Chapter 002: The Unsavory Affairs in the Depths of the Gloomy Forest

Ying Xuan walked very slowly, but with each step he took, the heart of the palace maid felt as if it had been struck heavily. After only a few steps, the psychological defenses of the palace maid collapsed, and she tilted her head and crashed against the wall beside her

Ah—seeing someone enter the room, the palace maid was startled and quickly crossed her hands over her chest, looking at Ying Xuan in fear

One of the most secluded places in the palace where Ying Xuan walked was where Consort Liu, who was not favored, resided. Naturally, this place was exceptionally cold and desolate, with very few patrolling guards passing by. However, Ying Xuan, accustomed to walking here, did not feel afraid.

Ying Xuan did not dare to dodge; with his eyes closed, he gritted his teeth and endured a slap from Liu Fei, causing his left cheek to swell instantly.

Child, remember

Er, please remember. "Win Xuan bowed and said.

"You, you—this ungrateful child!" Empress Liu exclaimed in anger, and with a sharp "slap," she struck Ying Xuan across the face

Empress Liu immediately realized her own abnormality, bending down to embrace Ying Xuan and weeping, "Xuan'er, your mother does not desire to be the mother of the world, nor do I seek luxurious clothing and sumptuous food; all I want is for you to live safely and soundly."

"I remember, I remember, tonight I have been walking in the palace to sober up, nothing has happened. Nothing has happened at all." Ying Rui repeated with great effort.

To speak frankly, this palace maid, upon closer inspection, is indeed quite beautiful. Her features may not be described as perfect, but they are certainly exquisite. However, she excels in having delicate and fair skin. Although she appears somewhat disheveled and flustered at this moment, her legs are naturally crossed and bent to one side, indicating that she is originally of a tranquil and gentle disposition

Ying Xuan reached out to probe her neck; she was still alive, merely fainted.

Originally, Consort Liu instructed the eunuch Liu Zhong to fetch Ying Xuan, but Ying Xuan declined the offer, stating that he was already familiar with the routes within the palace and saw no need for someone to come specifically to escort him back

Ying Xuan hurriedly stepped forward, grabbing the palace maid and swiftly seizing her throat from behind

No wonder both Thirteen and Eight are attracted to her, Ying Xuan thought to himself

If you do not want to die, then obediently forget everything that happened today. Otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead. Ying Xuan was unsure if his voice was cold enough at that moment, but seeing the palace maid's trembling body from fear, he knew that he had achieved his goal

At this moment, on https://www.hetushu.com, Ying Rui was slumped on the ground, gasping for breath, his face already pale, and his body was trembling involuntarily, seemingly unaware that someone was calling him

Since the matter has already occurred, let Xue Rou temporarily reside in my palace. After all, there are usually no visitors, so whether there is one more person or one less, no one will notice. However, in the future, you must not act so recklessly. You must remember to respect your own brothers and honor your elders. Do not be negligent in this regard," Liu Fei said, stopping her tears and advising Ying Xuan.

Ying Xuan suddenly brought back a palace maid, and she was a maid in tattered clothes. This surprised Ying Xuan's mother, Concubine Liu, and it also brought a hint of vitality to this cold palace, which only had three people.

"Xuan'er, who is this girl?" Although Liu Fei knew that her son had always been independent-minded since childhood and never acted recklessly, she still couldn't help but ask a few questions.

Suddenly, the sounds of a struggle between a man and a woman came from a small house by the roadside that had been vacant for some time

Ying Xuan's mother, Consort Liu, originally had several eunuchs and palace maids serving her in the palace. Consort Liu was aware that most people were unwilling to follow her, a consort who did not enjoy favor, so she simply sent them all away to other palaces, leaving only one eunuch and one palace maid to attend to her. These two were brought from the Shu Kingdom by Consort Liu. The three of them, as strangers in a foreign land, became as close as family, which made the cold palace feel somewhat warmer.

With a faint smile that harbored ill intentions, the commander led his subordinates to patrol elsewhere. Before leaving, he did not forget to turn his head for a few glances, foolishly hoping to catch a glimpse of the boundless spring scenery inside the room, but was blocked by Ying Xuan's figure, seeing nothing at all.

The cool breeze of the night seemed to awaken Ying Rui significantly, but the act of killing for the first time left him exceptionally tense

Watching Ying Rui walk away, Ying Xuan turned and returned to the room

Ying Xuan has been very filial to Empress Liu since childhood, not daring to go against her wishes, and with a "thud," he knelt down on the ground

Ying Xuan gently patted Liu Fei's back, comforting the suffering Liu Fei. Ying Xuan always felt that there was a secret about Liu Fei that he did not know, yet he could not pinpoint what was amiss.

