Chapter 137

As Sheng Jing’an walked out of the Duke’s mansion, he saw a small blue sedan chair parked outside. His expression darkened uncontrollably, the anger of humiliation building up inside him, making it almost impossible to maintain his composure. Such a delicate and bright-colored sedan chair was clearly used by noble families to pick up concubines, yet Yan Donghuang used it for him… This humiliation was like a sharp knife, shattering Sheng Jing’an’s dignity and pride. He felt utterly devoid of self-respect.

“Greetings, Young Master Sheng,” Meng Zhou stepped forward and bowed, smiling as he said, “You are the first consort to enter the palace to serve Her Majesty. Congratulations, Young Master Sheng. Your future is bound to be bright.”

Sheng Jing’an clenched his fists and forced a smile. “Thank you, Eunuch Meng. Shall we head to the palace now?”

Meng Zhou nodded, “Please, Young Master Sheng.”

Sheng Jing’an took a deep breath and had to walk stiffly towards the delicate yet humiliating blue sedan chair. Yan Donghuang could humiliate him all she wanted. For the sake of the Sheng family, he could endure anything. But one day, Yan Donghuang would regret this. Two palace maids stood by the sedan chair, lifting the curtain for him. Sheng Jing’an wore an extremely unpleasant smile as he bent down and entered the sedan chair. As soon as the curtain was lowered, his face turned dark.

Sheng Jing’an took a deep breath, telling himself it didn’t matter. The humiliation he suffered today, he would repay with interest someday. One day, he would make Yan Donghuang taste this kind of humiliation, too.

“Lift the sedan chair!” Meng Zhou shouted, “Return to the palace!”

The sedan chair was lifted and turned towards the imperial palace. Four eunuchs carried it, with four palace maids in front and four behind. Apart from Meng Zhou, there were only twelve people. Such a simple and shabby entourage clearly showed extreme contempt for Sheng Jing’an.

The sedan chair quickly arrived at the palace gate. Upon entering the palace, they had to undergo a body search to ensure no weapons were brought in. Entering through the Shenwu Gate, they passed through the Imperial Garden. Sheng Jing’an had no interest in admiring the flowers, nor did he have the opportunity. After passing through the long palace path, he was finally placed in the Chuxiu Palace, one of the six western palaces north of Fengyi Palace, separated from the front hall by several palace gates, with guards everywhere. Unless summoned by Yan Donghuang, he couldn’t see her at all.

After being formally settled, Meng Zhou brought in a senior eunuch named Wang Dehai to teach the rules. Wang Dehai had four young eunuchs under him, each skilled in their tasks. On the first day, they stripped Sheng Jing’an completely, threw him into the water, and cleaned him thoroughly, even shaving off all his unsightly body hair. Sheng Jing’an was clearly unprepared for such humiliation, his face turning livid with anger, wishing he could drive all the eunuchs out. He had never suffered such indignity in his life.

“You are insolent! Insolent!” he shouted hoarsely, pushing away anyone who came near him. “I belong to Her Majesty. How could Her Majesty allow you to humiliate me like this?”

“Young Master Sheng,” the middle-aged eunuch Wang Dehai bowed and soothed, “this is the proper procedure for serving Her Majesty. It is not meant to humiliate you. Please cooperate.”

Sheng Jing’an retorted angrily, “Does Her Majesty know about this?”

“Her Majesty has just ascended the throne and is busy with state affairs. How could he have time to deal with such trivial matters?” Wang Dehai smiled, but his attitude was firm. “However, as inner court eunuchs, we must ensure everything is in order. If Her Majesty sees anything displeasing and gets angry, not only will we suffer, but you, Young Master Sheng, will also have a hard time.”

Sheng Jing’an’s face was livid. He knew his situation wouldn’t be good after entering the palace. Although he was the legitimate son of the Duke’s mansion, born into nobility, the one in charge in the palace was the Emperor. Yan Donghuang didn’t even give him a title, only making him a nameless male concubine, clearly intending to torment and humiliate him. These eunuchs, who fawned on the powerful and trampled on the weak, wouldn’t take him seriously. But he hadn’t expected their method of humiliation to be so… perverse.

Sheng Jing’an gritted his teeth, “I want to see Her Majesty!”

Wang Dehai shook his head, “Without Her Majesty’s summons, you cannot see Her Majesty.”

Sheng Jing’an coldly said, “I want to see Her Majesty! Unless Her Majesty allows you to do this, I—”

Wang Dehai, tired of listening to him, turned and ordered, “Clean Young Master Sheng’s body.”

“Yes,” the four young eunuchs swarmed forward, easily restraining Sheng Jing’an.

