Chapter 134 A Slap

Chapter 134: A Stinging Blow

Would he still be partial to her?

The Empress had recuperated in the hunting grounds for about ten days, her wounds only just starting to mend.

Though everyone had gathered to pay their respects, the Empress was too indisposed to receive anyone. Only the Emperor and a few close Imperial Consorts followed her carriage to Fengyi Palace. The rest dispersed once the imperial couple departed.

As the other Imperial Consorts around her gradually left, Su Jiaojiao stood atop the high platform, watching the officials scatter from the gates of Xuanzheng Hall. She tilted her head slightly and whispered to Yu Ying, "Did you pass along my instructions to Lord Su?"

Yu Ying gently supported Su Jiaojiao's hand and nodded softly, "It’s a delicate matter, involving far too many people. Moreover, with the Empress isolated in the hunting grounds these past days, some trails may have gone cold. I got word to Lord Su some time ago, but there’s been no response yet."

"I see." The autumn wind was strong, and Su Jiaojiao rubbed her temples before turning away. "With so many people at the hunt, the chaos was overwhelming. Pinning down the culprit won’t be simple. He’s outside the palace and knows little to begin with. Did we pass along the information we have?"

Yu Ying nodded, guiding her slowly down the steps. "Everything was conveyed. The messenger was Lord Su’s trusted aide—no room for error. On the surface, it made sense, but after questioning a eunuch from the Imperial Menagerie, I sensed something off."

"Tigers are expert predators by nature. Even if panicked by the hunt, they wouldn’t blindly flee outward but rather toward familiar terrain to evade pursuit. With the forest so vast, how did the tiger end up charging straight toward the Emperor’s tent? Was it tampered with, or was it deliberately driven there by the hunters?"

Frowning, she added, "I also heard that most of the hunters that day were young royals and nobles, all skilled in archery. No matter how dire the situation, who’d dare loose an arrow toward the Emperor? I suspect..."

Yu Ying lowered her voice further, just enough for Su Jiaojiao to hear, "Someone was told to weaponize the chaos, ensuring the Empress could take that arrow."

Su Jiaojiao’s expression remained calm, her voice gentle. "I know all this too. But for now, we can only rely on Lord Su to investigate discreetly. Aside from waiting, there’s little else we can do."

At this, Yu Ying recalled the pomp of the Empress’s return earlier. Even her usually composed demeanor faltered, seething on her lady’s behalf. "The Emperor used to dote on you so much. Why not speak to him directly? He might believe you."

Su Jiaojiao gave a self-deprecating smile. "Without solid evidence, how could such an outrageous claim convince him? The Empress is the nation’s matriarch, his wife of many years, and the one who bore him Princess Lanying. To all, she’s kindness incarnate. Even if she’s made minor mistakes, they pale in comparison to her saving the Emperor’s life."

"Her performance swayed him utterly. Coupled with his earlier neglect, he’ll only shower her with even more affection to make amends. If I were to tell him now that this was all her elaborate scheme, who do you think he’d believe—me or her?"

The autumn wind howled, chilling Su Jiaojiao to the core. Her isolation cut deep, her faint words nearly lost to the gale.

"If there were another way, I wouldn’t just stand by and watch her scheme succeed."

Yu Ying fell silent, lips parting briefly before closing again in resignation. "I just... I hate seeing you like this."

The Empress played the saint, but they both knew better—she was cunning, hypocritical, and stained with countless lives. Far from benevolent.

The Emperor had once adored Su Jiaojiao above all others. Yet these days, he not only avoided Yaoxian Palace but even ceased sending greetings.

Those fair-weather courtiers, who once flocked to her in her glory, now reveled in her downfall.

Though Su Jiaojiao appeared indifferent, those who served her daily could glimpse the smoldering resentment beneath her mask.

Had the Empress genuinely selflessly saved the Emperor, it might have been bearable. But this was a treasonous scheme, perfectly plotted—yet she’d covered her tracks flawlessly.

Even the steady Yu Ying felt choking on the unfairness.

"Let’s go." Dwelling on it was futile. Until concrete evidence surfaced, Su Jiaojiao could only bide her time. The Empress, swimming in the Emperor’s guilt, would prioritize recovering her health and securing his affection—leaving little room to scheme against others.

With the Emperor still displeased with her, approaching him now was unwise. She’d bide her time to win him over. Perhaps—

Perhaps then, things would mend.

Su Jiaojiao exhaled imperceptibly, her heart restless.

Even as the thought formed, she held little confidence in it.

If coaxing could solve anything, she and His Majesty wouldn’t have been at odds for so many days.

At the foot of the jade steps lay the palace path, with Guanju Palace on the right and Fengyi Palace on the left.

A crowd braved the cold wind outside Fengyi Palace, seeking an audience with the Empress, while Guanju Palace stood desolate and ignored—a biting irony.

Su Jiaojiao decided not to return to Yaoxian Palace and instead planned to visit Noble Consort Shu. After all, Noble Consort Shu still held the authority to assist in managing the harem, which was one of the few consolations they had left.

Noble Consort Shu resided in Tangli Palace, accessible by crossing the palace path, taking the right turn through the imperial garden, and walking a short distance further.

She’d barely stepped into the garden when she spotted an unexpected nuisance.

With the Empress’s return today, only her allies would crowd Fengyi Palace at this hour.

Noble Lady Xiang, Beauty Yu, Talent Lady Ji, and Junior Attendant Miao—Su Jiaojiao hadn’t anticipated Beauty Xiao’s presence.

