Chapter 272: Torment

“Prince of Chu really puts on airs now, doesn’t he? Seeing me and not bowing or kneeling.”

Princess Jinyu looked outside the hall, scolding angrily.

“Don’t forget how you survived. In the eyes of the world, I am your reborn parent.”

“Is this how you treat your parents?”

“Your father was convicted of treason for defying the former Emperor, stripped of the Li surname, and demoted to a commoner.”

“Now, by the Emperor’s grace, your father’s Li surname has been restored.”

“Yet you are now disrespectful, unfilial, and disobedient towards me.”

She let out a cold laugh.

“You can disregard your reputation, but aren’t you afraid the world will say ‘like father, like son’?”

“Aren’t you afraid of tarnishing your father’s hard-won restored face, being labeled as unfilial rebels, and also disregarding the Emperor’s face?”

“His Majesty restored your father’s identity, allowing you to return to the royal family from anonymity. Is this how you repay him?”

“Do you want him to be ridiculed by the world for his poor judgment and incompetence?”

Hearing Princess Jinyu’s accusations, Imperial Consort Shangguan’s face stiffened. He glanced at the several advisors standing in the hall.

The advisors nodded their heads with satisfied smiles.

Although Princess Jinyu was uneducated, her status and position were undeniable. With a little coaching, her words carried significant weight.

Li Yu gripped Bai Li’s hand tightly, only to have her squeeze back, gently patting his hand.

“Don’t clash with her directly,” she whispered, looking at Li Yu. “The Imperial Consort is also present; don’t make things difficult for him.”

Li Yu stiffened again. Indeed, if he angered Princess Jinyu, and then left, she would surely vent her anger on the Imperial Consort.

He turned his head towards the hall. Princess Jinyu stood while Imperial Consort Shangguan sat beside her, shrouded by her shadow. Despite this, he could see the worry in the Imperial Consort’s eyes.

The Imperial Consort was worried about him.

The Imperial Consort never worried about himself.

The last time, he had openly displayed his men’s strength before Princess Jinyu, thrown down the broken sticks, and left. He wondered how Princess Jinyu had treated the Imperial Consort afterward…

He turned and knelt towards the hall.

“Nephew knows that Aunt dislikes me, so I dare not appear before you.”

Princess Jinyu looked at the kneeling young man, her expression smug yet hateful. So what if he borrowed the Emperor’s authority this time? He couldn’t borrow it every time. No matter what, she was his elder! She was also the Emperor’s older sister!

It was only natural for elders to discipline juniors.

“Is that so? You know I dislike you?” she said coldly. “Then why haven’t you tried to please me? Haven’t you heard the story of pleasing one’s parents with colorful clothes?”

First, she’d whip him a couple of times for her own amusement! How dare he threaten her with sticks last time! It was a great humiliation! Princess Jinyu was about to call for someone when she saw the woman standing behind Li Yu in the corner of her eye…

She had forgotten about her!

This vixen!

“Kneel down!”

She shouted.

Li Yu looked up at the woman, his expression apologetic and worried.

He actually treasured this maid so much! How absurd! No matter how beautiful, she was just a plaything! Why should a plaything be given status, power…

Princess Jinyu heard herself gritting her teeth.

Why hadn’t she knelt yet! Someone of her status wasn’t even qualified to kneel before her in the past!

No, she wouldn’t let her kneel. Kneeling was too lenient.

Those ugly advisors had said that cruelty didn’t need to be displayed; it only needed to be felt by the one being mistreated.

Princess Jinyu’s gaze fell upon the woman, a smile spreading across her face.

“Since His Majesty has allowed you to become the Princess of Chu, you can naturally call me Aunt.”

She raised her hand.

“Come, serve me tea.”

Although the woman hadn’t knelt with Li Yu, upon hearing Princess Jinyu’s words, she immediately responded respectfully with a “Yes,” and stepped forward.

Li Yu, still kneeling, reached out and grabbed her.

“Ah Li!” he said, shaking his head.

Princess Jinyu’s simple tea serving request was a trap. He had witnessed Princess Jinyu’s malicious methods since childhood. How many lives were buried beneath the blooming flowers in the Princess’s Residence garden?

Of course, he knew Princess Jinyu wouldn’t truly threaten Bai Li’s life, as she was his Princess of Chu after all.

But he couldn’t allow Bai Li to be tormented either.

“Let’s go,” Li Yu whispered.

