Chapter 239

Chapter 239

Qinxin: "..."

Qinxin was left speechless because, indeed, the Emperor’s heart is hard to predict.

But the way Your Ladyship put it made it sound... almost irreverent, stripping away all the dignity and fear he should command.

She almost wanted to laugh—honestly...

"Don’t look like that," Su Yi said softly, her tone affectionate.

Qinxin always felt that Your Ladyship always zeroes in on the weirdest things.

However, with duties at hand, Qinxin had to try again.

"But, Your Ladyship, aren’t you worried that if Consort Ping actually wins favor and the Emperor gets wrapped around her finger, what then?"

Qinxin spoke in a hushed voice beside Su Yi, clearly aware that such words were inappropriate and shouldn’t be overheard.

What she meant was: You can’t just sit back, can you? Surely you’re not going to do nothing. Shouldn’t you take some action?

The Imperial Noble Consort’s family slipped someone into the selection precisely because, despite her high status, she’s still missing an heir.

Though the Niohuru clan didn’t send anyone this time, who’s to say they won’t pull the same stunt next time?

No matter how nicely they dress it up as "sisters helping each other," the reality is far from it. Seeing Your Ladyship so indifferent, Qinxin was downright frustrated.

Though the Emperor’s all over Her Ladyship now, who could guarantee it would last forever?

Not long ago, Your Ladyship fell mysteriously ill, like she’d been hexed—her soul seemed gone, and recovery seemed unlikely. Meanwhile, the harem was flooded with new faces at that critical moment.

Among this year’s selected ladies, the two standouts were Consort Ping, who had already made her presence known, and Noble Lady Qing, who’s still a mystery.

During that time, while Qinxin tended to Your Ladyship, the Emperor barely showed up, like he couldn’t care less about her condition.

If Kangxi hadn’t stepped in to move Her Ladyship, who knows what might have happened?

Su Yi wasn’t buying it—that wasn’t quite how it was, Qinxin. In her eyes, Consort Ping’s the one Kangxi’s playing. This reasoning didn’t convince her at all.

Qinxin, noticing the skeptical look on the Noble Consort’s face: "??"

Since Qinxin had gone this far, Su Yi didn’t hold back either. "I think you might be overthinking it, Qinxin. Consort Ping may have some cunning, but... perhaps not much. And the Emperor seems like he has a bottomless bag of tricks—in some ways, he’s a real piece of work."

Here, Su Yi paused, offering a knowing smile. Both she and Qinxin silently agreed to leave the rest unsaid.

One understood the implication; the other knew the understanding was mutual and spared the need to voice it outright, sparing Qinxin further alarm.

Then she added, "Who’d outsmart who?"

That was a question Qinxin dared not answer, though Su Yi didn’t mind either way.

Ah, it all came down to whether you’re dumb enough to bite—or just sniff at the trap.

Holding the cat, Su Yi couldn’t free her hands to clasp Qinxin’s, but it didn’t slow her down.

"I know you’re worried for me, Qinxin—concerned that my future might lack security and become difficult." Here, she turned to Qinxin with moved eyes.

Qinxin, normally stone-faced, couldn’t help but soften. *Yes, Your Ladyship. At last, you understand.*

Qinxin had thought Your Ladyship had never considered this issue, which was truly a bit worrying. Fortunately, Your Ladyship could understand after all.

Then she heard Your Ladyship say something utterly horrifying in a casual tone:

"But it doesn’t matter. I’ll fall ill regardless, and my life won’t be that long.

This life will be over in no time. After living such a cushy, idle life for so long, enduring a little hardship before dying is something I can accept."

Qinxin was horrified by her attitude of "it doesn’t matter, I’ll die early anyway."

She had spoken too soon! Qinxin had really spoken too soon—only for Your Ladyship to hit her with another bombshell.

Your Ladyship, listen to what you’re saying! How can you joke about an early death and curse yourself like that?! Who says they’re going to die young? Damn it, no one would say their life won’t be long!

Snapping out of her shock, Qinxin hurriedly protested. She wanted to cover Your Ladyship’s mouth but ended up covering her own instead.

"Your Ladyship, saying such things is inauspicious! You mustn’t joke about your health like this. These words absolutely cannot be spoken so casually—please!"

Realizing that covering her own mouth was useless, she quickly switched to pressing her palms together in pleading, looking as if she were devoutly repenting.

Su Yi kept running her mouth while Qinxin scrambled to keep up.

Su Yi sighed while hugging her knees. She was telling the truth—why wouldn’t anyone believe her?

This body truly couldn’t hold on forever. Sooner or later, she’d have to kick the bucket.

Sometimes, when she told the truth, no one believed her.

