The journey passed in silence. As the carriage entered the towering palace walls, Chu Shengsheng kept her eyes lowered, quietly observing her surroundings and memorizing the route.
Soon, she was taken directly to the Empress’s residence—the Phoenix Palace.
In the main hall, the Empress sat upright on the phoenix throne at the head of the room. Dressed in bright yellow palace robes and wearing a phoenix crown, she exuded grace and nobility. Her well-maintained face wore a gentle smile, though the warmth did not reach her eyes. Instead, her gaze held scrutiny and a hint of barely concealed coldness.
Beside her stood several robust, expressionless elderly matrons, their eyes sharp as knives as they stared coldly at Chu Shengsheng.
What an impressive show of intimidation.
Chu Shengsheng sneered inwardly but maintained her persona on the surface. She then performed a respectful bow and said, “This commoner, Chu Shengsheng, pays her respects to the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years.”
“Raise your head,” the Empress said, her voice gentle yet carrying an invisible pressure.
Chu Shengsheng obeyed, lifting her head but keeping her gaze lowered, not daring to look directly at the Empress.
The Empress examined her for a moment, a flicker of displeasure flashing in her eyes, though her smile remained. “Indeed, you are a beauty. No wonder the Crown Prince favors you.”
To have enchanted the Crown Prince to the point of placing her in a separate residence and even increasing the guards—she must have some skill. Yet, her entire demeanor reeked of pettiness, unfit for such a grand setting.
With that, the Empress took a sip of tea and spoke leisurely, continuing, “I heard you have a weak constitution, and the Crown Prince, out of pity, allowed you to recuperate in the villa. Have you recovered now?”
“Your Majesty, thanks to His Highness’s blessings, I am much better,” Chu Shengsheng replied softly.
“That is good,” the Empress said, setting down her teacup before abruptly shifting the topic. “It is your fortune and your skill to have caught the Crown Prince’s eye.”
“However, in the harem, and especially in the Eastern Palace, the most forbidden thing is the word ‘alone.’”
“The Crown Prince is the heir apparent and will one day rule the world. How can he have only one favored person by his side? Since you are favored, you must understand propriety and know the rules. It is the duty of a concubine to advise the Crown Prince to share his affections equally.”
Her tone was gentle, yet every word felt like a soft knife, leaving no room for Chu Shengsheng to speak. She continued, “I heard you are an orphan?”
“Your background is indeed somewhat lowly. However, if you can bear children for the Crown Prince early on, it would be a great contribution.”
“But… the imperial bloodline is of utmost nobility. The rank and upbringing of the birth mother are of critical importance. You are young and lack the support of a family. Even if you were to bear children in the future, I fear you would struggle to raise them yourself. You must keep this in mind.”
Chu Shengsheng lowered her head, her face feigning unease and fear, appearing utterly fragile and helpless.
Inwardly, she sneered repeatedly: belittling her background, hinting that she cannot raise children, combining suppression with psychological manipulation—a well-practiced combination of tactics.
Seeing her obedient demeanor, the Empress felt satisfied, though she inwardly scoffed:
Truly unfit for such a grand setting, panicking at the slightest intimidation. But this is not enough—she must be taught a lesson to understand her place.
“I see you, child, are also pitiable. Having lost your parents at a young age, you likely never received proper instruction in etiquette,” she said with a sigh, her tone shifting to one of concern. “The rules of the imperial family are not like those of ordinary households. Not a single detail can be overlooked.”
“Moreover, with your frail constitution, how will you be able to serve the Crown Prince well and bear children for the imperial family in the future?”
“However, since you’ve come today, I shall be kind and have someone properly teach you the rules, and also help you… strengthen your physique, lest any mistakes in the future bring shame to the Crown Prince.”
At this point, she paused, casting a meaningful glance at the two matrons on either side, and continued:
“Matron Li, Matron Zhang, take Miss Chu to the Side Palace and have her ‘properly’ learn the rules. Remember, be ‘gradual and systematic,’ and do not harm Miss Chu—the Crown Prince still favors her.”
As soon as the words fell, the two burly matrons immediately stepped forward, seizing Chu Shengsheng by the arms, one on each side.
