The leisurely words, paired with Noble Consort Yi’s smiling, teasing gaze, could easily be interpreted as:
"This consort is in a foul mood and deliberately sought His Majesty’s decree to come here and provoke your mistress."
Her unbridled arrogance made Ying'er’s face pale, her chest heaving violently before she finally managed to steady her voice. Forcing a smile, she curtsied, "This humble maid... pays respects to Noble Consort Yi. Our mistress is devoted to Buddhist prayers and cannot receive guests."
Hearing this, Ruizhu cheerfully cut her off, "Concubine Hui is still under house arrest. Noble Consort Yi is well aware and naturally wouldn’t intrude without cause. Didn’t we mention His Majesty’s decree? Are you defying imperial orders?"
The weight of such an accusation made Ying'er’s cheeks flush crimson, her body trembling uncontrollably.
At this point, no matter how unwilling she was, there was nothing she could do. After a long pause, she forced another smile, "This maid wouldn’t dare. Noble Consort Yi, please."
A young palace maid behind Ying'er, sensing the tension, turned and hurried toward the prayer hall, panting with fear as she called out, "Mistress! Mistress!"
The matron attending Concubine Hui’s prayers heard the commotion and quickly excused herself before rushing to the door, scowling as she scolded, "What’s all this noise? Have you no manners?"
The maid lowered her head, her throat dry with dread, "Matron, Noble Consort Yi has barged into the hall. She says she’s in a foul mood and wishes to share some... private words with our mistress."
Concubine Hui’s fingers twitched, the Buddhist beads slipping from her grasp and scattering across the floor. Her tightly shut eyes flew open.
The front chamber, connected to the inner quarters, was traditionally reserved for receiving guests. By the time Concubine Hui arrived, Yunxiu was already holding a cup of warm tea, casually directing servants to sweep and dust—incidentally, the water and tea set had been brought along as well.
It was the very picture of "the guest usurping the host’s role."
Concubine Hui felt a vein throb at her temple. Digging her nails into her palms, she said coolly, "Noble Consort Yi barging in uninvited is one thing, but must you also go out of your way to humiliate this consort?"
At least her words were still coherent.
Yunxiu met Concubine Hui’s gaze without flinching, finally sensing the dissonance Noble Consort Wen had pointed out to her.
In the past, the slightest provocation would send Concubine Hui into a frenzy, as if she wanted to skin Yunxiu alive and drink her blood. But now, with the Eldest Prince’s path to power ruined by her own actions, Concubine Hui had grown calm—too calm. Her haggard appearance almost seemed like genuine remorse.
Instead of answering, Yunxiu countered, "What, praying for the Second Princess?"
Concubine Hui’s breath hitched, her carefully maintained composure fracturing. The woman before her was her most hated enemy, and though she suppressed her rage, a shadow still darkened her eyes as she coldly glanced at Yunxiu’s abdomen. With a mocking smile, she said, "No need for Noble Consort Yi’s concern. Focus on your pregnancy—just don’t trip and fall, lest His Majesty grieve."
Yunxiu smirked back, "A mere concubine dares to speak so? Shall I reward you with a few slaps?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, the burly matrons behind her stepped forward in unison, rolling up their sleeves and glaring menacingly.
Concubine Hui’s face twitched, her expression turning livid.
The verbal sparring escalated into open hostility. Sarcasm was useless against someone who refused to play by the rules—especially when that someone outranked her. The hall fell deathly silent.
Concubine Hui’s attendants didn’t dare breathe until Noble Consort Yi suddenly laughed. "Few in the palace are as foolish as you. A son estranged, a daughter-in-law turned stranger, and even the last shred of His Majesty’s favor lost. One might suspect you’ve been replaced."
Then, as if realizing her mistake, Yunxiu quickly corrected, "No, not replaced—perhaps poisoned with rat venom."
"Ying'er," she called sweetly to the head maid, "have you ever doubted your mistress’s identity?"
Noble Consort Yi’s tongue had always been sharp enough to kill without bloodshed. Since Kangxi 22 to this day, Concubine Hui had witnessed—and endured—it countless times.
Yet she still trembled with fury. "You—"
"This consort misspoke. Don’t fret, sister," Yunxiu smiled brightly, smoothing her dark hair before shifting tone to feigned concern. "With your son and daughter-in-law estranged, house arrest must be lonely. Why not summon your favored candidate for the Eldest Prince’s secondary consort to attend you? That’s true harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Now, what was her name again?"
"Huang, daughter of the Bordered Blue Banner’s Commander... Lin, daughter of the Plain White Banner’s Commander..." She tapped her chin playfully before brightening. "Ah, yes—Huang. With her filial devotion, she’ll surely help you pass the long nights."
Concubine Hui’s brows shot up, ready to retort, but Ruizhu signaled the matrons, who rolled up their sleeves and advanced again.
Seeing Concubine Hui’s face darken with rage, her breath uneven, Ying'er could bear it no longer. "Noble Consort Yi," she interjected softly, "it’s neither Huang nor Lin, but Cheng, daughter of the Bordered White Banner’s Deputy Commander. A maiden’s reputation shouldn’t be slandered. My mistress long abandoned such thoughts... I beg you to stop."
