Chapter 203

Chapter 203

To put it bluntly, it can be understood that the final interpretation rights belong to Su Yi.

How she wants to play, how to define the choice between two, it's all up to her.

After Su Yi finished speaking, she didn't even look at the expression of the Junior Concubine. She stood up, unable to suppress her laughter, like a child who had just pulled off a successful prank, with a charming and lively appearance.

With a malice that was both pure and innocent, it made people's spines chill and their scalps tingle.

The speed of her changing expressions was astonishing.

Earlier, she seemed to feel sorry for the Junior Concubine's miserable state, squatting down to speak gently to her, but it turned out she was just toying with her emotions.

Kangxi remained quietly watching her, his expression unchanged as usual.

After Su Yi had laughed enough, she held the blood-stained dagger and said with a somewhat troubled voice, "Who will be next? It's getting old to keep pointing around; there's no novelty in it."

No one present dared to interrupt her.

She thought for a while, then seemed to have an idea and said with a bit of excitement, "Let's ask questions then." She seemed delighted to have finally figured out how to continue the game.

Su Yi ordered the cloth gagging the guard's mouth to be removed.

In the eyes of the Junior Concubine, the once gentle Rong Noble Consort now seemed like a terrifying demon, her beautiful appearance concealing a heart as venomous as a snake's!

"Your Highness, ask me!" the Junior Concubine interjected, even if she couldn't answer, let it be her.

Seeing this, the guard lowered his head, remaining silent and hiding behind the Junior Concubine.

Since the Junior Concubine was eager to answer, it seemed he had no choice.

Rong Noble Consort was clearly targeting him. If he answered wrong or couldn't answer, he might get another stab from her, but it might not be the same for the Junior Concubine.

Despite the guard's earlier pain, he still kept an eye on the situation.

Noticing the Junior Concubine's resolute expression, Su Yi proceeded to ask, "If only one of you can live, then..." she paused, "would he let you live?"

She wasn't asking the Junior Concubine whether she would let the guard live if only one could survive.

But whether the guard would choose to let her live.

The Junior Concubine, on the verge of saying 'let Wulang live and I will die for him,' moved her lips but ultimately remained silent.

Perhaps she didn't dare to think, or perhaps she already had an answer in her heart; otherwise, she wouldn't have been stumped, unable to speak for a long time.

The guard she was protecting also looked at her in pain, his expression growing suspicious and uneasy due to her hesitation.

Unnoticed by the Junior Concubine, she was preoccupied with how to respond to Rong Noble Consort's question.

The Junior Concubine was about to say that even if Wulang let her live, she couldn't bear to let him die for her.

"Your Highness... Ah, Wulang! Why?!" Blood splattered on her face, and the Junior Concubine screamed in fright, tightly closing her eyes, her cries mingling with the guard's screams.

Su Yi had suddenly stabbed the guard's shoulder again with the dagger, and the blood splashed directly onto the Junior Concubine's face.

Now the guard had a wound on his leg and another on his shoulder, bleeding from both ends, nearly turning into a bloodied figure, his clothes soaked in blood.

"This question was originally meant for him, but you answered for him, and you answered too slowly. You shouldn't have intervened." Su Yi said leisurely, facing the Junior Concubine's nearly collapsing expression, and sheathed the dagger.

The implication is that if one rushes to answer but fails to provide a response, they will naturally be in trouble.

She also added, annoyed by the guard's noise, "If you make noise again, I'll cut out your tongue." Clearly, she has little tolerance for the guard, as she only targets him despite others screaming as well.

At this moment, no one doubts that Su Yi's words are just a threat.

If the other party continues to be so noisy, she will indeed follow through.

After all, the dagger in her hand has already been used to stab twice.

The guard, who was previously screaming in pain, now bears the excruciating pain from his wounds, not daring to scream as before. He is clearly in agony, veins bulging and sweating profusely from the pain.

The Imperial Noble Consort couldn't help but tut, finally understanding the situation.

In any case, it's the Rong Noble Consort who is in control.

That woman just wants to stab the guard; even if the Junior Concubine answers, the Rong Noble Consort will still stab him and then find another reason.

For example, if she is dissatisfied with the answer, she’ll stab him again.

In any case, he’s bound to get stabbed.

