That year, Pingyang was eleven years old, still the most honored princess of the Great Liang Empire. The young imperial uncle who had raised her said, "Pingyang, I have feelings for you. Become mine."
She was afraid. She refused. But in return, she and her mother were banished to the Cold Palace to fend for themselves, and she was flogged day after day.
He watched her being punished, then dragged her into the mud. "Want a better life for you and your mother? Then pay for it with yourself!"
Six years later.
"That concubine has been here for a month now. How is the princess consort training her?"
Lizhou said with malicious glee, "The princess consort sent the corpse back to the Second Prince's residence on her very first night. She also sent all the pretty maids in our household to the princes. She said you sent them, and forbade them from killing the maids, sending them back, or mistreating them. Otherwise, they could wait for you to take revenge. The Second Prince's consort is extremely jealous, and she's still fighting with the Second Prince."
"..."
