“Your Highness, you are a noble princess of the imperial family. With countless fine young men in the world for you to choose from, why must you throw yourself into this pit of fire for General Xie?” Nanny Yu pleaded earnestly.
“Go for a marriage alliance to save General Xie?”
Yun Chaorong blinked, remembering that Da Yu was currently at war with Northern Qiang.
Da Yu’s forces were suffering defeats and retreating steadily. At this critical moment, even the male lead, Xie Nanzhu, had been captured as a prisoner by the enemy.
Da Yu wished to sue for peace and cease hostilities. However, Northern Qiang had been suppressed by Da Yu for over a hundred years. Now that they had finally turned the tables and regained their pride, why would they agree to an easy truce?
Northern Qiang not only made outrageous demands for gold, silver, and grain, but also asked for territories and cities. Furthermore, they demanded that Da Yu send a princess of the imperial bloodline for a marriage alliance.
It had to be a genuine noble princess—they could not be fooled by simply bestowing a title on a palace maid and sending her over.
At this time, the original host, in order to save Xie Nanzhu, volunteered to go for the marriage alliance.
After she went for the alliance, she naturally suffered abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the Northern Qiang people. Her closest confidantes, Nanny Yu and Yingxia, died protecting her, while Michun endured humiliation to survive and stay by her side.
Yet, the original host still suffered physical injuries and disfigurement. It was only when Da Yu turned the tide and achieved victory that she returned, dragging her broken and ailing body.
Yun Chaorong shook off the tragic images in her mind and declared firmly:
“This princess will not go for the marriage alliance.”
Michun and Yingxia’s eyes lit up: “Your Highness, you’ve finally come to your senses!”
Nanny Yu was taken aback: “Is Your Highness speaking the truth?”
A few days earlier, the princess had requested to go for the marriage alliance, but the Emperor had refused.
The princess then resorted to hunger strikes, feigning madness, and every other method imaginable to persuade the Emperor to agree.
Listening to Michun and Yingxia’s descriptions, Yun Chaorong sighed once again:
What level of love-struck foolishness is this…
“Rest assured, when this princess says she won’t go, she means it.”
Nanny Yu, along with Michun and Yingxia, were so moved they nearly burst into tears again.
In the corner of the room, a shadowy figure was moving toward the palace entrance.
Yun Chaorong, sharp-eyed, spotted the sneaky figure at once.
“Stop! Come here.”
The palace maid Lian’er was called to a halt and slowly emerged from the shadows. Moonlight illuminated her face, and Yun Chaorong found her somewhat familiar.
“What are you doing out so late at night?”
Lian’er kept her head down and remained silent.
Michun scolded, “Did you not hear Her Highness asking you a question?”
Lian’er raised her head, her expression devoid of fear. Instead, she spoke slowly:
“This servant was going to check if there were any letters for Your Highness.”
After Lian’er finished speaking, the expressions of everyone present changed.
Lian’er was someone Xie Nanzhu had schemed to plant in Morning Sun Palace. He claimed that with her there, it would be easier for him and the princess to communicate.
The princess had actually agreed happily and had shown Lian’er extra care, never once speaking harshly to her.
Now, when Lian’er said she was going to fetch letters, she was actually going to make contact with Xie Nanzhu’s people. What good could come of that?
Yet Yun Chaorong acted as if she didn’t understand and continued questioning:
“Oh? What letters for this princess?”
Lian’er was somewhat surprised, unsure why the princess was feigning ignorance. Every time she used this excuse, the princess would grant her every convenience.
As a result, no one in Morning Sun Palace dared to cross her, and even the personal maids Michun and Yingxia had to show her some deference.
Just moments ago, when she heard the princess had changed her mind and no longer wanted to go for the marriage alliance, she immediately intended to report the news to the general’s people.
If the princess refused the marriage alliance, how would the general’s predicament be resolved?
