Chapter 3: Playing Tricks In The Peach Forest

The formidable Xian Guifei was no one else but Consort Wei. If the emperor was the one who sentenced her family to death, then Xian Guifei was the one who killed her. Mei Liang remembered that after her failed assassination attempt on the emperor, she had stabbed him in the chest—the knife nearly pierced his heart.

She recalled how Xian Guifei was the first to discover the scene, rushing into the room just as she was about to escape. Xian Guifei immediately called the guards, and Mei Liang was thrown into the royal prison.

When news spread that the emperor might not survive the stabbing—though it hadn't reached his heart, the wound was severe and he had lost a great deal of blood—Mei Liang knew there was no room for regret she felt happy. She had made her choice, and though she was prepared to die, she thought that if she died, the emperor would follow her, along with her entire clan who has died, to the underworld.

However, to her shock, Xian Guifei managed to bring in a renowned physician from outside the palace, someone capable of saving the emperor's life. Mei Liang knew then that once the emperor recovered, he would make her pay—no one understood his ruthlessness better than she did.

She thought that death at the emperor's hands would be gruesome, but if it came to that, she would die on her own terms. Yet, Xian Guifei didn't let her die easily. It seemed as though she had anticipated Mei Liang's desire to commit suicide, and so she removed all dangerous objects from her cell. She even chained her hands and legs to prevent any movement.

Xian Guifei was merciless. She came to Mei Liang's cell, removing bits of her body parts—starting from her fingers to her toes—and then burned her alive. The pain and humiliation she endured during those days would never leave her.

Now that she had returned, it was time for her to repay Xian Guifei. If she loved the emperor so much, Mei Liang would take everything from her—every favor the emperor had shown her, everything Xian Guifei held dear.

Xian Guifei then spoke, "It seems Mei Wenyuan is still angry with this palace for taking the emperor away that day, but what can I do? The first prince was sick that day, and I panicked as a mother.

This palace didn't know Mei Wenyuan was so narrow-minded that she can't seem to let it go. Your eyes seem to burn with hatred—two weeks have passed, don't tell me you're still angry, like a child."

Empress Qing and the other concubines simply watched, as if they were spectators, not intending to help Mei Liang.

"Your Highness seems to have misunderstood me," Mei Wenyuan said. "How dare I, a mere Wenyuan, get angry at the emperor's only prince? I just can't help but stare at Your Highness because I envy your beauty."

"It's good you know what you can and can't do," Xian Guifei remarked.

After a while, the Empress finished speaking, stood up, and Mei Liang, along with the other concubines, followed suit, bowing respectfully as they saw the Empress off. Once the Empress left, the other concubines departed in small groups, with Xian Guifei leading the way.

Mei Liang turned her gaze toward the direction Xian Guifei was heading and saw that it was the emperor's Qian Chun Gong Palace. Watching Xian Guifei's back, Mei Liang's eyes seemed to burn with flames of hatred.

Composing herself, she headed toward the peach forest. In her previous life, she remembered the emperor enjoying walks there after court matters, seeking peace of mind.

Nobody noticed that the ruthless emperor favored this place, and it seemed there was a secret dungeon hidden within the peach forest, though she had never been able to locate it. Few people passed through this forest, and the emperor might soon arrive or has already arrive. She would use this opportunity to make sure he noticed her.

Cuìyù and Lánxīn followed behind her.

"Mistress, you've truly suffered," Lánxīn said. "Look at how arrogant Xian Guifei is, managing to steal the emperor's favor using the first prince."

"Lánxīn, don't say any more," Mei Liang replied, her voice sharp. "Walls have ears. Mei Liang thought I didn't come here to make the emperor think badly of me. If he hears what you're saying, he might think I'm narrow-minded."

"Mistress, I'm just angry for you," Lánxīn said, her voice filled with frustration. "The other concubines who entered the palace with you have all been favored. Some of them even gained promotions. Yet, Mistress, your only chance to be called by the emperor for the first night was taken away by Xian Guifei."

As Lánxīn spoke, Mei Liang's gaze shifted, and she caught sight of a yellow piece of clothing in the corner of her vision. "Lánxīn, do you think I'm useless, that I lack strength of will?"

Lánxīn and Cuìyù quickly tried to comfort her. "Mistress, don't say that. I'm sure Xian Guifei was just angry, which is why she took it out on you."

"Because she knew you have a good temper."

"Cuìyù, did you think I would have listened to my father's words and never entered the palace? Do you think my life would have been better if I had chosen not to participate in the talent show? I would have been free, you know. After staying a month in the palace, I've come to one conclusion: I no longer care whether the emperor favors me or not.

In fact, I think it's better if he doesn't favor me—that way, I can stay out of trouble. Just like my mother said, the palace is full of danger, and someone like me, naive and innocent, won't survive here. I really regret entering the palace. I think I'll go to the temple and pray to Buddha that the emperor should never favor me."

Cuìyù quickly covered her mistress's mouth. "Mistress, don't curse yourself like that."

"Cuìyù, you know I only have one wish, and that's to leave this palace one day and live a normal life, far away from all the schemes."

Hearing what the little girl said, Emperor Xiang Long Wei couldn't help but stare at her. The rest of the concubines wished to be favored by him, yet she didn't want it. She was a very strange girl. Seeing the emperor frown, Eunuch Xia couldn't help but shiver, shocked by Mei Liang thoughts. She was already the emperor's concubine, yet she wished to leave the palace and start a new life. She even dared to disdain the emperor's favor.

Emperor Xiang Long Wei turned to Eunuch Zhao. "Which concubine is she?"

"Your Majesty, she is Mei Wenyuan, the daughter of Commandant Mei."

"Ah, I see. Let's take a detour," Emperor Xiang Long Wei said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

From the corner of her eye, Mei Liang saw the emperor's figure leaving. She clenched her fists, trying to control herself. It took all her willpower to keep calm and not let the emperor notice anything unusual about her. When she saw the emperor, it felt like she wanted to drive a sword through his heart. But she couldn't make the same mistake as in her previous life. Now, she just needed to wait for the emperor to take the bait. After all, who wouldn't want to conquer a beauty? For now, she would simply wait for the emperor to summon her.