Chapter 168

Chapter 168

"Me?" Kangxi pointed at himself, seemingly unaware of how Consort Rong had brought the conversation back to him.

"Yes," Su Yi nodded firmly.

"Consort Hui, me, and the Noble Consort are all very anxious about this matter, concerned about what the conferred rank will be," Su Yi said, somewhat embarrassed, as she lightly tapped Kangxi.

If it weren't for the fact that this news had been kept under wraps and not finalized, would there be so much fuss?

It's quite tantalizing, like stirring up trouble here.

Consort Hui suddenly looked at Consort Rong, who had actually mentioned this issue in front of the Emperor!

But it must be said that Consort Rong had also asked what she wanted to know, so Consort Hui also looked at the Emperor, wondering if he would reveal anything.

Kangxi was truly caught off guard this time, receiving a light tap that almost made him cough. Fearing another playful tap from Consort Rong, Kangxi smiled and naturally held her hand, "Alright, I know you're anxious, but there are many preparations needed for the official ceremony, it can't be rushed."

Kangxi was a smart man; he was well aware of the turmoil in the harem. The Noble Consort's anxiety was genuine, but as for Consort Hui, her demeanor suggested everything was already settled.

Only Consort Rong, he hadn't realized that she was also anxious.

He had been so present in front of Consort Rong, Kangxi had even thought about how to tease her if she probed about the rank issue, to make her feel a bit of tension.

But it turned out to be unnecessary!

Su Yi didn't believe a word of it; the promotion to consort was secondary, what everyone was really concerned about was whether there would be a conferment of Empress.

"And then?" Kangxi asked gently, effectively changing the subject.

Hearing this, Consort Hui was a bit disappointed. Although she knew the Emperor wouldn't easily reveal anything, she couldn't help but hope.

"Then, Consort Hui was worried that the Noble Consort and I would bully her in the future, so she thought about trying to win me over to her side, or at least not get too close to the Noble Consort, preferably to be on bad terms."

"Consort Rong!" Hearing that Consort Rong had shifted the blame onto her, Consort Hui quickly scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting, sister? Do not fabricate things." She looked at Consort Rong with a warning in her eyes.

This look was completely unnoticed by Su Yi, who was unaffected.

It didn't affect her performance at all; today was all about causing a stir, causing a stir!!

"But I definitely firmly refused her, how could I hurt the Noble Consort's feelings for Consort Hui's sake, that's impossible! Consort Hui came to my door putting on airs, I won't fall for her tricks."

Thinking that the Noble Consort would know about her firm stance and be very moved, such a significant moment couldn't be kept secret, it had to be shared with the Noble Consort later, Su Yi felt quite smug inside.

Kangxi gritted his teeth secretly: this mischievous one really can't go a sentence without mentioning the Noble Consort!

"Consort Rong! What nonsense are you spouting, I don't know why you would say such things in front of the Emperor. Your Majesty, today I merely visited Yonghe Palace for a simple chat with Consort Rong, it wasn't as she described, trying to win her over."

Consort Hui hurriedly explained, she couldn't let Consort Rong spread falsehoods in front of the Emperor.

Does Consort Rong really lack common sense, how dare she say such things in front of the Emperor!

But Consort Hui was genuinely worried that the Emperor would believe Consort Rong's words.

Now that the ranks have not yet been decided, the imperial edict could be altered at any time before it's issued!

If the Emperor were swayed by Consort Rong's words, that would be a disaster. Consort Hui was anxious but had to maintain her composure; showing panic might be taken as a sign of guilt. Knowing Consort Rong was a difficult person, she might as well have chosen the Noble Consort!

But now it was too late for regrets.

"You deliberately took a detour near Jingren Palace to come to Yonghe Palace—you must have gone through quite some trouble. Instead of taking the short path, you chose to go around in circles. Consort Rong is still ill, and you intentionally took this route to make her overthink. What are your intentions?" Su Yi said with a cold tone.

Consort Hui had fully experienced how difficult to deal with Consort Rong could be. It was strange how some people always ended up losing out when dealing with her.

Consort Rong simply didn’t follow any rules, jumping from one topic to another, yet she always managed to hit where it hurts.

