Tang Youyou returned to the pond. Lying on the small boat, she couldn't understand why, even after she had admitted her ill intentions, Rong Xun still didn't send her to the cold palace.
Could it be that this man had really fallen for her? Was he going to be serious about it?
Thinking of this, she didn't want to stay in this world for a single extra minute. She wished she could die in an accident the next moment. Well, maybe that wasn't impossible.
If she suddenly died right now, perhaps her fate would be different from before. At worst, she'd just start over.
Before she knew it, Tang Youyou finally made up her mind. She looked resolutely at the water below the boat. Although it was just a pond, it was more than ten meters deep. One slip and she could drown.
It seemed like a good option. She tried to put her little foot into the water. A piercing cold shot through her body, making her shiver all over.
The water was so cold! If she really fell in, she might freeze to death before drowning. She'd better find another way to end her life.
Thinking this, she rowed the boat to the shore.
There were many women on the shore, and many of them cast their eyes on her. Tang Youyou felt a bit embarrassed.
She held her head high and calmly looked at the crowd in front of her.
The leader among them was a young maid. Her face was rosy with a bit of baby fat.
She tightly held the hand of a woman beside her and hid her whole body behind the woman, only showing a pair of eyes, looking at Tang Youyou warily.
When the woman saw Tang Youyou appear out of nowhere, she immediately bowed deeply. Judging from her clothes, Tang Youyou guessed she was a noble lady.
A noble lady and a concubine. They were probably here to enjoy the flowers.
Tang Youyou waved her hand and said amiably, "We're all sisters. There's no need for such grand greetings when we meet. Get up quickly."
Lady Fang had been ill for a long time, and Concubine Yu was her little attendant who lived with her. The two of them depended on each other and were rarely known in the palace.
So, even Kang Fuhai, who had been in the palace for a long time, couldn't recognize them at first sight.
Lady Fang was wearing a golden hairpin on her head. Only those of high status could afford such a hair accessory. It seemed that this maid came from a prominent family.
Lady Fang said, "Your Majesty is generous, but I know my humble status. I must not be rude and upset Your Majesty."
She was very cautious in her dealings, as if she was used to the intrigues in the harem. To be honest, if it weren't for Rong Xun's protection, Tang Youyou didn't know how many times she would have been framed by these people.
Tang Youyou glanced at Concubine Yu hiding behind Lady Fang. "Lady Fang is so dignified, which is of course good. As for the maid behind you..."
Tang Youyou deliberately paused, which made Lady Fang nervous. She forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, the maid behind me is Concubine Yu. She's still young, so she's a bit timid. This little girl doesn't know the proper etiquette. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her for being childish."
Seeing that Lady Fang took such good care of the little maid, Tang Youyou didn't ask any more questions. Then she looked at the setting sun in the distance and knew that it was getting late.
After a casual chat among them, Tang Youyou finally found an opportunity to leave. After returning to the Cool Palace, she sat on the imperial concubine chair, looking dejected.
Qingyu and Yiran at the door looked at each other and shrugged. Seeing Kang Fuhai who was about to enter the palace with something, the two of them grabbed him.
"Eunuch Kang, do you know why Her Majesty has become like this?"
Hearing this, Kang Fuhai shook his head repeatedly. If he knew the reason, he wouldn't have repeatedly found excuses to secretly check on Tang Youyou's state by delivering things.
"You two little girls should focus on your tasks. Have you cleaned up all the flowers and plants in the yard? Have you fetched the clothes from the laundry bureau?..."
As soon as they heard Kang Fuhai start to nag, the two girls quickly disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, Kang Fuhai secretly laughed to himself. Then, with a big smile on his face, he walked into the main hall cheerfully.
Tang Youyou, sitting on the throne, saw Kang Fuhai in a great mood. She was puzzled. While holding the watermelon in her hand, she said listlessly, "Eunuch Kang, what good thing have you encountered? Tell me so that I can have a good laugh too."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Kang Fuhai kneel on the ground with a thud. He was sweating profusely and didn't even dare to look up at Tang Youyou.
"Your Majesty, I just saw two naughty maids playing around on the way here, so I couldn't help but smile secretly. I didn't mean to disturb Your Majesty. I know I'm wrong!"
Saying this, he started to kowtow continuously. The scene made it seem as if Tang Youyou was domineering and made the servants live in fear.
Seeing that he was so scared, Tang Youyou stopped with the spoon in her hand and stared blankly at Kang Fuhai. She thought to herself: Was she really that fierce today? She had just said a caring word, right? Well...
But Kang Fuhai's back, who was kneeling on the ground, was already soaked with sweat.
Tang Youyou said coldly, "Kang Fuhai, have you done something you shouldn't have behind my back today? Otherwise, why are you so panicked?"
Hearing this, Kang Fuhai kowtowed again and again to admit his mistake. "Your Majesty, even if you gave me twenty guts, I wouldn't dare!"
He said with a crying voice while kowtowing. A big bump had already appeared on his forehead, but he didn't stop.
Tang Youyou finally got angry. She strode down and stopped in front of Kang Fuhai. The flames in her eyes were staring directly at Kang Fuhai.
Being scrutinized by Tang Youyou was more painful for Kang Fuhai than being in hell.
Tang Youyou didn't ask any more questions, afraid of finding out something. The thought that had popped up before came back to her mind again. How should she choose to end her life?
Thinking of this, she looked at the silk in the distance. This was the silk that had just been tribute from the Western Regions the other day. If she used this silk to hang herself, then...
Then her tongue would stick out, her eyes would be ferocious, and maybe even her eyeballs would pop out.
Just thinking about it made her feel terrified. This method was not feasible.
Then her little eyes glanced at the fruits on the table. There was a delicate dagger in the plate. The dagger was polished on both sides and very sharp.
But if she stabbed herself with it and didn't die, she would have to endure the piercing pain. And this was ancient times. Maybe she would be tortured to the brink of death.