"I was just passing through the Imperial Garden when those people from Chengde Palace were sitting in the pavilion gossiping about me…"
Consort Yu chattered endlessly, recounting what she had heard in the Imperial Garden to Imperial Concubine Jia, growing increasingly distressed as she spoke.
"I… I feel truly wronged…"
Consort Yu choked back a sob, tears streaming down her face, the buyao on her hair trembling wildly with her sobs.
"Although I failed to please the Emperor when I attended him, those wretched women are blaming the Emperor's refusal to visit the rear palace entirely on me! It's simply too much!"
Incense smoke curled up from the burner. Imperial Concubine Jia leaned on her couch, fiddling with a beaded bracelet, remaining silent throughout.
So annoying, so annoying.
Coming to her every day with these trivial matters – the tears she'd accumulated over the years could flood Changle Palace!
"An Pin even called me a jinx!"
Consort Yu clutched her embroidered handkerchief, her red nails nearly digging into her palm.
She completely failed to notice Imperial Concubine Jia's unusual silence, immersed only in her own humiliation as she poured out her grievances.
"Clearly it was Changzai Zhuang who failed to please the Emperor, yet I'm the one suffering this undeserved humiliation!"
"Hah."
Imperial Concubine Jia suddenly let out a cold laugh, her beaded bracelet clattering sharply against the tea table.
She had finally had enough!
Lifting her eyes to coldly stare at Consort Yu, "Do you take me for a fool?"
Consort Yu's crying ceased abruptly as she cautiously studied Imperial Concubine Jia's expression.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"
Imperial Concubine Jia sat up straight, reaching out to lift Consort Yu's chin, her phoenix eyes like frozen ice.
"If you hadn't been so clever, you wouldn't have become the laughingstock of the rear palace!"
She had her people in Jin Hua Palace. She knew perfectly well how Consort Yu had confined Jiang Huan and how eagerly she had thrown herself at the Emperor.
That insignificant Jiang Huan, though exceptionally beautiful, came from a family without influence. What did it matter if she was rumored to have attended the Emperor?
But this foolish woman had confined Jiang Huan the very next day, then tried to imitate her by making food for the Emperor.
Who gave her such confidence!
Now look – she had tried to be clever but ended up with the opposite result.
Her rivals were all secretly laughing at her for nurturing such a ridiculous creature.
And yet Consort Yu still came crying to her, wanting her help!
Consort Yu's face turned deathly pale. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but the words were swallowed back under Imperial Concubine Jia's icy gaze.
Since Consort Yu had come begging to her, this was perfect – she could let Consort Yu test the waters first.
Looking at the trembling Consort Yu who dared not speak, Imperial Concubine Jia crooked her finger.
"Come closer. I'll show you a way out."
Consort Yu hurried over. As she listened to Imperial Concubine Jia's whisper, her pale complexion gradually regained color.
"I thank Your Highness for your guidance."
Consort Yu knelt and bowed, her fighting spirit rekindled.
Imperial Concubine Jia snorted coldly inwardly, too lazy to look at Consort Yu anymore. She waved her hand dismissively, signaling her to leave.
If Consort Yu weren't still useful, she would have driven her out long ago.
After leaving Changle Palace, Consort Yu immediately returned to Jinxiu Palace and sent Cui Ying to fetch Jiang Huan from the West Side Hall.
Before long, Jiang Huan and Xiao Zhao followed Cui Ying to the main hall.
Though somewhat puzzled, Jiang Huan kept her head bowed and performed a respectful salute.
"I pay my respects to Consort Yu. May I ask what instructions you have for me?"
She had been staying quietly in the side hall these past few days, bothering no one.
Hadn't Consort Yu always disliked her the most? Why summon her for no reason?
When Jiang Huan arrived, Consort Yu tilted her chin upward with an air of arrogant command.
"Changzai Zhuang, I've heard the Emperor favors your culinary skills. Very well, prepare some delicacies for me to sample."
Jiang Huan couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly.
Consort Yu was the ranking consort in her palace quarters. Didn't she know Jiang Huan hadn't even been able to put food on the table these past few days?
