Chapter 77 Results

"Your name is Hailan?"

"Yes... it is your servant Hailan."

Hailan knelt on the ground in a panic, not knowing how things had turned out this way.

Last night, after eating the dinner sent by Consort Xian, she inexplicably fainted. When she woke up, she was lying on the bed wearing only her nightgown, feeling weak and unable to move.

Filled with fear and unease, she was shocked to see A'Ruo help the "drunk" emperor lie down beside her.

Only at this moment did Hailan realize with despair that Consort Xian had such a plan. But she was unwilling; she did not want to become the Emperor's woman, nor did she want to be trapped in this deep palace.

She had already been transferred to the girls' school, and her future was clearly bright. Why, why did Consort Xian have to scheme against her? Why did she have to ruin her life?

Just as her heart was filled with hatred, she suddenly realized that after A'Ruo left, the "drunk" emperor sat up abruptly, his expression clear, and even brought her a cup of tea.

After drinking the tea, she quickly regained her strength, and then... then, with a surge of passion, she knelt before the Emperor and accused Consort Xian of her conspiracy.

Only after hearing the Emperor's question did she calm down, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. She seemed to have been too bold. After all, Consort Xian was the Emperor's concubine; would the Emperor really stand up for a mere servant like her? Would he choose to silence her?

Hongli stared at the woman kneeling on the ground, her face filled with panic. He noticed the anxiety, worry, and hatred for Ruyi flashing across her eyes and a playful smile played on his lips.

He certainly wouldn't force the woman; he was only going along with Ruyi's plan for fun and for some later calculations. But if Hailan, the other party involved, developed any ill intentions towards Ruyi because of this, he wouldn't stop her.

The knife that originally protected the older sister in the story has become a sharp blade aimed at Ruyi. Isn't that interesting?

"I have seen the list of girls attending the academy. Are you now working under Consort Yi?"

"Yes, this servant is now an assistant in Consort Yi's embroidery class."

Hailan was somewhat surprised, not expecting the Emperor to value girls' education so much that he even remembered her name. A sense of relief and anticipation rose within her; would the Emperor spare her?

"Since you can become an assistant in the embroidery class, you must be quite proficient in embroidery. It would be a real pity to waste such a skill."

Hongli smiled and tapped the table. Looking at Hailan's trembling eyelashes as she lowered her head, he continued, "Let's pretend that nothing happened tonight. I'll have Wang Qin escort you back. You don't need to come to Yanxi Palace in the future."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hailan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly kowtowed to Hongli.

"If you really want to thank me, then teach diligently."

Hongli's tone was gentle, and Hailan was filled with gratitude upon hearing this, so she couldn't help but look up at him.

It was only at this moment that Hailan realized how handsome and dashing the Emperor truly was. Hailan couldn't help but feel a little inferior, and her opinion of Consort Xian grew even more hostile. How could Consort Xian be so scheming against the Emperor, who was so outstanding and magnanimous?

"Yes, this servant will do her utmost."

"Go then." Hongli nodded and called out loudly, "Wang Qin."

"Your servant is here!"

Wang Qin, looking refreshed and ready to take on the role, walked in. "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

How should the play be performed? Your Majesty, please tell us!

Hongli curled the corners of his lips and glanced at Wang Qin with a playful look, "You can send Hailan back."

"ah?"

Wang Qin was somewhat stunned. What? The grand show at Yanxi Palace no longer needs servants?

"Um?"

Hongli spoke softly, and Wang Qin jumped, instantly losing his nerve to try and be clever. He immediately and readily agreed, "Yes, Your servant obeys!"

The commotion in the side hall naturally did not escape the anxious Ruyi's notice. When she rushed over with A'ruo and Suxin, she saw Wang Qin about to take Hailan away.

This was clearly beyond Ruyi's expectations, and she instinctively spoke up to stop her: "No..."

"Consort Xian!"

Hongli gave a cold shout, and Ruyi froze instantly. Meeting his clear yet indifferent eyes, Ruyi suddenly realized what she had done.

She schemed against the emperor, but he discovered it.

Ruyi, holding A'Ruo's hand, felt her legs go weak and didn't know what to say.

