Eunuch Li was astonished. The Emperor… actually let Consort Rou go?

Many concubines thought Chu Jiujiu would meet her end, but unexpectedly, she had escaped.

Concubine Li blinked twice, pulling herself out of her stunned state. She had thought today would be Consort Rou’s death day, but unexpectedly… she had escaped.

But this was only the beginning. Consort Rou’s outstanding appearance meant she wouldn’t live long in the palace.

The concubines all sat down cautiously. Chu Jiujiu waited for the big villain to leave.

So she sat on the empty benches on either side, waiting and waiting, but he showed no sign of leaving.

She quietly looked up. Under the autumn leaves, his high-tied black hair was gently brushed by the breeze. The man, like a jade person, leisurely sipped his tea, his face beautiful, his posture elegant.

As for the other concubines, no one dared to speak. The concubines who could hear Chu Jiujiu’s thoughts dared not get too close to her.

The other concubines who couldn’t hear Chu Jiujiu’s thoughts, seeing the others staying far away from her, didn’t understand what was going on, but they all followed suit, avoiding Chu Jiujiu like a viper.

Concubine Li broke the silence. She wanted the Emperor to see her composure, different from the other concubines. Only she was worthy of the Empress’s position.

“Your Majesty is right,” she said. “Sisters, don’t be too restrained. Just act as you usually would.”

Beauty Xin, with a gentle expression, echoed, “Following Your Majesty and Concubine Li’s wishes, this concubine fears she might be impolite later. I hope Your Majesty and Concubine Li will not blame me.”

Concubine Li understood that Beauty Xin was trying to join her camp. She dared to look towards the Emperor, who was still sipping his tea, ignoring her and Beauty Xin.

Seeing this, she didn’t refuse Beauty Xin’s offer.

“You, you always say such playful things. His Majesty is wise and magnanimous; he wouldn’t blame you for this.”

Concubine Li clearly didn’t want Beauty Xin to steal the spotlight, subtly criticizing her for underestimating the Emperor’s magnanimity.

Beauty Xin quickly knelt down, “Concubine Li is right. This concubine has spoken carelessly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

The other concubines were silent, their heads bowed so low their bodies were almost shrimp-shaped.

Only Chu Jiujiu, sitting alone in her “isolation zone,” truly felt the dangerous situation, sighing inwardly:  【If you were Concubine Li, you’d really know how to flatter. Who wouldn’t love to hear that? Even I’d be overjoyed, but her malicious intent is too obvious. 】

Her thoughts unexpectedly entered Han Chu and several concubines’ ears.

Concubine Li: “…” The smile on her lips froze.

Han Chu paused his tea-drinking, slowly raising his eyes, his gaze falling calmly on the very conspicuous Chu Jiujiu.

Before, when she was too close to him, Chu Jiujiu could feel his undisguised killing intent. Now… even if he used a death glare, Chu Jiujiu might not notice.

Just as Eunuch Li thought the Emperor would have Chu Jiujiu dragged away, he saw Han Chu half-lower his eyelids, continuing to sip his tea against the backdrop of falling autumn leaves.

Chu Jiujiu was completely unaware that she had escaped another calamity thanks to her obliviousness.

Her thoughts had indirectly saved Beauty Xin from crisis, but without the Emperor’s permission, Beauty Xin dared not get up.

Now, the other concubines dared not speak. Concubine Li did not dare to speak easily. There was a time bomb nearby, who knew what she might blurt out?

Although Concubine Li would not speak easily, she certainly would not give up stirring up trouble.

Han Chu, without raising his eyes, said coldly, “Dismiss.”

“This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace.” Beauty Xin dared not act rashly again. She had originally wanted to get rid of Consort Rou, but now she had changed her mind.

After a while, fearing the Emperor might leave at any moment, Concubine Li began to stir up trouble.

“Did Lady Li come to Lanchun Palace yesterday? This concubine was resting. When I woke up, I heard from my maidservant that you were crying and begging. What was it about?”

Concubine Li’s expression was concerned, as if she was genuinely speaking up for Lady Li.

Lady Li, who was named, was already trembling like a sieve, her face pale as she knelt on the ground.

“Reporting to Concubine Li, this concubine lost her composure yesterday. Nothing happened.”

Concubine Li would not let it go, assuming a soothing posture: “His Majesty is here now. If anything really happened, His Majesty will help you. Don’t be afraid.”

Han Chu remained indifferent, as if he considered these petty tricks a way to pass the time.

Lady Li looked up at Concubine Li, pleading for her to let her go.

Concubine Li smiled without speaking.

【Yesterday, you weren’t so kind. Just stir up trouble, but poor thing, look at how she’s shaking, yet you’re still fanning the flames. 】

Chu Jiujiu’s soft voice came. No matter how well Concubine Li controlled her expression, her face darkened, but she couldn’t really take her thoughts to heart, which made her extremely frustrated.

Lady Li could also hear Chu Jiujiu’s thoughts. Feeling the Emperor’s gaze, she was so scared that tears welled up in her eyes.

Concubine Li’s smile hid a knife, aimed at Chu Jiujiu: “This concubine heard it was related to Consort Rou.”

At this moment, Han Chu reacted unusually. He placed the teacup on the black jade table with his long, slender fingers. His deep, unfathomable eyes slowly swept towards Chu Jiujiu.

“Oh? Tell me about it.”

Concubine Li thought she had successfully started a fire, looking at Chu Jiujiu mockingly.

Although Lady Li dared not hide anything, she didn’t want to really confront Consort Rou, so she downplayed what happened yesterday.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, it was this concubine’s clumsy maidservant who accidentally wet Consort Rou’s sleeve. It’s not Consort Rou’s fault.” Lady Li’s voice trembled like a wavy line.

【Aww! The pre-blackened Lady Li is so cute, sweet and soft, and kind. 】

Han Chu was annoyed by her “aww,” raising his slender jade finger to gently rub his temple, his lazy and noble demeanor easily captivating people.

Lady Li blushed, but her fear of the Emperor remained.