Chapter 327: An Ungrateful Thing!

Zi Yue, fanning nearby, also thought it made sense.

"You make a point!"

Xia Ruqing stroked Da Bai’s fluffy tail as she smiled calmly.

"She really was too foolish!"

"In the palace, fools never live long. If they don’t lose their lives this time, they will the next!"

"So, this matter has nothing to do with me! There’s no need to bring it up again!"

Regarding Lady Zhou’s wrongful death, Xia Ruqing felt virtually nothing. She wasn’t a bodhisattva. Preserving herself was already difficult enough, let alone saving everyone. Besides, it wasn’t she who had caused the death; she was also a victim, for goodness’ sake! Her not being injured was entirely down to her own good fortune and audacity, not thanks to anyone else! If anyone was to blame, it was Noble Concubine Shih for her cruelty!

However, Xia Ruqing was deeply troubled.

She hoped in her heart: Let another scapegoat appear soon. Anyone, whether favored or with child, would do. She was truly reaching her limit.

Although the Emperor had been protecting her all along, the Emperor wasn’t an impenetrable wall! The women of the harem had started to grow restless. This time it was a female ghost; that didn’t scare her. But what about the next time? What would it be then? Who could guarantee she wouldn’t be harmed each and every time? She was a person, not an object that could be hidden away.

Four months—was she really expected not to leave her quarters?

With a sigh, Xia Ruqing resigned herself to lying down and closed her eyes to rest.

「In the Punishment Department」

Palace Maiden Lan Xiang was quickly beaten into confessing.

The Empress, upon receiving the confession, felt very pleased. After dinner, taking advantage of a moment when the Emperor was unoccupied, she went to Zhaochen Palace to take credit. The next day, a Benevolent Decree was issued.

"’Lady Zhou, who behaved improperly and instigated Palace Maiden Lan Xiang to masquerade as a ghost, sought to disturb the peace of the harem and harm the imperial heir! Normally, she would be put to death according to the law, but considering Xia Jieyu remains unharmed, her death sentence is waived. She is stripped of her title and sent to the Cold Palace, and Palace Maiden Lan Xiang is to be beaten to death!’"

Lady Zhou knelt on the ground. She fainted as soon as the Benevolent Decree had been read out.

Lan Xiang never returned; her execution was carried out by the Punishment Department.

One Shi Chen later, Lady Zhou was dragged off to the Cold Palace by a Little Eunuch.

Lady Wang from Xifu Palace, who lived in the same residential complex, was specifically summoned by Noble Concubine Shih to personally witness Lady Zhou being carried out.

Lady Wang was so frightened her face turned deathly pale. When she returned to her own quarters, she collapsed, her body completely limp.

"Ah Ru, I was wrong! I’ll never dare to defy Noble Concubine Shih again!"

"I’ll never go to Jiaofang Hall again!"

Previously, they had relied on being new arrivals and on the recent favor they had gained, believing that Noble Concubine Shih, having lost her influence, wouldn’t dare to act against them. But now, seeing Lady Zhou being carried out so unceremoniously, she finally understood.

’A starved camel is still bigger than a horse!’

Moreover, much, much bigger—so big that Noble Concubine Shih could end their lives with a mere flick of her finger!

Ah Ru quickly helped her up.

"My lady, please get up. We simply won’t go anymore; that’s all!"

「The Cold Palace」

Speaking of the Cold Palace, there was another person residing inside. It was Honored Lady Hu, still being tormented by Noble Concubine Shih. Honored Lady Hu retained her title, while the one formerly known as Honored Lady Zhou could now only be called Lady Zhou.

Honored Lady Hu, relentlessly tormented by Noble Concubine Shih, was reduced to skin and bones. She ate food worse than pig slop, was clad in rags, her hair a tangled mess, her face caked with dust, her eyes sunken, and her cheekbones jutted out. She looked like a walking corpse, utterly ghastly.

She wanted to die, but Xiao Chengzi wouldn’t let her. He was fiercely loyal to Noble Concubine Shih. Every time Honored Lady Hu attempted suicide, it resulted in a brutal beating. Afterward, he would even force-feed her medicinal concoctions, all to prevent her from dying. It had to be said, these methods were truly torturous.