Wang Qin led Hailan past her and left. Ruyi panicked and naturally did not see Hailan's resentful and hateful eyes as she looked at her.

Wang Qin saw it, but he didn't care. Instead, he was scratching his head, wanting to know the truth, but unfortunately, the emperor wouldn't let him stay. Before leaving, he couldn't help but wink at Sui Xin.

It's up to you, Xinxin! Remember to tell me what exciting things are going to happen next!

Su Xin sneered. Dream on! Call her the Deputy Chief Steward of Yanxi Palace! She would never tell him what happened next! This whole drama deservedly went unnoticed by Deputy Chief Steward Wang!

Su Xin could slip away without restraint, but the two remaining servants in the hall were filled with panic.

Especially A'Ruo, who only now realized what a huge thing she had done for her master! She had drugged the Emperor, and so much of it at that! She had even tried to scheme against the Emperor to sleep with a palace maid!

What a heinous crime! How could she have the audacity to do it? If she had that kind of guts, why didn't she just climb into the emperor's bed herself?

"Consort Xian, are you really that eager to send someone to me?"

"Your Majesty..." Ruyi tried to explain, her eyes filled with tears, "I didn't mean it. I just wanted to share Your Majesty's burdens. I was just worried that there would be no one to serve Your Majesty in the harem... I did it all for Your Majesty..."

Hongli sneered, "Consort Xian is quite magnanimous."

Meeting Ruyi's uneasy gaze, Hongli quickly decided on the outcome of the matter.

"No outsiders have entered Yanxi Palace tonight. Consort Xian has been demoted to Consort Xian for her breach of etiquette before the Emperor..."

"Your Majesty!" Ruyi looked at Hongli in disbelief, her face showing a look of utter disappointment.

Hongli rose leisurely, approached Ruyi, glanced at A'ruo who was trembling with her head down, and curled the corners of his mouth. "Since Consort Xian is so worried about me, then confer upon A'ruo the title of Consort Shen, and she shall live in this side hall of Yanxi Palace."

Ruyi was shocked, while A'ruo was both surprised and delighted, never expecting that not only had her life been saved, but such good fortune had also occurred.

Before Ruyi could react, she immediately knelt down to express her gratitude, saying, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty."

"Aruo..."

Ruyi stumbled as A'ruo's movements caused her to stagger, her face filled with the heartbreak of betrayal.

Hongli ignored the subtle sparring between the mistress and servant, walked past Ruyi, and said, "Consort Xian should be relieved now. From now on, A'ruo will be able to share your burdens."

"Yes, A'Ruo will naturally share Consort Xian's burdens."

A'Ruo smiled shyly and tried her best to wink at the Emperor, but the Emperor had already strode away.

Somewhat regretfully, A'Ruo turned around and was met with Ruyi's icy, desolate expression. A'Ruo shrank back, but since she still had to live under Ruyi's control, she tried her best to explain.

"Your Majesty, this was not A'Ruo's intention. It was His Majesty who wanted to bestow a title upon A'Ruo, and this servant and concubine could not refuse."

"You're quick to change your tune!" Ruyi sneered. "It must be because you're always so unruly, dressing up and flirting with the Emperor. Otherwise, why would the Emperor think of you!"

Su Xin, standing behind, raised an eyebrow slightly. It's not like they just found out today; it's too late to regret it now.

"Go, kneel in the courtyard for three hours!"

"I am already one of the Emperor's concubines, how can you punish me like this?" A'Ruo was incredulous. Three hours? That was going to cripple her legs!

"You're nothing but a lowly concubine. As long as you're in Yanxi Palace, you'll be under my control! Sanbao! Drag this bewitching vixen out and make her kneel!"

"Yes, sir!"

"My lady... Consort Xian... you are no longer a consort, you can't treat me like this!"

"I remain the principal consort of Yanxi Palace!"

Su Xin watched this dramatic scene of mistress and servant tearing each other apart, thinking to herself that the Emperor was really good at playing games, managing to break them up from within with a single move and turn them against each other.

However, based on her understanding of the Emperor, this performance tonight shouldn't just be for Ruyi and A'ruo, right? After all, these two, mistress and servant, don't have the audacity to ask the Emperor to personally take part in the scene.