Chapter Nine, Hands Stained with Blood

"Young Lady Bai, I have heard that your ancestors once had a butcher. Who would have thought that the descendants of a butcher would also become a noble consort in the palace? Looking at your round figure, it is indeed reminiscent of your great-grandfather's legacy." This remark from Granny Li elicited a burst of laughter from the other ladies, while the young Lady Bai, who was mocked, was so angry that her lips turned blue.

In fact, Fu Luo herself could not bear to see or hear these things, but in order to make the young ladies before her aware of the palace rules and to establish her own authority, she acted in this manner. In this palace, kind-hearted individuals are often bullied, and those who are weak and seek to please their superiors do not have a good ending. The inner palace is indeed a place where calamities have been passed down through the ages.

"Flattery, this palace sees that she wishes for my early demise."

"Old servant, old servant—" Li Momo was drenched in sweat from fear. She had always known that this Concubine Fu was not to be trifled with, but she never expected to encounter her today. She thought that since Concubine Fu had not come today, even if she did, seeing how much she was defending her, she would not be punished. Who would have anticipated such a result

Your Highness (Princess)

Well said, the master is indeed the master. The fifty talented women here will all be your masters in the future. You are merely a Zhen Ba Pin (正八品) steward, yet you dare to insult the young masters at will and even have the audacity to strike them. Is this how the teaching mothers instruct the talented women in etiquette? With such wicked servants bullying their masters, how can the atmosphere in the imperial harem be improved?

Then, Fu Luo felt her body go limp, and she lost consciousness, unwilling to wake up again, facing the ugliness of herself and this palace that harbored filth and corruption

The moment I stepped into the Han Dan Pavilion, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow"

After a long time, Fuluo finally opened her eyes, no longer devoid of spirit and despair. "But she is ultimately a human life. I acted impulsively, and I deeply regret it, Biwu. I truly regret it. I did not want this; I do not want my hands stained with blood." Fuluo took Biwu's hand, resting it against her cheek, and began to cry softly.

"Come here, drag this insolent slave who shows no respect for rank down and give her one hundred strokes of the rod."

"Execute the punishment here, so that the esteemed ladies can witness the fate of the wicked servant, and in the future, they can better restrain those in their own palaces"

Your Majesty, this old servant is teaching these talented ladies a lesson. The current group of talented ladies is truly lacking in their diligence towards learning etiquette. This old servant fears that they will not master the etiquette in time, which may lead to Your Majesty being punished, and thus I have no choice but to...

"Do not stride so boldly, do you think this is a market rush? Indeed, you are the daughter of a humble household. Look at your steps, hmph, and yet you dare to dream of receiving the Emperor's favor? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by the ladies in the palace? You should learn from our Lady Fu's makeup and demeanor properly." Granny Li struck the young lady with the bamboo stick several times. "What, are you not convinced? Do you dare to glare at me? Just because you are a little mistress, do you think you can act so high and mighty? If you have the guts, go and report me in front of our Lady Fu." The young lady who was struck began to cry softly.

Is that so? Just after one day, does the nurse already know that these young ladies will not learn etiquette properly and need to be treated so harshly?

"Fu Fei, Fu Fei, how dare you touch me? I am the wet nurse of the current Crown Prince. Even the Emperor thanks me for saving the ailing Crown Prince on that day. How dare you treat me this way?" Li Mama shouted like a madwoman, struggling to break free from the eunuch.

Your Highness, please spare my life, Your Highness, please spare my life. If this continues for one hundred more times, how can this old servant possibly survive? Your Highness, please spare my life

"Old servant, old servant, the master is the master, and the old servant naturally must do his utmost for the master"

The old servant is fearful, as he is merely concerned that these talented young ladies may cause trouble for Her Highness in the future, therefore—

It is possible that Aunt Li wants to curry favor with the princess

Your Highness, this Lady Li indeed has merit for having saved the Crown Prince. What if the Emperor holds her accountable—" Biye asked with concern.

Looking again at the distinguished ladies present, some are stunned, some are dazed, some have expressionless faces, while others have smiles at the corners of their mouths. For instance, Ling Yafeng, this compels Fu Luo to regard this first beauty of the capital, as well as one of the two great talents of the Yanxia Dynasty, with newfound respect. It is likely that the harem is about to stir up a storm again

"Wu Xiaozhu, lift your head when you walk. Look at you, you are just a concubine's child, walking with your head down, not even afraid of being looked down upon by the ladies of the palace. Don't forget that our Lady Fu is the legitimate daughter of the monarch and queen of Yuzhen Kingdom. In the future, do not even think about competing for favor with our Lady Fu, and take a good look at your lowly status." The sharp and bitter words of Li Mama echoed once again.

