Chapter 9 Visitors
Li An was walking back to the cold palace and just entered the bamboo forest when she suddenly felt a strange feeling. She seems to feel that something is about to happen today in this place.
While looking around the sea of green bamboo. Li An could not help but be cautious of her surroundings. Dragging the long snake-like creature behind her, she suddenly turns to a large group of bamboo and then her small figure suddenly disappears.
Meanwhile, outside the cold palace, a small group of people could be found walking. A woman wearing sackcloth while looking like a beggar was walking being assisted by two maidservants. The two maidservants have tears in their eyes as they carefully help the woman.
However, the guards guiding them seemed to be oblivious to the situation and would push the group and scold them for walking slowly.
The woman would grunt in pain as the guards hit her. One could also see blood seeping on the sackcloth turning it crimson red.
Behind the group, is a palanquin with a woman in red sitting inside. The palanquin is being carried by eight servants as they walk behind the group.
Suddenly, the woman inside the palanquin commanded in a calm tone.
"Move beside the sinner."
The servants walking beside the palanquin quickly commanded the bearer to walk quickly.
"It seems that you are going to end up like that murderer…" the empress said while she slowly opened the curtains on the side.
However, she did not hear the woman she is teasing say something and it soured her mood. She wanted to gloat and she wanted to teach this arrogant one a lesson.
However, she did not get the satisfaction she desired which annoyed her.
"Whip her!" she suddenly commanded.
The guard behind the three suddenly takes out a whip and raises his hand to hit the weak woman in the middle.
"You dare!" shouted one of the maidservants while glaring at the guard.
She did not want her mistress to be hit as she was already wounded because of the beatings inside the dungeon.
But the guard did not budge, he quickly lashed the whip and hit the back of Concubine Su. This made Concubine Su spit a mouthful of blood. However, she did not say a word and even complained. She just weakly walked as if nothing had happened.
But the blood on her back and the trembling of her legs make it obvious that she is just trying to act strong.
Seeing this reaction, the empress showed a bored expression on her face. She did not want to bother with the woman anymore. She has already inflicted so many wounds on her that even if she could recover, her body would still be riddled with wounds that she would not qualify to even be a lowly concubine for the emperor.
"This is boring! Let's go back…" the empress commanded as her entourage turned around and left.
Meanwhile, the group, after walking for a long time, has finally reached the cold palace grounds. What greeted them was a gloomy gate and moss-covered tall walls. This place could make those who are looking at it feel a bit of fear in their hearts.
No one knew what was inside the cold palace. It is said that there is a hungry ghost inside those who came out of that place were not heard from again ever.
The tall tales and horrific events inside the cold palace were spread all over the place and many even feared to approach it.
The guard assigned at the gates would also tell tall tales of the place which further exacerbate the stories.
Now that they are in front of its old and gloomy-looking gate, the group could not help but feel a tinge of fear of the unknown.
"This is the sinner… She will be joined by these two." the soldier with the whip said to the two guards standing by the gate.
The guards nodded their heads and one of them quickly opened the gate.
The squawking and creaking sound of the gate made the hearts of the newly arrived group jump in fear.
The soldiers even grabbed the hilt of their swords just in case.
"Welcome to the cold palace…" the guard said with a teasing grin on his face.
Without hesitation, the soldiers push the three women inside and the guard quickly closes the gate.
"Wait! Stop!" shouted the two maidservants as they truly feared this place.
From the stories alone, their mind has already scared them silly from their own imagination.
However, Concubine Su, though afraid, did not say anything.
She just stood there weakly while looking at the dilapidated buildings around her. She did not know what was inside those buildings and she did not care. All she wanted right now was a place to mourn her sorrows and rest her already tired body.
She did not bother with her two maidservants and just walked to the largest building.
"This should be the main building…" she muttered as she staggered to the entrance.
The two maidservants suddenly realized that they had left their master, so they quickly chased after her.
The two maidservants of Concubine Su were Alu and Misha. They were the most loyal maidservants of hers and had served her side ever since she entered the palace. Alu is the oldest of the two and was the main maidservant while Misha is the youngest.
"Your Highness… We… We should be careful…" Misha said with a trembling tone while she held Concubine Su's left arm.
Though she is assisting her, she is also holding her arm as a mental support.
The three slowly entered the main building and found something strange inside.
They could not see any candles inside the palace but the place was actually a bit bright. They also noticed that while the outside is a bit cold, the inside of the palace has a cool temperature.
"What… What are those?" Misha's trembling hand pointed in the direction of the walls.
The other two followed her finger and saw a few balls emitting light.
"Are… Are those spirits?" Misha blurted out in fear.
Alu, who is a bit older, showed a frown on her face. Though she is afraid, she is still composed and her curious eyes look at the light-emitting balls
"I think those are… luminous pearls…" Alu suggested but had a hint of confusion.
"No way… I have seen luminous pearls in the palace before, and I assure you, those are not luminous pearls…" Misha said while shaking her head.
Concubine Su did not bother with the two and just walked to the wooden couch on the side. She felt that this place looked clean as if someone or something was staying in it.
Her eyes suddenly landed on the few fruits on the small bowl atop the tea table.
She could not help but swallow a mouthful of her saliva.
Suddenly, her stomach rumbles which she quickly grabs in embarrassment.
"Your Highness…" Alu who noticed her mistress's action quickly walked to Concubine Su's side.
"Are those edible?" Concubine Su asked while pointing at the strange fruit-like thing on the bowl.
"I will test them out…" Alu said as she took a silver needle and tried the fruit-like things.
"I think they are not…" She said after inspecting the needle.
She grabbed one of the fruits that looked like dark red strawberries.
She carefully puts it in her mouth and takes a small bite.
The juice quickly erupted in her tongue which quickly covered her senses with euphoria. She has not tasted such sweetness in her whole life before.
In her opinion, the fruit she just tasted was the best fruit she had in her lifetime.
Seeing the reaction of Alu, Misha, and Concubine Su became curious as they also grabbed one fruit each. Then with a bit of hesitation, the two took a bite.
It did not take long before the three of them finished the bowl full of fruits.
"That was most satisfying…" Misha said while rubbing her stomach.
Because of Concubine Su's imprisonment, the two of them decided to stay with their master in the prison. Though they were not beaten, they were also starved. So, it could not be helped that they too needed some food to eat.
The two helped Concubine Su on the bed while they tended to her wound.
…
While the three were busy helping their mistress, they did not notice a pair of eyes curiously glued on them.
With curiosity in her eyes, Li An watches the two maids help their mistress while lying on the bed.
"Her wounds were a bit severe… She needed some antibiotics to fully heal her wounds…" Li An thought while analyzing the situation inside.
She did not want to casually expose herself as she did not know who these people were. She has already decided to observe for a while before making a decision if these people are friendly or not.
"It seems that they have made a big mistake to be exiled in this place…" Suddenly Seedee's child-like voice sounded in her mind.
"Seems like it… Let's observe for a bit before making contact…" Li An decided.
"Hmm… But you should be quick…" Seedee suddenly said while his semi-transparent figure appeared in the air.
"Why?" asked Li An with a hint of confusion.
"I detected a faint trace of poison in her body…" Seedee suddenly said while startled Li An.