Chapter 12
“Slap!”
“Bitch! I knew you were up to no good! I never imagined you would be bold enough to crawl into my bed! I will kill you! I’ll kill you right now!”
As the candlelight and footsteps approached, a slap followed immediately.
It stung like fire against my cheek, carrying the earth-shattering fury of a superior.
Dressed only in my undergarments, I knelt on the ground with practiced ease, a single thought in my mind.
It turned out that even an Imperial Consort with beauty enough to topple kingdoms could look so hideous when her face was twisted by peak jealousy and resentment.
But Noble Consort, you originally gained favor because of that face. Looking like this now, how could you possibly stir any old feelings in the man on the bed?
I remained silent, offering no pleas or cries. I simply let her kick and beat me, as if silently confessing to every crime.
The Imperial Consort was completely consumed by rage. Screaming, she lunged forward, her sharp nails poised to tear into my plain face.
“Enough.”
A hand caught her mid-motion. The most powerful man in this room-indeed, in all of Dasheng-finally broke his silence, speaking with a hint of impatience and irritation.
“It was my idea. It has nothing to do with her. Imperial Consort, you are becoming increasingly ignorant of the rules.”
*Clatter.*
The Jade Vase on the edge of the table fell to the floor. Shards struck the top of my foot, making me flinch instinctively.
Suddenly, I felt a sense of weightlessness. With a soft gasp, I found myself gathered into a broad embrace.
The Imperial Consort’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She likely remembered this moment vividly; after all, this was the first time since her arrival in Dasheng that she had been reprimanded so harshly.
And by the very Son of Heaven who had once promised her a lifetime as his one and only.
Her bright eyes filled with tears that fell like broken strings of pearls. But this time, they did not earn her any mercy. Instead, the Son of Heaven turned and left without looking back.
Because she was too ugly.
Shock, anger, arrogance, and jealousy were all woven together on a single face; it was truly hideous.
The moment we stepped out of the palace doors, the cold wind made me huddle closer to him. He let out a short laugh, his chest vibrating against me.
“You’re afraid of a little cold, yet you were too stubborn to beg for mercy while being beaten?”
My head remained buried in his chest. I didn’t want to look at his face.
My voice was muffled. “That was Your Highness. This servant is Your Highness’s servant.”
He replied without hesitation, “Not anymore.”