When Ji Fengli returned to the room, the smile gradually faded from his face. He walked slowly to the table with hands behind his back, set up a chess game on the table surface, and began playing with his left hand against his right hand.

After a long while, he raised his hand, holding a black chess piece between his fingers, but never placing it down. His long eyes contained thoughtful, profound light.

“Kill!” A hand reached out from beside the table, snatched the chess piece from Ji Fengli’s hand, and slammed it down on the board. Immediately, the black pieces achieved complete victory while the white pieces collapsed in defeat.

Ji Fengli looked up at the man smiling at him, “Lan Bing, you’re too ruthless!”

The man before him wore blue scholarly robes. Hearing Ji Fengli’s words, he smiled, “Prime Minister has never been one to hesitate. For such a demon, the sooner eliminated, the sooner peace returns!”

“You’re right about that. However, I haven’t encountered such an interesting opponent in a long time. It’s rare to have him play with me – killing him too quickly would be quite boring!” Ji Fengli said, waving his folding fan with a smile.

“This time you lost quite badly – Miss Wen will probably enter the palace!” the blue-robed scholar said.

Ji Fengli slowly leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the chair back, his long eyes slightly narrowed as he said slowly, “This time I indeed lost. Next round, this Prime Minister will treat him with his own methods!”

The matter of Wen Wan possessing phoenix bearing and empress fate finally spread throughout Yu Capital. Such matters naturally spread extremely quickly, especially something so sensitive that occurred in a bustling place like Drunken Immortal Tower. No matter how capable Ji Fengli was, he couldn’t block countless wagging tongues.

By the third day, Emperor Yan had heard wind of it, and Ji Fengli conveniently broke off his engagement with Wen Wan on that very day. Subsequently, Grand Tutor Wen submitted Wen Wan’s name to the Ministry of Rites officials preparing the consort selection.

Wen Wan thus became one of the candidates.

Just as the consort selection proceeded in full swing, an incident descended upon Hua Zhuyu without any warning.

The weather grew hotter each day. This afternoon, Huangfu Wushuang ordered bamboo chairs moved to the rear garden. In the blazing summer heat, this rear garden was indeed a cool, quiet refuge.

Huangfu Wushuang had the bamboo couch placed beside the well under flowering trees. He wore a lake-green silk shirt, barefoot, half-reclining on the couch to escape the heat. His beautiful face was snow-white, breathtakingly gorgeous.

These past few days Huangfu Wushuang had been in excellent spirits. His beloved was about to enter the palace – naturally he was extremely joyful. When Huangfu Wushuang was in good mood, the eunuchs and palace maids who served him benefited, no longer receiving punishment for no reason. Therefore, everyone in the Eastern Palace was cheerful.

“Little Bao’er, play a piece on the qin for this Crown Prince. Wan’er said your qin skills surpass hers, but this Crown Prince hasn’t had the pleasure of hearing them,” Huangfu Wushuang said leisurely, lying on the bamboo couch.

Hua Zhuyu smiled, “Since Your Highness wishes to listen, this slave will play a piece. However, though this slave’s qin skills are good, Your Highness may not love the pieces I play. Please forgive this slave!”

“No matter, play for me to hear!” Huangfu Wushuang said with a light laugh, “Ji Xiang, go bring the qin this Crown Prince prepared for Wan’er. Little Bao’er, you’re getting a bargain – if Wan’er hadn’t said your qin skills were superior, this Crown Prince wouldn’t bear to let you touch this qin!”

Ji Xiang soon brought over a guqin – actually a legendary ancient qin, the Green Qi Jade Qin. Such a peerless instrument could only be seen in the palace. Upon seeing it, Hua Zhuyu couldn’t put it down. Her jade fingers extended to pluck the strings, testing the sound – indeed ethereal and elegant.

Hua Zhuyu looked at Huangfu Wushuang lounging contentedly under the tree, her phoenix eyes slightly narrowed as her jade fingers lightly caressed the strings, playing “Beacon Smoke.”

This piece wasn’t like “Breaking Formation” or “Sha Polang,” filled with killing intent and iron backbone. Instead, it overflowed with the grief of warriors who died unfortunately after joining the army, the sorrow of wives and children scattered, and the sadness of parental separation – heartbreaking to hear.

