Chapter 614: No Mercy_1

Wei Qingwan quickly stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and respectfully said, “I think she should be beaten to death.”

Imperial Concubine Hui chuckled, “I don’t have the power to do that now. The Daxing Emperor’s coffin is still in the Qianqing Hall. How dare I, as the Imperial Concubine, take the life of Queen Rui? Why not do this instead; you slap Queen Rui on my behalf.”

“Your servant obeys your command!”

With a cheerful expression on her face, Wei Qingwan got up off the ground and stood before Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo saw a smile and excitement on Wei Qingwan’s face.

“Don’t blame me, sister. You were disrespectful to the Imperial Concubine. This is what you deserve. I really have no other option.” Wei Qingwan said.

Wei Ruo curled her lips in response.

Wei Qingwan raised her arm high and brought it down towards Wei Ruo’s face.

However, the anticipated sound of a slap did not ring out, as Wei Ruo calmly grabbed Wei Qingwan’s arm.

“It appears that you’ve grown weaker after three years apart. Even with ten times your current strength and speed, you couldn’t land a blow on me.” Wei Ruo mocked.

“You dare to resist? This is the will of the Imperial Concubine! You are defying the Imperial Concubine!” Wei Qingwan scolded.

“Are you blind? Am I only being disobedient now? I’ve been disrespectful to her from the moment I stepped in here, and you still want to use her to suppress me. Are you foolish?” Wei Ruo retorted.

“Wei Qingruo!” Wei Qingwan blushed with humiliation at Wei Ruo’s disparaging words.

Wei Ruo then glanced at Imperial Concubine Hui on the throne and added, “She is slightly afraid of the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence at the moment and doesn’t dare act against me directly, so she’s using you to do her dirty work. In this way, the Duke Residence can’t blame her. I am amazed at how you blindly obey her orders.”

Wei Ruo’s straightforward words once again shocked everyone around.

Wei Qingwan blushed even more with embarrassment at her retort.

She didn’t understand why even when Wei Qingruo was on the brink of death, she still remained so arrogant and annoying!

Imperial Concubine Hui laughed coldly again, “In the past, I thought you were just different from other well-bred young ladies, but I hadn’t expected that you would be fearless to the point of ignorance. Truly surprising. However, do you really think I fear the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence that much?”

“Do you think that I am merely speaking out because the Duke Residence is my backup?” Wei Ruo countered.

“Then who else is it that gave you such courage to be so presumptuous in front of me!”

Wei Ruo stated, “Both you and King Jing regard King Rui’s Residence as a great threat that must be eliminated. If I were to submit to you and humble myself, all I could hope for is a temporary reprieve. Your intention to kill me would remain unchanged. No matter how respectful or disrespectful I am today, it won’t change your decision about how to deal with me in the future, so why should I bother to grovel before you?”

Currently, the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence could indeed make both Chu Lan and the Imperial Concubine hesitate. Therefore, they would not immediately take drastic actions against Wei Ruo, but it was only a matter of time. Once Chu Lan consolidated his power, he would not allow such an unstable factor to continue to exist.

Such defiant words uttered by Wei Ruo shocked all the other women present, rendering their faces pale.

How could Queen Rui be so bold! Is she really tired of living?

Watching Wei Ruo relentlessly provoke Imperial Concubine Hui, Wei Qingwan laughed inwardly.

This is exactly the arrogance that sickens people! Wei Qingruo loves being like this!

But now she chose the wrong person! With King Jing’s ascension to the throne, Imperial Concubine Hui has become the Empress Dowager, the most honorable person in the royal harem, someone Wei Qingruo can’t afford to offend!

Imperial Concubine Hui looked coldly at Wei Ruo, contemptuously saying, “Queen Rui, for a moment, I wasn’t sure whether to call you smart or foolish. Do you truly think there’s no difference between your two choices? You’re wrong, your demeanor can affect your current situation. If you submit, I can let you live in peace for a few more days, otherwise…”

As Imperial Concubine Hui raised her hand, two eunuchs stepped forward.

Just as Imperial Concubine Hui was about to order punishment for Wei Ruo, an old servant, Qin, rushed in and whispered something into the Imperial Concubine’s ear.

Whatever she said must have been impactful, for Imperial Concubine Hui’s expression changed when she looked back at Wei Ruo.

The look in her eyes was slightly different than before, but the disgust remained the same.

“Have Queen Rui escorted to the side hall,” Imperial Concubine Hui changed her mind.

Although no direct punishment was imposed on Wei Ruo, everyone felt that her actions were undoubtedly suicidal and that whatever was to follow would certainly be bad.

Watching Wei Ruo being taken away, Wei Qingwan felt a flash of pleasure in her eyes, mixed with regret that she wouldn’t be able to witness Wei Qingruo’s torment in person.

Upon returning to the line, Qi Shijing, standing next to Wei Qingwan, whispered to her, “It’s true; you’re not as smart as your sister. Even when things have reached this point, you’re still thinking about how to beat her. That’s just incredibly foolish.”

Insulted by Qi Shijing and compared unfavorably to Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan gritted her teeth, “Enough, I’ve had enough of you in these three years. Now that we’re all heading for death, stop preaching to me!”

Qi Shijing laughed lightly and disdainfully looked away.

###

Wei Ruo was taken to the side hall. As she entered, Xiumei and Lin Fang, who had followed her, were stopped by the guards at the door.

Then, the door to Wei Ruo’s hall was closed behind her.

The doors and windows of the side hall were closed tight, casting the room in dim light.

Wei Ruo looked around the hall calmly, guessing what was waiting for her.

Chu Lan emerged from the shadows, gradually stepping into the light as he moved.

He was dressed in white mourning clothes, given that it was a period of national mourning.

His face was as sharp-featured as it had been three years ago, his eyebrows were arched and his eyes were like stars. However, his expression was more burdened, deeper, darker.

He stopped when he was three steps away from Wei Ruo, saying, “You’re here.”

It was a simple introductory line, like a greeting between long-separated friends.

Wei Ruo looked quietly at Chu Lan.

After scrutinizing Wei Ruo, Chu Lan said, “Three years have passed, and you seem no different.”

He continued, “I’ve heard about your adventures. It seems that Ji Liao suits you well.”

“However, it seems King Jing has become more ruthless and cold-blooded than he was three years ago,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Ruthless, cold-blooded…” Chu Lan repeated these descriptions Wei Ruo had of him, then laughed, “It’s the first time I heard about how I am viewed from other people. You really don’t spare me any face.”

“At this point, do I still need to care about keeping face for King Jing?” Wei Ruo retorted, looking up to meet Chu Lan’s eyes.

Seeing Wei Ruo, Chu Lan suddenly chuckled, “When I first met you, you kept your head down and didn’t dare to look at me.”