Palace Rules

On the day when His Highness the Fourth Prince was choosing his concubine, Qi Qinghe woke up early, a rare occasion, to help His Highness the Crown Prince change his clothes. "Is Your Highness going too today?"

"I'm busy today, I'm afraid I'll be late." Xiao Junbai opened his arms and let her put on his robe. "The third sister will go with you."

"The Third Princess seems to like me very much." Qi Qinghe stepped back a little, looked up and down at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, pursed her lips and smiled softly.

"It's rare for her to have someone to talk to in the palace." Xiao Junbai also had a faint smile in his eyes. He stretched out his arm, pulled the person into his arms, and kissed the top of her head. "There are so many people around, don't let your guard down."

His Highness has been acting like this often these days. Not only the Crown Princess, but even Yun Tao, Yun Xing and Cheng Xi have gotten used to it and have all lowered their heads and left.

Qi Qinghe blushed and nodded. Taking advantage of His Highness's good mood, she couldn't help but say a few more words, "Your Highness, I usually don't have anyone to talk to in the palace. Why don't you summon my sister to the palace to talk with me?"

As soon as these words came out, she instantly felt the hand caressing her back stop, and the prince's voice floated down from above her head, "Are you feeling stuffy?"

This question left Qi Qinghe at a loss for words. She smiled awkwardly, "Not really, I just miss my sisters."

"Let's discuss this matter later." Xiao Junbai threw down a sentence and left.

Qi Qinghe watched His Highness walk away and breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know why, but she had been feeling restless and increasingly irritable these past few days, even doing stupid things.

Is it because I am alone in the palace and have no one to discuss things with?

"Imperial Sister-in-law!" An excited voice came from far away and stopped in front of the palace. Xiao Junluo poked his head out from the window and looked around curiously, "Is the Imperial Sister-in-law awake?"

Qi Qinghe gathered his thoughts and raised the corner of his mouth, "I got up early and was waiting for you."

Xiao Junluo was wearing a deep blue palace dress today, as clear as the sky, spotless and pure. Her facial features had grown more and more beautiful, and she looked pleasing no matter how you looked at her.

The selection of concubines was held in the Imperial Garden, which was not far from the Eastern Palace, so following Xiao Junluo's words, the two of them walked slowly there.

Only when we arrived at the Imperial Garden did we realize how lively it was. All the noble ladies were there, all of them were beautiful and talented, making the golden chrysanthemums beside them look a little dim.

The Queen and the Imperial Concubine had not arrived yet, and the girls were gathered together talking. When they heard the noise, they turned their heads and saw that it was Qi Qinghe. Some of them changed their expressions, while others remained calm.

Among these people, there were also some who had run for the Crown Princess. Qi Qinghe had a vague impression that some unpleasant things had happened that day.

Her slender willow-shaped eyebrows were knitted together, and she pulled Xiao Junluo away, "The two ladies haven't arrived yet, let's go shopping first."

Xiao Junluo looked at everyone and the Empress Dowager with a strange look, and asked doubtfully, "What's wrong with the Empress Dowager? Aren't those sisters good enough?"

Qi Qinghe sighed softly, "They are very good, but we just don't get along very well."

Xiao Junluo seemed to understand, "Then where are we going now, sister-in-law?"

The garden is so big that I’m afraid I can’t walk far.

Qi Qinghe stopped and looked around thoughtfully. At this moment, he could only see the standing rockery, the rugged rocks, and the flowers in full bloom on both sides.

She puffed out her cheeks and blew hard, "We'll go back after we go around the rockery."

Xiao Junluo nodded and took the emperor's sister-in-law's arm to the rockery.

Unexpectedly, when he was about to turn the corner, he heard faint voices. It sounded like a man and a woman were talking about today's selection of concubines.

"Your Highness, can this humble servant really do this today? But as for the Crown Princess, I scolded her before. Is she planning to resort to some tricks?"

"No." The man's voice was deep and unfamiliar. "I've made all the arrangements. I'm sure nothing will go wrong."

The two strolling around stopped at the same time. Xiao Junluo tugged at the emperor's sister-in-law's sleeve and said in a low voice, "It's the voice of the fourth emperor."

Compared to the emperor's sister-in-law, Xiao Junluo has spent more time in the palace and is more familiar with this voice.

Qi Qinghe covered her mouth and pulled her away.

After they walked away, she let go of his hand and made a shushing gesture, "Your Highness the Fourth Prince didn't say it directly, I think he didn't want to make things difficult for the future Queen. But today is different."

"Royal sister, please remember, we haven't heard anything." She looked at Xiao Junluo seriously, feeling a little headache. How should she explain this? Xiao Junluo was a princess, so she would definitely be fine. But as the Crown Princess, it wasn't certain. "Just let nature take its course. Don't ruin someone's good fortune."

Xiao Junluo's confused eyes fell on the emperor's sister-in-law, and he nodded as if he understood.

The two returned to the Magnolia Pavilion where the concubine selection was held, but they saw many girls standing upright in the hall, without a single word being spoken.

They walked past the crowd and took their seats, only then did they see the imperial concubine sitting in the high seat on the left.

"Oh, how come you guys are here so early? I've had breakfast after all." The imperial concubine said with a smile, inviting Xiao Junluo to sit down beside her. "You are so heartless! You disappeared so early in the morning without even notifying your mother."

"Please forgive me, mother." Xiao Junluo sat down obediently beside his mother. "I saw that you were still asleep this morning, so I didn't dare to disturb you."

"Look at your eloquent mouth." The imperial concubine pinched her daughter's mouth and smiled even more deeply.