Beauty Xiao lived in Jiuhua Palace, sharing it with Noble Consort Lan. She hadn’t been noticed during the Empress’s return, yet here she was now.

Su Jiaojiao recalled how Beauty Xiao had been punished by His Majesty months ago during the Second Prince’s hundred-day celebration for pushing Beauty Yu. Clearly, time hadn’t humbled her.

His Majesty had ordered her to reflect on her mistakes, but judging by her haughty demeanor, she remained as unrepentant as ever.

With Consort Mi and Consort Yu both under house arrest, and Beauty Xiao long resentful of Consort Mi’s strict discipline, it made sense she’d curry the Empress’s favor for advancement.

But alas, someone as foolish as her would hardly earn the Empress’s regard—if lucky, she’d be a disposable pawn.

As Beauty Xiao strode directly toward her, Su Jiaojiao calmly halted, tilting her delicate chin slightly, waiting for the required obeisance.

Beauty Xiao curled her lips disdainfully and sauntered forward, offering a cursory half-curtsy. "This concubine pays respects to Your Ladyship."

"Today marks Her Majesty’s return. Why isn’t Your Ladyship at Fengyi Palace, but leisurely strolling here instead? Others might call it defiance."

"Tsk. How the mighty have fallen," Beauty Xiao added with a sneer. "Now even a palanquin seems beneath you."

Each word was laced with venom. Yu Ying could no longer hold back and coldly interjected, "Consort Zhen holds the third-rank position, while you, a mere sixth-rank Beauty, dare speak so insolently!"

Beauty Xiao scoffed. "This concubine’s greeting was perfectly proper, and my words mere curiosity. Yet Your Ladyship’s maid snaps to condemn me—"

"True, I am but a Beauty, but all consorts are mistresses. When masters speak, servants have no right to interrupt. Has Your Ladyship’s prolonged absence from His Majesty’s favor left you too distraught to discipline your servants? Few maids remain, and even the head one acts so arrogantly. A tree withers from the roots—no wonder they run wild under your indulgence."

She touched the golden hairpin in her coiffure, smirking. "Since Your Ladyship fails at discipline, I’ll condescend to correct this gutter-born wretch—a privilege, really."

Every syllable was a dagger, every phrase a challenge. Beauty Xiao was clearly testing her patience.

To trample the fallen is human nature; even tigers suffer when cornered by dogs. But what was Beauty Xiao?

A fool unfit to lick her slippers, yet daring to act so boldly.

Already vexed over His Majesty and the Empress, Su Jiaojiao now had this idiot testing her patience.

She glared at Beauty Xiao like a bug underfoot, leisurely removing her gilded, filigree fingertip guards. "How eloquent you’ve grown, Beauty Xiao."

Su Jiaojiao rolled her delicate wrist, her voice soft but icy. "The palace values prudence and propriety above all. Offending a superior is minor, but breaching palace rules is grave. Your tongue forgets its place today—clearly, your flaw lies in speaking too much."

"As foremost of the Nine Consorts and mistress of Guanju Palace, it falls to me to discipline wayward concubines. With Her Majesty recovering and His Majesty anxious, all should mind their duties to spare him further worry."

Her gaze lifted, and she stepped forward—then struck. The slap rang out, leaving a stark red imprint on Beauty Xiao’s pale cheek.

Her face was swollen and red—a hideous sight.

Beauty Xiao covered her face in disbelief, her eyes wide as she demanded, "How dare you hit me?!"

Su Jiaojiao wiped her hands with a handkerchief, a fleeting look of disdain in her eyes, though her voice remained calm. "Just a little lesson to teach you manners."

"Do you really think I won’t tell the Empress? Let Her Majesty punish you for this!"

At the mention of the Empress, Su Jiaojiao’s expression turned even colder. "I discipline palace consorts fairly and by the rules. Regardless of whether the Empress is gravely injured or perfectly well, she can do nothing to me."

Beauty Xiao’s maidservant, seeing her mistress humiliated, lowered her head fearfully and whispered, "My lady… Your face is too swollen. In this state, you can’t possibly see the Empress… Perhaps it’s better to—"

"I know that already!" Beauty Xiao clutched her face, furious as she berated her maid. "Worthless fool! Hurry back to the palace and help me reduce the swelling!"

Though she hated Su Jiaojiao with every fiber of her being, Beauty Xiao knew she was a higher-ranking consort and could do nothing to retaliate. With a venomous glare at Su Jiaojiao, she turned and stormed away.

Only after Beauty Xiao had left did Yu Ying voice her concern. "Your Highness, hitting Beauty Xiao like that—aren’t you worried? If she really reports this to the Empress, wouldn’t it—"

"Do you think the Empress would actually intervene?" Su Jiaojiao scoffed lightly. "The Empress knows the Emperor used to favor me. At a time like this, she’ll naturally feign virtue. She’s well aware of Beauty Xiao’s arrogance. Even if Beauty Xiao complains, the Empress won’t speak up for her. She’ll just sweep it under the rug, then privately coax Beauty Xiao into targeting me."

After that satisfying slap, Su Jiaojiao felt much of her pent-up frustration dissipate, her mood considerably lighter.

She resumed walking forward, her tone indifferent. "Your greatest enemy knows you best. Such crude tricks—I can see through most of them at a glance now."

Beyond her certainty that the Empress wouldn’t trouble her over Beauty Xiao, Su Jiaojiao also wanted to test the Emperor’s feelings. To see if he’d still take her side in this mess.