She fell out after crying at the wrong grave

The weather, half snow and half cold rain, was more unbearable than usual. Xue Ping stood outside the door with his sleeves rolled up, waiting for the new emperor to call him in.

The eunuch who was serving inside came out, his back hunched, and even though he was standing under the corridor, he was covered in wind and snow.

"Master, His Majesty wants you to come in." He took a few steps forward and quickly wiped the water off Xue Ping's cloak. The eunuch said softly, "The beauty Jin is inside, and she is talking about Princess Xuancheng's meeting with the Shangshu's wife."

When Xue Ping heard this, his heart sank.

He had been hiding as much as possible these days, fearing that the emperor would see him and get angry because he had not done his job well. It was the end of the year and it was time to worship the ancestors. There was still no heir in the palace this year, and the new emperor was already angry, not knowing where to vent his anger. Xue Ping did not want to offend him.

He walked into the hall in silence, stood in front of the charcoal brazier to warm himself, and when he was sure that he was no longer cold, he put on a smile and walked in with a hunched back.

"Your Majesty, may you be well and may Lady Jin be well." He bowed politely, but for a long while no one called him to get up.

Shen Zhuo closed his eyes while Xiao Jin, dressed in pearls and jade, stood behind him, obediently pinching his brows.

Last night, he dreamed that his father and grandfather scolded him for being an unfilial descendant. Not only did he kill his brother and usurp the throne, but he couldn't even have a son or a daughter. If he let the Shen family die out and become a laughing stock, he would not be allowed to enter the imperial mausoleum after his death.

Shen Zhuo felt as if he were on fire, with pain burning through his bones. He knelt on the ground and begged for mercy without even breathing. His brother gathered his sleeves and stood behind him, watching with a gloating look on his face.

Shen Zhuo was furious. When he woke up, it was not yet the hour of Yin. The sky was so gloomy that he could not tell whether it was sunny or raining through the window paper.

In half an hour someone would come to wake him up, and then he would wash up and go to court to listen to those old and pedantic scholars talking about nonsense.

Shen Zhuo rested his hands on the couch behind him and breathed deeply.

The Chong'an Palace in the darkness was like a man-eating cage, oppressing him with its gloomy feeling.

A few steps forward was the threshold where he forced Shen Cong to commit suicide two years ago. Under his gaze and the swordplay around him, Shen Cong had no choice but to hang himself with a belt on the door beam.

The dim candlelight outside the hall was like a ghostly fire. In his drowsiness, Shen Zhuo saw Shen Cong, who seemed to be wearing old pajamas, hanging on the threshold, smiling at him sinisterly.

So what, my royal brother? Even if you seize the throne and force me to death, I will still be childless and an unfilial descendant.

Shen Zhuo broke out in a cold sweat, his mouth was dry and his vision was becoming increasingly blurry. He finally let out a loud scream, leaned back, and passed out.

The imperial physician came hurriedly to feel Shen Zhuo's pulse, but couldn't tell what the cause was. Shen Zhuo himself found it difficult to speak out, and was depressed the whole day. He didn't even bother to look at the delicate beauty standing next to him.

When Xiao Jin saw the look Xue Ping gave her, her hands suddenly became heavy, and Shen Zhuo woke up with a "tsk".

"Didn't the aunts teach you how to serve me when you entered the palace? You were so harsh."

Xiao Jin was waved away, and she knelt down in grievance. She was right next to Xue Ping, so he could see her at a glance. "I am stupid, please punish me, Your Majesty. No matter how you punish me, Your Majesty, please don't get angry and hurt yourself."

The voice was soft and a little timid, and Shen Zhuo raised his head immediately.

Still unable to save face, he waved his hands irritably and asked both of them to stand up.

Xiao Jin didn't hold a grudge at all. She immediately returned to Shen Zhuo with a smile and lay on his knees, pinching him.