The words spilled out in desperation, and Ying'er immediately regretted them. Fear flooded her heart—she braced for a slap but somehow remained standing.
Perhaps sensing her terror, Noble Consort Yi mercifully spared them further torment.
"What a loyal maid, as if possessed," she chuckled, casting a meaningful glance at Concubine Hui before leisurely departing.
Her entourage swept out, leaving the hall eerily empty. Concubine Hui took a deep breath, barely containing her fury before smashing a vase against the wall.
The crash sent Ying'er to her knees, clutching her mistress’s hem with a sob. "Mistress, this useless servant—"
"Not your fault. We’re but fish on the chopping block," Concubine Hui hissed through clenched teeth. After a long pause, she steadied herself. "How laughable—trapped here, powerless against her."
That sharp tongue will reap its due.
But as she closed her eyes, Yunxiu’s words echoed in her mind. Her lips curled into a sneer—until her pupils abruptly constricted, her body shaking violently.
Replaced... poisoned with rat venom...
Doubted her identity... possessed...
Yes. Even in her desperation for a royal grandson, she would never have spoken so madly.
And Lady Irgen Gioro—she’d been utterly pleased when the girl first married into the family. Even as minor grievances arose, why would she publicly provoke her into a difficult birth?
Since retreating to the prayer hall, Concubine Hui had grown calmer, splitting her days between prayers and repentance. She’d embraced piety, even resignation—she’d ruined Yinti and nearly her grandchild.
The dark days after her demotion were memories she’d refused to revisit. But now, Mrs. Guoluoluo had opened her eyes—
She’d been played.
"The medicine... the meals..." The realization struck like lightning.
She no longer had the mind for revenge or anything else. Her face completely darkened as Concubine Hui, her eyes bloodshot, demanded, "And what about the incense used last month? Does the storeroom have any records left?"
"That person is meticulous in their schemes. Though they plot carefully, they likely left no traces behind. The chances of Concubine Hui uncovering anything are slim... but anyone who commits wrongdoing will feel guilt, and no one can escape it. With the right bait to lure the snake out of its hole, we can remain hidden in the shadows."
The palanquin of Noble Consort Wen moved leisurely toward Yikun Palace. Along the way, Yunxiu quietly reflected on yesterday’s plans before murmuring to herself, "The deputy commander of the Bordered White Banner... Lady Cheng."
Glancing at the sky, she asked Ruizhu, "Is the food box for Qianqing Palace ready?"
"Your Highness, everything is prepared," Ruizhu replied hesitantly. "But you—"
Would the Emperor really not be angry?
As if reading her thoughts, Yunxiu smiled gently. "Putting myself in his shoes, His Majesty will surely be pleased."
"This is a special pastry Noble Consort Yi had the kitchen prepare for you. She said since it’s still early for the main meal, you should have a bite to refresh yourself," Liang Jiugong said cautiously.
The two assassins had resisted stubbornly for a long time but eventually confessed—yet their confessions only made matters worse.
Liang Jiugong stole a glance at the written testimony and felt his heart shudder. The Tiandihui Society...
This was truly going to be a disaster.
The Emperor ordered further interrogation—details on their strongholds in the capital, the distribution of their members, their spies within the palace, and even the appearance of their leader had to be uncovered. Once this investigation deepened, how could the Nine Gates Infantry remain idle?
The capital would no longer be peaceful.
Waiting for the full confession, the Emperor had no mind to review memorials. Fortunately, Noble Consort Yi’s timely gesture dispelled the tense atmosphere. Liang Jiugong sighed inwardly, silently reciting a prayer.
Upon hearing his report, Kangxi set down his vermilion brush. His stormy expression softened slightly, and the corners of his lips twitched upward despite himself.
He sighed. "Yunxiu is always so thoughtful."
Taking the food box, he eagerly opened it—only to find several bright red round pastries neatly arranged inside, their color glaringly vivid and emitting a strangely familiar scent.
Not sweet, not salty, but... spicy?
Hesitantly picking one up, he didn’t dare to eat it whole. After a moment’s thought, he took a small, cautious bite.
The pastry was stuffed with chili powder, its flavor exploding from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head. That single bite alone made the Emperor experience the unbearable weight of existence. His face stiffened, and he remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he managed one word: "Tea!"
Liang Jiugong scrambled to hand him the tea. Seizing the chance to peek, he nearly jumped in shock—was the Emperor moved to tears?
Just then, the chief of the Imperial Punishment Bureau arrived to report, "Your Majesty, the rebels’ hideout has been located—in the outskirts of the capital—"
Kangxi’s ears were still ringing, and he barely caught the words. He didn’t even want to hear the rest. Closing his eyes, he commanded, "Summon the Commander of the Nine Gates and the Infantry Commander. Wipe out that stronghold! Capture them alive if possible—but if they resist, show no mercy!"
A wave of killing intent swept through the study. As for the Emperor’s slightly muffled voice, it was naturally overlooked.
The chief of the Imperial Punishment Bureau was stunned. No mercy?
Liang Jiugong bowed and acknowledged the order, waiting for further instructions—only to hear the Emperor struggle out another command: "Tell the imperial kitchen... cancel Little Eleventh’s portion. Send him proper food instead."
