Chapter 202

Chapter 202

Su Yi instructed the guards to release the Junior Concubine, who was visibly weak.

The guards stepped back upon seeing this.

What was Rong Noble Consort planning? If it was out of pity, why was she clutching a dagger? Surely, it wasn’t just for intimidation.

This dagger wasn’t a toy—what if someone got hurt?

Kangxi was closely watching the actions of this troublemaker. Why the need to touch her while talking? Was it out of pity?

His lips pressed into a thin line, his stern gaze and oppressive aura unmistakable.

Even after being released, the Junior Concubine, who had been restrained, knelt weakly.

The Junior Concubine, who had been laughing almost maniacally, now wore a look of desolation. She turned her head away, avoiding Su Yi’s hand, and sneered, "Isn’t that the truth?"

Her gaze toward Rong Noble Consort was a mix of sorrow and resentment.

Rong Noble Consort was lofty and powerful, while she, even at her best, was merely an insignificant Junior Concubine. Women like her were a dime a dozen in the harem, with no hope of advancement.

The palace was a lonely, unbearable place. Perhaps she would grow old in the palace, her beauty fading, with no chance of rising.

Ever since Rong Noble Consort entered the palace, even the faintest hope had vanished.

Even the high-ranking concubines were powerless, let alone Junior Concubines like her—there was no way out.

If not for Rong Noble Consort, she wouldn’t be in this state today!

Perhaps driven by desperation, she finally spoke up.

Su Yi listened quietly, her expression unchanged as the Junior Concubine vented her resentment. She concluded, "It seems we’re truly different."

"Isn’t this the Emperor’s fault? Why not resent him? Are you afraid?" she asked, her smile unwavering.

The Emperor is just one man, dividing his time among so many that even a month isn’t enough.

Without exclusive favor, even with equal attention, one man can’t satisfy everyone.

Isn't this the man’s fault?

Kangxi’s expression darkened at her words. Was this troublemaker seizing the chance to criticize him?

Imperial Noble Consort listened, her heart racing. She always knew Su Yi was trouble, but this was truly alarming. How could she speak so recklessly?!

Seeing the Emperor's face darken, looking extremely gloomy.

Who would dare to resent the Emperor? Was that not courting death?

Su Yi's dangerous remarks, though she appeared gentle and rational, were even more... ahem, shocking than the seemingly deranged Junior Concubine.

The Junior Concubine, who had been mocking and filled with endless resentment, was suddenly at a loss for words.

It was like a balloon full of air being suddenly deflated.

"However, whether to blame or not is your problem. You need to overcome it yourself. If you can't, I have no solution for you," Su Yi said gently, as if offering some kind of understanding advice.

Overcome it yourself??

This is so typical of the Imperial Noble Consort, exactly the kind of thing she would say.

Kangxi quickly grasped the little rascal's line of thinking.

The Junior Concubine's earlier words were all about blaming her, but is this little rascal the type to admit fault and take the blame?

If she were really like that, Kangxi wouldn't be so often driven to frustration!!

She would immediately deflect the blame; in short, it's never her fault.

Initially, the Rong Noble Consort's gentle gaze even held a hint of pity, but just now, even the pleas of a maid who once served her failed to move her. Pleading seems to have little effect.

Perhaps a different approach might work.

The Rong Noble Consort is indeed deeply favored, and such a favored person, if she were to speak a few words on her behalf, might even secure a dignified death for her.

It must be said, in this harem, not a single woman is simple, not even a mere Junior Concubine.

Yet, the Rong Noble Consort's reaction was quite unexpected.

The earlier words had no impact on her whatsoever.

The Junior Concubine's eyes dimmed, her previously agitated emotions now deflated.

The Rong Noble Consort is truly a... complex person.

"Let's get back to our earlier topic," Su Yi gently redirected the conversation, toying with a dagger in her hand.

The earlier game of choosing between two options.

"That guard is two-timing, not particularly good-looking, but quite the charmer," Su Yi said with a smile, her tone somewhat playful.

As she spoke, her hand holding the dagger suddenly plunged into the guard's thigh.

Blood instantly gushed out, compounding his injuries.

Even a drop of blood splashed onto Su Yi's wrist, the red drop stark against her fair skin, strikingly vivid.

This sudden action shocked everyone present.

One moment she was smiling, the next it was a scene of carnage.

The Imperial Noble Consort, who had been smiling so gently, suddenly stabbed someone without even flinching, her expression unchanged.

The gentler the smile, the more brutal the stab!

The guard, suddenly stabbed, even with his mouth gagged, let out a muffled roar, his neck veins bulging as he struggled violently.

The people holding him were also caught off guard by the Rong Noble Consort's sudden move, reacting a moment too late.

By the time they reacted, they almost lost their hold, nearly letting him break free.

Fortunately, another person who had been holding the Junior Concubine, having stepped back earlier, quickly stepped forward to help, preventing him from breaking free.

Even so, both had to exert considerable strength to keep the guard, writhing in pain, firmly pinned down.

The Junior Concubine, terrified by Su Yi's action, turned pale, covered her mouth, and couldn't help but scream, rushing forward, crying out, "Wulang!" followed by another exclamation, "Ah!!"

