Everyone in the Harem Has a Cheat Except Me - Chapter 5

After the attendants announced us, the empress, the Virtuous Consort, and I were admitted to Qianqing Palace. Qin Jun’s eyes lit up the moment we entered. I went quiet. Of course.

If I hadn’t come, the other two would have pestered him. With me here, he had three women putting on a show for his amusement. I glared at him. He immediately behaved, withdrew that eager gaze, and addressed the empress with a solemn face.

“Empress, what brings you here at this hour?”

He sounded serious, but I could almost hear the thoughts clamoring inside him: *Come on, tell me. Get to it!*

The empress obliged. She stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “Your Majesty, I would normally handle affairs of the inner palace myself. But this concerns Palace Beauty Sheng, so I must trouble you for a decision.”

Qin Jun was thrilled. He kept his desire for entertainment mostly hidden, though he spoke a little faster. “What happened to Palace Beauty Sheng?”

Such urgency suited his story that I was his unattainable love. Why else would he sound so worried? My hands itched to sharpen a blade again.

The empress was pleased by his response, but the Virtuous Consort interrupted before she could continue. Moving to Qin Jun’s side, she leaned toward him. “Your Majesty, Palace Beauty Sheng bullied this concubine and attacked her superior—”

Before she could finish, Qin Jun’s eyes widened and he sprang out of his chair, dodging her. “Sprang” might be too strong; he stood with remarkable speed.

The consort plunged headfirst into the chair. Her forehead struck the armrest with a crack that made even me wince for her.

Silence filled the hall. I knew the empress and Qin Jun were suppressing laughter. I was the only one who actually burst out laughing. Her fall had been absurdly funny, especially with her head wedged against the chair and her limbs flailing.

Once she found her footing, she fixed a murderous glare on me. I struggled to hold back another laugh.

“Your Highness, I’ve had this problem since childhood. Whenever I get a fright, I laugh.” It wasn’t my fault my sense of humor was so easily tickled. And that lump on her forehead kept getting bigger.

Furious as she was, she turned to Qin Jun instead of me. “Your Majesty,” she cooed, stamping one foot.

I had to admit, it was cloying. Qin Jun evidently agreed. He quietly took another step away. Lost in her performance, she didn’t notice and began her complaint.

“I only tried to touch Palace Beauty Sheng, and she threw me to the ground! You must uphold justice for me!” Her eyes were red, and she looked pitiable enough. The poor thing knew how to put on an act too.

“I meant her no harm. I only wanted to grow closer. If she dislikes me, so be it—but why attack me? I am one of the four senior consorts. She struck me in front of everyone. Without punishment, who knows what disorder this will cause?”

Accusing me wasn’t enough. “The empress is mistress of the inner palace, yet instead of judging fairly, she protected Palace Beauty Sheng. Your Majesty, you must give me justice.” She pointed to her forehead. “Look how badly I’ve been hurt.”

Qin Jun cleared his throat. “Lianyi, is this true?”

I was about to answer when the consort spoke over me. “Palace Beauty Sheng not only disrespected me, she made up a ridiculous excuse, as though I were a fool.”

“What excuse?” Qin Jun asked, curious.

“She claimed she has had an illness since childhood. If someone touches her, she loses control and hits them.”

“Oh, that?” Qin Jun said. “She really does have that illness.”

The consort stared. “What?”

“We grew up together. I’ve known about it since we were children,” he said with a perfectly straight face.

Her disbelief was written all over her face. *Do you think I’m an idiot? You really do think I’m an idiot!*

That truly was what she was thinking. How do I know? Qin Jun told me later, with his mind-reading gift. At that moment, of course, I had no idea.

Tears of fury spilled down her cheeks. Qin Jun looked displeased as well.

“She cannot help her condition. You merely fell once; Lianyi has suffered from this strange illness for years. You’ve always been understanding, Virtuous Consort. Why can you not show her some compassion? You have disappointed me deeply!”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. I wanted to applaud him.

Wow. He had some talent for this.