Chapter Eighty-Eight: Who Dares to Ambush Me?

Sitting in this seat, she felt as if something more tangible had grown beneath her, making it difficult for Hua Rong to remain still. She gazed at the cup where the grape juice gently diffused, its subtle fragrance alluring, yet in this moment, she had no mind for such things. Instead, she seized the wine jug beside her, poured herself a brimming cup, and drained it in one go. The liquor burned fierce and hot as it slid down her throat, the sensation harsh, but her heart felt instantly at ease.

“No wonder people in ancient times drowned their sorrows in wine. This stuff really does work...” She wasn’t sure what impulse had seized her, but as she watched the Emperor’s distant silhouette disappear, even when he was no longer in sight, Hua Rong was reluctant to look away. The thought of him and Hua Yue together, laughing and playing, made her feel utterly ill at ease.

“Well, well. So our dear sister aims to monopolize the harem and is already toasting her own triumph, forgetting all about the rest of us?” The other women, far from letting Hua Rong’s melancholy pass unnoticed, unleashed sharp words like knives, each one more biting than the last.

Their shrill voices grated on Hua Rong’s nerves. She slammed her cup down hard upon the floor. “Each of you is as lovely as a flower, yet not one has managed to win a man’s heart. Is there any point in sitting here gossiping about others?”

She raised her slender finger and pointed to them one by one.

Her words were not so much hurtful as they were deeply insulting, leaving everyone speechless.

Seeing Hua Rong so drunk, Consort Wen grew displeased and offered a quiet warning. “Consort Rong, you seem to have had too much. Would you like some iced water to sober up?”

With a wave to her maid, she had a cup of iced water brought over. “Your Grace, drink some water to ease the effects of the wine, lest you cause trouble under its influence and do something you’ll regret.”

Hua Rong ignored the attendant’s words, bracing herself on the table, her swaying form unsteady. She staggered into the center of the room and addressed Consort Wen directly, “Your Grace, I’ve had too much to drink. I’m going out for some air.”

Consort Wen could not have wished for more and nodded quickly. “You really have drunk too much. Best return to your quarters and rest.” She turned to the waiting maid. “See Her Grace back to her rooms. Make sure she doesn’t stumble or injure herself, and serve her well.”

At these instructions, the maid came forward to support Hua Rong’s arm and led her away toward her bedchamber. “Please, Your Grace, slow down. Mind your step.”

Meanwhile, atop an artificial hill in the garden, Hua Yue and Jun Yeli sat side by side, gazing at the round moon above. It should have been a scene of rare beauty, but Jun Yeli remained utterly silent, casting a pall of awkwardness over the pair. The air grew so heavy that Hua Yue, despite her embarrassment and inner turmoil, finally broke the silence.

“Your Majesty, do you think the night is more beautiful, or am I?”

The sudden question caught Jun Yeli off guard. Before he could reply, Hua Yue had already nestled quietly against his arm, looking up at him with hopeful eyes. The correct answer was written plainly across her face.

But Jun Yeli refused to play along. He turned his head away, shaking off her arm. Forced upright, Hua Yue pouted in dissatisfaction.

Then came Jun Yeli’s reply, which was nothing short of devastating. “You are indeed beautiful, but not as beautiful as the moon above. If anything could compare to it, it would be your troublesome younger sister—she might stand a chance.”

“….”

“Your Majesty… How can you be so unromantic?” Since he’d already called Hua Rong ‘troublesome,’ Hua Yue let the comment slide, but she could scarcely tolerate such a display of blunt indifference.

She twisted her body, intent on sidling closer and seducing him, but before she could act, he sensed her intentions and deftly shifted aside.

Thus, Hua Yue was left embracing only the chilly night air, a cold wind stiffening her body.

“Is he truly a man? How can he remain so unmoved by a beauty’s obvious advances?!”

With a look of disbelief, Hua Yue sized up Jun Yeli, finally understanding why her lovely younger sister could not capture the Emperor’s heart.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. “Your Majesty, do you not like me?”

It was a question to which she already knew the answer.

Jun Yeli had no intention of indulging her, and was about to brush her off when, from the distance, he caught sight of Hua Rong, unsteady and swaying, making her way over supported by a maid.

“What is that woman doing, wandering about in the middle of the night? Is she trying to spy on me and Hua Yue?” Jun Yeli narrowed his eyes. His heart, which had just begun to cool, suddenly felt a flicker of heat, and an involuntary smile played on his lips.

He straightened, put on a serious face, and deliberately raised his voice to address Hua Yue. “Since ancient times, kings have always loved beauty—how could I not like you?”

As he spoke, he gently lifted Hua Yue’s chin. The ambiguous gesture made Hua Yue’s heart race and her head drop shyly. “Your Majesty, perhaps we should continue this somewhere more private?” Her eager eyes left little to the imagination.

“How can two sisters be so different? That woman is as dense as a block of wood, utterly clueless, while Hua Yue…” For a brief moment, Jun Yeli almost wished they could exchange temperaments.

But Jun Yeli had no intention of taking things further with Hua Yue. Instead, he kept stealing glances at Hua Rong in the distance.

“What a wretched place, daring to block my path! Out of the way!” Hua Rong, staggering drunkenly, kicked and slapped at a rockery that impeded her. When she found it immovable, she circled around, entirely oblivious to the scene above.

“That woman doesn’t react at all. Has she ever once cared about me?” Jun Yeli thought, feeling as if he’d raised a thankless wretch.

Unwilling to let it go, he slyly picked up a stone from beside the rockery and tossed it toward Hua Rong.

When the stone bounced nearby, Hua Rong jumped back in alarm, retreating a step, her face filled with panic as she shouted, “Who’s there? How dare you sneak up on me! Show yourself if you have the guts!”