Chapter Two: Looking for Trouble?

With sleep still clouding her eyes, Hua Rong took a moment to comprehend the situation. Throwing off her covers, she strode out with a cold expression. As expected, her own maid was kneeling on the ground, being brutally slapped by someone—blood trickled from the corner of the girl's mouth.

Hua Rong's face darkened. "Stop!"

At her command, everyone outside froze in place. Maintaining her icy demeanor, Hua Rong pulled Su Xin to her feet and examined her injuries carefully. The once fair face was now marked with overlapping handprints, both cheeks swollen high, blood still seeping from her lips.

A frosty chill settled over Hua Rong's features.

Seeing her mistress like this, Su Xin trembled and tugged at her sleeve, frightened. "Your Highness, I’m all right."

"Of course you are," came a mocking voice. "I'm the one suffering." A woman dressed in a brilliant red ruqun was rubbing her reddened palm, complaining, "No wonder the maids from Consort Rong's quarters are so thick-skinned. My hand hurts from hitting her."

Here to cause trouble, are you?

Hua Rong's narrow, almond-shaped eyes narrowed dangerously. If she remembered correctly, this was the very Wan Consort, Su Wanran, that Eunuch Li had mentioned the other day—the emperor’s new favorite, whose rise had filled the palace with rumors.

Su Wanran lifted her chin arrogantly. "Why are you looking at me? Did I say anything wrong? These hands are meant to serve His Majesty. If they're injured over such a trivial matter, not even a thousand deaths of your maid would make up for it."

Hua Rong sneered coldly. "Then tell me, what do you propose?"

Before they entered the palace as consorts, Hua Rong and Su Wanran had both been celebrated beauties in the capital. But in virtue, beauty, knowledge, and temperament, Hua Rong had always outshone Su Wanran. Later, both entered the palace, and Hua Rong’s rank again surpassed hers. Resentment had festered ever since. Now that Su Wanran had finally won favor, she was bound to come and step on Hua Rong a few times.

Feigning gentleness, Su Wanran replied, "When servants err, their mistresses are not without blame. As your elder sister, I could overlook this, but if you don't discipline her, what if next time Consort Rong offends someone less magnanimous than myself? That would be unfortunate."

To think she could encounter a living white lotus even in ancient times! In fact, she was even more infuriating than those in the modern day.

After grumbling inwardly, Hua Rong put on a mock-innocent smile. "Oh? And so?"

Su Wanran smiled sweetly, her expression twisting with malice. "Like this—let me give you two slaps as a lesson. That way, you'll remember next time. Don't you agree?"

"No!" Su Xin leapt forward and knelt again, terrified. "Consort Wan, it was my fault. I was the one who offended you. Please, if you must strike someone, strike me! However many times, I will endure it!"

Silly girl.

Did she really think Su Wanran was here for her? No—it was clearly Hua Rong she wanted to target.

Hua Rong sighed inwardly, pulled her loyal maid up again, lifted her chin, and offered an innocent smile. "All right."

"Your Highness!" Su Xin's eyes widened in disbelief.

Hua Rong patted her wrist in reassurance, signaling her to stay calm.

Su Wanran’s expression became even more smug. Ha—what a useless, discarded woman, without even a temper left.

With that thought, she raised her hand, preparing to strike with all her might.

But before her palm could land, Su Wanran suddenly shrieked, her balance lost, and fell heavily to her knees on the smooth pebbles.

"Aaaah!"

A piercing scream echoed through Xuanji Palace.

Hua Rong blinked. "Sister, what brings on such a grand ceremony all of a sudden?"

Su Wanran had fallen so hard she needed help to stand. Clutching her knee, she glared bitterly, reaching out. "Hua Rong, you—!"

"What about me?" Hua Rong tilted her head, all innocence and smiles.

Su Wanran was so enraged her chest nearly burst.

"You think being a consort makes you special? How dare you strike me! In this palace, only favor matters! A woman who has lost favor is not even worth as much as a servant!"

Hua Rong nodded indifferently. "Sister is right. I have learned my lesson."

"You—!"

Her infuriating calm only stoked Su Wanran’s rage. Her face twisted, she shoved aside the supporting maid and lunged at Hua Rong.

Hua Rong’s gaze sharpened. She prepared to retaliate, ready to kick Su Wanran’s knee again, when suddenly the sharp, elongated voice of an eunuch rang out, "His Majesty arrives!"

Hua Rong: "..."

Su Wanran froze too, hastily tidied her appearance, then turned with a radiant smile and curtsied. "May Your Majesty be blessed with peace."

Atop his palanquin, the emperor’s gaze landed straight on Hua Rong. His long, narrow eyes glinted with an icy edge.

Kneeling, Hua Rong felt a dangerous, razor-sharp aura fixed upon her. She pressed her head even lower, feigning composure while panic raged inside her.

Wasn't this supposed to be the most remote corner of the palace, where the emperor never set foot for centuries?

If she explained now that the overweight Hua Rong from the Qixi Festival was her long-lost sister, would the emperor believe her?

Seeing the emperor’s gaze never left Hua Rong, Su Wanran’s jealousy blazed. She spoke coyly, "Your Majesty, what brings you here today?"

Only then did the emperor look at her. "What’s happened here?"

Su Wanran put on a pitiful face. "It’s like this, Your Majesty—Consort Rong’s maid was rude and offended me. I merely disciplined her on my sister’s behalf."

That was not how it happened! She hadn’t been rude at all! Su Xin was filled with indignation and grievance but dared not speak.

Yet, with her head still lowered, Hua Rong replied steadily, "No, Consort Wan was just making trouble for no reason."

Su Wanran’s eyes widened. "When did I—"

"Consort Wan, injuring others without cause. Confined to the Buddha Hall for one month," the emperor interrupted coldly.

Su Wanran stared in disbelief, pointing at Hua Rong in outrage. "Your Majesty, I am wronged! It was Hua Rong who kicked me!"

"A consort who neglects proper address toward Consort Rong—add another month."

"Your Majesty—" Su Wanran was about to protest, but her maid secretly tugged her sleeve. Gritting her teeth, she changed her tone. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

With a resentful glance at Hua Rong kneeling on the floor, she curtsied and left Xuanji Palace.

Hua Rong remained kneeling, unmoving, determined not to so much as twitch, silently chanting prayers for mercy.

The emperor rested a hand on the armrest, his voice cool and detached. "Consort Rong seems much changed from the other day."

A chill ran down Hua Rong’s back. Righteously, she confessed, "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be best to confine me to the Buddha Hall for a year?"

The emperor’s handsome face froze for a moment. He tapped the armrest, the crisp sound echoing with menace. "Does Consort Rong truly think that will suffice?"

Hua Rong nodded vigorously. "Of course, absolutely! That would be perfect!"

"But I do not." The emperor leaned back in his palanquin, his deep eyes narrowing as he issued a cold command: "Guards, take her out and behead her."