Luo Shu froze in shock.
The current Emperor was a full twelve years older than her, with nearly forty children and hundreds of concubines in his harem. The intricate web of relationships in the palace was overwhelming, and with the Prince of Southern Pacification rarely stationed in the capital, Luo Shu knew that if she entered those deep palace walls, she wouldn’t even know how she’d die.
"No! Stop! I won’t allow it! I won’t let Third Sister enter the palace!" Luo Jingfeng struggled to his feet, only to be kicked down again by the Prince of Southern Pacification, who snarled like a demon, "Luo Jingfeng, remember this—Luo Shu is entering the palace not because of me, but to atone for your sins. This is all your fault!"
Blood spilled from Luo Jingfeng’s lips from the force of the kick. He spat bitterly, "Elder Brother! Stop him! Take Third Sister away!"
Luo Jingyun clashed with the guards. Though he lacked his younger brother’s natural talent for martial arts, he was still highly skilled. Within a few exchanges, he had forced the guards back and shielded Luo Shu behind him.
The Prince of Southern Pacification barked to the courtyard, "Men! Seize this rebellious son!"
Dozens of highly trained guards swarmed the courtyard, focusing their attacks solely on Luo Jingyun. One hand gripping Luo Shu, he fought desperately, but heavy blows from staffs rained down on his chest, arms, and legs.
An air of despair thickened.
Luo Shu cried out in panic, "Elder Brother, stop fighting! Father, call them off… Stop! I’ll go! I’ll enter the palace, I’m willing!"
Luo Jingyun turned in shock, only for a staff to strike his head, knocking him unconscious.
Luo Shu tried to catch him, but his weight was too much. Both siblings collapsed to the ground.
"Elder Brother… Shu’er…" Luo Jingfeng was still crawling forward, his wounds tearing open, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
The Prince of Southern Pacification turned his head away and coldly ordered, "Chain Luo Jingfeng up. He is not to leave his room without my permission—lest he cause more trouble."
"Yes."
Bound to the bedframe, the clanking of chains echoed as Luo Jingfeng roared in fury, "Luo Mu! How dare you! If you force Third Sister into the palace, I swear I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!"
The Prince of Southern Pacification scoffed, "Worthless fool. If that day ever comes, it’ll be me who kills you first."
Luo Jingfeng continued his frenzied shouting, "Luo Mu! May you die a wretched death! You’re no father! Someone release me! Release me! Third Sister! Don’t you dare touch her!"
His screams only ceased when Concubine Pei, irritated by the noise, sent someone to knock him out. Only then did the estate return to silence.
The next time Luo Jingfeng saw Luo Shu was at the Emperor’s birthday celebration.
More than ten days had passed, and the once-beloved Third Sister had transformed into Concubine Shu, the Emperor’s favored consort. At the banquet, she sat beside the Emperor, second only to the Empress in status.
Yet Luo Jingfeng could see it at a glance—she had grown thinner, her face weary.
Even before entering the palace, Luo Shu’s beauty had been renowned throughout the capital. Now, at the Emperor’s birthday feast, all present finally witnessed her ethereal grace—a celestial maiden descended to earth.
But alas, she was now the Emperor’s, and all longing gazes turned to futile yearning.
During the banquet, the Luo brothers managed a private meeting with Luo Shu.
Fearing their worry, she spoke only of the good, "The Emperor treats me well, and the Empress is kind. My life in the palace is comfortable—I’m just still adjusting to the northern cuisine, but I’ll adapt soon."
Luo Jingfeng, unconvinced, reached for her arm—only for her to hiss in pain, biting back a cry. He yanked up her sleeve, revealing mottled bruises, fresh and old, covering her skin in a grotesque tapestry.
His voice trembled with rage, "What is this?"
Luo Shu pulled her arm back, flustered. "Second Brother, you’ve never married, so you wouldn’t know… This is normal."
Her maid, Bi’er, stood shaking with silent grief.
Luo Jingyun turned to her, demanding, "Bi’er, speak! What happened?"
Bi’er dropped to her knees, sobbing, "Young Master, these… these are from Consort Hui’s maids. And Consort Shu… so many consorts. They couldn’t bear to see Third Miss monopolizing the Emperor’s favor, so they hurt her in secret. The Emperor knows, but their families hold power in court—he only scolds them lightly, never punishing them! Our lady… before her wounds even heal, they torment her again…"
Luo Jingfeng’s eyes burned crimson. "This is beyond humiliation!"
Luo Shu clutched his sleeve, pleading, "Second Brother, don’t act rashly. This is the palace—we can’t afford to offend anyone. These are just minor injuries, truly! The bruises fade slowly, that’s all. Believe me!"
A eunuch’s voice called from afar, "Concubine Shu, His Majesty summons you."
"Yes, I’ll go at once." Luo Shu hurriedly whispered to her brothers, "Please, no more reckless actions. We can’t afford any more trouble."
As she and her maid departed, Luo Jingfeng slammed his fist into a nearby rock, his knuckles splitting. He loathed his own helplessness—how he had failed to protect her, how his mistakes had dragged her into this abyss.
Luo Jingyun’s voice shook. "Second Brother… we’re too weak."
Luo Jingfeng looked up sharply.
His elder brother’s eyes were red. "Those in the palace dare bully Third Sister because they have powerful fathers and brothers backing them. But she has no father to rely on—only us. We must climb higher, to heights no one can reach. Only then will her life improve."
Luo Jingfeng clenched his fists, his voice hoarse. "Understood. Tomorrow, I join the military camp. I’ll become her strongest shield."
"And I—I must inherit the princedom swiftly."
Since Luo Shu’s rise in the palace, the Prince of Southern Pacification had gained the Emperor’s favor, and the Luo family’s standing soared.
Tasting the benefits, the Prince turned his ambitions to his sons’ marriages. He first considered Luo Jingfeng—his most troublesome son, now thriving in the military. A marriage alliance with a general’s daughter would propel his career further.
But Luo Jingfeng was an immovable boulder. He sneered, "Fine. On the wedding night, I’ll slaughter your precious daughter-in-law—let her rest in the Luo ancestral graves."
The Prince had not expected such defiance. "You madman!"
Luo Jingfeng smirked. "Father, push me further, and I’ll show you true madness."
Though the Prince maintained a stern front, fear crept into his heart.
This son possessed a terrifying aura he couldn’t defy.
With the Prince’s interference thwarted, Luo Jingyun assumed his brother would choose his own bride. Yet before any wedding could occur, women of all sorts began appearing in their home.
He watched in disbelief as Luo Jingfeng—who once swore never to take concubines—welcomed every woman sent by noble families, one after another.
"Second Brother," Luo Jingyun finally asked, "just how many concubines do you plan to take?"
Luo Jingfeng lounged with a concubine in his arms, sipping wine carelessly. "Women are just tools to warm a bed. Do you count how many braziers you own?"
Luo Jingyun: "……"
A man without a beloved was far more frightening.
One day, Luo Jingfeng was promoted again, and his brothers-in-arms joined him for a celebratory drink.
As the wine warmed their spirits and the tavern's candlelight flickered, a woman approached and boldly took a seat across from him. With a sweet smile, she asked, "May I drink with you?"