Because Su Yi pulled out the dagger, the wound, no longer blocked by the blade, started gushing blood like a faucet.

The Junior Concubine frantically tried to stop the gushing blood with her hands.

Tears that had already dried up began to flow again, her eyes filled with undeniable worry.

Compared to the feigned resentment earlier, the Junior Concubine's gaze at Su Yi now was one of genuine hatred and anger, blaming her for hurting the one she loved.

It was the kind of hatred that made her want to devour Su Yi's flesh and drink her blood.

This was far more real than the earlier feigned sorrow.

The blood from the guard's leg quickly pooled on the ground, and the smell of blood in the air became overwhelming.

The metallic stench turned people pale and made them nauseous.

The maid who had once served the Rong Noble Consort was so frightened that she couldn't help but back away in fear.

Even though she was restrained, she desperately wanted to escape—or better yet, stay as far from the Rong Noble Consort as possible.

Earlier, despite having served the Rong Noble Consort for so long, her pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Yet, the Rong Noble Consort seemed to be moved by the Junior Concubine, which made the maid burn with resentment. Now, she prayed the Rong Noble Consort would simply forget her existence.

Just... just ignore her!

If even the guard ended up like this, what hope did she have?

She had... betrayed her mistress, and she had no idea how the Rong Noble Consort would punish her. The more the maid thought about it, the more terrified she became, her face ashen.

Stabbing someone in the thigh might not seem the most brutal act, but coming from someone so gentle, the contrast was bone-chilling.

After all, the ladies in the palace usually just gave orders for others to carry out; they rarely got their hands dirty themselves!

Unaware of the terror she had caused, Su Yi held the bloodied dagger, glanced at the stains on her hand, and muttered with mild annoyance, "I’ll need to wash this off later."

Only the sight of her bloodied hands shattered the Rong Noble Consort's gentle facade.

Now, even the Rong Noble Consort's painting-like beauty sent shivers down one's spine.

No one could have guessed, as the Rong Noble Consort smiled and spoke so sweetly, that she would suddenly plunge a dagger into someone.

The Imperial Noble Consort nearly leapt from her seat in shock.

She was utterly shaken to her core!

She had warned everyone before—this woman, the Rong Noble Consort, was downright terrifying when provoked!!

Instantly, the Imperial Noble Consort recalled the time the Rong Noble Consort had wreaked havoc in the Cining Palace. A dozen burly maids had tried to restrain her, only to be beaten to a pulp by the Rong Noble Consort.

Back then, the Imperial Noble Consort had been so terrified that she feigned unconsciousness, afraid the Rong Noble Consort might turn on her next.

Why else would the Imperial Noble Consort have so readily accepted the Rong Noble Consort's gestures of goodwill, if not to feign cooperation and stay vigilant for her own safety?

Truth be told, it was purely out of self-preservation.

The Emperor had suppressed the news back then, so no one knew just how ruthless the Rong Noble Consort could be.

It was only after the Imperial Noble Consort gradually became accustomed to the Rong Noble Consort's casual, lazy, and easygoing demeanor that she finally stopped remembering how terrifying this woman could be.

The Imperial Noble Consort even dared to act a little spoiled and throw small tantrums in front of her without getting beaten, which made her grow a bit bolder.

But now, this incident dragged the Imperial Noble Consort back to the chilling memory of the Rong Noble Consort's true nature!

There was no bloodshed before!

Now it’s different—blood is spilled, and knives are drawn.

The Imperial Noble Consort should have known—when the Rong Noble Consort asked for the dagger, she should have realized it would be used!

Is this how a cursed choice is made?!

Seeing the Rong Noble Consort so ferocious, wouldn’t the Emperor...? The Imperial Noble Consort instinctively glanced toward the Emperor.

Damn it, the Emperor’s expression wasn’t as grim as before!?

Unsure if she saw it correctly, the Emperor’s mouth seemed to curl slightly. The Imperial Noble Consort blinked hard, trying to see more clearly—or maybe she was mistaken, and it wasn’t curling at all.

“He betrayed you, and you still pity him?” Su Yi asked, sounding surprised as she noticed the Junior Concubine’s obvious concern.

Earlier, while watching from the side, Su Yi noticed the palace maid occasionally glancing at the injured guard. Despite her own peril, she still subconsciously looked his way.

In contrast, the Junior Concubine never once glanced at the guard beside her, even when she was specifically chosen during the selection.

She deliberately avoided looking, drawing attention to herself instead.

A hint of relief flashed in the guard’s eyes—he wasn’t the one chosen.

Approaching with a dagger to select someone, it seemed the chosen one was doomed.

If Su Yi hadn’t suddenly struck the guard, the Junior Concubine would still be avoiding his gaze.

“Why did Your Highness attack him? It was clearly me who was chosen!” The Junior Concubine, seeing the blood flow endlessly from between her fingers, shouted with a distraught expression, shielding the guard.

Su Yi looked at her, her tone still gentle, “Silly, the one chosen isn’t the one who’s doomed.”