Chapter 427: Cheap shots from cheap shots (2/2)
“Aiya,” Han Yunxi copied back, “Noble Consort Chu, a person of your eminence certainly has a short memory!”
Chu Qingge was lost. “What are you talking about?”
Han Yunxi purposely pulled Su Xiaoyu in front of her. “Noble Consort Chu, this little girl used to be a beggar who asked you for alms at an inn. You found her distasteful and gave her a slap, did you forget?”
Han Yunxi had brought Su Xiaoyu here just so the girl could see her former abuser and remember her. There was nothing more to it. But since Chu Qingge had completely forgotten what she’d done, a good reminder was necessary.
“Today I brought her here on a special trip to give you thanks. If you hadn’t slapped her back then, I wouldn’t have relented and took her in as a servant girl,” Han Yunxi smiled.
Su Xiaoyu hadn’t expected Han Yunxi to play this card. Although she was Chu Tianyin’s subordinate, she had never like that cold and arrogant little sister of his. She liked the fact that Han Yunxi was putting on a show! Quickly, she went forward and fell to her knees before kowtowing.
“Su Xiaoyu gives many thanks to the grace of Noble Consort Chu’s slap! May Noble Consort Chu live for thousands and thousands of years!” Her sincere expression and reverent actions caused much of the people present to burst out into laughter.
What could be more humiliating than this?
Noble Consort Chu was not only narrow-minded and intolerant enough to show no mercy to a beggar, but actually moved to beat her up. An upright and dignified young Miss of the Chu Clan, now one of Tianning’s upper class elite, couldn’t even get over the slight of a simple beggar girl. It really was both pitiful and hilarious! Most likely, news of it would spread quickly throughout the harem and then to the capital beyond.
Chu Qingge’s face had turned completely black. Although she remembered the incident at the inn, she only recalled how Han Yunxi had left her and Mu Linger in sore straits. If big brother hadn’t saved her in time, Mu Linger would’ve stripped her bare long ago. Meanwhile, she’d forgotten all about that little beggar girl, much less what she looked like or if she had a name!
She had no way to either accept or refuse Su Xiaoyu’s earnest thanks. Nor was it possibly for her to apologize or explain. As soon as she denied everything, Han Yunxi would definitely use the chance to tell everyone exactly what had happened that day, and how she’d been defeated. Moreover, apologizing was beyond her anyways. Han Yunxi’s move was many times more lethal than Empress Dowager Li’s comments.
Despite all the grievances in her heart, Chu Qingge still told Su Xiaoyu, “Please rise!”
Both the empress dowager and Noble Consort Xue exchanged satisfied looks at seeing Chu Qingge’s complexion turn so ghastly. This was all they hoped for. However, the next thing they knew, Han Yunxi suddenly rose to her feet with a serious expression.
“Esteemed empress dowager, chenqie feels that Noble Consort Chu most looks the part as well. However, there’s someone here who hasn’t respected her position at all. As chenqie sees it, that person deserves to be punished!”
Since Han Yunxi had already fought with Chu Qingge, why would she spare the empress dowager’s side? She really was a true neutral party, either ignoring both sides or insulting everyone utterly! Nobody could expect to be spared and play the bystander!
“Ridiculous. Who has the gall to do such a thing?” Noble Consort Xue refuted immediately. She didn’t want Han Yunxi to change the topic.
“You!” Han Yunxi pointed at her.
Noble Consort Xue was stunned. “Qin Wangfei, we can eat rubbish, but we can’t speak rubbish! The empress dowager is present, so you better have proof for those words. Don’t cook up wild tales!”
“If Yunxi remembers correctly, the rules of the imperial harem state that double rewards are only awarded to the empress and the head of the four Noble Consorts. Esteemed empress dowager just said that His Majesty awarded Noble Consort Chu twice as many gifts as everyone else, making her qualified to be the head Noble Consort. Without the empress present, the only one with a right to sit by the empress dowager’s side is the head Noble Consort. But Noble Consort Xue, you’ve taken that seat for yourself. What nerve!”
Noble Consort Xue’s breathing hitched at the words. For a second, she lost her temper and cried out, “His Majesty only made her a Noble Consort, not the head of all four!”
She regretted it as soon as she spoke, but it was too late. Empress Dowager Li’s hands stiffened in response. We’re supposed to be working against Chu Qingge in the shadows, not confronting her outright! But Han Yunxi had shattered their masquerade with that single careless slip.
“Aiya,” Han Yunxi exclaimed in mock surprise. “She hasn’t been made the head of the four Noble Consorts? I thought that was a given already. Still, seeing how His Majesty favors Noble Consort Chu, it won’t be long before it’s fact. Noble Consort Xue, don’t be so agitated!”
“I…. I’m…I’m not agitated, I’m only… I’m only…” Noble Consort Xue stammered. Everyone had seen her response just then, so even she felt than any explanation would be useless.
Han Yunxi smiled. “Noble Consort Xue, there’s no need to explain. It was my misunderstanding. For now, you’re fully qualified to sit in that seat.”
How could she say such things?! Noble Consort Xue clenched her fists inside her sleeves, dearly wishing to go over and slap Han Yunxi right then and there. This woman, I’ve had enough of her! She glanced at Chu Qingge, only to see the woman staring back at her with eyes full of disdain.
1. He is strong…the great river (他强由他强，我自清风拂山冈。他横任他横，我自明月照大江) – taqiang you taqiang, wozi qingfeng pai shanfeng. Taheng you taheng, wozi me=ingyue dajiang, here Han Yunxi is quoting from a section of the Nine Yang Manual found in Jin Yong’s wuxia novel, The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber.