Chapter 121: The Villain Accuses the Victim First

As soon as these words were spoken, the polite exchanges in the other chambers were pierced through in an instant, leaving everyone somewhat embarrassed. The tea that had just reached their lips suddenly became hard to swallow.

“When did this woman become so sharp-tongued?” Lady Jia slammed her cup heavily onto the table, unable to contain her frustration any longer. Her wolf’s tail had been fully exposed.

Seeing this, Hua Rong couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. “What’s wrong? Is my dear sister so flustered now?”

“Your Highness, what are you saying? I don’t have such skills. I just find the tea here has a special flavor. Are you really going to be so petty?”

The tension between the two was thick; the other concubines watching the confrontation dared not speak out. After all, they had come privately to find him today, and if news of this spread, it would bring no benefit to any of them.

One of them cautiously shook Lady Jia’s arm and whispered, “I think we should just let this go. It’s really no big deal.”

“She has insulted us so openly—how could this be no big deal?”

Lady Jia couldn’t swallow her anger. She had been wronged without cause, and that was not her nature. Moreover, in the eyes of those who knelt at home, Hua Rong was nothing but an easy target. If she didn’t assert herself now, it would surely be turned against her later.

Unbeknownst to Lady Jia, she was actually ranked below Hua Rong.

“I never insulted you. And even if I did, what could you do to me?” Hua Rong propped her head with one hand, still carrying a touch of morning grumpiness. These people had chosen this moment to pick a fight—did they want to be scolded?

Her playful expression was like watching a clown’s act, making those present feel a strange chill and discomfort.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing much. I’ve often heard the saying ‘a cornered dog will jump over the wall,’ and now I’m seeing it live. It’s quite entertaining.”

Though she spoke with a smile, her words were far from comforting. Lady Jia clearly understood—it was a thinly veiled insult, calling her a dog.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Lady Jia slammed the table again and sprang up from her seat, furiously pointing at Hua Rong. “Hua Rong, don’t be ungrateful! I showed you kindness today, yet you insult me repeatedly. Have some shame!”

“Exactly! Don’t forget, the painter is now in disgrace—Sister Jia is not someone you can afford to offend.”

With a little influence from her family, Lady Jia fancied herself an untouchable big shot.

Hua Rong sighed softly and shook her head. She glanced up at Lady Jia’s tall figure but showed no trace of fear. Stretching her neck, she stood and smiled teasingly, “The whole world belongs to the king! We painters serve the emperor, not you. What do you mean by trying to intimidate me with your status? Do you really think the emperor listens to your father?”

Her sharp words left Lady Jia speechless. She now wore an expression of profound disbelief, unable to accept that this woman before her was the same Hua Rong she once knew.

Clenching her fists tightly until her nails bit into her flesh, causing pain, Lady Jia’s confusion only deepened. “Strange... Has her mind been drained since she was taken away? Why has her temperament changed so drastically?”

Not only had her boldness grown, but her tongue had also become razor-sharp, leaving no room for retreat whenever she spoke.

Swallowing nervously, Lady Jia found herself in an embarrassing position. The concubines behind her began urging a tactical retreat.

But Lady Jia’s fiery nature couldn’t tolerate such humiliation. “No, today you first called me a dog, insulted my family, and mocked my Glass Palace as shabby and poor. This cannot be left unresolved!”

With that, she suddenly twitched like a madwoman, her eyes darting wildly before locking onto a large vase nearby, which she promptly smashed.

The explosive crash shook everyone present. Regardless of the vase’s value, the flying shards struck a small rabbit confined in a cage nearby.

The lively little white rabbit was instantly stained with blood, convulsing and dying on the spot.

All who witnessed it were stunned, unable to believe what had just occurred. The pool of blood was undeniable proof of the event.

“This... this has gone too far—there’s been a death!” someone nervously whispered. Others instinctively covered their mouths, for bloodshed was taboo in the harem.

Moreover, it was an innocent, frightened little white rabbit.

Who among the women could bear to see such a cute creature meet such a fate?

Even Hua Rong froze, staring at the rabbit whose artery had been severed by the vase shards, utterly bewildered.

“You—you actually killed my rabbit!” Hua Rong rushed over, opening the cage. Seeing the rabbit beyond help, she glared furiously at Lady Jia. “You’ve gone too far! What kind of cruel heart do you have to harm a living creature so callously?”

Her exaggerated outrage met only deeper disdain.

Like a person with no concern, Lady Jia crossed her arms arrogantly. “It’s just a rabbit. At worst, I’ll compensate you with a few more. Who would grieve over a beast?”

“I only want that one. If you can’t give it to me, I will never forgive you!”

Hua Rong stood, eyes blazing with anger as she faced Lady Jia.

The two were evenly matched, neither willing to yield. It was clear they were prepared to escalate the conflict over a mere rabbit.

The onlookers instinctively took a step back, hesitant to act rashly for fear of disaster.

“What should we do? Should we call the emperor to settle this before they really come to blows?” the concubines whispered among themselves.

Lady Jia heard this but showed no fear. “Let the emperor come if he dares. I don’t believe a rabbit is enough to get me killed!”

At that, someone indeed went to summon the emperor.

By the time he arrived, Hua Yue and Consort Wen were following closely behind, which only served to escalate the situation.

“Your Majesty, you’ve finally come! You must support me—I’m being mistreated by Consort Rong!” Lady Jia was quick to accuse first, rushing to Emperor Jun Yeli’s side and wrapping herself tightly in her shield.