The Night Before Leaving the Palace, Reduced to the Tyrant's Plaything - chapter 5

Wanyu hurriedly shook her head, the two plain white pearl earrings on her delicate earlobes swaying gently.

Qi Rang’s phoenix eyes narrowed, fixing on the two swaying pearls. “I don’t believe you, unless you prove it to me.”

Wanyu lifted her eyelids slightly, looking at him with a questioning gaze, unsure how he wanted her to prove it.

Qi Rang patted the dragon bed, his tone cool: “Get up here.”

Wanyu’s heart sank, and she instinctively retreated.

Qi Rang’s pupils contracted sharply, his gaze turning icy and blade-like. “If you’re not disgusted, why are you avoiding me? I have always despised two-faced women the most. You and your sister are both liars!”

Wanyu hurriedly knelt down and bowed her head to the floor.

“All you know is how to kowtow. Can you do anything else besides kowtow?” Qi Rang suddenly grabbed her collar, dragging her in front of him, pinning her between his knees.

Wanyu’s body was suddenly clamped tightly by two strong legs. A large hand pressed the back of her head, forcing her down toward his abdomen. Her forehead crashed hard into the man’s firm abs.

In her daze, she seemed to understand Qi Rang’s intentions. Her mind buzzed, and she could no longer remain calm. She bit him fiercely on the stomach, and while he was in pain, she used all her strength to break free from between his legs and darted out.

“Get back here!”

Qi Rang’s furious roar came from behind.

Wanyu ignored it completely, running out without looking back.

She didn’t even know where she could run to. Panic and a sense of hopeless despair filled her heart.

Tears burst from her eyes, blurring her vision. This magnificent yet icy palace was so vast, it felt as if she could never escape.

Behind her, Qi Rang chased after her, catching the back of her clothes just before she reached the door.

He grabbed her so hard it was as if eagle talons were piercing her flesh, ready to rip out her bleeding heart.

“Ah, ah…”

Wanyu let out a fearful, hoarse cry, struggling with every last ounce of strength.

This desperate burst of energy was astonishing; she broke free of Qi Rang’s grasp, her body unable to stop as she tumbled forward.

“Wanyu!” Qi Rang called her name, his voice out of control.

A shadow flashed outside the door-a figure in a black robe embroidered with golden pythons appeared at the entrance, bringing a cold wind with him. Wanyu crashed solidly into his arms.

Her slender, frail body was steadily supported by the man. A gentle yet smiling voice sounded above her head.

“Well now, what wind is blowing today? Miss Wanyu is throwing herself into my arms. Could it be that she has feelings for me?”

Recognizing the voice, Wanyu’s tears burst forth like a dam breaking.

But she could not cry in front of the Emperor. Pressed against the man’s chest, she let the fabric embroidered with gold threads absorb her tears, slowly straightened herself, and lowered her head like a frightened quail.

Qi Rang slowly placed his hands behind his back, cleared his throat, and regained the calm composure of an emperor.

“Chief Xu, what brings you here at this time?”

The young Seal Holder, Xu Qingzhan, bowed to the Emperor. “The Eastern Depot has uncovered clues regarding the Eldest Prince’s supporters. I came to report to Your Majesty.”

After speaking, he glanced at Wanyu. “It seems I’ve come at a bad time. Is Your Majesty playing ‘Eagle Catches the Chicks’ with Miss Wanyu?”

Qi Rang’s face darkened in displeasure. “Enough nonsense. Come in with me.”

“Should Miss Wanyu come in as well?” Xu Qingzhan asked.

Qi Rang snorted coldly. “Let her kneel outside the hall. Until I call for her, she is to stay kneeling.”

Wanyu immediately obeyed, walking out and kneeling stiffly outside the hall.

Xu Qingzhan gave her another glance, then entered and closed the palace doors.

The few people waiting outside had all been scared stiff. Only after the doors closed did they let out a long breath as if their souls had returned.

Sun Liangyan hesitated for a moment, then walked over to Wanyu with his Horsetail Whisk in his arms, asking softly, “How did you end up offending His Majesty?”

Wanyu knelt motionless on the ground, not lifting her head.

Sun Liangyan sighed, shook his head, and walked away.

