Chapter Forty-Five: An Unexpected Turn

One must admit that sitting in this position, Hua Rong could see every expression laid bare before her, as if she had ascended to the highest summit.

“So this is what the emperor sees—truly extraordinary. No wonder so many people covet this seat…”

Hua Rong couldn’t help but sigh, feeling as though she could survey the entire world from here.

Yet just as her thoughts wandered, the emperor’s cold voice cut through the reverie: “What are you thinking about? Can’t you see my wine cup is empty?”

As expected, his ability to kill the mood was unparalleled; his words instantly drew Hua Rong back to reality. Her heart trembled, and she hastily smiled and said, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I will pour you some wine right away!”

Lifting the cup, she felt the wine slosh inside, but a sudden idea flashed through her mind: “If I pour him wine properly, the emperor will think I’m sensible and be pleased. So…”

Her eyes darted, and she sensed that the gentleman was watching her closely, which made her feel uneasy. Before she could second-guess her plan, she grabbed the wine pot and deliberately used extra force, knocking the lid off and spilling wine all over the table—some drops even landed on Jun Yeli.

Jun Yeli’s pupils contracted in anger. “What are you doing? Don’t you know how to pour wine?”

Seeing her lively antics, Hua Rong nearly burst out laughing, but quickly feigned panic, tossing the wine pot aside. The wine ran wild, but she ignored it, prostrating herself on the floor. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean it—I’ve always been clumsy. It’s your fault for…”

Her words were quickly understood. “So you’re saying I was blind to let you serve me? Or are you really that mistaken?”

Jun Yeli was giving her a chance to curry favor, but who could have expected such a scene? Though the emperor was angry, the other concubines were secretly delighted. “Serves you right! Did you think you could easily claim that seat?”

Everyone assumed Hua Rong was nervous, but who would have guessed she did it on purpose?

The atmosphere suddenly grew awkward. Hua Rong couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at the triumphant faces of the concubines—seeing their satisfaction, she felt better. “Wonderful, maybe now they won’t treat me with such hostility.”

She sighed in relief, but Jun Yeli caught her subtle change in expression, growing even more puzzled. “What is going on? Is she trying to please the other concubines?”

She ignored the emperor, yet showered others with favor—something felt off. Jun Yeli couldn’t make sense of it.

Before he could analyze further, Hua Rong abruptly looked up, beaming with hope. “Your Majesty, I’m far too clumsy to serve you. Why not let someone else try? All the ladies here are skilled and beautiful—they would surely take excellent care of you!”

Whoever ended up as the next unlucky one—Hua Rong didn’t care. She simply wanted to escape the predatory gazes of these women.

Another refusal; Jun Yeli struggled to keep his composure, gritting his teeth. “It’s fine. I happen to be slightly tipsy, and you spilling the wine suits me perfectly. Stay where you are.”

He returned to his seat, wiping the spilled wine with a handkerchief, unconcerned by the mess.

Hua Rong was left bewildered. “Can it really be such a coincidence?”

She never imagined that her blunder would so perfectly fit the moment—was this fate, or some sort of divine retribution?

The emperor’s piercing gaze made her nervous, and she quickly climbed back onto the coveted seat that everyone envied.

She hesitated, staring at the mess, when Jun Yeli’s impatient voice rang out. “Why are you just standing there? You made a mess of the table—don’t you know how to clean up?”

“Oh, yes, Your Majesty, don’t be upset. I’ll clean it up right away!” Hua Rong hastily gathered everything into a dish, then placed it at the side of the table—a rather haphazard cleanup.

Jun Yeli was momentarily speechless, too weary to argue further. “Endure, I must endure this.”

He took a deep breath and felt suddenly at ease, then glanced at the grapes. “Why are you still standing there? Help me eat!”

Hua Rong understood, picked up a grape, and held it to the emperor’s lips, smiling broadly. “Please be careful, Your Majesty—the skin is a little bitter.”

“You know it’s bitter, so why didn’t you peel it for me?”

“Because I went to the latrine and didn’t wash my hands!” Hua Rong’s reply was thunderous, leaving everyone speechless.

Jun Yeli felt disgusted, quickly pushing her hand aside. “Enough, enough. I don’t need your service anymore!”

At last, the words she had longed to hear. Glancing at the concubines still watching her, Hua Rong felt a weight lift from her shoulders. “Ladies, just endure a little longer. I’ll keep trying, and soon the emperor will send me away. Whoever wants this seat next, it’s yours—it has nothing to do with me!”

Savoring the impending freedom, Hua Rong couldn’t help but smile with relief.

But fate had other plans. The words she hoped for never arrived.

Instead, she saw Jun Yeli grow serious. At some point, the score on the board had shifted to one to two.

They were trailing behind!

Jun Yeli frowned, while Hua Rong felt powerless. “Why hasn’t the emperor sent me away yet? Is he captivated by the excitement of the competition?”

Taking a deep breath, Hua Rong gritted her teeth and said, “Your Majesty, I really am too clumsy to stay here. Why not let me go, so I don’t spoil your mood?”

Her words caught Jun Yeli’s attention. He glanced at her, but instead of dismissing her, he said, “Just stay here and watch the match. You don’t need to do anything. If you like, you can cheer them on.”

This… Hua Rong was speechless. How had the plot veered so far from her expectations?