The hall was extremely quiet,
so quiet that only the Queen's heavy panting could be heard.
She used to be so dignified and serene, a mother to the nation,
but now in front of Consort Hui, her eyes were fierce, her hair disheveled, looking no different from a madwoman.
Seeing her like this, even Consort Hui sighed,
"Is it worth it?"
The Queen was stunned, "What did you say?"
Consort Hui smiled calmly, "I'm asking if after all these years of fighting and struggling, ending up with an estranged husband and distant children, did you get what you wanted?"
She bent down to pick up the scattered pieces of the Queen's phoenix crown, and put it back on the Queen's head,
"Just to keep your position as Queen? You know you only became Queen because His Majesty was wary of the Ning family, so he let you have the leftovers. Haven't these years been agonizing, living in constant anxiety?"
Consort Hui's words struck at the heart of what had been tormenting the Queen all these years.
It made the Queen recall that when she first entered the palace, she was also a well-read, gentle and quiet young lady from a prestigious family,
At that time, she truly believed that by marrying the most noble man in the world, she would be able to teach her children in the future, be a mother to the nation, get along harmoniously with the concubines, and her days would be smooth and agreeable.
But later on,
Xiao Jingheng grew cold towards her, Ning Wanshuang was overbearing, and favorites sprang up like bamboo shoots after the rain.
On so many lonely and cold nights, as the seasons changed again and again, her heart was chilled.
Only then did she realize that entering these palace walls was no fulfilling of a beautiful dream, but rather the beginning of a nightmare.
Over the years, her father's letters exhorted her in every sentence to manage the inner palace well, teaching her how to be a proper Queen,
Yet no one cared about her circumstances, no one asked if she was safe and happy,
All they had were endless instructions,
Instructing her to compete, to seize power, to solidify her position and continue her maternal family's glory, to bear the heir, so that one day she may become the prestigious Grand Dowager.
Even the Queen herself had forgotten when was it that she became suspicious of everything, her mind full of schemes and plots, regarding anyone who gained favor as a threat, and immediately seeking a backup plan for herself.
After a long silence, the Queen muttered absently with a stiff expression,
"I am the Queen, no one can snatch my position! No one!"
Consort Hui sighed softly and shook her head,
"It is time for Her Majesty to move on."
She got up and slowly closed in on the Queen,
The Queen's tailbone was injured so she could not get up,
The phoenix who once soared through the nine heavens, now could only crawl on the ground like an ant, shrinking back in retreat,
"What are you trying to do? If you dare touch me I will have your whole clan buried with me!"
All the way, Consort Hui forced the Queen to the sandalwood table. She bent down to lift the Queen's chin, a mocking smile on her face,
"We’ve come to this point, doesn’t Her Majesty see through it yet? It’s not me who wants you dead, but His Majesty cannot tolerate you anymore."
"His Majesty?" The Queen shook her head in disbelief, "Impossible! His Majesty would never do this! I am the Queen, I am his principal wife!"
Although extremely afraid, she was still stubborn, concerned about her family's glory,
"My father is the Minister of War, my maternal family were the meritorious ministers at the founding of the dynasty! His Majesty cannot depose me! He cannot!"
"Which is why His Majesty did not depose you, isn't it?"
Consort Hui lightly stroked the Queen's slender jade neck with her pinky finger.
Her expression suddenly turned somber, emphasizing each word,
"His Majesty will not dethrone the Queen, but he can become a widower."
Upon hearing this, the Queen's pupils contracted violently,
Then as if realizing something, she asked incredulously,
"You, you are His Majesty’s woman?"
Consort Hui was briefly stunned, then smiled again,
"Perhaps. Anyway that's what he thinks, so you can think so too. It doesn't matter anymore."
Her hand climbed inch by inch to the Queen's forehead, gently burrowing into the Queen's hair. Suddenly exerting force, grabbing the scalp tightly,
"Farewell, Your Majesty~"
Before the Queen could scream,
Consort Hui had already seized her hair and slammed her temple forcefully against the hard table edge.
After the fatal blow, without a sound the Queen collapsed, her breath cut off.
The door of the Kunning Palace hall creaked open,
A few tall, sturdily-built men in dark clothes with their faces covered stood in the courtyard,
They were Xiao Jingheng’s secret guards in the palace, who only took orders from Xiao Jingheng.
Consort Hui glanced lightly at them and saw one of them holding Ruo Sha tightly.
Ruo Sha's hands were now tied, her mouth blocked, her face full of tear stains.
Seeing Consort Hui, she became agitated, shouting something unclear.
Consort Hui took out a white handkerchief from her waist and walked towards Ruo Sha while wiping her hands.
The guard asked, “Concubine, is it done?”
Consort Hui nodded gently. The guard continued, “Then what should we do with this servant girl?”
Consort Hui did not reply, but headed straight for the palace gate,
Only when passing by Ruo Sha did she softly say,
“The Queen tripped and died from the fall. Lady Ruo Sha was deeply attached to the Queen. She has gone to accompany her in death.”
As she finished speaking, she flung the handkerchief, letting it gently float down in front of Ruo Sha.
Just as Consort Hui stepped out of the Kunning Palace, she heard violent crashes coming from the courtyard.
The guards worked swiftly and cleanly, seemingly having already sent Ruo Sha to accompany her mistress in death.
Consort Hui heaved a long sigh of relief, then looked at the coral red ring on her right forefinger, tears brimming in her eyes as she whispered,
“I will fulfill your wish in the end, and I will see you again in the end.”
As she spoke she raised her forefinger and planted a deep kiss on the red ring.
[Off-topic: Wishing my cute readers a happy weekend!
And a personal plug! I recently got into watching figure skating, so I want to give a shoutout! Yuzuru Hanyu is so handsome!]
