Long May The Queen Reign

Huayan Country's capital, inside the Imperial Palace.

Young Emperor Yan Feng flung wide his arm, sweeping the pile of reports on his desk to the ground with a dark face. Trembling before him currently were princes and officials kneeling all over the Imperial Court. Facing the Son of Heaven's seething fury, no one dared to utter a sound.

Prime Minister Ning Zezhi was amongst those prostrated on the floor, the wings on his officer hat quivering nonstop due to its wearer's fear. He spoke hesitantly in a small voice, "Your Majesty, please quell your anger so as to maintain your well-being. This old man implores Your Majesty, please let me handle Vice-Minister of Justice Zhuang Cheng's corruption case!"

Yan Feng swung his sleeves out as he shouted, "It's not just a day or two that Zhuang Cheng has been taking bribes and bending laws. Except for me, who in my Imperial Capital doesn't know of this? Yet, you lot cover for each other. None of you, not one, once stepped out to expose him. If not for the single fact that a life was involved this time, I couldn't even dare to imagine, just how much longer would such vermin like him stay hidden by my side?"

Yan Feng was so infuriated that his hands were trembling slightly. "Prime Minister, don't try to say that you really didn't know about his unlawful deeds. You lot receive the Imperial salary but don't even properly do your job. You lot have truly disappointed this emperor! Forget it! This time, I will oversee this case in person. Tomorrow, come with me to seal the Zhuang Estate. I shall use this chance to put the court in its rightful place!"

Leaving his dead quiet and fearful subjects behind, Yan Feng flung his arms again and left for the Imperial Harem in a rage.

Imperial Noble Consort Chiyun Ping, elegant like a willow in the winds, was taking small steps as she hurried out to welcome the emperor. She wore a light pink, silk gown with wide sleeves. The half-transparent gown she wore was embroidered with a random yet aesthetic distribution of peonies, its brown broad brim being decorated with intricate gold-colored cloud patterns. The neckline slightly slanted outwards, half-exposing her beautiful pale shoulders. Under the innermost layer, her red body wrapper was faintly discernible.

A belt embroidered with flowers and encrusted with pearls emphasized Chiyun Ping's slim waist. An emerald jade pendant attached to one side of the belt jingled with her every movement. From the belt down, a long, rose-colored silk gown sprinkled with gold sparks swept on the smooth marble floor, swaying with her steps. As Chiyun Ping walked, a pair of delicate pink shoes with a phoenix embroidered on the toecaps occasionally peeked out from under the dress.

Chiyun Ping's hair was tied up in the Scent of the Cloud , her hair bun was adorned with a gold hairpin that held a red gem on top. A branch of peony flowers hung off the hair behind her right ear, perfectly harmonizing with the peony gown she wore. A blooming peach flower hairpin was inserted on the left side of her hair, tourmaline jewels dangling on the hairpin's long golden threads. A crescent-shaped gold comb tightly fixed the hair bun in place behind the head. Next to the comb, a row of bright red coral beads swayed ever so slightly. Her ears wore a pair of long earrings with gemstones drooping at the shoulders, which made her delicate face and small chin stand out even more. From every angle and distance, she was breathtakingly beautiful!

Chiyun Ping was the emperor's most favored imperial consort. Aside from a beautiful face, she was supported by a prominent clan. Her father, Chiyun Nan, had been bestowed with nobility due to his numerous meritorious deeds when the previous emperor reigned. Currently titled Commandery Prince Yan, he was one of the few princes that weren't related to the Imperial clan through blood.

Chiyun Ping's younger brother, Chiyun Yuexuan, relying solely on his skill and proficiency in the military, currently held the position of Bulwark General. As her clan protected the national border for the Imperial Clan, they also enjoyed abundant imperial favor to the point that their power could sway the court.

Yan Feng quickened his steps to help up Chiyun Ping who was bending in a curtsy. Gently stroking her rosy cheek a little, he supported her by the arm into Minghui Palace.