Brother Thirteen, you should go back first. Remember, you must remain calm. When you come down, just act as if nothing has happened. Remember, if anyone asks, just say you drank too much tonight and then walked around the palace to sober up

Your Highness, please, Your Highness, do not do this, ah—let go of me. Bang—

The Mid-Autumn banquet continued until late into the night before dispersing. Ying Xuan walked quietly along the cobblestone path. According to the customs of the Qin state, unmarried princes reside in the palace, while those who are married are granted titles by the emperor and live outside the palace. Ying Xuan, having just turned seventeen this year, still lived in his mother's palace. After all, Emperor Yanping had never visited and had not arranged for Ying Xuan to live elsewhere.

Who is inside? Come out

"This prince did not intend to kill her; it was her, that wretched woman herself. This wretched woman did not know how to appreciate the favor bestowed upon her by this prince. It was a blessing for her that I took notice of her, yet she had the audacity to strike this prince." Ying Rui shouted hysterically, as if believing that the louder he yelled and the more he spoke, the less the death of this palace maid would concern him.

The servant girl is named Xue Rou. Although Ying Xuan is of a similar age to the young maid Xue Rou, in Xue Rou's eyes, Ying Xuan is undoubtedly a dangerous presence

The conduct of a gentleman: tranquility cultivates the self, and frugality nurtures virtue. Without detachment, one cannot clarify one's aspirations; without tranquility, one cannot achieve great distances. Learning requires calmness, and talent requires study. Without study, one cannot broaden one's abilities; without calmness, one cannot attain knowledge. Carelessness prevents one from delving deeply, and impatience hinders rationality. As years rush by and thoughts fade with the days, one becomes desolate and disconnected from the world. How can one lament in a dilapidated abode and hope for a change!

Ying Xuan opened the door slightly, just enough for the person outside to see him, but not the interior of the room

It is her. Ying Xuan recognized that the woman was indeed the courtesan from the song and dance palace who had been mistakenly thought to be smiling at him on stage tonight

Ying Xuan gently helped Ying Rui up and escorted him outside the house

"No, no, no, don't come over." This palace maid was already frightened to the point of tears, pleading with a sobbing tone.

The palace maid vigorously slapped Ying Xuan's arm, attempting to free herself from his grasp

"Breech presentation." After hearing this, Liu Fei's expression changed dramatically as she pointed at Ying Xuan and scolded sternly, "Kneel down."

I was wrong, and I will certainly remember my mother's lessons

"Xue Rou, hehe, a name that truly reflects her character." Ying Xuan could not help but gently lift Xue Rou's chin with his hand

Ying Xuan gradually approached the palace maid, while the maid, in terror, stood on her tiptoes and continuously retreated.

Mother, we are all concubines of the Emperor, and we are all his sons. Why is it that they can live in luxury and stand high above others, looking down with arrogance? Why must we endure the solitude of a dim lamp and plain food here? I, as your son, refuse to accept this. I want you to receive the respect you deserve from all sides, and I want you to be the revered matriarch of the realm. I will reclaim everything that is rightfully ours.

Ying Rui became somewhat incoherent, his palms already soaked with sweat, his slender body trembling uncontrollably. Ying Xuan only felt a sharp pain from the grip on his hand, yet he could not bear to pull it away. Instead, he extended his other hand and gently patted Ying Rui's hand, saying: "Thirteenth Brother, don't worry, we are blood brothers, I will help you"

"Fourteenth Brother, Fourteenth Brother, help me, you must help me." Ying Rui seemed to grasp Ying Xuan's hand tightly as if he were clutching a lifeline while drowning, "As long as I become the Crown Prince, I will definitely not treat you unfairly. Fourteenth Brother, you must help me, help me."

Ying Xuan gently nudged Ying Rui, "Thirteenth Brother, it's all right now, they have all left"

Ah, it turns out to be you, Lord Fourteen. We heard the call while on patrol and hurried over here

Ah— that man turned around in terror and collapsed to the ground

***

"Thirteenth Brother," Ying Xuan exclaimed inadvertently.

"Go ahead, you have to study tomorrow, so get some rest early." Liu Fei gently caressed Ying Xuan's face, helping him smooth out a few stray strands of hair, the earlier sternness having vanished without a trace.

The guards patrolling the palace heard a sound coming from the empty room and quickly surrounded the area, drawing their gleaming swords.

Then, please recite it clearly and loudly for me once more

Yes, I had a bit too much to drink at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet just now, so I chose a room to rest. Unfortunately, I was startled by a cat. It's nothing, you all go ahead with your business.

He may not have recognized it yet; the man standing before him is no longer the original Thirteenth Prince.

