Chapter 4
“We’re all sisters here. You’re being rather harsh, Sister Lu. Enough now—Sister Yao’s arms must be aching.”
Only then did Lady Lu reluctantly reach for the bowl.
Whether deliberately or by accident, the moment it passed into her hands—
She lost her grip. It struck the floor with a crack.
Lady Lu flew into a rage and slapped Yao Shuangxue across the face. “You lowly wretch! How dare you stain my skirt!”
Yao Shuangxue screamed and knelt on the floor, one hand pressed to her cheek.
The moment had come. I hurried to my feet to help her up and snapped at Lady Lu, “Consort Lu, have you lost your mind?”
At that same instant, Wan Zhao, who had been listening outside for some time, rushed in at Yao Shuangxue’s cry.
Lady Lu had not expected him, but she reacted quickly.
Her vicious expression melted into softness. She threw herself toward him with a plaintive cry.
“Your Majesty, you must give me justice!”
Wan Zhao dodged her and went straight to gather Yao Shuangxue into his arms.
He wiped away her tears as gently as if she were a treasure beyond price.
Still crying, Yao Shuangxue forced a smile for him that was more painful than tears.
“Ah Zhao, Sister Lu didn’t mean it…”
The more she defended Lady Lu, the hotter his anger burned.
His Shuang’er was the purest, kindest girl in the world.
Even when someone hurt her, she could only make excuses for them.
Seeing her like this, Wan Zhao could contain himself no longer. A single kick sent Lady Lu sprawling.
“Who are you calling a lowly wretch?” he roared, kicking her again. “You’re the wretch! What is the Lu clan of Fanyang? Nothing but dogs I keep and feed!”
“Today, I’ll teach you whether this realm belongs to the Wans or the Lus!”
He kicked her a dozen times and more, putting all his strength into every blow.
Before long, boot marks covered her pale purple palace robes.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty! I was wrong. I know I was wrong!”
Still unsatisfied, he seized her by her already disheveled hair and struck her from side to side.
Several vicious slaps, each delivered with all his might.
I watched the show from nearby, occasionally calling out with heartfelt concern, “Your Majesty, please! You’ll make yourself ill with anger!”
Lady Lu’s cheeks swelled visibly. Blood began to seep from her mouth.
In the end, she had not even the strength to beg.
Wan Zhao’s blows grew harder. Her body swayed; she could barely remain upright.
And with one such sway, the curse doll that should have been found in my palace garden slipped from her clothes.