Episode 3: First Love, First Punishment

The vast extravagant royal Palace with different mansions, manors, and pavilions.

Hua Rong followed Qui to the Empress Dowager's chamber. The Emperor and concubine went in different directions after entering the Palace, so she was left alone to visit the Empress Dowager since it was ethical.

Her eyes wandered around the yard, the blooming peach flowers and breathtaking views of the Palace. There were servants and guards running errands and patrolling the yard. The servants looked similar because they were all in the same uniform, but the higher servants had spectacular hairstyles that differentiated them from the others.

"Lady Hua is here!" Qui announced with a very loud voice before leading Hua into the Empress Dowager's chamber.

Hua almost gasped at the sight of her chamber, shining magnificently and very spacious. The Empress Dowager was sitting comfortably in her throne-like armchair. She was wearing a silver embroidered dress and her head was decorated with hair pins and a crown. She looked peculiar even though she was mature.

"Greetings, your Majesty." She greeted her courteously.

"At ease." Lui waved her hand in the air before relaxing. "It must have been a long journey." Her warm statement followed.

"I'm fine. Your Majesty," She said straightforwardly.

She was strictly warned by her parents not to debate or protest against her marriage with the Emperor as the Empress Dowager was worse. She could do the impossible.

"You must have been informed that your wedding is in ten days' time." Lui raised a brow and she nodded.

"Thank you for your blessings, Your Majesty." She replied.

"Before the auspicious day, you will be residing at the Hauxing Manor meant for the Empress. After your marriage with the Emperor, you shall be residing with him in his mansion," Lui informed her seriously, and she agreed by flashing a fake smile.

"Thank you so much, your Majesty." All she did was salute and praise the Empress Dowager for rendering her such a favor.

"Qui, take her back to her chamber. I want to rest." Lui instructed slyly, and Qui bowed before leaving the hall with Hua.

Shortly after, Minister Mou stepped out of his hiding. He was hiding behind a long painting and listening to the Empress Dowager's conversation with Hua.

"Do you think she's at our disposal?" He rubbed his long white beard before facing the Lui.

"Yes, but first, we have to retrieve the seal from Lord Rong," She said seriously.

"So, will he cooperate since we have his daughter?" He raised a brow, with anxiety lingering in his big sharp eyes.

"Whether he likes it or not, I will tame him. For now, we have to watch his daughter closely. She can never go wild, she must remain our you and bait." She said with a cold voice as a dead look enveloped her face.

"Sure. I trust you, Your Majesty." He bowed with a corny smile.

"And Yu Cheng, what has he been up to?" She narrowed her gaze at him and he smirked.

"Just as we wanted, we have him in our control. He can't do anything dangerous." He assured her calmly and she smiled mischievously.

Hua Rong settled in Hauxing Manor, which was a very excellent structure with wide space and good furniture(s). In the room, there was a circular pattern of windows through which she could see the sky and the bright moon dazzling in it.

Since she arrived, she had been alone in the room and felt lonely. She didn't know who to talk with or what to do. After visiting the Empress Dowager, that was all. She was in her chamber, watching blooming trees, singing with the birds, and watching the stars glazing in the sky.

If not for the creaking sound from the door, she wouldn't have known that it was evening already.

She stepped out to open the door and met General Kui, the same man that saved her that night and the man she longed for.

She couldn't help but smile in relief as he bowed to her.

"I was assigned to guard the Hauxing Manor. I didn't know you were here." He lowered his face and she chuckled.

"I'm happy that you are here. I was feeling bored all this time." She frowned slightly. He took a step forward and bowed.

"My lady, please mind what you say." He informed her politely.

"What did I say? The truth is, I miss you, Kui." She completely stepped out of her chamber.

They were both standing in the hallway and above them was the full bright moon.

"My lady…" He was still being careful and scared. No doubt, he also missed her.

"Call me Hua." She pouted her lips while twirling the edge of her dress. "No one wants to talk to me since I arrived, do you also have to make me feel bad too?" She pretentiously said with a sobbing voice and he reacted hesitantly.

"No. No. That's not it." He began, taking a quick look around the hallway. "I have something to show you." He calmed down, and she stared at him, her long lashes giving him a calm bat.

