MYUFPC CHAPTER 23

Beaten to Death 

Two days later, the team officially set off to return to the palace. The autumn grew deeper and deeper. When Jiashan left the palace, she could still occasionally smell the sweet fragrance of Osmanthus. Now, on the way back, she only saw many withered leaves. 

She left the palace on the nineteenth of August. It had been less than a month, but the scenery along the way had changed greatly. She wondered what the palace would be like. 

Jiashan recalled the scene this morning when Aunt Ruyang reluctantly sent several people to the gate of the temple. She felt a little lonely in her heart. 

The brief period of  freedom was over. The next time she wanted to leave the palace, she would probably have to wait until she got married. 

Marriage, Zhan Yue, cousin... these three words seemed to be closely linked together. 

Jiashan frowned, and her breathing became heavier and heavier. 

A gust of wind blew up the curtain of the carriage. Through the corner of the rolled-up curtain, Jiashan happened to see Zhan Yue, who was dressed in fine clothes and riding a horse. 

He was still wearing a black robe, his figure was tall and mighty, and he stood out among a group of Jinwu guards. Jiashan's eyes seemed to be scalded, and she pushed the loose hair in front of her forehead away, then looked away. 

The group of people returned to the palace after noon. 

Emperor Zhanghe usually liked to discuss memorials with his ministers in the Qianqing Palace in the afternoon, and at this time, it had not usually ended yet. Therefore, after Jiashan returned, she did not go to see her father first, but stayed with Zhao Youze in the Fengyang Pavilion for lunch. 

During this time when Jiashan was away, Fengyang Pavilion was almost entirely managed by Zheng mama. She was Jiashan's wet nurse and had been with the Empress for many years, so she was very good at managing things. 

As for loyalty, Jiashan didn't have to worry about it. 

After the meal, Zhao Youze also began to feel sleepy. Thinking that he and Jing Fei had not seen each other for a long time, Jiashan sent someone to send Zhao Youze back to Changle Palace for a nap. 

As soon as Zhao Youze left, Zheng mama followed Jiashan step by step, as if she had something to say. 

Jiashan thought of what she had told Zheng mama before leaving, and her expression couldn't help but become a little indifferent. 

"mama wants to tell me about Han Zhu?" Jiashan curled her lips, and she raised her eyelids. 

Zheng mama paused and said: "Yes." 

Jiashan's willow eyebrows curved slightly, and she didn't know whether she was smiling or angry. She looked at Zheng mama and asked directly, "What have you found out?"

Zheng mama was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Han Zhu's brother got into trouble while doing business in the Jingchu area two years ago. I went to inquire about it, and it turned out that originally he was going to be exiled, but later I don't know how, he was released after being caned thirty times." 

"In recent years, Han Zhu's family's situation has become better and better. Her brother, who had gotten into trouble, even had extra money to donate to become a Xiucai." 

Zheng mama's tone was flat, but as Jiashan listened, a clear and sarcastic smile appeared on her face. 

"No wonder," Jiashan lowered her head, standing in the shadow of the sunlight, she said calmly, "The maternal family of Zhuang Fei has a deep foundation in Jingchu. I suppose they got hooked up through this matter." 

"Anything else?" Jiashan asked with narrowed eyes. 

Zheng mama couldn't help but be indignant at this point and said, "Also, when you were not in the palace, I found that Shuqi from Chengqian Palace and Han Zhu were secretly communicating through letters." 

"This is Han Zhu's reply." Zheng mama held a thin piece of paper between her fingertips and wanted to give it to Jiashan. 

Jiashan glanced at the withered sea of crabapple blossoms outside the window, she did not take it, but simply said: "mama, just read it to me." 

Zheng mama nodded, her tone was calm, "The princess and the fourth prince left the palace, it may be because they were dissatisfied with the marriage, there are no other clues for the time being, please rest assured, Your Highness." 

This letter was written by Han Zhu to Zhuang Fei. 

Jiashan and Han Zhu had lived together for nearly twenty years in their previous lives. Even if Han Zhu didn't say it out loud, Jiashan immediately imagined what tone Han Zhu would use when she said these words. 

Jiashan chuckled softly. Her skin was as white as snow, and the corners of her eyes grew colder and colder as she smiled. 

Jiashan said, "Very well." 

"So all these years, I've kept a wolf by my side." Jiashan raised the corner of her lips, she said softly. 

Her gaze was distant, and she never looked at the letter for a moment. She slowly turned around. 

