Chapter 13

Ji Yan’an kept hold of Song Yi’s hand the entire way. She was clearly frightened herself, yet she still turned back to reassure her.

“Don’t worry. I’m here! I definitely won’t let them make things difficult for you.”

Song Yi nodded, showing that she believed her.

As they spoke, the two arrived before the main hall of Yong’an Palace. Looking up, they saw red sandalwood beams stretching across the ceiling. At the center of the hall hung an enormous luminous pearl set into the ornate dome above. On a gloomy day like this, its glow outshone candlelight, bathing the entire hall in a brilliant radiance.

The windows, carved from dark slate-colored tiles, and the palace walls built from polished jade were decorated with elegant peacocks displaying their feathers. Amid all the heavy extravagance, those details lent the hall a surprising sense of grace and vitality.

The sheer splendor was almost blinding.

Even the current Empress Dowager did not indulge in luxury to this extent, yet Consort Liu had somehow managed it.

Standing at the entrance, Ji Yan’an immediately spotted Liu Wanwan reclining lazily on a couch inside. Nervous beyond measure, she found her palms damp with sweat as she squeezed Song Yi’s hand.

Sensing her unease, Song Yi stepped forward, intending to enter first. Ji Yan’an stopped her.

She straightened her skirts and adjusted the dangling ornaments in her hair. Determination filled her eyes—the sort of resolve one might have before marching toward certain death.

Song Yi couldn’t help but laugh softly before following behind her.

“This subject’s daughter, Ji Yan’an, greets Your Highness.”

“This subject’s daughter, Song Yi, greets Your Highness.”

The two clear voices rang through the hall.

Liu Wanwan slowly opened her eyes.

The crimson floral ornament between her brows made her look less like a noble consort and more like some enchanting demoness. A single glance from those eyes seemed capable of stealing a person’s soul.

Ji Yan’an blinked several times in disbelief.

Could someone rumored to be so vicious really possess such breathtaking beauty?

The original novel had only briefly described Liu Wanwan as beautiful. Who could have imagined she was this stunning—seductive enough to captivate anyone who looked at her?

If only her ambitions weren’t so great…

Perhaps she could have had a very different ending.

“Yan’an, rise. What brings you here as well?”

Liu Wanwan’s surprise was genuine, though a flicker of darkness flashed through her narrow eyes before disappearing.

Ji Yan’an stared for a moment too long before finally standing.

Watching her gaze become almost fixed on Liu Wanwan’s face, Song Yi felt a strange, indescribable irritation stir within her chest.

Liu Wanwan had only told Ji Yan’an to rise.

As Song Yi began to stand as well, the eunuch Fu Ji, who had entered behind them, suddenly stuck out a foot.

Song Yi stumbled.

Her knees crashed heavily against the floor with a dull thud.

Ji Yan’an snapped out of her daze.

Then she remembered.

So what if Liu Wanwan was beautiful? She was every bit as cruel as the stories claimed.

“Why is she still kneeling?” Ji Yan’an demanded.

Smiling, Liu Wanwan adjusted a pearl flower ornament slipping from her hair.

“I never told her to rise.”

Her lips curved faintly.

“Yan’an, why don’t you come sit beside me? Why concern yourself with her?”

The implication could not have been clearer.

Liu Wanwan was warning her not to meddle.

Unfortunately, she had underestimated the relationship between the two girls.

Ji Yan’an would rather offend Liu Wanwan than watch Song Yi suffer.

Without another word, she strode over, grabbed Song Yi’s hand, and headed straight for the exit.

Liu Wanwan’s expression immediately changed.

Ignoring the rattling ornaments in her hair, she sprang to her feet.

“Stop them!”

The shrill command pierced the hall.

All traces of her earlier charm vanished, replaced by naked viciousness.

The eunuchs had previously hesitated because of Ji Yan’an’s status. Now that they had received Liu Wanwan’s direct order, they no longer held back.

They rushed forward, restrained the two girls, and dragged them back like prisoners before Liu Wanwan.

Only then did Liu Wanwan leisurely sit down again.

She smoothed her slightly disheveled hair and seemed in no hurry to punish them.

“May I ask what crime I have committed that warrants being stopped by Your Highness?” Ji Yan’an demanded.

Her voice was loud, but her confidence was lacking.

She had only transmigrated a few days ago, yet somehow every person she offended was both powerful and terrifyingly beautiful.

Her gaze drifted toward Song Yi.

Everything for the beauty, she lamented inwardly.

At last, Liu Wanwan finished arranging her hair.

With a sigh, she said, “Ji Yan’an, you have no respect for authority. Did my words mean nothing to you?”

She turned to Fu Ji.

“Ten strokes. Let our young miss have a taste first.”

Fu Ji accepted the order.

Looking at Ji Yan’an’s delicate face, he found it difficult to raise his hand.

But he understood all too well the consequences of disobeying Liu Wanwan.

Without hesitation, he lifted the paddle.

Ji Yan’an’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

She squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself.

Smack.

“Ah—!”

She had never been beaten before.

That single strike nearly took her life.

Pain exploded through her body, leaving her trembling uncontrollably.

Nearby, Song Yi was being forced to kneel.

Her legs were already bruised and swollen, yet as she watched Ji Yan’an being beaten, she repeatedly struggled against the eunuchs restraining her, desperate to break free and shield Ji Yan’an.

“No need to rush.”

Liu Wanwan narrowed her eyes.

“It wasn’t your turn just now. Let me think… how should I deal with you?”

Danger gleamed within her gaze as countless cruel punishments crossed her mind.

Yet her threat had no effect whatsoever.

Song Yi instinctively reached for the hidden sleeve needle she usually carried.

Only then did she remember she had changed clothes and left it behind.

Unable to use the needle, she resorted to brute force instead.

“How exactly have I offended Your Highness?” Song Yi demanded while struggling. “For Your Highness to punish me even at the risk of offending the Ji family?”

Anger appeared on her usually cold and detached face.

Ji Yan’an had originally been kneeling, but by the fifth stroke she had already collapsed face-down on the floor.

She cried miserably, yet she still kept watching Song Yi.

Song Yi seemed truly enraged.

With one violent motion, she easily threw off the eunuch holding her.

Then she rushed forward and threw herself over Ji Yan’an.

The next heavy blow landed squarely on her back.

“I refuse to accept this!”

The words came through gritted teeth.

Whether from pain or fury, even she herself could no longer tell.

Liu Wanwan showed no surprise at Song Yi’s escape.

Instead, she lifted Song Yi’s chin with an icy folding fan.

“You’re just as disgusting as your father.”

At the mention of her father, both Song Yi and Ji Yan’an froze.

Looking at the woman responsible for the deaths of Song Yi’s parents, Ji Yan’an suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to curse her out.

Seriously?

You murdered her parents, and you’re calling them disgusting?

What right do you have?

Song Yi, however, fell silent.

The veins stood out on her forehead, but she ignored them.

Supporting herself with one arm, she carefully shielded Ji Yan’an within her embrace.

“Since you’re so eager to protect her…” Liu Wanwan sneered. “And since I truly can’t bear to hit our dear Yan’an any further, then you can keep protecting her.”

She shot the eunuch a glance.

“Continue. I’ll tell you when to stop.”

The meaning was obvious.

She intended to watch Song Yi endure far more than ten strokes.

“Get up!”

Ji Yan’an burst into tears again.

“I’m the eldest daughter of the Ji family! She wouldn’t dare beat me too severely, so I’ll be fine!”

Her voice shook as she whispered urgently.

“Don’t suffer these blows for me for no reason!”

Song Yi merely closed her eyes.

She said nothing.

And she did not move.