Shao Shang had already been worried about Ling Buyi, and upon hearing this news, she felt as though sitting on pins and needles. Her anxiety made her stammer: "Your Majesty, I-I... um, may I..." As she spoke, her eyes darted toward the door.
The Empress, however, was not as frantic as Shao Shang, for she found the situation rather peculiar. The Emperor doted on Ling Buyi more than his own sons—not only because his affection for Ling Buyi didn't involve complications like imperial succession or power shifts, but also because it carried a tinge of guilt and pity toward the entire Huo family.
Over all these years, let alone beatings or scoldings, the Emperor would fret for ages if Ling Buyi’s archery instructor so much as reprimanded him harshly. He would suspect the instructor of bullying Ling Buyi for having no father, mother, or influential family backing, then lament that if Huo Chong were still alive, such an insignificant instructor wouldn’t dare put on airs—after all, the Huo family was full of skilled warriors, any of whom could have taught their sole nephew.
And now, the Emperor intended to punish his adopted son? Had Cen Anzhi misheard, or had Ling Buyi truly committed some grave mistake?
Nevertheless, the Empress said, "Shao Shang, don’t panic... Very well, you may go ahead and see what’s happening. Speak carefully and don’t provoke His Majesty. I’ll follow shortly. Zhai Nanny, come help me change..."
With permission granted, Shao Shang turned and bolted out the door. The Empress, realizing it might not be safe, quickly called for a few tall and sturdy palace maids to follow her, lest any mishap occur.
From the Everlasting Autumn Palace to the Hall of Governance, taking the shortcut would take just over a quarter of an hour. However, the route passed through a secluded palace corridor separating the front court from the rear palace, usually deserted and eerily quiet. But Shao Shang, bold as brass, had no fear of encountering any ghouls or specters. Initially, she worried the guards at the corridor entrance might stop her, but this time they let her pass without question—perhaps Cen Anzhi had given prior instructions.
As she sprinted southward along the corridor, she nearly collided with someone at a corner—Yuan Shen stood there clutching two bamboo scrolls that had almost been knocked loose, looking as if he’d seen a ghost in broad daylight. But being quick-witted and young, he recovered in an instant.
"Has something happened to Ling Buyi? Just now, His Majesty was debating with several ministers while I recorded the discussion. Then Cen Anzhi whispered something to the Emperor, and we were all dismissed." Yuan Shen’s face was a mix of shock and confusion.
Leaning against the palace wall to catch her breath, Shao Shang panted, "What could possibly happen? Don’t spread rumors, or it’ll turn into ‘Lord Ling committed treason and fell out of favor with His Majesty’... His Majesty summoned us to discuss the wedding date."
Yuan Shen sighed, adjusting the heavy bamboo scrolls in his arms. "You don’t have to be so guarded—I’m not out to harm you." Typical of her—always defensive, treating everyone like a thief first.
"By the way, last time you asked me to look into Lou Yao’s situation. I found out everything, but you’ve been stuck in the palace, so I couldn’t get word to you. What’s going on? Rumor has it you quarreled with Ling Buyi and were confined to the palace."
Shao Shang slowly straightened up against the wall, exhaling. "Young Master Yuan, must you always assume the worst? Couldn’t it be that Her Majesty values me, so I stayed to help prepare the birthday banquet? Countless daughters of officials in the Capital City dream of entering the palace and serving the Empress—they’re green with envy! This is pure jealousy, nothing more!"
Yuan Shen rolled his eyes. "Why not say they’re jealous you’re marrying Ling Buyi?""Oh, thank you for the reminder, Young Master Yuan." Shao Shang panted, leaning on her waist, speaking earnestly, "With someone like Lord Ling's caliber, even if you were the one marrying him, you'd still be envied by others!"
Yuan Shen staggered, nearly dropping the bamboo scrolls in his arms: "You... you... this is utterly preposterous!"
Having caught her breath, Shao Shang didn't want to delay any longer and immediately bypassed Yuan Shen to continue running forward.
Yuan Shen struggled to hold the bamboo scrolls with one hand while reaching out with the other to grab Shao Shang's sleeve, his fair and refined face flushing red: "Didn't you want to know about Lou Yao's recent situation? Why aren't you asking now?"
