Chapter Thirty-One: Unease

The smile at the corner of Jun Yeli’s lips grew even more unsettling, sending chills down the spine of those present. Concubine Wan’s delicate brows arched slightly, a surge of unspeakable anxiety rising within her as she cautiously inquired, “Your Majesty is much too courteous. May I ask what kind of gift requires your personal presence?”

A strong sense of unease welled up in her heart.

With a sweeping gesture, Jun Yeli commanded, “Bring the person here. Let Concubine Wan have a good look.”

Several attendants followed his order, carrying in a stretcher draped with a white cloth. It was obvious that a corpse lay beneath.

Concubine Wan’s face changed drastically at the sight. Her body trembled, and if not for the quick support of her maid, she might have collapsed. “Your Grace, are you all right?” the maid whispered.

Paying her no heed, Concubine Wan swallowed hard, her legs weak and unsteady, her gaze fixed on the corpse shrouded in white cloth. The charred stench was faint but unmistakable.

“What on earth is going on…” she murmured in confusion, forcing herself to feign innocence. “I do not understand Your Majesty’s intentions. Surely a corpse is not meant as a gift?”

They always said the Emperor was blunt, but to present a corpse as a gift—wasn’t that a bit too much? How had he managed to survive this long?

With a stiff smile, as if possessed by a demon, Huarong let out a light laugh. “If you’re so curious, why not take a look for yourself?”

“Indeed,” Jun Yeli agreed, their coordinated performance akin to a long-married couple.

Concubine Wan, caught between helplessness and fear, nonetheless edged forward, trembling, and finally lifted a corner of the cloth.

With a single motion, the charred body was revealed. She was so shocked that her mind went blank, and a piercing scream tore from her lips.

Stumbling back two steps, she fell heavily to the ground, pain forgotten in her confusion. Staring at Jun Yeli in terror, she stammered, “What does this mean? Why place a corpse here?”

“Consort Rong, please explain,” Jun Yeli said without patience for further pretense.

Huarong, given the order, stepped forward with an air of authority. Clearing her throat, she declared, “Allow me to introduce the corpse. This is the assassin who attempted to murder His Majesty. The dagger found on him is here. And as for the place where he was discovered—it was none other than the palace wing that caught fire yesterday, Concubine Wan.”

The explanation was clear enough. Concubine Wan’s face turned deathly pale, her palms clammy with cold sweat.

Still, she forced herself to deny it. “Y-you’re talking nonsense! I don’t even know this person! How dare you slander me!”

“Oh?” Huarong clapped her hands. “Bring Cuiyu forward. We have our evidence.”

Cuiyu was pushed out, with Suxin still holding the packet of poison powder that had not been fully used.

At the sight of Concubine Wan, fallen and disheveled, Cuiyu could hardly contain herself and shouted, “My lady, your deeds have been exposed. Confess your crimes!”

“And what is the meaning of this? Are you all intent on destroying me, framing me for something I did not do?” Concubine Wan could never have imagined that after believing her troubles had been solved, things would turn so utterly against her.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, she persisted in her denials. Suxin snorted in disdain and stepped forward, holding out the powder. “Look closely, Concubine Wan. This is the poison you gave Cuiyu with your own hands. I’m sure there’s more of it hidden in the palace. Shall I search for it?”

After all, who would exhaust all their resources and leave themselves with no backup?

Concubine Wan was left speechless, yet still glared at Huarong and shrieked, “Hahaha… Huarong, you are truly cunning—seducing the Emperor so effortlessly. I could never compare to you!”

Huarong, unbothered, moved closer to the Emperor and murmured, “Your Majesty, I believe she should also be charged with slander.”

Sometimes, unintended consequences grow from small acts of leniency. Huarong had not anticipated that her own retreat would deepen their suspicions and lead to such disaster.

With a sigh, Jun Yeli gazed at the now-mad Concubine Wan and ordered, “Take this lunatic away!”

But just as the words fell, a feral light flashed in Concubine Wan’s bloodshot eyes. She lunged at Huarong like a wild beast, shrieking, “You vixen! Scheming witch! If I am to die, I’ll drag you down with me!”

She pounced without mercy, her long nails digging into Huarong’s throat.

“Help… I can’t breathe…” Huarong choked, feeling as if she had swallowed hot pepper, her eyes darting pleadingly toward Jun Yeli.

Jun Yeli strode forward and struck Concubine Wan’s shoulder, quickly pulling Huarong into his arms and soothing her gently, “Are you all right?”

His actions were smooth and his voice warm as jade, making it hard to resist.

Jun Yeli’s deep, affectionate gaze fixed on Huarong; any ordinary woman would have long since been lost in such a current of passion.

But Huarong, visibly shaken, shrank away like a startled rabbit, retreating to the side with her head bowed. “I nearly met the King of Hell just now—how could I possibly be all right?” she mumbled.

Such blunt words made Jun Yeli feel helpless. He cast an annoyed glance at the now-restrained Concubine Wan. “What are you waiting for? Drag this madwoman away!”

With that, the matter was temporarily settled. Jun Yeli turned to Huarong. “Now that the culprit has been apprehended and your life is no longer threatened, can you finally be at ease?”

Huarong paused, sizing him up, then shook her head while rubbing her chin. “No, I can’t be at ease at all!”

As long as this Emperor continued to circle around her, was she not always dancing on the edge of a precipice?