Her kneeling plunged the entire side hall into profound silence.
Fu Hai kept his eyes downcast, his mind focused, slipping silently toward the wall as if his feet were gliding, and quietly closed the door of the side hall.
Light filtered through the gauze on the door, casting shadows into the room. Shen Chao felt the stifling heat around her lessen by half.
Xiao Yanli would not seek her out without reason. He must have learned about her refusal to enter the Eastern Palace and, harboring resentment, had come deliberately to make things difficult for her.
Shen Chao held her breath, her ears filled with the drum-like pounding of her own heartbeat.
Having served in the palace for many years, rising from an inconspicuous palace maid to a second-rank female official by the Empress’s side, Shen Chao understood the importance of status and position better than anyone.
Now, she was like fish on a chopping block, left to hope that the wielder of the knife would show mercy.
“You dare not?” Xiao Yanli’s voice carried a hint of mockery.
With the door closed and sunlight shut out, the fierce ghost gradually shed its human skin.
“I think you’re quite bold, even capable of making decisions for the Empress.”
Xiao Yanli’s veiled sarcasm, laced with hidden anger, made Shen Chao both anxious and slightly relieved.
His anger meant that as long as he vented it, all would be well—her life was safe for now.
“I beg Your Highness to punish me!” Shen Chao prostrated herself, pressing her forehead heavily against the ground, while comforting herself: It doesn’t hurt now; the next time it hurts will be in the next life.
Xiao Yanli was nearly amused by her excellent attitude of admitting fault. Both of them knew what they were referring to, yet neither had explicitly mentioned it.
“Caichun, lift your head,” Xiao Yanli commanded. The clear, youthful voice carried an authoritative tone that often made people forget his actual age.
Shen Chao’s shoulders trembled slightly, but she still rose and tilted her head upward.
She saw the Crown Prince abandon his formal posture, lounging loosely in the official’s armchair. The sunlight streaming into the room split him in two: one half bathed in golden light, resembling a deity or Buddha; the other half devoured by shadows, like lurking demons and monsters poised to strike.
“Come closer.” The youth’s voice now carried a trace of impatience. This made Shen Chao swallow hard before shifting her knees and crawling on them to his feet.
Xiao Yanli no longer kept his long legs properly positioned. He rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward to gaze at Shen Chao kneeling before him.
His expression was intensely focused, as if he were tracing the contours of her brows and eyes, causing Shen Chao’s body to tremble uncontrollably.
She felt like prey caught by him, and his gaze seemed to be contemplating whether to braise or stew her.
Shen Chao stiffened her neck under his scrutiny. The Crown Prince’s face, now up close, was fully exposed to the light and shadows, allowing Shen Chao to see him clearly from a short distance.
The youth’s bone structure was excellent. Though still developing, he had inherited his father’s bones and his mother’s skin. His features were as exquisite as a painting, with captivating phoenix eyes that seemed to ensnare the soul. Meeting his gaze gave the illusion of being firmly locked in place.
Shen Chao dared not look too long. Shrinking slightly, she lowered her eyelids.
“Do you know why Mother chose you?”
His voice was soft, as illusory as his outward appearance, yet it ruthlessly tore apart the surface calm Shen Chao had tried to maintain.
Shen Chao shook her head. She truly did not understand why the Empress had chosen her to enlighten the Crown Prince.
In terms of appearance, she was no stunning beauty.
In terms of talent, she could not compare to proper noble ladies.
Moreover, as a female official serving the Empress, whether in the imperial harem or the inner quarters of ordinary households, a mistress was seldom willing to send someone from her own side to her son, as it could easily lead to conflicts with the daughter-in-law.
When the Empress proposed having her enter the Eastern Palace, for a moment Shen Chao thought she had misheard. Regardless of the Empress's intentions, this was a terrible move!
All the families of the court officials knew she was the Empress's person. If she entered the Eastern Palace, she would essentially become the Empress's spy. Any official who wanted to marry their daughter into the Eastern Palace would have to carefully consider the Empress's intentions behind this move.
Seeing that Shen Chao did not respond but her eyes flickered almost imperceptibly, Xiao Yanli knew this woman was overthinking things.
He raised his hand and lightly patted her head. Shen Chao immediately snapped back to attention, then revealed a panicked expression, like a startled rabbit.
Xiao Yanli found it quite amusing.
Amid Shen Chao's flustered and unsettled expression, he flashed a bright, pleased smile, delivering her a fatal blow.
"It is I who want you."
—Boom!
Shen Chao felt as if she had heard the thunderclaps from that stormy night years ago. That green-faced, fanged demon had crossed the river of time and finally caught its escaped prey at this very moment.
Shen Chao's face turned deathly pale. Almost forgetting all propriety, she stammered incoherently, "This servant is of lowly birth, has no talents, and an unsightly appearance. I beg Your Highness to retract your command!"
Xiao Yanli laughed, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her panicked and fearful expression. All her fear seemed to become a source of amusement for him.
Meeting his gaze, Shen Chao felt as if her throat were choked.
Suddenly, she understood: Xiao Yanli had summoned her precisely to humiliate her, to take revenge for her refusal to enter the Eastern Palace.
As the esteemed Crown Prince, the women lining up to become his bedchamber attendant could fill a different one for every day of the year without repetition. Yet he deliberately chose to torment her.
The only explanations Shen Chao could think of were that Xiao Yanli was petty-minded and had too much free time!
Why didn't the Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Grand Guardian assign him more studies!
Xiao Yanli keenly noticed a flicker of exasperation and anger in Shen Chao's eyes. That expression vanished extremely quickly; had he not been watching her closely, he might have missed it.
Those who could remain by his mother's side were never foolish, and their ability to adapt swiftly was remarkable.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty has already shown mercy by allowing me to leave the palace. I am unworthy of such an important duty."
Xiao Yanli let out a low chuckle, as if mocking the naivety of Shen Chao's words, or perhaps responding to her clumsy attempt at coercion.
"Raise your hands to receive the reward."
Xiao Yanli gave her these four words. Shen Chao didn't understand—his demeanor earlier had clearly indicated he wanted revenge, so why was he suddenly rewarding her?
Raising her arms above her head, she presented her fair, faintly pink palms to Xiao Yanli. Her obedient posture seemed as if she were begging for his favor.
This indeed pleased Xiao Yanli.
While puzzled, Shen Chao also felt alarm bells ringing. Her intuition told her that this malicious fellow Xiao Yanli would not let her off so easily.
Suddenly, Shen Chao realized a crucial point.
Xiao Yanli was always courteous and refined in front of others, yet today he had revealed his ferocious side in her presence. This meant he had never intended to let her go from the very beginning!
That chill crept up Shen Chao's spine once more. A heavy, soft piece of fabric landed in her palms. Shen Chao withdrew her cupped hands and saw that Xiao Yanli had already strode out of the side hall.
She stared blankly at the object in her hand.
It was Xiao Yanli's pouch.
According to palace rules, women participating in the selection of consorts would be bestowed a pouch if chosen, or flowers if not.
By gifting her his pouch, Xiao Yanli's meaning was unmistakable.
A cold dread surged into her heart, and Shen Chao suddenly felt a bewilderment mixed with fear.
Would she still be able to leave the palace?