Probably because this matter was not good to publicize, the Empress gathered people in the inner hall. When grooming and dressing were complete and Shaoshang rushed over with Granny Zhai, she saw that plaintiff, defendant, witness, judge, and jury had all arrived.

The Empress sat in the center above, frowning in concentration. Ling Buyi sat properly to her right below, expression cold, eyes looking straight ahead. Sitting opposite him was Fifth Princess. Beside her, slightly behind, were two girls of sixteen or seventeen—the one with a slightly plump figure kept her head down without speaking, while the melon-seed-faced one lightly sobbed and wiped tears.

Fifth Princess feigned indifference but was actually stealing glances at Ling Buyi now and then. Who knew Ling Buyi seemed unaware, only raising his head to look when Shaoshang entered the hall. Their gazes met, then as in previous days, Shaoshang was first to turn her head away. Several times she even proudly snorted. Ling Buyi also as always expressionlessly withdrew his gaze.

—Shaoshang herself admitted this behavior was very childish, but she was happy! Being happy was most important!

She considered herself and Ling Buyi to be in a holding-breath cold war, but this exchange of glances held different meaning in Fifth Princess’s eyes. She couldn’t help but snort heavily, which actually drew Shaoshang to glance sideways at her.

Originally Shaoshang had thought Fifth Princess had instructed that group of little bitches to push her into the pond, but looking at it now, it should have been the little bitches’ own improvisation. Otherwise, if they’d really drowned her, Ling Buyi would go mad with no time to spare—who would Fifth Princess be staging this grand show for?

After greeting the Empress, Shaoshang immediately covered her face lightly and moved close to the melon-seed-faced girl’s side, her face full of sincerity: “This elder sister truly inspires pity. Thinking of last night’s terrible violation—truly calling to heaven with no response, calling to earth with no answer…”

Whether in tone, expression, or even use of her sleeves, Shaoshang considered it flawless.

As soon as these words came out, the Empress’s body tilted, Ling Buyi’s expression stiffened, Fifth Princess’s eyes widened larger than her mouth—everyone present except Granny Zhai wore strange expressions.

The melon-seed-faced girl was ashamed and annoyed beyond words. She stopped sobbing and hastily explained: “No, no, it’s not me, I wasn’t… it’s her…” She pointed at the plump girl.

“So you weren’t violated—then why are you crying!” Shaoshang was displeased. What a waste of her excellent performance just now! Acting requires that moment of explosive delivery, you know.

The melon-seed-faced girl’s face flushed bright red. She stammered a few sounds but couldn’t explain clearly. However, she was after all Fifth Princess’s trusted confidante, always favored for her wit. Immediately she said mournfully: “We’re like sisters. Last night she suffered violation—my heart also aches for her…”

“What aching! No matter how much you ache, can you ache more than someone who truly suffered violation!” Shaoshang wouldn’t be polite with her. “Do you know what it means to let the guest overshadow the host? She’s the principal party, yet you’re crying more miserably than her. Those who don’t know might think last night that villain worked tirelessly violating two people at once!”

“You you you—what kind of words are these? Simply disgracing civility!” That girl’s face turned directly into a soy sauce melon seed, her body shaking like chaff in a sieve.

Fifth Princess glared and opened her mouth to scold: “Young Lady Cheng, what do you mean by shouting here? When did Changqiu Palace come under your authority? You…”

“Changqiu Palace doesn’t come under your authority either—shut your mouth!” The Empress suddenly interrupted. “Last night you slept in my palace. How would you know what happened in the outer court? If you open your mouth again, you won’t interfere in this matter.”

Fifth Princess knew well her mother’s temperament was gentle and kind, but once she got serious, she meant what she said. She could only angrily close her mouth while using eye signals to indicate those two girls should act according to plan.

However, before Fifth Princess’s subordinates could react, Shaoshang had already brewed her emotions again and used the same posture to move close to the plump girl’s side: “This elder sister truly inspires pity. Thinking of last night’s terrible violation—truly calling to heaven with no response, calling to earth with no answer…”

Fifth Princess & two assistants: …

The Empress and Ling Buyi looked wordlessly at the ceiling.

