Chapter 154 Consort Li’s Schemes

Consort Li nearly vomited, but she still forced a tender expression to see Emperor Jingyang off.

As soon as Emperor Jingyang left, she picked up the teapot and smashed it onto the ground. The teapot shattered into pieces, and scalding hot water splashed all over the floor.

Even so, Consort Li wasn't satisfied. She swept all the fruits and pastries off the table.

Jian Lan advised her, "Consort Li, please calm down. Getting too angry will ruin your health."

Only then did Consort Li regain a bit of her composure, but her face still looked awful.

"Him? Sleep with him? Who does he think he is?"

"Ignoring me for over ten years is one thing, but now he puts on a show of deep affection—who is he trying to impress? Does he think that if he treats me a little better, I'll cling to him like a dog? He really thinks too highly of himself!"

"If he hadn't insisted on selecting me as a palace maiden candidate back then, I would never have been separated from my Zhenglang. Now we have to meet in secret, afraid of being discovered."

Thinking of this, Consort Li grew angrier and angrier, and couldn't help bursting into tears.

Jian Lan knew that at this moment, she shouldn't comfort Consort Li, or she would cry even harder.

She would be fine once she finished crying on her own.

As she cried, Consort Li cursed Ji Yuntang. "It's all that bitch Ji Yuntang's fault. She is such a jinx; every time she comes to Weiyang Palace, nothing good happens."

"If not for her, how would the Emperor have come to my place? That bitch injured Qian Xue and reduced me to this state. She deserves to die!"

Finally, she added, "I will kill her sooner or later!"

Finally, Consort Li finished crying and wiped away her tears. Jian Lan asked, "Consort Li, will you still serve the Emperor tonight?"

"Of course not. How dare he touch me?"

"If Zhenglang finds out, he would think I betrayed him. What if he misunderstands and we grow apart?"

Consort Li's face twisted. How could she possibly serve the Emperor?

Her body still had many embarrassing red marks that hadn't faded.

If Emperor Jingyang saw them, she would either die or be skinned alive.

"No, I need to figure out a way to get out of tonight's duty."

Jian Lan thought for a moment and said, "Your Ladyship, what if you pretend to be sick?"

"When the Emperor comes tonight, just say you're unwell and can't attend him."

Consort Li's eyes darkened, and her tone turned cold. "This method is good, but that bastard Emperor Jingyang is a seasoned player. He's seen this kind of trick plenty in the harem. If I fake being sick, he'll probably see right through it."

Besides, he saw her perfectly healthy this morning.

If she suddenly falls ill now, who would believe it?

Moreover, deceiving the emperor is a capital offense. She wouldn't risk her life for a man who doesn't love her, that dog.

Consort Li rubbed the jade bracelet on her wrist, and a sudden idea struck her.

"Although I can't pretend to be ill, what if I actually become ill?"

It had to be said, Jian Lan's suggestion just now gave her a good way to avoid the Emperor's bed.

However, this method was too hard on herself; she would have to suffer a bit.

"Jian Lan, go get some ice. The sooner, the better. I want to take an ice bath."

Upon hearing this, Jian Lan quickly stopped her, "No, Consort Li, you can't do that."

"It's already autumn, and the weather is getting colder. You just got your health back with so much effort. An ice bath is really not good for you. Please choose another method, Your Ladyship!"

Since giving birth, Consort Li's body had been in a depleted state. Over the years, she had been carefully nurturing it with mild medicinal herbs and supplements.

Ice is extremely cold. For a woman, it can easily let the cold seep into your body, causing severe harm.

She had finally restored her health. If she bathed in ice again, wouldn't that damage your body for good?

But Consort Li didn't care. She said, "There's no time. That bastard will be here in less than an hour. I can't wait any longer."

She'd rather soak in ice than sleep with Emperor Jingyang.

Besides, that sickly Luo Junhe has been taking ice baths for three years and he's fine. If she only bathes for half an hour, what could happen?

Jian Lan knew Consort Li seemed gentle but was actually very headstrong.

Once she made up her mind, no one could change it.

So she had no choice but to obey. "Yes, Your Ladyship. I'll go get the ice for you right away."

As Jian Lan was about to leave, Consort Li called her back and frowned, "Be careful when you go out. Don't let anyone see that it was me who asked for ice."

She was afraid Emperor Jingyang would become suspicious.

Jian Lan acknowledged and left.

She was very efficient; in about fifteen minutes, she had brought two buckets of ice.

Because Consort Li had long ordered the Imperial Household Department to provide ice to Luo Junhe, the eunuch in charge of the ice knew them well, so it was easy to get the ice.

Moreover, Jian Lan paid off the eunuch to keep his mouth shut.

Consort Li had Jian Lan pour the ice into the bathtub, and then had someone bring freshly drawn cold water from the well and pour it in.

After dismissing all the servants, she took off all her clothes and approached the bathtub.

As soon as she dipped one foot in, Consort Li shivered all over. The bone-chilling cold shot through her entire body; her teeth chattered.

It was way too cold!

Consort Li suddenly felt like backing out.

But as soon as this thought appeared, she quickly pushed it aside.

How could she retreat?

Things had come to a head; there was no turning back.

Unless she could kill Emperor Jingyang outright.

A fierce murderous gleam flashed in Consort Li's eyes. She had once thought that even after entering the palace, as long as Emperor Jingyang didn't pay attention to her, she could remain safe and keep up her secret relationship with him.

After all, he was her one true love, and Emperor Jingyang was the culprit who tore them apart.

But on second thought, if she killed Emperor Jingyang, she would probably be buried with him.

Most importantly, the plan that man had spent years scheming would be thrown off.

Consort Li's heart churned with hatred and bitterness. She suppressed the turmoil inside her and warned herself—

"Just hold on a bit longer, hold on. The time isn't right yet. Emperor Jingyang must not die."

Driven by this obsession, Consort Li finally stepped into the ice-filled bathtub and lowered herself into it.

She was unbearably cold. In less time than it takes to sip a cup of tea, her face had gone pale from the cold, completely drained of color.

Consort Li gritted her teeth and started thinking to herself.

"Such a cold ice bath! That wretch Luo Junhe has been soaking in it for three whole years without dying. How is he so lucky?"

"Indeed, the wicked live long!"

...

When Emperor Jingyang came to Weiyang Palace in the evening, he saw Consort Li lying weakly on the bed, her lips slightly parted, breathing faintly, eyes half-closed. She looked even more delicate, somehow looking heartbreakingly fragile and beautiful in her sorrow.

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