Chapter 3

It was called “serving,” but in reality, I just followed behind her, separated by several of her trusted maids, doing odd jobs.

The Imperial Consort was a busy woman with a short memory; how could she possibly remember a lowly Foot-washing Maid?

The other palace maids, seeing my background as a Foot-washing Maid, often tried to trip me up. I always just smiled and said nothing, never fighting back.

Over time, they found it boring and simply started dumping their chores on me in secret.

However, if all the favor of the three thousand in the harem is concentrated on one person, then all three thousand resentments will also be directed at her.

Having monopolized the Emperor’s favor, the Imperial Consort was arrogant and domineering. Instead of being angry, Pei Qi praised her for being candid and straightforward.

Meanwhile, the concubines who had once shared affection with Pei Qi suffered in silence. One by one, whether by accident or design, their families fell from grace, or they were sent to the Cold Palace for offending the Imperial Consort.

The Empress was still young and naive, unable to manage things. The Empress Dowager met with the Emperor several times, but each time she left in disappointment.

A shadow loomed over the heads of the imperial concubines.

Finally, one day by the pond in the Imperial Garden, Concubine Yu, who had been neglected for half a year, rushed forward and shoved the Imperial Consort into the freezing winter pond.

She laughed maniacally. “Xu Jiaojiao! You demoness! Just because I talked back to you once, my entire family was executed on trumped-up charges! You deserve to die! Even if I die, I’m taking you with me! Hahahaha!”

The scene was pure chaos. The maids screamed for someone to save her, yet they didn’t dare let the eunuchs step forward and touch the Imperial Consort’s precious, noble body.

Seeing that the world-class beauty was about to perish, I jumped into the bone-chilling pond without hesitation.

My heavy palace robes became even more burdensome in the water, and a drowning person clings desperately to their savior. By the time I pushed the Imperial Consort back to the shore, everyone swarmed around her.

No one offered me a hand.

But I couldn’t die. My plan had only just begun. I gripped the stones tightly, crawling up inch by inch. The restrained Concubine Yu stared at me with pure hatred. “By saving her, you are aiding a tyrant! You will die a horrible death! You should go to hell with her!”

I smiled faintly.

It was true; I would indeed die a horrible death.

But Concubine Yu, was your family’s execution really just because of an Imperial Consort?

Why is it that even when you no longer care for your own life, you still don’t dare to take your true enemy down with you?