Chapter 68: Does My Dignity Mean Nothing?

The morning light poured extravagantly through the window, carrying a hint of languid intoxication and carefree grace. Hua Rong sat in the courtyard, her exquisite face clouded with worry. The hand supporting her chin was growing weary and heavy with the weight of her thoughts.

“My lady, what’s wrong? Didn’t His Majesty lift your confinement? Aren’t you happy?” Su Xin was perplexed by Hua Rong’s demeanor and reached out, waving her hand before Hua Rong’s dazed visage.

The hazy movement brought Hua Rong back to herself. She forced an awkward smile. “It’s nothing. I just feel that if I stay here any longer, I might truly spend the rest of my life in this place.”

“What do you mean?” Su Xin had never seen Hua Rong so out of sorts and grew increasingly uneasy, unable to fathom the thoughts of her mistress.

Hua Rong sighed softly, pressing her hand to her forehead in a conflicted gesture. “If I don’t wish to repeat the mistakes of my previous life, to be schemed against and slowly consumed within the harem, and if I don’t want to waste my days here, I must leave the palace. But once I have attachments…”

Even Hua Rong herself was surprised. She felt a pang of loneliness at the thought of Jun Ye Li caring for another woman, though she could not explain exactly why.

The more she pondered, the more troubled she became. Her hands tangled in her hair in frustration, and she drew a deep breath. “Enough! Why am I thinking about all this? I’ll have to sever ties anyway!”

Su Xin was at a loss, unable to decipher her mistress’s fleeting emotions. Suddenly, Hua Rong turned and commanded, “Don’t call me that anymore. Go instruct the Imperial Kitchen to send some good food—lots of meat and fish, nothing can be left out!”

If she was to leave, she would eat well first!

Two hours later, an array of delicacies was arrayed before her. Hua Rong ate ravenously, like a famished wanderer.

“My lady, slow down! There’s plenty to eat in the future. Why are you suddenly acting like you’ve been starved?” Su Xin tugged at her lips; this was hardly the comportment of a consort.

Seeing Su Xin’s expression, Hua Rong beckoned her over. “Don’t just stand there. Go call the others. There’s too much for me alone!”

Within the vast Xuanji Palace, one mistress and three maids indulged in an unrestrained feast, the scene awkwardly excessive.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, Jun Ye Li held a book, his gaze fixed on a single page for nearly half an hour. Even the attendant eunuch, who had seen much, was growing restless.

“Your Majesty, is something troubling you? Tell this old servant, perhaps I can help you bear it!”

“What worries could I have?” Jun Ye Li stubbornly turned his head away, ignoring the question, yet his eyes lingered on the same page in a daze.

The eunuch sighed and whispered, “Your Majesty, this page has barely a hundred words, but you’ve stared at it for half an hour. I could recite it backwards now!”

At these words, Jun Ye Li’s expression shifted, embarrassment rising within him. He shot the eunuch a glare, “If you’re so skilled, then recite it backwards for me!”

The atmosphere grew awkward again. The eunuch fell silent, but at that moment, Jun Ye Li’s personal attendant rushed in.

“Your Majesty, Consort Rong is feasting with gusto—it seems she’s enjoying her life quite thoroughly!”

The sudden report displeased Jun Ye Li, who asked sharply, “Feasting? Does she feel no gratitude toward me?”

Ordinarily, if a consort had spoken so boldly to the emperor, she would be banished to the cold palace or left in neglect. Yet Hua Rong, far from expressing thanks, was celebrating on her own.

The question left the attendant speechless. He wiped the sweat from his brow and offered a forced consolation, “Perhaps the lady feels guilty about last night and is too embarrassed to face Your Majesty.”

“So you’re saying that after her mistake, I should apologize and comfort her?” Jun Ye Li, stifling his frustration, could not comprehend such logic; it seemed utterly absurd.

The attendant said nothing. Jun Ye Li suppressed his agitation and longing for Hua Rong, but finally, unable to contain himself, he stood, tossing the book aside. “Enough. I’ll go out alone. You needn’t follow.”

With that, he strode out, leaving the attendants behind. The young eunuch hesitated, “Where is His Majesty going?”

The older eunuch chuckled, eyes knowing. “Isn’t it obvious? He’s off to court Consort Rong.”

He smiled, casting his dust whisk onto his shoulder, looking thoroughly unconcerned.

As the eunuchs joked, Jun Ye Li, as expected, quickly arrived at Hua Rong’s chambers. Through the open doors, laughter and merriment could be heard.

Jun Ye Li was about to enter, but paused, thinking, “If I go in just like this, won’t it undermine my dignity?”

Hesitating, he stroked his chin and beckoned a nearby guard, whispering instructions.

“Your Majesty, are you certain about this?”

“Do you intend to defy the imperial command?” Jun Ye Li’s glance dispelled the guard’s doubts, who quickly nodded in assent.

In a heartbeat, the guard assumed his role, urgently exclaiming, “Your Majesty, a suspicious figure just entered—please don’t go in! It could be dangerous!”

The commotion immediately drew Hua Rong’s attention, her bite of chicken abruptly halted. Then she heard a familiar voice: “Don’t stop me! Consort Rong is alone inside—no matter if there’s an assassin, I would never abandon my own wife!”

Following the voice, she saw Jun Ye Li approaching at a hurried pace, with guards theatrically protesting, “Your Majesty, what if something happens to you? Please, leave at once!”

“Out of my way, you useless fools! If anything happens to Consort Rong, none of you will escape blame!”

With that, he rushed to Hua Rong, seized her shoulders, and scrutinized her closely. “Consort Rong, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”