The Minghui Palace was Chiyun Ping's royal residence, and also Yan Feng's most visited place in the Imperial Palace. Since Chiyun Ping was very much favored, her palace had been luxuriously reconstructed. The halls and chambers were arranged in an inspired order, the corridors long and winding. Looking out from the pavilion, a clear stream flowed by underneath, the reflection on the fish's shiny scales was weaving, and the birds were soaring freely. On the distant rockery, exotic flowers grew in brocade, and the flowerbed nearby was filled with all sorts of different flowers. Submerged in the middle of it all, one could hear the sound of music right by their ears and smell the scent of drifting fragrant. The entire palace was like a paradise on earth.

However, even the esteemed imperial noble consort had her own worries. It had already been three years since the empress's death, but Yan Feng had shown no intention to make her the next empress at all. Chiyun Ping was somewhat impatient, but she dared not easily open her mouth to suggest it herself.

With the palace maids' assistance, Chiyun Ping carefully took off the Tongtian Crown on Yan Feng's head, as well as the crimson dragon robe on his body and replaced it with a comfortable satin royal garment.

With a pair of charming limpid eyes, Chiyun Ping shyly gazed at the emperor in front of her. Yan Feng stood there with arms behind his back, his posture tall and imposing. His chiseled face deeply furrowed in contemplation, and a gleam flashed through his bottomless black eyes. Lost in thought, his handsome face looked even more chilling than usual. The naturally exuding presence of a monarch was so overwhelming that it rendered everyone around him unable to breathe!

Seeing Yan Feng being so absent-minded, Chiyun Ping coquettishly nudged him with her shoulder and playfully protested, "Your Majesty... You can't think of other women in my place!"

Yan Feng woke up from his trance and took Chiyun Ping in his embrace. "I will never think of anyone else but Ping'er! I was only thinking about some troublesome matters of the court." The two leaned close to each other and whispered endless sweet nothings.

The next day, inside the sealed estate of the vice-minister of justice, Yan Feng personally oversaw the process as all the officials were going to and fro in a hurry, taking notes of the private properties and sorting them into trunks, before putting a paper seal strip on each trunk.

The sheer amount of sealed trunks could rival half of the national treasury. Yan Feng heavily smacked the table. "A mere vice-minister can actually be this wealthy?! Tell me, how many more officials are out there like him? A corrupt official can't be forgiven even in death! The people's wrath will not ease up until he is dead! Drag him out to be beheaded right now. Send the men in the estate to perform military service at the border, and the women to the military brothels. Treat all servants as accomplices. As for those who aren't related in some manner, sell them as slaves to other officials. The confiscated silver and properties will go to the national treasury."

Soon, the soldier that had executed Zhuang Cheng returned to report on the completion of his assignment. The soldiers taking part in the sealing of the properties pushed out a group of maids that'd been questioned. Upon seeing the emperor, everyone knelt to pay their respects.

The fates of these maids were much better than the women of the Zhuang family. They were originally servants, so it was only a change of households for them. Meanwhile, the wives and daughters would all be sent to the military brothels as prostitutes, which was a considerably cruel punishment for women of any noble family.

Yan Feng swept an indifferent glance at the prostrating maids and waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to take them to the slave market. At this moment, a young maid in a green vest and white dress suddenly shouted shrilly between heavy sobs, "I have something to report. A female member of the family has dressed up as a maid and intends to escape her punishment! Seeing as I have reported an offense, I beg Your Majesty to lessen my punishment." She turned around and pointed at a roughly sixteen-year-old, kneeling young girl in a pink dress. "She is Zhuang Cheng's daughter-in-law."

Enraged, Yan Feng strode over and drug out the young girl in question himself. Grabbing her small chin in one hand, he looked closely into her eyes and coldly said between gritted teeth, "Is what that maid said true?"

A trace of panic flashed through the girl's eyes before they were instantly restored of calm. "I am not their daughter-in-law. I was sold here since I was little and have been a maid ever since, only in charge of the petty work in the kitchen."

Yan Feng doubtfully scanned the girl's dirty face. Her delicate, palm-sized face vaguely revealed an anima of sort despite being stained by some black substance. Yan Feng suddenly felt an urge to wipe clean her face in order to have a clear look, but the idea only lasted briefly before he resumed his usual attitude. The emperor's icy voice was absolutely emotionless, "Drag her away. Send her to the military brothels like the other female family members.

The young girl refused to comply. She struggled and argued, "They all say the Heaven's Son Yan Feng is a wise emperor. Yet, why are you deciding a person's crime without knowing their rights and wrongs first?"

