Chapter 47: The Forty-Seventh Station — Death by Staff

Chapter 47: Beaten to Death

Ye Wanwan stared blankly at the top of the bed canopy. After an unknown length of time, she said in a raspy voice, "Help me up."

Qingsha persuaded her, "Your Ladyship's body is weak; you need to rest quietly."

Ye Wanwan did not care. "Little Shenzi!"

Yan Chen stepped forward and hoisted Ye Wanwan up without a word. She was so weak that she could barely sit steady, her entire body leaning almost completely against him. "Help me over there."

Qingsha and Muxiang hurriedly came forward as well, the three of them jointly supporting Ye Wanwan as she walked to the dressing table.

The closer she got to the dressing table, the more intense the terror in her heart became. She did not even dare to look, her hands gripping Yan Chen's sleeve for dear life, as if trying to draw some strength from him.

Finally, she stopped in front of the bronze mirror.

The red, swollen patches on her face were indeed gone. She raised a hand to touch her skin; there was still a grainy texture, but it looked nowhere near as terrifying as before.

Her heart gradually settled and grew calm.

Ye Wanwan sat down, looking at herself in the mirror. "You know medical skills?"

She was addressing Yan Chen.

"I do not. However, this servant also develops similar symptoms upon coming into contact with certain powders, so I keep such medicine prepared among my belongings. Seeing Her Ladyship's symptoms and worrying for you, I presumed to use the medicine without authorization. I beg Her Ladyship's punishment."

Ye Wanwan let out a cold laugh. "Does this Palace look like someone who repays kindness with enmity?"

She smiled. Though it was not a pleasant smile—fraught with a hint of discontent, her features bearing obvious exhaustion, her eyes bloodshot from pain and glistening with moisture from fear—she looked nothing like her usual refined and flawless self; one could even call her disheveled. Yet, this very appearance possessed an indescribable allure.

Fragile enough to evoke pity, yet stubborn enough to make one's heart ache and itch.

Yan Chen lowered his gaze, staring at his own sleeve. "This servant dares not claim credit. As long as Her Ladyship is unharmed, it is well."

Ye Wanwan was extremely weak, utterly devoid of physical strength. Although she was exhausted, she had not a shred of sleepiness; she was waiting.

At last, the truth arrived.

"Reporting to Her Ladyship, the culprit has been found. It is Hongshang; she switched the meals of Her Ladyship and the Empress Dowager."

The corners of Ye Wanwan's lips twitched. This answer was truly not all that surprising.

Unable to stomach the disparity and feeling aggrieved, she sought to take revenge on her?

She lacked the life of a wealthy young lady, yet she had certainly picked up the temperament of one.

---

In the Hall of Eternal Longevity, the Empress Dowager sat in the seat of honor supporting her forehead, looking exceedingly troubled. She remained silent for a long time.

Kneeling before her were six people, all implicated in this incident. The two at the forefront were unmistakably Nanny Li and Hongshang.

Nanny Li was on the verge of a complete breakdown, kowtowing incessantly to plead for mercy. Her forehead, which had only recently healed, was bleeding profusely again, and she was crying like a rain-soaked peach blossom.

Hongshang fared no better; she knelt with her head bowed, trembling all over.

"Empress Dowager, this slave had no intention of harming the Noble Consort! This slave only knew that Her Ladyship dislikes eating taro, and in a moment of muddle-headedness... I beg the Empress Dowager to spare us!"

"We beg the Empress Dowager's mercy!"

Just as furious as the Empress Dowager had been upon learning of Ye Wanwan's plight, she was equally helpless at this moment.

She cherished Ye Wanwan and naturally wanted to protect her own, single-mindedly determined to uncover the truth and make the evildoer pay the price. Never had she imagined that after all the investigating, the culprit turned out to be someone from her own household.

Nanny Li was her trusted confidante, and Hongshang had once served by her side as well before being bestowed upon Ye Wanwan.

To punish them too lightly would be an injustice to Ye Wanwan; to punish them too severely went against her own soft heart.

Just as the Empress Dowager was hesitating, a eunuch at the entrance hurried in. "Empress Dowager, the Noble Consort has arrived."

Ye Wanwan was very weak, supported by Qingsha and Yan Chen as she walked in. She had changed her clothes and applied makeup to cover the marks on her face. Even so, she still wore a veil.

Clearly so feeble she could barely stand, she had insisted on coming anyway.

"Wan'er, why have you come? Are you feeling better?" The Empress Dowager rose in alarm, deeply concerned.

Supported to her seat, Ye Wanwan did not bother with formal greetings and sat down right beside the Empress Dowager. She looked from the Empress Dowager to the kneeling figures below.

"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. This concubine has already recovered somewhat. How does the Empress Dowager plan to deal with them?"

Her voice was laced with weakness and an abnormal hoarseness.

The Empress Dowager hesitated. Nanny Li and Hongshang, however, were overcome with agitation, kowtowing and begging for mercy without pause.

"Spare my life, Noble Consort!"

"Noble Consort, this slave knows she was wrong! I beg Your Ladyship to show mercy!"

Hongshang wept bitterly. "This slave was momentarily blinded by a ghost to commit this grave error. I will never dare do it again, never again! I beg Your Ladyship to grant mercy!"

The Empress Dowager no longer knew what to say. Meanwhile, Ye Wanwan simply watched them kowtow, her dark eyes under the lamplight as calm as a rippleless lake, devoid of the slightest trace of emotion. Finally, she uttered just two words, spoken softly, yet audible to everyone present.

"Beat them to death!"