Jiashan raised her eyebrows slightly, her voice was very soft, as if she was asking Zheng mama, but also as if she was talking to herself, "Haven't I been good to Han Zhu?" 

For so many years, not only Jiashan and Han Zhu, but also Zheng mama and Han Zhu had feelings for each other. She sighed, unable to bear to say, "How could it be bad?" 

"That bitch is ungrateful!" Zheng mama looked excited. When she first got this letter, all the disappointment and anger she had for Han Zhu came flooding back at this moment. She said tremblingly, "Who in the whole palace doesn't know that the princess cherishes old feelings and has always been tolerant towards her!"

“But she is a wolf. How can a wolf ever be tamed?” Zheng mama’s voice was as hard as iron. “Your Highness should not take this lowly servant’s mistakes upon yourself.” 

Jiashan's expression turned cold. She nodded, "mama is right." 

Since her rebirth, she had kept Han Zhu around, simply to find an answer. Why exactly had Han Zhu betrayed her? 

Now, the answer was clear, and it was time to settle the old accounts. 

Jiashan’s tightly clenched fingers loosened as if they had lost their strength. She pursed her lips and said, “I’ve been traveling all morning, and I haven’t bathed yet.” 

“mama, help me change my clothes first,” she lowered her head and said softly, “After I’ve bathed, we’ll summon Han Zhu properly.” 

Zheng mama agreed. 

Jiashan quickly went to bathe and change her clothes. She changed into a vermilion-colored cross-collar shirt with a milky white eight-piece skirt tied around her waist. She leaned on the chaise lounge, her long black hair, without any pearls or jade, hung down wetly behind her, looking fragrant and bright. 

When Han Zhu came in, Zheng mama, Su Yu, Dancui, and several other female officials around Jiashan were all standing neatly in the hall. 

Jiashan's cheeks were rosy, and she was casually lowering her head to take a sip of fragrant tea. The hall was filled with incense, making people feel as if they were floating in the clouds. 

Hearing that the princess had summoned her as soon as she returned from Changchun Temple, Han Zhu naturally assumed that the princess had called her to give her new tasks. 

Han Zhu felt relieved, thinking that the princess had always been someone who cherished old relationships. She greeted her loudly. 

Jiashan looked at the cup in her hand without moving, and after Han Zhu knelt down, she didn't even mean to ask Han Zhu to get up, but just left her hanging like that. 

Han Zhu's knees were pressed against the cold ground, and seeing that the princess still had no reaction after a long time, Han Zhu pursed her lips and couldn't help but raise her head to take a closer look at Jiashan. 

At this glance, the two of them happened to look directly at each other. 

Jiashan's eyebrows were lightly drawn, and her makeup-free face was imposing without anger, very different from her usual self. Han Zhu's heart suddenly skipped a beat, she bit her lip, and quickly lowered her head. 

"How have you been while I've been away from the palace?" Jiashan finally spoke, her almond-shaped eyes curved slightly, and she asked word by word, "Have you recovered?" 

Although the princess's words were concerned about her, Han Zhu did not hear any trace of consolation in Jiashan's tone. Han Zhu's heart slowly sank.

She replied cautiously, "I've recovered." 

"That's good to hear," Jiashan smiled, twirling the fragrant tea in her hand. "I have a question." 

Han Zhu replied, "Your Highness, please ask. I will answer truthfully..." 

"Shh," Jiashan placed a hand lightly on her red lips, her eyes were bright, and she smiled ambiguously, "I want a truthful answer." 

"If I find out that you're just humoring me," Jiashan looked at Han Zhu, her face devoid of any smile, she said word by word, "I'll cut open your heart and see if it's red or black." 

Han Zhu was so frightened by these words that she broke out in a cold sweat. She was filled with fear and said in panic, "Yes." 

Jiashan looked at Han Zhu calmly. She stared into her eyes, her tone gloomy, "When the Empress passed away, those things you said to me. Did you think of them yourself, or was someone teaching you?" 

Han Zhu gritted her teeth and quickly realized that the princess was referring to the candy she had given the princess many years ago. For ten years, she had relied on that small piece of candy to maintain a place in the princess's heart. 

That was her only reliance! 

Han Zhu was sweating profusely, she knelt on the ground and dared not speak.

The room was silent. 

Jiashan's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and the longer Han Zhu remained silent, the colder her eyes became. 

Jiashan was expressionless, her voice growing harsher as she said, "Do I have to dig your heart out before I can get a truthful answer from you?" 

"Speak," Jiashan squeezed out a word from between her teeth. 

Han Zhu closed her eyelids, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of her lips. At this point, how could she not understand that this was actually a trial? 

