CMWKSD -Chapter 166 I’ve Been Waiting for You for So Long

Soon after, Jiu Yue arrived at the viewing platform with the Empress and her entourage.

The Empress’s eyes blinked rapidly, as if afflicted with Parkinson’s, still unable to comprehend the scene before her.

She stood there, dazed and hesitant, facing the most imposing figure in the center—the “Radish.”

Finally, familiarity overpowered her confusion: “Your Majesty?”

But even as she bowed, she worried she might have gotten it wrong.

Emperor Fengyuan hadn’t expected Jiu Yue to take a stroll and bring his Empress along.

Bringing the Empress would’ve been enough, but the one in the pink riding outfit behind her—if it wasn’t Consort Rong, then who could it be?

Ever since the Emperor remarked on the first day at the hunting grounds that Consort Rong looked good in pink, she had spent the last few days wearing all sorts of pink riding outfits.

Sometimes changing three sets in a single day, and every time, she would parade in front of the Emperor to show off.

It was really eye-burning.

And just being eye-burning wasn’t enough—Emperor Fengyuan also had to rack his brains to compliment her. What a torment.

Thinking of this, the Emperor almost wished he could knock Jiu Yue on the head: Why bring this eye-burning Consort Rong here?

But Jiu Yue had done it on purpose.

As soon as Consort Rong arrived at the platform, she covered her face with her veil and, as usual, wanted to collapse into the Emperor’s arms, sobbing.

But she couldn’t find him.

Finally, she spotted the Emperor at the very center of the platform, with only his head visible.

Seeing the Emperor like that… Consort Rong almost couldn’t cry. Yet, reason finally overpowered instinct.

She tried to run toward him, miserable and pitiful.

But Jiu Yue casually strode and stood beside the Emperor.

Wrapped in flags, the Emperor looked about the same height as Jiu Yue—though in reality, he was sitting on a stool.

Jiu Yue didn’t care; standing a tiny bit taller than the Emperor was fine.

Then she leaned close to whisper something.

But, as usual, everyone present could hear the “whisper.”

Still, Jiu Yue went through the motions—after all, secrets shouldn’t be announced out loud.

“Your Majesty, Consort Rong and the Second Prince are involved in this insect attack. Perhaps I should help you shoulder some of the burden…”

She hadn’t finished speaking when Consort Rong heard her.

With vermilion-dyed nails and armor-clad hands, she pointed straight at Jiu Yue: “Wretch! What nonsense are you spouting?!”

The Second Prince also glared at Jiu Yue angrily. Consort Rong scolded her twice, while the prince kowtowed, proclaiming his innocence.

The noise made Jiu Yue’s head spin.

Jiu Yue clicked her tongue and stared at Consort Rong’s accusatory finger, tempted to bend it.

The Emperor was always careful, acting only when absolutely certain.

Today, even if he suspected Consort Rong and the Second Prince, he would investigate thoroughly before punishing anyone.

No one acted like Jiu Yue—bringing people over and blurting accusations at full volume.

Jiu Yue glanced at the Emperor.

Emperor Fengyuan: …

Why did she look at him like, “If you won’t act, I will”?

“You little wretch! How dare you slander me with empty words! You must have the heart of a bear and courage of a leopard! Do you have proof? If not, I’ll make sure Your Majesty executes your entire clan…”

Consort Rong scolded Jiu Yue two more times, totaling four “little wretch”s—one hand might as well be discarded.

The Second Prince scornfully stared at Jiu Yue, for the Emperor had yet to speak.

Everyone was stunned by Jiu Yue’s sudden accusation and Consort Rong’s self-incriminating outburst.

The Emperor looked at Consort Rong, wanting to slap her himself if his movement weren’t restricted.

“Impudent! Consort Rong, since when are you instructing me?”

He realized the words weren’t really defending Jiu Yue, so he added: “Jiu Yue is a blessing to the Great Qi. How dare you slander her here?”

Hearing this, everyone present looked at the Emperor in surprise.

After all, Jiu Yue’s identity had always been mysterious.

The Emperor, intending to protect her, wouldn’t let anyone casually pry.

Consort Rong gaped, stomping her foot, and tried to use her usual coquettish tactics.

“Your Majesty!”

Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian bowed their heads quietly.

This is bad! Blood is about to be shed!

Jiu Yue clicked her tongue. Did Consort Rong not realize how ridiculous she looked in that pose?

And then those four “little wretch”s!

After the Emperor spoke, he opened his mouth to call Ying Yi to take Consort Rong and the Second Prince aside—but this was hardly the time.

Don’t make things worse.

But out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jiu Yue stand up.

“Jiu Yue!” the Emperor shouted.

But Jiu Yue, like lightning, kicked Consort Rong out of the fire circle: “Want proof? I’ll give you proof.”

The Second Prince cried out, heartbroken: “Mother!”

Consort Rong screamed, rolling straight into a pile of partially burned insects that had reassembled.

A shocking scene followed: all the insects scrambled to avoid Consort Rong.

Clutching her stomach in pain from the kick, she stood, pointing angrily at Jiu Yue: “Wretch! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”

Jiu Yue snorted coldly, narrowing her eyes. From the corner of her eye, she saw Consort Rong’s maid smiling.

Smile while you can—soon you won’t.

Li Feng exclaimed: “This…”

Emperor Fengyuan and the others noticed too. The Emperor’s gaze was dark, like it could devour people.

“Jiu Yue.”

The Emperor called. The Second Prince and Jiu Yue looked toward him.

The Emperor nodded slightly at Jiu Yue—meaning it was okay to proceed.

Jiu Yue grinned. The Emperor nodded helplessly in confirmation.

Then Jiu Yue looked at Consort Rong hobbling over and back at the Emperor: “Your Majesty, watch carefully. Here comes the proof.”

With a sharp snap, Jiu Yue’s whip shot forward.

Consort Rong screamed, watching helplessly as the whip hooked the scented pouch at her waist, then yanked it away.

The pouch was gone!

Shaking, she ignored everything else and ran desperately toward the fire circle.

“Help! Help!”

But Jiu Yue stood firm, and no one, including Consort Rong’s attendants, dared intervene.

In just a few breaths, scorpions and centipedes surged forward.

Jiu Yue stood at the edge, holding the pouch, watching as the venomous insects swarmed Consort Rong.

The bone-chilling screams painted the night in grim strokes.

Want to know what it’s like to face insects? Try it yourself.

Seeing the situation fall apart, the Second Prince shouted: “Hua Nu!”

He ran toward Consort Rong’s maid, Hua Nu.

But Hua Nu had no intention of helping the Second Prince. She had allowed Consort Rong here for only one reason—to kill the Emperor.

As she stepped forward, Jiu Yue, like a phantom, dashed from the fire circle’s edge to confront her.

Grinning, her voice eerie and chilling: “I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”