Chapter 96 Slapping

Under Consort Yu's watchful gaze, Consort Wu turned pale and hurriedly explained, "That's not true! Qiu Liu is slandering me!"

"Then tell me, what is it like?" Consort Yu casually picked a flower and asked nonchalantly.

"What I meant was that Your Highness is so noble and precious, and the blessings you bestow upon others are too great—" Consort Wu couldn't continue.

Some things are said to put people down, but if you actually say them in public, it'll be awkward.

It's all Qiu Liu's fault for being so ill-mannered, barbaric, and reckless!

"Your Highness, Consort Wu didn't finish her sentence," Qiu Heng said, ignoring Consort Wu's murderous glare. "She said that receiving Your Highness's favor would bring misfortune upon oneself. Doesn't that mean anyone who gets involved with Your Highness will be doomed?"

Consort Yu looked at Consort Wu with an indifferent expression: "Did you say that?"

“I—” Wu Zhaoyi subconsciously looked around.

Consort Yu sneered: "If you don't explain yourself clearly, I'll ask someone else. I doubt these servants would dare to deceive me, would they?"

Whether they were Wu Zhaoyi's people or Qiu Meiren's people, they all bowed their heads and dared not utter a sound upon hearing these words.

Consort Wu opened her mouth, but could only admit, "I did say that, but what I meant was that Your Highness's status is too noble, and Qiu Liu is not worthy of it—"

"Enough." Consort Yu interrupted Consort Wu's explanation. "Slap yourself and let it know what it should and shouldn't say."

Consort Wu's face turned extremely ugly. Knowing that she couldn't avoid it, she gritted her teeth and raised her hand to slap herself.

A crisp slap rang out; Wu Zhaoyi was in pain and embarrassed, while the others were terrified.

Qiu Meiren clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, her heart filled with turbulent emotions.

Those slaps struck not only Wu Zhaoyi's face, but also her heart.

She wasn't feeling sorry for Wu Zhaoyi, but rather terrified.

Scenes of being constantly harassed by Consort Wu flashed through my mind. Every time, Consort Wu was arrogant and condescending, as if she were a flower or plant that could be trampled on at will.

Unable to bear it any longer, she used a butterfly-shaped incense pendant to curry favor with Consort Yu, thus escaping Consort Wu's previous torment. After gaining the Emperor's favor, Consort Wu's targeting was limited to words.

This change made her deeply aware of the importance of imperial favor, but she never imagined that Consort Wu would suffer such a loss because of her.

Because of her, but not because of her that Wu Zhaoyi suffered a loss.

Qiu Meiren couldn't help but look at Qiu Heng.

Unlike the panicked expressions of the others, the neatly dressed girl remained calm, as if she heard drums and music, not slaps.

She makes a scene without a second thought; isn't she worried about the consequences? Aren't she concerned about what others will say?

For a moment, Qiu Meiren's shock at Wu Zhaoyi slapping herself faded, replaced by more astonishment and suspicion towards Qiu Heng.

"Alright."

Finally, when Consort Yu spoke, Consort Wu stopped slapping herself; her face was already swollen.

As for Consort Yu, this was not even worth a second glance.

"Come with me." Consort Yu gestured with her chin toward Qiu Heng's direction, then turned and walked away.

Qiu Heng walked past Consort Wu without glancing to the side.

Qiu Meiren knew that Consort Yu's words were directed at Qiu Heng, but she silently followed.

Sixth Sister's actions are unpredictable; I can't feel at ease without her by my side.

Wu Zhaoyi remained where she was, watching helplessly as the group of people walked away, feeling as pathetic as a stray dog.

Such humiliation has never happened before; it's all because of that little bitch Qiu Liu!

As for Consort Qiu, she didn't care at all. Who knew how long the Emperor's favor would last? Once she fell out of favor, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with her!

"Fang Yang." As soon as Wu Zhaoyi spoke, she gasped in pain.

"This servant is here."

"Pass a message to my sister..."

That little slut only knows how to ride a donkey, yet she eagerly followed me to the autumn hunt. She'll definitely get her revenge for the humiliation she suffered today!

Consort Yu walked out, glancing back at Qiu Heng: "Sixth Miss Qiu's courage is truly admirable."

"This humble woman simply cannot bear to hear others speak of Your Majesty in such a manner."

"Sharp-tongued." Consort Yu slowed her pace slightly, her cool gaze fixed on the girl's fair face. "Do you think I'll do as you please just because you listen to a few words of instigation?"

"This humble woman dares not presume to be clever. This humble woman knows that Her Highness the Noble Consort will only follow her own will."

Consort Yu was somewhat surprised by this answer and couldn't help but give Qiu Heng a deep look.

She would only follow her own heart—she had to admit, what the girl said hit the nail on the head.

Yes, she could have whatever she wanted in the harem, doing whatever she pleased.

She knew that Qiu Liu had used her to make Wu Zhaoyi suffer, but Wu Zhaoyi's words did indeed displease her.

If you're unhappy, just slap yourself. It's that simple.

She was annoyed just now, annoyed that a little girl thought she had successfully used her as a pawn. But after hearing this, that annoyance suddenly disappeared.

With a slender hand reaching out, Consort Yu hooked Qiu Heng's chin, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "How old is Sixth Miss Qiu?"

"Your Majesty, I am fifteen years old this year."

"Fifteen years old, so young." Consort Yu's slender fingers brushed across the girl's fair and delicate cheek. "How can you speak so eloquently at such a young age?"

She was genuinely curious.

Was it an unintentional encounter with her thoughts, or did he have a deep understanding of people's hearts?

It was good that no one dared to cause trouble in the deep palace, but it got boring after a while. Finally, there was someone who made her feel interesting.

Consort Yu withdrew her hand, a smile playing on her lips as she walked forward.

Qiu Heng wisely slowed her pace and followed behind Consort Yu, walking side by side with the beauty.

Since Consort Yu hadn't given any instructions, they could only follow along.

As she left the palace, Qiu Meiren felt somewhat lost and bewildered.

The imperial palace and the imperial palace were like deep cages to her, places she longed to escape from day and night. And that's how she walked out?

She was not free, but she breathed the air of freedom and felt the breeze of freedom.

This made her heart race and her legs feel weak.

"Her Imperial Concubine has arrived!"

Beneath the vast, open canopy, some officials sat around Emperor Jingping, while others rode into the forest to hunt.

"My beloved concubine has arrived." Emperor Jingping smiled and beckoned Consort Yu to sit beside him, glancing at the Qiu Heng sisters, who were bowing in surprise.

"Why didn't Your Majesty go hunting?" Consort Yu's question drew Emperor Jingping's attention back to the capital.

Emperor Jingping laughed heartily: "Let the young people have some fun first."

The sound of horses' hooves echoed as hunters returned with their prey.

This competition is not difficult. The ranking will be determined by the order in which a pair of gray rabbits are hunted, and the top ten will be selected.

Qiu Heng saw Xue Han leading the way, galloping towards them.

He was dressed in black hunting attire, and his horse was also entirely black. Behind him stretched a vast grassland and forest, vibrant and full of life like the rising sun.

Several young men, not wanting to fall behind, were chasing after Xue Han, also riding fine horses and full of vigor.

Such a scene was refreshing, and Qiu Heng couldn't help but be drawn to it. As Xue Han approached and dismounted, she suddenly heard his rapid breathing.

(End of this chapter)