Chapter 4: Placing the Brand

Since she stopped receiving summons from the concubines, Wanxi rarely went out and spent most of her time in the room transcribing Buddhist scriptures and embroidering handkerchiefs.

Wanxi was well aware that despite her striking appearance, her family background was not prominent, and she was unlikely to be kept in the palace.

Among the talented women, the most outstanding was Guā'ěrjiā, who had already expressed her intention to stay in the harem. In her previous life, this talented woman from the Guā'ěrjiā clan was immediately appointed as a concubine upon entering the palace, which drew the attention of the other concubines.

Therefore, whether it was Wanxi or other talented women, with Guā'ěrjiā's presence, they became less noticeable.

One day, while Wanxi was sitting alone by the window embroidering a handkerchief, she heard a commotion outside and then saw Suǒchuòluó being carried back by several palace maids.

"What's going on?" Despite feeling a sense of satisfaction, Wanxi couldn't help but be surprised at Suǒchuòluó's disheveled appearance. After all, they were nearing the final selection, and it was unexpected for something like this to happen at this time.

One of the palace maids taking care of Suǒchuòluó responded to Wanxi's question with a bow and said, "The young mistress Suǒchuòluó accidentally fell while admiring the flowers in the imperial garden."

Wanxi quickly glanced at the pale-faced Suǒchuòluó and nodded. Just as she was about to go out, the stewardess of the Mùxiù Palace came over. Upon seeing the stewardess, Suǒchuòluó, who had been wailing and crying, immediately pleaded, "Stewardess, please have someone check my injury. How is it? Can it be treated with a simple remedy?"

Obviously, Suǒchuòluó knew that if her injury didn't heal quickly, she would definitely be eliminated.

"Rest assured, young mistress. The physician will come immediately," the stewardess responded calmly after inquiring about the situation. Those who could hold the position of stewardess in the palace were all astute individuals. The conflicts among the talented women were just minor squabbles. It was fortunate to be eliminated early. As for someone as arrogant and disrespectful as Suǒchuòluó, as long as the higher-ups didn't intervene, they wouldn't care. However, looking at the current situation, it seemed that a certain noble in the palace didn't allow Suǒchuòluó to stay.

Although the relationships in the palace were complex and the interests were extensive, no one would be willing to make a big fuss over a mere talented woman.

Suǒchuòluó, looking anxious and in pain, couldn't help but groan, and her gaze swept over Wanxi, intending to pick a fight but lacking the strength to do so.

Finally, the physician arrived, and the stewardess immediately had her examine Suǒchuòluó. Although the physician was young, her skills were very proficient. However, judging from her expression, it seemed that Suǒchuòluó's injury would be difficult to heal in the short term.

"Are you saying that this injury won't heal in a short time?" The stewardess confirmed repeatedly for caution.

"Young mistress, this injury is not light. They say that a bone and tendon injury takes a hundred days to heal. It's unlikely that she'll be able to get out of bed in less than half a month," the physician, clearly aware of the wide-reaching implications of the talented women's affairs, spoke frankly without any concealment.

Upon hearing this, the stewardess looked at Suǒchuòluó and said emotionlessly, "Young mistress, you've heard it. With the final selection approaching, your injury is unlikely to heal in the short term. Therefore, I can only report to the noble ladies and let them decide."

This statement undoubtedly sentenced Suǒchuòluó to elimination. At this moment, she was too preoccupied with fear and worry to pick a fight. She anxiously grabbed the stewardess's arm, "Stewardess! You... no, you must help me. I can't be eliminated, I really can't!!" With that, she burst into tears, looking pitiful.

The stewardess was also helpless. With the emperor's presence at the final selection, it was not a place where they could play tricks. "Young mistress, this matter depends on how the noble ladies handle it."

Upon hearing this, Suǒchuòluó's face turned pale. Despite this, a glimmer of hope rose in her heart. "Yes, I will go and beg the noble ladies. As long as the noble ladies are willing to help me, it will definitely work."

The stewardess, satisfied, nodded and glanced at the people present, seeing them all bowing their heads. She couldn't help but say, "Young mistress, rest assured, this old servant will do her best."

Wanxi stood by the door, taking in everything, but she remained silent. However, she knew that given Suǒchuòluó's situation, her fate was sealed.

Although she was eliminated earlier than Suǒchuòluó in her previous life, the general situation was still clear. Suǒchuòluó ultimately did not enter the palace or receive favor from the imperial princes. Even if she was bestowed to a royal family member, it was probably an early sacrifice. After all, with her temperament, not everyone would unconditionally tolerate and accommodate her.

In order to avoid trouble, Wanxi did not stay in the house, but went to talk to Huifang. Unexpectedly, the incident with Suo Chuo Luo Shi caused quite a stir. Most of the court ladies knew about it. Perhaps she had offended too many people, and most of the court ladies were eager to see her punished, to vent their anger.

"Wanxi, I heard that Suo Chuo Luo Shi's injury is quite serious, is it true?" After sitting down, Huifang hurriedly asked Wanxi.

"Yes, it's quite serious. According to the female physician, she may need to rest for quite a few days," Wanxi replied truthfully, without exaggeration.

Wanxi disdained verbal disputes. In the past, it was out of a desire to avoid trouble, and now, it was simply because she found the arguments to be pointless and preferred a direct confrontation.

This seemingly rude mindset was a lesson Wanxi had learned through years of experience.

Instead of engaging in verbal battles and getting upset, it was better to seize the opponent's weakness and retaliate directly. As long as the opponent's status was equal, why should one compromise and preserve their so-called dignity?

One's reputation was earned by oneself, not given by others.

"She deserves it, always so arrogant," Shushu Jueshi, a court lady next to Huifang, couldn't help but say.

"Yes, she deserves it," Huifang agreed.

Seeing the two of them laughing heartily, Wanxi didn't dampen the mood, but instead sighed and said, "I wonder how the noble concubine will handle this matter?"

Huifang, holding Wanxi's hand, replied, "What else can she do? Just punish her. After all, Suo Chuo Luo Shi is not an outstanding court lady. One more or one less won't make a difference."

As Wanxi was about to leave for dinner, she heard a commotion outside. It was none other than the news of Suo Chuo Luo Shi being punished and expelled from the palace.

The incident of Suo Chuo Luo Shi being punished did not cause much of a reaction in the palace, but it did bring relief to the court ladies who had been bullied by her in the past.

Wanxi had only one thought about Suo Chuo Luo Shi's fate: it was karma, retribution for her actions.