooler Soup' toward the lady.

Consort Tongjia, pretending to faint nearby, though her eyes were closed, could tell something was off from the conversation.

This was clearly fishy.

Otherwise, why would the Grand Empress Dowager go to such lengths just to make Consort Rong drink 'Summer Cooler Soup'?

What ‘Summer Cooler Soup’—if it weren’t for the excuse of her fainting from heatstroke, it would just be called ‘Summer Cooler Soup’.

If it were another discomfort, it would likely be called some medicinal soup.

Consort Tongjia finally figured it out, probably from the beginning, the Grand Empress Dowager had them wait outside to see when Consort Rong, being so frail, would collapse.

Then, while Consort Rong was out cold and before the imperial physician arrived, she’d have the ‘Summer Cooler Soup’ forced down her throat.

Consort Rong, having fainted, wouldn’t know what happened and would drink it in a daze, and as for what she drank, the Cining Palace would never admit there was anything wrong with the Summer Cooler Soup.

Even if Consort Rong woke up and knew she had been forced to drink something while unconscious, she couldn’t point out what she drank.

There was no evidence.

She couldn’t accuse the Grand Empress Dowager of harming her and have the Emperor hold the Grand Empress Dowager accountable.

How could that be possible! She is the Emperor's own grandmother!

Even with evidence, it would be useless!

Then the imperial physician would be pressured to conceal Consort Rong’s true condition.

Consort Rong would have to swallow her anger, and couldn’t even show dissatisfaction or resentment towards the Grand Empress Dowager!

Otherwise, it would be disrespect to the Grand Empress Dowager.

How vicious! The Grand Empress Dowager’s move!

But the Grand Empress Dowager didn’t expect that after standing with Consort Rong for just a short while, she would be the one to faint, not Consort Rong.

This must have thrown the Grand Empress Dowager off balance, making her scramble to adjust her plan.

No wonder her personal maid had been yelling for ages, but no one showed up.

Then, seeing they were about to leave and not stick around, fearing Consort Rong might escape, she brought out the people she’d prepared earlier to block their path.

Even though Consort Rong hadn’t fainted, they had to cook up an excuse to force her to drink the pre-prepared 'Summer Cooler Soup.'

After piecing together this chain of events, Consort Tongjia felt a rare pang of sympathy for Consort Rong.

With so many maids on the job, Consort Rong had no hope of escaping the Cining Palace and could only surrender.

Just as she thought this, Consort Tongjia felt a bowl being shoved to her lips.

She heard the maids practically holding her up, pretending to address her personal maid,

"The Grand Empress Dowager heard Imperial Noble Consort fainted and rushed to prepare the Summer Cooler Soup. That’s why it took so long—no neglect intended. Once Imperial Noble Consort drinks this, she’ll feel much better. By the time the imperial physician arrives, she might already be recovering."

Consort Tongjia, feeling someone trying to force her mouth open: !!

Right, if she drank the Summer Cooler Soup too, and both she and Consort Rong had no issues, Consort Rong couldn’t claim the 'Summer Cooler Soup' was tainted!

And if she really fainted—whether it was real or fake—the Grand Empress Dowager likely wouldn’t bat an eye.

After all, Consort Tongjia couldn’t voice her suspicions or pin the blame on the Grand Empress Dowager.

She had no choice but to stay silent.

Or, she could exploit Consort Rong’s grievances and slander against the Grand Empress Dowager to kick her while she was down.

Either way, she couldn’t side with Consort Rong and claim the 'Summer Cooler Soup' was tainted.

Because hers might’ve been real Summer Cooler Soup, while only Consort Rong’s was fake.

It was also part of the plan: if there was a chance to bring Consort Rong down, she’d never help her up.

Because helping Consort Rong would gain her nothing, and Consort Rong would keep competing for favor, so she’d switch sides in a heartbeat.

What a plot! Even she wasn’t spared!

The one who fainted wasn’t Consort Rong, but that didn’t stop the Grand Empress Dowager from swiftly changing tactics.

She was dead set on taking down Consort Rong!

The Grand Empress Dowager had guessed right—she really wouldn’t help Consort Rong.

Even if she hadn’t truly fainted, she’d never wake up at this crucial moment to stop it.

So she didn’t clamp her mouth shut but obediently drank the Summer Cooler Soup being fed to her, silently wishing Consort Rong luck.

Su Yi, seeing the bowl of Summer Cooler Soup being brought over, slowly stopped struggling, as if she’d lost all strength.