Hua Zhuyu deliberately played this piece. In her view, what palace princes like Huangfu Wushuang lacked was battlefield experience. The grand principles taught orally by tutors might not be as effective as one of her qin pieces.

Indeed, Huangfu Wushuang seemed quite moved. After hearing half the piece, he sat up from the bamboo couch, his face showing hidden sorrow, feeling heartbroken. He forcibly suppressed his grief, clenched his fists, to avoid jumping up from the couch.

The young palace maids also listened with tears streaming down their faces – this was where Hua Zhuyu’s qin skills excelled, with extremely strong emotional impact.

When the piece ended, Huangfu Wushuang took a long while to recover, “Little Bao’er, how do you know how to play such pieces?”

Hua Zhuyu smiled, “This slave has traveled far and wide, hearing it played by a street beggar. It’s said he had been on battlefields before, but because he broke his leg, he was forced to become a beggar.”

“Little Bao’er, play another piece. This one tore my heart and liver out – you must put my heart and liver back!” Huangfu Wushuang patted his chest, shouting repeatedly.

Hua Zhuyu understood the principle of moderation. She smiled slightly and played another piece – “Spring’s Beauty,” which she had once played at Drunken Immortal Tower.

The qin music had just begun and wasn’t yet finished when she suddenly sensed someone approaching through the moon gate of the rear garden. Soon, Eunuch Chang’s shrill voice called, “His Majesty arrives!”

Hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang hurriedly jumped down from the bamboo couch. Unable to find his wooden clogs, he knelt barefoot on the ground.

Hua Zhuyu hastily stopped playing and knelt with the eunuchs and palace maids on the cool stone floor of the rear garden.

Emperor Yan’s grand arrival at the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace was unprecedented since Hua Zhuyu entered the palace. She had heard from other little eunuchs that it had never happened before – she wondered what this was about. However, Hua Zhuyu could feel intense anger emanating from the slowly approaching figure.

“Which one is Yuan Bao? Come forward to audience!” Eunuch Chang’s shrill voice pierced through the summer’s stuffy air, making people involuntarily tremble.

Hua Zhuyu hurriedly bowed, saying melodiously, “This slave is Yuan Bao!”

Emperor Yan’s sharp gaze swept over the Green Qi Jade Qin placed on the stone slabs, then focused momentarily on Huangfu Wushuang’s bare feet, asking coldly, “Were you just playing music?”

“This slave was playing music!” Hua Zhuyu replied clearly.

Emperor Yan slightly narrowed his eyes. Without ordering Hua Zhuyu to raise her head, he coldly commanded, “Drag this demon who troubles his master out and beat him to death with rods to purify the palace!”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly lurched – so today’s scene was for her sake.

Hua Zhuyu’s beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed coldly. Let’s see who dared beat her to death!

“I don’t know what crime this slave committed for Your Majesty to punish me!” Hua Zhuyu asked clearly.

“Yes, Father Emperor, what crime did Yuan Bao commit?” Huangfu Wushuang was also startled, hurriedly raising his head to ask.

What crime? Emperor Yan was too angry to speak.

At this morning’s court session, several ministers had consecutively submitted memorials saying the Crown Prince favored a little eunuch.

During the Early Summer Festival, he secretly took the little eunuch to Qing Lake for pleasure. At Prince Kang’s night banquet, that little eunuch had taken the drinking game for the Crown Prince and performed sword dancing.

According to those ministers, that sword dance was extremely seductive and enchanting, even outdoing Grand Tutor Wen’s daughter, Wen Wan. Moreover, that little eunuch was born more beautiful than women, naturally possessing a fox-like, seductive appearance. Continuing this way, the Crown Prince might sink into male pleasure – how could he bear the world’s heavy responsibilities?

Emperor Yan, reading these memorials, immediately became furious.

Huangfu Wushuang had always been mischievous and troublesome, but this child was still quite clever and generally maintained propriety in major matters. Though he occasionally botched things, causing headaches and anger, none had been as serious as this time.

Male pleasure? Cut-sleeve preference? And with a little eunuch?

Such news was like rolling thunder to Emperor Yan. This was a tremendous scandal, and worst of all, it had already become known throughout the court – how could he not be furious? He immediately threw down the memorials and, despite his weak, sickly body, hurried to the Eastern Palace.

