Chapter 214

Chapter 214

It hasn't been long since that incident, and it's hard for the Junior Concubine to forget. "But!" That night, before she could even react, Rong Noble Consort had already sent her to find Xiao Hesheli!

"You should respond when spoken to," Su Yi said gently, her tone soft and fitting her delicate appearance.

But it wasn't truly as gentle as water.

"I waited for you all night; how could you leave me waiting in vain?"

Su Yi spoke with unwavering confidence, not caring whether it angered anyone. Although she wasn't really waiting for the other to return, there was nothing wrong with saying so.

The Junior Concubine hadn't anticipated things turning out this way. Clearly, Rong Noble Consort had a hand in it, yet now she acted as if it was all her fault.

She even blamed her for not responding promptly and failing to return to Rong Noble Consort's side before dawn to continue being used?!

What kind of reasoning is this?!

Isn't it more problematic to obediently return and be exploited without any resistance?!

The Junior Concubine trembled with anger, as if on the verge of speaking, but she had to hold her tongue to avoid offending Rong Noble Consort.

"It's my fault for not returning promptly and keeping you waiting..." she said, lowering her head, not offering any excuses, appearing submissive.

"It's alright," Su Yi said forgivingly, exuding a saintly aura, looking at her with gentle and focused eyes, speaking in a tone that sounded utterly selfless. "It's good that you came back. After all, I like you."

It was as if she were saying, 'It doesn't matter if you made a mistake; I'm truly glad you came back. Nothing else matters because I like you.'

Others might find this endearing, but the Junior Concubine felt deeply mocked.

Even though she no longer needed to eat, she still felt a pang of stomachache!

And this is how Rong Noble Consort shows her affection? Who could endure this?!

Though the Junior Concubine didn't voice her thoughts, her expression spoke volumes.

"Your expression suggests you don't believe me," Su Yi said with a troubled look, her delicate demeanor resembling a young girl unsure of how to handle her feelings.

"Why is that?" she asked.

The Junior Concubine was at a loss for words. The other's unconventional questioning left her feeling extremely awkward, uncertain of what Rong Noble Consort was implying.

"Your Majesty..." the Junior Concubine began, but then she saw Rong Noble Consort clap her hands as if struck by a thought, beckoning her closer.

The Junior Concubine froze momentarily, uncertain of Rong Noble Consort's intentions. Although she was reluctant to approach, not doing so might provoke Rong Noble Consort's displeasure. After considering her options, the Junior Concubine decided to approach.

After all, she had gone through so much trouble to return, and she couldn't risk angering her now. Suppressing her discomfort, she rose and approached, kneeling beside her with her head bowed, exuding submission.

Su Yi extended her hand, palm up, waiting patiently and gently for the other to place her hand in hers.

This was clearly no time for hesitation, and the Junior Concubine hesitated little. She extended her hand, lightly placing it on the other's palm, avoiding direct contact.

But this was a minor concern, not worth worrying about.

Because nothing like that happened.

Su Yi gently held the other's hand, which had been scorched by the sun, leaving behind blackened marks, as if afraid of hurting her.

As Rong Noble Consort gently held the Junior Concubine's hand, her alertness peaked.

Uncertain of Rong Noble Consort's intentions, any action by Rong Noble Consort put her on edge, even though Rong Noble Consort seemed all sweet and harmless now.

Who knew if Rong Noble Consort would change her face the next second?

Just as Junior Concubine was constantly speculating in her heart, the changes in her body caught her off guard. Her soul body, damaged by sunburn, was slowly healing, and the marks of the burn were gradually fading away, returning to the state before the burn.

Unseen by her, as the sunburn injuries healed completely, a flame mark slowly appeared at the position of the dead wound on her neck.

"Feeling any better?" Su Yi asked softly, with a hint of doting in her tone, "Next time, steer clear of the sun, and don't go pulling any stunts."

At least now it didn't look so bad.

After the stick comes the carrot, of course, this makes it easier to keep them in line, if they play along.

At this thought, Su Yi's eyes gleamed.

"Much better, thank you, Noble Consort. I understand," Junior Concubine answered cautiously, stunned by how effortlessly Rong Noble Consort had restored her.

Rong Noble Consort's last words left Junior Concubine feeling physically healed but emotionally wounded.

It wasn't recklessness that drove her to face the sun.

Even though Rong Noble Consort seemed all friendly now, had she avoided the sun and come at night, she wouldn't have gotten this close to Rong Noble Consort, and would probably have suffered as she did last time.

Now that Rong Noble Consort said this, it was less advice and more a warning not to slip up again.

Rong Noble Consort could heal her as easily as she could harm her, even... At this thought, Junior Concubine's demeanor grew even more docile.

Hearing this, Su Yi noticed the fear in Junior Concubine's downcast eyes and released the cold, bloodless hand, soothing her with, "Understanding isn't the point; obedience is."

Who cares if a tool gets it, as long as it works?

Obedience is important.

Disobedience means trouble, and Su Yi hates trouble.

Junior Concubine took Rong Noble Consort's words to heart, turning them over, trying to guess the deeper meaning behind Rong Noble Consort's words.

What Rong Noble Consort said now must have other meanings, not just the surface meaning.

But now Junior Concubine just needed to appear submissive.

She nodded, agreeing, "Noble Consort is right." After retracting her hand, she still knelt beside Rong Noble Consort without getting up.

Su Yi pretended not to notice the unnaturalness in the other party's attitude, still smiling gently, as if remembering something, "By the way, I haven't asked how you've been these past few days, if you've suffered any losses," she said with a hint of concern.

Junior Concubine thought to herself, Rong Noble Consort finally asked about this, it's not about whether she suffered any losses, but surely wanting to know about Xiao Hesheli's situation.

Should she tell the truth?

