“Even though they have bad intentions, they are still following the rules. The Emperor has only fallen ill, there is no need to fall out…”
Before Sheng Chuling finished his sentence, numerous footsteps could be heard from outside. There were also astonished shouts from palace servants.
“Chuling…” Xinnan grabbed onto Sheng Chuling’s sleeve. Sheng Chuling smiled, “Don’t worry, I am here.”
The two of them entered the courtyard only to see Yan Zifang leading a group of royal guards. They aggressively push away anyone who was in their way. As soon as Yan Zifang saw Sheng Chuling, he ordered, “He is there, catch him!”
The royal guards moved forward to clamp Sheng Chuling down. Xinnan blocked their way and declared, “Who dares to take him away!”
Yan Zifang was cold. “These are issues of the military. Your Highness should stay out of it.”
Xinnan turned back and glared at Yan Zifang. “Back then, if not for Chuling’s elder brother speaking up for you in front of the Emperor, you would have still been a wanted pirate!”
Yan Zifang was not moved. “I am serving the country. I am fair and will not bring my personal feelings into it. Sheng Chuling has committed a crime. As his superior, I have to discipline him.”
“I would like to know, what crime has he committed?” Xinnan’s eyes were clear.
Yan Zifang held back his laugh. “It is not convenient for me to tell you. If you insist on knowing, you should ask Concubine Yan.”
Sheng Chuling looked stern. “Xinnan, don’t worry. I will be fine!” Yan Zifang waved his hand and they dragged him away.
Concubine Yan looked on coldly as Xinnan panted in front of her. It was obvious that Xinnan had run here. However, she was not Empress Zhangsun. Even if she was an honorary princess, there was no sweet for her here.
“Why did you capture Sheng Chuling?” Xinnan demanded. Concubine Yan did not say anything and simply looked at Yu He.
Yu He understood. “Sheng Chuling has been exposed by two of his colleagues to his superior. Sheng Chuling has acted inappropriately during his duties. He met with you secretly, is careless and promiscuous.”
“Bastard!” Isn’t he criticising her as well? “Imperial Father asked you to support the six palaces. Is this how you support? You despicable person. You tarnished the reputation of royal women and ruined the royal family’s reputation. Not only did you not scold them, you ordered them to barge into my palace to catch someone? When Imperial Father wakes up, let’s see how you will explain it to him!”
Concubine Yan was nonchalant. “I will explain to the Emperor. The one that ruined the royal family’s reputation are not those that reported but it is you, Princess Xinnan.”
Xinnan was furious. “How can you anyhow make a decision just from a few nonsensical reports!”
The corners of Concubine Yan’s mouth curled up. ”Princess, you are wrong. I personally saw the ambiguous relationship you have with Sheng Chuling. Do you remember that one night when I bumped into both of you? If I did not see wrongly, weren’t the both of you holding hands?”
Although Xinnan felt slightly uneasy, she put on a brave front. “Even so, my relationship with Sheng Chuling is not as bad as you think.”
Concubine Yan’s eyes were emotionless. “Xinnan, you are the Emperor’s favourite daughter and that’s why I chose to keep it a secret at that time. But you don’t know what’s good for you and came to make a racket at my place. Don’t blame me for being strict.”
A group of palace maids were dragged in by internal attendants. There were blood stains on their body. It was obvious that they had been tortured. They all started saying how Princess Xinnan would occasionally go missing. After Sheng Chuling became an imperial guard, he would often enter the princess’ palace and Zhenzhu definitely knew about it.
Concubine Yan immediately ordered for Zhenzhu to be captured and be beaten in front of Xinnan. She ordered Zhenzhu to tell the truth on Xinnan and Sheng Chuling’s secret meetings.
Zhenzhu was loyal and refused to admit. However, she was beaten horribly by the internal attendants who did not hold back. Her screams became weaker and weaker.
Xinnan could no longer hold her silence. “Stop! Stop hitting her!”
Concubine Yan did not ask them to stop and sneered, “”Princess, I am listening. You can say whatever you want to say.”
“That’s right. Sheng Chuling and I have an affinity for each other and want to be together for the rest of our lives. However, I have already told Imperial Mother and Imperial Father has promised to grant us marriage. That’s why Sheng Chuling was transferred to become a guard at my place.” Although Xinnan was telling the truth, she did not feel happy.
Concubine Yan’s expression did not change. “Grant you marriage? I have never heard the Emperor mention it. You have no proof and cannot be trusted.”
Xinnan held back her anger and lowered her voice. “I am speaking the truth. When Imperial Father is awake, everything will be revealed.”
“As long as the Emperor is unconscious, I am the one making the decisions. A princess that has yet to be married is actually repeatedly meeting in secret with a guard. You have disregarded all rules and etiquette, shaming the royal family. What is more heartbreaking is that you don’t seem to be ashamed or regretful.” Her tone changed and Concubine Yan looked at her pitifully. “Xinnan, you were raised by the late Empress and the Emperor dotes on you greatly. You should not disappoint them like this.”
Concubine Yan lowered her eyes and looked at Zhenzhu. “As Her Highness’ personal maid, you should be keeping the princess in check. Instead, you allowed her to be bewitched and caused her to make a huge mistake. Zhenzhu cannot be forgiven. She is to be beaten to death.”
“How dare you!” Xinnan wanted to dash to Zhenzhu’s side but was held back by two palace maids. She could not help but shout, “I have already admitted everything, why can’t you let her go?”
“It is only natural for a servant to suffer for her master.” Concubine Yan was determined to deal with Sheng Chuling and was taking the chance to set an example to others. “Who asked her master to be disobedient?”
Xinnan was fuming as she struggled. “Concubine Yan! When Imperial Father wakes up, I will tell him how cruel and brutal you are!”
“Stop!” Fu Rou walked in with a group of female officials. However, Zhenzhu coughed out blood. She had already stopped breathing.
Xinnan struggled out of the palace maids’ grasp and ran to Zhenzhu. She wailed. She never thought that she would implicate Zhenzhu.
Fu Rou frowned as she lifted her eyes to ask Concubine Yan, “Your Highness, may I ask what Zhenzhu has done such that she was beaten to death?”
Yu He answered on her behalf, “Princess Xinnan has been secretly meeting up with Sheng Chuling. They have acted promiscuous in the palace. Zhenzhu is the princess’ confidante and she knew about it yet did not report. She even encouraged them. She has committed a terrible crime.”
Concubine Yan finally spoke, “I am just thinking for the Princess’ future that’s why I punished the people around her.”
Fu Rou was fair. “Princess Xinnan is at fault and should be handed over to the Rites Office to be taught. Zhenzhu has committed a crime and should be handed to the Managerial Department to be punished.”
Concubine Yan’s face fell. However, her gaze fell on the group of female officials behind Fu Rou and she had no choice but to reign in her temper. “Court Lady Fu, don’t you think you are too late?”
Yu He made a play on words. “It is already noon and the sun is right above us.”
Fu Rou played with words as well. “That’s good. Only when the sun is slightly poisonous then can it get rid of demons. Chief Yu, you said Princess Xinnan is at fault, why do you say so?”
Yu He replied, “She met secretly with guards and behaved promiscuously in the palace. Her Highness personally witnessed them.”