23 Blood For Blood (1/2)

BAI SHEN HONG

EMPEROR HUIZHONG

THE PALACE

”Would his majesty like to see the blooming flower?” Court Lady Nam's face mellowed with a naughty look. She, only, was aware of the rendezvous he had with foreign women when he went on trips, leaving his concubines untouched. He had no desire to touch women offered on the platter as pawns for power—who were also far from his taste—thus why he settled to have his needs satisfied somewhere else.

He enjoyed fooling around with women who didn't know who he was, who didn't look at him like he owned the world, who didn't waver in his presence but were gallant mistresses of seduction.

”Your majesty?” Court Lady Nam gently probed.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, ”We will pass by the Women of Art quarters.” The case was intriguing on its own, and it was his priority to be aware of everything that took place in the palace—be it the harem—that he, the emperor, did not traditionally have control over. It was the empress' responsibility to manage it but due to one not existing, his grandmother (Grand Dowager Empress) and adoptive mother (Dowager Empress Wang) were in charge.

He frowned, surprised by the noise that grew louder and louder the more he approached the quarters.

'Do they think this is an animal farm?'

When he took a turn, he was stunned to see two ladies brawling like animals, palace maids offering them audience.

Shen Hong couldn't believe it. Such mayhem in his palace? Such uncivilized unladylike-like behavior in his presence? Unacceptable.

”What's this ruckus?” he roared. Leisurely, Luo Meng drew closer to him, ready to offer his sword. It was predictable what came to follow next. Realizing who he was, they all fell to the ground and ushered their greetings, terror resonating from their voices.

”Answer the Emperor!” Court Lady Nam yelled from behind.

”Greetings and blessings to his majesty.” A voice he was familiar with started, ”Your majesty, this servant was just trying to have the palace maids repent on their mistakes but the Senior Lady was unwilling.”

It was her.

The woman who drove him into insanity a week ago. How could he forget? Just her voice was enough to confirm her identity. It was confident, sultry and provocative. Did she do that on purpose or was she born voluptuous?

He blinked his eyes. The fact that she was right before his eyes was unbelievable, like a dream, but more innocent compared to the ones he had been having about her recently. She wore a decent blush pink hanfu, and like the other times he had seen her, her face was half covered. He had thought the reason behind that was their situation but another reason appeared to stand.

”Your majesty, that's untrue. That servant is cunning,” the Senior Lady retaliated. ”She owns clothes of nobility when she is nothing but a servant. According to our class system, this is improper and shaming, so this subject found it right to instruct the palace maids to get rid of them and avoid any problems, but she started throwing fits of rage and slapped me. Your majesty, what is this lady supposed to do when she is disrespected like that?” She started sobbing.

”How dare you impose a question on the Emperor?” Court Lady Nam admonished harshly.

Emperor Huizhong cast a glance at the previously known lady of Wei who did not waste her breath defending herself. She was recoiling in quietude, and strangely, he understood her tactic. She was one to choose her battles.

”Your majesty, please forgive this servant for being disrespectful and impudent,” she regretted. One would be fooled and think she was sorry but he knew an act when he saw one.