Luo Shuran’s words clearly startled everyone present.
Even Qi Zhaorong, the person involved, was momentarily stunned. Could it be that today’s trap was designed by her?
She truly hadn’t considered Talent Luo, subconsciously believing she was neither worthy nor daring enough.
Or perhaps she was acting under someone’s orders, or was so afraid of Consort Xian that she foolishly took all the blame upon herself.
Luo Shuran then turned to look at Qi Zhaorong, a hint of confusion in her expression. “Lady Zhaorong, what matter makes you think this humble concubine would seek revenge against you?”
Qi Zhaorong, under her gaze, appeared somewhat uneasy. Earlier, she had only wanted to embarrass Luo Wanling and hadn’t thought much about her words, which naturally lacked careful consideration.
Luo Wanling, seated above, remained silent, but the upward curve of her lips indicated her satisfaction with Luo Shuran’s response.
Luo Shuran smiled gently and spoke slowly, “Lady Zhaorong is kind-hearted. That day, when the sedan chair was unsteady, you not only refrained from punishing the palace servants but also helped this humble concubine discipline her disobedient maid. I am deeply grateful and unsure how to repay you. I could only calculate the route, fearing that Lady Zhaorong might stumble again on that same path, so I often had people clean it and reminded passing palace servants to be cautious at the corners and to serve their masters diligently.”
As her words fell, the expressions of the concubines present shifted unpredictably, and their gazes toward Talent Luo grew more profound.
This response was truly brilliant, leaving no room for criticism. On the surface, it praised Qi Zhaorong, but in reality, it clarified that she had not offended Qi Zhaorong—implying that Qi Zhaorong had deliberately targeted her.
Moreover, her fall was entirely due to the negligence of the palace servants and Qi Zhaorong’s lax discipline, making this incident a consequence of her own actions.
Qi Zhaorong frowned, feeling deeply unsettled. How had she not noticed before that this wretch was so sharp-tongued?
“Talent Luo…”
Before Qi Zhaorong could retort, Luo Wanling interrupted, “This consort said it was a smooth path—others walked it without issue, so how did Qi Zhaorong end up in such a sorry state? It turns out the servants below lack awareness.
Last time, nothing happened out of luck, but today she fell. Who knows what might happen next? Qi Zhaorong is too kind-hearted to punish them, but this consort, concerned for her safety, cannot rest easy. Guards!”
Luo Wanling’s words carried an undeniable authority. Her red lips parted slightly as she commanded, “The palace servants serving Qi Zhaorong today were negligent. Take them all away and administer twenty heavy strikes as a warning.”
As she finished speaking, several people exited through the doorway. Soon, cries for mercy echoed, only to fade into silence moments later.
Qi Zhaorong’s face turned pale. She lowered her head to look at her skirt, her eyes filled with resentment. She hadn’t expected that today, not only would she be humiliated, but she would also be trampled underfoot by them.
Seated above, Luo Wanling could no longer contain her smile. The anger in her heart had finally been vented.
Her gaze shifted to Luo Shuran standing below. Though she found it strange how eloquent she had been today, since she had served her purpose, Luo Wanling’s tone softened slightly. “Since you’re already here, stay and enjoy the flowers with us.”
Luo Shuran hurriedly bowed in gratitude. Given her rank, she could only sit at the very back. As a eunuch brought a stool, Luo Shuran made her way toward it.
Just as she was about to sit, her peripheral vision caught sight of a figure appearing—the bright yellow dragon robe was unmistakable.
The announcement “The Emperor has arrived!” echoed throughout the garden.
The concubines were only stunned for a moment before quickly stepping forward to greet and pay their respects.
They hadn’t expected the Emperor to appear here so suddenly. After all, since Shu Fei became pregnant, she had occupied most of the Emperor’s time, making it difficult for them to catch even a glimpse of him.
Although most of them held status and had children, they still longed for the Emperor’s favor in their hearts.