Shen Zhuo then looked at Xue Ping and said, "I heard that you were ill these few days?" He handed the teacup to him. Shen Zhuo blew on it, and the covered bowl fell with a crisp sound.

Xue Ping humbly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I just had some old injuries that flared up. I came to serve you as soon as I was able to get up."

The implication is that he is seriously ill and has not yet recovered. It was caused by you, Shen Zhuo, so he has to be more polite when speaking so as not to be too harsh on his servants.

Shen Zhuo was speechless for a long while, then hummed and asked, "I heard that the little girl from Xuancheng wants to see Cui?"

Shen Zhuo got angry when he thought of her. In the nightmare yesterday, Shen Cong was spared the scolding from his grandfather and father because of such a little girl, but he was the only one who was scolded. It was really uneasy for both the dead and the living.

Xue Ping replied, "I have heard that it was the maidservant beside the princess who reported it, but she did not explain the reason. I will wait for your Majesty's instructions."

Xue Ping didn't want to get involved in this mess.

No one knows their emperor better than Xue Ping. He has no ability at all, but he wants to act like a wise ruler. He is like someone who wants to do a job without the necessary skills. Not only inside and outside the palace, but also under the rule of Da Chong, the whole situation is in decline.

Princess Xuancheng had never had any friendship with him, and he was deceived by her and Marquis Zhao right under his nose. Xue Ping wanted to protect himself. Anyway, she would have to marry Youbei soon, and her life and death would be in the hands of fate. It would be better for her to die early.

Shen Zhuo looked at the gold thread on his dragon robe, as if he was not paying attention. "Prince Youbei has left, and I have given her enough face. This little girl is not born to be content, just keep a close eye on her and don't let her die."

Even though the request was rejected, Xue Ping got the OK and bowed, "Yes, I'll do it right away."

Xiao Jin said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this Princess Xuancheng is really ungrateful. Your Majesty has given her such preferential treatment, but she is restless and either runs away secretly or asks for this or that. She really doesn't know what's good for her and needs to be reprimanded." As she spoke, she changed her mind and said, "It's also the fault of the wild girl next to her. I think she has also taught the princess bad things outside. She needs to be punished as well."

There was something meaningful in his words, which woke Shen Zhuo up.

She found a new maid. She escaped from the palace two years ago because she beat and killed her previous maid.

Isn't it easy to control this niece?
Shen Zhuo suddenly smiled and held Xiao Jin's hand, "My beloved concubine is right. It's time to teach her a lesson and let her learn to respect her elders."

The imperial carriage was lavish and grand, and it marched all the way in from the entrance of Changsheng Hall. The eunuchs alone came to pass the message, and their voices gradually grew louder and louder, making a huge commotion.

At that time, Ah'ao and Ying'en were sitting in front of a charcoal fire, setting up a rack to roast chestnuts and walnuts, and they hadn't had time to shake off the residue on their bodies.

This is the second time I have seen the Emperor's uncle since I entered the palace. It's quite new.

Thinking of not going out, she simply wore a skirt and tied her hair casually, just like when she was in Kezhou.

Ying En was worried, "Your Highness, will you be disrespectful to His Majesty by wearing this? Why don't you change into something else?"

Ah-yi shook her head lazily, "I only wear clothes that are suitable for people, but he is not a human being at all."

The words were shocking. Ying'en stood there in a daze, and said fearfully, "Don't you dare say such things! It's very disrespectful!" But as they reached the door of the hall, Ying'en quickly stopped talking.

With someone holding an umbrella behind them, Shen Zhuo and Xiao Jin stopped leisurely in the yard.

Seeing this, Ah-yi froze in her kneeling position, lifted her skirt and took a few steps, finally reaching the courtyard. Cold snowflakes mixed with the snow fell on her body bit by bit.

It was really a torture. A'ao shivered from the cold rain falling on her neck and almost fell down.

"My dear niece, it's been a long time since we last met. Are you used to living in Changsheng Palace?"

