Su Yurou was startled and hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief, "At last year's spring banquet, Your Majesty's handkerchief was lost, and I, a nobleman's daughter, picked it up for Your Majesty. Your Majesty praised me for my pure and kind heart, and rewarded me with the handkerchief. I have always been concerned about Your Majesty's health, and upon hearing of the genius doctor's remarkable skills, I immediately recommended him to Your Majesty."
Su Yurou explained the cause and effect, while also slyly taking credit for herself.
She had thought that Consort Xiang would immediately reward her handsomely, but to her surprise, Consort Xiang said, "Spring banquet... I did not lose any handkerchief, only a scarf I disliked."
"Poof!"
"Ha ha ha!"
"So she was thick-skinned and trying to flatter Your Majesty!"
The sound of palace maids and eunuchs laughing echoed throughout the hall.
Su Yurou felt extremely embarrassed, her face burning as if on fire.
Su Yingxue sneered, "It seems Miss Su is skilled at picking up things others have discarded."
"I... even if it is picking up the scarf Your Majesty discarded, it is my honor!" Su Yurou, despite being insulted, still tried to curry favor with Consort Xiang.
She knew that once Consort Xiang recovered, she would surely be the most favored in the entire harem!
However, Consort Xiang did not take this flattery to heart. She hardly had any impression of Su Yurou, simply thinking she liked the scarf, thus she waved her hand and said, "Bring some of my handkerchiefs here, and give them all to Miss Su."
Su Yurou was stunned. Give her handkerchiefs?
That's it?
No gold, silver, or jewels, just a bunch of worthless old handkerchiefs?
Seeing Su Yurou distracted, Su Yingxue reminded her, "Miss Su, why don't you accept Her Majesty's handkerchiefs? This is a great honor for you!"
Her so-called honor felt like a bucket of boiling water, scalding her to the core.
Su Yurou held back with all her might to avoid losing face in Consort Xiang's Palace.
After leaving Yunwei Palace, she glared venomously at Su Yingxue's retreating figure, "A lowly commoner! Dares to mock me! I will not forgive you!"
She immediately detoured to the Empress's palace.
When Su Yingxue reached the palace gate, it was already dark. Although it was not yet time to lock the gates, they were already closed.
The palace guard told her that it was past the time for leaving, and she could not go out.
Su Yingxue frowned. Were they not letting her leave?
"Genius Doctor Chu, the Empress has summoned you."
A sharp eunuch voice came from behind her, and Su Yingxue sensed trouble brewing.
Su Yurou had not exited with her earlier, and now the Empress had sent someone for her.
Su Yingxue mused that she had underestimated Su Yurou's audacity.
The Empress's Fengzao Palace was lavishly magnificent and imposing, every aspect exuding the extraordinary status of the Middle Palace Empress.
Inside the main hall, Su Yurou was sitting in a place of honor.
She flashed a smug smile at Su Yingxue.
Su Yingxue slowly knelt down, "Greetings to the Empress."
The Empress did not speak but exuded an intimidating pressure, the air heavy with her displeasure.
Su Yingxue had been kneeling until her legs were numb when the Empress finally spoke coldly, "A mere commoner, meeting Her Majesty yet refusing to show her true face, you are presumptuous!"
With that word, "presumptuous," a deep anger resonated.
Su Yingxue nodded slightly, "Though I am a commoner, there is no law in the Great Cheng Dynasty stating that one must show their face when meeting the Empress."
"Presumptuous!"
The Empress shouted coldly, her years of privileged upbringing having never been contradicted like this.
Su Yurou, with a smile in her eyes, quickly knelt down to comfort, "Your Majesty, please conserve your heavenly energy. Don't be angered by this disrespectful jianghu warlock who has just treated Consort Xiang and, in doing so, took many liberties: personally preparing and administering her medicine. To those unaware, it might even seem she thought someone in the palace would harm Consort Xiang!"