AWB Chapter 260 Insult
Chapter 260 Insult
After seeing her ugly appearance, Yanwan was very pleased and left without looking back.
When Yanwan disappeared from her sight, Ruyi sat in the chair as if all her strength had been drained out.
Hailan?
These days, she seems to have become cold towards Hailan.
Hearing Yan Wan's words, she suddenly remembered every little detail of her past with Hai Lan, the days when they supported each other.
She didn't know how Hai Lan was doing now, and whether the people in the palace were neglecting her.
She was worried about Hailan suffering in the palace, but she was powerless to do anything. She herself was trapped in a cage, unable to break free or protect those around her.
The guilt brought by Yan Wan was resolved by her silently. She should have felt guilty and reflected on herself, but she could not use her inability to do so as an excuse and continued to live in a daze.
It doesn’t matter. Yanwan didn’t come here with the intention of awakening her.
Chunchan and Lancui followed Yanwan closely, one holding an umbrella and the other holding a list. Chunchan carefully held the umbrella to shield Yanwan from the falling snow.
"Your Majesty, are we just going to let Rong Pei out of the palace like this? If she helps the Empress with her work after leaving the palace, wouldn't that just be adding unnecessary obstacles?"
Chunchan frowned slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes. She followed Yanwan closely, her steps hurried, yet she spoke cautiously to ask.
She was afraid that her master would be merciful for a while and end up nurturing a tiger to harm her. She was also worried that Rong Pei would become Ruyi's helper after leaving the palace, which would be detrimental to them.
All possible threats must be nipped in the bud. Rather than expelling her from the palace, it would be better to kill her, at least it would save a lot of trouble.
She would rather be an executioner for the sake of her master.
As Yan Wan walked, she reached out to catch the snowflakes that were falling from the sky. The snowflakes landed on her fair palms and instantly melted into drops of water. She looked at the drops of water, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.
She didn't seem to respond to Chunchan's words immediately, but remained silent for a moment.
I spoke with my heart open, letting out all the words from my past and present lives, and the clouds that had been lingering in my heart finally dissipated.
She couldn't stand her hypocrisy.
This is how Ruyi is, and this is how the emperor should be in the future.
One by one, no one can escape.
In her previous life, she almost helped her son ascend to the throne.
"The Empress won't do that. She only loves herself and will discard anyone who is no longer useful to her. Rong Pei is like this. Even if she leaves the palace, how can she live a peaceful life? She will just be struggling to survive..."
After a while, Yan Wan slowly spoke.
Her voice was clear and cold, with a firm tone.
Rong Pei was of no use after leaving the palace, just like when she was in the laundry department, once she disappeared, she would not care about it.
Ruyi treats everyone around her based on exploitation, and will abandon them without hesitation once they are no longer of value.
"Well, since she is so loyal to her master, her reward for leaving the palace will be reduced by half. The remaining half can be distributed to hooligans and beggars in the capital. This can be considered as praying for the Empress's blessings and accumulating merit."
Yan Wan said casually, with a sly glint in her eyes.
This was not her way of calculating against them, but rather a way of counting all their actions and making them pay for it themselves.
"Yes, I will obey your order." Chunchan responded with a smile.
She said that the master is not as kind as a saint.
There was a wanton smile on Yanwan's face, like a blooming daffodil.
The flowers are in full bloom, and although they are simple and elegant, they hide a subtle murderous intent.
Narcissus flowers, with their alluring fragrance and dazzling blooms, harbor a poison that can be fatal over time.
Although she hated the emperor, she was similar to him in some ways.
For so many years, she has lived for him, and naturally, she has acquired some of his characteristics.
……
After the emperor finished his government duties, he arrived at the Yikun Palace early. A tense atmosphere enveloped the entire Yikun Palace. The palace maids and eunuchs worked cautiously, fearing any misstep.
The emperor has been very different recently, and many palace maids have been scolded.
Jinzhong had already given instructions, and by the time he arrived, everything in the Yiku Palace had been arranged.
Xiao Lingzi was still the only one serving the two of them their meal, while Jinzhong and his men were just waiting on the side.
Xiao Lingzi stood silently by, his face expressionless, like a numb puppet.
Ruyi's face looked very ugly, her pale face was covered with a layer of haze and lifeless.
Whether greeting him or having a meal with him, he always had a stern face, as if wearing a stiff mask.
Wei Yanwan's words today gave her a lot of insights. Looking at the emperor, she didn't want to endure it anymore.
Seeing her wooden appearance, the emperor was a little impatient. He frowned, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
He picked up the food from the plate irritably and started eating it, his movements a little roughly, as a way of venting his dissatisfaction.
He was eating out of boredom, but when his eyes fell on Xiao Lingzi, that playful expression appeared on his face again.
Feeling the emperor's gaze, Ling Yunche instinctively shrank back.
His body trembled slightly, and he had already formed a reaction to the emperor's actions.
These days, the emperor always likes to find excuses to punish him. Now his body is covered with scars of all sizes, new and old wounds intertwined, and there is not even a piece of healthy flesh to be found.
Again.
Sensing Ling Yunche's fear, Ruyi glanced at the emperor and sighed inwardly.
In order to protect Ling Yunche, she could only force herself to eat the food. Even though the food in her mouth felt like chewing wax, she had to pretend to be calm and eat it.
If you want to target someone, you will find thousands of reasons to dislike them.
The emperor picked up a piece of mutton from the plate. The mutton was tender and fresh, and exuded an enticing aroma.
He was about to put the meat into his mouth, but accidentally, his chopsticks loosened and the meat fell to the ground.