She’d faked a struggle a few times, nearly tiring of the act. With all the chatter, they could’ve just brought it over straight away.

If she hadn’t feared they wouldn’t bring it, she wouldn’t have faked struggling, pretending she couldn’t break free, making the maids think she was trapped, ensuring the 'Summer Cooler Soup' wouldn’t spill, and then bringing it to feed Consort Rong.

This was also to stop Consort Rong from using the struggle to spill the 'Summer Cooler Soup.'

If that happens, we would have to get another bowl, and there might be unforeseen complications.

"Is this the Summer Cooler Soup?" Su Yi asked the matron who had just arrived in front of her, her previous panic now gone, speaking very calmly.

The matron felt that Consort Rong's attitude was somewhat off. She had been panicking just moments ago, but now she was calm. Had she accepted her fate?

It seems Consort Rong has come to terms with reality.

After all, Consort Rong could no longer resist; any struggle would be in vain.

These matrons were specially prepared for Consort Rong, carefully selected by the Grand Empress Dowager to handle Consort Rong's strength. Each of them was used to hard labor and had considerable strength.

The Grand Empress Dowager was indeed wise, and Consort Rong had already revealed her true capabilities.

This way, they wouldn't be taken by surprise by Consort Rong, thinking she was like those weak concubines and thus selecting maids carelessly.

All of them were replaced with sturdy, strong matrons who could definitely restrain Consort Rong!

This is good; it won't be too difficult when giving her the 'Summer Cooler Soup.'

After all, if Consort Rong doesn't cooperate, even if we manage to pour the Summer Cooler Soup into her, much of it might spill.

What if, because some of it spills, it doesn't work as intended?

"Your Ladyship understands, and this is for your own good. Please drink it willingly," the matron said with a seemingly respectful but actually forceful tone, then picked up the bowl of 'Summer Cooler Soup' and prepared to feed it to Consort Rong.

Consort Rong can be assured; this is not some deadly poison. Consort Rong won't die; not only will she not die, but she will also leave the Cining Palace unharmed.

"Your Ladyship! Someone! Quick, someone!"

Even though Qinxin was pinned to the ground and unable to move, she still screamed desperately, hoping that the maids outside the Cining Palace would hear and rush in to give Her Ladyship a moment of respite.

The old matron who had been directing things glared fiercely at Qinxin,

"Gag this maid! How dare you make such a noise in the Cining Palace! If you disturb the Grand Empress Dowager, your life won't suffice to pay for it."

If it weren't for the fact that they were busy with Consort Rong's matter, she would have had this maid slapped and her mouth beaten to a pulp for making such a racket in the Cining Palace!

The Grand Empress Dowager is unwell, and all the maids in the Cining Palace are trying to work silently, moving quietly, afraid of disturbing the Grand Empress Dowager. This maid, however, is completely ignoring that!

Following the old matron's command, Qinxin's mouth was quickly gagged with a piece of cloth, silencing her.

Finally, the troublesome maid was silenced. "Don't delay; if the Summer Cooler Soup gets cold, it won't be effective. Hurry and give it to Consort Rong," the old matron urged.

This was to prevent any unexpected complications.

"Yes," the matron holding the bowl responded, then moved to hold Consort Rong's chin to prevent her from struggling.

A faint smile appeared on Su Yi's face, and the next moment, without warning, she forcefully threw off the two matrons holding her left and right.

She did it as easily and casually as if she were tossing away two rags, showing none of the earlier struggle and panic.

"Ah!"

The two matrons were thrown heavily to the ground.

The speed was so fast that they only realized what had happened after they hit the ground. The pain made them scream out, their bodies feeling as if they had fallen apart, and they couldn't get up for a while, lying on the ground wailing in agony.

The matron holding the bowl paled at the sight. She was stunned when Consort Rong broke free from the two burly matrons and saw Consort Rong reaching out toward her.

Fearing that Consort Rong would throw her aside like she had just done with the other two matrons, the matron instinctively stepped back, wanting to turn and flee.

But Consort Rong was quick, and her target wasn’t the matron, but the bowl of 'Summer Cooler Soup'—a traditional Chinese soup believed to cool the body during hot weather.

The matron hadn’t been holding the bowl firmly, distracted by her urge to flee, and thus lost her grip on the 'Summer Cooler Soup'. It slipped from her hands.

Just as the 'Summer Cooler Soup' was about to fall to the ground and spill, it was caught mid-air by another hand.

With a single steady hand, Su Yi caught the bowl of 'Summer Cooler Soup', not a single drop of the soup inside was spilled.