Chapter 20: Darkness Within Darkness (5)

What happened was truly beyond all expectations—a surprise upon surprises.

The consorts all lowered their heads, bowing to both Yun Zui and Chi Mo.

“Greetings to Prince Mo.”

“Welcome back to the palace, Grand Consort.”

They still placed Chi Mo first and Yun Zui after. Moreover, when they saw Chi Mo seated on the emperor’s palanquin, none of them showed any sign of surprise.

To Yun Zui, this was a most peculiar scene—strangely ironic, even.

As she descended from the palanquin and was about to enter the palace, Yun Zui noticed someone kneeling outside. The woman wore a consort’s attire and seemed vaguely familiar.

But Yun Zui couldn’t recall who she was.

The woman’s face looked pale and weak, as if she was being punished to kneel.

Inside the great hall, Chi Mo did not take the imperial throne. Instead, he chose a seat beside Yun Zui. The hall was very quiet, with only the two of them and a few palace maids and eunuchs.

The consorts all stood outside by the entrance, not daring to enter without permission.

Yun Zui’s thoughts lingered on the woman who had seemed so familiar. Why did she look familiar?

“She is your second sister, Yun Yao.” Chi Mo seemed to read her mind at a glance.

A hint of surprise flickered across Yun Zui’s face, but she remained silent.

So Yun Yao was being punished to kneel? It must be because of her. After receiving thirty strokes of the rod, she was still forced to kneel—any man would feel pity at such a sight.

Yun Yao was beautiful, yet Chi Mo showed no compassion. If he wished to spare Yun Yao’s punishment, a single word would suffice.

But he did nothing.

A moment of silence passed in the hall before Yun Zui finally spoke, “To be buried with the late emperor as his consort seems to be quite a privileged position—everyone fears you.”

Even the emperor’s favored concubines were punished. The title of imperial consort of the late emperor was truly useful.

A complicated look flashed in Chi Mo’s eyes as he asked, “Is that what you think?”

“Is there anything wrong with saying so?” Yun Zui saw nothing amiss in her words.

Chi Mo said nothing further, merely picked up the tea beside him and took a sip.

Yun Zui did not understand why Chi Mo’s mood had suddenly changed, but she did not care.

After a short while, Chi Xuan returned to the palace. He first addressed the other consorts, “Now that you have greeted the Grand Consort, you may return.”

The consorts all breathed sighs of relief and quickly hurried away.

The sun outside was merciless.

Only the pitiful Yun Yao remained, still kneeling under the scorching sun and her grievous injuries, barely clinging to life.

“You…” Chi Xuan paused before Yun Yao, wanting to say something, but finally settled on a cold command: “Follow me inside.”

“Yes,” Yun Yao replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

She could never have imagined that Yun Zui, dead for a year, would return—and bring such punishment upon her and their mother and sisters. Though anger and resentment burned within her, she had no outlet for it.

Obediently, Yun Yao followed Chi Xuan inside.

Hearing the footsteps, Yun Zui immediately turned her gaze to the two of them. Chi Xuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Yun Zui.

“Greetings, Grand Consort.”

Then he addressed Chi Mo warmly, “Third Brother.”

Chi Mo did not even glance at him, only said indifferently, “Sit.”

Only then did Chi Xuan dare approach the dragon throne.

Yun Yao, however, came in and immediately knelt on the floor, her head bowed low.

Once seated, Chi Xuan said to Yun Yao, “You spoke disrespectfully to the Grand Consort. The punishment has been carried out. Now, why do you not quickly kowtow and beg her forgiveness?”

Yun Zui was still surprised—surprised that Emperor Chi Xuan was so weak that even his favored consort was punished.

Yun Yao seemed deeply aggrieved, her head lowered, and in a soft, timid voice, she said, “Yun Yao humbly begs the Grand Consort’s forgiveness.”