Unexpectedly, upon reaching the Eastern Palace, he heard beautiful, enchanting qin music – indeed quite bewitching, and indeed played by that little eunuch. How could he not be angry? Now this unfilial son actually wanted to protect this demon. The more he protected him, the more Emperor Yan believed those memorials spoke truth, his anger immediately rising.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Getting angry would be bad for your health,” Eunuch Chang supported Emperor Yan as he sat on the bamboo couch Huangfu Wushuang had just occupied.

Hua Zhuyu knelt on the cold stone ground, her legs slightly aching, but her spine remained perfectly straight. She heard Emperor Yan dismiss all the kneeling eunuchs and palace maids around them, leaving only her and Huangfu Wushuang kneeling on the ground.

“Fine, you want to know why? I’ll tell you both. Unfilial son, this time I’ll not only beat this slave to death but punish you as well,” Emperor Yan’s voice came coldly from above, containing hidden anger. “Eunuch Chang, you tell them!”

Eunuch Chang acknowledged and said in a thin voice, “Today at morning court, ministers submitted memorials saying the Crown Prince has a eunuch who, relying on his seductive beauty, bewitches the Crown Prince. During the Early Summer Festival, he even had the Crown Prince take him out of the palace. At Prince Kang’s night banquet, he used seductive, evil dancing to bewitch the Crown Prince!”

Hearing Eunuch Chang’s words, Hua Zhuyu’s heart filled with rage, her body slightly trembling, clear black eyes burning with angry flames, her jade fingers clawing at the stone ground, nearly scratching holes in it.

She could be certain those ministers were instructed by Ji Fengli. No wonder he had asked yesterday if she could play chess – so the chess game was here. She had only won one piece a few days ago, and today he had counterattacked.

This move was still a silent killing stroke, and similarly attacked with rumors!

Hua Zhuyu lowered her head, her face clear and emotionless, but her mind raced like lightning, thinking how to escape this calamity.

Seductive demon troubling the master – this was indeed a grave charge. If proven, she would certainly die. Who would have thought that being a little eunuch could earn such accusations – truly laughable. With her martial arts, if she turned hostile now, she might be able to kill Emperor Yan and avenge the Hua family army. But killing only Emperor Yan wouldn’t be enough.

Emperor Yan might be incompetent, but he had surely been manipulated by others. Otherwise, why would he have initially arranged her marriage to Ji Fengli instead of directly sending her for political marriage? Though Emperor Yan had issued the edict declaring the Hua family army treasonous, and she naturally hated him extremely, killing him might be satisfying, but then the Hua family army would bear the stigma of treason in the underworld.

She needed to clear their names, so she must endure!

Hua Zhuyu’s eyes flowed with light as a smile gradually formed on her lips – brilliant yet extremely cold.

“Your Majesty, His Highness is wronged!” Hua Zhuyu kowtowed. She didn’t say she was wronged, but that Huangfu Wushuang was wronged, invisibly shifting the focus from herself to the Crown Prince. Because even if she were wronged, Emperor Yan wouldn’t care – she was just a little slave whose wrongful treatment didn’t matter. She cleverly transformed this matter from accusations of her being a seductive demon into accusations of the Crown Prince having cut-sleeve preferences.

“His Highness is pure and clean, never having male pleasure or cut-sleeve preferences. This matter may be deliberately fabricated by someone with ulterior motives to soil His Highness’s reputation. His Highness is, after all, the future heir and Your Majesty’s beloved son, personally taught by several tutors and daily instructed by Your Majesty. How could His Highness do such shameful things? Please investigate clearly, Your Majesty. This slave’s death doesn’t matter, but if His Highness is wronged and punished, it would also damage Your Majesty’s reputation!”

If the son isn’t taught properly, it’s the father’s fault. Even if you’re the Emperor, even if you want to depose Huangfu Wushuang, you probably wouldn’t want to use such an excuse. If Huangfu Wushuang truly had male pleasure and did such filthy things, would Emperor Yan’s face be bright? Hua Zhuyu grasped this point and spoke eloquently.

Indeed, hearing this, Emperor Yan’s angry expression gradually softened, his emotions slightly calming.