“Was it truly Master Ling who violated you last night?” Shaoshang’s large eyes were bright and sparkling, incredibly sincere.

The plump girl, bearing Fifth Princess’s gaze, said through gritted teeth: “Exactly! Though I’m of lowly birth, I’m also a pure and innocent good daughter. No matter how high Master Ling’s position and authority, he cannot humiliate me like this…”

“You’re absolutely right!” Shaoshang was jubilant inside, yet still had to maintain a face full of sympathy. “Princes break the law just like commoners! This phrase means that Master Ling violating you is the same as a commoner violating you—we can’t let him off just because the person who violated you is different! Ah, I’m not saying a commoner also violated you—I’m just making a comparison!”

The plump girl didn’t know whether to be angry or annoyed. Fifth Princess and the melon-seed-faced girl were both stunned. Ling Buyi was relatively composed.

The Empress slowly supported her forehead.

She thought to herself, actually she wasn’t surprised at all. Really, more accurately, she even secretly anticipated it somewhat.

“This elder sister, last night besides violation, did he also beat you? An elder sister as pure as ice and jade like you, encountering a villain, you surely resisted to the death! Quickly, quickly, let me see. Oh my, there must be injuries—don’t be shy, just let me see the arm inside your sleeve…” Shaoshang enthusiastically rushed forward.

Hearing this, the melon-seed-faced girl’s heart jumped in alarm. The plump girl was similarly panicked, repeatedly saying: “No, no, I have no injuries, because because…” Her gaze swept past Fifth Princess. “Because, because I fainted!”

“Fainted?” Shaoshang slowly released the other’s sleeve she’d been pulling, immediately switching to a hateful face full of pickiness and suspicion. “Elder sister, you fainted—how do you know the person who violated you was Master Ling?” Today’s little bitches are getting worse and worse. Before framing someone, they don’t even do their homework—at least put some struggle injuries on the body! Alas, if only they’d watched a few more episodes of legal programs.

The plump girl was momentarily stunned, then said again: “…But the person who knocked me out was Master Ling!”

“That’s hard to say. Some people with peculiar tastes love to knock out girls then swagger away. What if someone saw elder sister fainted and then took advantage of the opportunity?”

“How is that possible?!” The plump girl was in disarray.

“Young Lady Cheng has such a sharp tongue, whitewashing Master Ling’s guilt in just a few words.” The melon-seed-faced girl said in a deep voice. “Ordinary young ladies encountering such matters are both flustered and frightened—how could they explain all these causes and effects clearly?!”

Shaoshang smiled slightly, not reasoning with her at all: “Don’t be angry. Actually I think you’re more beautiful. If I were Master Ling, I’d definitely violate you first. This villain truly has no eye for beauty!”

The melon-seed-faced girl nearly had her nose bent sideways with anger.

Ling Buyi suddenly said: “You came just to watch the excitement, right?”

Shaoshang looked surprised: “How could that be? I came to help Master Ling, mm, ease things a bit…”

“How do you plan to ease things?”

Shaoshang pulled from her sleeve a round, red fruit the size of a fist, turned to smile gently at the plump girl: “Elder sister, don’t be afraid. First eat a purple plum. This was just bestowed on me yesterday by the Empress Your Majesty—I couldn’t bear to eat it myself. You try it. Oh my, don’t be polite…”

Purple plums were indeed rare items. The plump girl tremblingly accepted it and confusedly took a bite.

“Things having reached this point, what does elder sister plan to do in the future?”

The plump girl’s eyes reddened, saying miserably: “What plans can I have? Nothing but to resign myself to fate.” Though she said this, her pair of watery big eyes kept stealing glances at Ling Buyi.

“Mm, resign yourself to fate. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. What if His Majesty grants you much wealth and has you marry someone else?”

“How can that be?” The plump girl was very agitated.

“Why not? Widows remarrying and new wives divorcing aren’t rare matters. You were merely violated—what difficulty is there in marrying someone else?” Shaoshang spoke lightly.

The plump girl’s eyes rolled. She immediately prostrated herself crying: “Though this concubine is lowly, father and brothers also have official ranks and reputations. How can I disgrace the family name? This concubine has already given her body to Master Ling—absolutely cannot shamelessly marry another!”

