Chapter 191 Jealousy Drives People Mad

She rose and went to greet him at the entrance of the hall, where Wu Liangfu, all smiles, stepped forward and bowed.

"Congratulations to Master Uya!"

Uya stepped aside and said softly.

"Eunuch Wu, please get up. What joyous occasion is it that has troubled you to make this trip in person?"

Wu Liangfu stood up, smiling broadly.

The voice was not loud, but it was enough for those in Yonghe Palace who were interested to hear it clearly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this is a momentous occasion! His Majesty has just issued an imperial decree that Your Majesty will be chosen tonight. He has specially ordered me to inform you. Please prepare accordingly. At 7:00 PM, the Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage will arrive at the gate of Yonghe Palace to pick you up."

Although it was expected, hearing the news with my own ears was still a pleasant surprise.

Uya still felt a dizzying joy.

She steadied herself and quickly replied.

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Wu. I...I know the rules."

Wu Liangfu was a shrewd man. Although he could not hide his excitement when he saw Wuya, he still maintained proper etiquette.

He thought even more highly of her, so he leaned closer and whispered a word of advice.

"Since this is your first time receiving the Emperor's favor, there are some rules that I must repeat a few more times. Before serving the Emperor, you must bathe and change clothes, and have your body checked by a special nanny. Then, you will not wear any coverings, but will be wrapped in a brocade quilt and carried by eunuchs to the back hall of the Qianqing Palace... The nannies will carefully teach you these things. You just need to relax and follow their instructions."

He paused, then continued.

"His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately and seems to be in a good mood. Your Majesty... it's always better to be more docile."

Uya kept these words firmly in mind.

He glanced gratefully at Wu Liangfu and gestured to Zhu Xi.

Zhu Xi understood and immediately stuffed a prepared purse into Wu Liangfu's hand.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation; please have a cup of tea with your father-in-law."

Wu Liangfu felt the weight of the purse, his smile widening.

After saying a few more auspicious words, he finally took his leave, satisfied.

The Yonghe Palace was immediately thrown into a flurry of activity by this sudden imperial decree.

Palace maids and eunuchs moved in and out, though they deliberately kept their voices down.

But the overwhelming festive atmosphere still spread.

Unsurprisingly, these ripples reached the ears of Qi Jia, the concubine in the East Palace.

She was sitting by the window, her face gloomy.

Looking at the faint lights and figures moving about in the direction of the west wing hall.

She personally witnessed the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department emerge from the west side hall with a beaming smile.

I witnessed firsthand the bustling activity in the west wing of the palace as people prepared to have their bedchambers served.

That feeling of jealousy and crisis surged up from the bottom of my heart like oil being poured on it.

"They've only been promoted for a few days?"

Qi Jia's voice sounded as if it were squeezed out from between her teeth, carrying a hint of harshness.

"The Emperor summoned her to his bedchamber so hastily? What kind of celestial being is this Wuya clanswoman? Or did she use some kind of seductive trick?"

Seeing this, Yunxiu knew in her heart that something was wrong, and quickly stepped forward to whisper a word of advice.

"Your Majesty! Please keep your voice down. Walls have ears. Serving someone in bed is just a common thing. All the masters in the palace have done it. It doesn't necessarily mean anything."

"What happened?"

Qi Jia turned her head abruptly, her eyes reddening.

"If she were to serve the emperor and somehow manage to conceive a child, would we still dare to take action? Wouldn't the Empress just skin us alive? And what about Princess Tongjia? Wouldn't our previous surrender become a joke?"

The more she talked, the more panicked she became, and a sense of despair, as if there was no hope of ever getting out of this predicament, rose within her.

"No...we can't wait any longer..."

She muttered to herself, her eyes turning fierce and crazed.

"Yunxiu, I don't want to wait for any more damn opportunities. We must get rid of this menace before she truly gains favor."

Seeing her mistress almost losing control, Yunxiu knew that further persuasion was useless, so she could only follow her words and ask cautiously.

"Then... what do you plan to do, Your Majesty? She's on her way to serve the Emperor right now, and with so many eyes watching from the Imperial Household Department and the Qianqing Palace, it's really not a good time to make a move!"

Qi Jia took a few quick breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

Her gaze swept across the hall, finally settling on the heavy rosewood display cabinet.

"Wait for her to come back..."

Qi Jia's voice was low and ruthless.

