Chapter 122: She Was Always Mine

Startled by the sudden approach of the woman, Jun Yeli’s body trembled slightly, and his gaze instinctively dropped to Lady Jia. Seeing her clasping his arm tightly, her face etched with grievance, rather than evoking sympathy, it only stirred a deeper sense of aversion within him. “Let go.”

The man’s low voice was as chilling as an icebound hell, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Lady Jia looked at Jun Yeli with a mix of surprise and reluctance. “Your Majesty, you—”

“Oh, some people really have thick skin. Can’t you see you’re despised?” Hua Rong chuckled, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. His boldness seemed to grow with every word, making Lady Jia feel increasingly embarrassed.

Biting her lip with anger, she retorted fiercely, “Don’t be so smug! His Majesty will stand up for me!”

“What exactly happened here? I heard there was a serious incident.” Jun Yeli’s eyes swept over Hua Rong first, confirming his well-being before dismissing the rest.

Yet, the truth was laughably trivial.

Hua Rong had taken a liking to a little rabbit that had died, and then spoke up, “Your Majesty, Lady Jia killed my rabbit and broke my precious porcelain vase. Not only does she show no remorse, she’s arrogant and defiant. This can’t just be let go.”

“Heh, it’s just a broken vase. Who can’t afford to replace it? I never said I wouldn’t compensate for your rabbit as well, as if it’s so valuable!” Lady Jia sneered coldly, her icy gaze striking fear. Looking at the dead rabbit, life seemed cheaper than that of an ant.

What was frightening wasn’t the rabbit but the cold, heartless nature she displayed—completely unacceptable.

“For such a trivial matter?” Jun Yeli’s face darkened further as he roughly grasped the situation. It was hardly a matter of life and death, though he had initially thought it might be a grave emergency.

“This is utterly ridiculous!” His deep, angry roar caused those nearby to flinch in fear. Lady Jia’s smile brightened as she eagerly embellished the story, “Indeed, Your Majesty is burdened with affairs of state, and Lady Rong is only troubling you over this!”

But before she could finish, Jun Yeli’s cold gaze fixed sharply on Lady Jia. “Life and death matters, and yet you treat it as a joke! You even damaged Lady Rong’s belongings and offer no explanation but act recklessly. This is outrageous!”

“This—” Lady Jia was dumbfounded, the situation unfolding far differently than she had imagined. Her eyes wandered in confusion. “Your Majesty, what are you saying? It’s just a rabbit and a vase, not something so serious…”

Within the palace, such things were abundant and trivial, but the owner mattered greatly.

“What do you mean by trivial? You must know the rabbits in my palace—a pair, male and female—were meant to breed. Now that you’ve killed one, where am I supposed to find a mate for the other? Should I ask you?”

Hua Rong crossed his arms, a proud smile on his face, leaving Lady Jia speechless, cheeks flushed. “What you say is outrageous!”

“Your Majesty, will you really not punish her?” Seeing herself losing the argument, Lady Jia cast a pleading glance at Jun Yeli. Yet, he snapped, “If the rabbit is so precious, then naturally, killing it must be punished accordingly.”

After a moment’s thought, he fixed his gaze on Hua Rong. “How do you think Lady Jia should be punished to ease your grievance?”

This question left everyone stunned. What was a small matter had been magnified many times over. Jun Yeli did not blame Lady Jia but instead seemed to side with Hua Rong—an extraordinary favor.

“So Lady Rong is so favored. Then before, those concubines who bullied Lady Jia…” The other concubines who had been arrogant suddenly grew uneasy.

Better to offend a thousand than to cross the emperor’s favored ones, lest they invite trouble upon themselves.

Whispering among themselves, Hua Rong calmly declared, “Since this matter involves only Lady Jia, she shall help me raise chickens to repay the life of my poor rabbit. What do you think?”

Her words stunned everyone into silence, their minds as if cleansed from disbelief.

“What? Raise chickens? Our father is a fifth-rank official, noble by birth. Raising chickens is a disgrace!”

Her family was outraged by the insult, refusing to accept it in a thousand lifetimes. Yet Hua Rong’s intention was not to insult her.

“Don’t worry, two chickens are no disgrace. Besides, you have so many maids in your palace; my courtyard is too small to keep them. Your Majesty, what do you think?”

After all, she was not the only one with powerful backing. Hua Rong was well aware of that.

With a nod of agreement, Jun Yeli said, “Since Lady Rong suggests it, so be it. Let this be settled, and don’t cause any more trouble.”

Thus, the matter was laid to rest. Lady Jia was punished and sent away, utterly humiliated.

The others slunk off, unwilling to provoke the formidable figure before them any longer.

Yet Jun Yeli lingered, unwilling to leave, making Hua Rong feel uneasy.

She forced herself forward to express thanks, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking time from your burdensome affairs to handle such trifling matters.”

She admitted there had been a gamble involved.

Fortunately, she had won!

Hearing this, Jun Yeli’s lips curled into a smile. Suddenly turning, he fixed his eyes on her.

His ambiguous gaze unsettled her. “Why is His Majesty looking at me like that?”

She took a step back, but he advanced, the overwhelming pressure leaving her at a loss.

“What? So bold just now, now suddenly a meek little rabbit?”

“I…” Hua Rong found herself at a loss for words. Though she had been unreasonable, he continued, “I heard there was trouble at Xuanji Palace. You abandoned your ministers to come here quickly, only to deal with this trivial matter. How do you intend to make it up to me?”

“Your Majesty… How about I offer myself in marriage?” she asked cautiously, lifting her head to gauge his reaction.

But the next moment, his slender waist encircled her, pulling her close. “You are already mine, my consort!”