Liu Wa walked in and knelt beside Zhenzhu, kowtowing to the person on the dragon throne. "Your Majesty, this is Liu Wa, who used to be a close court lady to the Third Princess." "Not true! Liu Wa is dead," Luluo exclaimed in panic. "Tell us everything," Gaoyan commanded. "Your Majesty, I am Liu Wa. I used to be a close court lady to the Third Princess, Luluo. I should have died on her orders, but someone saved me. I had completed my tasks for the Princess, and so she ordered my execution," Liu Wa said with a voice filled with hatred. Though a court lady’s life was humble, it was still a life, and who wouldn’t cherish their own life? She loathed and detested the vile woman she once bowed to. "Presumptuous! How dare a lowly court lady like you accuse me!" Despite trying to maintain control, Luluo, who was never known for patience, couldn’t stand seeing a lowly court lady who used to bow to her looking at her with such contempt and hatred. "Shut up!" The authoritative voice rang out before Luluo could cause any more trouble. The Emperor looked at Liu Wa and then spoke. "Witness Liu Wa, speak." "Your Majesty, I was born and raised in the northern village of Shushan. In the village, there are worm bamboos everywhere. The villagers know that worm bamboo leaves can be used for medicine, but few know that the bamboo stalks are poisonous. However, the poison requires heat to be released. It’s a peculiar poison, perfect for assassination. I learned this secret from my grandfather. After entering the palace, I was very loyal to the Third Princess. Last month, she wanted to kill Lady He because she fancied General Zhao..." "Shut up, you vile woman!" Luluo lost her composure and lunged at Liu Wa, intending to harm her, but Yong Saiweihao was quicker. He struck her acupoint, rendering her immobile, even her voice could not come out. The young man then knelt and apologized to the Emperor. "Continue," Gaoyan said, looking at his favorite daughter as if he never knew her. Liu Wa continued her story without omission. After planning to poison Guifei, Luluo framed Lady He for it. She also poisoned Lady He’s food several times, but Lady He remained unharmed, which infuriated Luluo. One evening, Liu Wa secretly met with a soldier who she was in love with. He warned her that the Third Princess might order her death because she was a witness who knew everything and was well-versed in the properties of worm bamboo. Without Liu Wa, there would be no witnesses or evidence to implicate the Third Princess. Thus, Lady He would never be able to escape. Since she got warned, Liu Wa remained cautious despite her trust in the Third Princess. Soon, the princess began to behave strangely, not calling on her as often. Liu Wa sensed her doom was near, having spent so much time with the Third Princess caused her to know the princess’s temperament well. Whenever the Third Princess intended to get rid of someone, she would act strangely . Believing she could not escape this, she hid worm bamboo and poison she had previously used in Luluo’s palace, hoping they would serve as evidence against the cruel princess if anything happened to her. The warning from the soldier who was her lover proved true, as the princess did order her execution. Fortunately, Yong Saiweihao secretly sent guards to save her. He gave her a potion to hide her breath, feigning death, making Luluo believe she had died. This allowed Liu Wa to escape death, though she was severely injured and unconscious for several days. "This is the entire story. I dare not lie even half a word. If what I have said is false, I am willing to offer my soul to serve ghosts and spirits for all eternity." The way Liu Wa said caused the listeners to believe in her words, as people of Yan believed strongly in the concept of offering one’s soul to demons or ghosts. It was said that such a soul would never be reborn and would remain enslaved forever, unable to escape the commitment. "Alright... I understand now," Gaoyan spoke in a weary tone. At this moment, Guifei’s condition was not good. Even though they knew the type of poison in her body, they had no way to cure it, as the method of detoxification was still unknown. The Emperor was deeply worried about whether she would ever recover. Gaoyan looked at his favored daughter with a sense of disappointment. In the 31st year of the Jingyan reign, on the fifteenth day of the second month The royal palace was thrown into chaos due to a poisoning incident aimed at Guifei and framed Lady He, the beloved of the Young General Zhao. However, thanks to the intelligence of Emperor Gaoyan, the culprit was found to be a guard who had fallen in love with Guifei but was rejected, leading him to attempt to assassinate her. Lady He was exonerated of all charges and even gained a favor for finding a cure for Guifei’s poisoning, leading to her recovery. The Third Princess, Luluo, was so shaken by the events that she requested to shave her head and become a nun at the royal temple. On the day of her departure, she was escorted by hundreds of guards, a clear indication of the Emperor’s deep concern for the Third Princess. However, the public was unaware of the true nature of the royal temple and how long she would stay there. In reality, the Third Princess was to remain there for the rest of her life, stripped of her freedom, power, and the status she had always clung to. This was the harshest punishment, worse than death. With her arrogant and superior attitude, how could she endure such a situation? Regardless, it was an ignominious affair that Emperor Gaoyan forbade anyone from speaking of again. In the large pavilion under the shaded bamboo forest, Luluo, dressed in meticulously crafted royal garments, sat in a pavilion that was immaculately cleaned. This temple had more servants than her palace, but unfortunately, they were all disobedient. When Luluo lashed out or threw tantrums, these servants did not tremble or kneel for their lives as before. They merely sneered and walked away, unfazed by her status. If she became too aggressive, the guards would subdue her by hitting her acupoint, leaving her