Unfortunately, although the Rong Noble Consort intends to ease the Junior Concubine’s pain, the Junior Concubine may not appreciate it and might instead resent her for harming her lover.

Tsk, the pain in the lover's body is the pain in the concubine's heart.

From this perspective, it's truly foolish to sacrifice everything for such a lowly guard.

However, the Imperial Noble Consort can’t figure out why the Emperor hasn't intervened yet. Could it be that he really intends to let the Rong Noble Consort continue like this?

She watches as the two-choice dilemma isn't over yet, wondering what will happen next.

Since Kangxi hasn't spoken, no one dares to intervene.

"He first went after you, then greedily went after my maid. My maid betrayed me because of him, and then he betrayed you to survive. What a scoundrel," Su Yi is clearly targeting the guard.

"I don't want to continue asking questions. Here's what we'll do: whoever kills the other first gets to live," Su Yi says with a smile.

This is clearly the real life-or-death choice.

Hearing this, the Junior Concubine, who was almost on the verge of despair, seems to cling to hope, "Is what Your Majesty says true?"

Su Yi smiles gently, "Of course it's true. I will give the victor a chance to survive."

The Junior Concubine is initially delighted but then starts to doubt. They have committed a crime punishable by death; although the Rong Noble Consort says she will let the survivor live, will the Emperor agree?

At this point, the Junior Concubine has to consider that even if the Rong Noble Consort offers a way to survive, if the Emperor doesn't permit it, it's still a death sentence.

"But, Your Majesty, your words don’t reflect the Emperor's will," the Junior Concubine says, no longer afraid of angering the Rong Noble Consort.

As soon as she finishes speaking, she feels a cold gaze fall upon her, and she flinches under the Emperor's icy stare.

The Emperor's gaze is as cold as if he's looking at a dead person, and the Junior Concubine can’t bring herself to look at him.

It's no wonder she has doubts; having committed such a crime, how could the Emperor possibly spare their lives? The Junior Concubine thinks sorrowfully that even if she cooperates with the Rong Noble Consort and is played like a pawn, she still cannot escape death.

Su Yi turns to look at Kangxi, "Your Majesty, what is your opinion?"

Kangxi lowers his eyelids, playing with the jade ring on his finger. The Imperial Noble Consort also nervously looks towards Kangxi. Neither of them can be allowed to live; what exactly is the Rong Noble Consort planning by offering a way to survive? Isn't she afraid of angering the Emperor?

"As the Imperial Noble Consort says."

This time, not only the Junior Concubine, but even the guard couldn't help but show a hint of joy.

The Emperor's word is law; once spoken, it cannot be changed.

After receiving the answer, Rong Noble Consort turned back to look at the Junior Concubine and the guard.

With a smile and an encouraging tone, she gently said to the Junior Concubine, "Look, he’s already been stabbed twice, his movements are slow—he can’t possibly outmatch you. Don’t be afraid, just go ahead and do it."

This extremely biased statement, along with the two previous stabs inflicted on the guard—one in the leg and one in the shoulder—essentially crippled one hand and one leg's mobility. It all seemed designed to give the Junior Concubine a greater chance of winning.

The Junior Concubine lowered her head, her thoughts unclear... She didn’t seem to know whether she had taken it in or if she could grasp this last chance for survival.

After encouraging her, Rong Noble Consort then put on a symbolic show of fairness, "For the sake of fairness, let him go."

As if she hadn’t already dealt him two severe wounds—how very fair.

Then Rong Noble Consort threw the dagger in front of the two, saying gently, "If you don’t act, you’ll both die."

Whoever delivers the final blow will be the one to survive this deadly choice.

Simple and clear.

Rong Noble Consort looked at the dried blood on the back of her hand, the once bright red blood now coagulated into a dark red-black, somewhat unbearable, her eyes filled with disgust, "Qinxin, my hands are a bit dirty, bring a basin of water."

The dagger was too short, hardly useful at all.

She’d been careful not to stain her clothes, but despite her efforts, her hands were still bloodied. If it weren’t so inappropriate, she would’ve washed her hands before continuing.

But washing her hands now would ruin the mood... So Rong Noble Consort endured it and only now called Qinxin to bring her a basin of water to wash her hands.

