Cold Palace
Xing’er knelt on the ground, trembling in fear.
“Xuan, get the physician!” Huangfu Yuchen hurriedly walked over, embraced Yan Ge as he stood up, and held his chin in one hand. With his other hand, he gently moved his hand away, his brow furrowing with evident distress in his eyes. “Let me see.”
*Xuan is Du Zhengfeng.
Xing’er’s strike had indeed been fierce. There was a bloody trail from the corner of Yan Ge’s left eye down to below his ear, the scarlet blood shocking. It felt as if Huang Fuyuchen’s heart had been sliced as well.
Yan Ge opened his mouth, and his cheek stung with a burning sensation. He could only speak softly, “Your Majesty, why have you come?” It was his own fault for being unprepared, which led to such suffering. Xing’er was the same age as Wang Xiang, and she was petite and delicate, like a little Lolita. Who could have imagined that she would be so ruthless?
Song Ruohao looked at Zhou Wenhuan in shock and exclaimed, “Zhou Daying, your heart is so cruel!”
“It’s not—” Zhou Wenhuan began to speak, but before he could finish, Huangfu Yuchen struck him in the chest with a palm. He let out a miserable cry and flew four or five meters away, falling to the ground unconscious.
“Guards! Take him to the Cold Palace!”
Huangfu Yuchen gritted his teeth as he looked at Yan Ge, his mood reaching the point of extreme distress. He held Yan Ge in his arms, his anger evident, and said, “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Song Ruohao looked at their intimate posture, unable to believe his eyes.
Yan Ge struggled uncomfortably. “I didn’t—”
“Don’t move!” Huangfu Yuchen warned sternly, taking him away in big strides. Before leaving, he cast a cold glance at Du Zhengfeng.
Du Zhengfeng had nothing to say and bowed his head deeply.
“Execute that palace maid!” Huang Fuyuchen ordered coldly to Deng Mande.
“Yes.”
Yan Ge hurriedly interjected, “Wait. Your Majesty, isn’t it too hasty to determine Zhou Daying and Xing’er’s guilt based solely on Song Guren’s words? Although Xing’er is indeed Zhou Daying’s person, anyone in the palace could have bribed her.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s anger subsided slightly. “We was blinded by anger. Fine, you don’t have to worry about this matter. Deng Mande!”
“Your servant understands.”
Yan Ge felt a slight lightness in his body and caught a glimpse of the trees around them flashing by. He realized that Huangfu Yuchen had actually utilized light-footed martial arts.
“You also know martial arts?”
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at him, somewhat helpless. At such a time, there was still room for him to pay attention to this matter. “When did We say We didn’t know martial arts? It’s just that We can’t compare to you.”
Back at Tenglong Palace, Huangfu Yuchen carefully examined Yan Ge’s wound once again. Seeing that the blood was still seeping out, his chest felt tight and he reassured, “Don’t worry, the most skilled physicians in the world are in the imperial Hospital. We also have the best scar-removal medicine in the palace. There will definitely be no scars left.”
Yan Ge pressed against the handkerchief, smiling in agreement. Although men didn’t care much about appearance, no one would enjoy having an ugly scar on their face.
His smile at this moment filled Huangfu Yuchen’s heart with bitterness. He raised his palm and rubbed his head, his mind filled with a dense gloom when he thought of Zhou Wenhuan and that palace maid.
“The physician has arrived—”
“So quickly?” Yan Ge’s words fell, and he saw a dark figure flying in with a person in tow.
The dark figure was a shadow guard.
Huangfu Yuchen stopped the physician from performing a salute. “Physician, come and check Yan Changzai’s injury immediately.”
Deng Mande rushed in panting, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I was worried that the delay would worsen Yan Changzai’s condition, so I took the liberty of summoning the shadow guard.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at him in approval. “What’s the crime? Stand up.”
“Your Majesty.”
Physician Zhang examined Yan Ge’s injury, swiftly applied medicine and bandaged it, then regretfully said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Yan Changzai’s injury is not serious, but the wound is somewhat deep. I’m afraid it will leave a scar.”