Shao Shang thought of this and wished she could slap herself several times. Everything had stemmed from this. Had she known it would lead to today's predicament, she shouldn't have asked in the first place—what business did an outsider have in a young couple's private discussions, especially her, the former fiancée? She should've avoided any suspicion, yet she committed such a basic mistake typical of romance novels. Clearly, she'd been living too comfortably without any sense of crisis, and now she deserved to be stuck in this dilemma.
She turned back to tug at her sleeve, frowning: "Thank you, Young Master Yuan, for keeping your promise and inquiring about the Lou Family for me. But upon reflection, given our current statuses, it's inappropriate for us to remain connected. Let's just drop the matter. Young Master Yuan, I must attend the imperial audience now, so we'll part ways here... Hey, hey, why are you holding onto me? Let go, let go...!"
Yuan Shen pursed his lips: "My family has arranged several matches for me with young ladies, I... I haven't made up my mind yet..."
"Then keep looking! Why are you holding onto me?!" Shao Shang, unable to free her sleeve, grew increasingly annoyed. "If one isn't enough, look at a dozen! You'll surely find one you like. As they say, where there's a will, there's a way; perseverance prevails, and determination moves mountains... Let go of me right now!"
With a fiancé who was sensitive, irritable, and prone to wild imaginations, she had developed a conditioned reflex to avoid entanglements with unmarried men of marriageable age.
Just then, four sturdy palace maids caught up from behind, clearly searching for Shao Shang. Yuan Shen's gaze darkened as he slowly released his grip.
Shao Shang immediately pulled back her sleeve and hurried forward with the four maids from the Everlasting Autumn Palace. Yuan Shen watched the girl's retreating figure for a while before slowly walking away, his back deliberately held straight.
Upon reaching the Xuanzheng Hall, Cen Anzhi had been anxiously waiting at the entrance. Seeing Shao Shang, he quickly approached and whispered, "Ah, Young Lady Cheng, you've finally arrived! Inside, His Majesty is currently scolding Lord Ling!"
Grasping Cen Anzhi's arm, Shao Shang swallowed painfully: "...What exactly happened?"
Not daring to delay, Cen Anzhi guided Shao Shang toward the inner hall while briefly explaining the situation.
The matter was simple—in summary, Ling Buyi had beaten up the fathers, brothers, and heads of the eight young girls. True to his meticulous nature, he had broken one arm and one leg of each.
"...He finished all of them in just one afternoon?" Shao Shang's admiration took an odd turn. She glanced at the sky outside—Ling Buyi had left the palace in a huff after breakfast, and now dinner hadn't even been served yet. Deducting travel time, this efficiency was beyond the scope of an agricultural society.
Cen Anzhi had no choice but to explain further.The matter was originally quite complicated, requiring verification of each household's family members. However, Ling Buyi had ample manpower and authority at his disposal. As long as the obsequious Fifth Prince revealed the girl's family background, the local land deities would naturally provide detailed information about that family's lineage and members.
Ling Buyi didn't bother with distant relatives, focusing solely on punishing the girl's immediate male family members. For some families, he sent formal invitations. When the fathers and sons arrived at the Ling residence, delighted at the opportunity to befriend Ling Buyi, he simply opened the gates and set the dogs on them. For those living nearby, he went directly to their homes—this was how the first seven families were dealt with.
"They didn't kill anyone, just injured a few. Why is Your Majesty so angry?" Shao Shang muttered some highly inappropriate and unorthodox remarks. To defend her fair-skinned, beautiful, and ill-tempered fiancé, she was really going all out.
However, Cen Anzhi agreed with her and whispered, "If it were just that, His Majesty naturally wouldn't be angry. But the problem lies with the last family!"
The father of the last family happened to be an official in the Censorate, albeit a minor one, and was on duty that day. After beating the girl's brothers, Liang Qiu's brothers suggested Ling Buyi postpone finishing the job. Even the Fifth Prince, who loved stirring up trouble, thought things were getting out of hand. But Ling Buyi ignored them and stormed into the Censorate, dragging the man out in front of several high-ranking officials and breaking one of his arms and a leg as usual.
Then things took a turn for the worse.
Those eight families were insignificant, but the Censorate was, after all, a state institution. For Ling Buyi to barge in and beat someone up as if it were a tavern or restaurant was too much of an insult to the censors.
Fortunately, Chief Censor Chu, who had shared a room with Ling Buyi the previous night, quickly pacified his colleagues, suppressed the matter, and discreetly reported to the Emperor before slipping away, leaving the mess for the Emperor to handle.
After hearing the whole story, Shao Shang was at a loss for words.
