Chapter 13 Kneel Down

Nanyuan Hunting Ground is located in the northern suburbs of Kyoto. The vast woodland and swamp on the south bank is a place for royal hunting and military training. At the foot of the mountain, tents are set up in an orderly manner.

Like the harem, it is divided into front and back yards. The front is the residence of the emperor and ministers, and the back is the residence of the female family members.

There were three large tents of the Crown Prince, King Lin, and King Heng, and tents of all sizes were scattered around. Shen Lingshu was curious when she heard a familiar and annoying voice: "It really is my sister!"

Shen Lingshu turned around and saw Shen Lingyi, who was dressed in bright and beautiful clothes, with her hair full of pearls and jade, and her whole body exuded the word "noble".

"Meet the concubine."

Shen Lingshu bowed and saluted with a dignified demeanor that made it impossible to find any fault with her.

“Tsk tsk tsk, it seems that you are not doing well in the Linwang Mansion, Aunt Shen.”

Shen Lingyi took a step forward, her eyes fell on the white jade hairpin in Shen Lingshu's hair, and she emphasized the pronunciation of the three words "aunt Shen", with obvious sarcasm.

"My concubine greets the concubine." When Concubine Fang saw Shen Lingyi, she immediately stepped forward to pay her respects. She had inquired and knew that the prince had only brought Shen Lingyi as his concubine.

Furthermore, she wanted to find out what Shen Lingyi thought of Shen Lingshu.

Shen Lingyi wanted to know what kind of life Shen Lingshu was living in the palace.

The two hit it off immediately and were as close as sisters. Shen Lingshu was left aside. When talking about Shen Lingshu's seven consecutive days in the emperor's bedchamber, Shen Lingyi's face instantly darkened.

After Concubine Fang left, Shen Lingyi immediately started to complain: "Shen Lingshu, is this what the Shen family taught you?"

"To monopolize the favor, wouldn't that be a violation of our ancestral family rules?"

"If I delay the birth of Prince Lin's offspring, can you afford it?"

Shen Lingyi stared at Shen Lingshu's face. What a foxy girl! Unexpectedly, she really caught the eye of King Lin!

"Sister is from the Crown Prince's Mansion. Does that mean she has to take care of the affairs of our Lin Wang Mansion?"

Shen Lingshu frowned. Concubine Fang really spared no effort to dig a hole for her!

"Why, as your elder sister, I can't control you?"

Shen Lingyi's words were like a cannon, and she shouted in a deep voice: "Kneel down!"

"I won't kneel."

Before Shen Lingshu finished speaking, she saw the two maids behind Shen Lingyi rushing towards her, one on the left and one on the right, holding her down and pushing her down.

"The concubine asked you to kneel down, so it's better for you to be obedient."

The old woman raised her leg and hit her knee against the pit of her knee. The pain made Shen Lingshu sweat coldly. Her knees softened and she knelt down on one knee.

Shen Lingyi reached out her hand, but Shen Lingshu dodged and turned her face away.

The next moment, the old woman held her head down and made her face Shen Lingyi. She could not struggle and could only kneel in front of Shen Lingyi in a humiliating posture.

"master."

Zhu Xin was worried and stepped forward to help, but Shu Qing, the maid beside Shen Lingyi, grabbed her and slapped her in the face, saying, "The concubine has something to say to the aunt, and you, a maid, should not interrupt."

Shen Lingshu couldn't see Zhu Xin, but she heard the loud slap just now clearly. A flash of anger flashed in her eyes, and she said, "Shen Lingyi, aren't you afraid that I will tell the prince?"

"She's just a slave girl. Even if I kill her, let alone slap her, no one would dare to say a word."

Shen Lingyi raised her hand and gently stroked her face with her beautiful nails: “Tsk tsk tsk, such a beautiful face, if it is ruined, will Prince Lin still like it?”

"You dare not." Shen Lingshu said coldly.

"Oh."