Huang Fuyuchen’s hand that supported Yan Ge’s shoulder suddenly exerted more force. “Leave a scar? We spend so much silver to support all of you, yet you can’t even resolve a scar?”
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty!” Physician Zhang hastily knelt down.
Yan Ge patted Huangfu Yuchen’s hand gently. “It’s not Physician Zhang’s fault.”
He remained calm, which made Huangfu Yuchen even more distressed. He angrily shouted at Physician Zhang, “Leave!”
Poor Physician Zhang, despite his age, crawled away in a hurry.
Yan Ge felt something on his face and instinctively reached out to touch it, but Huangfu Yuchen stopped his hand. “Don’t scratch. We have the best scar-removal medicine in the palace. Regular application should be effective.”
Yan Ge remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.
Huangfu Yuchen sat down next to him and embraced his waist. “No matter who instructed that palace maid, they will pay the price! Should We interrogate her and Zhou Wenhuan now, or would you like to witness it?”
Yan Ge was about to break free, but Huangfu Yuchen’s words caught his attention. “Yes.”
“Deng Mande.”
Deng Mande shouted, “Bring Zhou Wenhuan and the palace maid, Xing’er, here.”
Xing’er, with a pale face and tear-streaked cheeks, entered and immediately prostrated herself on the ground, resigned to her fate.
Zhou Wenhuan was still unconscious. Deng Mande signaled to a eunuch who was carrying him, and the eunuch twisted Zhou Wenhuan’s arm forcefully.
Zhou Wenhuan regained consciousness and looked around in confusion. He saw two people sitting side by side on a soft couch, one of them dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe.
He finally laid eyes on the Emperor and his eyes lit up, but when he met Huangfu Yuchen’s icy gaze, he immediately remembered what had happened before he fainted. He fell to the ground, pleading, “Your Majesty, I have been wronged! Wronged!”
Huangfu Yuchen kicked him, causing Zhou Wenhuan to grit his teeth in pain. He cast a resentful glance at Huangfu Yuchen but dared not utter a word. Then he turned his gaze to Xing’er and slapped her across the face with a crisp sound.
“It’s all this wretched woman’s fault, Your Majesty! Xing’er, what exactly happened? Is someone deliberately framing me?” Zhou Wenhuan exclaimed.
“My lord, why did you cross the river and tear down the bridge? Isn’t it you who ordered this slave?” Xing’er let out a miserable laugh and said in a low voice.
“You’re talking nonsense!” Zhou Wenhuan was shocked, staring angrily at Xing’er.
Yan Ge frowned. He didn’t call them here to see them accuse each other. He turned to Huangfu Yuchen and said, “Your Majesty.”
Huangfu Yuchen comforted him by patting his back. “Everyone, be quiet. Palace maid Xing’er, We ask you, did Zhou Wenhuan really instruct you to disfigure Yan Changzai’s face?”
Xing’er prostrated herself on the ground. “Yes, Your Majesty, he did.”
Zhou Wenhuan exclaimed in panic, “Your Majesty, she’s lying! I never instructed her to do such a thing!”
“We didn’t ask you,” Huangfu Yuchen said calmly, glancing at Deng Mande.
Deng Mande shouted, “Slap him.”
With a “smack,” Zhou Wenhuan was slapped by the young eunuch. He knelt on the ground, holding his face, and dared not speak, glaring at Xing’er with resentment, but refrained from speaking out.
Huangfu Yuchen looked at Xing’er and said, “I’m asking you, when and where did Zhou Wenhuan order you to do this? Tell me every word, every detail.”
Xing’er replied, “It was yesterday when Yan Changzai sent someone to respond, saying that he would host a banquet for the Young Master. It was around the time of the evening curfew… Zhou Wenhuan called me to a secluded place and instructed me to intentionally break a wine jug during the banquet and use the porcelain shards to cut Yan Changzai’s face…”
“Remote place? Where?” Huangfu Yuchen asked again.
Yan Ge nodded discreetly. Huang Fuyuchen’s interrogation was meticulous, and any small detail could uncover the truth.