If it weren’t for all eyes on her now, making it inconvenient to just "disappear"—too abrupt and suspicious—she could’ve taken the chance to leave last time.

The Heavenly Dao had even been axed! And yet she didn’t run? Damn it, her archenemy stuffed her back in—just like him.

Given that she hadn’t even been buried in that situation, Su Yi now had to come up with a more believable death.

Doing it like before just wouldn’t work. She could still lie there like a corpse, but not burying "her" would be terrifying!

Now, if she wanted to kick the bucket, she’d need a more plausible way to go—otherwise, it’d look too suspicious.

Especially after what had happened before—people might think she hadn’t died properly.

Su Yi had already considered several plans.

Dying from illness seemed like a gradual, natural process, and the reasons were already there.

Things like wasting away from loneliness, depression creeping in, and her body slowly deteriorating again—she’d already had a preexisting condition—no, the *root* of it.

Originally, with proper care, she could’ve lived normally, just like anyone else—like now.

But it was also easy for her to collapse, and then, well, one thing led to another, and she could kick the bucket.

This time, she definitely had to tie up loose ends of not actually dying.

This was a huge bug to begin with. Did the previous Heavenly Dao think setting up the body like this was some stroke of genius? What a genius move.

Honestly, in that situation, even Kangxi hadn’t had her buried—instead, he publicly claimed she was still recuperating. His sheer nerve was truly on display here.

Most people, faced with that scenario, would’ve balked.

"What are you thinking about? You look so full of life." Kangxi noticed the imperial consort's unusually lively demeanor the moment he entered—clearly not pondering anything good.

Usually, she resembled a couch potato, who only budged when pushed, rarely displaying such high spirits.

Her eyes were practically sparkling with inexplicable excitement, radiating from within without needing a closer look.

Qinxin, bowing nearby, was secretly panicking, afraid the consort might blurt out those earlier words—definitely not something the Emperor would appreciate.

She had no idea when His Majesty had arrived or whether he’d overheard the consort’s earlier remarks.

Su Yi gave Kangxi a slightly teasing smile. "I was wondering when Chubby Cat’s fur will grow back."

The cat, now wearing a red cap, hearing its name, promptly raised its head and meowed in response, as if backing her up.

Kangxi paused briefly. Surely, the imperial consort wasn’t actually thinking about that.

He approached naturally, keeping his cool. "Lately, Chubby Cat has been shedding quite a bit, but its fur will grow back soon enough. There’s no need for you to worry about it."

Yes, the excessive shedding had caused patchy coloring on its head, leaving sparse fur.

Exactly. That was the reason.

Though, judging by how much it shed regularly, the chubby cat never seemed at risk of going bald.

Still, Kangxi offered a fair assessment of Chubby Cat’s new look.

"It looks pretty funny this way. What other styles have you prepared?"

Honestly, the little hat improved things—the uneven black patches on its head were no longer as glaring.

But the fact that the consort had immediately crafted a tiny hat just for some shed fur made Kangxi a little jealous. She couldn't be bothered to fuss over him.

And sure enough, she’d even made a matching outfit. While the palace maids worked on the hat, she had picked up a scrap of fabric and started cutting away.

With a few cuts of her scissors, she created a cut-out lace pattern, then had Qinxin and the others stitch it together—resulting in a makeshift kitty halter.

Before being worn, it barely looked wearable, just like a tattered piece of cloth full of holes.

Frankly, it looked like complete trash—Kangxi’s first thought when Su Yi pulled it from the sewing basket. "What is this?"

It looked like a kindergarten art project, something no palace maid would dare present so poorly made.

Only the imperial consort would do this.

At this, she brightened up. "A little outfit!" Su Yi held it up to show Kangxi.

But even when held up, the mostly hollowed-out halter still looked like trash.

No way anyone could wear this.

Kangxi’s expression clearly said, *Are you serious??* He even took a closer look at the tattered cloth she held up.

Still, he couldn’t see it as an actual garment. Yet the consort stared at him eagerly, waiting for his response.

He was at a loss for words.

"It looks... unique. I’ve never seen anything like it."

Indeed, Kangxi had truly never seen something so poorly crafted—it had no business being in front of him in the first place.

Su Yi didn’t mind whether his reaction was genuine or half-hearted. One glance told her he didn’t get it at all.

Earlier, she had only put the little hat on the chubby cat and was busy cuddling it, not yet getting it dressed in the newly made outfit. But Kangxi’s arrival reminded her—now was the perfect time to quickly get the chubby cat dressed.

Just for a little while.

So she began dressing the chubby cat, slipping the garment over its head, crossing the straps at the sides, and tying them—done.

The pink lace top fit the chubby cat perfectly, snug without any looseness. The white fur poked through the lace holes, creating a lovely pink-and-white combo—what a beautiful color scheme.