However, she had just thrown the life-and-death decision to the Junior Concubine and the guard, and then turned around to ask for a basin of water to wash her hands.

She didn’t take them seriously at all, as if this were just a casual game.

She no longer cared about the outcome, as if the game had already ended, turning around to walk back.

At that moment, Rong Noble Consort turned her back to them, preparing to walk away. The Junior Concubine, who had been silent and unresponsive, suddenly lunged for the dagger that had fallen to the ground.

At the same time, the guard, due to his injuries, was slower than the Junior Concubine and failed to grab the dagger.

The Junior Concubine lunged for the dagger, acting in desperation, with no time to think.

So she didn’t see the guard, whom she called Wulang, who had been a step behind and failed to grab the dagger. His expression twisted into ferocity, his eyes blazing with malice as he glared at her.

At that moment, Imperial Noble Consort, seeing the sudden turn of events, could only shout a warning—

What seemed slow unfolded in mere moments. No one expected the Junior Concubine to seize the dagger and attempt murder so suddenly. It was too late to stop her.

But someone reacted quicker than the rest, lunging forward to pull her away.

As the Junior Concubine charged with the dagger, there was the sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh.

At the same time, Su Yi's wrist was grabbed, and she suddenly lost her balance and fell in the direction of the pull. She had just fallen into Kangxi's arms when he tightly embraced her and pulled her back.

The Emperor rushed over, and Liang Jiugong's voice nearly broke with panic, "Protect His Majesty! Protect His Majesty!" He was clearly panicking.

Others gasped, unable to hide their shock.

The Junior Concubine, who had been lunging at Rong Noble Consort with a dagger, froze. Her expression froze, as if she couldn't comprehend what was happening.

Then, the Junior Concubine seemed to lose all strength. She could no longer hold onto the dagger.

The bloodied dagger slipped from her grasp and clattered to the ground.

The Junior Concubine fell to the ground alongside the dagger, while the guard was once again firmly restrained. Someone rushed to shield Kangxi and Su Yi, fearing a counterattack.

But in the current situation, a counterattack was unlikely.

As soon as the crisis passed, Su Yi was scolded.

Kangxi's face darkened, his tone sharp with urgency and anger, lacking its usual calm.

"What were you doing just standing there like an idiot!" Even as he scolded her, his eyes scanned her from head to toe.

Seeing she was unharmed and her clothes intact, he sighed in relief.

Where was her usual wit? She didn't even dodge, just stood there like an idiot.

Who does things themselves? Just give orders! We'll discuss this later!

She hated being called reckless, but look who's more reckless now.

"No," Su Yi said slowly, a bit defiant but quieter than usual. "I don't need to look back to know I'm safe." Only the toughest dare to turn their backs.

What others see as a few moments depends on the person. Not only can they react without panic, but everything seems to move in slow motion.

Even without thinking, their instincts move faster.

True strong people never look back!

This made Kangxi laugh in anger—she was still talking back, claiming true strong people never look back. She really thought she was something, enough to drive someone mad.

Kangxi said with a forced smile, "If I had known the Noble Consort was so capable, I wouldn't have bothered worrying."

He was a bit upset.

"That's not what I meant, of course your concern is appreciated." After all, he was worried about her; she couldn't be too harsh, it would hurt his feelings.

But.

Su Yi patted him and whispered, "We'll talk later."

Now wasn't the time to comfort him.

Kangxi: "?!" This little rascal is really too much!

Seeing Kangxi's expression grow even darker.

Su Yi was completely unapologetic—the whole scene was a murder scene; what kind of atmosphere was there?

The Junior Concubine lay on the ground, her body seemingly convulsing uncontrollably.

A hairpin was nearly fully embedded in her neck, blood gushing out and instantly staining her neck and clothes.

The one whose flesh was pierced turned out to be the Junior Concubine, and Wulang, the guard she called by name, was the one who did it.

She trembled, struggling to lift her hand as if to touch her wounded neck. Her eyes filled with disbelief as they locked onto Wulang. Her lips moved, trying to say "Wu... Wu," but she couldn't form a complete sentence.

She couldn't believe that the guard, the one she trusted, had killed her.

This was the same Wulang who, in moments of passion, had sworn to risk his life for her.