Xing’er’s eyes darted around. “I… this slave don’t remember. But it was indeed Young Master Zhou that instructed me.”
Zhou Wenhuan glared at her fiercely, his eyes burning with anger. If it weren’t for the chilling aura emanating from the emperor, he would have already pounced on Xing’er and given her a harsh lesson.
Huangfu Yuchen turned to Zhou Wenhuan and questioned him.
“You claim that you didn’t instruct Xing’er. Do you have any evidence?”
Zhou Wenhuan hurriedly defended himself, “Your Majesty, last night, when the evening curfew began, I had already retired to bed. I never spoke those words to her.”
“And where is the evidence?”
Zhou Wenhuan stammered, “Well…um.. there is no evidence from Xing’er either. Xing’er, Xiao Linzi, and I reside in Chunlu Pavilion. At that time, Xiao Linzi was in his room alone. But, Your Majesty, Xing’er claims it was done under my instruction, and she has no evidence! Your Majesty, Xing’er seems highly suspicious. Last night, when I was preparing to freshen up, I called her for a long time before she finally appeared. Your Majesty, I assure you It was not done by me. Setting aside the fact that I have never thought of harming Yan Changzai, even if I had such intentions, I would not have done it in front of so many people. Your Majesty, please discern the truth!”
“Your Majesty, may I ask them a few questions?” Yan Ge asked Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
Yan Ge locked eyes with Xing’er. “Xing’er, look up.”
Xing’er slowly lifted her head, her eyes evading his gaze.
Yan Ge seemed not to have noticed. “Xing’er, you said Zhou Daying instructed you. Don’t you know that harming a palace consort is a capital offense?”
Xing’er whispered, “this slave am well aware, Your Highness.”
“Then why did you still do it?”
“Zhou Daying is my master, and if he orders, I dare not disobey.”
Yan Ge chuckled lightly. “So, you consider yourself a loyal servant?”
“Yes.”
Yan Ge turned to Zhou Wenhuan.
Finally, Zhou Wenhuan showed some intelligence. “Your Majesty, Yan Changzai, she’s lying! Zhou Daying has a bad temper and often gets angry with her and Xiao Linzi, how could she be so loyal to me? If Your Majesty and Yan Changzai don’t believe me, you can ask Xiao Linzi or the others in Chunfeng Palace.”
Xing’er became anxious and quickly changed her statement. “This slave lied. Master Zhou promised me rewards… This slave only agreed because of the rewards he offered.”
“Oh?” Yan Ge pressed on, step by step. “Did he give you gold, silver, or jewelry? Where did you keep them?”
Xing’er struggled to speak, unable to come up with an answer. Suddenly, she threw out a sentence and slammed her head onto the ground.
“It was Master Zhou who instructed this slave—”
Yan Ge was startled. “Stop her!”
The guards rushed forward, but they were a step too slow. Xing’er’s head hit the ground heavily, and blood spilled all over the floor.
Deng Mande quickly walked over to check her breath.
Yan Ge asked in a hoarse voice, “Is she still breathing?”
Deng Mande shook his head. “Reporting to Yan Changzai, she’s gone.”
Yan Ge felt a chill throughout his body. Although he had long known the brutality of the court, it was only when he witnessed a living being vanish before his eyes that he truly experienced it.
A warm kiss gently landed on his forehead as Huangfu Yuchen looked at him gently. “Don’t think too much; it’s not your fault.”
He held Yan Ge In his arms, then instructed Deng Mande, “Send Zhou Wenhuan to the cold palace.”
Zhou Wenhuan awakened from his fear and exclaimed, “Your Majesty! It truly wasn’t under my instruction! Xing’er, she’s feeling guilty, that’s why she—”
A clever eunuch quickly covered his mouth and dragged him away.
–“Ding. Side mission—send 1 love rival – Zhou Wenhuan to the cold palace, mission accomplished. Reward: 400 taels of silver and one silver chest. Would you like to open the silver chest now?”
Yan Ge selected “No”. He had received the reward, but he couldn’t feel any joy.