Expressionlessly, Yan Feng's voice was chilly to the bone, "As the Son of Heaven, I have every right to decide anyone's fate. And moreover, without any reason!"

The young girl calmly stood up and cursed him loudly, "Fatuous ruler." Then, she let the soldiers push her out without any more words.

Infuriated, Yan Feng viciously smacked his hand on the stone table. "Audacious servant! Drag her out for execution!"

Another maid in pastel blue crawled to Yan Feng's feet and said in a trembling voice, "Please wait. Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I can prove that she isn't the family's daughter-in-law to be. I did petty work together with her in the kitchen. We are both low-ranked servants."

Yan Feng's anger could no longer be suppressed now. He was just called "fatuous ruler" by a lowly servant of a sinned subject, and there was actually a person who could prove the innocence of the person who cursed him. Just what has gone wrong with this world? Do they all want to sweep his kingly might with the dust? Yan Feng bellowed, "Making up false evidence, you shall be executed along with her!"

The first maid who reported shivered in fear. She pointed at the maid in pastel blue. "Cai Sang, did she bribe you or something? Everyone knows that she, Murong Zhining, had been raised as a future bride for that retarded son of the Zhuang family. Moreover, she wasn't willing to marry a retard, so she secretly seduced her husband-to-be's father, Zhuang Cheng. I saw it with my own two eyes!"

The maid called Cai Sang replied with a stern face, "I only know that you've always been jealous of Zhining. Cai Qin, you... You are making up malicious slander!"

A hint of schadenfreude humour flashed through Yan Feng's eyes. He very much looked forward to seeing how this audacious young girl who dared to call him a fatuous ruler would prove her innocence.

Yan Feng scornfully turned to the prostrating Murong Zhining. "Lowly servant, you still dare to say you aren't their daughter-in-law? The maids are all called Hua and Duo something, but why is your name so unique, ahh? Everyone knows you're the family future female head from just that name. Not only did you offend and dare to deceive me, the emperor, but you also know no shame and had an affair with your husband-to-be's father. Truly an indecency to the social morality you are! I don't want to keep a filthy woman like you around for a second longer. Men, come. Drag her out and execute her. Don't let her spoil my eyes any longer!"

Murong Zhining's expression was utterly calm, not a trace of fear could be seen on her face. "Your Majesty, if you only give me a chance, I can prove that I'm not the Zhuang family's daughter-in-law. If Your Majesty insists on punishing me because of my offensive words to you earlier, then I have nothing more to say."

Yan Feng had never intended to give Murong Zhining a chance to prove her innocence at all. After all, if this girl called him a fatuous ruler, what else would she dare to do?

However, what she just said left Yan Feng with no other choice. If he sentenced her to death now, it would prove that the emperor was a petty person who took advantage of his position to carry out personal revenge. Would he be any different from a fatuous ruler then? Watching as Murong Zhining remained calm in the face of this crisis and recalling the sharpness hidden in her words, Yan Feng was shocked. This girl, she wasn't simple at all!

Yan Feng impatiently waved his hand. "Put these three servants in the prisons. I am tired. I'll question them another day when I have the time."

The emperor's quarters – Wan'an Palace, inside the Imperial Study.

At his desk, Yan Feng read through a variety of reports. Zhuang Cheng's corruption case still had some loose ends as its scope was far too large. All six ministries had personnel involved, and even two members of the Imperial clan were a part of it. Dealing with this case gave Yan Feng an unending headache.

He had executed Zhuang Cheng in order to hide some details that were too sensitive to be made public. However, as he thought of a way to punish all of the other corrupt scoundrels, the usually decisive emperor had never felt so tired in both body and soul. Especially when remembering that he still had to deal with the Imperial members involved in this mess.

Yan Feng pinched the spot between his brows and leaned back in his chair. He was truly exhausted. At this moment, a pair of small, soft hands reached out from behind and began to rub his shoulders. Yan Feng squinted his eyes in extreme pleasure and he smiled. "Thank you for your trouble, my beloved consort." Even with his eyes closed, he could tell who was behind him.

Chiyun Ping's charming face was all smiles as her hands gently massaged, trying to ease up Yan Feng's exhaustion. She was the only person that could appear next to the emperor at any time without making an announcement first.

