Yuyan was already weeping uncontrollably, her screams echoing ceaselessly. These were specially made planks, different from regular rods, designed not to injure internally but to inflict unbearable pain.
“Do you know your mistake?” asked the Princess Consort of Yu.
“Mother Consort, I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong.” Yuyan could no longer bear it.
“Tell me, where were you wrong?” the Princess Consort of Yu asked with a cold expression.
“I… I shouldn’t have used that thing,” Yuyan replied.
“Is that all?” The Princess Consort of Yu was almost amused to the point of laughter. Yuyan could not answer.
“Very well, I have indulged you too much in the past. Today, I will make sure you remember this lesson. One hundred planks, not one less. Put your strength into it. If I find you holding back, you will be punished!” the Princess Consort of Yu ordered. Upon hearing there were still one hundred planks, Yuyan felt faint.
The servants dared not delay. A plank struck Yuyan with full force. This single blow was unbearable for Yuyan. The entire Yu Prince’s estate was filled with her cries of punishment. The Princess Consort of Yu had never punished her so severely.
“Take this token and report to the Imperial Consort in the palace. Tell her that I have already punished the County Princess and that she should have someone come to examine the injuries. This is also to provide an explanation to His Majesty and the Imperial Consort Shu.” The Princess Consort of Yu then said to one of her attendants.
“Your servant understands, I will go immediately.” The servant dared not delay and proceeded to the palace. After Yuyan received all one hundred planks, blood had already appeared on her behind. She then blamed all of this on Nan Zhiyun.
Zichen Palace
Nan Zhiyun held a hand warmer in one hand and propped her chin on the other, still dwelling on the events that had just transpired.
“Qian Xia… His Majesty is holding a selection of imperial concubines.” Nan Zhiyun said with a hint of unhappiness.
“Your Ladyship, please rest assured. His Majesty favors Your Ladyship so greatly now. Even with a selection, His Majesty will surely be as devoted to Your Ladyship as always.” Qian Xia didn’t know how to comfort her regarding such matters, but from her daily observations, she felt His Majesty was not someone who easily grew tired of someone new.
“The Empress Dowager once told me that His Majesty is an Emperor. He has so many people in his harem; he cannot be devoted to just one person. Moreover, he is an Emperor, and heirs are very important…” Nan Zhiyun spoke, her brow furrowed with worry, though it was unclear what troubled her most.
“Your Ladyship,” Qian Xia said, seeing Nan Zhiyun’s despondent state, felt a pang of sympathy.
“…Qian Xia, if…” Nan Zhiyun seemed to have something on her mind but couldn’t bring herself to say it. However, her face flushed with a hint of shyness.
“If I deliberately… would that be considered charming the sovereign?” Nan Zhiyun’s voice was very soft, her face a deep shade of red. She felt such a thing was difficult to articulate, and it was fortunate Qian Xia was close enough to hear her.
Honestly, Qian Xia was startled when she heard this. Was this something her mistress would say?
“Your Ladyship, there is no need to rush this…” Qian Xia was at a loss for words. How could she not understand her mistress? If Nan Zhiyun were to truly act on this, Qian Xia couldn’t imagine the scene.
“His Majesty…” Nan Zhiyun seemed not to have heard Qian Xia. She was thinking, if it were truly possible, then surely many others in the harem would have succeeded by now.
She remembered someone deliberately attempting something similar before, and how terribly she was punished by His Majesty. She wasn't present then, but even hearing about it… Thinking of this, Nan Zhiyun’s face paled again. This method wouldn't work…