Chapter 5: Poisoned Intentions, Ruthless Tactics
Su Ting's hands trembled as she held the porcelain cup, her eyes wide with apprehension. "It's too much for me, I'm not worthy of it," Su Ting stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, hoping to find a way out of this dangerous situation.
Huang Nian's lips curved into a delicate yet icy smile. "Su Ting, there's no need to overthink it. Just drink," she urged, her voice gentle but laced with an underlying menace that left no room for argument.
Desperation flickered in Su Ting's eyes. "Young Miss, I really cannot… I'm afraid I won't be able to drink it," she pleaded, hoping her reluctance would be seen as genuine fear rather than disrespect.
Huang Nian's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. Without a word, she shot a glance at Ye Xiwu, who understood immediately. Ye Xiwu stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she picked up the cup from the table.
"Enough of this nonsense," Ye Xiwu said coldly. She grabbed Su Ting by the hair and yanked her head back. "Let go of me! Let go!" Su Ting screamed, struggling to break free, but Ye Xiwu's grip was unyielding. Ignoring the girl's cries, Ye Xiwu forced the rim of the cup against Su Ting's lips and began pouring the wine into her mouth. Su Ting choked, her eyes wide with terror as the bitter liquid streamed down her throat. Ye Xiwu continued relentlessly, ensuring that every last drop was swallowed.
Su Ting collapsed to the floor, gasping for air, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her throat burned from the harsh taste of the wine, and her vision blurred from the alcohol's potency.
Huang Nian leaned back leisurely, her voice taking on a falsely sweet tone. "Su Ting, would you like some Xiaolongbao to go with that? I don't mind sharing it with you," she offered with a singsong lilt, her voice hoarse yet still oddly pleasant.
Su Ting barely managed to shake her head, tears of humiliation mixing with the sweat on her brow. "No need," she croaked, her voice quivering.
As she bowed her head, Su Ting muttered under her breath, "Not only is she useless, but she's also vicious beyond belief."
Ye Xiwu's sharp ears caught the words. "What did you say?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing with a threatening glint.
Su Ting's blood ran cold. "I-I said nothing!" she stammered, hastily wiping away her tears.
"Get out!" Huang Nian's voice suddenly turned ice-cold, ringing out like a whip crack. Su Ting scrambled to her feet, nearly tripping over herself in her haste to flee the room.
Once the door slammed shut, Ye Xiwu's expression darkened. "Young Miss, the Third Miss actually dared to poison you under the guise of the late Empress's wine," she said, her voice dripping with disdain.
Huang Nian's eyes flashed with anger, though her smile remained calm. "Huang Ning's ambition knows no bounds. She's willing to drag down anyone in her way," she replied, her tone filled with cold amusement.
"Do you think Su Ting will go crying to the Third Miss after what we did to her?" Ye Xiwu asked.
"Of course she will," Huang Nian said, her voice tinged with derision. "But she won't dare retaliate."
"And why is that?" Ye Xiwu asked, though she already suspected the answer.
"If she retaliates, it'll raise suspicion about the poisoning attempt, putting the spotlight on her. And if she doesn't, it means she's acknowledging that I did her a favor by sharing the wine with her maid," Huang Nian said, her smile deepening with satisfaction.
"Young Miss, your strategy is flawless. Perhaps you'll become an Empress one day," Ye Xiwu complimented with genuine admiration.
"Perhaps. But for now, flattery is enough," Huang Nian replied, her tone light, though her eyes remained calculating.
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Graceful Palace
The door creaked open as Su Ting staggered inside, her face drained of color and her steps faltering. Sweat trickled down her face as she struggled to maintain her composure in front of Huang Ning, who sat poised with an air of smug confidence.
"Su Ting, you're back. I assume that trash is writhing in pain by now?" Huang Ning's laughter was sharp and filled with cruelty.
A loud crash echoed through the room as Su Ting collapsed to the floor, her body convulsing. Blood dripped from her lips as she struggled to speak, her eyes wide with terror.
"What happened to you?" Huang Ning demanded, her voice icy with irritation.
"T-the wine…" Su Ting rasped, her voice barely a whisper as more blood bubbled up from her mouth.
"What about the wine? Speak clearly!" Huang Ning snapped, her patience quickly wearing thin.
"That despicable woman… she forced me to drink it… Miss, please… save me… you have the antidote, don't you? Please, save me!" Su Ting's voice broke as she groveled at Huang Ning's feet, her hands clawing at the hem of her dress in desperation.
Huang Ning's expression turned cold as she looked down at the pitiful figure before her. "You want me to save you?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Yes! Your Highness, please, I beg you!" Su Ting sobbed, her tears mingling with the blood on her lips.
Huang Ning's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You failed such a simple task, and you still expect me to waste an antidote on you? Even if I saved you, you'd be worthless to me now," she sneered.
As Su Ting's eyes filled with despair, Huang Ning bent down and wrapped her slender fingers around Su Ting's throat, squeezing just enough to cut off her breath. "But killing you outright would dirty my hands. You're not even worth that," she whispered, her voice dripping with venom.
"Thank you, Miss... thank you..." Su Ting gasped, tears of relief streaming down her face.
But her relief was short-lived as Huang Ning turned and called out in a commanding voice, "Chu Kong!"
From the shadows, a figure clad in black stepped forward, bowing low. His presence was like a cold breeze sweeping through the room-silent, lethal, and devoid of mercy.
"Yes, Miss?" Chu Kong's voice was soft, yet it carried a deadly edge.
"Dispose of her. Make sure she's never found," Huang Ning ordered with casual indifference.
Su Ting's eyes widened in horror as she realized her fate was sealed. Her scream barely had time to escape her lips before darkness claimed her, leaving nothing but the chilling silence of the night.