"Sister, why don't you choose someone else? This maid has served me for a long time, and I even brought her from my natal family. It's really hard for me to part with her."
She made a pleading look, as if she were the one living under someone else's roof. This made the Western Region King beside her shut his mouth. Even if he wanted to say something, he couldn't.
However, when it came to feigning pity, no one could rival Concubine Rui.
"It's only natural that sister doesn't want to give this maid to me. After all, sister used to let this maid make things difficult for me. I understand that you're afraid that if she falls into my hands, I'll take revenge on her. But I've already let go of those grudges."
Concubine Ning wished she could tear this woman to pieces right now. She had never met such an insensible person.
If it were someone else, they would definitely not dare to bring up these things. Concubine Rui was really something. She dared to openly offend Concubine Ning.
And now, Concubine Ning had a more troublesome matter to deal with.
After hearing about Concubine Rui's previous experiences, the Western Region King's face immediately darkened.
"It seems Concubine Ning has been adding fuel to the fire because of the princess. Since you like to follow the princess's orders so much, I'll give you this chance. From now on, you'll be placed under house arrest with the princess. Without my permission, neither you nor the princess can leave."
Concubine Ning didn't even have a chance to argue before she was dragged away.
After everything calmed down, Concubine Rui's eyes were full of guilt.
"Your Majesty, won't this leave a bad impression? The ministers will surely come forward for the two sisters."
The Western Region King had already anticipated such a consequence, so he didn't regret his decision.
"It's okay. I'll take responsibility for everything. You were targeted by these two vicious women because you were loyal to me."
"Your Majesty, I'm so glad you understand me. Otherwise, I don't know what I would do."
Concubine Rui got what she wanted. She moved into the Kunning Palace and kept Ling'er by her side.
However, to avoid arousing Concubine Ning's suspicion, she still put on a good show.
On the first day Ling'er entered the Kunning Palace, she suffered inhumane treatment.
She crawled back to Concubine Ning's palace covered in blood.
Concubine Ning had finally managed to cheer up a bit in the morning, but she was shocked to see Ling'er crawling back, covered in wounds.
Seeing this, Concubine Ning couldn't hold back her anger any longer.
"Hurry up and help Ling'er into the palace! What are you all standing there for?"
The maids scurried around in a hurry. After finally seeing off the imperial doctor, Concubine Ning's face became even more gloomy.
The imperial doctor had said during the examination that Ling'er had suffered many life - threatening injuries. If she hadn't been holding on, she would have died long ago.
That woman was so cruel. She had clearly said that she wouldn't make things difficult for Ling'er. Why did she do such a thing?
Of course, Concubine Ning really wanted to rush out and ask, but she was imprisoned here. It was even difficult for her to get out.
There was nothing she could do but seethe with anger.
Ling'er woke up and fell into her arms, crying. At this moment, she didn't care about any hierarchical etiquette.
"Your Highness, I really don't know what I did wrong. If Concubine Rui had just told me, I would have corrected myself. I didn't expect her to make things so difficult for a lowly maid like me."
Concubine Ning knew exactly why Concubine Rui had done this. It was all for her to see.
She felt as if she had swallowed a fly.
"It's okay, it's okay. You're safe now. Don't think about the past. And I'll surely get justice for you for all the suffering you've endured."
"I know I shouldn't argue with Concubine Rui. After all, she's my mistress and I'm just a lowly maid. But isn't she just slapping Your Highness in the face by torturing me like this?"
If Ling'er hadn't said this, it would have been okay. But as soon as she did, Concubine Ning became even angrier.
"She will die! If she doesn't, all the suffering I've endured will be in vain."
A flash of triumph passed through Ling'er's eyes. Yes, all of this was part of the plan she had made with Concubine Rui. Concubine Ning would surely not change her mind easily, and such a person was always a threat.
Their main purpose this time was not only to imprison the princess and Concubine Ning but also to help the Western Region King gain more power, so that he would trust them even more.
Concubine Ning quickly asked someone to bring paper and a writing brush. She wrote a letter to her elder brother herself.
Watching the pigeon fly away with the letter, her face contorted with hatred. "Little slut, let's see how you can fight me this time. A widow with no power or influence, yet so arrogant, using your beauty."
"Then I'll have to rely on Your Highness to avenge me. I'll always count on Your Highness in the future."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a sudden commotion outside.
Concubine Ning opened the door impatiently.
"What? Do you think I have no power just because I'm under house arrest? Don't forget, I'm still your mistress, and you're just my servants."
She walked forward and finally saw what was going on.
Seeing the figure she had wanted to tear apart even in her dreams, her nails dug into her flesh.
Blood dripped, but she seemed not to notice. "What? Sister, aren't you satisfied with one maid? Now you want something else from me? Don't go too far. I'm still the mistress of this palace."
Concubine Rui was looking at her newly - painted nails and didn't even bother to look up.
"Sister, you're overthinking. I'm just here to retrieve a pet from the palace. A cat from the Kunning Palace somehow ran into your palace. I've searched for a long time. I know that cat was a gift from the king. If it gets lost, I'll be in trouble."
"Cat? There's no such pet in my palace. Maybe it ran somewhere else. If you have nothing else to do, sister, you'd better go back quickly. Your wounds haven't healed yet. If something happens to you here, the king might blame me, and I can't bear that responsibility."
After saying that, she was about to order the palace gate to be closed, but the servants at the gate didn't move an inch.
Seeing this, she knew that things wouldn't end well today.
"Tell me, what do you really want? Do you have to make things ugly for everyone before you're satisfied?"
She had exhausted her last bit of patience and now felt extreme disgust for the person in front of her.
Concubine Rui knew exactly what was on her mind, but so what?