This sometimes displeased Yan Feng, but the position of her family clan could rival that of the Imperial clan's power due to their meritorious deeds. Her brother, Chiyun Yuexuan, had even risked his life to save Yan Feng once. Based on this alone, Yan Feng had to favor Chiyun Ping. He gave her unique privileges that made her the target for envy and admiration of every woman in this world.

Yan Feng pulled the hard-working Chiyun Ping to sit in his lap. As he gazed at her beautiful face, there was absolutely not a single ripple of emotion in his heart. He knew that Chiyun Ping was very beautiful, but for some reason, he never once felt any love for her.

His feelings for Chiyun Ping were so dull that even Yan Feng himself felt apologetic towards her. He could only provide Chiyun Ping his favor. He married her only to increase the Chiyun clan's glory. It had nothing to do with love!

Yan Feng recalled his past empress. She was betrothed and married to him when she was only a 14-year-old girl and he, merely a common prince. The empress wasn't beautiful and charming like Chiyun Ping; she looked plain and was always forbearing, but Yan Feng liked that very much. Even though the empress didn't possess a beauty capable of swaying a nation, he still liked her more.

To compete for the emperor's favor, the women of the Imperial Harem would often do things that greatly annoyed Yan Feng. Compared to Chiyun Ping, the empress had always shown herself to be magnanimous. This helped avoid many harem issues that could ensue, sparing Yan Feng a lot of troubles.

Unfortunately, the empress had passed away from illness two years ago. Using the grief over her death as his excuse, Yan Feng had been holding off appointing a new empress.

Chiyun Ping dreamed of being Yan Feng's empress, but not because she coveted the glory that came with it. She was already the most favored woman in the Imperial Palace; wealth and fame meant nothing to her. The only thing she wanted was Yan Feng's heart. By gaining the title of "Empress," Chiyun Ping thought she could confirm his love for her.

At night, the palace maids silently retreated to wait at the door after serving Yan Feng and Chiyun Ping in bed. The entire Wan'an Palace fell silent. The faint smoke from the burning candles as well as the fragrance of burning sandalwood incense drifted around the chambers.

On the Dragon Bed, Yan Feng was in no mood to make love, and soon fell asleep.

Chiyun Ping, on the other hand, wasn't sleepy at all. She lay on her side with one hand propping her cheek and gazed at the man sleeping next to her. The emperor's face was illuminated by the gentle candlelight, and the shadows moving around enthralled Chiyun Ping.

She only wanted things to stay as they were now. She absolutely refused to share his love with any other woman. After the empress finally died, Chiyun Ping considered herself the only one who could firmly grasp Yan Feng's heart.

Too busy with other national matters, Yan Feng forgot about the servant girls. Today was their fifth day inside the cold and wet underground prison cells. Every day, their meals had been smelly buns. Even water was rationed. There was not enough to drink, let alone wash their faces. After living in these conditions for several days, the three girls were miserable.

They were kept in three separate cells. The three quietly looked at one another, then each sank into their own thoughts.

Suddenly, Cai Sang angrily pointed at the maid who had reported Murong Zhining. "Cai Qin, you have only been known to harm others, bet you didn't think this time you would harm yourself as well, did you? People like you will come to no good in the end!"

Cai Qin scoffed, "So what if I hate her arrogant face? So what if I hate her for no reason? So what if I just want her to suffer? What can you do to me?"

Cai Sang furiously glared at Cai Qin. "We are all daughters of poor peasant families, yet you always try to corner others to death. Who knows what you think about?! You isolated Zhining and planned to become the family daughter-in-law yourself. Now that the family has collapsed, you vent all your rage on her."

The two girls broke into an argument and started exchanging verbal blows back and forth.

Murong Zhining leaned in the corner of her cell. She looked as calm as ever, as if everything that was happening here had nothing to do with her.

Murong Zhining knew from a very young age that the human heart was the most unpredictable thing. During her life of constant roaming with bad luck, she soon developed a mind of steel.

In her memories, there was only endless fleeing and the miserable experience of being sold from one person to another. However, some vague but warm scenes would appear in her dreams from time to time:

A beautiful and well-dressed noble woman held a little girl and walked towards a handsome and imposing man. The man gently took them in his embrace and used his chin to nudge the little girl's soft face, his eyes full of love and smiles. In turn, the little girl let out a bell-like and babyish giggle.