Ignoring her conflicted emotions, Cen Anzhi dragged her into the inner hall. Peering through the gaps in the lacquer wood screen carved with "King Mu Rides Eight Steeds to Rule the World," Shao Shang saw the Emperor sitting angrily at the head. When the Emperor's voice rang out—"She's here already? So fast. Tell her to get in here!"—she quickly scurried in and knelt properly.
Shao Shang had intended to kneel closer to the Emperor to make her plea for mercy more vivid and heartfelt. But as she passed Ling Buyi, who was kneeling in the center, he swiftly pulled her down. She slipped and fell right onto him.
The familiar crisp scent of the young man and his firm, well-defined chest made her forehead ache. His strong arms slowly helped her up. Shao Shang was indignant—even now, you can't behave!
She punched him hard, but Ling Buyi remained expressionless, placing the girl beside him as if handling a cabbage.
The Emperor, watching from above, sneered, "Well, tomorrow the Censorate will bring this to court, and you still don't know when to stop..."
Shao Shang set aside their personal grievances and quickly bowed in apology. "Your Majesty, please forgive him! Though Lord Ling acted rashly, there were extenuating circumstances!"
Ling Buyi glanced at her sideways and said coldly, "No need to plead for me. I avenge my own grievances and bear my own punishments. I don't need others to worry for me."This was exactly what Shao Shang had said before. She fumed, "Is that your grudge? Clearly, it's mine! They pushed me into the water, not you. Why are you pretending to be innocent?"
—The Fifth Prince, kneeling to the side, let out a soft chuckle, exuding an air of leisurely detachment. Since being dragged by Ling Buyi early in the morning to testify for Cheng Shaoshang, he hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, yet he felt no hunger at all—instead, he was brimming with energy. As the saying goes, joy can replace a meal.
Shao Shang shot a fierce glare at this gloating fellow, silently resolving that if Ling Buyi couldn’t extricate himself, she’d drag this guy down with him!
Ling Buyi looked at the girl and said word by word, "If you hadn’t been betrothed to me, you wouldn’t have needed to enter the palace. If you’d married an ordinary son-in-law, you wouldn’t have suffered like this! In the end, it’s all because of me. You resent it in your heart but can’t say it aloud, so you keep picking fights with me. Isn’t that right?"
Shao Shang grew frantic: "You, you, you…" How could he say such things in front of Royal Uncle?! Though he wasn’t wrong.
She glanced warily at the Emperor, then steeled herself: "We’re already betrothed. What’s the point of saying this now? Today, you deliberately committed this offense—what exactly are you trying to achieve?"
Noticing the Emperor’s stormy expression, she gritted her teeth and decided to lay it all out, declaring loudly—
"Are you trying to break off our engagement?"
"I intend to resign from my post and retire with you to the countryside you’ve always longed for!"
The two spoke simultaneously—the latter was Ling Buyi’s words. As soon as they were uttered, both froze. Ling Buyi, hearing Shao Shang’s words, sneered repeatedly. Shao Shang, hearing Ling Buyi’s words, was left speechless.
The Emperor, having heard them both, exploded: "Nonsense! Resign what post? Retire where? I’m not dead yet!"
Seeing the Emperor’s fury, those around them prostrated themselves in fear. Ling Buyi kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life—please choose your words carefully. If Your Majesty speaks like this, your servant deserves ten thousand deaths."
Unable to vent his anger on his adopted son, the Emperor roared at Shao Shang instead: "Did I stop him from avenging you? But did he have to do it so blatantly?! He’s acting recklessly, defying all laws and the court! Utterly arrogant and domineering!"
Even when the Champion Marquis killed Li Gan, it was done in secret. Though everyone knew it was him afterward, without witnesses or evidence, the Emperor could insist Li Gan had died from a careless fall from his horse, and the court officials had no choice but to accept it.
"Your Majesty, please understand!" Shao Shang pushed Ling Buyi’s arm away and crawled forward on her knees, bowing before the Emperor in supplication. "Lord Ling has always acted with caution. I’ve often heard him praised for his humility, courtesy, and kindness—a true gentleman of ancient virtue. For him to act so recklessly today—doesn’t Your Majesty find it strange? The Censorate is a vital institution of the state, a cornerstone of governance. No one would dare provoke it—who doesn’t know that…"
"You know?" Ling Buyi suddenly interjected, his gaze clear and composed, as if entirely unbothered by his predicament—even finding time to tease the girl. "You don’t, do you? Otherwise, tell me—where is the Censorate?"