When Lady Zhou was carried in and carelessly dumped in the room next to Honored Lady Hu’s, Honored Lady Hu’s eyes lit up, and she shakily approached.

"Oh my, what brings this little beauty here?"

"How on earth did you end up being sent to the Cold Palace?"

Honored Lady Hu caressed Lady Zhou’s still relatively fair and tender cheek. Feeling the smooth, delicate skin beneath her fingertips, she was overcome with envy.

"’Youth is wonderful, isn’t it? So young, as tender as a flower bud, to be favored by the Emperor!’"

How Honored Lady Hu craved favor! With her beauty back then, the Emperor had been captivated by her at first sight. The Emperor... The Emperor! She truly regretted it! She hated the Empress, hated Noble Concubine Shih, hated Xia Jieyu—hated everyone she despised!

Unconsciously, her fingernails dug into Lady Zhou’s face. Her sharp nails raked across Lady Zhou’s face again and again. Then, she burst into wild, maniacal laughter.

"’What’s the use of beauty? Better to destroy it! HA HA HA! How delightful!’"

Her dirt-caked fingernails scratched with even greater frenzy. In no time, Lady Zhou’s face was covered in bloody welts, fresh blood streaming down.

The pain jolted her awake.

"’AH!’"

Screaming, she clutched her face, so terrified her soul felt like it had flown away.

"’You... Who are you?!’"

"’Don’t come any closer! Don’t...’"

She scrambled backward, covering her face.

Lady Hu, baring her teeth and clawing the air, advanced with wild laughter.

"’Who am I? I am Honored Lady Hu! And who are you?’"

Her voice was frenzied; she was clearly half-mad.

Terrified, Lady Zhou continued to back away.

"’Honored Lady Hu?’"

Honored Lady Hu? Who was Honored Lady Hu? Could she, like herself, have been thrown into the Cold Palace? Wait, was this the fate awaiting those sent here? No! I don’t want this!

Lady Zhou scrambled to her feet and bolted for the door. Unfortunately, just as she reached the doorway, Xiao Chengzi blocked her path.

"’Trying to run? No way! Once you enter this place, you’ll never leave for the rest of your life!’"

Lady Zhou was stunned, collapsing limply to the ground.

She could never have imagined that her once-promising future, so bright upon entering the palace, would come to this in the blink of an eye!

Honored Lady Hu, still laughing, chased after her. Upon seeing Xiao Chengzi, she immediately switched to a fawning, eager-to-please expression.

"’Xiao Chengzi, is there anything good to eat today?’"

Xiao Chengzi didn’t even spare her a glance, replying impatiently, "’None! From now on, you only get pig slop!’"

Honored Lady Hu looked a little displeased but dared not protest. Pouting, she walked away sulkily. Before leaving, she shot another glance at Lady Zhou and snickered.

"’Pretty... HEH HEH! Pretty face all gone now!’"

Lady Zhou, her face deathly pale with fear, tearfully begged Xiao Chengzi, "’Who are you? Is this the Cold Palace? Please, I beg you, let me out!’"

Xiao Chengzi sneered. "’Out? If you get out, I’ll be the one to die! You’d better just stay put!’"

"’However...’" Xiao Chengzi’s eyes glinted slyly. "’If you want to live a little more comfortably, well, that’s possible! As long as...’"

Lady Zhou, thoroughly terrified, gasped, "’As long as what?’"

Xiao Chengzi lunged, pinning her down and starting to rip at her clothes.

"’As long as you obey me willingly, you’ll eat the finest food and drink the best wine from now on. I won’t let you suffer the slightest grievance, how about it?’"

Lady Zhou screamed, struggling with all her might, punching and kicking.

"’Get away from me, you animal! Someone! Help me!’"

Her loud screams irritated Xiao Chengzi, and he cursed, "’Ungrateful wench!’"

With that, he picked up a nearby stone and smashed it against her forehead.

And then... Lady Zhou’s head was smashed open, blood pouring out. A short while later, her breathing ceased!

Xiao Chengzi was horrified. He trembled uncontrollably for a long moment, not knowing what to do.

The Empress had her sent to the Cold Palace, but that didn’t necessarily mean she wanted her dead.