Shen Lingyi sneered, pinching her face with both hands, her long nails almost pinching her flesh. She said coldly: "Shen Lingshu, don't think that you can sit back and relax just because you entered the Linwang Mansion. Put on airs in front of me!"

"Pooh."

Shen Lingyi spat out a mouthful of water and said word by word: "Remember, you are a concubine of low status. Whatever this concubine asks you to do, do it obediently, otherwise..."

"This concubine holds your life in her hands like an ant."

Shen Lingyi shook her face away as if she was disgusted. She stood up and said, "Madam Wu, please supervise my concubine to reflect on her mistakes. She is not allowed to get up until she kneels for two full hours."

"Yes." Nanny Wu responded.

Shen Lingyi's luxurious dress passed by Shen Lingyi, and outside the tent, the sound of Shen Lingyi chatting intimately with others could be vaguely heard.

After two hours, Aunt Wu finally left. Shen Lingshu, who had been kneeling for two hours, couldn't even stand up and fell down limply.

"Master!" Zhu Xin's voice rang out in tears. She said angrily, "I'll go tell the prince, and ask him to make the decision for the master."

Shen Lingshu grabbed Zhuxin and shook her head, saying, “It’s useless. Help me to the bed and rest.”

"Master, the prince will never let you be bullied like this." Zhu Xin helped Shen Lingshu to the bed to rest, and carefully lifted her knees, which were blue.

Zhu Xin's tears of heartache fell down.

"This kind of quarrel between women is nothing more than petty gossip in the eyes of men, not worth mentioning."

Shen Lingshu lowered her eyes: "What's more, Shen Lingyi is the prince's concubine. The prince respects the prince and will not disturb him for such a trivial matter. There is no need to let the prince think that I am meddling."

"Besides, there are so many people coming and going here, and someone would definitely see me being punished. It's hard for His Majesty not to know. If I keep it to myself, maybe His Majesty will think I'm obedient and sensible."

"Well, when the prince sees this, he will definitely take charge of the matter for the master." Zhu Xin gently placed a handkerchief on her legs and massaged them gently to relieve the discomfort.

"The prince will not come today."

Shen Lingshu's voice was firm.

"Why?" Zhu Xin was puzzled. Whether in the mansion or on the way, the prince would always come to see his master if he had time.

Shen Lingshu didn't say anything else, but just said: "Bring the hot eggs and put them on your face. If you encounter this situation next time, don't rush forward stupidly."

"Thank you, master." Although Zhu Xin was beaten, she did not regret it at all. She had to protect such a good master.

In the evening, the prince did not come as expected, and sent Qingwu to convey a message that the prince needed to accompany the emperor and had no time to come.

"Master, tomorrow, the prince will definitely come tomorrow." Zhu Xin said comfortingly.

Shen Lingshu smiled, and the next day, she heard the news that the prince had gone to Hai Jiaren's tent, and she was so angry that she kicked Zhu Xin's feet!

"Ouch." Zhuxin jumped in pain holding her feet.

"Zhu Xin, why are you angry with a table?" Shen Lingshu watched this scene and supported her helplessly.

"I feel sorry for my master." Zhu Xin pursed her lips. It seemed that she could no longer rely on the prince.

"Zhu Xin, can't you see? Concubine Fang and Shen Lingyi have joined forces."

Shen Lingshu didn't expect that this girl still remembered the kneeling punishment. She patiently explained that she should stay by her side in the future. As her status improves in the future, Zhuxin's ability also needs to be improved.

"ah?"

Zhu Xin realized it later and said, "Oh, that's right. I saw the prince coming to see the master today, but he was intercepted by the concubine. Then, he went to Hai's place."

Zhu Xin: "Then, let's just call it a day?"

“Of course not, from now on, I will pay you both the principal and interest.” Shen Lingshu is even more determined to climb up. If she were a concubine, or even a higher status, would Shen Lingyi still dare to be so arrogant today?