The Emperor’s lips twitched imperceptibly before he schooled his expression.Shao Shang was furious. She was striving earnestly to plead for him, yet he came to disrupt her efforts. She wished she could immediately stab him three times, leaving six holes, then find someone else to remarry! With great difficulty, she suppressed her anger and ignored the difficult man, continuing to plead with the Emperor: "Although I do not know where the Censorate is, aren’t the offices of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers all crucial places? Your Majesty, if even I know this, why would Lord Ling deliberately provoke the Censorate?"
The Emperor slowly sat down. "Hmm, in your opinion, why is that?"
Shao Shang propped herself up on her arms and knelt upright, hesitating as she spoke: "This... this is because Lord Ling was deliberately trying to provoke me..." She noticed Royal Uncle glaring again. "Uh... I quarreled with Lord Ling again today..."
The Emperor slammed the table and demanded sternly, "I knew it! Zisheng wouldn’t make such a mistake without reason! You, a mere girl, are supposed to learn from the Empress’s gentleness and grace through constant exposure—why must you quarrel with Zisheng all day long?"
Shao Shang protested in a small voice, "Your Majesty, in truth, it’s always Lord Ling who quarrels with me. I wouldn’t dare start it."
"Fine, then why must you provoke Zisheng into quarreling with you all day long?" the Emperor continued his interrogation.
Shao Shang choked. Teacher, this question is beyond the syllabus—I don’t know how to answer.
Just as she thought Royal Uncle was being so protective that he might not punish Ling Buyi after all, the Emperor turned to Ling Buyi and said, "If you quarrel with Shao Shang, you storm the Censorate. If the two of you fight next time, will you storm my Bright Hall?! Tell me, how should this matter be resolved now?"
Ling Buyi bowed low, appearing resigned to any punishment. "I defer entirely to Your Majesty’s judgment."
The Emperor nearly spat blood. Judgment? Judge your father! If it were so simple to decide, why would I be so worked up?! Spotting a pair of bronze tallies on the table, he picked up one and hurled it with force—only for his aim to go completely awry, nearly hitting the Fifth Prince, who had been shrinking to the side.
Fifth Prince: ...Father, is Ling Buyi actually your biological son?
"Storming the Censorate and assaulting officials in front of the censors warrants at least exile or military conscription. However..." the Emperor said.
Shao Shang’s ears perked up. Exile? That didn’t sound bad—round it off, and it’s practically an official posting.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to accompany Lord Ling into exi—uh, I mean, into exile..." she quickly declared her stance.
"I haven’t finished speaking—no interruptions!" In his anger, the Emperor threw the other bronze tally as well, again nearly hitting the Fifth Prince.
Fifth Prince silently shed tears.
The Emperor took a deep breath. "However, considering Zisheng’s past composure, loyalty, and diligence, exile is unnecessary... Hmm, let it be changed to... changed to..."
Ling Buyi suddenly raised his head, his gaze clear. "Your Majesty, I have done wrong and deserve punishment. I acted rashly in anger, causing trouble and burdening Your Majesty. I humbly beg for Your Majesty’s stern punishment, without leniency."
The Emperor nodded. "It’s good that you recognize your fault. This matter could be treated lightly or severely. Later, you must submit a memorial admitting your guilt."
Shao Shang relaxed and said cheerfully, "Your Majesty is wise."
"However, a single memorial of guilt is not enough to silence criticism. Let it be thus: in addition, fifty strokes of the cane."
Ling Buyi bowed respectfully. "I obey Your Majesty’s decree.""What, what?" Shao Shang panicked. "Your Majesty, are you still going to have him beaten?" She had been beaten before, and the taste of the rod was so excruciating it defied description. Though it left no scars, the fear lingered in her heart to this day.
At that moment, the Third Prince entered through the door. The Emperor looked at his son and asked, "Hmm, is everything arranged outside?" The Third Prince replied, "As per Your Majesty's command."
"Good, then you may proceed," the Emperor waved his hand.
The Third Prince gestured outside and said, "Zisheng, the punishment rods and executioners are all ready outside."
Ling Buyi didn’t need to be escorted. He bowed properly to the Emperor, then slowly straightened his tall and elegant frame, like a celestial palace emerging from the misty sea, before calmly following the Third Prince out.
