Chapter 17: The Rod Punishment

Repeated provocations had nearly driven Gu Tan to the brink of madness. No matter how carefully she guarded herself, whenever she drove one woman away, another would appear—as if they were an endless tide she could never stem.

Around Li Qian, there was always another woman.

What was even more terrifying was that, in recent days of house arrest, she was forbidden from seeing her two children—something that had never happened before. She knew this was Left Consort Zuo’s doing, but it must have Li Qian’s tacit approval.

Otherwise, no matter how capable Left Consort Zuo was, she would never dare to impose such punishment on her. Gu Tan hated it fiercely, haunted day and night by dreams of losing favor and being separated from her children.

The toll of constant worry and exhaustion had further drained her already gaunt face. Her once beautiful, fox-like eyes had lost their luster, leaving only hollow orbs hanging in their sockets, solitary and empty.

“Wretched woman! It is you—people like you—who stand between me and the Crown Prince. If I have fallen to this state today, it is because of your scheming and slander,” Gu Tan snarled.

She bent down, gripping Shen Quanyi’s chin with both hands. The young, tender face before her was a cruel reminder that her own youth had long since faded.

Yet her eyes burned with cold fury.

“You seduced the Crown Prince with that face, didn’t you?” Gu Tan accused.

Shen Quanyi lifted her eyes slightly, her moist pupils brimming with an almost pitiable innocence.

Gu Tan’s well-manicured nails, painted a deep crimson, traced a line across Shen Quanyi’s pale, delicate cheek, leaving a red mark.

Shen Quanyi’s breath caught, and she clenched her fists so tightly her nails nearly pierced her skin. She saw the deadly intent blazing in Gu Tan’s eyes and instinctively took a step back.

Gu Tan straightened, leaning back slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of her mouth. She raised her hand, and the warm curtain was suddenly swept aside. Zhu Lian entered, leading several burly palace maids.

Even Shen Quanyi, usually composed, grew uneasy at Gu Tan’s fierce expression. She wanted to plead her case but found her throat tightening, words choking back. Gu Tan had already resolved to have her killed; any attempt to defend herself now would only hasten her doom.

“Take her away, hold her down, and beat her mercilessly,” Zhu Lian said, narrowing her eyes. The two maids beside her hesitated, exchanging glances, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

Zhu Lian frowned and scolded sharply, “How dare you! Do you refuse the Empress’s orders?”

At her rebuke, the two maids quickly knelt. They were no fools; everyone in the Eastern Palace knew the Crown Prince favored Shen Quanyi. This punishment was clearly done in secret. If Li Qian found out later, Gu Tan’s status as a secondary consort might protect her, but the maids would surely not be spared.

Gu Tan scoffed coldly as Zhu Lian helped her put on her shoes and cloak. Her tone was disdainful: “If you won’t act today, I have plenty of others who will. But perhaps you’ll get to experience the rod yourselves.”

Her reputation for ruthlessness in the Eastern Palace was well known. With her words spoken so bluntly, the two maids hastily knelt and begged for mercy.

“Do your duty well. If the Crown Prince asks, I will take responsibility,” Gu Tan said, reading their thoughts plainly.

Obediently, they stood and moved swiftly, heads bowed, avoiding Shen Quanyi’s gaze as they seized her and dragged her to the outer courtyard.

Outside, maids carried out a wooden armchair inlaid with mother-of-pearl and marble. Gu Tan was supported into it, near a brazier crackling with hot coals.

She sank lazily into the chair, lifting her delicate chin, running her fingers through her loose hair. Her voice was cool and detached: “Begin the punishment.”

The two maids hesitated, gripping their rods nervously. One whispered, “Mistress, please forgive us. We will be gentle.”

They stuffed a cloth into Shen Quanyi’s mouth to prevent her from biting her tongue. Shen Quanyi glared at them coldly, spitting out, “No need. I will not take my own life.”

The maids exchanged looks and relented.

Time passed with no sign of their return. Xing Ye, waiting in the courtyard, grew restless. Qiu Yue, stationed in the main courtyard, grew anxious and hurried to the Spring Elegance Pavilion, breathless as she tried to enter but was stopped by Zhu Lian and several maids.

Xing Ye glanced toward the scene inside and felt her heart sink. Her voice trembled as she cried out, “Secondary Consort, please spare Mistress Shen. If you must punish someone, punish me instead.”

Shen Quanyi was drenched in cold water, her clothes soaked through, the chill biting to the bone. She trembled despite herself.

Xing Ye’s tears welled up with pity, but she fought to hold them back. Her loud sobbing drew Shen Quanyi’s gaze.

Hearing Xing Ye’s desperate cries, Shen Quanyi gritted her teeth and said, “If the secondary consort punishes me, I accept it willingly. Please spare Xing Ye.”

Gu Tan’s face twisted with contempt, her eyes cold and indifferent. She said casually, “Such loyalty between mistress and maid. Very well, bring that maid here. Let her count the blows for her beloved mistress.”

Her tone was calm, but the words sent a chill down one’s spine.

Xing Ye was dragged forward by several maids.

The two punishers resumed their work. Though they held back somewhat, each strike drove a sharp, searing pain through Shen Quanyi’s body.

She gasped sharply, sweat beading on her forehead, wet hair clinging to her face. She bit down hard on her lip; no blood showed, but her gaunt frame trembled uncontrollably.

Gu Tan stood watching silently beneath the corridor, restraining herself from speaking.

Anger flared anew in her heart.

“Good. You shameless wretch, pretending to be so pure. Beat her hard. Make her scream—I want to see how long you can hold out.”

With Gu Tan’s command, the maids struck harder. The blows landed heavy and fierce.

The next two strikes nearly broke Shen Quanyi’s fragile body.

Terrified, Xing Ye broke free from the maids holding her and threw herself over Shen Quanyi, shielding her. The heavy rods fell upon Xing Ye’s body instead. She endured the blows silently, just like Shen Quanyi.

Xing Ye took most of the punishment, blood staining everything red.

“Xing Ye! Xing Ye, why are you so foolish?” Shen Quanyi finally cried out.

Xing Ye struggled weakly. Her once rosy face turned ashen and hollow, filled with a desolate resignation.

Though she heard Shen Quanyi calling her name, her head swam dizzily. She parted her lips, whispering softly but no sound came.

Summoning her last strength, she squeezed Shen Quanyi’s blood-stained hand, then darkness claimed her. She felt herself drifting, light as a feather, before she fainted.