Chapter 18: The Most Damnable

Chapter 18: The Most Deserving of Death

Just as she stepped out of the Empress Dowager’s Palace of Eternal Longevity, Ye Wawan encountered a group of concubines arriving to pay their respects.

"Oh my, if it isn't the Noble Consort? What brings you here?"

The look of feigned surprise was dripping with malicious glee. It was as if they were terrified she might not realize they had come specifically to mock her. When Ye Wawan had been under house arrest, they hadn't even been able to catch a glimpse of her, and their pent-up spite had nowhere to go, leaving them feeling incredibly stifled. Now that they had finally heard the Noble Consort’s confinement had been lifted—and merely because of the Empress’s pregnancy, no less—they found it hilarious and rushed over to see for themselves.

The woman at the lead was dressed in a rouge-colored gown adorned with a hundred-flower pattern. Her features were graceful and dignified; she appeared older than the others present and carried herself with greater composure.

"Consort Shen, show some respect."

After reprimanding the woman, she bowed slightly to Ye Wawan. "Greetings, Noble Consort."

This was Consort Li, Zhao Yi’s first secondary consort. She was the eldest among all the concubines and had both a prince and a princess under her care. Although she only held the rank of consort, her influence was in no way inferior to that of the Empress or the Noble Consort, and her words carried significant weight among the women of the harem.

Seeing Consort Li bow, the others, however reluctant, quickly followed suit. "Greetings, Noble Consort."

In the inner harem, age mattered little; rank dictated one's standing. Even Consort Li had to defer to the Noble Consort, not to mention those who didn't even hold the rank of consort.

Ye Wawan had originally not intended to let these women off easily. Since they had delivered themselves to her doorstep, it was the perfect opportunity to vent her frustrations. However, upon seeing Consort Li, she suddenly lost all interest in engaging with them.

Consort Li—this was the truly formidable one, and the one who deserved to die the most.

She appeared harmless, but in reality, she was cold-blooded and ruthless. She had murdered the Crown Prince, framed Ye Wawan to take the fall, and even had Zhao Yi personally cover up her crimes. In the end, the position of Crown Prince had fallen to her own son. She was the true mastermind.

If one were to trace the connection, Consort Li was actually a distant relative of Ye Wawan, who was expected to address her as "cousin." While the Empress Dowager favored Ye Wawan above all, she had also treated Consort Li well; otherwise, Consort Li would never have been able to raise a son and daughter so smoothly.

"Rise, Sister Li."

Unexpectedly, the Noble Consort, who wouldn't even show the Empress any courtesy, reached out to help Consort Li up, her smile gentle and accommodating. "Sister, why are you doing this? I could overlook the others, but how could I ever accept a bow from you?"

Consort Li was slightly surprised, but she immediately responded with a tender smile. "You are kind, Noble Consort, but etiquette must be observed."

Ye Wawan wrinkled her nose playfully. "That applies to others, but you are different, Sister."

As she spoke, she tugged gently on Consort Li’s hand and swayed it. "Sister, they say that once we enter the palace, everything changes, but I won't have you growing distant from me."

Ye Wawan’s features were naturally delicate and pretty; in this act of coquetry, even other women found her adorable and guileless.

Consort Li’s relationship with Ye Wawan was not particularly bad, but it certainly wasn't close enough to warrant such behavior. Still, with so many eyes on them, she could hardly show her annoyance.

"Enough, you’re not a child anymore, stop acting so spoiled."

Ye Wawan blinked with a smile. "Are you here to see the Empress Dowager? You should hurry inside; don't let me keep you."

Before leaving, she added a thoughtful reminder: "The Empress Dowager is quite tired right now, and she isn't in the best of moods."

As she watched Ye Wawan wave and depart with a smile, Shen Yufu felt as if something were wrong with her eyes. Was this really the same Ye Wawan she knew?

Shen Yufu quickly leaned toward Consort Li. "Consort Li, what kind of game is she playing? To act so amiable all of a sudden—there must be a conspiracy."

A conspiracy?

Consort Li smiled faintly but said nothing. Ye Wawan was not naive; in fact, she was usually quite cold. This sudden display of closeness was indeed strange, but she was still young and had been shielded too well by the Empress Dowager. Her little schemes and calculations were transparent at a glance.

It was nothing more than a desire to find an ally because she didn't want to be suppressed by the Empress.

"It is time to go in and pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."