Furious, Sheng Jing’an shouted, “Let go of me! Let go of me! I refuse to endure this humiliation. If Her Majesty finds out, she won’t forgive you! Let go of me! Let go—”

“Young Master Sheng, I advise you to cooperate,” Wang Dehai’s voice turned cold. “Only a well-groomed body can serve Her Majesty. It won’t be good for anyone if you struggle and get hurt.”

Hearing these words, Sheng Jing’an understood that he could not resist. In despair, he finally gave up struggling. He felt like a fish lying on a chopping board, being eviscerated, fried, and then waiting for the master to enjoy. Or, after being carefully prepared, the master might not even have an appetite. He could only curse in his heart the perverted methods of these eunuchs and, even more so, curse Yan Donghuang’s cold-heartedness.

Yan Donghuang did not know what was happening in the harem. She only knew that after the Emperor selected maidens, the palace eunuchs and mamas would teach them the rules and etiquette. They taught them how to serve the Emperor, various palace rules, and etiquette.

Sheng Jing’an could not avoid this ordeal upon entering the palace. He, as a man, naturally had to follow the rules that the maidens had to follow. Moreover, with the busy affairs of the court, she had no time to care about what Sheng Jing’an had to endure. The most important recent matter was selecting a companion for the Emperor.

Yan Donghuang was keeping a close watch, and the Ministry of Rites officials did not dare be negligent. In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth day of the second month, and the women’s examination organized by the Ministry of Rites officially began.

Qi Fangfei left the palace for the examination site, and Yuan Ziying, as the empress’s personal physician, was obviously very curious about the women’s examination and could not help but want to join in the fun.

Yan Donghuang agreed.

Thus, Yuan Ziying followed Qi Fangfei out of the palace.

Upon arriving at the examination site, the women were lining up outside, waiting for inspection.

Yuan Ziying stood outside the examination site and heard someone whispering nearby, “Although we can’t enter the Emperor’s harem, she has several generals under her command, and I’ve heard that they are all handsome. If a young lady can be selected to enter the palace as a companion, wouldn’t she be close to the generals and have a chance to marry one of them?”

“Didn’t the princess of Prince Rong’s mansion take a liking to General Xie?” another woman lowered her voice. “I heard that General Xie was invited to Prince Rong’s mansion today.”

Yuan Ziying frowned slightly. General Xie went to Prince Rong’s mansion.

Is he off duty today?

She furrowed her brow slightly, pondered for a moment, then turned and walked towards the direction of the Prince Rong’s mansion.

Chapter 138

Prince Rong is the half-brother of Emperor Wu Lie. He was one of Emperor Wu Lie’s rivals when the throne was contested. Known for his ability to manage relationships and his reputation for benevolence and virtue from a young age, both civil and military officials favored him as the crown prince. Unfortunately, he favored literature over martial arts and wasn’t skilled with weapons or close to military generals. The founding Emperor, however, valued martial prowess highly. Unsurprisingly, the Prince who had fought in battles from a young age was named the crown prince and later ascended to the throne as Emperor Wu Lie.

After the new Emperor took the throne, several other brothers who weren’t resigned to their fate tried to cause trouble but ended up with poor outcomes. Only Prince Rong remained low-key, acted like a good man, showed respect and loyalty to the new Emperor, and stayed out of trouble, allowing him to live safely for many years. To dispel the new Emperor’s suspicions, Prince Rong even relinquished his power over the Ministry of Personnel and settled as a leisurely prince. However, the current Minister of Personnel is his brother-in-law. So, while it appears he let go of power, it effectively remained the same.

Prince Rong has one wife and four concubines, with two legitimate children (a son and a daughter) and two illegitimate sons and daughters each. His legitimate daughter, Yan Zhixuan, is not yet married. The main purpose of inviting Xie Yunjian today was evidently to arrange a marriage. Upon learning that Xie Yunjian was off duty today, Prince Rong’s legitimate son, Yan Jie, sent an invitation to General Xie’s residence last night, inviting him to attend his father’s birthday banquet today.

Yes, birthday banquet. Prince Rong has always kept a low profile, so he wouldn’t host a grand celebration. Besides, it coincides with the Emperor’s selection of companions, and he didn’t want to attract attention, so he only prepared a table of dishes at home to celebrate with his wife and children. Xie Yunjian did not decline the invitation, carefully selecting a fine inkstone as a gift, and visited Prince Rong to congratulate him.

Apart from him, the mansion did not invite other guests, so there was no need for excessive socializing. Prince Rong was evidently delighted to see him, and the whole family warmly entertained him. Throughout the meal, they conversed cheerfully, focusing on Xie Yunjian—either military accomplishments or marriage matters—making Xie Yunjian seem like the star of the banquet. Prince Rong and his wife looked at Xie Yunjian with admiration. One of the seven generals under the Emperor, with power, skill, and a refined, scholarly demeanor, Xie Yunjian was impressive.