She had aroused the princess's suspicion. No wonder Shuqi had not replied to her for a long time, she must have already fallen into the princess's hands! 

Han Zhu knocked her forehead on the cold ground, stammering, "It was... it was Dou mama from Chengqian Palace who taught me." 

Jiashan looked at her and asked, "What else did Dou mama teach you, hmm?" 

"She... she said that as long as I spoke as she taught me, the princess would take me to Fengyang Pavilion." Han Zhu's tongue felt bitter, and she dared not look directly into Jiashan's eyes. 

She said, "Dou... Dou mama said that the princess is a kind-hearted person. After arriving at Fengyang Pavilion, with the Empress's former feelings, the princess would naturally not treat me badly."

Jiashan’s lips moved, and she looked at Han Zhu for a long time. 

After a brief daze, Jiashan raised an eyebrow and nodded indifferently. "I always thought I was raising a traitor, but it turns out I was mistaken." 

"You are indeed a loyal servant," Jiashan slowly cracked a smile. She took a sip of fragrant tea and said leisurely, "You've endured a lot of hardship in Fengyang Pavilion all these years." 

Jiashan's tone was devoid of emotion, not even a hint of sadness or disappointment. Han Zhu only heard a heavy dose of sarcasm. 

A worst-case scenario suddenly popped into Han Zhu's mind. She kowtowed to Jiashan several times and cried out miserably, "No!" 

"No, Your Highness!" Han Zhu's face was as pale as paper. 

"The princess has been kind to me, and I know it in my heart. I'm sorry to the princess," In a few words, Han Zhu had already shed several hot tears. She cried like a pear blossom in the rain very pitifully and said in sad voice, "I know I'm sorry to you, all these years, I haven't had a moment of peace in my heart. Thinking of the princess's kindness to me, I wish I could die immediately to repay you." 

At this point, Han Zhu had already understood that Jiashan wanted to cut ties with her. How could she still care about Zhuang Fei or not? 

Han Zhu was full of shame. With red and swollen eyes, she cried, "I'm sorry to you, but... but - I'm a nobody, and I don't know what I can do to help Your Highness..." 

Jiashan lowered her head and looked at the newly dyed lacquer on her nails. Under the sunlight, the crimson nails were as red as blood. 

She repeated Han Zhu's words indifferently, "There's nothing you can do to help me." 

She turned to look at Han Zhu and said in a firm voice that made Han Zhu's heart skip a beat. 

"I can understand if you don't want to betray your master." Jiashan stared at her intently, as if she hated Han Zhu. 

Her face was delicate and beautiful, but her eyes and voice were as cold as ice. "But all these years, you've had so many opportunities to express your loyalty to me, but you've never had the intention to speak up." 

Han Zhu wanted to open her mouth. 

"If you really find it difficult, you can also choose to stay neutral. Ask me for a favor to leave the palace, would I refuse?" Jiashan put down the fragrant tea in her hand and looked down at Han Zhu. Seeing that Han Zhu was still struggling, she sneered, "That's what you said, there's nothing you can do to help me." 

Han Zhu bit her lip, her breathing became heavier, and finally she dared not make a sound anymore.

A cold, calculating smile played on Jiashan's lips as she lifted her chin. "Since you're willing to be such a loyal servant, I should fulfil you wish." 

Jiashan stared coldly at Han Zhu, as if looking at a dead person. Her eyes were as deep as night. "Drag Han Zhu away." 

"Execute her by beating," Jiashan said slowly. 

Han Zhu collapsed to the ground with a thud. 

Guards who had been standing at the door responded and came in to drag Han Zhu away. 

"Your Highness!" Han Zhu reacted and began to kowtow repeatedly, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were filled with disbelief as she trembled, "Your Highness, I have served you for nearly ten years, even if I haven't done anything meritorious, I've at least work hard. Do you really have the heart to do this?" 

Seeing that Jiashan was unmoved, Han Zhu hurriedly shouted, "I dare not anymore, Princess, I really dare not anymore!" 

Han Zhu was carried away by two guards with her arms raised. 

"Mama, Su Yu, Dancui! Please say something for me... Mama..." Han Zhu's fingers clutched the doorsill of the palace gate tightly, and her tears mixed with snot, quickly flowing all over the floor. 

Zheng mama and the others standing beside Jiashan simply pretended not to see. Even the usually easygoing Dancui was not prepared to speak up. 

At this moment, Jiashan suddenly raised her head. She said, "Wait." 