"I simply felt like taking a different path. With so many paths available in the palace, am I only allowed to take one to your Yonghe Palace?" Consort Hui said indifferently, implying that this was just Consort Rong overthinking things, and she hadn’t considered it that much.

She could never admit it in front of the Emperor. As long as she didn’t acknowledge it, even if Consort Rong said something, there was no proof to show she had done it on purpose. It was all just Consort Rong’s speculation.

She had indeed thought about attempting to ally with Consort Rong, but that was in the past. Now, she could no longer entertain such ideas!

Who knows when Consort Rong might suddenly lose her temper and turn against her.

Kangxi listened without showing any reaction, and it was unclear whether he had understood it or not. In any case, there was no visible response.

Su Yi didn’t even look her way and continued, "After Consort Hui and I parted on bad terms, she immediately went to the Eldest Prince and hinted at her grievances, stirring up his dissatisfaction with me.

Then, after finding out that the Emperor would be testing the Eldest Prince and the Crown Prince’s archery skills in the afternoon, she sent a message to the Eldest Prince’s study companion.

Hinting that if he performed well, he could suggest to the Emperor that he visit Consort Hui. The Eldest Prince, remembering that Consort Hui was in a bad mood, would likely agree.

However, the Eldest Prince couldn’t help but add a few more comments."

Su Yi paused and looked at the Eldest Prince, "I didn’t expect Baocheng to lose his temper and strike you."

The Eldest Prince wanted to say that Consort Rong was making things up, but the truth was, it was exactly as Consort Rong had said. The study companion suggested that if he performed well, he could take advantage of the Emperor’s good mood and invite him to dine at Yanxi Palace, which would surely make his mother happy.

But then he thought about how Consort Rong seldom saw the Emperor, and it was all because of Consort Rong. If it weren’t for her, the Emperor would visit his mother more often, and she wouldn’t be so upset by Consort Rong. Feeling indignant for his mother, he voiced his displeasure about Consort Rong.

The Crown Prince suddenly charged at him and struck him, and in his anger, he fought back with the Crown Prince.

But how could Consort Rong have known? At the time, only the Crown Prince, who was nearby, heard it. The study companion wouldn’t have said anything, and everyone around only saw them suddenly start fighting.

Su Yi looked at Consort Hui, seeing her pale face, but she herself smiled gently and said, "Consort Hui, are you starting to worry because Baocheng and I are close?"

The Eldest Prince didn’t quite understand the meaning behind Consort Rong’s words.

After all, it was something that would only matter much later. It was normal that he couldn’t grasp the implications now, but Consort Hui’s back was already sweating, and her blood felt as if it had frozen.

"Your Majesty, it seems there are many individuals who want to become the Empress Dowager," Su Yi said casually, as if making a light-hearted remark.

Everyone is hoping you’ll pass on soon.

Kangxi was almost infuriated by Consort Rong’s final remark. Yes, I see you’re one of them.

She really dares to say anything.

Kangxi’s expression also turned unpleasant. He was about to sternly reprimand her, telling her not to speak so recklessly. Who else would dare to be so venomous with their words?

"Consort Rong!"

"Wait a moment, I still have a little bit left to say. Let me finish before you scold me," Su Yi hadn’t concluded yet. She was almost done, and she didn’t want her rhythm interrupted.

"Hurry up—" At this point, Kangxi realized he couldn’t rush her. She wouldn’t like it, so he changed his tone, though it still sounded displeased, "Continue." But he let her finish the last bit.

To avoid her throwing a tantrum later.

"Mere words aren’t sufficient. Just now, I mentioned the people involved in the matter, those who gathered information, and even the Eldest Prince’s study companion. On my way here, I conveniently brought them all along. They’re now at the Qianqing Palace."

At this moment, Kangxi suddenly remembered the content of the report Xiao Yunzi had just brought in. Consort Rong must have been up to something else. He initially wanted to ask directly, but after some thought, he was afraid she might stir up more trouble. "Liang Jiugong, go and check."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll go and check right away." Liang Jiugong understood immediately and quickly left.

Consort Hui's expression was beyond just unpleasant; she hadn't expected Consort Rong to have already figured out everyone involved before arriving. Otherwise, how would she have known!