She had wanted to give Wulang the chance to live, unwilling to put him in a difficult position.

She hadn't truly intended to kill the Rong Noble Consort. If she had actually killed the Rong Noble Consort, not only would she have died, but Wulang would have been doomed as well.

She had only intended to wound the Rong Noble Consort so the Rong Noble Consort would hold a grudge against her, ensuring Wulang's survival.

This would also avenge the two wounds the Rong Noble Consort had inflicted on Wulang earlier.

Even if it meant her death, she would have no regrets. After all, she was already beyond saving, so she might as well give Wulang the chance to live.

But ultimately, it was Wulang, the one she had risked everything to protect, who, failing to grab the dagger, panicked and yanked the hairpin from her hair, stabbing it into her neck.

He showed no mercy, driving the hairpin deep until it was fully embedded!

That hairpin had been a token of their love, given to the Junior Concubine by Wulang when they first confessed their feelings. The Junior Concubine had accepted it, claiming it was a style she had brought with her when she entered the palace, and she wore it in her hair every day.

Now, that very hairpin, the symbol of their love, had become the instrument of her death.

Why...?

"Because you weren't that important, and he wasn't as good as you thought. You were only moved by your own feelings," Su Yi said with a gentle, fake smile, her tone calm.

This time, she neither crouched nor lowered her head. She merely glanced downward, her eyes cold and pitiless.

Had the Junior Concubine grabbed the dagger and stabbed the guard, Su Yi might have respected her more.

But even with the dagger, she chose to stab Su Yi instead. Even without the guard, Su Yi would have killed her.

Yet Su Yi mused that the Junior Concubine might have preferred to die by the guard's hand.

Naturally, Su Yi would fulfill her wish.

The Junior Concubine's eyes gradually lost their light, her trembling hand falling limp as her body, which had been twitching occasionally, finally stopped moving. She had breathed her last.

Even in death, her eyes were filled with resentment, refusing to close, still fixed on the guard.

"If you had just stabbed him in the heart after grabbing the dagger, it would have been so much better," Su Yi said in the gentlest tone, her words chilling.

Her words recalled how she wielded the dagger—swiftly and without hesitation.

The Rong Noble Consort said she would have struck the heart herself, not just the hands and legs, had she not left it for the Junior Concubine.

Ah... this!

The stark contrast was utterly chilling.

What was the Emperor thinking, letting the Rong Noble Consort be so ruthless?

But Kangxi, true to his role as Emperor, listened calmly, showing no reaction.

It really makes one feel dazed. Is this all just an overreaction?

The guard, though pinned down again and unable to move, had a contorted expression on his face. "I won! I killed her! She's dead!" he repeated, his eyes avoiding the Junior Concubine he had killed with the hairpin lying on the ground.

By now, he had already forgotten that the hairpin was something he had given to the Junior Concubine. When the dagger was snatched by her, he felt his chance to live slipping away, and his mind was filled only with the thought of killing her!

His hand reached out, trying to grab something, and when it touched the hairpin on her head, he thrust it with all his might into a fatal point!

Had it not been for the people who reacted in time to restrain him, he might have worried that the Junior Concubine wouldn't die and would have picked up the dagger to stab her again!

Seeing the Junior Concubine completely lifeless and motionless, the guard felt nothing but relief and joy, like a weight off his shoulders!

Su Yi clapped for him once, her gaze lingering on the lifeless Junior Concubine on the ground before settling on the guard. "Congratulations, the one who made it out alive..." Her tone was gentle but carried a hint of eeriness.

Once the Junior Concubine had breathed her last, someone dragged her away, and others cleaned up the bloodstains on the ground, all carried out coldly and mechanically.

Su Yi's seemingly congratulatory words didn't escape Kangxi's notice, as he detected the subtle undertone in her voice.

Just as water was brought over, Kangxi's reaction was to reach out and pull her, but he hesitated, and instead grabbed her sleeve. "Alright, wash your hands first." Clearly, he didn't want to hold her hand but had to stop her from escalating the fight.

Su Yi, cut off mid-sentence: "..."

It was like going out to play, getting your hands dirty, and not wanting to go back, only to be dragged back by someone grossed out and forced to wash your hands.

"Oh," Su Yi muttered flatly, following him to wash her hands.