Without waiting for Ah-yi's answer, Shen Zhuo continued, "Oh, I forgot, you have never lived in this Changsheng Palace since you were a child, so how can you say whether you are used to it or not?"

That condescending look and deliberately mocking tone made Ah'ao feel sick.

How can an emperor be so mean and successful?

Despite this, she still maintained a proper smile, "With the care of the Emperor's uncle, anywhere is a comfortable place for me."

"Hmm." Shen Zhuo smiled, true and false, false and true, he was flattered by the flattery, "You really are carved from the same mold as my deceased sister-in-law. Not long ago, she was also so flattering to me."

It was so quiet that I didn't even dare to breathe.

Ah'ao clenched her teeth, she was tense and couldn't even smile.

She remained kneeling, having not performed a salute for a long time. Her knees and legs were sore, but it was not as strong as the disgust in her heart.

She was wondering why Shen Zhuo had condescended to come here, but it turned out that he came here to humiliate her.

What a great honor, Ah-yi thought, once Hu Gui left, she no longer had to pretend. When Gu Shouchun and Hu Gui brought her back, Ah-yi knew that she would suffer sooner or later, but she didn't expect that she was only pretending to be generous in front of others, but her true face was revealed behind their backs.

After a while, Shen Zhuo had admired her servile appearance enough, and said in a good mood, "Yuan Ning, get up."

A'ao suddenly remembered that this was the name her grandfather originally gave her.

But not long after that, Shen Cong succeeded to the throne. From then on, she was thrown to Madam Cui, who called her by her childhood name Ah-yi.

This is the name given to her by Chen Zhaoying.

Chen Zhaoying was a typical girl who only hoped that her daughter would be as elegant and quiet as her name, become a good wife and a good mother, and live a smooth life.

A'an was unwilling.

Even though it is contrary to Chen Zhaoying's hopes now, A'ao still retains this word.

It seems that this also shows that Chen Zhaoying loves her.

She also laughed at herself for such an awkward idea, how could a child ask for so much. Two years ago, someone told her, be content, Chen Zhaoying did not strangle you to death when she found out you were a girl, which was already a great favor from your parents.

Ah-yi felt a soreness in her eyes and throat, and restrained herself, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Shen Zhuo tilted his head and smiled playfully, "I heard that you want to meet your adoptive mother? What's the matter?"

It is naturally impossible to tell the truth.

Just as Ah'an was preparing the excuse she had already thought of, Shen Zhuo moved his fingers, and two eunuchs stepped forward and captured Ying'en behind them.

Ying'en was afraid of causing trouble for A'an, so he didn't dare to make a sound even though his arm was twisted, he was kicked to his knees, and his whole body was covered in mud and water.

Ah's body swayed and her heart almost rose to her throat.

"Talk nicely." Shen Zhuo said coldly, looking at her struggling helplessly.

Almost in an instant, that dazzling afternoon outside the Yongning Gate, the screams of the maid and the smell of blood coming from behind her hit A's ears and nose again.

She shouted, Princess, save me.

There was a dull thud as the heavy wooden board fell on a person, and Ah'an was startled as she knocked her head on the ground.

Day and night, like the endless tide.

Everything in front of her eyes turned white, and she suddenly felt aches all over her body. She broke out in cold sweat on her back and almost fell to the ground.

But she can't.

If Shen Zhuo could find out that she was still from a famous family, given his personality, he would torture Ying En in various ways.

She can't.

Ah's face was pale, and she tried hard to suppress the nausea and replied, "Your Majesty, Madam Cui has prepared a dowry for me. I want to inform her in person about the marriage."

Shen Zhuo stared at her for a long time.

It was like watching an animal struggling in a cage, and all the nightmares from the previous night were swept away.

"Pass on my decree. From today on, the Changsheng Palace will be sealed off and no one is allowed to enter or leave."

(End of this chapter)