Qi Jingheng had been dealing with official duties when his eyes grew tired, so he decided to take a walk. On the way, he heard quite a commotion coming from this direction and came to investigate.
The first thing he saw upon entering was Luo Shuran, who was closest to him. Her posture as she bowed was proper and flawless on its own, but when compared to others, her beauty stood out even more distinctly.
It had been quite some time since he last saw her since that day.
Qi Jingheng walked over, and as he passed by her, he caught the unique fragrance that belonged to her alone—a scent he never grew tired of.
Feeling a sudden impulse, he reached out to support her arm. “All of you, rise.”
Luo Shuran felt the Emperor’s approach and rose gracefully, though she subtly took a step back, creating distance between them.
Qi Jingheng lowered his gaze to look at her. His outstretched hand remained suspended in mid-air for a moment before he withdrew it behind his back, as if nothing had happened. He smiled and walked forward. “My beloved consorts are enjoying such refined pleasures. I fear I am intruding.”
Luo Wanling naturally witnessed the scene just now and inwardly cursed Luo Shuran a few times. How foolish and ungrateful! The Emperor has come, yet she doesn’t seize the opportunity.
Then she walked over to the Emperor’s side, beaming with a radiant smile. “Your Majesty, you jest. All the sisters here have been longing for you day and night. Seeing you today fills this humble consort’s heart with joy and contentment.”
Hearing Luo Wanling’s words, Qi Jingheng smiled and patted her hand in response. “On my way here, I heard quite a commotion. What happened to upset my beloved consort?”
What the Emperor referred to was naturally the punishment of the palace servants.
Luo Wanling’s smile faltered slightly as she pondered how to respond. Just then, Qi Zhaorong, weeping and sniffling, approached the Emperor’s side. “Your Majesty, you must stand up for this humble consort!”
Ever since she saw the Emperor arrive, Qi Zhaorong had been scheming to make them pay. After all, she was the mother of the Second Prince—surely the Emperor wouldn’t let her be bullied, no matter what.
Qi Jingheng frowned as he watched her crying, tears and snot streaming down her face. “What happened?” How could a Zhaorong, a consort of such rank, suffer such great grievances that she would cry like this?
Seizing the opportunity, Qi Zhaorong wailed even louder, unconsciously clutching the Emperor’s sleeve through her tear-blurred vision. “Your Majesty, Talent Luo offended this humble consort and twisted the truth. Consort Xian listened only to her one-sided account and punished the servants in this consort’s palace, Your Majesty.”
She didn’t dare to directly blame Consort Xian, so she pinned everything on Luo Shuran.
The concubines exchanged glances, looking down on Qi Zhaorong’s behavior with disdain and contempt. She had remained silent earlier, but as soon as the Emperor arrived, she began acting pitiful and throwing a tantrum.
However, in the palace, as long as it didn’t involve them, everyone preferred to stay out of it.
Qi Zhaorong was not a kind-hearted person. If she held a grudge against someone, she would surely cause trouble for them in the future.
Upon hearing this, Qi Jingheng looked toward the person standing behind. He saw Luo Shuran raise her head, her willow-leaf eyes shimmering faintly in the sunlight, like ripples on water, as if telling countless untold stories.
Luo Wanling watched Qi Zhaorong turn the tables, her heart burning with anger, yet she couldn’t openly vent her frustration. She could only say, “Sister Qi, those under your charge were negligent and caused you to fall. Why are you still defending them? Had I known you cared for them so dearly, I wouldn’t have interfered.”
“Your Majesty, it was my oversight. I only thought Sister Qi was too kind-hearted to punish them, and I was concerned for her safety, so I intended to give them a warning.”
Who didn’t know how to play the victim? Luo Wanling put on a pitiful expression and moved closer to the Emperor.
Qi Zhaorong, fearing she might lose the upper hand, blinked her eyes, letting even more tears fall.
Her mother had once said that tears were a woman’s greatest weapon.