"Tomorrow... or at the latest the day after, we must find an excuse to lure her to the East Annex Hall. We'll say... or that I've acquired some fine rouge and invite her to come and appreciate it together. She's just been favored by the emperor and is feeling quite pleased with herself, so she'll most likely not refuse."

She walked up to the display cabinet, pushed it open with her hand, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

"When the time comes... just as she's sitting and drinking tea, you should make it... accidentally fall down. If it hits her hard, she'll be half dead, if not killed."

Yunxiu was terrified. It was all too hasty. In the immediate aftermath of this incident, she would definitely be unable to clear her name as a suspect.

But seeing the unwavering and ruthless look in her master's eyes, she knew that if she tried to persuade him again, she would only bring trouble upon herself.

I had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

"Yes... I understand, I will act according to the circumstances."

Qi Jia nodded in satisfaction, realizing that acting too hastily would easily arouse suspicion.

But this case remains unsolved, with no evidence.

Even if the emperor investigates afterward, he can say that Yunxiu accidentally knocked down the Treasure Pavilion.

——————————

Two days later, inside the west side hall of Yonghe Palace.

Wuya had just finished breakfast and was being helped by Zhuxi to do her hair and makeup.

Two consecutive days of lavish favor.

He served the emperor twice, but received no reward.

Yet, she had already become like a rising star in the harem, attracting countless envious or jealous glances.

"master!"

As Zhu Xi placed a plain silver hairpin in her hair, he whispered something.

"Master Qi Jia from the East Annex has come again, saying... she came specifically to congratulate you, Master."

Zhu Xi's tone carried a hint of worry.

Upon hearing this, Uya frowned slightly.

A real sense of weariness welled up inside me.

Qi Jia came again yesterday, but she sent her away on the grounds that she was tired from serving the emperor and needed to rest.

Unexpectedly, this person came again this morning, under the guise of offering congratulations.

This kind of feigned sisterhood, which required her to be constantly on her guard, was truly exhausting for her, both physically and mentally.

One shouldn't hit someone who's smiling, let alone a concubine living in the same palace.

If she repeatedly refuses, it will only make her seem arrogant and spoiled, giving others ammunition to criticize her.

She sighed and said to Zhu Xi.

"Well, there's no way to avoid it anyway. Let her in."

"yes."

Zhu Xi responded and turned to go out to invite him.

Before long, Qi Jia entered the west wing with her overly enthusiastic smile.

Today she wore a peach-colored cheongsam.

He appeared even more joyful, and upon entering the palace, he warmly took Uya's hand.

He looked her up and down, praising her in an exaggerated tone.

"Oh, my dear sister, it's only been two days, and you look even more radiant than before! It's true what they say, good news makes you feel so good. I'm so happy for you!"

Uya forced a smile, withdrew her hand, and invited her to sit down.

"Sister Qi Jia is too kind. It is merely the Emperor's favor. I am humbled and dare not offer any joy."

Qi Jia was not embarrassed. She sat down in the guest seat and waved her hand.

"My dear sister, you're being too modest!"

"In the years since His Majesty ascended the throne, there have been many sisters in the harem. But those who, like you, have been granted a title and then summoned to the palace are extremely rare. Isn't this a cause for celebration?"

She lowered her voice, feigning mystery.

"If you ask me, with the Emperor's affection for you, it's only a matter of time before you move into the main hall of Yonghe Palace. Then you'll truly be the mistress of the palace!"

Uya was wary, but her face remained impassive.

"Sister, please don't say that. I come from humble origins and have little experience. It's already a stroke of luck that I've gained the Emperor's favor. How dare I aspire to a position of authority? You entered the palace earlier and have more experience. If we're talking about a position of authority, it should be you."

Upon hearing this, Qi Jia's smile froze for a moment, then blossomed even more broadly, tinged with self-deprecation and ingratiation.

"Little sister, please don't tease your older sister. I know my own limitations. The Emperor... probably doesn't even remember that I used to live in the East Annex of Yonghe Palace."

She changed the subject, her tone becoming extremely sincere.

"So, I've come today for two reasons. First, I genuinely want to congratulate you, my younger sister. Second... I also want to curry favor with you, my younger sister, who will become the future Empress. I only hope that when you rise to prominence in the future, you will remember my kindness today and not make things difficult for me."

This speech was a mix of flattery and praise, tinged with self-deprecation and pleading.

Anyone else would probably have been flattered and become arrogant by now.