Dusk fell, the palace lanterns before the hall had been lit, and cold wind howled across the empty palace forecourt. The Wind Chime on the eaves jingled in the wind.
Wanyu knelt on the cold, hard floor tiles, sharp pains stabbing through her knees.

In the palace, few of the Palace Maids and eunuchs had healthy knees. They could stand for half a day at a time, had to kneel whenever they saw their masters, and kneel again if their masters were displeased. Their quarters had no heated floors, so in the depths of winter, they just froze.

She had entered the palace late-only at fifteen, when she came of age. Many others had come at eleven or twelve. By the time a Palace Maid served until twenty and left the palace, her knees were no better than those of someone in their forties or fifties.

The eunuchs had it even worse-once they entered the palace, it was for life.

Wanyu’s mind wandered aimlessly. She had no idea how long she had been kneeling; her knees gradually grew numb and lost all feeling.

The wind blew harder and harder, seeping in through every gap in her clothes, the cold biting to the bone.

Sun Liangyan and a few young eunuchs kept glancing at her, a trace of pity in their eyes.

But since the Emperor himself had ordered this punishment, no one could kneel in her place. All they could do was hope that the news the Seal Holder was bringing would please the Emperor; if His Majesty was happy, perhaps he would spare her further punishment.

After a while longer, night fell completely. The wind lessened a bit, and fine, powdery snow began to fall from the sky, pattering softly against the glazed tiles of the palace roof.

Fuzi whispered to Sun Liangyan, “Master, it’s snowing-what will happen to Gugu Wanyu?”

“If you’re asking me, who should I ask?” Sun Liangyan replied. “All I can do is send her two patches of medicine for her knees after this. What else can I do?”

Fuzi shrank his neck and fell silent.

Just then, the palace doors creaked open, and Xu Qingzhan stepped out.

Sun Liangyan flicked his Horsetail Whisk and approached with a smile. “Seal Holder, have you finished speaking with His Majesty?”

“Mm.” Xu Qingzhan gave a faint acknowledgment, his gaze falling on the thin figure kneeling upright in the lamplight.

At some point, the fine snow had turned into swirling flakes. In the glow of the palace lanterns, the snow spun and danced, landing silently all over her, as if she were a snow sculpture before the hall.

“It’s snowing?” Xu Qingzhan looked up at the sky, his flawless features taking on a subtle, androgynous beauty in the dim golden light.

This favored confidant at the Emperor’s side-his beauty was real, but so was his ruthlessness. In private, people called him the “serpentine beauty.”

Truth be told, a term usually used for women had never been more apt for a man.

“Indeed, it’s the first snow of the year,” Sun Liangyan replied, then waved at Fuzi. “Can’t you see what’s happening? Go fetch an umbrella for the Seal Holder!”

Fuzi quickly agreed, scampering off to get an umbrella. He opened it and held it above Xu Qingzhan’s head. “Seal Holder, allow me to see you back.”

“No need. I’ll manage myself.” Xu Qingzhan took the umbrella from him and strode out into the snow.

“Seal Holder-” Sun Liangyan called out to him again.

Xu Qingzhan turned. “Chief Steward Sun, what is it?”

“I wouldn’t dare give orders,” Sun Liangyan replied, tilting his chin toward Wanyu and lowering his voice. “Look at how the snow’s coming down. Have some mercy-would you speak to the Emperor on her behalf?”

Xu Qingzhan said nothing, but turned and walked straight toward Wanyu.

“Miss Wanyu, you may rise. His Majesty grants you leave to rest.”

“……”

Sun Liangyan and Fuzi exchanged glances.

So the Emperor had already relented. Why hadn’t Chief Xu said so earlier? He’d made her kneel half the night for nothing.

Wanyu pushed against the ground, struggling to her feet.

A stabbing pain shot through her stiff knees; she staggered, nearly falling.

Sun Liangyan and Fuzi were both startled.

Luckily, Xu Qingzhan reached out and caught her in time.

“Careful, Miss Wanyu. If you get hurt, you won’t be able to serve His Majesty.”

He said this loudly, then leaned in and murmured softly, “Hang in there. He’s rushing back day and night, wanting to be at the palace gates when you leave.”

Wanyu suddenly looked up, and at last, a flicker of emotion broke through the cold stiffness of her face.
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