Defiance be damned.

Reputation didn’t matter.

As he spoke, he rose, feeling Bai Li’s hand also exert force, pulling him up. But as he was about to turn, Bai Li’s hand pushed him forward.

“Aunt has spoken, don’t kneel anymore,” she said with a smile. “Let’s go in quickly.”

Go in? Li Yu was stunned, and hurriedly whispered, “Ah Li, don’t mind her.”

Bai Li smiled and whispered close to him, “Don’t worry, you don’t know how capable I am yet.”

Capable, she indeed was… Li Yu hesitated for a moment, then Bai Li released his hand.

“Thank you, Aunt,” she said, looking towards the hall and stepping forward.

Li Yu hurriedly followed, entering the hall and standing in front of her.

“Greetings, Imperial Consort,” Bai Li said, curtseying.

Imperial Consort Shangguan looked at her, his eyes also filled with worry, and stood up.

“Serve tea before the courtesy,”

Princess Jinyu’s cold voice came.

“If she doesn’t serve me tea here, he cannot accept your courtesy.”

Bai Li responded with a “Yes” and then looked at Li Yu. “I’ll go serve Aunt; you go and chat with the Imperial Consort.”

Chat with the Imperial Consort? They were all in the same hall, what was there to chat about? Li Yu felt that Bai Li’s words were a bit strange, but since she had said so, he followed her instructions and walked over to Imperial Consort Shangguan.

Imperial Consort Shangguan stood up, exchanged a glance with Li Yu, and then looked at Princess Jinyu, who had already turned and sat down. At the same time, she ordered two palace maids, “Bring hot tea.” After saying that, she looked at Bai Li with a faint smile and instructed two other palace maids, “Bring the jewelry. If I’m satisfied with this cup of tea, there will be a handsome reward.”

The two palace maids left as instructed.

Bai Li stood quietly before Princess Jinyu.

Imperial Consort Shangguan looked worried, but then looked at Li Yu with a hint of relief. “As long as you two are well, I’m at ease.”

From that short scene just now, he could see that Li Yu’s gaze and actions were truly caring and protective of this wife, and he wasn’t just randomly marrying a maid to appease others.

And this maid wasn’t arrogant or spoiled, nor was she timid or cowardly. She actively protected Li Yu, not hesitating to face the Princess.

They were in love and supported each other. This was good, this was good. Li Yu would no longer experience his regrets. No matter how bitter fate was, his heart had a place of warmth.

Li Yu scrutinized Imperial Consort Shangguan and asked in a low voice, “Did she vent her anger on you?”

The smile in Imperial Consort Shangguan’s eyes faded, and he softly said, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Li Yu was about to say something when his expression froze, his gaze fixed on Princess Jinyu’s side. Imperial Consort Shangguan also looked over, his eyes narrowing.

The four palace maids who had received Princess Jinyu’s orders returned. One held a white porcelain teacup, one carried a copper kettle, and the other two held two boxes of jewelry, dazzling and luxurious.

But both Imperial Consort Shangguan and Li Yu’s gazes fell upon the copper kettle, especially the palace maid’s hand gripping the handle and the one supporting the bottom, both wrapped in thick cloth.

It was conceivable that the kettle must be filled with boiling hot water.

Princess Jinyu, she was going to…! Both Imperial Consort Shangguan and Li Yu’s faces drastically changed.

“I like to drink freshly brewed tea,” Princess Jinyu leaned back, smiling at the standing maid. “That way, the tea fragrance is the most pleasant.”

She gestured to the palace maid.

“Give it to her.”

The palace maid handed the teacup to Bai Li. As Bai Li took the teacup, the palace maid carrying the copper kettle stepped forward.

“Brew a cup of tea,” Princess Jinyu continued. “If I’m satisfied with it, these rewards are all yours.”

She looked at the woman’s hand holding the teacup.

If the palace maid’s hand trembled accidentally, or if this maid-turned-Princess of Chu’s hand trembled herself, and the boiling water didn’t land in the teacup but spilled onto her hand, that couldn’t be considered mistreatment, right?

It was only natural for a junior to serve tea to an elder.

Who told her to have bad luck?

Besides, she, as the elder, was even generously giving gold and silver jewelry.

She truly was a benevolent elder.

Princess Jinyu’s eyes gleamed with malice and excitement, watching the hands before her.

The teacup was a masterpiece, exquisite and flawless, but the hands holding it were in no way inferior, like white porcelain, like jade carvings.