“Moreover, His Highness is extremely infatuated with Grand Tutor Wen’s daughter, Miss Wen Wan. How could he have feelings for this slave? On Early Summer Festival night, His Highness left the palace having arranged to meet Miss Wen, but Miss Wen didn’t go. This matter has proof in the lanterns His Highness personally made, bearing Miss Wen’s portrait,” Hua Zhuyu continued clearly.

“Yes, Father Emperor, that night leaving the palace, your son indeed had arranged to meet Miss Wen!” Huangfu Wushuang hurriedly said.

Emperor Yan pursed his thin lips, glaring fiercely at Huangfu Wushuang.

Emperor Yan had also heard of Huangfu Wushuang’s infatuation with Wen Wan. Hearing Hua Zhuyu mention the lanterns as proof, he ordered Eunuch Chang to have them fetched. Soon, Ji Xiang brought the lanterns Huangfu Wushuang had made. Eunuch Chang received them and presented them to Emperor Yan.

Emperor Yan took them and looked carefully with narrowed eyes. Indeed, the lanterns not only bore Wen Wan’s portrait but also riddles expressing romantic feelings.

He frowned and exhaled deeply, returning the lanterns to Eunuch Chang and carefully examining Hua Zhuyu kneeling on the ground.

This little eunuch remained unperturbed by events, spoke clearly and logically – truly worthy of respect. Actually, Huangfu Wushuang’s side lacked such talent.

“Yuan Bao, raise your head!” Emperor Yan’s authoritative voice came from above.

Hua Zhuyu slowly raised her head. Though she hated Emperor Yan to the bone, she had never seen him before. Only now, raising her head, did she first see the Emperor’s dragon countenance.

Emperor Yan was approximately fifty years old, with slanted eyebrows reaching his temples, eyes deep as pools radiating sharp light, a straight nose, thin lips slightly pursed, showing traces of firmness and naturally imposing royal bearing. One could see that Emperor Yan had been a handsome man in his youth – though aged now, his former elegance was still visible.

Though Hua Zhuyu harbored hatred, having faced enemies on battlefields with casual conversation, she naturally wouldn’t reveal any displeasure. When Emperor Yan’s authoritative gaze swept her face, even having seen countless beauties in the palace, he couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.

Perhaps influenced by the ministers’ memorials, he had expected Hua Zhuyu’s appearance to be extremely seductive, but unexpectedly found it so purely elegant and refined, radiating indescribable nobility. Her eyes especially sparkled with flowing light, clear as springs.

Such a person was difficult to associate with seductive demon troubling the master.

Emperor Yan stared at Hua Zhuyu in a daze. After a long while, his brows relaxed slightly as he asked, “I hear you can dance?”

Hua Zhuyu quickly lowered her head, answering, “This slave only knows sword dancing!”

“Then perform the sword dance from Prince Kang’s banquet again!” Emperor Yan’s deep gaze paused on Hua Zhuyu’s face before moving away.

“Yes!” Hua Zhuyu rose from the ground, went to nearby flower clusters, broke green bamboo for a sword, and performed the sword dance from Prince Kang’s banquet again. Still elegant without losing grandeur, beautiful without losing boldness.

Emperor Yan watched, sometimes frowning, sometimes nodding. When the dance ended, he asked Eunuch Chang beside him, “Eunuch Chang, do you find this dance seductive and bewitching?”

Eunuch Chang wiped sweat from his forehead and bowed, answering, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this slave finds this dance extremely beautiful but also grand – it hardly seems seductive.”

Emperor Yan nodded. The memorials accusing Huangfu Wushuang of cut-sleeve preferences actually lacked concrete evidence. The night touring and dancing mentioned were refuted point by point. It seemed those ministers had exaggerated.

Huangfu Wushuang conveniently began crying at this moment. Hua Zhuyu had witnessed Huangfu Wushuang’s crying skills before, but seeing him cry on command still made her tongue-tied.

“Father Emperor, those old pedants just can’t stand your son having one or two capable personal attendants. Yuan Bao did nothing wrong – he just serves well. At the night banquet, your son lost the drinking game and feared the ministers’ mockery, so I had Yuan Bao perform sword dancing for me. Unexpectedly, Yuan Bao’s dance outshone theirs – they’re jealous. Father Emperor…” Huangfu Wushuang lay on the ground crying incessantly with tears streaming.

