Chapter 3, The Femme Fatale

In response to Her Majesty, this servant is Greenery.

The Imperial Concubine Yu looked at the stubborn girl before her with surprise. In that moment, her heart nearly softened. However, her dignity as a concubine ultimately prevailed. After a moment of contemplation, she slowly spoke: "You, girl, do possess a bit of conscience. However, since you wish to spare His Highness the Seventh Prince from punishment, then you must bear the consequences in his stead. Are you willing to do so?"

Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has come to pay his respects to you

Let him in. A melodious voice came from behind the curtain

The arrangement of Lingbo Palace is vastly different from Feng Wuhen's Fenghua Palace. To highlight the noble status of its master, all decorations meet royal standards, exuding elegance and distinction. Each table and chair, each stool and bench, is arranged with unique craftsmanship. In the room, precious incense burns in the cauldron, and all the palace maids are diligently attending to their tasks, only bowing in respect as Feng Wuhen passes by, creating a scene of orderliness. The only ones following Feng Wuhen are Hongru and Lvyin, as specifically instructed by Rouping; otherwise, their status would not suffice to enter the gates of Lingbo Palace.

This request has been agreed to by this palace. The noble Consort Yu nodded dismissively, saying, "Take her down, along with the prince's share, and impose a heavy punishment of thirty strokes."

With a gentle wave of the hand, four middle-aged eunuchs with stern expressions hurriedly stepped forward, dragging Hong Ru and Lu Yin towards the side room of wwwhetushu.com. "Each shall receive twenty lashes; this palace will make them understand what rules are!"

"If I remember correctly, you two should be Hongru and Lvyin," said the noble Consort Yu淡淡地.

In response to Your Majesty, this humble servant is Hong Ru

Rouping hurriedly brought over a brocade stool. Feng Wuhen, upon rising, saw that breathtaking face, a beauty so stunning that it defied description in any language. He couldn't help but be stunned, his eyes fixed blankly on his mother's face, completely oblivious to the pulling at his back. Rouping noticed that this prince seemed as if he were seeing his master for the first time, which struck her as odd. She exchanged several glances, but Feng Wuhen remained unresponsive. Although he was her own son, Concubine Yu felt a twinge of annoyance and couldn't help but clear her throat lightly. Rouping noticed that this prince seemed as if he were seeing his master for the first time, which struck her as odd. She exchanged several glances, but Feng Wuhen remained unresponsive. Although he was her own son, Concubine Yu felt a twinge of annoyance and couldn't help but clear her throat lightly.

Following Rou Ping, Feng Wuhen entered the palace of the favored consort Yu and finally beheld the woman he had long admired. She stood with her back to the crowd, adorned in a splendid palace gown, her long black hair crowned with a resplendent multicolored golden phoenix, shimmering brilliantly. Her left hand, resembling a jade lotus, rested on the table, revealing an exquisitely crafted golden bracelet. Just from her silhouette, one could conjure boundless imagination. Feng Wuhen could only see this; under Rou Ping's guidance, he respectfully knelt before his mother and greeted her: "Son pays his respects to Mother Consort."

Feng Wuhen finally returned to his senses and felt embarrassed, his face turning bright red. However, he still wanted to explain something: "Your servant has not seen the Empress Mother for a long time and feels that you have become somewhat slimmer recently, yet you remain as beautiful as ever. Therefore, I gazed for a moment longer, and I hope you will forgive your servant's impoliteness." Although these flattering words were hastily thought up in his moment of panic, what woman does not appreciate compliments about her beauty? This made Yu Guifei smile, and her smile was so captivating that it overshadowed all the other beauties present. Fortunately, this time Feng Wuhen made a great effort to compose himself and did not create another embarrassing situation.

Hongru knew that today she probably could not escape this calamity, but she absolutely could not allow her master to remain by this woman's side, nor could she let her master suffer any punishment. Although Luyin pleaded repeatedly, the iron-hearted Consort Yu paid no heed to her at all, not even glancing in her direction. Hongru gritted her teeth, not knowing where she found the strength, and forcefully broke free from the two eunuchs, throwing herself at Consort Yu's feet, repeatedly bowing her head and saying: "Your Highness, all the mistakes are mine, and have nothing to do with His Highness the Seventh. I do not mind being punished, but please do not blame His Highness the Seventh. We will certainly take care of His Highness diligently in the future, and will never allow any mistakes to occur again!" After finishing her words, Hongru bowed several more times, causing a few drops of blood to ooze from her forehead. At that moment, a dull thud and Luyin's scream came from the next room.