Although everyone in the palace knows that the Fourteenth Prince is the least favored among the princes, he is still the son of the Emperor. Even if he is not favored, he is still more esteemed than a mere servant like myself. Therefore, when the palace staff see Ying Xuan, they still treat him with utmost respect and deference

"My child, you must remember to stay far away from the struggle for the throne," Lady Liu said, tightly gripping Ying Xuan's hand as she advised him

Ying Xuan was taken aback and approached to push open the door slightly to take a look.

"Good, good, Fourteenth Brother, I knew you would help me. Rest assured, I will definitely not treat you poorly." Ying Rui broke into a smile, as if he had set down a heavy burden.

Ying Xuan speculated that he might have been frightened, so he no longer called out to him and turned to walk towards the woman lying on the ground

Ying Xuan saw that they had walked far away, so he closed the door and returned to the room

Ying Xuan gently released her hand, and the palace maid's body collapsed to the ground like a kite with its string cut, coughing incessantly and gasping for breath

Ying Xuan quickly adjusted his clothes, pushed open the door, and said, "What are you doing? It's me."

"You still dare to argue." It must be said that the usually gentle and easygoing Liu Fei is quite strict when it comes to her son's education. "Clearly, you intend to use this matter to blackmail your Thirteenth Brother in the future, in order to achieve your unspeakable goals."

It is good that you are fine, then we shall take our leave. Anyone who can become a commander in the palace has long been quite astute; upon hearing Ying Xuan's words, he immediately recognized them as false. He merely thought that this young prince was here having an affair with a certain palace maid, and unfortunately, he had caught them in the act.

Come with me, and from now on, you shall not appear anywhere else

Xue Rou felt a bit intimidated by Ying Xuan, wanting to evade his hand, yet fearing to provoke him, so she hesitated to pull away, her tearful eyes revealing her helplessness

Ying Xuan did not dare to conceal the matter and recounted everything to Consort Liu in detail

Since ancient times, mothers have known your discontent, but the struggle for the throne is too perilous. What qualifications do you have to compete? Your mother only hopes that you can live safely and freely as a carefree prince; then she will have no regrets in this life. Xuan'er, do you still remember what your mother asked you to keep in mind?

"You audacious rogue, stop this at once." Ying Xuan forcefully pushed open the door and barged in

In the room, a man was seen pressing down on a woman in tattered clothes, his hands tightly gripping her neck

The room was devoid of light, yet the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival shone through the window, illuminating the space and dispelling some of the darkness. Ying Xuan approached the woman, noticing that her clothing had become somewhat loose due to entanglement. The attire suggested she was a palace maid who had just finished dancing and had not yet had the chance to change. The sleeves at her arms had been torn, revealing her skin, which was as pure and white as congealed fat. It appeared that Ying Rui had not succeeded in his intentions.

Empress Liu did not ask further. After having her long-time eunuch Liu Zhong arrange for Xue Rou to settle in, she took Ying Xuan into the room.

"Fourteenth Brother, this king will certainly not forget your kindness in the future." Ying Rui held Ying Xuan's hand, as if in this moment he realized that this younger brother, whom he usually did not regard highly, was not entirely useless to him, and it also seemed that in this moment he felt the existence of familial affection

"From childhood to adulthood, even the Emperor has never struck me; how dare this wretched woman slap me? She deserves it, she is beyond redemption, yes, she is beyond redemption, beyond redemption." Ying Rui seemed to have convinced himself that this palace maid was already dead at his hands, and in his extreme terror, he became incoherent.

"Go back, cover your head and sleep. When you wake up, nothing will have happened. Remember, do not let others see your panic. As for the other matters, I will handle them," Ying Xuan instructed.

At this moment, Ying Rui had regained his senses and was nervously crouching in the corner, unable to look at the unconscious palace maid not far away. He buried his head deeply between his legs, repeatedly muttering: "What should I do? What should I do? If Father Emperor finds out, he will surely fly into a rage. I will have no hope for the position of Crown Prince. What should I do? What should I do?"

Ying Rui was taken aback and hurriedly looked towards Ying Xuan, "Fourteenth brother, save me"

You wretched person, do you dare to hit me? I will strangle you, strangle you.

Ying Xuan was extremely stubborn, and in one breath, expressed all the words that had been hidden in his heart for a long time

At that time, the Thirteenth Brother was convinced that he had killed Xue Rou, and was extremely frightened, unable to explain to his son in time

What is your name

The fainted palace maid has awakened, and is now curiously touching her neck, seemingly still unclear whether she is in the underworld or on earth

Ying Xuan朗朗 recited this piece "Jiezi" when Liu Fei began teaching him to read at the age of three or four, and she encouraged him to review it regularly as a guide for his words and actions

Why deceive you, Thirteenth Brother