Chapter 274: Chapter 271: MeritSang Ruoshui’s despondency instantly transformed into a smile so sweet, it was nearly dripping with honey.

    She always knew that the Emperor would one day recognize her goodness.

    She was younger than Sang Yan and more beautiful, having secretly learned from the nannies in the palace a good number of skills to serve others.

    She was confident that once He Ying knew how good she was, he would be unable to resist her charm.

    The palace maid served Sang Ruoshui with trembling fear, inwardly lamenting her fate: this mistress must be cursed, her mind vastly inferior to the one in Qingning Palace. Mr. Zhang had been punished. The words of Mr. Pei were laced with mockery in every line. It was clear to anyone with eyes that the Emperor had no good intentions in seeking her. Yet here she was, indulging in pipe dreams. Alas, what could a lowly servant like her even say? Speaking out would only bring a light scolding at best, and at worst, she might end up like Xiangxiu.

    With a sigh, she picked up the ox-horn comb and began to tidy up Sang Ruoshui’s hair and makeup.

    Just then, a palace maid brought in a set of palace garments.

    Sang Ruoshui, deeming them too plain, showed her displeasure, "You clumsy fool, I am going to see the Emperor, it’s a joyous occasion, and look what you’ve brought me for clothes?"

    She scolded as she raised her foot and kicked at the palace maid.

    The maid, not daring to show anger or speak out, tearfully went back and brought a gold-threaded, pomegranate-red set of palace garments.

    Sang Ruoshui changed into it and examined herself in the mirror—the reflection showed a woman with brows expressing the allure of spring, captivating and utterly enchanting no matter the angle.

    She nodded in satisfaction and only then allowed the maid to help her out of the inner chamber.

    "Mr. Pei, sorry to have kept you waiting."

    Sang Ruoshui’s attitude had shifted from her earlier bullishness to a gentle smile toward the servant.

    Naturally blessed with a fine appearance, and now meticulously dolled up, she was brimming with enchantment.

    Regrettably, for all her beauty, she paled in comparison to the lady of Qingning Palace.

    Having spent a lot of time with Sang Yan, Pei Muyang had developed an immunity to the word "beauty."

    Instead, it was the tearful little palace maid by his side who caught his attention.

    Princess Consort Sang, it seemed, was no stranger to mistreating Palace Attendants behind closed doors.

    Though Pei Muyang was a senior eunuch close to He Ying, he was ultimately still a servant. He could empathize and thus found his regard for Sang Ruoshui waning.

    "After you, Princess Consort Sang—"

    Pei Muyang’s smile vanished as he flicked his horsetail whisk and gestured to lead the way.

    Sang Ruoshui was startled: something was off about Pei Muyang’s demeanor!

    A wave of unease rose within her as she belatedly realized this visit might not go as she had imagined.

    But with Pei Muyang already waiting there, she had no choice but to go.

    Grinding her teeth, she steeled her resolve and left Yuesang Palace.

    Pei Muyang silently followed by her side.

    He had spent more time in the palace than Sang Ruoshui and was adept at telling people exactly what they wanted to hear, his face betraying neither joy nor anger.

    Feeling guilty, Sang Ruoshui grew anxious and, after hesitating for quite some time, finally asked, "Mr. Pei, if I may trouble you with a question, for what matter has the Emperor summoned me?"

    She still held respect for Pei Muyang; in his presence, she even refrained from referring to herself as "this palace."

    With his head bowed in feigned subservience, Pei Muyang spoke with a sneering tone, "Princess Consort Sang, what else could it be? Mr. Zhang has gained your favor, and you’ve cared so well for us servants that the Emperor intends to reward you accordingly."

    Sang Ruoshui’s body swayed upon hearing this, her face turned deathly pale, the rouge unable to conceal her panic.

