Chapter 3

The bustling Imperial Garden was lively in a way that the Bright Moon Palace could never be.

Under the Eight-sided Pavilion, Xie Yu tightly held Empress Su's hand.

The fireworks reflected in the water seemed to celebrate the union of lovers.

Ze'er excitedly waved at Xie Yu, "Father!"

Xie Yu's gaze instantly turned sullen.

"Assassin! Protect the Emperor!"

With Empress Su's startled cry, a dark arrow flew toward Ze'er.

The excitement on his face completely turned to panic.

"Mother, does Father not like Ze'er and wants to kill him?"

Empress Su's belly could no longer be hidden, and Ze'er was no longer a clueless child.

"Xu Mann, have you gone mad, why would you suddenly show up with Ze'er, don't you know today is the palace family banquet!"

It turns out he never considered me as part of his family...

After Xie Yu finished speaking, he somewhat regretted it, "Is Ze'er alright? I was just too impatient, not really..."

Xie Yu's words were abruptly stopped as the maid beside the Empress ran over in panic.

"Not good, the Empress has seen blood!"

Xie Yu's look at me shifted from guilt to anger.

"The Empress holds no grudges against you, why would you harm her? If anything happens to the Empress, I will not spare you, you venomous woman!"

Ze'er was extremely frightened, his voice tinged with sobs.

"Father, it's all my fault, don't be angry with Mother..."

Xie Yu looked at Ze'er with eyes that no longer had love or compassion.

He fiercely kicked Ze'er, "You're as worthless as your mother, get back to the Bright Moon Palace immediately!"

"Xie Yu!"

Watching Ze'er being harmed, I finally couldn't resist and slapped him.

"You're simply a madwoman!"

The taste of blood filled my throat, yet I shouted desperately.

"You're the mad one! Ze'er is your own flesh and blood, and you want to kill him!"

"Who knows if he's someone else's bastard?"

Xie Yu and I were both stunned.

Ze'er asked me, "Does Father refuse to acknowledge me?"

That year, when I was in the water prison, I was already carrying Ze'er. I endured for three days and nights; after giving birth to Ze'er, I could no longer have children.

I treated our only child as a treasure, but it was just wishful thinking.

Xie Yu turned and left, just like our feelings, unable to turn back.

I took Ze'er and left, wanting to free myself.

But Empress Su wouldn't let me go so easily.

"Xu Mann, sometimes I have to admire your luck. Had you not chosen the Emperor early on and borne a child, do you think you could have endured until entering the palace?"

I was in a daze, not understanding her meaning.

"The Emperor hates mentioning his past disgrace the most, yet your lowly status is a stain on him that can't be erased!"

"I grew up with the Emperor, even if I once broke off the engagement for power, what of it? The Emperor still relies on my Prime Minister's Mansion."

"Now, crushing you is as simple as crushing an ant."

Empress Su's words crackled in my mind like thunder.

"I've already warned you, but you don't know your place. Today, this is a small punishment, hope you remember it!"

The palace attendant beside Empress Su pushed me into the water.

Her foot stepped on my head; through the murky water, her smile was somewhat twisted.

"I heard you're afraid of water, right? When you were punished in the water prison, did you also hope the Emperor would come to save you?"

Ze'er cried as he tried to stop her, but was harshly pushed aside by the palace attendants.

"I'm telling you, today's punishment comes at the Emperor's will, a lesson for someone as lowly as you so that you know your place!"

"Ze'er shouldn't have gone to see Father, Ze'er knows he's wrong. Empress, please spare my mother!"

Ze'er kept kowtowing to Empress Su, his tender forehead swollen red with traces of blood.

Empress Su's eyes were full of pleasure, stopping only when I was on the brink of death.

"The Emperor has already assigned you a rank, just a First Attendant. From now on, endure the days in the palace slowly."