Chapter 2

I stressed every word, my voice cold as ice.

“What is the prescribed punishment?”

The lead guard answered expressionlessly.

“Twenty slaps, Your Highness, as a warning to others.”

“Then carry it out.”

“Don’t you dare!”

Xiao Jingyan immediately pulled Liu Ruyue behind him and glared at me.

“Let me see who dares touch her!”

At his protective stance, the last warmth in my heart vanished.

I rose slowly and walked toward him.

“Look carefully, Xiao Jingyan.”

“I am the principal consort appointed by the emperor himself, a wife entered in the imperial clan register.”

“She”—I pointed behind him—“is merely a cousin living here at our expense.”

“Must I seek your approval to punish an inferior who affronts me?”

I turned to the guards, leaving no room for doubt.

“Take her out.”

They exchanged a glance, then stopped hesitating.

Xiao Jingyan was a prince.

Their master was the General’s household.

Shen Ce, whose slightest movement could shake the whole northern frontier.

They passed him, seized Liu Ruyue on either side, and lifted her as she screamed.

“Cousin, save me! Cousin!”

“Shen Qingning! You’re mad!”

He tried to rush forward but my maids blocked him.

Looking at his face, distorted with fury, I spoke softly enough to freeze him where he stood.

“I’d like to see what a petty prince like him can do to me in the face of my father’s household.”

The sharp slaps mixed with Liu Ruyue’s cries and echoed through the garden.

One.

Then another.

The guests were silent as winter cicadas. No one dared speak.

I merely removed my soiled cloak at leisure and tossed it to the maid beside me.

“Burn it.”

“Filthy things bring bad luck just to look at.”

2

Rouge, flowers, and Liu Ruyue’s stifled sobs filled the Spring Garden.

Twenty slaps.

Not one fewer.

Father’s personal soldiers knew precisely how hard to strike.

Enough to make the pain unbearable.

Not enough to cause serious structural injury.

When they brought her back, both cheeks were swollen red.

Blood seeped from the corners of her mouth. She stared at me with venom, none of her usual frailty left.

Xiao Jingyan rushed forward and held her tightly.

Seeing her face, his fury seemed ready to burn me to ash.

“Are you satisfied now, Shen Qingning?”

He struggled to suppress his rage, forcing each word through his teeth.

I lifted my tea and blew gently across its surface, never looking at him.

“When rules are disorderly, they must be corrected. Otherwise even the cats and dogs here will think they can climb over my head.”

“You…”

“Cousin…”

Liu Ruyue tugged weakly at his sleeve. Large tears rolled down her face.

“Don’t be angry with Sister for me. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have soiled her cloak…”

For two years, she had performed this retreat that was really an advance.

Once, I found it annoying.

Now it sickened me.

“Be quiet.”

I set my cup down with a faint sound.

“Who gave you leave to speak here?”

She shrank into Xiao Jingyan’s arms, her shoulders trembling.

He patted her back tenderly and looked at me with disappointment.

“Qingning, I never thought you could be so cruel and consumed by jealousy.”

Cruel?

Jealous?

I nearly laughed aloud.