Qi Qinghe bowed and saluted, then took a seat and said with a wry smile, "Your Highness has of course had your meal."

The imperial concubine smiled faintly but said nothing.

At this time, the palace maids outside the door shouted, "The Queen has arrived."

The Queen approached slowly. "I had a headache this morning, so I'm a little late. Is everyone here? I don't want anyone to be late or get lost, or do something indecent."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Everyone is here." The palace maid bowed and explained.

The Fourth Prince Xiao Junhui, who came with the Queen, was still so taciturn, not saying a word. He supported his knees with his hands, and his eyes never lingered on these girls.

"Then let's begin." The Queen glanced at Xiao Junhui. "Since His Majesty the Fourth Prince is choosing a concubine, why are you still sitting here, Hui'er?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Junhui stood up, walked in front of the girls, and casually stuffed the golden chrysanthemum, which symbolized the queen, into his pocket.

The girl who was stuffed in had bright eyes and white teeth, and was gentle and soft. When she expressed her gratitude, her voice was soft and gentle, which was very pleasant to hear.

Qi Qinghe listened calmly. The girl's voice was completely different from her previous giggle. If it weren't for the similar tone, she would almost suspect that she was hallucinating.

The matter of selecting a concubine was settled. The Queen Mother asked about the girl's family background. The girl's name was Zhou Ruoyan. She was the only daughter of the cabinet minister and the Minister of Personnel. The Queen Mother was very satisfied.

Several ladies stayed to talk, and the unsuccessful ladies dispersed. However, a few still refused to leave, blocking the doorway and complaining indignantly, "Why did we make two wasted trips? This time losing to Miss Zhou was one thing, but what about the Crown Princess last time?"

Although he spoke with righteous indignation, and attracted several people who stayed behind to echo him, his voice was very soft and only a few people around him could hear it clearly.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Juntang, who arrived late, heard these words. Before she left, her mother warned her not to cause trouble.

She didn't like Qi Qinghe in the first place, and upon hearing that, she sneered and agreed, forgetting what her mother had said. "That's right, what good can a wild girl like her do? How can she be my sister-in-law?"

Others would naturally lower their voices, but His Highness Shao Yue did not need to.

The provocative voice carried into the hall, and everyone in the hall heard it clearly.

Qi Qinghe pretended not to hear anything and was about to bow and leave when the palace servants outside the door loudly announced again that His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had arrived.

Your Majesty's arrival caught everyone by surprise.

The Queen kept a faint smile on her face. "Tang'er just spoke her mind for a moment. I hope the Crown Princess doesn't mind."

After saying that, he signaled the palace maid beside him to invite His Highness Shao Yue in.

Xiao Juntang, who had a momentary eloquence, walked in dejectedly, followed closely by His Majesty and the Crown Prince.

"Is it over?" His Majesty sat down on the high seat, his thick eyebrows raised, a smile on his face, "Which one did the fourth brother choose?"

"Hui'er has good taste in Lord Zhou's only daughter." The queen said, raising her chin slightly.

Zhou Ruoyan bowed politely.

The emperor nodded, summoned the palace maids to arrange the marriage, and told them to come in.

Following His Majesty's words, two guards dragged in a young girl. The girl had a pretty face with makeup on, but now she was crying so hard that her makeup was smudged. Tears kept rolling down her red and swollen eyes, and she kept crying and shouting that she knew she was wrong.

"The palace is different from other places." The emperor glanced at the prince. "Prince, what do you think we should do about those who gossip?"

Xiao Junbai said, "Ten strokes of the cane."

Qi Qinghe was shocked when she heard this. She had only seen a palace maid being punished once, and that was also ten lashes. The maid's flesh and blood were blurred, her face was as white as paper, and her steps were unsteady, requiring support from others.

Now, for just saying something irresponsible, he is punished with ten strokes of the cane!

She quietly reached out and pulled His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Xiao Junbai held her hand in return, and under his father's slightly praising gaze, he asked the palace servants to drag the person out.

After a while, shrill screams broke through the sky.

The Empress and the Imperial Concubine seemed to be used to it, their faces calm, as if the screams no longer existed.

However, Miss Zhou Ruoyan's face turned pale, she pursed her lips and lowered her head, not daring to look any further.

Qi Qinghe subconsciously clenched the prince's hand. Her slightly long nails scratched the palm, leaving it sticky, but she seemed not to hear anything. All she could hear in her head was the girl's wailing.

It was not until the queen called her that she came back to her senses.

"Hui'er is about to get married. I'm thinking of going to Wanguo Temple to pray for Hui'er. My sister, the Imperial Concubine, and the Crown Princess should go with me. Miss Zhou and Hui'er should also come."

"Sister, you are really in a good mood." The imperial concubine responded with a smile, "Indeed, Luo'er is getting older, and it's time to pray for her."

Seeing that both ladies had agreed, Qi Qinghe could not say anything to refuse. "It is my honor to be able to accompany you two ladies."

The two people who had just been married expressed their gratitude together.

They chatted until a quarter of an hour later.

Qi Qinghe followed the prince's footsteps and stepped out of the Magnolia Pavilion. In the small open space in front of the garden, there was a faint smell of blood in the air, and the cracks in the stone blue road under her feet were bright red.

Even though the palace maids cleaned it up, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened here.

"The palace rules are very strict." Xiao Junbai saw her pace pause and walked, and with a look of pity on his face, he stopped and waited for her, "You should get used to it."

"Yes." Qi Qinghe lowered his head and said in a muffled voice. Only then did he see the bloodstains on his fingertips. He took two quick steps and lifted the prince's hand.

Xiao Junbai's palm was covered in blood and flesh, and it was unbearable to look at.