Chapter 94 Face-Slapping

Chapter 94: A Slap in the Face

Under Honored Consort Yu’s gaze, Concubine Wu’s face turned ashen as she hurriedly explained, “It’s not like that! Qiu Liu is slandering me!”

“Then tell me, what is it like?” Honored Consort Yu casually plucked a flower, her tone indifferent.

“I meant that Your Ladyship is noble and exalted, and the blessings you bestow are too heavy—” Concubine Wu trailed off, unable to continue.

Some words are meant to provoke others, but when spoken openly in public, they become awkward.

It’s all that little wretch Qiu Liu’s fault—utterly uncouth and reckless!

“Your Ladyship, Concubine Wu didn’t finish her sentence,” Qiu Heng said, ignoring Concubine Wu’s murderous glare. “She said that receiving Your Ladyship’s blessings would bring misfortune upon oneself. Isn’t that implying that anyone associated with Your Ladyship is cursed?”

Honored Consort Yu regarded her coldly. “Did you say that?”

“I—” Concubine Wu instinctively glanced around.

Honored Consort Yu sneered. “If you won’t explain clearly, I’ll ask others. I suppose these servants wouldn’t dare lie to me.”

Whether they were Concubine Wu’s people or Beauty Qiu’s, everyone present bowed their heads, hardly daring to breathe.

Concubine Wu opened her mouth, forced to admit, “I did say it, but what I meant was that Your Ladyship’s status is too lofty, and Qiu Liu is unworthy—”

“Enough,” Honored Consort Yu cut her off. “Slap your own mouth. Teach it what should and shouldn’t be said.”

Concubine Wu’s expression turned dreadful. Knowing she couldn’t avoid it, she gritted her teeth and slapped herself.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed, bringing pain and humiliation to Concubine Wu and fear to everyone else.

Beauty Qiu clenched her hands tightly inside her sleeves, her mind reeling.

The sound of those slaps didn’t just land on Concubine Wu’s face—they struck her own heart as well.

Of course, she didn’t pity Concubine Wu; she was shocked.

Scenes of being bullied by Concubine Wu flashed through her mind—each time, Concubine Wu had been arrogant and condescending, treating her like a flower or weed to be trampled at will.

It was only when she could no longer endure it and used the butterfly scented pendant to curry favor with Honored Consort Yu that she escaped Concubine Wu’s last torment. After gaining the Emperor’s favor, Concubine Wu’s harassment had been limited to words.

This change had already made her deeply aware of the importance of the Emperor’s favor, but she had never imagined that Concubine Wu would suffer such humiliation because of her.

Because of her, but not because she had caused it.

Beauty Qiu couldn’t help but glance at Qiu Heng.

Unlike the fearful expressions of the others, the neatly dressed young girl remained calm, as if she were hearing the sound of drums and music rather than slaps.

To stir up trouble so recklessly—didn’t she worry about the consequences at all? Or about what others might say?

For a moment, Beauty Qiu’s shock over Concubine Wu slapping herself faded, replaced by greater astonishment and doubt toward Qiu Heng.

“That’s enough.”

Finally, when Honored Consort Yu spoke, Concubine Wu stopped, her face already swollen.

But to Honored Consort Yu, this wasn’t even worth a second glance.

“Come with me.” Honored Consort Yu tilted her chin toward Qiu Heng, then turned and walked away.

Qiu Heng walked past Concubine Wu without so much as a glance.

Beauty Qiu knew the words were for Qiu Heng, but she silently followed.

Sixth Sister’s actions were unpredictable; she couldn’t rest easy without following.

Concubine Wu remained, watching the group walk away with the shame of a beaten dog.

She had never suffered such humiliation before—all because of that little wretch Qiu Liu!

As for Beauty Qiu, she didn’t take her seriously. Who knew how long the Emperor’s favor would last? Once she fell out of favor, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with her!

“Fangyang,” Concubine Wu spoke, wincing in pain as soon as she opened her mouth.

“Your servant is here.”

“Have a word sent to my elder sister…”

That little wretch is a country bumpkin who only knows donkeys, yet she was so eager to tag along on the autumn hunt. Today’s humiliation must be repaid!

As Honored Consort Yu walked, she glanced back at Qiu Heng. “Sixth Miss Qiu’s courage is truly remarkable.”

“Your subject simply couldn’t bear to hear others speak of Your Ladyship that way.”

“Sharp-tongued.” Honored Consort Yu slowed her pace slightly, her cool gaze fixed on the girl’s fair face. “Do you think I would act according to your wishes just because I heard a few provocations?”

“Your subject wouldn’t dare presume. I know that Your Ladyship only acts according to her own will.”

Honored Consort Yu was somewhat surprised and looked deeply at Qiu Heng.

Only acting according to her own will—she had to admit, the girl’s words struck a chord with her.

Yes, in the palace, she got whatever she wanted and did as she pleased.

She knew Qiu Liu had used her to make Concubine Wu suffer, but Concubine Wu’s words had genuinely displeased her.

Since she was displeased, she ordered the slapping—a simple matter.

Earlier, she had also been displeased—displeased that a little girl thought she could successfully use her as a weapon. But after hearing this, that displeasure vanished.

Her slender, jade-like hand reached out and hooked Qiu Heng’s chin. Honored Consort Yu’s tone was unreadable. “How old is Sixth Miss Qiu?”

“Reporting to Your Ladyship, I am fifteen this year.”

“Fifteen—so young.” Honored Consort Yu’s slender fingers brushed the girl’s fair, delicate cheek. “At such a young age, how are you so skilled with words?”

She was genuinely curious.

Was it accidental, or did she have a deep understanding of human nature?

Life in the deep palace was peaceful when no one dared cause trouble, but over time, it became dull. Finally, here was someone she found interesting.

Honored Consort Yu withdrew her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips as she walked on.

Qiu Heng tactfully slowed her pace, falling behind to walk beside Beauty Qiu.

Without Honored Consort Yu’s permission, they could only follow.

As they exited the temporary palace, Beauty Qiu was left feeling bewildered.

The palace, the imperial lodge—both were gilded cages, the deep palace she dreamed of escaping day and night. And now, here she was, walking out just like that?

She was not free, of course, yet she breathed the air of freedom and felt a liberating breeze.

It made her heart race and her legs grow weak.

"Honored Consort Yu has arrived!"

Beneath a huge, sumptuous canopy open on all sides, some courtiers gathered around Emperor Jingping, while more galloped into the forest on horseback, chasing after prey.

"You've come, my Beloved Consort." Emperor Jingping smiled and beckoned Honored Consort Yu to sit beside him, casting a rather surprised glance at the bowing sisters, Qiu Heng and the other.

"Your Majesty hasn't joined the hunt?" Honored Consort Yu's question drew the emperor's attention back.

Emperor Jingping laughed heartily. "Let the young ones have their fun first."

Hoofbeats thundered as hunters began returning with their prey.

The competition was straightforward: the first ten to hunt a pair of gray rabbits would be ranked in the top ten.

Qiu Heng saw Xue Han in the lead, galloping ahead of the others.

He wore dark hunting attire, his steed a sleek black, and against the vast expanse of grassland and forest, he looked as vibrant as the rising sun.

Behind Xue Han, several determined young men chased closely, their spirited horses and youthful vigor on full display.

The scene was exhilarating, and Qiu Heng found herself captivated, her gaze fixed on Xue Han as he dismounted nearby. Suddenly, she was startled by a sharp, hurried breath.