Xiao Hesheli's background, that woman is strange, she entered the palace with ambitions.

Even if she doesn't understand many things, Hesheli will definitely not be eliminated in this selection, Xiao Hesheli entering the palace is an inevitable result.

To gain more of the Emperor's favor, Xiao Hesheli is bound to confront Rong Noble Consort; otherwise, she wouldn't have wanted to use palace scandals to ruin Rong Noble Consort's coronation ceremony.

Despite her many thoughts, Junior Concubine didn't think long before replying, "Your Highness, that woman is somewhat strange."

"Oh?" Su Yi showed interest and signaled her to continue.

Junior Concubine recounted how she greeted Xiao Hesheli: "...and she burned the small paper figure that I was inhabiting... later, she used some kind of sorcery to forcibly expel me..." She described all these events in detail.

"That does sound quite strange," Su Yi mused with a thoughtful expression. "She is indeed not to be underestimated."

"Yes, Your Highness," Junior Concubine agreed.

"What other odd behaviors does she exhibit?" Su Yi asked, appearing very concerned.

Xiao Hesheli's unusual behavior seemed to have put her on edge.

"She often mutters to herself, saying incomprehensible things, and can conjure things out of thin air," Junior Concubine added.

"That woman is eager to enter the palace and has ill intentions towards Your Highness, speaking disrespectfully. Your Highness should be wary of her."

She then spoke of Xiao Hesheli's great hostility towards Rong Noble Consort, even wanting to replace her.

It seemed like a warning to Su Yi that Xiao Hesheli, eager to enter the palace and with some backing, would inevitably compete with Su Yi after entering the palace. It would be best to strike first while she is still vulnerable.

This was meant to pit Su Yi against Xiao Hesheli, and no matter which side lost, it would benefit Junior Concubine.

Between Rong Noble Consort and Xiao Hesheli, if Xiao Hesheli were to lose, it would be using Rong Noble Consort's hand to eliminate Xiao Hesheli, thus avenging her own grievances.

After all, Xiao Hesheli was the one who caused her current predicament, unable to enter the underworld for reincarnation, all thanks to her!

And if Rong Noble Consort lost, Junior Concubine would feel a sense of vindication, avenging the way she had been manipulated.

Why should she always be so superior, while I am stuck in the mire? Xiao Hesheli is detestable, but if she could also bring down Rong Noble Consort, why not?

Only by experiencing the same fate could she understand the bitterness and resentment in my heart!

Hearing this, "Indeed, it's quite troublesome, such strong hostility towards me."

Su Yi frowned slightly, pondering, "Such a person entering the palace would indeed be a great threat to me."

Seeing that Rong Noble Consort also felt a sense of crisis towards Xiao Hesheli, Junior Concubine continued,

"Yes, that woman is full of oddities. If she gets the chance to bewitch the Emperor, it would be like nurturing a tiger. Your Highness should eliminate her while she is still not firmly established after entering the palace, so that Your Highness can rest easy."

Su Yi looked at her and gave a slight smile, "You make a good point."

Junior Concubine struggled to stay calm, not averting her gaze, as it would make her appear guilty, which is not good.

Rong Noble Consort wouldn't suspect anything; she is now under control, allowing Rong Noble Consort to manipulate her. Rong Noble Consort should think that she wouldn't dare to deceive now.

And indeed, she wasn't lying; Xiao Hesheli does harbor hostility towards Rong Noble Consort.

After all, there is only one Emperor, and to gain favor, one must compete.

With whom to compete? Naturally, with the one who currently holds the most favor. Who in the harem is more favored than Rong Noble Consort?

And Rong Noble Consort, having reached her current position, would not tolerate someone who hasn't even entered the palace yet but is already trying to replace her.

"However, wouldn't it be better to resolve the issue before she enters the palace?"

Upon hearing this, the Junior Concubine secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that mentioning the Emperor had indeed piqued Rong Noble Consort's interest.

"Your Highness is right. It would be better to eliminate that woman before she enters the palace. I had intended to rid Your Highness of this woman, but she used some dark arts to repel me, and I was unable to get close. I am deeply ashamed that I couldn't serve Your Highness.

At present, Your Highness is in the palace, and that woman is outside. For now, we can't do anything about her. It would be better to wait until she enters the palace before Your Highness takes action. No matter what schemes she devises, she won't stand a chance against Your Highness."

First, she admitted her inability to deal with the woman before she entered the palace, emphasizing her own incompetence in serving Rong Noble Consort. Then, she belittled Xiao Hesheli's capabilities while praising Rong Noble Consort.

Whether Rong Noble Consort underestimated Xiao Hesheli or not, as long as both women were in the palace, she could watch them battle it out.

Not only is Xiao Hesheli strange, but Rong Noble Consort is also peculiar. Two peculiar women are bound to clash!

Since she couldn't handle either Xiao Hesheli or Rong Noble Consort, she might as well incite them to fight each other.

Even if she doesn't end up well, those two shouldn't have it easy either.

Regarding the matter of Xiao Hesheli, she indeed didn't lie, as lies wouldn't hold up under scrutiny.

However, she did not tell Rong Noble Consort everything. The omitted details, though seemingly minor, were actually the most critical!

"I have a way to let you approach that person again. Not being able to get close to her is not a problem," Su Yi said, lifting the Junior Concubine's chin with her finger and staring into her eyes.

"Last time, I sent you without proper preparation. It was my oversight. You must be deeply frustrated not being able to exact your revenge."

The Junior Concubine stiffened upon hearing that Rong Noble Consort had a way to let her approach Xiao Hesheli again and eliminate her before she entered the palace. This was not the outcome she desired.

But under Rong Noble Consort's piercing gaze, she could only manage to say, "...Yes, but Your Highness, what if that woman has some other trick up her sleeve..."