Chu Huaishan stood dumbfounded, while Lady Jiang the Younger behind him nearly collapsed, her legs giving way beneath her.
The matron by Lady Jiang's side hastily asked, "Eunuch Yin, could there be a mistake? Our Second Young Lady is well-educated and deeply principled—how could she ever engage in an illicit... an illicit affair?"
The charge of adultery was grave enough, but within the palace walls, it escalated into the heinous crime of defiling the imperial harem!
Yin Shun shook his head with a sigh. "The details remain unclear to this humble servant, but word has it that after Empress Pei apprehended her, Second Young Lady Chu confessed without hesitation... His Majesty was furious upon learning of this and ordered me to summon you immediately, Duke Chu. We must not delay—let us depart at once."
Chu Huaishan steadied himself and nodded. Lady Jiang clutched his sleeve, pleading tearfully, "My lord..."
The desperation in her gaze softened his heart. Turning to Yin Shun, he asked, "Eunuch Yin, might my wife accompany us?"
Yin Shun replied, "His Majesty did not explicitly forbid it..."
Understanding the implication, Chu Huaishan said, "Thank you for your kindness. Please allow us a moment to change into formal attire—we will return shortly."
In less than half an incense stick's time, the couple reappeared in ceremonial robes, only to find Yin Shun accompanied by another figure.
"Ruoyan? What are you doing here?"
Chu Huaishan frowned at the sight of her in her county princess regalia. "This is no time for foolishness—return to your chambers at once!"
Chu Ruoyan curtsied. "Father, I’ve heard of Second Sister’s predicament. Please let me accompany you to the palace. If needed, I may plead for mercy before Empress Pei..."
Lady Jiang, struck by a sudden thought, added urgently, "Yes, yes! Her Majesty has always favored the Eldest Young Lady. With her intercession, perhaps the punishment could be mitigated."
Chu Huaishan shot her a glare. Defiling the harem—was that a crime one could simply beg forgiveness for?
But with Yin Shun pressing them onward, he relented. "Very well. But Ruoyan, do not act recklessly!"
Chu Ruoyan assented, and the four boarded their carriages—Chu Huaishan with Yin Shun, and Chu Ruoyan with Lady Jiang.
Inside the carriage, Lady Jiang trembled, her face ashen. Gripping Chu Ruoyan’s hand, she whispered, "Eldest Young Lady, in your opinion... could Ruoyin have been framed?"
Chu Ruoyan shook her head. "If she were framed, why would she confess so readily?"
Lady Jiang’s heart sank. Meanwhile, Chu Ruoyan recalled her dream—in it, Chu Ruoyin had been entangled with Prince Qin, Murong Jin...
If it were indeed him this time, exposing the truth might at least spare her sister’s life.
Lost in thought, she was interrupted by Lady Jiang’s sudden sob. "She never understood a mother’s heart!"
"She always believed I treated her as a pawn, that I sent her to the palace for wealth and status. But what mother would throw her child into the fire? I sought only to secure her future!"
"These days, not all selected ladies in the Xiuning Palace end up as His Majesty’s consorts. The fortunate ones may catch the eye of a prince or noble. Had she seized this chance to climb higher, she could have had stability for life! Why would she throw it all away for an affair?"
Chu Ruoyan froze.
As the Second Young Lady of the Duke’s household, why would Chu Ruoyin need to "climb higher" to secure her future?
Before she could ponder further, the carriage halted. Steeling herself, she followed Lady Jiang out.
They entered through a side gate, arriving at the Xiuning Palace.
Before even stepping into the hall, the sharp sound of slaps echoed—
"Speak! Who was your mistress involved with? Stay silent, and we’ll beat your tongue to pulp!"
The Chu family rushed inside.
Emperor and Empress sat imposingly atop the dais. Below them knelt Chu Ruoyin, her hair disheveled, while her maidservant—mouth bloodied—was struck repeatedly by eunuchs. Chu Ruoyin struggled against the matrons pinning her down, desperate to shield her servant.
Chu Huaishan took one look at his daughter, his face darkening, and knelt before the throne. "This old servant deserves punishment. May Your Majesty decree it!"
Chu Ruoyan and Lady Jiang followed suit.
The Emperor snorted, exchanging a glance with Empress Pei.
Empress Pei rose gracefully. "Rise, Duke Chu. Today’s matter was also mishandled by this palace. While accompanying the Dowager Empress on a stroll, we happened upon the Xiuning Palace and... witnessed the incident."
The unspoken implication hung heavy—the Dowager Empress knew. There would be no sweeping this under the rug.
"This palace ordered the arrest, but the man had already fled, leaving only Second Young Lady Chu. When questioned, she refused to name him. We interrogated every servant in the Xiuning Palace, yet no answers emerged."
Chu Huaishan, enraged beyond measure, struck his daughter for the first time in his life. "Wretch! Will you still not speak the truth?"
Chu Ruoyin crumpled to the floor, blood trickling from her lip, yet her voice was steel. "Father, I cannot."
"You—!"
As Chu Huaishan raised his foot to kick, the Emperor interjected. "Enough, Duke Chu. Though this is your family affair, its occurrence within the Xiuning Palace complicates matters. With the southern barbarian wars weighing on Us, We lack the patience for this. Here is Our decree: We grant you exceptional leniency. Find the adulterer and execute him. As for your daughter, take her home and discipline her."
This wasn’t just mercy—it was outright absolution!
Chu Ruoyan understood—the Emperor, valuing her father’s loyalty during wartime, had turned a blind eye.
Lady Jiang nearly fainted with relief. Chu Huaishan kowtowed deeply. "This unworthy servant thanks Your Majesty’s boundless grace!"
The Emperor departed with a nod.
Empress Pei stepped forward. "Second Young Lady Chu, you heard His Majesty. Name the man, and this palace will declare you his victim—the crime of defiling the harem will fall solely on him. Will you speak now?"
All eyes fixed on Chu Ruoyin.
Yet she lowered her face, and after a long pause, offered a fragile but resolute smile. "I thank Your Majesty and Empress Pei. But my resolve is firm—I would rather die than tarnish his name. Punish me as you will."
She kowtowed fiercely. Lady Jiang swayed, her face ghostly pale.
Chu Huaishan, livid, pointed at her. "Was your education wasted? Shameless! His Majesty granted unheard-of mercy, yet you protect that beast? When he abandoned you to flee, did he spare a thought for you?"
Chu Ruoyin kowtowed thrice. "This unfilial daughter has disgraced you. I beg you to cast me from the family registry—spare the House of Chu this shame."
Gasps rippled through the hall.
To shield her lover, she would forsake her ancestral ties!
Who could inspire such devotion in this gentle soul?
Chu Ruoyan’s brow furrowed. If it truly were Murong Jin, why had he not stepped forward?
Was he content to let a woman bear the brunt while he cowered in shadows?
"Empress Pei, may Changle speak with Second Sister alone?"
Empress Pei studied her. "Go. Persuade her—this is her final chance."
Defiling the harem carried one sentence: death.
In her dream, Chu Ruoyin had met her end precisely this way...
Chu Ruoyan nodded slightly and led her younger sister, Chu Ruoyin, to the side chamber.
Chu Ruoyin said, "Elder Sister, there’s no need to persuade me. My mind is made up..."
Chu Ruoyan lifted her gaze and gave her a faint glance. "Is that so? And does Prince Qin share the same sentiment?"
At those words, Chu Ruoyin’s expression changed abruptly. "Y-You... How did you know?"
