Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Leaving the Palace

“This patch of land…” The emperor’s eyes swept over the freshly turned soil.

Consort Li lowered her gaze. “The Cold Palace is bitter. I’m afraid Sweetie will go hungry.”

“What?!” The emperor’s temper blew like a fuse.

A vicious spike of rage shot up his spine.

“Wu Ya!” His voice turned knife-sharp. “Investigate—now. Who has the nerve to short the Cold Palace rations? Find him. I’ll skin him alive!”

Chief Eunuch Wu Ya’s heart dropped into his boots.

His Majesty was this furious… over the Cold Palace?

He snapped into a bow. “This old servant obeys!”

The news hit Consort Xian’s palace like a thrown stone.

Clang!

A set of fine celadon teaware exploded against the floor, shards flashing as they scattered.

“Bitch!” Consort Xian’s chest heaved. Her pretty face twisted into something feral. “Even after being tossed into the Cold Palace, she’s still seducing the ruler!”

Ever since she’d run into that little disaster star in the Imperial Garden, she’d fallen mysteriously ill. She’d only just crawled back to health—and now hatred and fear braided together, tight as a noose.

A poisonous gleam slid through her eyes. “If I can’t touch the little one, can’t I touch the big one? Go. Find a few people with clean hands and tighter mouths. Sprinkle that stuff… quietly onto Consort Li’s vegetables.”

She leaned forward, voice like a blade easing from its sheath. “No one sees. No one hears. And then… hmph.”