Han Zhu's back of her hand was already chafed, and her forehead was also swollen. Hearing Jiashan call a halt, she thought there was hope and hurriedly raised her head, looking towards Jiashan. 

However, Jiashan changed her sitting position. She lazily patted the back of her neck and said softly, "Drag her to the door of Chengqian Palace, don't dirty my palace floor." 

Han Zhu was stunned. She felt like she was in a fog and instantly turned ashen. 

Zheng Mama thought about it for a moment. She stepped forward and earnestly said to Jiashan's ear, "Your Highness, please think twice. This is a bit too much of a slap in the face of Zhuang Fei. If things get out of hand, I'm afraid it won't be easy to handle." 

"That's exactly what I want," Jiashan took another sip of fragrant tea. Her eyes were bloodshot as she ordered the guards, "Go." 

The guards responded and dragged Han Zhu away. 

Zheng mama spoke vaguely, she said in a low voice, "Your Highness... you should always think about the future." 

Jiashan was silent for a moment, then she nodded, "I know what I'm doing, mama, don't worry." 

When she did this, she couldn't help but think of Yuan Kang's death, and of the full trust she had placed in Han Zhu in her previous life.

Back then, when my fifth uncle invited Doctor Kong to examine Yuan Kang, it wasn't a secret; the palace knew about it. However, they were always very cautious about the palace's spies when it came to the matter of Yuan Kang's sudden recovery. 

It was because of this that Zhao Youze entered the palace without any guard and fell into the trap set by Zhuang Fei. 

Jiashan had always thought that the news had leaked out from Zhan Shaoying. Today, she finally learned that it was Han Zhu! 

When she learned that Yuan Kang had a chance to regain his sight, fearing that it would attract attention, Jiashan carefully brought only Han Zhu with her to Ning Wang Mansion. 

But what about Han Zhu? 

She must have immediately reported the matter to Zhuang Fei. 

My younger brother was killed by her! 

All these years, I've been trusting the wrong person! 

Jiashan closed her eyes and wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye.

"Your Highness, there's something I want to discuss with you," a soft voice said. 

Recognizing Su Yu's voice, Jiashan slowly opened her eyes and turned her head, "What is it?" 

"Yesterday, I received a letter from home saying that my younger brother has found a wife in our hometown. Originally, I was worried that my mother was getting old and had no one to take care of her, so I wanted to leave the palace next year. But now that my brother has started a family, my mother has my sister-in-law to take care of her," Su Yu smiled at Jiashan and said, "I think I can stay and serve the princess for a few more years." 

Jiashan quietly looked at the fragrant tea in her cup. Her eyes moved, and her tone changed to a gentler one, "You don't have to do this. Just take this half a year to give me a good guidance on Dancui. Whether you should leave the palace or not, I still give you this favor." 

Su Yu shook her head stubbornly, "No. Mama is old, and Dancui is still young. The princess can't be without someone by her side, I will accompany the princess." 

Zheng Mama, Su Yu, and Han Zhu were all people she had taken from her mother's palace. They had been with her the longest and had also accompanied her through a difficult time. 

Jiashan suddenly felt a sourness in her eyes, and even her nose was a little sore. She rubbed her nose and no longer insisted. 

"Okay, I'll keep you for two more years," Jiashan said. 

"In these two years, not only will you mentor Dancui, but you will also keep a close eye on my side and see if there are any useful people." Jiashan smiled, "After two years, I will find you a husband and make sure you marry well." 

Su Yu's face turned slightly red as she kowtowed, "Yes."

Jiashan rose from the couch and drank the fragrant tea in her cup. A trace of weariness finally appeared on her delicate face. "I’m going to rest for a while. If my father comes, just tell him that I’m exhausted from the journey and might have caught a cold, so I couldn’t help but retire early. I will certainly greet him and apologize tomorrow."

Zheng mama nodded. "Yes."

“Princess, what should we do if someone from Chengqian Palace asks about Han Zhu?” Dancui interjected.

Jia Shan’s voice softened. "Chengqian Palace won’t ask. However, Jing Fei might send someone. If she does, just say that a few of the Empress's old items went missing from our palace, and we found out that Hanzhu had taken them to sell, so I had her dealt with."

Dancui nodded in understanding. "Understood."

After giving these instructions, Jiashan slowly moved towards the inner room to rest.

She leaned against the couch and gently closed her eyes. In the room, a qilin incense burner emitted wisps of fragrant smoke, the scent of agarwood soothing her into sleep.

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Xiucai - a person who has passed the county level imperial exam (historical); scholar; skillful writer; fine talent