"Hey, hey—" Shao Shang scrambled to grab Ling Buyi but was too late.
Watching the infuriating man walk out of the inner hall, she turned to the Emperor and burst into tears. "Your Majesty, you have such a cruel heart! Lord Ling has been alone since childhood, practically without parents, coming and going with no one by his side. In his heart, he sees you as his true father! Today, he was angered by me, which is why he barged into the Censorate. Though the law cannot condone it, his actions are understandable. Not only do you not sympathize, but you’re also going to beat him... How... how can Lord Ling bear this...?"
The Emperor’s face hardened. "I’m beating him because of you. Remember, Zisheng is taking this punishment for your sake!"
Shao Shang clutched at Royal Uncle’s sleeve, pleading desperately, recounting all of Ling Buyi’s hardships with heartfelt sincerity and deep emotion. Her theatrical training and the vocal prowess honed from street quarrels nearly moved the young eunuchs on either side to tears. The Emperor, who already pitied Ling Buyi, was gradually weakening under her pleas—until the Fifth Prince couldn’t resist interrupting.
"Cheng Niangzi, it seems like they’re about to start outside... Uh... perhaps we should go take a look...?" In truth, he wanted to watch, but going alone seemed inappropriate.
Fury surged in Shao Shang’s heart, and she indignantly accused, "Your Majesty, look! Lord Ling is already so pitiful—his father was unkind, his mother ill, and now his new bride is so troublesome. Yet the Fifth Prince is gloating over his misfortune!"
The Emperor nodded. "Hmm, quite right. Fifth Son, since you’ve accompanied Zisheng all the way here to witness this, you must be eager to see it through. Guards, take the Fifth Prince away and give him five strokes as well."
The Fifth Prince was thunderstruck by this sudden calamity. "Father—!" he wailed. Why was he always getting dragged into things?!
Shao Shang continued her tirade: "Your Majesty, yesterday the Fifth Prince even harassed me! He recited Teacher Sima’s 'Phoenix Seeks Its Mate' at me, praising my beauty and grace—many people heard it!"
The Emperor said, "Hmm, then add another five strokes. Ten in total. Take him away."
The Fifth Prince collapsed: "......"
Seeing that her pleas were futile, Shao Shang could only sob and beg leave from the Emperor before following the burly eunuchs dragging the Fifth Prince to the execution site. When they arrived at the heavily guarded side hall, she stood in the courtyard, peering through the railings to see Ling Buyi pinned to the ground, his outer robe removed, leaving only his snow-white underwear. The two executioners had already begun counting off the strokes—one, two, three, four...
The Third Prince stood idly by, hands clasped behind his back.
Shao Shang felt her heart shatter in that moment.When she was beaten before, the punishment rod wielded by Director Xiao wasn't this thick, and the executioner was old, weak, and shriveled, lacking strength. Nothing like the two rods the Third Prince had found now—wide, flat, and thick, with heads nearly as broad as her waist. The executioner was robust and tall, his strikes swift and fierce, each swing carrying a faint whistling wind.
Shao Shang, furious beyond measure, picked up a small stone and hurled it forward with all her might. The Third Prince, caught off guard, was actually struck on the left shoulder. His expression darkened instantly. "How dare you!"
Shao Shang rushed up the steps without a care, wailing as she lunged toward Ling Buyi inside the hall, only to be firmly restrained by two sturdy women who had been waiting nearby.
Separated by a distance of two zhang, Shao Shang was pressed to the ground, forced to watch helplessly as the heavy punishment staff struck Ling Buyi's back again and again. Yet he didn’t utter a single cry, stubbornly biting his pale red lips, his proud forehead beaded with sweat, his face as white as paper.
The two executioners, their faces thick with brutish flesh, wielded the thick staffs like two vicious snakes, lashing against his fair and beautiful, slender body. Shao Shang felt his pain as if it were her own, her sobs transporting her back to the beginning of the year when she herself had been beaten—her flesh burning as if split open, the agony as if her bones and muscles were being torn apart inch by inch.
Suddenly, a strange and unprecedented fury surged within her. This man was hers—his head, his body, his limbs—all hers. She couldn’t bear to hit or scold him herself, so how dare they subject him to such torment?!