These hands were about to be scalded by boiling hot water, becoming festering and mangled, like flowers trampled and crushed.

The palace maid raised her hand, watching the copper kettle tilt, watching the water pour out… So hot.

So very hot.

It hurts!

Princess Jinyu cried out in pain, jumping up from her chair.

✿✿✿

“I’m burning up!” she shouted.

She subconsciously raised her hand to hit the palace maid beside her, but found no one there.

On the desk before her was an overturned teacup, tea spilling across the surface.

The tinkling sound of a *guqin* and a woman’s soft laughter reached her ears.

“Jinyu, how can you be so clumsy? You said you’d pour me tea, but you almost scalded me!”

Princess Jinyu instinctively forced a smile. “Your Majesty, you misunderstand! How could I possibly scald you?”

Only after speaking did she turn her head, looking at the woman seated beside her.

She wore a magnificent crimson dress, a fan swaying in her hand. Behind her, a screen depicted a hundred flowers in bloom, mirroring the scene surrounding them.

This was the Imperial Flower Garden, where flowers of all kinds were cultivated. But since that woman’s arrival, and especially since she became Empress, flowers of all four seasons bloomed simultaneously.

Like a divine miracle.

She withdrew her gaze from the flowers and looked at Princess Jinyu.

Princess Jinyu felt that gaze like a hand, clutching at her heart.

“Whether you would or not doesn’t concern me,” the woman chuckled softly. “As long as you don’t dare.”

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to the side.

“Shen Qing, play the *guqin* more softly. I can’t hear the cries of pain.”

Shen Qing.

Princess Jinyu instinctively followed her gaze and saw a man seated beside the screen, playing the *guqin*.

Hearing her words, the man looked up and smiled. “I didn’t want to disturb Your Majesty’s enjoyment.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Your *guqin* playing is just so-so. I much prefer the sound of human cries.”

Her words sent a chill down one’s spine. Princess Jinyu couldn’t help but tremble. The *guqin* music did indeed become quieter, and amidst the Empress’s words, Princess Jinyu heard the muffled sounds of blows and what seemed like human screams.

She said “seemed” because the cries were so short and weak, that if one didn’t listen carefully, they wouldn’t sound human.

Princess Jinyu’s gaze followed the sounds, past the blooming flowers, to where two guards were wielding clubs, beating someone.

The person, dressed in rich and luxurious clothing, was plump, but now lay sprawled on the ground, beaten to a pulp.

Despite his battered state, Princess Jinyu recognized him instantly. Her voice hoarse, she murmured, “Cao Junma.”

He was her cousin’s husband. Not only was her cousin an Imperial Princess, but this husband also came from a prominent family, pampered and extravagant. In winter, when he found the smell of charcoal offensive for heating, he would buy more than ten servant girls to warm him with their bodies, dressed only in thin clothing.

His skin was so fair that not even a mosquito bite could be found on it.

Now, he was beaten to such a state.

“Cao Junma seized fertile land and killed so many people to build a polo field. He claims he didn’t know how many blows it would take, that he didn’t know those people would be in pain because they didn’t cry out.”

The Empress’s voice drifted over.

“This palace also finds it strange. How can someone not cry out in pain? So, I asked Cao Junma to try it himself.”

She laughed as she said this.

“Indeed, after just a few blows, Cao Junma stopped crying out.”

“Jinyu.”

Her name suddenly called, Princess Jinyu shuddered, letting out another cry, then met the Empress’s eyes.

Eyes that held both the allure of autumn waters and the biting chill of midwinter.

“Go ask Cao Junma why he doesn’t feel pain anymore, why he’s not crying out.”

Princess Jinyu’s legs felt weak. Looking at the raised clubs, dripping with blood and flesh, she knew that if she went over there, those clubs would fall on her too.

“Your Majesty, if he’s not crying, then he’s not in pain. There’s no need to ask,” she said, forcing a smile.

The Empress looked at her. “Is that so?” Suddenly, her gaze shifted past her, a smile appearing on her face. “Forget it. You’re a precious princess. Such errands are not for you.”

She gestured with her chin.

“There’s a young lady playing over there. Call her and let her ask.”

Princess Jinyu instinctively turned her head and saw a shimmering lake. A graceful woman stood by the shore, admiring the view.

Her body instantly stiffened, a chill running down her spine. Motionless, she watched as the woman turned, her face as beautiful as a flower.