Meanwhile, the guard, who thought he had committed an unforgivable crime, now walked past the Junior Concubine's corpse... and didn't have to die?

The people present couldn't help but be stunned. Such a person who deserved to die! Yet he managed to slip through the cracks and live!

Upon hearing this, the guard couldn't help but break into a grin of triumph, and even the injuries on his body didn't feel so painful anymore.

He thought he was doomed, but little did he know he could still find a way to survive!

Thanks entirely to Rong Noble Consort!

Women in the harem are so foolish, indulging in these life-and-death games, but it's also thanks to Rong Noble Consort. If it weren't for her, the Emperor wouldn't have agreed.

Now, with the Emperor's decree, as long as he was alive, no matter how severe his injuries, he could recover!

The palace maid who witnessed everything couldn't help but think: if the guard could survive by leveraging the Noble Consort's influence, what about her?!

If it was said before that everyone had to die, and if someone had to die with her, she would have accepted it, even if it meant taking someone with her.

But now, the Junior Concubine who was involved with the guard was already dead, and next it would be her turn.

Yet the guard could survive!

No! This can't be right!

How could the Noble Consort allow this!

The palace maid, who had just been frightened by Su Yi, now frantically stirred up a scene to attract attention.

Meanwhile, Su Yi was washing her hands, cleaning off the dried bloodstains on the back of her hands, then soaking them in water sprinkled with flower petals before taking the offered towel to dry her hands.

Kangxi watched from the side, like a hawk, to see if Su Yi had washed her hands properly. After she dried her hands, he calmly said, "Don't go near dirty things in the future."

It seemed like he was talking about the guard, but it wasn't just about the guard.

The Imperial Noble Consort watched everything before her with a complex expression, but ultimately lowered her eyelids to conceal her emotions. The bitterness in her heart, however, was something she couldn't ignore.

Just moments ago, when everyone else was either too slow to react or unable to stop it, the Emperor, who had been sitting calmly, moved faster than anyone else. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached out and pulled Rong Noble Consort to his side, shielding her in his arms.

You could even see a rare look of panic on the usually composed Emperor's face.

Not to mention, letting Rong Noble Consort play the game of "two choices."

Su Yi nodded, her face gentle and obedient, showing no objection.

Indeed, getting too close isn't ideal. The art of not spilling a single drop of blood still requires distance and skill. Next time, I won't let anyone use a dagger; I'll just have them use a long sword.

Kangxi: "..."

Su Yi wiped her hands with a clean handkerchief, watching the guard's expression of wild joy. Once his joy had subsided a bit, she smiled and said, "A life worse than death is still a life, isn't it?"

The rules of the "two choices" game, the rewards, and the final say all belonged to Su Yi.

She could explain it however she wanted.

Kangxi wasn't surprised at all. From the moment the Noble Consort found a reason to stab the guard twice, he knew that even if the guard survived, he wouldn't fare well.

But if the Junior Concubine had truly killed the guard and survived, the result would have been different.

At this thought, Kangxi's expression darkened even more.

After speaking, Su Yi didn't even bother to look at the guard again. Her smile faded, and a touch of impatience showed on her face.

She was getting a bit impatient.

The guard, who had clearly grasped the deeper meaning behind Su Yi's words, suddenly lost his look of wild joy. His eyes bulged, filled with fear and hatred as he glared at Su Yi, unwilling and resentful.

"You...! Mmm! Mmm!"

Before he could finish, someone quickly shoved a cloth into his mouth to prevent him from uttering disrespectful words.

He had been fooled!!!

Rong Noble Consort wasn't planning to let him off!

That bitch!

Kangxi gave a cold glance at the guard's expression, his gaze as sharp as ice.

He disliked the way the guard was looking at the Noble Consort. Being allowed to live was already a mercy, yet he dared to feel resentful.

"The Noble Consort is right. You should be thanking her for her grace."

As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, someone made the guard kneel and kowtow in thanks.

"As for that palace maid, execute her by beating." Kangxi's tone was calm and decisive, devoid of any unnecessary emotion.

Liang Jiugong, observing the Emperor's expression, waved his hand, signaling for everyone to be taken away so as not to further disturb the masters. The guard, however, would be kept for later punishment.