Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 12 Unauthorized Climbing onto the Emperor's Bed, Jiang Lanye's Fury

In the following days, Song Yi would go to the Golden Palace every night to copy books for him. However, her handwriting was improving too slowly. Often, after copying just two pages, Jiang Lanye would catch a glimpse of her terrible handwriting and mercilessly crumple it into a ball, ordering her to rewrite it.

After several days, I hadn't even managed to copy a single page.

He also had to keep her sleeping on the low couch in the Golden Palace every day, curled up in that place, and she would be woken up when Jiang Lanye got up for the morning court session.

Jiang Lan slept quite well that night, and even had the imperial physician take his pulse.

The imperial physician pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out. He could only say that His Majesty had resolved his inner conflict and would naturally not be plagued by nightmares.

Thus, the women of the harem watched as Jiang Lanye's complexion grew better and better, as if he had absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, appearing extremely satisfied.

Song Yi, who rested in the Golden Palace every day, seemed to have his energy drained. He couldn't sleep well and woke up exceptionally early, and soon his face was covered in bruises.

She left the Golden Palace like a walking corpse, and as time went on, rumors began to circulate in the palace.

Jiang Lanye, who was not interested in women, treated Song Yi differently, indulging in nightly revelry.

Could she really be Consort Yun?
On this day, Song Yi was rubbing her aching back, feeling utterly hopeless, when she was suddenly stopped by someone on the way home.

"This humble concubine greets Consort Yun!"

Song Yi froze, staring intently at the person in front of her.

The woman said, "I am Consort Lin, Your Highness is unaware of this. I apologize for stopping Your Highness today."

Song Yi quickly waved her hand: "Get up! You are a talented woman, and I am a concubine. Why are you kneeling before me?"

Lin Cairen looked at her and said softly, "Your Highness, now all of us concubines know that you are Consort Yun."

After saying that, she lowered her eyes and became saddened.

"And I am nothing more than your substitute."

Song Yi was completely stunned. She stepped forward to help her up and asked, "How did this rumor spread?"

"All the ladies in the palace know that His Majesty has a woman he can't forget, and that is the Imperial Concubine. We are able to enjoy His Majesty's favor because of her. These past few days, you have been wearing a veil every day and going to the Golden Palace to serve him every night. We know that the Imperial Concubine must have returned."

She touched her face with her hand, tears welling up in her eyes, and said with self-pity and despair, "Although I don't know why His Majesty has not yet restored your status, I will still respect you the most."

Song Yi: "."

After listening to her long speech, Song Yi's face went blank.

"Lady Lin, I am not the Imperial Concubine. I go to the Golden Palace every day only because His Majesty is punishing me by making me copy books for him."

"Then why do you cover your face with a veil, afraid to show your true face to people?"

Without hesitation, Song Yi tore off the veil, revealing the horrific scar.

Lin Cairen was startled and before she could react, Song Yi immediately put on her veil again and calmly said, "That's the reason."

"you"

She finally realized what was happening, and suddenly took Song Yi's hand, saying, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to reopen your wounds."

Song Yi waved her hand: "It's good that the rumors have been debunked. I am really not the Consort Yun you described."

She was exceptionally serious.

Lin Cairen took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "So, we still have a chance."

As Song Yi recalled the past few nights, Jiang Lanye had always maintained that icy expression. The chill of the Golden Palace returned, and she couldn't help but shiver.

The chances are probably slim.

It was only because she was fearless three years ago, daring not only to touch the tiger's tail but also to ride on his head, that she managed to subdue him.

As for now? It's probably frozen even more solidly than before.

That evening, after having dinner in her palace, Song Yi went to the Golden Palace as usual. Outside the palace, however, Eunuch Cao suddenly stopped her. "Lady, please wait outside for a while."

Song Yi glanced inside the hall and asked, "Is anyone inside?"

After a moment's hesitation, Eunuch Cao said, "Yes, Consort Xiao is inside."

Song Yi was somewhat pleased and immediately said, "In that case, I should go back tonight. Otherwise, wouldn't it be disturbing them to wait foolishly outside?"

For a moment, Eunuch Cao was speechless and choked with emotion.

He had seen many people vying for the emperor's favor, but this was the first time he had ever met someone who didn't want to get close to him.

"But His Majesty said that you will be going in to copy books every night for the next few days."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xiao Jieyu's exclamation suddenly rang out from inside the hall.

Then came a series of unusually loud noises, like something falling to the ground.

Before the two could react, Jiang Lanye's voice rang out, unusually tinged with anger.

"I never permitted you to do this, how dare you!"

Song Yi and Eunuch Cao exchanged a glance and then quickly walked inside without prior arrangement.

The hall was in a mess.

The candles, inkstone, memorials, and other items on the table were swept to the ground. Xiao Jieyu was dressed lightly, with one shoulder exposed, and she had small goosebumps from the cold.

She looked at Jiang Lanye in terror, sobbing, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me! I only dared to do this because I missed Your Majesty so much."

Jiang Lanye's face was as cold as ice, his brows filled with impatient rage. Looking at her tears, he said directly, "Drag her out and give her thirty lashes."

The concubines in the harem were all delicate and frail. Even a burly man would not be able to withstand thirty strokes of the cane, let alone Consort Xiao.

Even if they manage to survive, they will likely be left with a disability.

Song Yi frowned, watching Xiao Jieyu, who was so frightened she couldn't speak and her body trembled like a leaf.

She suddenly walked quickly to Jiang Lanye's side, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to tug at his sleeve.

Sensing the faint force, Jiang Lanye lowered his eyes, his sharp, gloomy gaze instantly turning to her.

Song Yi's hands trembled as she tried to calm herself down, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Nothing has happened yet. The imperial physician just said that you have recovered from your illness these past few days. If you get angry again and don't get a good night's rest, I will get up again to bathe you."

She paused, then said softly, "Does Your Majesty perhaps anticipate me serving you during your bath?"

Her words were bold. Jiang Lanye stared at her, remaining silent for a long time, lost in thought.

Song Yi dared not back down and could only look at him calmly.

Her eyes were clear and bright, even more so than the stars in the night sky.

So Song Yi tugged at his sleeve and shook it twice.

"Don't be angry, okay? I've finished practicing my calligraphy, and I'll write it for Your Majesty to see in a bit."

The hall was eerily quiet. Eunuch Cao and Consort Xiao dared not breathe, staring intently at Song Yi, placing their last hope on her.

Song Yi could only bite the bullet and continue, "Has Your Majesty eaten yet? You love shrimp, so I'll serve you some more tonight."

Finally, Jiang Lanye spoke, his voice a little hoarse: "Tell her to get out."

Consort Xiao was overjoyed and said, "This concubine will leave now!"

She lifted her skirt and ran out in a disheveled state.

(End of this chapter)