Chapter 34: Mockery

Inside Lengfeng Pavilion—

Because the Crown Prince was coming for dinner that evening, Qian Ning had specially prepared several dishes made from potatoes.

Shredded potatoes, sliced potatoes, diced potatoes.

To give each potato dish a unique texture and taste, she even made stir-fried sliced potatoes in a dry pot style—the way Shu Ruohua had taught her a few days ago.

The aroma was especially enticing.

Shu Ruohua was sitting at the round table, holding a small mirror and examining her chubby little face.

Although she was still a bit plump, she had slimmed down quite a bit compared to before.

Her once round pancake-like face had noticeably transformed into a slightly fuller oval face.

She lightly pursed her lips and lifted the glass of water next to her.

Muttering to herself, “So… it really can detoxify?”

She vividly remembered that last time, when she was grazed on the arm by an assassin, the blood that flowed from the wound had been blackish-purple.

And she had clearly felt dizzy.

Although she had never been poisoned before, she’d seen plenty of historical dramas in modern times, and the symptoms shown on TV matched hers exactly.

Back then, she really thought she was going to die from poisoning.

But when Qian Ning wiped her wound with spiritual water, not only did the pain in her arm disappear and the dizziness fade, but the blood that came out afterward looked completely normal.

When Imperial Physician Wang came to check, he even said it was only a superficial wound and nothing serious.

That was when she realized—this spiritual water could detoxify.

Before, Qian Ning had told her that the original Shu Ruohua had residual toxins in her body that couldn’t be expelled, which was the reason she had an easy-to-gain-fat physique.

In other words, as long as the toxins were cleared out, her weight would return to normal.

And everything really was progressing just as Shu Ruohua had deduced.

Recently, she had been soaking in spiritual water baths every day, coupled with morning and evening jogs for extra effect. In just over half a month, she had already lost over ten jin (around 5 kg).

At this rate, she’d have a slim, devilishly attractive figure in no time.

She was gleefully admiring herself in the mirror when Qian Ning suddenly walked in.

“Miss, Side Consort Jing is here.”

Qian Ning’s expression was clearly unpleasant, as though she strongly disliked this Side Consort Jing.

Shu Ruohua, however, didn’t know anyone named Side Consort Jing.

She just felt the name sounded vaguely familiar.

After thinking hard for a moment, she finally remembered—wasn’t that the same woman who bullied Qian Ning last time?

Then she recalled that Side Consort Jing might have been manipulated by someone.

She suddenly became curious as to why this “divine beast” had come looking for her now.

She furrowed her brows slightly. “Let her in.”

Although that Side Consort Jing looked rather mean, she didn’t seem entirely bad at heart.

Compared to Side Consort Yang, she was far better.

And now, both she and Side Consort Yang were the highest-ranked consorts in the Eastern Palace. With the position of Crown Princess still vacant, the two tigers were destined to clash.

Who knows—maybe she could use that opportunity to make Side Consort Jing her ally.

Qian Ning hesitated. “Miss, do you really want to see Side Consort Jing?”

It was obvious Qian Ning wanted to stop her.

After all, last time, she had nearly been beaten by Side Consort Jing. The trauma was real.

“Don’t worry, let her in. Today, your lady will get justice for you.”

Shu Ruohua patted Qian Ning’s head reassuringly.

Qian Ning: “…”

She looked up at the sky outside.

It was already getting late. The Crown Prince should be arriving soon. If Side Consort Jing dared to hurt her mistress, the Crown Prince definitely wouldn’t let her off lightly.

At the main gate, Side Consort Jing was only allowed in because Shu Ruohua had issued the order.

The moment she stepped through the door, the sarcasm began.

“Oh dear, how did big sister end up in such a place? Look, the paint on the walls is peeling, the table is chipped, and even the bed looks like it might collapse. Be careful when you sleep, sister…”

“And this room doesn’t even have a single candle. You should be careful while eating, lest you end up putting something dirty in your mouth.”

Side Consort Jing walked around the room, pointing things out and criticizing everything as she went.

Shu Ruohua remained seated at the round table, nodding enthusiastically at everything she said.

You’re absolutely right.

After Side Consort Jing had finished criticizing every inch of the room, Shu Ruohua finally spoke up lazily, “Anything else?”

She genuinely wanted to know what else in this room needed fixing.

…

…

(End of Chapter)