"The year's end is approaching, and I will be offering prayers and sacrifices for the people alongside the Emperor. No medicine brewing is allowed in the harem during such a sacred time! How dare you!"
Feeling the stinging pain on my face, I gently explained.
"The Emperor personally approved my medicine brewing so I could recover quickly and bring him joy. I ask the Empress to understand."
I didn't know what nerve this struck, but her eyebrows furrowed sharply.
Suddenly he grabbed my neck.
"Approved? The Emperor only gives you face out of respect for your childhood connection! And you dare to use his words to threaten me?"
"Go kneel outside the palace! You'll only rise when I'm satisfied!"
I had no choice but to stand and kneel in the courtyard. In the bitter cold of winter, the icy white jade stones stabbed painfully into my knees.
The old wound on my neck began bleeding again from her grip.
Gasping for breath, my frail body trembled.
Amy, still filled with rage, kicked me.
"Kneel properly! Stop pretending to be weak!"
My body shook, my heart pounding.
Through the blur of my vision, I saw a figure in yellow robes approaching quickly.
Then, I lost consciousness.