Hua Rong froze when Kui grabbed her waist with his stout arm and pulled her close to his chest. Her heart skipped - her eyes brightened. She got a close look at the handsome general that stole her heart at one encounter and, like lightning, he expressed his force, and they flew in the air - gently landing on the rooftop.

Her heart tinged, and she became nervous. He realized what he had done and gradually pulled away from her.

"Like what you see?" He cleared his throat and she nodded impatiently.

"Yes, I like you." She said with a voice filled with excitement and his jaw dropped.

"My lady…" He was scared because he knew the punishment for anyone who had an affair with the Emperor's woman. Though Hua doesn't seem to care.

"I know this is too fast, but I'm very good at claiming whatever I like. And I like you." She confessed boldly.

Kui lost all the confidence he had and all the right he had to push her away. He was also in love with her. She was bold, kind, sweet, and had a cute smile. He wasn't agitating for anything aside from the fact that their relationship might cause harm.

He left her unanswered because he didn't have the right response for her.

The following morning, Hua was woken up by a troupe of servants that strolled into her chamber with bowls, towels, and new clothes.

She couldn't even have her peace as she had to visit the Emperor and also send warm greetings to the Empress Dowager. It was a workload for her already, even though she wasn't married yet.

As she groaned, she reluctantly washed her face.

Soon, the door widened as Concubine Lu and Concubine Lousi entered her chamber. They didn't knock or announce their presence, though Hua didn't care about their unpleasant behavior.

"Lady Hua." They got closer to her, she gradually stood up from the bed.

"What do I owe for this visit?" Her gaze tossed from Lu back to Lousi as she looked at them anxiously.

"We have gifts for you, Lady Hua." They said in unison, exchanging knowing stares and she sighed.

Were they impatient to start the game? She ignored their sharp eyes as she added pressure to her forehead.

The Rong family hasn't been at peace since Hua went to the Palace. They tried sending messages to the Palace, hoping to hear from Hua and also seek an audience with the Emperor.

Successfully, their request was granted and Lord Rong was asked to come to the Palace to discuss the further proceedings of the marriage.

"Husband, please take a close look at our child. Make sure she is fine and tell her that I miss her so much." Madam Rong said with tear-filled eyes, and he clicked his tongue.

"You have made this statement more than a hundred times. When do you want to leave me?" He questioned slyly with sarcasm lingering in his voice, and that was when she realized that she was still holding onto his robe. She released him.

"Extend my warm greetings to Hua." Madam Rong waved at her husband as he finally entered the castle. He cast a last look at her before instructing the servant to start riding.

Before Hua Rong were the concubines, each of their servants was holding large trays made of jade in their hands - on it were golden lanterns, bracelets, jewelry, and gems.

Hua Rong's eyes wandered from one element to another before she narrowed it down to the concubines.

"What are all these for?" She questioned them politely. Looking at their physique, aside from Yan, she was almost the same age as Lu and Lousi.

"We are welcoming you into the Palace. It will be a tough ride but trust us, we won't make you suffer." Yan said to her softly, trying to curry favor.

Hua smirked. "Thank you, but I don't need all these." She informed them bluntly.

"Who would ever reject the 3,000-year-old gemstone that was found by the great-great Emperor Wenxi?" Lu exaggerated as she carried the purple gem from the tray and flashed it in her face. She scoffed.

"I don't deserve this gem, that's what I mean. I also don't think it's right to give me all these." She pursed her lips and sighed heavily. "Honestly, you won't gain anything from me." She added.

Lousi approached her. She had been quiet all this while, trying to observe and understand Hua's behavior, but she was complex.

"Hua'er…" that name reminded her of home, and she impatiently turned. Her eyes glittered with hope, but when she noticed it was from a concubine, she recoiled. "We only want something from you," Lousi said, and her eyes widened.

"And what could that be?" She raised an anxious brow.

"Kindly speak well of us whenever you are with the Emperor," Lousi began.

That was when she started recollecting her thoughts. No doubt they'd grovel over the Emperor because he was charming and very handsome. She didn't know his personality much, but physically looking at him, he looked no different from heroic warriors.

"We have been in this Palace for five years now and the Emperor hasn't touched us," Lousi complained bitterly as Hua gradually snapped out of her daze.

"Not even look at us!" Lu cried out impatiently, unintentionally interrupting Lousi.

