Chapter 22: The Crippled Young Lady (Twenty-two)

Chapter 22: The Crippled Young Lady (22)

A flicker of malice flashed briefly through Lu Yao’s eyes, though it was barely perceptible. Su Kui curled her lips and chuckled, “Heh, whether or not it will stain me, I cannot say…”

Under the gaze of the crowd, she wore a wicked smile, radiating an air of disdain for the world, and tossed out a sentence with effortless grace: “But I do know this… Lu Yao, go and summon Aunt Tan at once. Everything that has transpired in my room must be reported to her word for word, truthfully. And ask her to come here and uphold justice for me!”

Lu Yao’s eyes brightened. She immediately curtsied to Su Kui and said, “This servant will go at once!”

Yu Yingying’s face turned from pale to green. The harsh scolding of Aunt Tan still echoed in her ears; just thinking of it made her kneecaps ache.

She stepped forward twice, blocking Lu Yao’s path. “You are not allowed to go!”

Su Kui’s gaze turned icy. “Yu Yingying, aren’t you overstepping your bounds? Since when did it become your place to command my palace maid?!”

Her voice, clear and melodious like pearls falling onto a jade plate, was sharp and resonant with every word, yet it sent an inexplicable chill creeping up from the depths of those listening.

The pretense was finally shattered! The gathered palace maid candidates couldn't help but exhale. Logically speaking, shouldn’t the person losing their temper be the more terrifying one?

Yet, it was the exact opposite. In this world, an outburst often meant that things had not yet reached a point of no return. It was the way Su Kui had acted just moments ago—smiling and responding calmly no matter how much Yu Yingying insulted her—that was the true definition of a dagger hidden behind a smile, ready to strike when you least expected it.

But they were all wrong. There is a type of person in this world for whom both rage and composure are equally terrifying.

And such a person is called Su Kui.

“Young Mistress Yu, please step aside. Do not block Lu Yao’s path. It would be better to let Aunt Tan be a witness. If you have any objections, voice them to her face!”

Outside the window, the sunlight was mellow, casting bright rays onto an osmanthus tree, projecting mottled shadows through the dense clusters of flowers.

Su Kui sat on the couch, resting her hand on the window frame and gazing outward. Her delicate, beautiful face was bathed in the sunlight, making her skin appear translucent and her features breathtaking.

How could such a beauty, someone who looked like a celestial being with eyes that danced with life, be the "Rakshasa Woman" from the rumors?

She was not the only one plagued by such doubts; almost everyone present was questioning it inwardly. Their gazes were complex—filled with jealousy, envy, and no small amount of fear.

Su Kui paid no mind to their scrutinizing stares; she felt not the slightest bit of discomfort. She laughed merrily, “Young Mistress Yu, why are you still blocking the way? Everyone else, please move aside. Otherwise, when Aunt Tan arrives and decides to charge you all with inciting a disturbance, what will you do? Wouldn’t you agree?”

Before she even looked at the ugly expressions on the other candidates' faces, she covered her mouth and giggled. If that happened, let alone being selected, it would be difficult for them to even remain as palace maids.

And so, a group of young women could be seen moving with remarkable order, brushing aside one by one to clear a path. The devastating power of Su Kui’s words was truly evident.

“You… you…” Yu Yingying was choked with anger, unable to leave and unable to stand her ground.

At the critical moment, Su Kui offered her a way out. “Actually, if you don’t want Aunt Tan to come, there is a simple solution.”

“What is it?” Yu Yingying’s brain hadn't even caught up, and the words had already slipped out.

“Come closer, and I will tell you.” Su Kui smiled, revealing two sweet dimples, and beckoned with her finger like a big bad wolf enticing Little Red Riding Hood.

Yu Yingying cast a suspicious glance at her, but still walked over. As soon as she leaned in, a slap landed squarely across her pretty face.

*Smack—*