Emperor Yan frowned, looking at Huangfu Wushuang’s tear-covered face, and snorted coldly, “Shut up! What behavior is this! Where there’s no wind, waves don’t rise. You’re habitually mischievous and dissolute – no wonder ministers speculate. Secretly leaving the palace for night tours, idly listening to music for pleasure – change all this in the future. Today, I must still punish you properly. Yuan Bao, you encouraged the Crown Prince to listen to music for pleasure – forty heavy blows for you. As for the Crown Prince, twenty blows! If I hear gossip about you two again in the future, I won’t be lenient.”

After speaking, Emperor Yan flicked his sleeves and left the Eastern Palace grandly with Eunuch Chang and numerous little eunuchs.

Forty heavy blows, though much lighter than being beaten to death, would cost half a life for someone with a weak constitution. Though Emperor Yan didn’t directly beat her to death, he remained wary of her – this beating was a warning. It seemed she should be even more careful in the palace henceforth.

Hua Zhuyu circulated internal energy and endured it. Though her buttocks hurt, they weren’t bloody or torn open. However, Hua Zhuyu still had to pretend, lying on her bed for two or three days.

On the fourth day, Hua Zhuyu slowly went to Huangfu Wushuang’s sleeping quarters to pay respects and serve.

Huangfu Wushuang was still lying on his bed. Though he received half the blows Hua Zhuyu did, for such a delicate prince, it was quite severe punishment.

When Hua Zhuyu entered, Huangfu Wushuang was lying on the bed moaning in pain. Seeing Hua Zhuyu enter, his dark eyes immediately brightened as he shrilly called, “Little Bao’er, you’re better? Come quickly, let this Crown Prince see if the medicine I sent works!”

Hua Zhuyu slowly moved before Huangfu Wushuang. He reached out to lift her robes to examine her buttocks’ injuries.

Hua Zhuyu hurriedly covered herself, saying embarrassedly, “Your Highness, please spare this slave. If His Majesty knew, this slave would truly be a seductive demon troubling the master. This slave’s body can’t compare to Your Highness’s precious one. Having been beaten much since childhood, I heal quickly. The wounds still hurt but aren’t serious – Your Highness needn’t worry. However, haven’t Your Highness’s injuries healed?” Just twenty blows should have stopped hurting long ago. Moreover, how would those executioners dare hit him hard?

“Oh! Good that you’re fine!” Huangfu Wushuang pouted, saying listlessly, “Those old pedants – if this Crown Prince ascends the throne, I’ll show them all. We’re both men – must this be avoided? Does this mean this Crown Prince can’t use eunuchs for service in future, and Father Emperor can’t use eunuchs either? Hmph, this Crown Prince doesn’t care. Little Bao’er, come apply medicine for this Crown Prince!” After speaking, he shamelessly pulled away the silk cooling cloth covering his body. He wore white silk pants below but had pulled them down, just exposing himself – tender white skin with some purple and blue swollen marks.

Hua Zhuyu almost wanted to cover her eyes but forced herself not to, silently wondering if she’d develop styes later. She slowly moved over and applied medicine for Huangfu Wushuang.

Hua Zhuyu shook her hands, wanting only to quickly go out and wash them, when she saw Huangfu Wushuang put on his pants and slowly get out of bed. He patted the bed, “Little Bao’er, lie down here – this Crown Prince will apply medicine for you!”

Hua Zhuyu laughed dryly, “This slave just applied medicine when arriving – no need to trouble yourself.”

“Then this Crown Prince will examine your injuries. If this Crown Prince weren’t also injured, I’d have checked on you long ago!” Huangfu Wushuang said with a grin.

“Your Highness, please don’t be so good to this slave – this slave truly can’t bear it!” Hua Zhuyu almost wanted to beg for mercy.

Hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang immediately widened his dark eyes, looking at her resentfully, “Speaking of it, this time this Crown Prince caused the trouble. If you hadn’t helped this Crown Prince provoke Ji Fengli, he wouldn’t have dealt with you this way! This Crown Prince should apply medicine for you at least once, or this Crown Prince’s heart won’t be at peace!”

Hua Zhuyu continued laughing dryly, “Your Highness, this slave’s injuries are truly healed. This slave will wait outside.” She turned to walk out.

Huangfu Wushuang chased behind with the medicine bottle. Hua Zhuyu fled with head covered – no, saying she fled covering her bottom would be more appropriate.