Shaoshang slapped the floor: “Elder sister is so chaste! Fine, since Master Ling did this wrong deed, we absolutely cannot let elder sister alone suffer the punishment. Naturally we must welcome you through the door.”

At these words, Fifth Princess and the melon-seed-faced girl were both astonished. Neither had expected things would go so smoothly. The melon-seed-faced girl even bit her lip in secret regret.

“You you you—you’re willing to accept me…?” The plump girl was also completely unprepared.

Shaoshang said: “Why would I accept you? It should be Master Ling accepting you. I was born fiercely jealous, unable to accept any concubines. You’re unwilling to marry another—then let me marry another. I’ll break the engagement and marry someone else. How about that?”

Ling Buyi had at first listened quietly. Hearing the words ‘fiercely jealous’ he even showed a slight smile. Who knew hearing the latter part, his face turned iron black.

At this point, the plump girl could finally use the talking points discussed beforehand. She cried out painfully: “Beg Young Lady Cheng to accept me! If because of this concubine, Young Lady Cheng and Master Ling are separated, this concubine’s death ten thousand times couldn’t redeem this crime!” Saying this, she repeatedly kowtowed.

Shaoshang smiled indifferently: “I ask you to marry another and you refuse. I go marry another and you refuse. I haven’t forced you into difficulty, yet you come to force me into difficulty. Ultimately, I’m not the one who violated you—why should I suffer punishment? Forget it, I won’t care about this anymore.”

The melon-seed-faced girl said angrily: “Since Young Lady Cheng won’t care about this matter, what was the point of saying and asking so much?!”

“Weren’t you all targeting me from the start?” Shaoshang said lightly.

The melon-seed-faced girl choked.

“Though this matter involves Master Ling, you were targeting me. Whether I care or not, ultimately it will be pulled onto me. Might as well I speak first myself—I’m most jealous, won’t accept concubines. Whatever bad things you want to spread about me outside, go spread them. Anyway, every time in the end, the one who suffers loss is always me…” She looked toward Ling Buyi, her gaze both challenging and frank.

Ling Buyi looked at her steadily for a while, then turned to ask a nearby palace maid: “The time is about right. Have them bring Fifth Prince up.”

Shaoshang was startled, thinking why look for Fifth Prince? She raised her head questioningly to look at everyone. She saw the Empress, Fifth Princess, even that melon-seed-faced girl all wore faces full of confused incomprehension. Only the plump girl’s gaze flickered, seeming to hold alarm and fear.

Soon, two strong and sturdy eunuchs ‘supported’ the continuously wailing Fifth Prince into the hall, then very skillfully ‘flung’ him before Ling Buyi.

Fifth Prince seemed to have been grabbed from a banquet. The smell of alcohol hadn’t dispersed from his face. Sprawled on the ground, he cried out: “Mother Empress, save me! Shiyilang is going to bully me again! These days I haven’t done anything at all. Mother Empress, save me!”

The Empress said: “Zicheng, why did you invite Fifth Prince here?”

Shaoshang laughed inwardly—Your Majesty, your favoritism is too blatant. Fifth Prince is still collapsed on the ground unable to get up—is this how one ‘invites’?

Ling Buyi didn’t waste words. He rose and dragged up Fifth Prince, forcefully pulling open his collar outward to expose one side of his pale shoulders and back.

Everyone raised their eyes to look. They saw on Fifth Prince’s shoulders and back several blood marks scratched by fingernails, and one extremely obvious bite mark from teeth. Everyone simultaneously drew in sharp breaths—these were marks scratched and bitten by a woman during intimate relations, and moreover the wounds were fresh, clearly made not long ago.

Only Shaoshang’s reaction was a beat slow. She said dumbly: “Eh, Fifth Prince was bitten by someone.”

The Empress looked at her with a smile, then looked at her own daughter—her gaze instantly turned cold. Looking again at Fifth Prince’s embarrassed expression, she basically understood.

Ling Buyi strode forward and picked up the purple plum the plump girl had dropped on the ground when frightened—on it was precisely a circle of tooth marks. Then he held it beside Fifth Prince’s bite mark to compare.