"It is rare for you to come to the Empress Mother’s place, so feel free to wander around," said Noble Consort Yu with a slight smile at Feng Wuhen. "Rouping, take the Seventh Prince around; it is a rare occasion that he looks quite well today"

Both of you are aware that the Seventh Prince has always been physically weak, so why do you still use seduction to deceive the ruler?" Concubine Yu deliberately raised her voice, "With your status, how can you be worthy of the esteemed prince? Do you understand your crime?"

Concubine Yu gazed at this son, her face smiling, yet her heart bore not a trace of warmth. After ten months of pregnancy, the son she had painstakingly brought into the world was ruthlessly deemed by the imperial physician to be inherently weak in constitution, making survival difficult. Even if he managed to reach adulthood, it was highly unlikely he would have descendants. This statement undoubtedly shattered all her hopes. During those excruciating days, although the Emperor did not blame her, the cold words of the other concubines, the ridicule from the Empress, and even the lowly eunuchs and palace maids dared to gossip behind her back; she had no idea how she endured those days. Time and again, she sought the physician's treatment, yet each time she fell deeper into despair. How could she, who was showered with countless favors, not understand that without a dependable son, when she grew old and faded, everyone would likely take the opportunity to strike her down? Finally, heaven showed her mercy and granted her another child, a clever and healthy son, without any defects. Even the fortune-teller proclaimed that the child's future was beyond measure. Since this was the case, the child who should never have come into this world and brought her humiliation had no reason to exist. Now, the only reason she tolerated this son’s existence was to secure more affection from the Emperor for herself and her other son. With this thought, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

The two individuals on the ground lowered their heads even further, fully aware that the noblewoman before them could, with just a single finger, bring them to utter ruin. Even Hong Ru, who harbored a deep hatred for Concubine Yu, did not dare to engage in any behavior that would exceed the bounds of propriety.

"This servant is willing to accept punishment," Hong Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief, "I only ask that Your Highness permit this servant to continue serving His Highness."

"Get up, you are not well, there is no need for excessive courtesy," the woman at the top replied淡淡地.

Even someone as bold as Hongru could not help but turn pale with fear. As a personal maidservant to the prince, her greatest dread was undoubtedly the accusation of being a seductress, a charge that could lead to her utter ruin. After bowing repeatedly, Hongru, with tears streaming down her face, said: "Your Highness, please see clearly, the Seventh Prince has always treated us lowly servants with indifference. There is absolutely no way I would engage in seduction. I have always been aware of my status and would never dare to overstep my bounds. Moreover, given the esteemed position of the Seventh Prince, I can only serve him with utmost sincerity and have no other intentions." Hongru, with tears streaming down her face, said: "Your Highness, please see clearly, the Seventh Prince has always treated us lowly servants with indifference. There is absolutely no way I would engage in seduction. I have always been aware of my status and would never dare to overstep my bounds. Moreover, given the esteemed position of the Seventh Prince, I can only serve him with utmost sincerity and have no other intentions."

Although Feng Wuhen was somewhat reluctant, he dared not defy his mother's words and obediently followed the two palace maids towards the back of the hall. Only then did Concubine Yu turn to the two palace maids kneeling before her. She knew that they were the most capable individuals around her son, diligent and clever. If she could win them over, future endeavors would become much easier. What she needed was a puppet son; as long as he could assist the Eleventh Prince in ascending to the highest throne, she would stop at nothing.

Concubine Yu was very pleased with Hong Ru's cleverness, as she needed such talent. With a little strategy, she could definitely make her submit. As for that Lu Yin, she was too dull, lacking any spirit; only that son would keep such a woman around. However, the most important thing now was to give them a warning, to let them know who the true master was. "I believe you wouldn't dare to seduce Wuhen, but the rumors in the palace are certainly not without basis. If I don't teach you a lesson, others will think I have been indulgent with the servants around my son," Concubine Yu said coldly. "As for Wuhen, I will also discipline him well, to prevent him from being laughed at by others in the palace"

In this environment, Feng Wuhen felt particularly uneasy. After all, he was an imposter. Having never encountered grand occasions, he possessed the genuine memories of the Seventh Prince, yet the thought of meeting the empress, whom he usually only interacted with during performances, made him break out in cold sweat.

Lü Yin was utterly stunned, repeatedly bowing her head. Unlike Hong Ru, who was eloquent, she could only keep saying: "Your Highness, spare my life!" She could not utter a single other word.