Consort Rong wasn't just rushing over; she had clearly come prepared!

Consort Hui even wondered if Consort Rong had been targeting her all along, digging a pit and waiting for her to jump in!

The Crown Prince was still a bit slow to react, but gradually, he seemed to understand, unsure of how to respond.

The Crown Prince glanced at Consort Hui, wanting to ask if it wasn't true, if it wasn't as Consort Rong had said.

The little milk dragon also looked somewhat dazedly at Su Yi, thinking how impressive Consort Rong was, leaving Consort Hui speechless.

Su Yi patted his head, about to say something kind, but seeing the little milk dragon's originally delicate and cute face now bruised here and there, her gaze shifted, and she simply said, "Learn from this; never act rashly when something comes up."

The little milk dragon was about to nod when Kangxi, without a word, pulled him out.

He had been holding back for a while; how could a boy act so pitiful and coquettish when something happened? Earlier, Consort Rong had looked at the boy's pitiful expression with great heartache. If Kangxi had told him to stand properly then, he would have received two pairs of dissatisfied looks.

Now he finally found the right opportunity to pull him out.

He scolded irritably, "Don't pick up bad habits from Consort Rong! She herself is rather impulsive, yet she teaches you not to be rash."

If he followed her example, wouldn't he have even more headaches?

Consort Rong herself is rather impulsive; where does she get the confidence to teach Baocheng to follow her example? Wouldn't that just lead to chaos?

The little milk dragon reluctantly said "Oh," agreeing verbally but still feeling unconvinced.

Consort Rong is clearly very smart; it's the Emperor who is foolish, otherwise why wouldn't he have seen through the true nature of that bad woman Consort Hui.

Earlier, when Consort Hui came in and quietly scolded Baocheng for being poorly raised without a mother, she then turned around and pretended to be pitiful!

The foolish Emperor actually believed it! Not wise at all.

He hadn't reconciled with the Emperor yet and was still angry. The little milk dragon sat upright, keeping his distance from Kangxi.

The Emperor, labeled foolish by his own son: "..." His hand itched again—what to do?

He wanted to observe how Baocheng would deal with such a situation, but who would have thought he'd become stubborn and insist he was right.

He should at least explain himself.

"Yes, I can be a bit rash, you're right, so..." Su Yi looked at Kangxi, not arguing with him, and directly admitted that she was a bit rash.

"Stop," Kangxi raised his hand warily to stop her from saying anything nice.

Consort Rong's reaction only underscored the problem, making Kangxi immediately wary.

Usually, if she hadn't caused any trouble, she wouldn't say nice things. This sudden shift to gentleness made him feel deeply uneasy, uneasy all over.

At this moment, Liang Jiugong hurried back, hesitating whether to approach the Emperor and whisper or to speak openly.

Kangxi initially wanted Liang Jiugong to speak directly, but after glancing at the Crown Prince and Consort Hui, and seeing Liang Jiugong's expression, he decided to have Liang Jiugong approach and speak.

As Kangxi listened, he couldn't help but glance at the now quietly seated Consort Rong, as calm as a maiden.

As soon as he looked at her, Consort Rong tilted her head with an innocent expression, as if she hadn’t done anything wrong, her hand stealthily trying to slip out of Kangxi’s grasp. Kangxi reached out and lightly tapped the back of her hand.

After hearing what Liang Jiugong reported about the situation outside, Kangxi was not at all surprised. This was exactly the kind of thing Consort Rong would do. He knew she had been waiting for this moment.

"Have the people been let down?"

Liang Jiugong quickly nodded, "Yes, they have been let down. Alas, it was quite cruel."

Consort Rong had ordered those people to be strung up, one by one like skewers. There happened to be a large tree in the Qianqing Palace, which was more than sufficient to hang a few people.

The cruel part was that they weren’t fully suspended; their toes just barely touched the ground. After that, she had the maids remove their shoes and socks and tickle their feet with feathers, making them want to burst into laughter, but she had stuffed cloth strips into their mouths.

Truly, they couldn’t even laugh out loud, which is why it was so quiet. If they had been beaten, at least there would have been some sound.