Every time Murong Zhining woke up from that warm dream, she felt an intense desire to know: Who am I really? Where are my parents? Why were there always people chasing after me and my nanny?

The entrance gate of the prison opened with a creak. Thanks to his guard's reminder, Yan Feng had finally remembered the unfinished business from five days ago at the Zhuang Estate.

Today was a rare day that he had some free time to spare, so Yan Feng decided to get to the bottom of this. Recalling the girl who had called him a fatuous ruler, a shadow flashed across his handsome face. "Bring those servants, I will question them myself."

The three girls were taken to the back garden of the Imperial Palace. Dressed in a normal outfit, Yan Feng sat in the pavilion above the lotus pond and gazed out into the distance. On the stone table next to him were dishes of beautifully arranged fresh fruits and delicate pastries.

Yan Feng fluttered a folding fan as he savored the tea and enjoyed the beautiful scenery before him. His attention seemed to be attracted by some unfamiliar birds flapping their wings at the edge of the pond. He completely ignored the three prostrating girls.

Cai Qin furtively raised her head a little. Through the corner of her eyes, she gazed at the pastries on the table with greed. The girl swallowed her saliva, having been driven nearly insane by her hunger.

Back in the Zhuang Estate, Cai Qin was in charge of serving Madam Zhuang. Madam Zhuang was a formidable and ruthless woman. Because she was the main wife and she had her rich and powerful parent's family behind her, she trained her man to be well-behaved. Even the servants didn't get to a single peaceful day when she was around.

Having been by Madam Zhuang's side for a long time, Cai Qin figured out her personality and knew just how to cater to her whims. Madam Zhuang loved flattery, so Cai Qin buttered up to her every day. When Madam Zhuang loathed a maid for growing too beautiful, Cai Qin would help her think of a way to handle that maid. That was why Madam Zhuang considered Cai Qin to be her trusted confidant.

Serving the madam, Cai Qin had never lacked delicacies to enjoy. However, since she had spent the past several days in prison eating smelly moldy buns, the sight of the tasty pastries inevitably aroused an intense desire for food in her. Cai Qin hated that she couldn't just snatch them and eat to her heart's content.

Yan Feng retracted his gaze and glanced at the prostrating girls on the ground, his slightly furrowed brows clearly showed his contempt. Then, the emperor's cold imposing voice resounded, "Which of you was the lowly servant that called me a fatuous ruler that day?"

"It was I." Murong Zhining kept a straight face. "That day, I only spoke out of despair and did not mean to offend Your Majesty at all. The Heaven's Son of our Huayan Country is a wise emperor. I am terribly ashamed of my mindless words back then."

The corner of his lips curved up a little, as Yan Feng scornfully growled, "Don't think that I will let you off just because you apologize. That day, you called me a fatuous ruler in front of many people. That is not something that can simply be written off with just some nice words."

Murong Zhining was neither overbearing nor servile. "That wasn't an apology. I only wanted to explain myself."

Hearing this, Yan Feng's expression, that had only just softened instantly, turned frosty again. At his temples, green veins could be seen throbbing.

The surroundings suddenly lapsed into a dead silence. The palace maids and eunuchs were so nervous that they all drooped their heads, knowing full well that the emperor's fury was going to explode.

Yan Feng's eunuch-in-waiting shouted in a high-pitched and shrill voice, "Audacious servant! Just how many lives do you think you have? How dare you offend His Majesty again? This crime of yours deserves the nine familial exterminations!"

Murong Zhining's expression remained unchanged, calm as ever, "If so, Your Majesty would be disappointed. Since I have no parents and have been an orphan since I was little, I have no such thing as nine families. From the start, Your Majesty has refused to give me a chance to explain for myself, so it doesn't matter how many more crimes I am charged with in the end."

Yan Feng's rage had reached its peak. Never before had he seen such an outrageous woman. He was the Son of Heaven. He never needed a reason to kill someone, but he never knowingly harmed an innocent life either. Yet, this girl repeatedly doubted his sagacity and criticized him as if he were a cruel murderer of a king.