Cold Palace
Xing’er knelt on the ground, trembling in fear.
“Xuan, get the physician!” Huangfu Yuchen hurriedly walked over, embraced Yan Ge as he stood up, and held his chin in one hand. With his other hand, he gently moved his hand away, his brow furrowing with evident distress in his eyes. “Let me see.”
*Xuan is Du Zhengfeng.
Xing’er’s strike had indeed been fierce. There was a bloody trail from the corner of Yan Ge’s left eye down to below his ear, the scarlet blood shocking. It felt as if Huang Fuyuchen’s heart had been sliced as well.
Yan Ge opened his mouth, and his cheek stung with a burning sensation. He could only speak softly, “Your Majesty, why have you come?” It was his own fault for being unprepared, which led to such suffering. Xing’er was the same age as Wang Xiang, and she was petite and delicate, like a little Lolita. Who could have imagined that she would be so ruthless?
Song Ruohao looked at Zhou Wenhuan in shock and exclaimed, “Zhou Daying, your heart is so cruel!”
“It’s not—” Zhou Wenhuan began to speak, but before he could finish, Huangfu Yuchen struck him in the chest with a palm. He let out a miserable cry and flew four or five meters away, falling to the ground unconscious.
“Guards! Take him to the Cold Palace!”
Huangfu Yuchen gritted his teeth as he looked at Yan Ge, his mood reaching the point of extreme distress. He held Yan Ge in his arms, his anger evident, and said, “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Song Ruohao looked at their intimate posture, unable to believe his eyes.
Yan Ge struggled uncomfortably. “I didn’t—”
“Don’t move!” Huangfu Yuchen warned sternly, taking him away in big strides. Before leaving, he cast a cold glance at Du Zhengfeng.
Du Zhengfeng had nothing to say and bowed his head deeply.
“Execute that palace maid!” Huang Fuyuchen ordered coldly to Deng Mande.
“Yes.”
Yan Ge hurriedly interjected, “Wait. Your Majesty, isn’t it too hasty to determine Zhou Daying and Xing’er’s guilt based solely on Song Guren’s words? Although Xing’er is indeed Zhou Daying’s person, anyone in the palace could have bribed her.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s anger subsided slightly. “We was blinded by anger. Fine, you don’t have to worry about this matter. Deng Mande!”
“Your servant understands.”
Yan Ge felt a slight lightness in his body and caught a glimpse of the trees around them flashing by. He realized that Huangfu Yuchen had actually utilized light-footed martial arts.
“You also know martial arts?”
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at him, somewhat helpless. At such a time, there was still room for him to pay attention to this matter. “When did We say We didn’t know martial arts? It’s just that We can’t compare to you.”
Back at Tenglong Palace, Huangfu Yuchen carefully examined Yan Ge’s wound once again. Seeing that the blood was still seeping out, his chest felt tight and he reassured, “Don’t worry, the most skilled physicians in the world are in the imperial Hospital. We also have the best scar-removal medicine in the palace. There will definitely be no scars left.”
Yan Ge pressed against the handkerchief, smiling in agreement. Although men didn’t care much about appearance, no one would enjoy having an ugly scar on their face.
His smile at this moment filled Huangfu Yuchen’s heart with bitterness. He raised his palm and rubbed his head, his mind filled with a dense gloom when he thought of Zhou Wenhuan and that palace maid.
“The physician has arrived—”
“So quickly?” Yan Ge’s words fell, and he saw a dark figure flying in with a person in tow.
The dark figure was a shadow guard.
Huangfu Yuchen stopped the physician from performing a salute. “Physician, come and check Yan Changzai’s injury immediately.”
Deng Mande rushed in panting, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I was worried that the delay would worsen Yan Changzai’s condition, so I took the liberty of summoning the shadow guard.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at him in approval. “What’s the crime? Stand up.”
“Your Majesty.”
Physician Zhang examined Yan Ge’s injury, swiftly applied medicine and bandaged it, then regretfully said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Yan Changzai’s injury is not serious, but the wound is somewhat deep. I’m afraid it will leave a scar.”