It was quite cruel indeed.

Kangxi glanced at Consort Rong, who appeared to be searching for something. Worried that something else might happen, he asked her, "What are you looking for? Let the maids help you search for it."

"I’m looking for my bracelet," Su Yi lifted her other hand, her wrist was bare.

Hearing this, Kangxi frowned slightly and looked at her wrist, "How careless of you. Was it white? I just saw you wearing it; where could it have gone?"

Liang Jiugong had already started crouching down to help search. White should be quite noticeable; if it had fallen here, it should be easy to spot.

"It was right here; where did it go?" Su Yi pursed her lips, looking quite unhappy.

It seemed she really liked that bracelet, which is why she was upset about losing it. Seeing this, Kangxi told her he remembered there were still a few pieces of high-quality mutton-fat jade, and they could make another bracelet just like it.

The little milk dragon also wanted to help search, but his knees were hurting, causing him to stumble. Liang Jiugong quickly steadied him, "Crown Prince, such minor matters should be left to us servants. Please sit down and rest."

If he were to fall, it would be a catastrophe.

Liang Jiugong thought to himself, shouldn’t white be very noticeable? Why haven’t we found it yet?

He then called two maids to help search, but they still couldn’t find it.

Consort Hui watched as Consort Rong simply lost a bracelet, yet the Emperor immediately noticed and asked her what was wrong.

He even remembered that the bracelet Consort Rong wore was white, noticing the jewelry she wore. The Emperor had never been one to notice such things before.

He called Consort Rong careless, but now he immediately had the maids come in to look for her bracelet.

Consort Hui bit her lip, feeling deeply resentful.

But she was already old, how could she compete with Consort Rong?

Even if she had the will, she lacked the strength. Even if she were still in her prime, she might not be able to win.

All she could hold onto was the Eldest Prince; he was her only support!

Lost in her thoughts, Consort Hui suddenly felt something strange at her feet, as if something was wrapping around her ankle. She looked down and saw something white, like a rope, coiled around her ankle.

Consort Hui looked closer and saw fine scales, a triangular head, and a long forked tongue.

It was a white snake!!

Not a rope at all!

"Ah!! A snake!! Where did it come from? Get it away, ah!! Someone help!"

Consort Hui, raised in the inner palace, could accept keeping small pets like cats and dogs, but seeing a snake naturally terrified her.

She screamed in panic, leapt from her seat, and stomped her feet frantically. In her flowerpot shoes, she wobbled like a Weeble but somehow didn’t fall.

The palace maids who had just entered were also afraid of snakes and hesitated for a moment, but they had no choice but to step forward and drive it away.

If anything happened to Consort Hui, it would be a disaster. So, they grabbed whatever cleaning tools were at hand and tried to shoo the snake away.

The Eldest Prince wanted to step in and chase the snake off, but Consort Hui, with her eyes tightly shut, kept stomping her feet and didn’t notice his attempt to help. She kept dodging and moving around, making it impossible for the Eldest Prince to assist her.

"Mother, calm down first," the Eldest Prince urged anxiously. His mother kept moving around, and he couldn’t hold her steady.

"You’ve got some quick feet there," Su Yi remarked leisurely as she watched Consort Hui frantically stomping her feet.

"Quit jumping, it’s long gone."

As she spoke, the little white snake had already slipped away from Consort Hui’s feet, though Consort Hui, still in a panic, continued to stomp.

The little white snake crawled toward Su Yi, who smoothly reached out her hand. The snake coiled around her wrist on its own.

It was just about an arm’s length and as thick as a finger—a small snake with pure white scales, without a single blemish. Coiled around her wrist and hidden under her sleeve, it looked just like a white "bracelet."

But the snake’s head and flicking tongue made it clear this wasn’t your average "bracelet."

Su Yi looked down at it and said, "Why did you go over there? You almost got squished." It was so tiny that one stomp would’ve turned it into a squished, gooey mess.

Kangxi frowned hard as he eyed Consort Rong’s "bracelet." "Where did you get this white snake?"

He hadn’t been paying attention, and now she’d stirred up trouble again. Luckily, Consort Rong hardly ever left Yonghe Palace. If this kept happening, Kangxi’s head would really hurt—heck, it already did.

