Chapter 235: The Big Sucker
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Everyone, leave,” commanded the king, his voice sharp and cold, his hands clenched tightly into fists. “The wound on Consort Hui isn’t urgent,” he added, frustration coloring his tone. “And remember, what you saw in Yongning Palace today stays within these walls.”
The royal physician bowed his head in agreement and left the room quickly.
With the room emptied, the king approached the window, his hands tightening around the sill as he effortlessly hoisted himself over. He was of average height, yet the person he sought was shorter and seemed to have disappeared without a trace, as if they had never existed.
The king closed his eyes and took a deep breath. [Were they ever really here, or do they have a legitimate identity within the palace?] His mind wandered back to a previous incident when Consort Qin and Consort Jiang had quarreled over a bowl of ginseng soup.
“Eunuch Wang, was Consort Hui present when Consort Qin and Consort Jiang argued last time?” the king asked, desperation seeping into his voice as he turned to face his eunuch.
Eunuch Wang’s forehead was slick with sweat. He was cautious not to speculate or delve too deeply into his thoughts, knowing they could be dangerous.
“Was Consort Hui present?” the king pressed, his tone sharp.
Eunuch Wang wiped his brow. “Yes, she was there. But both Consort Qin and Consort Jiang claimed that Consort Hui only came to mediate after hearing the noise.”
The king’s heart raced. “Did you search Consort Hui’s main hall?” he inquired.
Eunuch Wang shook his head. Consort Hui was dearly cherished by the king; who would dare to search her quarters?
“Search it!” the king ordered, slumping into his chair in despair.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao was happily snacking on melon seeds and cookies, clutching her milk bottle and sipping eagerly.
The king glanced at her, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Chao Chao paused, looked at him, then reluctantly offered her milk bottle. “You want some too?” she asked in a small, innocent voice.
The king waved his hand dismissively, a sense of unease overtaking him. [It seems she came to the palace just to witness this spectacle.] When she arrived, she was sad, but now her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her smile was broad.
The king shuddered at the thought. [The world is falling apart.] His favoritism toward Consort Hui was well-known throughout the kingdom, yet…
Did Consort Hui prefer his concubines?
When Consort Hui awoke, it was nearly dusk, and palace lanterns lit the quiet Yongning Palace. She clutched her chest, the pain sharp. Lifting her hand, she gasped—the white gauze that had covered her wound was missing.
She rose and opened the door. Outside, the king sat in the courtyard, illuminated by a lamp held by Eunuch Wang. Dinner time had arrived, but Chao Chao, her stomach growling, held her belly and stayed seated, too hungry to move.
Consort Hui noticed the king’s direct gaze. “You…” the king began, his voice weak. For the first time, he felt fear and hesitated, lacking the courage to face the truth.
“Was Consort Qin’s lover you?” the king asked, his face expressionless but his eyes desperate for an answer.
Consort Hui smiled bitterly, revealing her injury. “Your Majesty, didn’t you see everything?” she mocked, glancing at the scattered letters. “Didn’t you read these letters?”
The king’s eyes reddened. “You prefer women? You never cared for me?” he stammered, his body shaking.
“Care? When did I ever say I cared for you?” Consort Hui retorted sharply. “You forced me into the palace!”
“Countless concubines here pine for your favor, year in, year out. How many do you truly cherish? I feel for my sisters!”
“I only wished to offer them some comfort. Is that so wrong?”
The king exploded with anger. “Insolent! How dare you!” he yelled, picking up a ruler and striking Consort Hui.
His heart ached—his beloved consort preferred women, and he had naively encouraged his concubines to seek her out.
“Beat her! Beat her!” he roared, red-faced with fury, as Eunuch Wang reluctantly picked up a stick and struck Consort Hui.
Footsteps approached rapidly.
Consort Shu burst in, tears streaming down her face, and threw herself in front of Consort Hui. “Please, let me take the punishment. If someone must be beaten, let it be me,” she pleaded.
Consort Jiang knelt, “I beg you, Your Majesty, spare Consort Hui. Take my life instead.”
Lady Lin echoed from behind, “And take my life for hers.”
The king, witnessing this ludicrous scene, stepped back in shock.
They all knew. They all knew!
“Oh, Consort Hui has all the fish in this pond,” Chao Chao murmured softly.
Eunuch Wang nearly fainted from frustration. [Little ancestor, you’re only making things worse!]
“What have you done to my harem? What did you do to them?” the king trembled, realizing why his concubines no longer competed for his favor—they were all enamored with Consort Hui!
Consort Shu scoffed. “What could we do? The harem is full of women, and the king is just one man. They found comfort in each other.”
The king felt dizzy, struggling to remain upright. “How absurd. I personally brought you into the palace and encouraged my concubines to approach you! How could you do this?” He looked as if he might faint.
Eunuch Wang bowed his head, internally screaming. [Why did I have to witness this disaster?]
The king had been deceived.
His beloved consort had become entangled with his concubines.
“They must all die! They all must die!” The king couldn’t fathom how many times he had been betrayed.
“No wonder you never vied for favor, always so indifferent! You were competing for my concubines!” he fumed.
“Drag Consort Hui out and execute her! Exile the others to the border! Never let them return to the capital!” His veins throbbed, his eyes bloodshot.
“If she dies, I die with her!” Consort Shu cried, blocking the king’s guards.
“We’ll die together! I’d rather die than live without her!” Consort Jiang declared.
The king, consumed by rage, shoved Consort Shu aside, too furious to listen to reason.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Chao Chao’s stomach growled loudly. “If you beat her to death, everyone will know you’ve been cuckolded,” she said, spreading her tiny hands. “Family shame shouldn’t be publicized.”
Eunuch Wang whispered, “Your Majesty, whether you exile them or execute them, there must be a plausible excuse. And that excuse can’t be made public.”
Moreover, Consort Hui was mother to the eldest prince, and Consort Shu to the fifth prince. Their sons would demand the truth. Could the king risk alienating his sons over this scandal?
The king would not want this disgrace known, not even to his own sons. The actions of Consort Hui in the harem, whether recorded by historians or known by outsiders, would be a humiliation that could mock him for centuries. He couldn’t bear it.
The king fell silent, defeated. He was a sucker, a big sucker. In this lifetime, he vowed never to hold another selection for new concubines. If the harem received any new members, he’d sooner chop his own head off and use it as a ball!
Tears filled the king’s eyes.
Chao Chao beamed with delight. [I knew it, there’s always fun in the palace!]