Chapter 192 Uya's Narrow Escape
Uya Shi listened to her words and was no exception.
My guard relaxed a little, and I even felt a sense of pleasure from being flattered.
Her tone remained polite.
"Sister, you're too kind. Sisters should look after each other; there's no question of putting each other in a difficult position."
Qi Jia observed that Wu Ya's expression had softened, and knew that the time was right, so she immediately pressed on while the iron was hot.
"I'm glad you don't mind, little sister. To show my sincerity, I've prepared a simple meal with some wine and a few dishes in my east wing. I'm thinking of celebrating with you properly and giving you a little something in advance. I hope you'll do me the honor of coming. You can't refuse!"
Uya instinctively wanted to refuse.
"This...how can I trouble you, sister, with your expense? It's really..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qi Jia immediately stood up to interrupt her, her face showing a hint of flattery.
"No expense! No expense!"
She leaned forward and affectionately took her arm, half coaxing and half forcing.
"Good sister, please do me this favor. I know your status is different now, and I'm afraid I won't be able to ask you to come again in the future. So let me do my best today. Besides, my family just sent some newly made rouge and face powder yesterday. They say it's a new style from Jiangnan. I'm not very knowledgeable and can't tell the difference between good and bad. So I'd like to ask you, sister, who has won the Emperor's favor, to help me check it out."
They held a banquet and showed off their rouge.
The reasons given were plausible, and the attitude was so earnest.
If Uya refused again, it would seem unreasonable.
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist the flattery of the future mistress and Qi Jia's persistent enthusiasm.
She figured that since they lived in the same palace, they would eventually have to see each other, and it wouldn't be good if things got too tense.
It's just a meal, in broad daylight, in front of everyone, what could possibly happen?
So she nodded, a helpless yet reserved smile on her face.
"Since you have so kindly invited me, it would be disrespectful of me to refuse. So... I'll have to trouble you, sister."
Qi Jia was overjoyed, her face beaming with happiness.
"That's more like it, my dear sister. We sisters should be this close. Come on, I've already made all the preparations and am just waiting for you."
As she spoke, she affectionately took Uya's arm.
Like sisters with a deep and genuine bond, they chatted and laughed as they left, heading towards the East Annex Hall.
Upon seeing this, Zhu Xi felt a vague sense of unease.
But since her master had already agreed, she couldn't stop him and could only follow silently, keeping a watchful eye on him.
Upon entering the east wing hall, a slightly somber fragrance wafts towards you.
Qi Jia led Wu Ya to the main seat at the banquet that had been set up by the window with great enthusiasm.
That position was exactly opposite the heavy rosewood display cabinet that held many porcelain pieces.
"Please sit down, little sister!"
Without saying a word, Qi Jia gently pressed Wu Ya's shoulder, making her sit down.
Out of politeness, Uya had no choice but to sit down.
Zhu Xi's gaze swept quickly around.
Is it really just about having a meal?
She subconsciously took half a step forward, standing even closer to Wuya's side.
Seeing that Wuya had arrived, Qijia turned to Yunxiu, who was standing to the side, and gave her instructions.
"Yunxiu, what are you standing there for? Go and brew our best tea, using the newest set of porcelain cups!"
As she gave the instructions, she quickly exchanged a knowing glance with Yunxiu.
Yunxiu understood immediately and bowed her head in response.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go right away."
As she turned and left, her peripheral vision seemed to inadvertently sweep over the base of the display cabinet.
Inside the hall, there appeared to be a harmonious scene of sisterly affection.
However, behind that warm smile...
Beneath the heavy shadow of the multi-treasure pavilion, a ruthless killing intent had quietly spread.
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Qi Jia's face was still covered with a warm smile, and she kept saying flattering things.
"My sister's demeanor is becoming more and more like that of a leader."
However, her eyes had slightly upturned corners.
But it always seemed to be out of control, glancing extremely quickly toward the direction behind Uya.
I looked at the heavy, enormous rosewood curio cabinet filled with precious porcelain and other valuable artifacts.
Zhu Xi, who stood behind Wuya, had witnessed the vicissitudes of life in the Imperial Pharmacy.
They had long since developed the ability to read people's expressions and moods.
Qi Jia's gaze was definitely not one of appreciation.
There was a hint of tension and a strange sense of anticipation hidden within it.
What alarmed Zhu Xi even more was Qi Jia's sitting posture.
She leaned casually against the back of the chair, but her back was slightly hunched, and her feet were one in front of the other.
Heels were slightly raised.
It was a posture of poised readiness, like a wild beast preparing to pounce, ready to strike or flee at any moment.
A chill instantly ran through Zhu Xi's heart!
She suddenly turned her head and looked behind her.
In that very instant!
She saw Yunxiu near Duobao Pavilion and seemed to trip over something invisible.
He let out a short, startled cry.
He felt weightless and slammed his shoulder hard into the side pillar supporting the display cabinet.
"master!"
Zhu Xi was so frightened that his soul almost left his body.
Before she could even warn him, all her strength burst forth, and she grabbed Wuya's arm.
With all his might, he pulled his master sharply toward the door.
"ah!"
Uya was completely thrown off balance by the sudden force.
With a scream, she stumbled as the bamboo breath pulled her away, and she fell to the ground to the side.
Almost at the same time!
"boom--"
A deafening roar, as if it would tear their eardrums apart, exploded beside them.
That heavy rosewood display cabinet, weighing a thousand pounds, contained all the antique porcelain and jade ornaments.
It collapsed with a deafening roar, like a mountain falling!
It slammed heavily onto the small space of the pear wood chair that Wuya had just sat on!
The wooden chair was instantly crushed into pieces.
The porcelain turned into dust and fragments, scattering everywhere with a crackling sound.
Smoke and dust filled the air, and the entire east wing hall seemed to tremble.
Uya was shielded by Zhuxi and fell to the ground in a sorry state. She felt a sharp pain in her elbows and knees, but she was completely unaware of it.
Her pupils suddenly contracted, and she turned deathly pale with fright.
She stared in disbelief at the area that had been reduced to ruins in an instant.
Cold sweat instantly soaked through her palace dress.
Just a little bit more, a minute slower, a minute closer, and she would have turned into a pile of minced meat!
Her horrified gaze suddenly shot towards Qi Jia Shi.
Qi Jia was seen at the moment the loud noise occurred.
Like a startled rabbit, it nimbly leaped back several steps, avoiding the danger zone.
The movements were so fluid, as if they had been rehearsed countless times.
At that moment, she was also patting her violently heaving chest.
His face was filled with lingering fear and panic.
"Oh my god! Sister, are you alright? You scared me to death! How could this happen... how could you just fall down like that? I was so scared I almost jumped out of my skin."
Her performance was flawless, her gaze sweeping over the ruins.
A hint of disappointment, hard to conceal, flashed deep in his eyes.
She immediately turned to Yunxiu, who had fallen to the ground, and rebuked her sharply, her tone filled with genuine anger.
"Yunxiu! You damned servant, what's wrong with you?"
Yunxiu hurriedly got up and knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly, her voice trembling with tears and perfectly timed panic.
"Master, spare me! I deserve to die! I... I don't know what I tripped over, I lost my balance and... I crashed into it! I deserve to die! Please, Master, please spare me, Master Wuya!"
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