Yan Feng pointed at Murong Zhining with a shaky finger, "I will give you a chance to die a justified death. I actually want to see how you will prove that you are not the Zhuang family's daughter-in-law!"

Yan Feng noticed that Cai Qin and Cai Sang all were sneaking glances at the desserts on the table in front of him. Secretly amused, he smirked. He suddenly came up with an evil idea to punish the ignorant and audacious Murong Zhining.

Yan Feng said to Cai Qin and Cai Sang while wearing an amiable expression, "I like servants who know to not shoot their mouths off, but I don't want to leave you two idle either. You can eat the deserts here. Go on."

This is how Yan Feng thought Murong Zhining would react: Nursing a hungry stomach, she would watch as her friends enjoyed the delicious pastries, while she could barely endure the torment of starvation by herself, feeling as if a sharp claw was repeatedly scratching at her heart.

She would finally realize how stupid it was to oppose the emperor. She would then kneel on the ground while bawling her eyes out to ask Yan Feng for forgiveness. She'd beg him to tolerate her senseless resistance, that a person of great moral stature like him shouldn't stoop to dealing with a petty person like her; and beg him to bestow upon her a bite of pastry.

Thinking about this, Yan Feng revealed a hint of a sinister smile.

Cai Qin went wild with joy. She stared fixedly at the desserts on the table with visible greed and desire. Upon receiving Yan Feng's approval, she hurriedly grabbed the chestnut cake that a palace maid had brought over and gorged herself on it.

Cai Qin swallowed too fast and nearly choked. The sight was so funny that the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs all covered their mouths while hiding their chuckles.

Cai Sang was starving as well. However, she and Murong Zhining were as close as blood sisters. They had once promised each other to share happiness and endure misfortune together. No matter how hungry she was, she still cared more about Murong Zhining's feelings.

Cai Sang wanted to refuse, but she feared that Yan Feng would condemn her for it. She awkwardly broke off a piece of pastry and slowly lifted it to her mouth. When everyone laughed at Cai Qin, Cai Sang took that chance to sneak a pastry into her outfit's lapel. She knew full well that Murong Zhining was very hungry and wanted to save the pastry for her.

Murong Zhining wiped the sweat off her forehead. She hadn't had a proper meal or night's rest in prison. Moreover, kneeling for such a long time made her feel even weaker. Still, she stubbornly persisted and started narrating to Yan Feng from the beginning: She vaguely remembered that day when she was ten years old, after she had already been sold many times...

A young woman led a little girl to a bustling courtyard in the middle of crowded balconies and pavilions. There, a group of beautiful, colorfully dressed girls, wearing either seductive or innocent makeup, were making their way through a bunch of men with smiles on their faces.

At first glance, one could tell from the men's luxurious outfits that they were from wealthy and noble families. They leisurely sat in small groups drinking wine and enjoying music, and occasionally flirting with the beautiful girls as they passed by.

The woman brought the little girl to another woman who was well-dressed and seemed to be in her forties, saying, "From now on, you can follow this madam and live in comfort."

The young woman pushed the little girl to the madam and received the weighty sack that the madam handed over. After fervently expressing her gratitude, the young woman left, leaving behind the little girl.

The madam brought the little girl to the backyard and called for her people. She ordered them to help the girl wash up, change her into new clothes, and let her eat a proper meal.

When the madam saw the little girl again, her eyes instantly sparkled. After she had changed into clean clothes, the girl looked tall, slender and attractive despite being very thin. The madam realized that she had found a treasure. This little girl would become her trump card, the pillar of her shop that would bring her an endless stream of money.

The little girl had later learned that this place was called Myriad Blooms House, a place where men enjoyed drinking wine and having fun, commonly known as a brothel.

The madam's name was Qin Meixue, the mistress of this brothel. When she was young, Qin Meixue was considered a beauty and was once the best pick of another brothel. Several of her frequent visitors were high-ranked officials in the court.

Later, a mysterious supporter helped her buy back her freedom and also opened the Myriad Blooms House for her. With such a powerful backer, Qin Meixue's business had flourished. All her guests were people of noble families or those with very high social status.

Qin Meixue carefully observed the little girl's white fingers. "From now on, your name is Qin Qiuyue. You will call me mother. I will provide you with good food and good clothes, but you have to listen to me."