Huang Fuyuchen’s hand that supported Yan Ge’s shoulder suddenly exerted more force. “Leave a scar? We spend so much silver to support all of you, yet you can’t even resolve a scar?”
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty!” Physician Zhang hastily knelt down.
Yan Ge patted Huangfu Yuchen’s hand gently. “It’s not Physician Zhang’s fault.”
He remained calm, which made Huangfu Yuchen even more distressed. He angrily shouted at Physician Zhang, “Leave!”
Poor Physician Zhang, despite his age, crawled away in a hurry.
Yan Ge felt something on his face and instinctively reached out to touch it, but Huangfu Yuchen stopped his hand. “Don’t scratch. We have the best scar-removal medicine in the palace. Regular application should be effective.”
Yan Ge remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.
Huangfu Yuchen sat down next to him and embraced his waist. “No matter who instructed that palace maid, they will pay the price! Should We interrogate her and Zhou Wenhuan now, or would you like to witness it?”
Yan Ge was about to break free, but Huangfu Yuchen’s words caught his attention. “Yes.”
“Deng Mande.”
Deng Mande shouted, “Bring Zhou Wenhuan and the palace maid, Xing’er, here.”
Xing’er, with a pale face and tear-streaked cheeks, entered and immediately prostrated herself on the ground, resigned to her fate.
Zhou Wenhuan was still unconscious. Deng Mande signaled to a eunuch who was carrying him, and the eunuch twisted Zhou Wenhuan’s arm forcefully.
Zhou Wenhuan regained consciousness and looked around in confusion. He saw two people sitting side by side on a soft couch, one of them dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe.
He finally laid eyes on the Emperor and his eyes lit up, but when he met Huangfu Yuchen’s icy gaze, he immediately remembered what had happened before he fainted. He fell to the ground, pleading, “Your Majesty, I have been wronged! Wronged!”
Huangfu Yuchen kicked him, causing Zhou Wenhuan to grit his teeth in pain. He cast a resentful glance at Huangfu Yuchen but dared not utter a word. Then he turned his gaze to Xing’er and slapped her across the face with a crisp sound.
“It’s all this wretched woman’s fault, Your Majesty! Xing’er, what exactly happened? Is someone deliberately framing me?” Zhou Wenhuan exclaimed.
“My lord, why did you cross the river and tear down the bridge? Isn’t it you who ordered this slave?” Xing’er let out a miserable laugh and said in a low voice.
“You’re talking nonsense!” Zhou Wenhuan was shocked, staring angrily at Xing’er.
Yan Ge frowned. He didn’t call them here to see them accuse each other. He turned to Huangfu Yuchen and said, “Your Majesty.”
Huangfu Yuchen comforted him by patting his back. “Everyone, be quiet. Palace maid Xing’er, We ask you, did Zhou Wenhuan really instruct you to disfigure Yan Changzai’s face?”
Xing’er prostrated herself on the ground. “Yes, Your Majesty, he did.”
Zhou Wenhuan exclaimed in panic, “Your Majesty, she’s lying! I never instructed her to do such a thing!”
“We didn’t ask you,” Huangfu Yuchen said calmly, glancing at Deng Mande.
Deng Mande shouted, “Slap him.”
With a “smack,” Zhou Wenhuan was slapped by the young eunuch. He knelt on the ground, holding his face, and dared not speak, glaring at Xing’er with resentment, but refrained from speaking out.
Huangfu Yuchen looked at Xing’er and said, “I’m asking you, when and where did Zhou Wenhuan order you to do this? Tell me every word, every detail.”
Xing’er replied, “It was yesterday when Yan Changzai sent someone to respond, saying that he would host a banquet for the Young Master. It was around the time of the evening curfew… Zhou Wenhuan called me to a secluded place and instructed me to intentionally break a wine jug during the banquet and use the porcelain shards to cut Yan Changzai’s face…”
“Remote place? Where?” Huangfu Yuchen asked again.
Yan Ge nodded discreetly. Huang Fuyuchen’s interrogation was meticulous, and any small detail could uncover the truth.
