Chapter 12: The Madman’s Relentless Desire for the Prince x The Spoiled and Pampered Princess (12)
The Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Pale yellow curtains fluttered gently in the breeze, candle flames flickering, casting a faint glow on the gilded dragon coffered ceiling.
Emperor Chu An sat at his desk, brows furrowed deeply, his vermilion brush marking circles and dots on the memorial before him.
“Your Majesty, Princess Jia Ning has arrived.”
At the sound, the emperor lifted his eyes, his gaze falling upon Shu Yao standing just outside the hall.
Led inside by Eunuch Su, Shu Yao stepped onto the vermilion carpet; behind her, the heavy doors slammed shut with a resounding bang.
She sensed an eerie atmosphere, nervously squeezing her palm, the fingers wrapped in gauze throbbing with a faint pain.
Emperor Chu An lowered his head once more, diligently reviewing the memorial as though she were invisible.
In the vast Hall of Mental Cultivation, only their two shadows remained.
Uncertain of the emperor’s intent in summoning her, Shu Yao could only suppress her impulses to maintain her composure.
The candle flames danced on their stands, molten wax slowly dripping to the base.
After half an hour, the emperor finally set down the memorial.
Shu Yao’s calves ached from standing, her shoulder blades burning with soreness. Just as she prepared to subtly relax, a cold gaze swept over her from the front.
“Kneel.”
The emperor’s voice was barely a whisper, yet without a hint of anger, his commanding presence sent a chill through her.
Only those of extraordinary character could claim the throne of an empire.
Obediently, Shu Yao knelt, her knees pressing into the soft velvet carpet—neither hard nor painful.
“Do you know your crime?”
The emperor twirled his brush, the ink tip spreading faintly in the misty light, reflecting his displeased gaze.
Bewildered, Shu Yao ventured cautiously, “Father, what crime has Jia Ning committed?”
The emperor’s brow furrowed more deeply, his eyes blazing with anger as he shook his head in disappointment.
“You are becoming increasingly disobedient.”
His sigh was like a fine needle dropping to the floor, sharp and clear.
Shu Yao’s heart fluttered in confusion, unable to grasp the hidden meaning in his words.
Palace servants all said Emperor Chu An doted most on Princess Jia Ning, cradling her as if she were a fragile treasure, fearing the slightest harm. He would never leave her side, guarding her personally.
Yet now, this supposed affection felt strange—distorted and perverse.
Before she could react, the emperor rose slowly, approaching her step by step.
His towering scrutiny made Shu Yao feel like a mere object on display.
Suddenly, her chin was grasped, rough fingers pressing against delicate skin, leaving vivid red marks with ease.
Emperor Chu An examined her face carefully.
Her skin was like polished jade, her brows delicate as distant shadows, every frown and smile irresistibly alluring to any man.
No scars. Very good.
The emperor’s tightened brow relaxed momentarily, but upon seeing the bandaged wound on her hand, he frowned anew.
A precious gem must bear no blemish.
Otherwise, it is worthless.
“Was the injury on your hand caused by a beast?”
Realizing, Shu Yao hastened to explain, “Father, it was merely a minor scratch—nothing serious.”
The emperor tenderly stroked her ear, his fingertips brushing through her hair, the sensation like a venomous snake’s lick—sticky and repulsive.
“I indulge you, no matter what you do, I permit it.”
“But Jia Ning, this time, you have been utterly reckless.”
Suddenly, a strong grip seized the nape of her neck, the force so great it nearly brought tears to her eyes.
“Father, please calm your anger.”
Scalding tears slid down her cheeks, pooling in the hollow of her collarbone.
The emperor loosened his hold somewhat, his expression dark and menacing.
“Your body is a national treasure of Great Chu. You understand well what is more important.”
Shu Yao was terrified, on the verge of sobbing, nodding repeatedly, her voice soft and choked with tears.
“Jia Ning understands and will remember.”
Such a beseeching tone was unlike her usual arrogance.
The emperor released her head abruptly. “How did you deal with the beast that injured you?”
She nodded nervously, “Father, I have ordered its skin stripped and its sinews extracted to make a wind collar.”
The emperor was pleased with her method, gently patting the top of her head.
“Good, my obedient daughter.”
His encouraging tone sent a shiver down her spine, and she wore an expression of meek submission.
“This is a lesson for you. Remember, if there is a next time, I will show no mercy.”
“You would not want anything to happen to your mother, would you?”
Shu Yao bowed respectfully. “Jia Ning understands.”
—
That kneeling lasted until the morning drum sounded the next day.
Shu Yao knelt for four hours straight, her head spinning and eyes blurry. Only with the help of palace maids could she barely stand.
During her punishment, the emperor had even ordered several thick felt mats to be placed beneath her knees to prevent marks.
He also instructed a few imperial physicians to watch over her and tend to her at all times.
Shu Yao was so enraged she wanted to laugh bitterly, yearning to strangle that old tyrant.
She finally understood why her original self had such a twisted temper—it was inherited, or more likely, ruthlessly cultivated by Emperor Chu An himself.
Even after the punishment, she could barely contain the urge to lash out.
—
“Princess!”
Wan Tao had waited outside the hall, kneeling as long as Shu Yao did.
She hoped to plead with the emperor for leniency on the princess’s behalf.
When the door opened, Wan Tao’s eyes reddened at the sight of Shu Yao’s pale face and disheveled state as she was supported out.
“Princess!”
She pushed aside the emperor’s attendants and gathered Shu Yao into her arms, helping her settle into the soft sedan chair.
Within the Palace of Restful Phoenix, imperial physicians and maids bustled anxiously, fearful for the princess’s delicate health.
Fortunately, no grave harm was done—only numbness from prolonged kneeling caused by blood stagnation in her tendons.
A nourishing concoction steamed warmly; Wan Tao had prepared it herself.
She scooped a spoonful and brought it to Shu Yao’s lips.
“Princess, why did His Majesty punish you so severely this time?”
Shu Yao swallowed the medicinal broth, the warm steam brushing her cheek and easing some of her discomfort.
“Hasn’t he always been like this?”
Wan Tao replied, “No, he wouldn’t have made you kneel all night. In the past, if you were injured but without scars, His Majesty would only reprimand you twice, and that would suffice. But this time, he made you kneel.”
She had always thought the emperor’s severity stemmed from his care for Princess Jia Ning’s health, unwilling to see her harmed.
But now, it seemed there was more to it.
“It’s nothing. I can still endure. But why did you kneel with me?”
Shu Yao lazily tapped Wan Tao’s forehead. “The night was thick with mist and dew. Didn’t you know to go back and wait for me here, then come again tomorrow?”
Wan Tao was stubborn. “How could I abandon you, Princess? Besides, if anything happened to you outside the hall, I would be there to care for you at once.”
Shu Yao sighed helplessly, knowing she could not convince her.
Wan Tao frowned, continuing, “His Majesty was truly unreasonable—your injury wasn’t even as serious as the kneeling punishment.”
“Father is the sovereign of the realm; do not presume to interpret his will.”
Wan Tao was simple-minded and always obeyed Princess Jia Ning’s words without her own opinions.
If such talk were to reach others, it could bring trouble.
One had to admit, the original princess protected her well—there were still such innocent souls in the deep palace, a rarity indeed.
“Yes.”
Wan Tao obeyed, urging Shu Yao to finish the medicinal broth.
“This took me an hour to prepare. Drink it while it’s warm, or it won’t work.”
Shu Yao closed her eyes and drank it all in one breath, barely managing to regain some strength.