The little girl guilelessly tilted her head. "I will call you mother and listen to you. But, my name is Murong Zhining. Before my nanny died, she told me that my mother would come find me someday, so I can't just change my name."

Qin Meixue had to suppress her anger upon hearing that. She felt that this child was too strong-willed and feared she would be a hard one to shape up into something worthwhile. However, Qin Meixue changed her mind after mulling it over. Since her name was actually quite beautiful, she might as well satisfy the child's wish and make it look like she was doing her a favor. Besides, who would dare to come to take her when she, Qin Meixue, had such a powerful backer?

And just like that, Murong Zhining settled down in the Myriad Blooms House. She stayed there for five years, during which Qin Meixue treated her exceptionally well. She even invited an expert to teach Murong Zhining how to read and write, as well as other skills like the zither, Go, calligraphy, painting, music, dancing, and the art of tea, etcetera.

Murong Zhining couldn't understand why Mother Qin made her learn all of this. The naïve child she was back then wasn't even aware of the fate that women of a brothel had to face. She only knew that the prior years of constant moving had been too difficult, too tiring.

Murong Zhining never had the power to make her own choices. She didn't want to be sold to other people again, but if it was impossible to go against her fate that Heaven had, then she might as well go with the flow. In order to please Qin Meixue, she poured every effort into learning all sorts of skills.

Gradually, Murong Zhining's skills considerably improved. Her natural talent for qin amazed even her master, who was a renowned qin expert in the capital. Not only did the master teach her many things, he even let her sort through many old qin sheet music that had failed to be passed down from previous generations. This allowed Murong Zhining to gain a lot of knowledge.

Murong Zhining's exceptional growth made Qin Meixue very happy. She secretly admired her own foresight for being so accurate. Qin Meixue looked forward to the day in the future when Murong Zhining became her golden goose.

However, things didn't pan out as Qin Meixue had hoped. One day, a very wealthy merchant invited Zhuang Cheng to have a drink at the Myriad Blooms House. Zhuang Cheng saw Murong Zhining playing the qin in the backyard. The young girl had just matured, and had yet to be stained by the mundane world. She was still demure and beautiful.

Zhuang Cheng asked to buy the young girl. Qin Meixue had waited so long for Murong Zhining to mature. Now that the girl had grown up to be beautiful and almost ready to make money, how could Qin Meixue let her go?

However, her mysterious backer, a high-ranking official in the imperial court, just happened to want to draw Zhuang Cheng to his side. Therefore, this person tried in every way he could to persuade, and in the end, forced Qin Meixue to give Murong Zhining to Zhuang Cheng.

Zhuang Cheng's wife wasn't a simple woman. Even though Zhuang Cheng knew full well the consequences of bringing a new woman to the house, he didn't dare to leave her outside either. Thus, he came up with a stupid idea.

When Zhuang Cheng's son was little, he caught an illness that damaged his brain and caused him to be mentally disabled ever since. Other wealthy families didn't want to marry their daughters to such a boy. Using this as an excuse to raise a daughter-in-law in their home, Zhuang Cheng brought Murong Zhining to the Zhuang Estate. Madam Zhuang saw that Murong Zhining was very beautiful, so she happily agreed.

At first, Madam Zhuang treated Murong Zhining quite reasonably and only ordered her around like a normal maid. Zhuang Cheng was a coward with evil intentions but without the guts to carry them out. He could only try to get his hands on her in secret. Unfortunately for Zhuang Cheng, Murong Zhining was too smart and vigilant. He never once successfully took advantage of her. However, after this went on for long enough, Madam Zhuang finally became aware of it.

One time, when Murong Zhining served tea, Zhuang Cheng sneakily caressed her slender arm and was caught red-handed by Madam Zhuang. In the madam's view, Zhuang Cheng was too much of a coward to have the guts to initiate this, so she concluded that Murong Zhining had to have seduced him first.

Madam Zhuang was known far and wide to be a jar of vinegar. She gave Murong Zhining a heavy beating, then transferred the girl to her side as a personal maid and made her do all the dirty and heavy work.

From that day on, the madam either hit Murong Zhining or severely scolded her. Often times, Madam Zhuang humiliated her in front of other people, calling her a frivolous and despicable person.