Unable to hold back any longer, she burst into loud sobs: "Stop hitting him! Hit me instead, stop it, stop it! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I won’t argue with you anymore. If I argue with you, you go and get beaten—what’s wrong with your head? You need treatment! Wuwu… Stop hitting him, why isn’t it over yet? Third Prince, you’re so cruel! His Majesty said to punish Lord Ling, but he didn’t specify how severe or how many strokes—yet you’re striking with all your might, trying to kill him! How heartless can you be…"
The Third Prince, clutching his left shoulder, stood expressionless, feeling as though he had become the villain in some theatrical play, his pent-up frustration with no outlet. His thoughtful subordinates quickly brought over the Fifth Prince, providing the Third Prince with a convenient target for his anger.
Before the first stroke even landed, the Fifth Prince was already wailing for his parents, tears and snot streaming down his face.
For a moment, the side hall was a scene of chaos—the shouts of the executioners, the thuds of the staff against flesh, the girl’s cries, and the Fifth Prince’s loud protests. The usually stern Third Prince’s face darkened to the shade of a pot’s bottom.
...
Meanwhile, in the high pavilion opposite the side hall, the Emperor stood by the windowsill, holding a gilded wine vessel, smiling as he peered down. The Empress, who had just arrived, sat nearby. Consort Yue, who had followed the Third Prince out of curiosity, sat across from the Empress.
The Empress sighed helplessly. "Your Majesty, as elders, how can we engage in such... behavior?"
The Emperor waved a hand behind him without turning. "Shen An, don’t interrupt, I can’t hear properly… Ah, good, Shao Shang is crying for real now—yes, her voice is even hoarse. Later, Shen An, send her some throat-soothing medicine. She already has few virtues left; we can’t let her ruin her voice."
Hearing the Fifth Prince’s continuous cries of "Aiyo," Consort Yue mused thoughtfully, "Back in the army, I heard there’s much nuance to the punishment of flogging. Some leave the flesh seemingly unharmed but shatter the bones and tendons within, crippling the limbs. Others leave no mark on the skin yet inflict unbearable pain. And then there are those that look bloody and brutal but cause no real harm… Which method did Your Majesty employ this time?"
The Emperor turned his head and chuckled. "Nothing escapes A Heng’s notice. After hearing Old Chu’s report earlier, I had this idea—killing two birds with one stone. The Third Prince originally suggested a light punishment, just for show, but I thought it better to draw blood and leave heavy bruises. First, to silence the censors, and second… Hehe, hehe…"
The Empress rubbed her forehead and sighed. "When children quarrel, we ought to mediate properly. Who ever heard of fanning the flames like this?"The Emperor said sternly, "Shen'an, you must not let this slip."
Consort Yue scoffed, "Zisheng isn't a fool. Even if he doesn't realize it now, he'll notice something's off about the injuries once the punishment is over."
"Ah, Zisheng—there's no hiding it from him," the Emperor remarked. "Keeping it from the other one is enough. Shen'an, remember this—you mustn't tell Shao Shang!" Though the Empress was soft-hearted, she was also true to her word. Having promised not to tell Cheng Shaoshang that she could return home after the birthday banquet, the Empress had indeed held back until the banquet was over.
The Empress turned away in a huff.
The Emperor sidled up to the windowsill again and, spotting something, said solemnly, "Cen Anzhi, tell those restraining Shao Shang to loosen their grip a little. Let her lunge closer to Zisheng—just two or three feet away. Close enough to see but not to touch. She must witness Zisheng being beaten until his flesh is torn, his body drenched in cold sweat, while she stands helpless, unable to do a thing. Only then will her heartache multiply..."
Cen Anzhi accepted the order with a wry smile and left.
"Your Majesty!" The Empress could bear it no longer, her face flushing with anger.
Only then did the Empress turn back, heaving a long, satisfied sigh. "Don't be angry, Shen'an. When they have a house full of children and their lives are filled with joy, they'll thank us elders for this."
Having said that, she turned away again, thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle.
The Empress was left speechless, her frustration mounting, until she suddenly addressed Consort Yue, "Sister."
Consort Yue shuddered inexplicably. "...Your Majesty?"
"I've heard that you and His Majesty grew up together. May I ask what it was about him that caught your eye back then?"
Consort Yue glanced at the Emperor, who was craning his neck by the windowsill to watch the drama, and after a long pause, managed to say, "Back then, His Majesty was known as the most handsome man in Feng County."
She would rather admit now that she had been young and foolish, swayed by mere looks.
Author's Note: The Emperor did not collude with Ling Buyi—he was improvising.
This volume is counting down to its end.
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