Princess Yan Zhixuan’s gaze at Xie Yunjian was even more undisguised, full of admiration. Xie Yunjian calmly handled Prince Rong and his wife and ignored Yan Zhixuan’s admiring looks. After three rounds of drinks, Prince Rong candidly spoke: “My daughter Zhixuan is not yet married. Although she can be a bit willful, she is inherently pure-hearted, without ulterior motives, and her appearance is acceptable. I wonder if General Xie would be willing to join our families in marriage?”

“Marriage?” Xie Yunjian was surprised.

“Yes,” Prince Rong smiled. “Zhixuan has always admired military men and thinks General Xie is a hero—”

“This is absolutely impossible.” Xie Yunjian stood up, cupped his fists, and said, “I am honored by your favor, Prince, but I am a rough man, unworthy of the young lady. I understand and appreciate your intentions.”

Prince Rong’s smile faded slightly, and he frowned. “Does General Xie look down on my daughter?”

Yan Zhixuan’s face also fell as she looked at Xie Yunjian with displeasure.

“No,” Xie Yunjian shook his head. “I already have a fiancée, and she has a very narrow temperament and is extremely jealous. Please forgive me, Prince.”

Yan Zhixuan sneered, “If General Xie wanted to refuse, he should have found a reasonable excuse. What nonsense about a fiancée?”

“So it seems General Xie indeed doesn’t like my daughter, even making up a nonexistent fiancée,” Prince Rong said with a sad smile. “I will not force you, but…”

Xie Yunjian bowed slightly towards Prince Rong, “I am not lying, Prince. There is indeed a fiancée at home, but she is too willful. I have kept postponing the marriage to temper her temperament. Please forgive me, Prince.”

“Really?” Prince Rong smiled helplessly and nodded. “In that case, it seems there’s no fate between General Xie and my daughter. I won’t insist.” He poured a cup of wine. “I admire General Xie very much; let me toast to you.”

“I dare not,” Xie Yunjian raised his cup. “It should be me toasting to you, Prince.” He then drained his cup in one go.

Prince Rong and his wife exchanged a glance, a smile playing at their lips, and they drank their wine without a word.

“May the Prince live as long as the Eastern Sea and as old as the Southern Mountains,” Xie Yunjian said, setting down his cup. “I shall take my leave now.”

Prince Rong said nothing. As Xie Yunjian was about to turn to leave, a wave of dizziness hit him, his vision darkened, and he fell to one side without warning.

“General Xie.” A maid supported him in time and said anxiously, “General, what’s wrong?”

“General Xie probably can’t handle his drink,” Prince Rong stood up, his voice calm. “Take him to the guest room to rest.”

“Yes,” Yan Zhixuan looked at the unconscious Xie Yunjian, a dark gleam in her eyes. She turned and ordered, “Zhijiao, take care of him.”

Yan Zhijiao, a concubine’s daughter, bowed and complied.

Angry at Xie Yunjian’s disrespect, Yan Zhixuan turned and stormed off.

“Sister, calm down,” Yan Jie, the legitimate son, hurried after her and reassured her. “Xie Yunjian just needs a lesson. Don’t worry. He will soon beg to marry you. When that happens, hold your ground and don’t let him get his way easily.”

Yan Zhixuan snorted coldly, saying nothing.

The unconscious Xie Yunjian was taken to Yan Zhijiao’s room, deeply asleep. Princess Rong ordered Yan Zhijiao to take good care of him, her tone carrying a hint of warning, “You know what to do. Don’t think about what you shouldn’t.”

Yan Zhijiao bowed her head, “Yes.”

Just as Princess Rong left the inner courtyard, a maid hurried over and said, “Princess, there is a woman outside claiming to be General Xie’s fiancée.”

Princess Rong frowned, “General Xie’s fiancée? Does Xie Yunjian really have a fiancée?”

“Yes,” the maid nodded. “She said General Xie is here and insisted on seeing him.”

“Whose daughter is she?” the maid hesitated before slowly shaking her head. “She looks unfamiliar but speaks with confidence and composure, unlike someone inexperienced… Oh, and she mentioned she just got a sixth-rank official title and is a lady-in-waiting to the Emperor…”

“Nonsense,” Princess Rong said coldly. “The only lady-in-waiting appointed by the Emperor since her ascension is the Grand Tutor’s granddaughter.”

The maid hesitated, “But she doesn’t seem to be lying.”

Princess Rong was silent for a moment before she coldly instructed, “Bring her in. I want to see who this so-called fiancée of Xie Yunjian really is.”

“Yes,” the stewardess left to carry out the order.