"I see…" Hua walked from one corner to another, swinging her robe.

"I'm not interested in the Emperor, so it will be an easy task," She said, and they almost gasped in shock, looking at her in disbelief.

No one in their right sense would reject the Emperor. He was no different from a Greek god. He had all the characteristics of a "good" man.

"You mean you will help us?" Yan's eyes urged her, desperately waiting for a response.

"Yes." She approached the servants, one after the other. "There will be no need for all these, all I ask for is that you watch my back." She gently pushed each of the gift trays aside before turning to them. "Do we have a deal?" She curled her lips and they nodded instantly.

It was a dream come true for them. They'd do anything as long as she played her part. It was also in their favor that she had no emotion or tingling affection for the Emperor.

Soon, Qui announced her presence and stepped in. She disrupted their conversation.

"My lady, the Empress Dowager, seeks you," Qui informed her courteously.

"Sure," giving the concubines a last look, she left her chamber.

She wasn't reluctant because she didn't have anything valuable in the room, so she followed the servant.

Each of the Ministers was differentiated by their headwear and the color of their garments.

The Emperor was having a short meeting with the Minister of Welfare, Xuaming, when his eunuch announced Lord Rong's presence.

"You can leave." He waved his hand in the air, Xuaming bowed, and left the Emperor's hall.

Yu Cheng took a chopstick and approached his small cemented fishpond.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Lord Rong bowed.

"At ease." Yu Cheng focused on the fish he was feeding and playing with. "You have been disturbing the court with your letters." He added as though he was annoyed.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I was only worried about my young child that had left home for marriage." Lord Rong explained to him politely.

"What's there that you don't understand?" He shot him a sharp look before diverting his eyes back to the pond. "Your child will become the kingdom's Empress in 9 days' time, aren't you excited?" He sneered, his voice filled with mockery.

"Your Majesty, my child doesn't know any etiquette about politics or marriage, please forgive her future negligence." He began. "Secondly, is it possible to see my daughter or prepare the marriage together until the auspicious day?" He asked calmly.

"First, I won't tolerate any actions that your child does. As long as she was sent here, she should be ready for every pain and joy that comes with it." He exhaled sharply, dropping the chopstick. He approached Lord Rong. "And you have no right to interfere with my marriage. You can come as my in-law but not to coax your daughter." He informed him curtly.

Lord Rong didn't know if he should punch the Emperor or cry out. He held all his pain in and bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty." His voice bickered.

"Secondly, Hua Rong will never see her parents again. So, this should be the last time you make such a request." He grunted, and Lord Rong's eyes widened. He couldn't pinpoint what the Emperor meant.

Does that mean he has lost his child forever or something?

"Your Majesty!" Lord Rong fell to his knees, begging for consideration, but he tossed his eyes away.

"If you don't have anything else to report, please leave." He commanded seriously.

While heading to the Empress Dowager's chamber, her eyes were everywhere - searching for General Kui.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." She bowed and was released immediately.

Her eyes rolled in the room, she saw some unfamiliar ministers and ladies, she couldn't tell what was happening.

"Lady Hua, you have just arrived at the Palace and you are already creating a mess," Lui, the Empress Dowager scoffed in annoyance.

Hua quickly went on her knees: "I don't understand, Your Majesty." She said courteously.

"Who gave you the right to accept gifts from the concubines and make deals with them in my Palace?" Lui questioned disdainfully, staring at her intently.

First, she was confused because it was something that happened in her chamber when there was no one present. Except there was a spy in her room. She never knew every word she said and actions she did would put her into trouble. Since she was guilty, she didn't know if she should lie or accept defeat. The Empress Dowager has always been authoritative and annoying. She served under regency, thereby using the Emperor as a disguise. She was afraid of no one and despised it when someone tried to steal her spot.

"Your Majesty, I…" Hua tried to save her head by apologizing, but Lui interrupted her rudely.

"Who's there!" Lui yelled. "Drag her out and give her 50 beatings!" Lui instructed seriously and Hua's jaw dropped.

"50 beatings?!" She lost control of her emotion and yelled out, it was already too late as some able-bodied guards came in and dragged her out of the hall.

Unfortunately, no one told her the good and bad, ups and downs, or pros and cons of the Palace and its mysteries.