Seeing this, she immediately began to struggle in cooperation, her face streaked with panicked tears, her acting skills in full swing. In reality, she discreetly scattered the powder of the Beauty’s Intoxication poison from her sachet during the struggle.
The powder instantly dispersed, most of it landing on the Empress, while the remainder settled on the two matrons.
“What… what are you doing? Your Majesty! This commoner knows her wrongs! I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy!”
The Empress acted as if she hadn’t heard, allowing the matrons to drag her away.
Chu Shengsheng was roughly hauled to an open courtyard outside the Side Palace, specially prepared for the occasion.
The ground was covered with a layer of sharp-edged gravel. The sky had unknowingly turned gloomy, a cold wind howled, and the temperature plummeted.
“Miss Chu, by the Empress’s decree, you are to kneel here for three hours, quietly reflecting on your mistakes, while also practicing your kneeling posture and strengthening your physique,” Matron Li said coldly. Meanwhile, Matron Zhang beside her acted without hesitation, roughly stripping off Chu Shengsheng’s outer robe, leaving only a thin layer of clothing.
“The weather has turned cold, but wearing thick clothing won’t do. Shedding the outer robe will also help temper your will.”
The cold wind instantly pierced through the fabric, causing her to shiver. Seeing her standing motionless, the two matrons each kicked her legs forcefully, their expressions twisted as they snarled:
“Kneel!”
The moment her knees were brutally pressed against the sharp gravel, Chu Shengsheng immediately shouted in her mind to the System:
“System, exchange for the Substitute Doll and the Body Torture Pill!”
[Substitute Doll and Body Torture Pill exchange completed. 1000 Points deducted. Remaining Points: 500.]
[System Reminder: Target mission Pei Zhen has left Jiangnan and returned to the capital. Estimated arrival time: 12 hours.]
Just then, the System suddenly issued a prompt, making her eyes light up.
Well, isn’t this a coincidence? She had just been thinking about provoking Pei Zhen to earn a large number of Points, and now the Empress was practically delivering this wave of abuse to her doorstep!
Only twelve hours—once Pei Zhen returned, that old hag would have to wait!
She could already envision a flood of Points coming her way, so she rallied her spirits and continued to act, portraying the image of a delicate, fragile flower with vivid authenticity.
Meanwhile, the two props took effect immediately. At this moment, it was no longer her kneeling here, but the Substitute Doll. However, from the outside, nothing seemed amiss, and the Body Torture Pill also made her appear even weaker and more pitiful.
In reality, she was completely unharmed and even had the mood to watch the matrons beside her shivering from the cold.
The two matrons standing on either side watched coldly. As the Empress’s trusted confidantes, they would absolutely ensure that the person before them completed the “instruction” properly.
Seeing that the time was almost up, Matron Li turned on her heel and expressionlessly entered the palace to report.
“Wake her up with a splash of water,” came the Empress’s indifferent voice from inside.
Chu Shengsheng was feigning a state of semi-consciousness, but upon hearing these words, she immediately opened her eyes, putting on a display of strength and alertness. This also spared her from having ice water splashed on her.
Joking aside, she wasn’t here to be tortured for real.
Soon after, she was dragged back into the hall without mercy and thrown onto the floor.
The Empress looked down at her disheveled state, her face once again adorned with that hypocritical gentleness, and asked, “Have you realized your mistake?”
Chu Shengsheng lay prostrate on the ground, her voice weak and faint as she replied, “This commoner… has realized her mistake… Thank you, Your Majesty… for your guidance…”
“Hmm, it’s good that you can admit your faults and correct them. This palace is doing this for your own good, and for the Crown Prince’s sake.” The Empress waved her hand dismissively, as if the earlier torture had been nothing more than ordinary instruction, and said with a smile, “Someone, bring some tonics for Miss Chu to take back and recuperate with.”
A palace maid presented a simple tray, on which lay a few of the most ordinary medicinal herbs and a ginseng root of mediocre quality.
Even beggars would not be treated so dismissively.
Then, she was hauled up by the matrons and practically half-dragged, half-carried out of the Phoenix Palace.
Summoning the last of her strength, she insisted on leaving through a secluded path, not wanting more people to see her in such a pitiful state. The Empress was pleased with her compliance and granted the request.
However, just as she stumbled along, leaning against the palace wall and struggling to move forward, a probing gaze fell upon her.