"I found it in the Imperial Garden. It looked so pretty, all white, with scales that gleamed in the light. It followed me, and since it’s so tiny, I figured it wouldn’t be a problem, so I took it with me."

Su Yi affectionately stroked the snake, which lay docilely in her hand, its small black eyes looking rather silly.

"I want to keep it."

She now seemed like a mischievous kid who, without warning, brings home little critters to keep.

Kangxi felt just like an exasperated parent and immediately protested, "No, it’s too dangerous." Cats and dogs were one thing, but a snake? Kangxi wasn’t having it. Who in the palace would dare keep such a thing?

Though the snake seemed tame now, its fangs and possible venom were worrying. What if it suddenly turned aggressive and bit someone?

Realizing that outright refusal might provoke her, Kangxi decided to soften his tone and speak more patiently. Sometimes, Consort Rong could be reasoned with.

Consort Hui, who had just barely recovered, felt as though her life had been half scared out of her by the white snake.

Drenched in cold sweat and supported by her maids, her legs were still weak.

Then, seeing the white snake crawl toward Consort Rong, it seemed oddly affectionate toward her, showing no signs of aggression. Meanwhile, Consort Hui herself had been nearly scared out of her wits by the little white snake!

Clearly, Consort Rong had brought it in—it was her so-called "bracelet"!

It was Consort Rong’s doing again!

"Consort Rong! How could you bring a snake into the palace? What if it’s venomous and goes on a rampage, biting people?!"

"Now, I’ve only been frightened, but what if the snake bites His Majesty?!"

"Your Majesty, please stay away from the snake. If it harms you, it would be disastrous! Consort Rong’s reckless behavior shows she doesn’t care about Your Majesty’s safety or that of the princes! We must have this snake killed immediately!"

Su Yi looked at the agitated Consort Hui, whose gaze seemed to want to tear her apart, and raised her delicate eyebrows, "Done pretending?"

Her words had a double meaning, pointing out both the fake skin she clung to and her pretended foot injury.

Consort Hui was caught off guard, at a loss for words, her earlier fervor quickly fading.

She had been moving freely amidst the chaos caused by the little white snake, knowing full well she had just pretended to have a sprained foot after being pushed by the Crown Prince. Now, being able to jump around, wasn't she contradicting herself?!

"Your Majesty, I only had a slight discomfort in my foot, but it's much better now, nothing serious."

"Hmph." The little milk dragon snorted at this moment, not only pretending to be pitiful but also feigning injury!

Kangxi had long known that Consort Hui was pretending, so he wasn't surprised.

However, "No changing the subject, no keeping it. Guogaitou doesn't like snakes." Kangxi was well aware of her tactics; if he didn't speak first, she would silently assume it was okay to keep it, and then by the time he visited Yonghe Palace, there would be another white snake.

Though it's just a little white snake now, what if it grows into a big snake? Wouldn't that be scary? Just look at Guogaitou.

It was just a tiny kitten before, but now look at it! None of the cats in the cat and dog quarters are as fat as Guogaitou.

Thinking he had been too firm earlier, Kangxi added, as if it was his final concession, "If you want to keep it, then send Guogaitou away and pull out all the teeth of the white snake first. Yonghe Palace already has too many pets. Choose between Guogaitou and the white snake. I still... quite like Guogaitou."

He wasn't entirely sincere with that last part.

"...Then it's Guogaitou."

Seeing that he had finally dissuaded Consort Rong from wanting to keep the little white snake, Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief, his tone pleased, "Good girl."

To avoid further complications, he said, "It's getting late. You're not well and shouldn't stay up late, so go back and rest. I'll handle things here. I'll have someone escort you back, and on the way, release the snake."

He needed to remind Consort Rong to release the snake on the way back, or she might casually bring it back to Yonghe Palace and change her mind again. Kangxi had to stop this before it started.

"Don't you trust me? I said I chose Guogaitou."

Kangxi said gently, "I trust you," patting her hand reassuringly. Then he had Liang Jiugong arrange for a clever person to escort Consort Rong back.

Su Yi was very dissatisfied: "..." Trusted, but not completely.