[1]The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue

Chapter 85: Fury

Ning Shuyan nodded. It seemed Xiao Yu had been right—Lü Rui was still a virgin. That was fine; her objective had been achieved either way.

The bed Xiao Yu sent was clearly more exquisite and luxurious than the previous one, intricately carved with the scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.

Meanwhile, over in Yihe Palace, Consort Zhuang became more furious the more she thought about it. Not only had her scheme failed, but that wretched woman had been promoted—and she even ended up with a traitorous maid in her palace.

Finally, unable to suppress her rage any longer, she grabbed a blue-and-white porcelain vase nearby and hurled it to the floor.

Crash! The crisp sound echoed through the hall, and white porcelain shards scattered everywhere.

"The emperor actually promoted her and gave her the title 'Zhao'? Does he think she's been wronged?!"

Her moonlit eyes gleamed with icy light, filled with hatred.

Though she didn't understand the deeper meaning of the title "Zhao," just hearing the name of Zhaoshen Hall was enough to know how precious it was.

Then her eyes landed on an apple-green glazed vase beside her. She reached for it, but Yulan quickly knelt down and pleaded: "Your Highness, that was a gift from His Majesty! You can't break it—it's one of your favorites."

Consort Zhuang paused slightly, closed her eyes, and reopened them—some of her anger had subsided.

The beaded tassels beside her temple swayed with a faint glimmer, adding to the chill on her face. "Bring that wretched maid Lü Rui here."

When Lü Rui entered, Consort Zhuang was sitting on the chaise lounge, her face stormy and terrifying. Lü Rui trembled, her knees weak as she knelt before her. "Your Highness."

Consort Zhuang picked up a nearby teacup and hurled it at her. Scalding tea soaked into Lü Rui's clothing instantly, the pain sharp and searing. She scrunched her face in agony.

"You wretched thing! I trusted you, and you dared betray me," Consort Zhuang spat word by word.

Lü Rui held back her pain and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Highness, I didn't! I didn't betray you. I don't even know how Lady Zhao found out I was your person."

Hearing her repeatedly call herself "this concubine," Consort Zhuang grew even more enraged. "You're just a lowly maid. How dare you use the term concubine in front of me!"

Lü Rui quickly corrected herself, knocking her head on the floor again. "Yes—yes, this servant knows! I was wrong. I shouldn't have had thoughts about His Majesty. But Your Highness, I swear I never betrayed you. Even with a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare!"

"Even if you didn't tell Ning directly, it was your carelessness that exposed your identity. You deserve death!"

Lü Rui's face went pale with fear—just then, someone outside announced the arrival of a palace messenger.

The fury on Consort Zhuang's face instantly halved, replaced with a faint gleam of joy. It had been a while since His Majesty last visited—surely he had sent a eunuch to deliver gifts. She quickly composed herself and walked out.

Lü Rui breathed a sigh of relief and followed behind.

Consort Zhuang was surprised to see that it wasn't Yang An who had come. Eunuch Xi stepped forward and bowed.

She noticed the junior eunuch behind him carrying boxes of jewelry, silks, and satins. Smiling, she asked, "At ease. Are these rewards from His Majesty for me?"

Eunuch Xi hesitated, glanced at Lü Rui, and said, "These are for... Mistress Lü."

The smile on Consort Zhuang's face vanished instantly. Her face darkened, like a rose suddenly dried out by the scorching sun.

Lü Rui glanced nervously at her and stepped forward. "Th-this concubine thanks His Majesty for his grace."

Eunuch Xi smiled. "His Majesty has summoned you for tonight. Please prepare early, Mistress."

Lü Rui's heart filled with joy—His Majesty hadn't forgotten her after all. She replied with excitement, "Yes, I understand."

Beaming, she gazed at the emperor's gifts. Back when she was in Lady Zhao's palace, these kinds of rewards would come every few days. She had always envied the mistresses, who lived in luxury and were showered with His Majesty's favor.

Now, she finally had it too. She would no longer need to do menial chores. She could live like a mistress, served by others, dressed in finery, and well-fed.

By the time she came to her senses, Eunuch Xi had already left. She looked up at Consort Zhuang, only to see eyes like blades staring at her—cold and piercing.

All her joy vanished under that gaze. She froze, trembling. "Y-Your Highness..."

Consort Zhuang raised her hand to slap her, but Yulan quickly stopped her. "Your Highness... you can't."

She shook her head.

Consort Zhuang suppressed the fire in her heart, slowly lowered her hand, and clenched it into a fist. Her voice was cold as ice: "After you return from tonight's duty... we'll settle this."