“Eh, Fifth Prince was bitten by this elder sister.” Shaoshang smiled. She felt she understood the meaning of this comparison, but only after a few seconds did she react to what this meant. Though her knowledge of positions wasn’t rich enough, being able to bite this location under clothing obviously wouldn’t be coincidental.

Fifth Princess and the melon-seed-faced girl’s expressions were very ugly. They naturally knew the plump girl already had a lover—otherwise they wouldn’t have selected her. They just hadn’t expected it to be Fifth Prince!

Fifth Prince covered his shoulder and back, repeatedly smiling apologetically to the Empress: “Mother Empress, hehe, Mother Empress don’t be angry. Your son already knew her, hehehe, last night we just… didn’t intentionally misbehave in the palace…”

Ling Buyi released Fifth Prince’s collar and threw down that purple plum with a face full of disgust: “This young lady did indeed have pleasure last night, but not with Ling, rather with Fifth Highness.”

The plump girl was overwhelmed with shame, already prostrated on the ground begging forgiveness.

Fifth Prince exclaimed in surprise: “Ah, naturally it was with me—why drag you in? Ah! You you you…” He suddenly understood, pointing at the plump girl and cursing angrily: “You base slave, are you coveting Shiyilang’s glory and wealth, deliberately implicating him?! I was even planning to take you into my household after establishing my separate residence!”

The plump girl bit her lip in secret resentment, thinking if not for you being out of favor, unable to establish a separate residence for so long, I wouldn’t have volunteered to Fifth Princess to take on this task.

The melon-seed-faced girl, seeing the situation was bad, secretly poked Fifth Princess’s leg.

Fifth Princess understood and said loudly: “It’s all daughter’s fault. Daughter was also deceived. Please Mother Empress forgive. It’s all daughter’s soft ears, believing this slave’s nonsense. Later daughter will slowly interrogate this slave herself…”

“That won’t be necessary.” The Empress was full of disappointment, not even glancing at Fifth Princess. “Someone, send this deceitfully slandering slave together to Consort Yue’s garden to be watched over, then deal with her later.”

Fifth Princess’s heart turned cold. At Consort Yue’s place, she couldn’t move as freely as elsewhere in the palace.

The Empress turned away, tone cold: “…This is how you came to celebrate my birthday. Fine, you all go back.”

The plump girl knew she would definitely be punished this time. She loudly cried out clinging to Fifth Prince’s leg, begging him to save her once for past affections. How would Fifth Prince pay attention to her? He kicked her away angrily and left. Only Fifth Princess, when leaving, looked at her comfortingly. Only then did the plump girl settle down slightly.

Shaoshang quietly stood up, watching this farce hastily conclude. Looking again at the Empress’s lonely figure sitting with her back turned, a sense of desolation suddenly arose in her heart. Carrying a bellyful of concerns, she slowly walked out the hall door. Just as she was about to turn toward her own quarters, unexpectedly from behind a powerful large hand reached out, pulling her in one motion into an empty palace chamber. Before Shaoshang could scream, she was pulled around by the hand and saw clearly who it was.

She didn’t struggle anymore, and didn’t need to scream either.

Ling Buyi looked at her: “Today seeing me suffer baseless humiliation, are you satisfied?”

Shaoshang thought about it and said gleefully: “Pretty satisfied.”

Ling Buyi looked at her for a while: “Did you see that bite mark on Fifth Prince’s shoulder and back?”

“I saw it.” This man is getting more and more unpredictable—how did the conversation turn to this?

“That’s good.” Ling Buyi nodded, then swiftly grasped her arms, pressing the girl backward into his embrace. With one arm he locked around the girl’s petite body, the other hand making as if to pull open her collar. “What if I also bit you in the same location?”

Shaoshang’s entire body froze. The young man’s iron-hard arms were like copper walls and iron ramparts—she couldn’t struggle free at all. Turning her head to look back, she saw his beautifully shaped pale red lips had already opened, revealing white teeth.

She instantly chickened out—

“Don’t don’t don’t, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have laughed at you. Let’s talk nicely, talk nicely!”

“In the beginning, dogs don’t bark—why bite people?!”

“A gentleman uses his mouth, not… don’t use your mouth either!”

“Calm down, absolutely calm down! Don’t be impulsive!”

“Let’s talk properly…!”