Chapter 10

The Prince of Liang was depraved.

No high ranking official or noble lord in the capital would willingly send their own daughters off to marry the Prince of Liang. For this reason, the Prince of Liang had remained without an official wife for so long. After all, the Prince of Liang was not willing to marry a daughter from a humble family.

The Prince of Liang had only jokingly brought up the subject of marriage when he was drinking with Prime Minister Xia. He never imagined that after a few drinks, Prime Minister Xia would agree to it. How could the Prince of Liang let go of this opportunity?

Prince of Liang, oh, Prince of Liang. I hope you’re in the palace as well. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult for my plan to succeed! Zian thought to herself as she twisted the Soul Command Ring around her finger.

...

Finally, the carriage stopped at the western gate of the palace.

“The Empress has issued a decree. Since the Goddess Guanyin’s birthday falls on the nineteenth day of the sixth month, all wives and daughters of high-ranking officials who enter the palace must enter by kneeling three times and knocking their heads on the ground nine times from the Western Gate. This is to pray for blessings for the Empress Dowager,” a nanny explained to Zian.

Zian stared at the nanny and replied calmly, “The Empress’ filial piety toward the Empress Dowager is really moving. I must follow the Empress’ good example.”

“Then please enter on your knees, Eldest Lady!” The nanny replied indifferently.

Zian slowly kneeled on the ground. How could she not know that the Empress was only putting on airs?

However, Zian knew this was only the beginning.

Walking three steps before kneeling and knocking one’s head on the ground nine times to pray for blessings for the Empress Dowager. Naturally, Zian could not kowtow in a careless manner. They had to be able to hear the knocks on the ground very clearly.

The two nannies followed behind her, counting out loud, “One step, two steps, three steps, kneel. Kowtow nine times. Rise. One step, two steps…”

Zian listened to their orders. When it was time to kneel, she landed on her knees with a thump. When it was time to kowtow, she knocked her head on the ground with a thud.

Every time Zian knelt, there had to be a thumping sound, and she was not allowed to slowly kneel. If she didn’t use enough force, the nannies would make her kneel all over again with a cold expression on their faces. If the sound of her kowtow was not clear enough, she had to do it again.

Although the distance from the Western Gate to the Imperial Harem was only a few hundred meters, it had already caused Zian’s forehead to swell and bleed. Her knees hurt as though they were pricked by pins.

At this moment, Zian was seeing double. She felt extremely dizzy. The nannies’ voices seemed to echo from afar, but it sounded so thunderous at the same time, hurting her ears.

Xia Zian, this is only the beginning. You must hold on. Otherwise, you’ll die again today.

Zian feared death. She wanted to live. Staying alive was the only way to have hope. Therefore, she had to keep kneeling even if her knees split open and bled.

The road seemed to stretch without an end.

Zian nearly lost consciousness. However, her faith and determination to survive kept her going. She had to endure this! She tried to hide the anger and hatred in her eyes to appear gentle and devout.

Finally, Zian arrived at the Empress’ Palace of Quiet Tranquility.

Zian was already drenched in sweat. Her sweat, mixed with her blood, trickled down her body. Coupled with the torn bridal robes she was wearing, she created a tragic yet bewitching sight.

“Please remain on your knees, Eldest Lady Xia. Her Majesty is speaking to the Prince Regent. She’ll summon you once she’s finished,” a nanny said indifferently.

It was slowly getting dark. The sky was painted in orange and yellow hues.

Zian knelt with a straight back. She used all her strength to prevent herself from trembling. She was not sure if she was hot or cold or if she was in pain. Her head was swollen and bleeding from kowtowing. The blood dripped steadily on the marble floor. However, she remained calm and unmoving like a statue.

Zian continued kneeling for another hour. At this point, she no longer had the strength to straighten her back.

Finally, a nanny appeared from the palace and said, “Eldest Lady Xia, Her Majesty, the Empress, has summoned you to the palace hall to have an audience with her!”

“Thank you, nanny!” Zian replied with respectfully and cautiously. She rose to her feet with great difficulty. Her legs were so numb that she could no longer feel pain there. She stumbled a few times before she finally managed to steady herself.