The servants in the household were all opportunists. Seeing that Murong Zhining had offended the madam, everyone followed suit and humiliated her, then they isolated her. Cai Qin was one of these servants.

Cai Qin had a lover who was an errand boy. To please Cai Qin, he went around making up false stories that he once witnessed Master Zhuang in a secret meeting with Murong Zhining behind the mini mountain in the back garden.

Cai Qin had always been jealous of Murong Zhining. Moreover, she wanted to fawn over Madam Zhuang as well, so she took this baseless rumor, added some salt and reported it to the madam. Cai Qin wanted to use Madam Zhuang's hand to teach Murong Zhining a hard lesson.

Madam Zhuang was furious. She violently beat up Murong Zhining and scratched up Zhuang Cheng's face.

The ruthless madam wouldn't let Murong Zhining off so easily, though. She locked up her mentally disabled son and Murong Zhining in a room, wanting him to ruin her.

By doing this, she could completely end Zhuang Cheng's vile plans and get her son a beautiful concubine. In the madam's heart, her son was still a noble despite being disabled. While Murong Zhining was but a lowly maid of unknown origins, far from being worthy to be his official wife. Murong Zhining only had one future, and that was to be a concubine.

Fortunately, the Heavens had mercy on Murong Zhining. The boy didn't understand anything aside from eating, sleeping and playing, so nothing happened between them.

Seeing as her plan didn't pan out, Madam Zhuang flew into a rage out of humiliation and threw Murong Zhining to the kitchens, making her do the dirtiest and heaviest work.

Right up until the Zhuang Estate was confiscated, Murong Zhining was still a low-ranked maid. She wasn't the family's home raised daughter-in-law, and Zhuang Cheng had never had the chance to force himself on her.

As Yan Feng heard the complete story, the contempt on his face grew even deeper. He simply couldn't believe that this little woman who dared to call him a fatuous ruler was still a virgin. He had no intention of letting her off either, because he still needed to get back at her for insulting him. Yan Feng wanted to prove that she was full of lies and filth.

Scornfully, Yan Feng shook that noble head of his. "How can you prove yourself to be innocent based on your words alone? I just don't believe that you are any sort of pure and noble girl."

Cai Qin also chimed in and praised, "Your Majesty is extremely wise!"

Cai Qin's shamelessness and her act of adding fire to the fuel made Cai Sang gnash her teeth with hatred. However, Cai Sang was too timid and wasn't good with using words. Not knowing how to explain things for Murong Zhining, she grew anxious and felt helpless.

Aside from being vindictive, Yan Feng also possessed a great curiosity. He wanted to verify his speculation and also humiliate Murong Zhining while he was at it. In order to quickly put an end to this meaningless lawsuit, he came up with an idea: he would call people and carry out a body check on Murong Zhining.

Murong Zhining felt a mix of embarrassment and anger, but she agreed. She knew that the Emperor wouldn't take the insult lying down and would try all he could to humiliate her. While she disdained to prove anything to him, she had to do it, because there was no other choice left.

The eunuch-in-waiting quickly called for an experienced senior palace maid and brought Murong Zhining to a room. Murong Zhining had never undergone a body check before.

The senior palace maid drove away all the unneeded personnel and told Murong Zhining to take off all her clothes and lie down. When Murong Zhining realized that not only her clothes needed to be taken off, but also that a certain body part must be examined, her small face flushed beet red. She couldn't bring herself to cooperate as the feeling of embarrassment was too overwhelming. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

The senior maid didn't make things hard for Murong Zhining. She turned her eyes on the girl's stomach and used her hands to press on it here and there. Murong Zhining shyly covered her face. From the gap between her fingers, she quietly peeked at the maid.

The senior maid's expression slowly sank. She looked as if she wanted to say something but then decided against it in the end. After hesitating for a very long time, the maid remained silent. She left the room to report her findings.

Yan Feng waited for a very long time. In his experience, this kind of thing shouldn't take this long. He guessed that the girl was scared of being exposed and would refuse to cooperate. Yan Feng strolled to and fro with his hands behind his back. Thinking of the embarrassed girl lessened his fury somewhat. The eunuch-in-waiting fluttered the fan nonstop, wanting to cool down the Emperor's anger.

Finally, a low-ranked eunuch ran back and whispered something into Yan Feng's ear.