Feeling dissatisfied with Yun Chaorong, Lian’er raised her voice slightly: “Naturally, letters from the master outside.”
“How dare you!” Yun Chaorong’s expression turned stern.
“Since you are in Morning Sun Palace, how can you have another master outside? Slap her face!”
Lian’er widened her eyes in shock, exclaiming, “Princess!”
Michun and Yingxia were also taken aback.
There were many ways to punish palace servants who made mistakes, but most punishments were inflicted in hidden places.
On one hand, it made the master appear generous; on the other, it allowed the punished servant to retain some dignity and continue working.
Only those who committed grave offenses and were despised by their masters would have their faces slapped directly, meaning the master tore away the servant’s dignity, making it impossible for them to hold their heads high in the future.
Nanny Yu, an experienced palace elder who had weathered many storms, remained the calmest at this moment:
“Someone, gag her mouth.
How dare she disrespect the princess. Slap her face twenty times, then drag her away and lock her up. Starve her for three days. The princess will decide her fate later.”
Nanny Yu took charge, first punishing Lian’er according to the princess’s wishes.
After three days, the princess might not even remember the matter. By then, Nanny Yu would discreetly handle the situation without troubling the princess.
“Pri—mmph… mmmph…”
Lian’er’s mouth was gagged, leaving her unable to speak. Her eyes were filled with disbelief.
How dare the princess punish her?
She was not like these lowly servants in Morning Sun Palace!
She belonged to the general. Didn’t the princess fear being despised by the general…
Slap!
Lian’er was slapped so hard that her body twisted, and the taste of blood filled her mouth.
She tried to take advantage of the moment and collapse to the ground, but someone behind her immediately held her firmly, ensuring every subsequent slap landed accurately on her face.
The eunuch Xiao Fengzi was responsible for carrying out the slapping.
Lian’er’s pretentious and arrogant behavior in Morning Sun Palace made her act as if she were half a master herself, even daring to encourage the princess to starve herself. Xiao Fengzi had long been unable to tolerate it.
What kind of thing was she? Was she even worthy?!
Every slap Xiao Fengzi delivered was solid and forceful. In less than a dozen strikes, Lian’er’s face swelled into a pig’s head, with blood trickling from the corners of her mouth.
“A servant is a servant. If they become too arrogant, they are only seeking their own death.”
Nanny Yu waved her hand, signaling for Lian’er to be dragged away.
Yun Chaorong, meanwhile, had already yawned and turned away while Lian’er was being slapped: “I am going to rest.”
Later that evening, after washing up, Yun Chaorong lazily leaned against the bed, her dark hair cascading down, making her delicate face appear even paler.
She called Nanny Yu, Michun, and Yingxia to her side.
“I know you have doubts about what happened today. However, in the past two days, while I was in a daze, I came to understand many things. Matters I was once obsessed with will no longer be mentioned.”
Michun cautiously asked, “What about Young General Xie?”
In the past, whenever this person was mentioned, the princess would blush with shyness.
But now, Yun Chaorong waved her hand dismissively: “He is not worthy of my attention.”
“That’s wonderful!” Yingxia excitedly moved closer to Yun Chaorong. “You are absolutely right, Princess.”
Over the years, the princess had suffered many grievances for that damned Xie Nanzhu. Now, she had finally come to her senses.
Nanny Yu and Michun were also overjoyed.
Seeing the delighted expressions of the three before her, Yun Chaorong felt a slight stir in her heart.
Nanny Yu was an elder left behind by the late empress, while Michun and Yingxia had grown up with the original host since childhood. They were all loyal, and their bond ran deep.
Thinking about it this way, the original host was actually surrounded by many who cared for her.
What a favorable hand of cards to start with.
A glint of determination flashed in Yun Chaorong’s eyes.
Such a trump card should be used wisely. She could hardly wait.
“Tomorrow, dress me up beautifully.”
“I have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty the Emperor.”