"Do not delay any longer." The young eunuch immediately agreed and hurried to take away Lady Li.

"Impudent." Fu Luo smashed the teacup in her hand, startling Li Mama, who repeatedly knelt and retreated.

"Madam Li, is it permissible for the servants to evade punishment from their masters according to the court's etiquette?" Fu Luo deliberately lingered on the word 'evade' for a moment.

It is estimated that this Li Momo has reprimanded all the talented women here, but she does not dare to be reckless with Ling Yafeng. One reason is that she possesses an innate noble demeanor that makes others hesitant to insult her. Furthermore, her father is a high-ranking official in the court, who enjoys the emperor's trust.

The young eunuch set up a torture stool at a distance, holding down Aunt Li, and struck her down with a rod, only to hear Aunt Li's screams resembling that of a slaughtered pig.

You, you—" Granny Li angrily pointed her finger directly at Fu Luo

Frodo casually brushed his hair aside and said, "Wait a moment."

Madam Li felt a sudden joy in her heart, thinking that this would frighten Concubine Fu.

Suddenly reminded of her distant family, feeling her own loneliness and desolation, and the treacherous indifference of the harem, all the grievances surged to her heart, and she could no longer hold back her tears. Fu Luo cried out loudly, truly crying until the world turned dark, and it took a full three days for her complexion to return to normal, while her throat took five days to recover.

That night, I repeatedly woke up to vomit, and after vomiting, I would wake up again, it was quite a torment

Just as Granny Li was about to strike one of the talented ladies with a bamboo stick, "Stop it."

Biyue, am I very familiar with this Lady Li?

She deserves her punishment; if the Emperor holds me accountable, I have my reasons. Return to the palace. Fu Luo no longer has any strength to face everything before her

Since then, Fuluo no longer set foot in the Body Element Hall; upon arriving there, it was as if she saw blood everywhere, resembling a hell on earth. Until—

Princess, please have some porridge; you have not eaten anything for two days

Old Madam Li immediately felt that the voice was incredibly familiar, thinking it was that impudent palace maid again. However, when she turned around and saw it was Consort Fu, she quickly knelt down and said, "This old servant pays her respects to Consort Fu." Yet, she was filled with doubt, wondering how the voice of that ungrateful palace maid could be so similar to that of Consort Fu.

Flora shook her head, closed her eyes, and continued to lie down. Biyue, beside her, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan

Your Highness need not feel guilty. That Lady Li has been relying on the fact that she once saved the Crown Prince's life to act tyrannically in this palace, deceiving both the masters and the servants. Many of the newly arrived palace maids, who did not meet her expectations, have ultimately been driven to their deaths by her. Your Highness's recent reprimand of Lady Li has truly brought great relief to everyone, and the young ladies in the harem are very grateful to you.

"I beg Your Highness for punishment; this old servant acts only for Your Highness's sake. I implore Your Highness for mercy."

Flomoran nodded slightly; this was her first time killing, and the feeling made her feel as if she had completely sunk, unable to rise again. Her hands were already stained with blood. She could only smile, a smile more painful than crying

The next day, Fu Luo once again arrived at the Ti Yuan Hall, but instructed the maid beside her not to announce her presence. She sat quietly in the inner chamber, gazing out through the small window.

The gentle breeze of the green phoenix tree patted Fuluo's back, "It is not your fault, my lady, if you wish to cry, then let it out."

The old lady is still so disrespectful, so it is no wonder that I have punished her. Even if Consort Lan brings the Crown Prince, she cannot save you. The Emperor will not tolerate a servant who dares to strike a junior. You are not the master, but rather a servant. I treat these new palace maidens as if they were my sisters; when you strike them, are you not striking me?" After saying this, she picked up the freshly brewed tea from the green phoenix and took a sip. She was secretly surprised at how much she was becoming like the villain in a soap opera.

"What is the nurse doing?" With a smile, Flora gestured for Biwu to bring a chair and place it in the courtyard

Your Highness, Lady Li has passed away

You and I are strangers, how is it that Lady Li treats me so well?