The Night Before Leaving the Palace, Reduced to the Tyrant's Plaything - chapter 13

Qi Rang quickly scanned the pass slip, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

The next moment, he made a show of tearing the paper apart.

Wanyu, losing control, lunged forward and grabbed his hands.

Several Palace Maids were stunned by Wanyu’s action, their eyes wide, holding their breath.

Qi Rang hadn’t expected her to leap at him either; a flash of surprise passed through his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Withdraw!” he ordered coldly.

The Palace Maids, hearts pounding, retreated.

Wanyu was more afraid than anyone, but at this point, she had nowhere left to retreat. Trembling, she clung to Qi Rang’s hands, her eyes pleading with him, begging him to spare her.

Qi Rang’s gaze fell on her hands.

Her hands were small, unable to fully cover his, yet she gripped so tightly that the blue veins on the back of her hand stood out clearly.

Because of her tension and fear, her palms were icy cold, the chill passing from her hand to his.

“What are you trying to do?” Qi Rang asked, though he knew the answer.

Wanyu couldn’t speak, nor did she dare to gesture, fearing that if she loosened her grip, the slip of paper symbolizing her freedom would be mercilessly torn to shreds by him.

The two stood in this strange posture, silent, as if they could remain like this until the end of time as long as no one disturbed them.

Qi Rang’s gaze gradually darkened. Suddenly, he pulled one hand free, reached around behind Wanyu, and spread his fingers against her slender waist, pressing her forcefully toward himself.

Caught off guard, Wanyu was pulled into his embrace, instinctively grabbing his waist on both sides to steady herself.

Qi Rang took the opportunity to raise the hand holding the pass slip high above.

“Beg me. As long as you speak, I’ll give it back to you.”

Wanyu couldn’t speak, looking up helplessly at the hand held high.

“Not going to speak?” Qi Rang dragged her to the brazier. “I’ll give you one last chance.”

Wanyu shook her head, her expression nearly despairing.

Qi Rang loosened his grip, and the slip of paper fluttered lightly toward the fire.

“Ah!” Wanyu let out a hoarse, ugly cry, broke free from Qi Rang’s hand with all her strength, and threw herself to her knees, heedless, pressing the back of her hand against the burning coals.

There was a hiss-the sound of flesh searing on the coals. The pass slip landed in her palm.

Qi Rang grabbed her arm and flung her aside. “Are you trying to kill yourself?”

Wanyu was thrown to the ground, clutching the slip tightly in her hand.

The corners of the paper were curled from the heat, but fortunately, the writing was untouched.

The back of her right hand was badly burned, the pain piercing to the bone.

Qi Rang’s face was as dark as water, his deep phoenix eyes swirling with anger.

“You want to leave so badly? Do you think keeping that slip means you’ll be free?” he said coldly, each word squeezed out between clenched teeth.

Wanyu bit her lip hard, kneeling on the ground and bowing her head to him, begging for mercy.

Her smooth, full forehead knocked against the cold golden bricks again and again, soon turning red.

Qi Rang gritted his teeth, his jawline sharp, veins bulging at his temples.

Just as he was about to erupt in anger, Xu Qingzhan’s voice sounded from outside the door: “Well, isn’t this Consort Shu? What brings you here at this hour?”

“Chief Xu, what kind of question is that? You’re allowed to come, but I’m not?” Consort Shu’s voice was as arrogant as ever. “Fuzi, have you lost your soul? Her Ladyship has come here in this cold weather, and you haven’t gone to announce her arrival yet.”
Fuzi poked his head in and said, “Your Majesty, Consort Shu and Consort Li request an audience. The Seal Holder has also arrived.”

Qi Rang’s gaze still rested on Wanyu; he didn’t even turn his head. “Let them in.”

“Yes.” Fuzi withdrew, sneaking a hurried glance at Wanyu as he left.

The Emperor had returned without eating. Fuzi thought to himself that Wanyu was bound to be in trouble again-sure enough, his guess was right.

Poor thing-given the Emperor’s mood, would Wanyu really be able to leave tomorrow?

Qi Rang stood motionless. After a while, a waft of fragrance drifted in, and Consort Shu led the delicate, timid Consort Li over.

Xu Qingzhan (the Seal Holder) followed behind at a leisurely pace, his flawless features seeming even more beautiful than the two consorts themselves.

“Your Majesty!” Consort Shu came forward and affectionately took Qi Rang’s arm. “I went to the front hall to look for you, but Sun Liangyan told me you came back to rest without even eating lunch. Are you worn out from state affairs?”

“No, I simply have no appetite,” Qi Rang replied coolly. “What do you want from me?”

Consort Shu reached out to pull Consort Li closer. “Today is Consort Li’s birthday. She lives in my palace and serves me diligently, earning my favor. I arranged a banquet for her and hoped Your Majesty would join us this evening. Please, do us the honor!”

Consort Li had only entered the palace this past summer, with striking looks and a special talent for dance-her supple waist swaying as if boneless. Consort Shu envied her, and would call her a Fox Spirit at the slightest provocation, accusing her of seducing men.

Qi Rang had heard bits of this, but couldn’t be bothered to intervene.

Now, Consort Shu was being so considerate toward Consort Li, but it was clearly just a pretext to coax him to Yongshou Palace.

Qi Rang didn’t agree right away; his gaze drifted unconsciously back to Wanyu.

Consort Shu followed his line of sight and her expression changed at once. “So it’s you again, Fox Spirit. You’re already leaving the palace, yet you still have the nerve to appear before His Majesty. Dressed like this, are you trying to seduce him?”

Wanyu knelt silently, head bowed, the blood-red mark on her forehead faintly visible.

Anyone seeing this would know the Emperor was making things difficult for her, but Consort Shu always had a way of turning things upside down. In her eyes, any woman alone before the Emperor was a Fox Spirit.

Wanyu couldn’t defend herself, and Qi Rang clearly had no intention of explaining on her behalf.

Consort Shu stepped forward and kicked her. “A mute, yet you still dream of staying by His Majesty’s side? Hurry up and go pack your things. Tomorrow morning, be sure to get out-wretched thing, don’t let me see you again.”

Wanyu’s body wavered, but without Qi Rang’s word, she didn’t dare withdraw.

Consort Shu clung to Qi Rang’s arm, acting coy. “Your Majesty, say something! You can’t really fancy this mute, can you?”

“How could I?” Qi Rang said indifferently. “Am I that undiscerning?”

“Exactly. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, ruler of all. How could he possibly care for a cripple?” Consort Li said softly.

Consort Shu laughed. “A ruler’s word is law-Your Majesty, you said it yourself, and the Seal Holder heard it too. You can’t go back on your word.”

Xu Qingzhan glanced at Qi Rang, his fox-like eyes half-smiling. “Consort Shu, you really see enemies everywhere. This girl serves every day in Qianqing Palace. If His Majesty truly cared, would he have waited until now? Isn’t that so, Your Majesty?”