The palace was cleaned by all the palace ladies, and the floor was as bright as a mirror, but the ground under the emperor's feet was covered with mud brought in from outside by the soles of his shoes.
The dirt looked particularly prominent on the smooth ground, dirty and damp...
As soon as the mutton fell to the ground, it was quickly stained with the dust, and the originally tender mutton instantly became dirty.
Seeing this, Ling Yunche quickly bent down to clean up.
However, when he was halfway through his action, the emperor's voice came from above his head.
"It would be a shame to throw it away, so... I'll give it to you as a reward."
The emperor's voice was cold, with a condescending mockery.
He deliberately used this method to humiliate Ling Yunche and embarrass him in front of everyone.
His eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, and his gaze was like a hunter looking at the prey that was about to be caught, staring at Xiao Lingzi at his feet.
"Yes, I thank the Emperor for his grace."
Xiao Lingzi's hands were shaking, and his voice was trembling as well.
He slowly picked up the dusty piece of mutton at his feet, holding it tightly between his fingers. The dirty mutton formed a sharp contrast with his pale fingers.
Seeing this, the emperor tapped his chopsticks in dissatisfaction. The crisp tapping sound seemed particularly abrupt.
"What? Do you despise my reward? Eat it."
The emperor's voice was cold and stern. The smile on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a gloomy face.
Seeing this, Ruyi frowned slightly, her eyes full of pity. Seeing this, she hurriedly spoke up to rescue Xiao Lingzi.
She faced the emperor, her tone gentle but with a hint of anxiety: "Your Majesty, look at this little Lingzi being so reckless. He really disturbs your elegance and makes this wonderful banquet lose some of its flavor. It's better to let him leave. I really have no appetite with him here..."
As Ruyi spoke, she covered her lips with a handkerchief, wanting the emperor to replace Ling Yunche.
"Eat! Queen, shut up!"
The emperor completely ignored Ruyi.
He interrupted Ruyi briefly and just stared at Xiao Lingzi.
Seeing Ruyi in such an awkward situation, Xiao Lingzi felt a pang in his heart and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.
In order not to implicate Empress Ruyi, he did not hesitate any longer. With trembling hands, he picked up the dirty piece of mutton, closed his eyes, and stuffed it into his mouth as if he was going to die.
The taste of dust and stains on the mutton instantly spread in his mouth, but he didn't dare to chew it and could only swallow it hard.
No matter how the emperor tortured him, he was willing to endure it, but... he really didn't want to make things difficult for the empress.
Whenever he saw the Queen's distressed expression, his heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife.
He opened and closed his teeth with difficulty, savoring the flavor of the beef on his tongue.
The royal chef’s cooking skills are excellent, and the mutton is delicious, but this fragrance is mixed with dust, which makes people feel a little sad.
Seeing Xiao Lingzi swallowing the dirty mutton with a painful look on his face, the emperor raised his chin slightly, and the originally tense lines on his face gradually relaxed.
He returned to that half-smile expression, with an unfathomable playfulness in his eyes.
"How is it? My Royal Chef's cooking skills?"
The emperor spoke slowly, leaning back in his chair, tapping the armrest lightly with one hand, as if he was enjoying an interesting performance.
This is much more interesting than watching a troupe perform. He has never liked using his power to oppress others, but today he has tasted the benefits.
No wonder everyone is trying so hard to become emperor. It’s so painful, who wouldn’t want to be one?
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift. This meat is delicious."
Xiao Lingzi suppressed his nausea and kowtowed to express his gratitude.
Her dull expression was exactly the same as Ruyi's. Both of them were exhausted physically and mentally by the emperor's torture.
Ruyi watched from the side and felt like there was something stuck in her throat, as if there was a sharp thorn stuck in her throat, which she could neither spit out nor swallow.
She watched helplessly as the emperor tortured Xiao Lingzi, but was powerless to do anything, her heart filled with resentment and helplessness.
No matter how exquisite and delicious the dishes were, they were like leftovers in her eyes and she lost all appetite for them.
She suddenly put down the chopsticks in her hand, and the chopsticks hit the table, making a very light yet extremely heavy sound.
Ruyi lowered her eyes slightly, her expression cold, trying hard to suppress the emotions in her heart, and said lightly: "Your Majesty, please enjoy. I have been unwell recently and really have no appetite."
"I think it's the fault of the servant. Xiao Lingzi, go down and accept the punishment yourself."
The emperor frowned slightly and spoke in a flat tone.
He picked up the chopsticks again, picked up a piece of tender fish, put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly without even looking at Ruyi.
"Whoo."
Hearing the familiar words, Xiao Lingzi felt relieved.
Xiao Lingzi gave Ruyi a reassuring look, then still hunched over and went out to receive his punishment.
He has long been used to it these days.
It's just some punishment, nothing more.
After Xiao Lingzi left, Ruyi looked up at the indifferent emperor in front of her.
He sat there hypocritically, a villain pretending to be a gentleman.
He didn't even give her a glance now, and his purpose of coming to Yikun Palace was just to torture her and Ling Yunche.
Seeing the emperor like this, Ruyi felt a pang of pain in her heart.
In the end, things between them turned out like this.
If she had known this, she would rather marry an ordinary woman than enter the palace and be involved in these dirty affairs.
The Qingying and Hongli of those days no longer exist after all.
"What? Queen, you are looking at me like that because you are dissatisfied with my punishment of Xiao Lingzi?"
Noticing the look in Ruyi's eyes, the emperor put down his chopsticks and looked at her expressionless face coldly.
Although there is no expression, eyes can't lie.