Chapter 442

Chapter 442 Before Xie Run could speak, Consort Jingshu had already asked on her behalf, "What do you mean by 'cannot be touched'?" The maid replied, "Even the slightest touch causes unbearable itching all over the body. If the Green Itch Powder is more concentrated, it could even cause suffocation." "Previously, when the young ladies of the household hosted banquets, Noble Lady Bai once had an adverse reaction just from smelling the Green Itch Powder." "That serious?!" Consort Jingshu feigned surprise, but her smile was meaningful: "Since Noble Lady Bai is so averse to Green Itch Powder, I take it she only came into contact with it after arriving at Zhaohua Palace?" "I was present at the time and can bear witness—none of the maids in Zhaohua Palace touched her clothing." The more Consort Jingshu spoke, the more she wanted to laugh, and she didn't suppress the smile on her face. "This Noble Lady Bai is truly amusing. She receives a reward from Noble Consort Zhao, and then deliberately plants medicine on it to try to frame Noble Consort Zhao." "Utterly audacious!" Consort Jingshu's expression darkened as she suddenly barked out the rebuke. The two bewildered maids were so frightened they immediately knelt on the ground. Behind the screen, Noble Lady Bai struggled, trying to rush out and defend herself. Xie Run, however, calmly held her teacup and took a sip: "Noble Lady Bai has committed the offense of showing disrespect to her superiors and attempting to frame one of higher rank. She is hereby demoted to Lady-in-waiting and placed under house arrest for six months." She spoke these words unhurriedly, and not just Noble Lady Bai—even Consort Jingshu couldn't help but widen her eyes in shock. Since entering the palace, this was the first time Xie Run, as Noble Consort, had demoted another consort. Consort Jingshu said, "I only hope that Noble Lady Bai will reflect on her mistakes after returning and not commit such reckless acts again." "Those whose ambitions soar higher than their station—are they so rare in this harem?" Xie Run said with a smile, "Consort Jingshu, sister, speaks truly. I only hope she can heed your words of wisdom." Noble Lady Bai's face had been flushed with anger, but after a moment, it all settled back into calm. At the very least, she had achieved her original purpose, hadn't she? Xie Run was so arrogant and overbearing—she didn't even give anyone a chance to defend themselves when adjudicating harem cases, and demoted consorts at the drop of a hat. The Emperor would surely never favor someone with such a temperament! The gentle virtue she had feigned was, in the end, destroyed in an instant. After Xie Run uttered those words, she didn't even bother to see Bai Fu, simply ordering someone to escort her back to Fanghua Palace for house arrest. After watching the spectacle, Consort Jingshu smiled and said, "Since the days in the prince's residence, I've never seen you lose your temper like this, elder sister." Xie Run smiled back. "Then you've seen little of it, younger sister." "If you're curious, you could ask Beauty Duan what I look like when I lose my temper." Consort Jingshu smiled. "I have heard a thing or two." Before leaving, Consort Jingshu remarked with a smile, "For one whose ambitions soar higher than her station, this punishment may not be enough. Once she comes back to life a year from now, there's bound to be another commotion." Xie Run countered, "Does younger sister think I intend to deal with her?" Consort Jingshu was puzzled. "What else would it be?" Wasn't all this fanfare across the Six Palaces meant to crush Noble Lady Bai? Xie Run smiled radiantly. "I am merely acting according to palace regulations." "I have always done so, and will continue to do so in the future. I do not harbor prejudice against Noble Lady Bai simply because she resents me." Hearing these words, Consort Jingshu was suddenly stunned into silence. After a long moment, she let out a rueful laugh. She had always known—Xie Run was never some pure and harmless person. Her schemes and calculations ran far deeper than anyone imagined. Everything today—she wasn't fighting Noble Lady Bai. She was fighting the Emperor. Noble Lady Bai was forcibly escorted back to Fanghua Palace. When Xie Run's verdict came down, the servants of Fanghua Palace were stricken with horror, feeling as though the sky had collapsed. "How could this be?!" "Why, for no reason at all, would our mistress go and offend Noble Consort Zhao?!" "Our mistress is under house arrest for six months and demoted to Lady-in-waiting—how are we supposed to get by now?!" "She was practically begging for death, daring to scheme and frame Noble Consort Zhao! Noble Consort Zhao was merciful enough to spare her life, but she may not truly let her off in the future. If we keep following her, we're bound to suffer misfortune sooner or later." Those with quick minds were already preparing to find new positions. Since Bai Fu had been demoted, her attendants would also be reduced—they could take this opportunity to leave and find a safe place to stay. Even those less quick-witted were now cursing Bai Fu relentlessly. She didn't want to live, but she was dragging others down with her! She looked like she had a clever face, but she had a foolish gut, harming others for no reason. Why didn't Noble Consort Zhao just strangle her and be done with it?! Bai Fu, however, remained exceptionally calm. Upon returning to Fanghua Palace, she acted as if she hadn't seen the expressions on the other servants' faces, dismissed them all, and kept only Caiyue by her side. Caiyue, tears in her eyes, was about to offer words of comfort. But then she saw her mistress reveal a strange smile—as if she were pleased? Caiyue didn't understand. Having fallen to such a state, what was there to be pleased about? "Mistress, please don't be upset. At least you're still young... there will be chances in the future." Even as she said it, Caiyue didn't believe it herself. Being young didn't mean there would be chances. Having offended the most favored Noble Consort in the palace, her mistress's hardships were only just beginning. Bai Fu glanced at Caiyue. "What do you know? I'm not upset at all. I'm delighted." Caiyue: "..." Could her mistress be possessed by a ghost?! Bai Fu stared ahead with heavy eyes, speaking to herself: "She didn't ask for the reason, didn't listen to any defense, and just disposed of me like that." "What the Emperor detests most is stubbornness and stupidity." "I refuse to believe that after this, the Emperor will still dote on her as before!" Her rank was low, so a fall wouldn't matter much. But Noble Consort Zhao was different. She had come this far entirely on the Emperor's favor. Once the Emperor saw her true face beneath the mask, he would certainly not continue to favor her. Just like... her past self in her previous life. Bai Fu took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions within her, and began to plan for what lay ahead.