Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

The man's voice was as cold as shattered ice, each word carrying a chilling intent, like frost seeping into every limb and bone.

He was furious.

Upon realizing this, Qi Ronghua's face turned pale instantly.

She hurriedly put down the ivory boulders, knelt down and begged for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Qi Ronghua felt both fear and a sense of grievance.

It's just a gadget, meant for people to admire. She picked it up, so why did His Majesty reprimand her like that?

Could it be that she's not even as good as an inanimate object?

The more Qi Ronghua thought about it, the more bitter she felt.

Pei Yan's face was very ugly, and he said sternly, "Get out."

Qi Ronghua, having finally managed to get in, was unwilling to leave. She quickly raised her head and pleaded, "Your Majesty..."

Pei Yan's eyes were deep and dark, like a thousand-year-old icy pool.

When Qi Ronghua met his gaze, she shivered and dared not linger any longer. She had no choice but to retreat, saying, "Your Majesty, I take my leave."

After everyone left, Pei Yan took the Ghost Craft Ball and placed it back on the sandalwood stand.

*

Yongxin Palace.

Qi Ronghua returned dejectedly and slumped listlessly on the soft couch.

Seeing her dejected appearance, Xuezhu couldn't help but ask, "Ronghua, what exactly happened in Xuanzheng Hall just now? Why did you suddenly come out?"

Qi Ronghua's eyes were red-rimmed. "Your Majesty scolded me."

Xuezhu was shocked: "How could this be?"

Qi Ronghua's pretty face couldn't hide her sadness: "I just picked up the 'ghostly crafted ball' on the imperial desk and played with it for a bit, and casually said that the craftsman's workmanship was not good. His Majesty flew into a rage and wouldn't let me serve him anymore."

Xuezhu frowned: "How could that be? It's just an ornament, why would His Majesty reprimand Ronghua..."

Qi Ronghua's eyes reddened: "You think so too, don't you? I haven't done anything wrong, how can His Majesty be so heartless to me?"

As she spoke, tears that she had held back for so long finally rolled down her cheeks.

Xuezhu quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe her tears. Just as she was about to comfort her, she suddenly lost her composure for a few moments. When she came to her senses, she sighed deeply and fell silent.

Qi Ronghua noticed something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xuezhu looked at her, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately said nothing.

Qi Ronghua noticed her unusual behavior and said, "Since entering the palace, you have been the one who pleases me the most. Although we are nominally mistress and servant, our relationship is more than that. Now, even you have something to hide from me?"

Xuezhu was silent for a while before whispering, "I just remembered something."

Qi Ronghua stopped crying and stared intently at her.

Xuezhu closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and said, "Two months ago, when I went to the Imperial Clothing Bureau to pick up your new palace dress, I overheard some female officials talking and laughing, so I listened in. Apparently, when they went to Yihua Palace to deliver something, they saw Consort Chen setting up a table in the side hall, seemingly carving a 'magic ball'. I forgot about it after hearing the gossip. But today, when I suddenly heard Ronghua mention it, and His Majesty even got angry about it, I suppose the one on the imperial desk is the one Consort Chen carved."

Qi Ronghua understood everything she heard.

His Majesty did not reprimand her for no reason today, but because the peculiar ball she criticized was made by Consort Chen.

His Majesty reprimanded her because of her cousin, Consort Chen!

Thinking of this, Qi Ronghua suddenly flicked her sleeve, sweeping the teacups off the table on the couch.

The porcelain cup shattered on the ground.

All that could be heard was Qi Ronghua's resentful voice: "It's Consort Chen again. She hit me first, then stole all the favor, and now it's all her fault. All the misfortunes of the past six months are caused by her alone. Why doesn't she go..."

Qi Ronghua didn't say the word "death" because Xuezhu covered her mouth.

Xuezhu looked out through the gauze window and felt relieved when she saw that no one was around. She then advised, "Ronghua, be careful what you say. Be careful, the walls may have ears."

Yongxin Palace, where Qi Ronghua resided, housed both principal consorts and lower-ranking concubines; she was not the only consort.

Therefore, the palace servants were in disarray. There were servants of their own, as well as rough eunuchs who cleaned up Yongxin Palace. The palace was a mixed bag, and it was inevitable that people would overhear things.

Qi Ronghua knew this was reasonable, but she couldn't swallow her anger. Her face turned ashen. "Do you expect me to just endure this?"

Xuezhu sighed, "Currently, Consort Chen is at the height of her power and enjoys the greatest favor. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are both on her side. We can't compete with her."

Qi Ronghua remained silent, then gritted her teeth: "I must find a way to get rid of Consort Chen!"

Xuezhu stood there for a while, then whispered in her ear, "Why should Ronghua take matters into her own hands? It would be bad if she found out about us. We should just sit back and watch the fight, and let others deal with her."

Qi Ronghua frowned: "Others?"

Xuezhu said, "Ronghua has been favored for three years, so she has some foundation. Besides the Emperor, she also has several informants in various places. Yesterday, the informant in Consort Zhu's palace said that after Consort Zhu was beaten, she returned to her palace and smashed things all over the place. She also had some restless thoughts, but the Six Bureaus were investigating strictly, and Yihua Palace was difficult to approach, so it was really difficult to make a move, and that's why she gave up."

Qi Ronghua sneered, "That bitch Zhu Yao finally couldn't hold back anymore. Since she has this idea, I'll grant her wish."

Xuezhu asked cautiously, "Then what does Ronghua mean?"

Qi Ronghua narrowed her almond-shaped eyes: "I need to give her a push."

*

Despite this plan, Consort Zhu is now under house arrest, leaving Consort Qi with no way to make a move.

Half a month later.

Qi Ronghua finally got her chance.

Upon hearing that Consort Zhu was in the Imperial Garden, Consort Qi immediately led her entourage there.

The two have never gotten along.

When Consort Zhu saw Consort Qi, she showed a hint of disgust on her face and turned to leave.

Qi Ronghua chuckled softly, "Let me take a look. Sister Zhu, after half a month of recuperation, has the slap mark on your face faded yet?"

Consort Zhu stopped in her tracks, turned around to look at Consort Qi, and said angrily, "Consort Qi, don't push your luck!"

Qi Ronghua said sarcastically, "It wasn't me who hit you, Sister Zhu, don't take it out on me. Why don't you go find Consort Chen? Oh, right, Sister Zhu wouldn't dare, afraid that Consort Chen would slap you again."

Consort Zhu blushed with anger and managed to squeeze out a sentence, "That's enough."

Having waited specifically for this day, Qi Ronghua, still eager to stir things up, naturally wouldn't shut up. "Speaking of which, a few months ago, I was confined to my quarters and thus lost His Majesty's favor. However, His Majesty hasn't truly forgotten me; half a month ago, he at least allowed me to serve him with writing materials. On the other hand, Sister Zhu, it's been half a year, how come you haven't even had a single night with him, not even the simple favor of serving him with writing materials?"

For a favored concubine who enjoyed the emperor's favor for ten years, what did she value most?

Naturally, it was the emperor's favor.

After Qi Ronghua finished speaking, Consort Zhu's expression changed drastically. She lowered her eyes and remained silent, but the rise and fall of her chest revealed the turmoil in her heart.

Seeing this, Qi Ronghua's lips curled up slightly. As she passed Consort Zhu, she muttered, "Now, my sister is no match for Consort Chen in anything. I'm afraid with her around, my sister will never have a chance to rise again. Tsk tsk tsk, in this palace, flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, and fortunes change like the wind."

Seeing Consort Zhu's clenched fists, Consort Qi left with satisfaction.