Now she was being ordered to prepare dishes? With what ingredients? Her very life?
Xiao Zhao, being impulsive, knelt with a thud before her mistress could speak.
"Your Ladyship, our pantry is completely empty. How could we possibly gather ingredients to honor you…"
Consort Yu's face instantly darkened like stormy waters, followed immediately by Cui Ying's scolding voice.
"How dare a mere servant speak when your mistress hasn't uttered a word!"
Cold sweat beaded on Jiang Huan's forehead.
Xiao Zhao was excellent in every way, except for her too-quick tongue and tendency to babble.
In palace dramas, such characters never survived past the first episode.
"Xiao—"
Just as Jiang Huan tried to stop her, Xiao Zhao spoke again, fearing Consort Yu would take out her anger on Jiang Huan.
"Please understand, Your Ladyship! Our mistress hasn't even had rice in her storage jar for days—"
Slap!
A sharp crack echoed as Consort Yu withdrew her hand, her sharp nail guards leaving a long red mark across Xiao Zhao's face.
Cui Ying gasped in alarm, "Your Ladyship, there's no need for you to personally discipline servants. Let us handle such matters—you might hurt yourself."
Consort Yu's palm stung numb, yet her anger remained unappeased.
How dare a lowly maid repeatedly show such insolence before her!
It seemed the previous punishment had been too lenient!
Consort Yu snorted coldly and commanded, "Drag her out and slap her face!"
No sooner had she spoken than palace attendants stepped forward, seizing Xiao Zhao to drag her away.
"Xiao Zhao!"
Jiang Huan paled in alarm, instinctively moving to intervene.
During these months since transmigrating into this novel, though she'd suffered neglect and harsh treatment, nothing truly life-threatening had occurred.
Accustomed to slacking off, she'd grown complacent, forgetting she resided in this man-eating imperial harem!
Seeing Consort Yu's seriousness, Jiang Huan grew genuinely frantic.
This foolish girl had already suffered once before—why hadn't she learned her lesson?
Consort Yu wouldn't permit Jiang Huan to rescue anyone. Her eyes flashing coldly, she snapped sharply.
"Guards! Restrain Changzai Zhuang at once!"
The servant reflects the master!
She still needed Jiang Huan's services temporarily and couldn't punish her directly—how inconvenient.
But this maid would receive her lesson today!
"As you command."
Two more attendants approached, pinning Jiang Huan firmly by both arms.
Sweating profusely with anxiety, Jiang Huan knew direct confrontation was futile—only roundabout tactics might work.
"Your Ladyship, Xiao Zhao meant no disrespect! She merely feared inadequate hospitality would dishonor you. Please show mercy!"
She bowed her head deeply, her posture almost pressing into the earth.
She attempted soft words to persuade Consort Yu.
But before Jiang Huan could finish, Consort Yu's icy, merciless voice cut through again.
"Gag Changzai Zhuang! I've no need for her speech now!"
When she'd first ordered Jiang Huan to cook, Jiang Huan hadn't responded. Now responses were unnecessary!
Cui Ying, ever perceptive, immediately stuffed a handkerchief into Jiang Huan's mouth. To prevent her from spitting it out, she tied it securely with string.
"Mmph… mmph…"
Jiang Huan struggled relentlessly, yet her arms were firmly restrained on both sides, leaving her completely immobilized.
Xiao Zhao's petite frame was dragged away, her panicked expression striking deep into Jiang Huan's eyes, tearing a hole through her heart.
When the dull thwack of bamboo striking flesh erupted, every muscle in Jiang Huan's body instantly tensed.
She heard Xiao Zhao's first scream catch in her throat, as if she were desperately trying to suppress it.
But after several strikes, Xiao Zhao could no longer hold back.
"Ah!"
A piercing shriek rang out, accompanied by the repeated slapping sounds.
Blood trickled from the corner of Xiao Zhao's mouth, and soon her cheeks swelled grotesquely.
Each time she opened her mouth to scream, the wounds would tear open anew, fresh blood seeping out.
The palace staff administering the punishment were all Consort Yu's people, showing no mercy. Within moments, Xiao Zhao's screams gradually faded into whimpers.