Chapter 128: Schadenfreude

The dark prison cell was thick with a damp, musty air that felt like swarms of insects crawling over one’s skin, leaving one feeling profoundly uneasy.

Hua Rong scratched her head, but then her shoulders began to itch uncontrollably, driving her to the brink of despair. "What kind of godforsaken place is this? I am innocent! By what right do you lock me up here? Release me at once!"

Yet, no matter how she shouted, there was no response, save for her own voice growing hoarse from the effort.

One of the guards, losing patience, struck the bars of the cell with a wooden club, producing a dull, resonant thud. "Enough! If you keep making such a racket, I'll find something to stuff your mouth with!"

"You!" She understood now what it meant to be a tiger fallen in the plains, bullied by dogs; this fellow was truly insolent.

Taking a deep breath, Hua Rong dared not provoke him further. If he really shoved a foul-smelling sock into her mouth, she might just suffocate to death.

After a moment of reflection, she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, if you want me to be quiet, I will. Go and fetch the Emperor. I have matters to discuss with him!"

At this moment, Jun Yeli was the only person who could possibly save her.

However, the guards paid her no mind, treating her pleas as nothing more than a child’s tantrum.

"Ha! Everyone wants to plead their case to the Emperor. Do you think His Majesty is really that idle? Just sit tight and behave yourself!"

With that, the man turned and walked away, looking utterly unbothered. Hua Rong lunged toward the bars, but she grasped at thin air, her mind filled with nothing but frustration.

Time slipped away, and Jun Yeli remained entirely unaware of the situation. The concubines in the inner palace seemed to have reached a tacit agreement, breathing not a single word about Hua Rong’s plight.

Some had even organized a small banquet, celebrating the turn of events.

"Now that Hua Rong is in the dungeon, the palace is finally ours again. We no longer need to worry about the Emperor favoring only one person," one woman said, clutching her wine cup with a sly, coy smile that amused the others.

"Oh, stop with the coquettish act. Save it for when the Emperor arrives. We are all women here; there is no need for such displays. Let’s just drink and enjoy ourselves!"

Watching them chatter excitedly, Noble Consort Wen sat at the head of the table, looking particularly composed and detached. She seemed to have no intention of interfering with their schemes, though a faint, uncontrollable smile played at the corners of her lips.

Gently waving her small fan, she spoke with practiced ease, "Enough, do not gloat too excessively. After all, this matter requires a final decision. It will not do to keep Consort Rong locked up indefinitely; it all depends on what the Emperor thinks."

"That is simple enough. We need only produce the evidence. No matter how much the Emperor dotes on her, he cannot shield a woman as venomous as a serpent, can he?"

Just as the group was engrossed in their lively discussion, a voice rang out: "The Emperor arrives!"

It was truly a case of 'speak of the devil.' The women, who had been glowing with joy, were suddenly thrown into a panic.

They scrambled to their feet in a flurry, rushing forward to greet him. "Your Majesty, why have you come?"

Jun Yeli’s gaze swept across the crowd, but failing to find the woman he was yearning for, his mood darkened further. "You have all gathered here, making quite a spectacle. Why is Consort Rong not among you?"

"This..."

Unsure how to respond, the women cast hesitant glances toward Noble Consort Wen, knowing that someone had to play the scapegoat.

Noble Consort Wen understood their intentions perfectly. To ensure Hua Rong was eliminated, she steeled herself and stepped forward. "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have had Consort Rong detained in the dungeon."

These words left Jun Yeli stunned. He nearly lost his footing, his body swaying before his expression shifted to one of boiling rage. "What nonsense are you spouting!"

He would rather believe that his ears had deceived him than accept such an absurd claim.

Yet, when Noble Consort Wen repeated her statement, Jun Yeli was forced to accept the truth. He stood frozen for a long time, unable to process it. "Have you lost your mind? Why would you throw Consort Rong into the dungeon for no reason? This is pure madness!"

"Your Majesty, please listen to my explanation. Consort Rong attempted to harm Lady Jia. As the Noble Consort, I oversee the inner palace, and I could not sit idly by. If I did, I would surely be subject to criticism. I had no choice but to hold her temporarily!"

The words sounded noble and virtuous, but as Jun Yeli looked at the discarded wine cups and the table full of delicacies, he could not help but sneer. "You are certainly diligent, aren't you? You locked up my consort, and the very next moment, you are here hosting a celebration. Is this a matter of duty, or are you simply gloating?"

The group fell into a stunned silence, exchanging furtive glances. No one dared to speak up, for to argue now would be to march straight into the line of fire.

"What? Has everyone lost their tongues?"

A thunderous roar echoed through the room, causing those present to tremble. The joy from moments ago vanished, replaced by clear and palpable terror.

Noble Consort Wen gritted her teeth and pressed on. "Your Majesty, Consort Rong committed a grave offense, and the evidence is irrefutable. I was forced into this position; if I had not locked her away, I could not have pacified the others, nor could I have answered to Lady Jia!"

"Is that so?" Jun Yeli frowned, listening to their well-rehearsed explanations while falling into deep thought.

Yet, he still could not believe that Hua Rong would do such a thing. "She has never participated in your petty squabbles, and she enjoys my favor. Why would she go to such lengths to use such base, underhanded tactics?"

Hua Rong herself had argued the same thing, but Noble Consort Wen had already prepared her defense. "Have you forgotten? When you brought Lady Yue into the palace, Consort Rong was seen associating closely with Lady Yu. Out of jealousy, she developed the intent to commit this harm..."

"Is this something she admitted to herself?"

"This... not exactly. But it is my deduction, and I believe it to be quite accurate."

"This is utterly ridiculous! You have locked her in a dungeon based on mere speculation? Do you have any idea what kind of filthy place that is? Have her released at once!"

Jun Yeli’s rage had no outlet, but since he had not witnessed the events himself, he found it difficult to intervene further. He could only place his hopes on Noble Consort Wen.

For reasons unknown, the usually gentle Noble Consort Wen remained stubborn. "I beg Your Majesty to forgive me, but I truly cannot order her release. All the sisters were present, and Consort Rong’s guilt is established. To release her now would be against your own interests!"