Xing’er’s eyes darted around. “I… this slave don’t remember. But it was indeed Young Master Zhou that instructed me.”
Zhou Wenhuan glared at her fiercely, his eyes burning with anger. If it weren’t for the chilling aura emanating from the emperor, he would have already pounced on Xing’er and given her a harsh lesson.
Huangfu Yuchen turned to Zhou Wenhuan and questioned him.
“You claim that you didn’t instruct Xing’er. Do you have any evidence?”
Zhou Wenhuan hurriedly defended himself, “Your Majesty, last night, when the evening curfew began, I had already retired to bed. I never spoke those words to her.”
“And where is the evidence?”
Zhou Wenhuan stammered, “Well…um.. there is no evidence from Xing’er either. Xing’er, Xiao Linzi, and I reside in Chunlu Pavilion. At that time, Xiao Linzi was in his room alone. But, Your Majesty, Xing’er claims it was done under my instruction, and she has no evidence! Your Majesty, Xing’er seems highly suspicious. Last night, when I was preparing to freshen up, I called her for a long time before she finally appeared. Your Majesty, I assure you It was not done by me. Setting aside the fact that I have never thought of harming Yan Changzai, even if I had such intentions, I would not have done it in front of so many people. Your Majesty, please discern the truth!”
“Your Majesty, may I ask them a few questions?” Yan Ge asked Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
Yan Ge locked eyes with Xing’er. “Xing’er, look up.”
Xing’er slowly lifted her head, her eyes evading his gaze.
Yan Ge seemed not to have noticed. “Xing’er, you said Zhou Daying instructed you. Don’t you know that harming a palace consort is a capital offense?”
Xing’er whispered, “this slave am well aware, Your Highness.”
“Then why did you still do it?”
“Zhou Daying is my master, and if he orders, I dare not disobey.”
Yan Ge chuckled lightly. “So, you consider yourself a loyal servant?”
“Yes.”
Yan Ge turned to Zhou Wenhuan.
Finally, Zhou Wenhuan showed some intelligence. “Your Majesty, Yan Changzai, she’s lying! Zhou Daying has a bad temper and often gets angry with her and Xiao Linzi, how could she be so loyal to me? If Your Majesty and Yan Changzai don’t believe me, you can ask Xiao Linzi or the others in Chunfeng Palace.”
Xing’er became anxious and quickly changed her statement. “This slave lied. Master Zhou promised me rewards… This slave only agreed because of the rewards he offered.”
“Oh?” Yan Ge pressed on, step by step. “Did he give you gold, silver, or jewelry? Where did you keep them?”
Xing’er struggled to speak, unable to come up with an answer. Suddenly, she threw out a sentence and slammed her head onto the ground.
“It was Master Zhou who instructed this slave—”
Yan Ge was startled. “Stop her!”
The guards rushed forward, but they were a step too slow. Xing’er’s head hit the ground heavily, and blood spilled all over the floor.
Deng Mande quickly walked over to check her breath.
Yan Ge asked in a hoarse voice, “Is she still breathing?”
Deng Mande shook his head. “Reporting to Yan Changzai, she’s gone.”
Yan Ge felt a chill throughout his body. Although he had long known the brutality of the court, it was only when he witnessed a living being vanish before his eyes that he truly experienced it.
A warm kiss gently landed on his forehead as Huangfu Yuchen looked at him gently. “Don’t think too much; it’s not your fault.”
He held Yan Ge In his arms, then instructed Deng Mande, “Send Zhou Wenhuan to the cold palace.”
Zhou Wenhuan awakened from his fear and exclaimed, “Your Majesty! It truly wasn’t under my instruction! Xing’er, she’s feeling guilty, that’s why she—”
A clever eunuch quickly covered his mouth and dragged him away.
–“Ding. Side mission—send 1 love rival – Zhou Wenhuan to the cold palace, mission accomplished. Reward: 400 taels of silver and one silver chest. Would you like to open the silver chest now?”
Yan Ge selected “No”. He had received the reward, but he couldn’t feel any joy.
