Hening Palace.
As soon as Zhao Zheng stepped over the threshold of the imposing palace gate, a stream of joyful laughter drifted into his ears. Consort Jing was leading the Third Prince in a game of hide-and-seek, surrounded by a group of palace maids. Their laughter echoed against the palace walls, adding a rare touch of vitality to the quiet, deep palace. The setting sun, like woven fabric, cast a bloody glow across the sky, illuminating the Hening Palace with a tranquility quite distinct from the world outside.
"His Majesty has arrived—"
The eunuch's sharp, high-pitched voice echoed through the halls.
Hearing this, Consort Jing quickly took the Third Prince’s small, delicate hands. With nimble steps, she led the maids to gather at the entrance of Hening Palace, a gentle yet respectful smile upon her face.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty. May your health be robust and your peace eternal!"
Consort Jing’s voice was gentle, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of reverence and tenderness for Zhao Zheng. She had never expected the Emperor to visit Hening Palace without warning; this sudden surprise sent ripples of disbelief through her heart.
In the depths of the inner palace, many consorts often sighed that once they crossed these vermilion gates, they were like prisoners bound by invisible shackles, forever denied freedom. As time drifted by, countless beautiful women had exhausted their youth in this tiny space, never catching a glimpse of the Emperor's face, left only t…
Chapter 89