The person narrowed his eyes, laughing cruelly, and placed the sword against Hao Li’s neck: “This sword is cast from your brother’s blood.”
Later, I will use it to cut your throat. Isn’t that interesting?”
The sword touched Hao Li’s skin, bringing a heat like burning flames. His body trembled involuntarily, sweat rolling down his forehead. Hao Li felt like he was melting, helplessly closing his eyes as his consciousness faded.
“Looking at you, it seems you won’t last much longer. That won’t do.”
The person clicked his tongue regretfully: “Dead blood is useless to me.”
“He has passed out.”
“Is it confirmed?” asked the dark-faced man to his subordinate, who nodded. A malicious light flashed in the dark-faced man’s eyes.
In the distance near her bed, a woman kneeled on the smooth, colorful glazed brick floor. Her disheveled hair and half-displaced ornaments made it clear she was not an ordinary palace maid. Her eyes were swollen and red, her slender body trembling slightly. She desperately tried to suppress her sobs, but soft sounds escaped. Her gaze constantly darted to Xu Qiu’er’s expression, and when she noticed her brow slightly furrowing, she choked back her voice, which only made her tremble more intensely.
“I do not wish to see you again. Report your resignation and retire on grounds of illness. This is the greatest grace I can bestow!”
Xu Qiu’er’s voice remained lazy yet made the woman look increasingly desperate.
“Your Highness, this servant knows her mistake… Please consider…” She choked, her forehead swollen from kowtowing. Crawling forward on her knees, she tried to get closer to Xu Qiu’er, but a palace maid’s glance stopped her.
“I’m sparing you face because you’re one of the five concubines. Do not disturb my peace; leave!” Xu Qiu’er uttered softly, and the beaded curtain swayed. A young eunuch entered, speaking flatly: “Noble Consort Qing, it’s early morning. Please go.”
Two young eunuchs in blue palace uniforms silently approached, one carrying a bundle, the other reaching to restrain her.
The woman’s eyes reddened, her smeared makeup making her expression grotesque: “Who are you, Xu Qiu’er? I am the Emperor’s concubine. By what right? You’re just a cheap thing who climbed onto the Crown Prince…” Before she could finish, the young eunuchs covered and dragged her away, nearly making her faint. They pulled her out like a corpse.
The lead young eunuch bowed: “Your Highness, this servant will handle the matter.”
Xu Qiu’er closed her eyes silently as he withdrew.
Her brow slightly relaxed, unbothered by the words just spoken. In the inner palace, being cursed to one’s face was considered mild. Those who fall are not necessarily losers, and those standing are not necessarily winners, so she felt neither pleasure nor displeasure. Some people around Consort Ye must be removed, or they would become her future enemies.
She did not love the blue and pink colors or the soft red gauze, yet she wore such makeup daily. She disliked overly bright things, but her Autumn Hall was filled with vibrant colors. All of this was due to her “resemblance.” She loved Long Hanxie but couldn’t connect with him. She would continue to “resemble” until her dying day. She knew this was her life. This Hengyong City was her home, battlefield, and grave.
Nothing here was to her liking, except fighting – that she loved. Even if she couldn’t be the ultimate winner, she would never fall.
As she was lost in thought, she heard soft footsteps and the pearl curtain rippling. Cang Yue, who had just left, returned, knowing everything about palace affairs, big or small.
Xu Qiu’er slightly opened her eyes, seeing her approach gracefully, holding a golden glass tray with several booklets. She approached Xu Qiu’er without speaking.
Xu Qiu’er lazily extended her leg, and Ning, understanding her glance, collected her rod, curtsied, and quietly left the hall. The previous events disappeared like dust, leaving no trace in Xu Qiu’er’s heart or those of her palace servants.
“Why bother taking this matter upon yourself, Your Highness?” Ning’er asked carefully.
“The hat has already been placed on my head, so I must accept it. Anyway, I have to take it on for myself. I’ll have Xiao Fu’zi paint their portraits and send them over – who knows, they might soar high one day! Some things can’t be done personally, so you have to plant a few eyes and ears,” Xu Qiu’er replied with a light laugh.
“This plan is too risky,” Cang Yue cautioned. “Since the Empress Dowager has been removed from the external records, she doesn’t want the Crown Prince to see. If you bring them in, wouldn’t that be opposing the Empress Dowager?”
“Who said anything about bringing them in? If the Crown Prince encounters them outside the palace, how is that my fault? Whether it succeeds or not depends on them. I’m just letting them remember my kindness,” Xu Qiu’er said, casually handing the hairpin to Cang Yue. Although the Crown Prince said he personally selected them, he was busy with official duties and had no time to remember such trivial matters.
The Empress Dowager was hesitant to allow daughters of noble families into the palace, fearing the Emperor might favor them through their familial connections. As she was advanced in years, she recognized the importance of external alliances. However, being too ruthless could result in a reputation for jealousy, especially as her clan awaited her to establish their prestige. The Empress Dowager desired more than just power. Xu Qiu’er silently questioned her intentions, thinking, “Do you really think I know nothing, my Empress Dowager?”
Noticing Cang Yue still standing still, Xu Qiu’er raised her eyebrows and whispered, “Why aren’t you going?”
“Your Highness,” Cang Yue responded gently, “Forgive me for speaking out of turn. Last time, when you arranged those sisters, the Crown Prince scolded you. It’s been over a month since he visited Autumn Hall. If he learns about your arrangements again, we may offend both him and the Empress Dowager. Instead, you should focus on regaining his favor.”
Xu Qiu’er paused, recalling the events from a month ago. Who the Crown Prince chose to favor was his business; her involvement had been a misstep. Allowing him to indulge in beauty was seen as servility.
But in the inner palace, beauties competed relentlessly, and no matter how enchanting they were, he would eventually tire of them. She was unwilling to have physical contact with Long Hanxie, who was not entirely heartless but awaited her to beg him. Yet, she aimed to preserve her damaged body.
Now, she assisted the Empress in managing the six palaces, handling every detail to maintain peace in the inner court. She understood etiquette and propriety, and helping the Crown Prince select suitable concubines was the duty of a virtuous concubine. Unfortunately, instead of earning the title “virtuous,” she was labeled “servile.” The Emperor did not comprehend Xiao Ju’s role, and discussions of the Crown Prince’s wife might even overshadow the Pure Concubine.
Beauty could not sustain her position long-term. She remained there only because he had shown her favor, but the duration of that favor was uncertain. To consolidate her position, she had to take indirect routes.
“This isn’t happening inside the palace. The Crown Prince is going to the Tangyuan palace, so how can anything on the road be blamed on me?” Xu Qiu’er waved her hand. “Go, just be careful.”
“Your Highness, in the past, whenever the Crown Prince went to the palace, he always brought you. This time, he didn’t even tell you…”
“Cang Yue, you’re talking too much today,” Xu Qiu’er half-closed her eyes.
Cang Yue understood and quietly withdrew, summoning Guan Yue and other female officials to serve.