Third Miss Du.

Princess Jinyu screamed the name in her heart, her composure shattering.

“Oh, I think I see…”

The motionless Imperial Consort’s Husband, his face wooden, suddenly stirred. He murmured something, his eyes moving.

Li Yu, standing beside him, jolted, his eyes fixed on Princess Jinyu and Bai Li.

Princess Jinyu and Bai Li remained unchanged.

Princess Jinyu sat, Bai Li held a teacup, neither moving.

The other people in the hall were the same: the palace maid holding the pot, the eunuchs standing respectfully, the advisors frozen with smiles.

The hall was like a stagnant pool, the summer breeze locked outside.

Li Yu instantly realized something was wrong. He knew that Bai Li had pulled them into an illusion and understood what she meant by asking him to stay with the Imperial Consort’s Husband.

He could remain conscious within the illusion, but the Imperial Consort’s Husband couldn’t.

The Imperial Consort’s Husband’s previously wooden face moved. His vacant eyes focused on something, joy and tears welling up. “San Niang,” he murmured, raising his hand as if to grasp something.

Li Yu raised his hand and covered the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s eyes.

“Fuma, you didn’t see anything,” he whispered, his other hand gripping the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s raised hand.

What you saw was fake.

Don’t be deceived, don’t indulge, don’t go.

The Imperial Consort’s Husband stiffened again, seeming agitated. Then, a woman’s scream shattered the silence.

“I won’t go! I won’t go! I want to plant flowers!”

Li Yu looked over and saw Princess Jinyu jump up from her chair. Something seemed to tear and shatter before his eyes.

“I want to plant flowers! Let me plant flowers! I want to plant flowers for the Empress!”

Princess Jinyu shouted, her voice echoing through the hall, as she rushed outside.

The vacant looks of the eunuchs, palace maids, and advisors in the hall faded, replaced with confusion and unease.

“Princess!”

“What’s wrong with the Princess?”

As Princess Jinyu ran out, they anxiously followed, trying to support and question her. But no one could stop her. She kicked away anyone who approached, rushing towards the back garden.

In the blink of an eye, only the Imperial Consort’s Husband, Li Yu, Bai Li, and a few bewildered attendants standing outside the hall remained.

What…what happened?
“Princess,” Bai Li’s voice rang out, tinged with unease and timidity. “She still refused to accept my tea.”

The Imperial Consort’s Husband looked over, slightly bewildered, and saw the woman standing there, holding a teacup. The palace maid, who had been holding the teapot, had rushed after Princess Jinyu, forgetting to pour more tea.

The woman stood there, looking slightly awkward and helpless.

“It’s alright,” the Imperial Consort’s Husband said. “We’ll wait until she’s in a better mood.”

He then looked at the sky.

“It’s getting late. It’s important that you enter the palace to pay your respects to His Majesty.”

He smiled.

“After all, it was His Majesty who bestowed this marriage.”

The implication was clear. Whether the Princess accepted the tea or not didn’t matter. The marriage was finalized. Whether she acknowledged it or not, Bai Li was the Prince of Chu’s wife, the Princess Consort.

Bai Li looked at the Imperial Consort’s Husband, smiled, and curtsied. “Thank you, Fuma.” Then, she added, “Thank you, Uncle.”

The Imperial Consort’s Husband nodded with a smile, gesturing for them to leave.

Watching Li Yu lead the woman out, the Imperial Consort’s Husband sighed softly, feeling inexplicably melancholic. He pressed his hand against his chest, feeling as if he had seen someone, a feeling of both joy and emptiness.

“Are you alright?”

As soon as they were outside, Li Yu whispered, observing Bai Li’s expression.

“Are you okay?”

Bai Li smiled at him. “Of course, I’m fine.”

Trying to haze her as an elder? That wouldn’t work. She wasn’t an ordinary new bride. She was a monster new bride.

Thinking of this, she glanced towards the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence, her smile deepening.

Compared to Princess Jinyu, Madam of Dongyang was much luckier.

Initially, Madam of Dongyang had only given her cold looks, not outright hazing. Otherwise, she would have experienced what a truly terrible daughter-in-law could be.

The thought flashed through her mind, and she looked towards the Imperial Palace, her smile widening.

“Let’s go. We should enter the palace.”

There was someone else she was looking forward to seeing.

A longer chapter to make up for missing yesterday’s update, haha.