The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 219 - Severe Punishment

The next day.

After sitting alone all night, Wen De Fei had become so haggard that she was unrecognizable. Just one night had passed, and it was hard to see that she was once the beloved De Fei, who held the favor of the harem and carried herself with grace.

When she was taken back to Yulan Garden last night, the eldest prince was being carried out by his wet nurse. She cried out, refusing to let him go, and the child also wept. The eldest prince was already frail; being carried away so quietly was usually fine, but her desperate struggle had truly frightened him, making him cry to the point of almost fainting.

Even so, this did not change the fact that the child was taken away. Once the eldest prince was gone, Wen De Fei suddenly felt as if she had been abandoned by the entire world.

Not wanting to see anyone, she locked herself in her room, alternating between crying and laughing, destroying everything inside in a fit of rage.

The maidservants wanted to go in and tidy up, but she wouldn't allow it. Anyone who tried to enter would be struck. One young palace maid, attempting to muster her courage to sweep up the broken porcelain shards on the ground, was pushed down and ended up getting her face cut by the sharp pieces. Blood flowed endlessly as she cried out in pain.

After that, no one dared to enter.

It wasn't until morning, when the sky began to brighten, that things finally quieted down inside. Wen De Fei opened the palace door, looking disheveled, her clothes torn and hair in disarray. Even in this state, she still refused to let the servants approach her.

Wen De Fei only moved a chair to sit at the entrance of the main hall, staring blankly at the sky.

It wasn't until nearly noon that footsteps were heard outside Yulan Garden.

"Have they finally come?" Wen De Fei forced a smile, which looked somewhat twisted.

The visitor was Yuan Jiu, holding a bright yellow scroll—the imperial decree meant for this once favored mistress before him.

"Wen De Fei, An Shi, plotting against a palace concubine and secretly keeping forbidden drugs, according to the law, you should be punished by death. However, considering that An Shi has served for many years and has contributed to the birth of an imperial heir, I specially exempt you from the death penalty, but your title is to be stripped, and you shall be demoted to a Cainu. You will be sent back to the palace immediately and relocated to Qing Xin Pavilion, where you will be under house arrest for reflection. You are not to leave without summons, and no one is permitted to visit you. This is my decree!"

"Your Majesty, you really have a ruthless heart!"

An Shi knelt on the ground, her face streaked with tears and her eyes filled with resentment.

Yuan Jiu sighed inwardly; if the Emperor heard those words, he would surely be even more saddened.

Just hiding the He Huan Lu was enough to warrant execution, not to mention implicating her entire family. There was also the matter of the Zhuang Yang Dan and the incident of putting safflowers in Ming Jie Yu's food. The Emperor had done his utmost to spare her life and had not implicated the An family—he had already been exceedingly benevolent.

It was a pity; if An Shi hadn't been so foolish, how could she have fallen into such a predicament?

"An Cainu, please accept the decree. Gather anything you can take with you. In an hour, a carriage will take you back to the palace."

Seeing her like this, Yuan Jiu couldn't bear it and added, "The Emperor also said that the eldest prince will be sent to Ruyi Pavilion to be raised alongside the second prince, so you need not worry."