Chapter 4

The atmosphere in Shoukang Palace shifted dramatically with Gu Qingheng’s arrival. The Empress Dowager, now fully absorbed in fussing over her favorite grandson’s recent meals and daily routines, left Zhao Mingzhu completely ignored.

Zhao Mingzhu was more than happy with that outcome. She secretly cradled her aching palms, full of sympathy for herself. Poor thing, you’ve suffered so much. I swear I’ll buy the most expensive medicine to pamper you later.

Gu Qingheng, smiling politely, responded to the Empress Dowager’s inquiries, “When I arrived, I heard from a young eunuch that the Crown Princess had angered Grandmother?”

The Empress Dowager cast a glance at Zhao Mingzhu, who had been howling for ages without shedding a single tear. “She brought it on herself. Your father and you are both too soft-hearted, so I’ll be the villain and make sure certain people learn to behave.”

Though Zhao Mingzhu’s actions couldn’t be openly discussed, everyone present knew exactly what the Empress Dowager was referring to.

Suddenly remembering, the Empress Dowager barked at the attendants, “What are you all standing around for? Continue the punishment!”

She clearly intended for Zhao Mingzhu to endure all thirty strokes.

Zhao Mingzhu: “…”

Gu Qingheng lifted his teacup, then noticed Zhao Mingzhu tilting her head toward him, blinking furiously—her eyes practically screaming for help.

“The Crown Princess was wrong, but after the earlier punishment, I believe she’s learned her lesson and won’t act out again. In my opinion, we can forgo the remaining strokes.”

Zhao Mingzhu’s eyes lit up. Who says you have to stand in the light to be a hero!

The Empress Dowager was about to object, but Gu Qingheng took another sip of tea, then set down his cup with a faint smile, “Perhaps she could copy scriptures instead? Buddhist texts contain great wisdom and can help calm the mind. What does Grandmother think?”

Zhao Mingzhu, who had been about to award him a good guy card: “…” She looked down at her swollen hands, then glared at Gu Qingheng again, grinding her teeth. He did it on purpose. He absolutely did.

Making someone with freshly beaten hands copy scriptures? That was just rubbing salt in the wound.

The Empress Dowager considered it for a moment, then nodded and instructed the attendants, “Take her to the side hall of the Buddha Hall. Let her copy the Heart Sutra. She may not leave the palace until it’s finished.”

Zhao Mingzhu followed the attendants, head hung low. As she passed Gu Qingheng, she shot him a thunderous glare, trying to kill him with her eyes. But Gu Qingheng didn’t react at all, simply gazing into his teacup, not even lifting his eyelids.

Once inside the side hall, the palace attendants quickly prepared paper, ink, brush, and inkstone, then respectfully said, “Crown Princess, please. If you need anything, just call us.”

Zhao Mingzhu weakly waved them off. As soon as they left, she collapsed onto the soft couch and raised her hands.

“Damn you, Gu Qingheng. What was I even hoping for? He’s all facade. And the Empress Dowager dares say he’s soft-hearted…”

Her sighs and complaints were overheard by Gu Yu, who had come specifically to watch the drama unfold. Arms crossed, she clicked her tongue, “Zhao Mingzhu, oh, Zhao Mingzhu. I told you you’d get what you deserved today. So satisfying!”

Zhao Mingzhu propped herself up, her face twisting in pain for a moment before she regained her composure. “Princess, do we have some kind of personal feud?”

Damn it. The information she’d been given upon transmigrating into this book was pitifully sparse—just a dry little paragraph, and it revolved around her getting strangled on her wedding night. So now she was diving into deep waters blind, grasping at shadows.

Gu Yu paced over, mocking her with a hand on her chin. “When did you become such a coward? You dare to act but not to admit it? Even pulling out the ‘amnesia’ card—how low.”

Zhao Mingzhu flopped back onto the couch, choosing to play the weakling. “Princess, if I’ve offended you in the past, I beg you to be magnanimous and let it go.”

When you’re under someone’s roof, you bow your head. A moment of submission for a lifetime of peace—worth it.

Her quick and thorough apology made Gu Yu frown. Zhao Mingzhu was the kind of person who could curse the heavens even if the sky fell. Now she was acting like a puddle of mush? Could this be a trap?

Gu Yu eyed her warily. Was this woman playing a new trick—trying to lower her guard and then strike back twice as hard?

But looking at Zhao Mingzhu’s lifeless expression, her instincts said no. She curled her lip. “Don’t try anything clever. Now that Grandmother’s back, you’d better behave.” With that, she turned and left the Buddha Hall.

Zhao Mingzhu, in truth, had already fallen asleep.

Outside, in the waterside pavilion, Gu Yu spotted her royal brother feeding fish. She walked over. “Brother, are you planning to see Zhao Mingzhu?”

Gu Qingheng tossed the rest of the fish food into the pond, drawing a frenzy of splashing. He didn’t answer directly, instead asking, “You’ve already seen the Crown Princess. Has she applied medicine to her hands?”

Gu Yu’s expression turned strange. “Brother, are you really concerned… about whether she’s used medicine?”

If he truly cared, he could’ve protected her earlier—instead of making her copy scriptures.

Gu Qingheng seemed unfazed by her implication. “Of course. She is, after all, my Crown Princess.”

Gu Yu had nothing to say to that. The world saw her brother as a noble gentleman, but she didn’t buy it. And Zhao Mingzhu—what was wrong with her? Of all the people to fall for, of all the places to marry into, she had to choose the Eastern Palace? Did she never wonder whether Gu Qingheng’s handsome exterior hid a saint’s heart—or a devil’s guts?

Thinking that, Gu Yu smirked. Her instincts told her there was plenty of drama yet to come. “Brother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Gu Qingheng nodded, turning back to watch the fish.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, Zhao Mingzhu finally woke up, dazed by the last streak of sunset outside.

Just then, Qiao’er entered with a food box. She’d already cried her eyes out after hearing that Zhao Mingzhu had been beaten.

“Crown Princess… does your hand still hurt? I brought ointment.” She pulled out a bottle and leaned in. Seeing Zhao Mingzhu’s swollen hands, tears the size of beans rolled down her cheeks.

“Wuwu… it’s all my fault. If I’d been there, I could’ve taken the punishment for you.”

Zhao Mingzhu watched her smear a thick layer of snowy-white ointment onto her palm. A wave of cool relief spread instantly.

“How could it be your fault? I brought this on myself. Besides, even if you were there, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t have let you take the punishment.”

When it came to the beating, the summary was simple: the original owner made a mess, and she got struck by lightning for it—literally.

But Qiao’er was still heartbroken. She couldn’t help but say, “If only we’d listened to the Duke back then. We could’ve avoided marrying in, sent you far away to lay low, and returned when things settled. But you insisted on entering the Eastern Palace.”

Zhao Mingzhu nodded quietly. The original owner had walked into the trap herself—and ended up as cannon fodder. “It’s alright. Don’t worry. Things will get better soon.”

Zhao Mingzhu had always known: she inherited the original’s blessings, so she had to bear her burdens too. And for someone whose previous life was a 3,000-yuan salary, no insurance, and weekends that were practically illegal—how could this not be a high return?

As for the high risk? Well, at least she got to live a few days in luxury. Totally worth it.