Chapter 4

This accident caused Pei Qi to fly into a massive rage.

When the Son of Heaven is enraged, blood flows for a thousand miles. The culprit, Concubine Yu, was sentenced to death by a thousand cuts. The Imperial Consort’s trusted maids were all granted a hemp rope and hanged in the cells of the Judicial Punishment Office.

As for me, I was rushed into a change of clean clothes and knelt trembling before the Imperial Consort’s bed. The Son of Heaven sat by the bedside, and after comforting his beauty, he spoke with an innate, intimidating authority:

“Was it you who saved Jiaojiao?”

My voice was neither too loud nor too soft. “It was this servant.”

“What is your name?”

I swallowed the name “Chen Suniang” and said instead, “Fuling.”

“This servant is Cui Fuling.”

He remained noncommittal, merely saying, “From now on, you shall stay by Jiaojiao’s side and be responsible for her safety. If anything happens to her, I will hold you accountable.”

I kowtowed deeply, my forehead striking the floor with a sharp thud.

“This servant thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace.”

When the Imperial Consort woke and heard this, she remained silent for a long while, only telling me to lift my head.

She scrutinized my face and asked, “Did His Majesty ask for your name?”

I replied, “His Majesty asked for this servant’s name only to keep a tally on my life. If anything were to happen to Your Highness in the future, my entire family would be held responsible.”

Only then did she smile, leisurely stroking her own face. “I thought as much. You are merely somewhat pretty. His Majesty has me, his peony, and the many beauties of the Imperial Harem. Why would he take an interest in a plain little white flower?”

I spoke with fear and trepidation, “This servant would not dare.”

“I trust you wouldn’t.”