CHAPTER 645: CHAPTER 645: THE DEATH OF HONORED LADY JIANG

She emerged alone from the Imperial Garden.

Honored Lady Jiang trembled all over, her steps unsteady.

Once so proud, she was now subjected to public mockery.

Tears streamed down her face like rain.

The humiliation in her heart was like an endless tidal wave, mercilessly knocking her down.

She could not stand up again.

Two palace maids hurried back with clothes in their hands.

Seeing that Honored Lady Jiang had already returned with a pale face, they were both startled.

"What’s happened to you, my lady?"

"Are you ill, my lady? Shall I call for the Imperial Physician..."

Honored Lady Jiang’s lips trembled.

"There’s no need..."

"But..." The palace maid was still worried.

"I’ve said there’s no need, go back!"

Honored Lady Jiang shook off the maid’s hand and staggered forward.

The two maids looked at each other and quickly followed.

「...」

In the pavilion of the Imperial Garden,

Zhao Junyao laughed.

"I didn’t realize, Qingqing, you could be so cunning!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t beat around the bush and responded directly.

"I really dislike her!"

"She tries to imitate my every move and brazenly flaunts herself in front of me—so she shouldn’t blame me for being harsh!"

As Xia Ruqing spoke, a sharp anger flickered in her eyes.

She was like a proud plum blossom standing strong in the wind, beautiful and arrogant.

And like a fiercely blooming wild rose, dazzling but thorny.

This haughty beauty plucked at his heartstrings, stirring his emotions.

Since ancient times, heroes have struggled to resist the wiles of a beautiful woman.

This beauty could be the proud frost-resistant red plum or an extremely soul-enticing yet thorny wild rose.

But never just an ordinary figure among the Harem.

They confined themselves within rigid boundaries, stiff and unbending.

They liked to gloss over in public yet preferred to use underhanded methods in private.

Thinking this, his fondness for her grew, and his disdain for Honored Lady Jiang deepened.

So, upon returning that day, Zhao Junyao gave a direct order.

"Honored Lady Jiang is unwell. She should rest quietly from now on and need not wander around unnecessarily!"

If Qingqing didn’t like her, then she shouldn’t show herself.

Li Shengan received the order and, without even informing the Empress, sent someone to pass the message at Lijing Pavilion.

In Lijing Pavilion, when Honored Lady Jiang heard the news,

she collapsed on the floor and burst into tears.

"Eunuch, I’m not sick; I’m not ill! Please beg the Emperor to show mercy!"

"Please, Eunuch, pass on a message! I am not sick! I will not dare to do so again in the future!"

"Please help me, I beg of you!"

Honored Lady Jiang knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly.

This was her last chance.

She had thought that by resembling Consort Xian Pin, dressing up would earn the Emperor’s extra affection.

But she did not anticipate...

Not affection, but rather drawing fire onto herself.

How she regretted it!

The messenger, seeing her like this, felt a bit more disdainful and said with a pinched voice,

"Honored Lady Jiang, I’m just a messenger. I really can’t help you with anything!"

"Your health is poor. You should rest. I shall take my leave!"

After speaking, regardless of Honored Lady Jiang’s wailing, he left flanked by two Little Eunuchs.

The gate of the courtyard closed with a BANG.

Little Zhuzi sighed.

"Alas!"

"Another pitiful creature in our midst."

With the Emperor’s word, Honored Lady Jiang shouldn’t even think about ever coming out until her death!

The other Little Eunuch sneered,

"Who can she blame? She insisted on dressing up like Consort Xian Pin and flaunting herself in front of the Emperor!"

"If Consort Xian Pin saw it, would she be okay with it..."

Little Zhuzi thought that made sense.

"It’s all thanks to Consort Xian Pin’s good temperament. Otherwise, if it were any other master..."

Honored Lady Jiang might not have even had her bones left.

"Alas... let’s stop talking about it. This is the masters’ business!"

"Talking too much is against the rules!"

The two Little Eunuchs did not say more and hurriedly went to Zhaochen Palace.

「...」

The Empress only received the news the next day.

Moreover, it was during the morning greetings on the second day, when Honored Lady Jiang did not appear.

When the Empress inquired, only then did the servants dare to report it.

At the time, the Empress didn’t say much, simply stunned for a moment before responding.

"If that’s the case, then let her recuperate at Lijing Pavilion from now on!"

"And none of you should disturb her!"

The concubines hurriedly agreed, and the Empress offered a faint smile without saying more.

But her gaze lingered on the demure Xia Ruqing for a moment, a trace of coldness seeping through.

Emperor, was it for Consort Xian Pin that you... confined Honored Lady Jiang?

Thinking thus, the Empress’s hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tightly.

A dog that bites doesn’t bark, as the saying goes, and it’s indeed true.

Lady Xia, seemingly gentle, compliant, and harmless, was in reality extremely ruthless in her methods.

She was extremely patient, yet also fiercely intolerant when her limits were crossed.

Being patient meant she likely had endured Honored Lady Jiang for quite some time already.

Maybe she had already mentally given Honored Lady Jiang plenty of chances.

Being impatient meant that once a certain line was crossed, she would undoubtedly eliminate her opponents entirely, leaving them no chance of recovery.

She’s so like the Emperor!

In a daze, the Empress seemed to understand a bit why the Emperor cherished Consort Xian Pin so much.

The matter involving Honored Lady Jiang was the Emperor’s intention; after all, the Empress could hardly say more.

As for Consort Xian Pin, she was even less in a position to do anything, so this matter could only be considered closed.

However, the Empress didn’t have the time to think too much.

Once August arrived, preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival had to begin, and the Emperor was also due to go on a hunting trip.

As the Empress, such affairs were naturally her responsibility to prepare.

Suddenly, Jiaofang Hall became a hive of activity.

The Empress quite enjoyed this tireless toil; she loved being busy.

Being busy proved she was still the Empress. It also meant she wouldn’t dwell on too many pointless thoughts, which made life less difficult.

「...」

Lijing Pavilion, after Honored Lady Jiang was confined.

Life was even harder than before.

There had been a time previously when the Empress had favored her, allowing for a few months of good days.

Later, the Empress’s favor ceased.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs gradually became unwilling to favor her too and, even worse, there was a movement to secretly oppress her.

Now, Honored Lady Jiang had offended the Empress, the Emperor, and Consort Xian Pin—how could she survive this?

The Imperial Kitchen was the first to declare its stance.

That evening’s meal did not include a single decent dish.

Forget about eating, it wasn’t even fit for looking at.

From afar, a putrid, sour smell could be detected.

Even Senior Palace Maid Hua Cha at her side felt nauseated and threw up.

"How can we eat this?" Hua Cha cried.

Honored Lady Jiang gave a wretched smile.

"Hua Cha, find your own way out. I’m afraid I won’t make it!"

With things like this, what was the point of being alive?

Hua Cha was somewhat saddened but... the bond between master and servant was not deep enough to compel her to die alongside her mistress.

She still wanted to live.

After pondering for a while, Hua Cha knelt down.

"My lady, this servant has followed you for so long without suffering a single hardship!"

"This servant doesn’t want to leave!"

Honored Lady Jiang let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Hardship awaits us. It’s not a sign of good fortune. If you have a way out, take it while you can!"

Struggling with her emotions, Hua Cha bit her lip, then kowtowed three times.

Then she crawled on her knees towards Honored Lady Jiang.