Granny Li immediately took a rattan whip and struck Chi You across the body, saying smugly, "Consort Qing, one must kneel properly. Someone like you simply won't do."
Chi You's body involuntarily curled up from the pain.
The scorching sun shone down, hitting her, making her furrow her brow.
The whip continued to lash her, again and again.
The pain was excruciating, and she quickly propped herself up and knelt properly.
Consort Zhao found her demeanor vexing.
"What are you holding, Granny Li? Bring it here."
Upon hearing this, Granny Li immediately pried Chi You's hand open and snatched the oiled paper packet.
Chi You scrambled to retrieve it, saying urgently, "This was given to me by someone else. Don't snatch it."
"Get lost."
Granny Li gave her a fierce kick, sending her body flying onto a nearby rock.
A sharp pain coursed through her. Chi You clutched her bruised arm, her eyes welling up with tears.
It hurt so much.
"A few peach pastries?!" Consort Zhao looked over with disdain, then seemed to recall something and chuckled, "Even dogs wouldn't eat this, yet you can swallow it."
"You are merely an abandoned child from Southern Xinjiang. In this lifetime, you'll only die in the palace."
What good was beauty?
The Emperor was being sidelined, powerless. The empire of Great Liang was destined to be under the surname Xiao.
And that King of Dingbei doted on his consort immensely, paying no attention to other women.
Consort Qing, with her beautiful appearance but no backing, would likely go unnoticed even if she were killed.
However, looking at her face ignited a fire within her.
Life in the palace was tedious, so why not find some amusement for herself?
"Granny Li, fetch that needle and attend to her properly."
Chi You didn't know what they intended to do, nor did she understand their words. She knelt on the ground, clutching her arm in pain, watching as the wet nurse approached her with a very fine, long needle. Her face turned pale with terror.
"What—what are you going to do?"
Granny Li smiled sinisterly, "What am I doing? With such a seductive face, if I scratch it, you won't be able to lure people anymore."
Chi You's eyes widened in fear. She supported herself with her hands on the ground, retreating repeatedly. Blood mixed with dirt and stones scattered on her hands, leaving several bloody gashes.
But in the next moment, another wet nurse stepped forward, pinned her down, and forced her to lie flat.
"Lift her face."
A cold silver needle flashed with an icy glint as it lunged towards her.
Chi You was terrified. Tears streamed down her eyes, and she frantically shook her head, begging for mercy.
"What is Consort Zhao doing?"
Suddenly, a clear voice drifted from not far away, startling everyone. They stopped their actions and turned to look.
A woman in a red dress was slowly walking towards them.
"The Consort of Dingbei?!"
Consort Zhao was startled and quickly rose, saying with a smile.
"Why do you have time to visit the palace today, Consort?"
The King of Dingbei had built a Northern Palace in Shangjing, comparable to the Imperial Palace. Sometimes, even court sessions were held there.
He was practically a traitor plotting rebellion and usurpation.
She glanced intentionally or unintentionally at Ye Luan's belly, raising an eyebrow slightly.
The King of Dingbei had no intention of ascending the throne. The new emperor would be either his puppet or his son. Once the Emperor died, who knew how the imperial consorts would be treated.
If she could build a good relationship with the Consort of Dingbei, perhaps she could escape with her life if she were to be buried alive.
She wondered if the child she was carrying was a boy or a girl.
Ye Luan didn't notice her gaze. She looked at Chi You, who was crying on the ground.
The wet nurses who were holding Chi You immediately knelt on the ground.
"Your maidservant greets the Consort."
Ye Luan did not speak. She looked at Chi You, bruised and battered, and frowned.
Xiao Chi Zhan insisted on bringing her to the Military Affairs Department, so she had followed. Feeling bored, she decided to take a stroll towards the Imperial Garden and stumbled upon this scene.
She paused, then walked over, gently bending down and extending her hand to Chi You.
"Get up."
The voice of the newcomer was gentle and kind.
Chi You opened her tear-filled eyes and looked up, "It's you."
It was the person she had asked for directions earlier.
Seeing that she still remembered her, Ye Luan smiled and curved her lips, "My name is Ye Luan."
Chi You was about to extend her hand when she noticed her trembling palm. She sheepishly withdrew her hand and, dragging herself, stood up.
She fearfully hid behind Ye Luan, not daring to look at the people in front of her.
Ye Luan glanced sideways, catching Consort Zhao's fierce and venomous gaze. She raised an eyebrow slightly.
Consort Zhao was startled and quickly smiled, "These people from Southern Xinjiang don't understand the rules of our Great Liang, so I was just teaching her."
"If Consort Zhao doesn't mind, how about I take her to Fengluan Palace to learn?"
Her voice was cold and indifferent, making Consort Zhao's heart tighten. She replied obsequiously.
"Please, Consort."
Ye Luan took Chi You to Fengluan Palace, the closest palace to the Military Affairs Department. With its pavilions, waterscapes, it was magnificent and serene. She would often come here to rest when accompanying Xiao Chi Zhan to the palace.
Upon entering the hall, Ye Luan found a readily available medicine chest and began to treat her wounds.
Chi You sat on a stool, anxious and uneasy.
"My name is A Wu."
Ye Luan held her hand, cleaning the wound. Hearing her soft, sweet voice, she said, "Just call me A Luan."
Seeing that she meant no harm, Chi You felt a slight sense of relief.
Ye Luan had never imagined that the saintess of Southern Xinjiang would be bullied like this in broad daylight. Her body and hands bore all sorts of crisscrossing wounds, old and new, some of which were cracked and bleeding.
She sighed inwardly and, seeing Chi You's nervousness, smiled and chatted with her.
After talking for a while, Ye Luan learned about Chi You's situation in the palace. Seeing her cluelessness, she felt a pang of pity.
"If you're hungry, you can bring your little friends here to eat. The small kitchen outside has plenty of food."
"Really?"
Ye Luan looked at her sparkling eyes and smiled, "Of course."
Chi You's eyes curved happily, "Thank you, A Luan."
"You're welcome. Do you want to go change your clothes?"
"Can I?"
Ye Luan nodded and called a maidservant to take her inside to change.
When Chi You came out after changing, she saw a table laden with pastries.
"Come and eat something."
The two sat at the table, eating and chatting.
Since becoming pregnant, Ye Luan had developed a voracious appetite and was also very picky. Seeing Chi You eat with such relish, she couldn't help but eat a few more bites.
"Luan Luan."
At this moment, a voice suddenly called out from outside.
Ye Luan glanced over and saw three tall men striding in from the door.
"Brother!"
Chi You looked at the tall, proud figure with astonishment and stood up abruptly, running towards him.
Liu Rongruo's eyes were deep, a flicker of surprise passing through them. His expression remained cool as he brushed aside her outstretched hand and strode further inside.
Li Qiongyu watched with a smile, "Consort, please come and sit."
Chi You's eyes dimmed slightly. She glanced fearfully at Li Qiongyu and followed behind Liu Rongruo, walking in.
Ye Luan narrowed her eyes slightly at the strange scene, absently eating the pastry in her hand.
"What are you thinking about?"
Xiao Chi Zhan leaned down, put his arm around her waist, and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
Ye Luan's face flushed. She reached out to push him away and whispered, "There are so many people here, have some decency."