Then she swapped its hat for a black one. Black goes with everything, and it matched its original fur color—couldn’t have been more perfect.

Kangxi was speechless as he took in the chubby cat’s new look, momentarily at a loss for words.

Then, the chubby cat cooperatively meowed in its cutesy, flirty tone.

Dressed to impress and absolutely on point.

Honestly, you had to admit—this was *fire*.

A total baddie meow!

How could it not be?

This was a *lace top*, after all!

Time to show it off.

Su Yi was very pleased—her craftsmanship was truly impressive. The lacework? Cut just right.

It looked so symmetrical and well-designed! No one saw this slay coming.

"*Very* special indeed," Su Yi said with a smirk, affirming Kangxi’s earlier comment.

Then the chubby cat took a couple of steps in its new outfit, feeling a bit unaccustomed, before plonking down like a lazy lump.

And with this flop, the front revealed large sections of lace—not just the back.

It was lace everywhere you look!

Whether lying down or getting up, no coverage was lost.

As the chubby cat sprawled lazily, its relaxed flesh turned the lace top into a form-fitting piece.

Paired with the chubby cat’s grandpa-napping vibe—

This was... *chef’s kiss*.

"If we recall... *ahem*... the chubby cat is male, isn’t it? This outfit seems a bit too..." Kangxi paused, seemingly struggling for the right words.

But no matter—Kangxi could adapt. "The color appears somewhat too girly."

Avoiding the style issue, he pivoted to the color.

This was the first time Kangxi had a problem with pink.

Though Kangxi and the chubby cat didn’t exactly get along, seeing the poor guy at Su Yi’s mercy unexpectedly stirred a twinge of pity in him.

Attempting to discuss with the Noble Consort, this outfit might not be quite suitable for Puddin' Head.

Even the previous little red hat might be better than this bright color.

Red... Kangxi briefly imagined the color in his mind but immediately dismissed the thought.

No, red wouldn’t do either.

No, it wasn’t just a matter of color—this wasn’t a problem that could be solved by simply changing the shade!

Su Yi said earnestly, "Not at all. This is exactly the color a brave cat should wear."

A macho cat in pink—perfect! Who could say no? No one!

"Right, Puddin' Head?"

Though Puddin' Head was lounging lazily, its ears were sharp. The moment it heard its name, it immediately meowed twice without skipping a beat—what an enthusiastic little cheerleader!

Puddin' Head really didn’t find anything odd about it. Aside from feeling slightly unaccustomed to having an extra layer of fabric, it could handle this minor discomfort with a few meows.

Kangxi—

What else could he say?

His eyes just stung a little, but that was nothing.

Consort Ping changed into a clean qipao dress (a traditional Chinese gown*). Since there were no spare clothes prepared for her in Qianqing Palace—nor could there be—she had to send a palace maid back to her own quarters to fetch some.

She seized the chance to send her maid away. After all, she wouldn’t be scheduled to attend the emperor yet, and serving in his presence wasn’t her role anyway. It was better to send her back to fetch the outfit—she knew the shortcuts well and could return quickly, easily explaining the reason.

After freshening up, Consort Ping waited for the maid to return with the clothes.

But waiting... this back-and-forth would take quite some time. By the time she got ready again, who knew how long that’d take?

The emperor was expecting her!

She couldn’t keep him waiting this long.

However, it wasn’t as if there were absolutely no clothes here that she could wear.

Consort Ping’s mind finally clicked into gear.

After all, Rong Noble Consort was also staying here temporarily, so naturally, there would be spare qipao dresses prepared for her.

Surely, Rong Noble Consort would have brand-new qipaos, tags still on—she’d have a closetful!

Moreover, qipao dresses were generally quite loose-fitting. As long as their figures weren’t poles apart, she could temporarily make do with one. Rong Noble Consort’s figure wasn’t too far off from hers.

Wouldn’t it be much faster to ask Rong Noble Consort for a new qipao?

Besides, the more Consort Ping thought about it, the more she suspected that Rong Noble Consort had slipped something into the snacks to frame her—otherwise, how could she have ended up in such a state?

If it had been something like purgatives, it would have been easy to pin it on her. But no—the pastries were normal, and the tea was normal too.

Consort Ping decided she wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine. So she sent a maid to Rong Noble Consort to borrow a qipao.

She added that, if not for the special circumstances, she wouldn’t want to trouble the Noble Consort. But making the trip to fetch clothes would take too much time, and she couldn’t keep the emperor waiting. Thus, she had no choice but to borrow a spare dress to get by.

*Qipao: A traditional Chinese gown, typically form-fitting and made of silk or other fine materials.