immobile for up to four hours till they managed to fix it for her. Luluo was infuriated. These servants were mere slaves, yet they dared to challenge the authority of the princess like her. What she failed to realize was that her princess title meant nothing here, it could not be used to subdue others in this place. All the royals in this place were prisoners. For more chapters visıt 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽 When she threw things around, no one came to clean up as they once did. Meals were delivered on time but were of less quantity and care than before. If she flipped the food trays in displeasure, she would miss a meal. Sometimes, she was given a cold soup. She could no longer call servants to massage her feet. No matter how much she raged, no one feared her. If she crossed a line, the grandma would publicly scold her. Luluo’s heart burned with anger. How could she live such a humiliating life? She was supposed to become the Young Furen of the Zhao family and later the Furen of the capable and handsome Great General. Women across the capital and the Yan Region would envy her with every fiber of their beings. How had things turned out ? No matter how much she resisted, she could no longer command anyone. Even to leave her residence for a nearby pavilion, she would have at least ten guards accompanied her. This was not for her protection; she knew they were there to keep her under control by her father’s orders. How did her life turn upside down in less than a month? The voice in her heart cried out in refusal, but she lacked the strength to resist, as it was her father’s command. He was furious, and she had no idea how long it would take for him to forgive her. Luluo’s heart was both burning and stifled, as if it were about to burst. She wanted to throw things to vent her frustration, to beat and kill the servants, to see their fearful faces and trembling bodies. But the hand that once powerful had now become a powerless, little willow leaf. "You fools, if I ever get out of here, I’ll have you punished!" However, the servants and guards paid no heed to her screams and continued their work as if this princess didn’t exist. They got used to it already. The new royals who came here all behave this way, unable to accept their downfall. Some managed to calm themselves, but others bottled up their frustrations until they lost their sanity. So, how this princess would end up being? Zhenzhu stood still on a high cliff, gazing at the royal temple situated on the peak of another mountain. Although it was called the royal temple, it was actually an imperial prison for confining members of the royal family who had committed serious crimes. Thousands of soldiers guarded the place. Outsiders knew them as guards protecting the royals, but who would know that they were in fact controlling them. The flag of the Shi family fluttered in the wind. Titles and ranks were , they did not last. They could rise and fall. For someone like Luluo, who couldn’t accept her downfall, it was hard to imagine how she would endure each day. But never mind, the consequences were all due to her own actions. "Zhu’er..." A voice from behind made Zhenzhu turn around to see Yong Saiweihao standing not far away in his magnificent military attire. This man had made women infatuated to such an extent. Was it her good fortune or misfortune to possess him? "Brother Hao, do you think the Emperor will ever release her?" "Why not? Doesn’t the Emperor care for her deeply?" She had heard that the Emperor doted on the Third Princess greatly. If the Emperor did release her, Zhenzhu would be the one worried. She never knew when she might be attacked again. She wasn’t afraid for herself but for her man. As a noble, he served the Emperor, and his titles and ranks were granted by the Emperor. Displeasing any member of the royal family could result in severe attack. "You only need to know that the Emperor will not release her." She would never be able to come out of that temple for the rest of her life. The young man stroked her long, silky hair. He well understood that she must be worried. "Oh," Zhenzhu responded, feeling at ease by Yong Saiweihao’s confirmation. After a long while, the young man spoke, "Zhu’er, would you like to stay at the military camp?" He kissed her hair softly, inhaling its faint fragrance deeply, not wanting to be away from her anymore, not wanting her out of his sight. If something happened again and he wasn’t there in time, what would become of her? "I can take care of myself. From now on, I’ll stay as far from the royal palace as possible and won’t enter unless absolutely necessary," she said. Being close to the emperor was like being close to the sun: warm and comfortable from a distance, but too close and it would burn. Zhenzhu turned and gave him a radiant smile. "How about this: I stay at the military camp for four months, in the capital for four months, and go visit my parents for four months. Is that okay? But you must let me drink liquor." After she had drunk liquor with the prison guards, he had forbidden her from drinking for a whole year. A whole year! How could that be possible?! "Is it a deal or not?" "Let’s reduce the ban to six months." "Three months," the young woman negotiated, hugging his waist and nestling her face against his firm chest in a cute manner. "Sigh... the Young Furen Zhao is turning into a drunk woman," the young man sighed, though his heart felt a tingling sense of affection and sweetness. Zhenzhu smiled upon hearing it. She was so happy now. If heaven were to ask her again whether she wanted to return to the civilized world she had come from, she would answer without hesitation: No. She loved it here. She had her parents, her siblings, the things she loved, and most importantly, she had Yong Saiweihao. Zhenzhu gently stroked the golden fish scale that appeared in her hand. Thank you for bringing me to him. "Tsk! You should learn to be more grateful," the arrogant voice of the little boy echoed in her mind. Zhenzhu smiled, her heart filled with joy. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en