“I, I am… Prince, don’t you remember? You pulled me yesterday and wouldn’t let go; we spent a passionate night together. Has the prince forgotten?” Lan Ling’er said, placing her hand on his body. This had nothing to do with her; if the prince hadn’t been drunk and insisted on sleeping with her, she wouldn’t have lost her clothes.
She needed to teach him a lesson, or he would bully her in the future.
“My lord, do you really want to silence me so easily? I cannot guarantee that I can control my mouth! I would need something substantial to stay quiet. Besides, if this gets out, it will hurt my reputation!”
“Fine! This lord will give you three hundred thousand taels of silver; now quickly disappear from my sight!” In the past, he would have dealt with her harshly, but these were complicated times, and he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. He could not ignore the crimes he had committed.
“Agreed! However, my lord, I have one more request!” She would not betray her friends for money. The bandits in her mountain stronghold were still relying on her. It was her fault for being too talkative, and now she needed to make amends.
“What is it? Speak quickly and then disappear!” He was disgusted and closed his eyes, speaking harshly.
“Go to the palace immediately!” He didn’t know why he trusted her, but he felt compelled. No matter the consequences, he felt that he had to help her brother.
“Greetings to Prince Mengjun! Long live the Prince!” The guards outside the palace knelt as Dongfang Yu approached, knowing his violent temper. They remained silent, cautious not to offend him.
“Rise,” Dongfang Yu said, walking into the palace. The guards stood, confused by his unusual good temper.
“Yipinhong, hurry up!” he called to the little eunuch lagging behind. He turned and grabbed her hand, leading her into the palace.
“My Prince, if the Emperor and Empress see us, what would they think about a prince holding a little eunuch’s hand?” Lan Ling’er teased, adjusting her hat.
“So what? I have nothing to do with you,” he replied, continuing towards Xiuya Palace, the boudoir of Princess Mingyue, named by the current Empress.
Xiuya Palace was quiet, with dust everywhere and the door tightly closed, as if abandoned.