    "Mr. Pei—"

    Tears welling up in her eyes, she abandoned concern for her status and explained, "I truly had no idea Mr. Zhang would do something so foolish. I saw him clever and sweet-talking, so I looked after him a bit—"

    "There’s no need for Princess Consort Sang to explain these things to a servant. Mr. Zhang has offended the Empress’ eyes, and the Emperor is enraged. You’d better speak directly with the Emperor."

    Pei Muyang had no interest in further discussion, his tone apathetic.

    It dawned on Sang Ruoshui that Pei Muyang’s loyalties lay entirely with Sang Yan.

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    Suppressing her anger, she cursed both Sang Yan and Pei Muyang in her heart.

    She just knew it—her good luck had all been stolen by that cheap woman, Sang Yan!

    Suddenly, she remembered the dream from last night—

    Sang Ruoshui’s fingertips were all tinged with cold, this ordeal was likely to be unbearable.

    She needed to find a way out...

    In the blink of an eye, she arrived outside the Imperial Study.

    Pei Muyang opened the door and bowed slightly, "Princess Consort Sang, the Emperor is waiting for you inside, please."

    Sang Ruoshui looked at the imposing and solemn palace, her heart fluttering with nervousness.

    She took a deep breath before entering with a pale face, slowly walking inside.

    Inside the Imperial Study

    The scent of ambergris was particularly strong.

    He Ying, wearing a bright yellow Dragon Robe, sat at the desk, coldly gazing at her.

    "Emperor..."

    Suppressing her fear, Sang Ruoshui called out tenderly, then, brushing aside the hair by her ear, she moved with the grace of a lotus blossom, full of charm.

    She had applied a thick layer of scented powder to her body.

    He Ying could smell it from ten steps away.

    What if it got on him, the scent of her rouge?

    Perhaps Sang Yan would get angry if she smelled it.

    With that thought, he frowned, covered his nose with the back of his hand, and spoke coldly, "Don’t move. Just stand there."

    Sang Ruoshui: "..."

    Standing seven or eight steps away, she stiffened upon hearing this, caught between advancing and retreating.

    She had planned to showcase her gentle charm, to let the Emperor realize her allure, but in this predicament, what should she do?

    He Ying looked at the face before him, filled with unease, and his heart brimmed with disgust.

    Previously he was merely indifferent toward her, but now, knowing that she dared to harm Sang Yan, his disdain was boundless.

    He disliked even being in the same room as her.

    Knowing that He Ying was displeased, Sang Ruoshui immediately knelt to the ground, softly saying, "Emperor, regarding the matter with Mr. Zhang, your humble concubine truly had no knowledge of it and didn’t expect him to be so bold as to dishonor Xiangxiu. I implore the Emperor to see the truth."

    He Ying couldn’t be bothered to listen to her excuses, and said coldly, "It is a trivial matter."

    Sang Ruoshui: "???"

    Trivial?

    Does this mean the Emperor doesn’t care about the life or death of Xiangxiu? That he won’t pursue her wrongdoing?

    The Emperor surely still cares for her.

    Just as she secretly rejoiced, she heard—

    "I’ve been worried about how to let the Empress start managing the affairs of the harem, this incident has set things in motion, consider it your contribution."

    Those words struck her like a hammer, right on her heart.

    Oh, the pain!

    It hurt so much she couldn’t even speak.

    The fingers hidden in her wide sleeves were almost digging into her palms.

    Her minor punishment of Xiangxiu had, in fact, laid the groundwork for Sang Yan to gain real power as the Empress—how could she not feel furious and resentful?

    He Ying saw all the emotions she was trying to suppress and mocked with a sneer, "Are you angry?"

    "The Emperor and sister share a deep bond, I am too pleased to be angry," Sang Ruoshui answered submissively, lifting her head to reveal a face lovely as a flower, her eyes brimming with admiration and affection: "I don’t ask for much, only to stay by the Emperor’s side. If by some chance I can earn your affection by association, that would be your humble concubine’s good fortune. Toward my sister, I would also be grateful and indebted."

    Her words were humble and passionate, and they sounded very pleasing.