The third year of Qiyuan, July.

This summer was much more sultry than previous years.

Song Zhao looked through the trellis window at the wilted flowers in the courtyard.

Steam rose from the lotus pond in the blazing sun, and even the cicadas in the branches seemed too lazy to chatter.

But her boudoir was very cool.

Song Zhao leaned lazily on the warm seat, her delicate fingers idly fiddling with the ice placed in front of her.

The icy mist lingered on her fingertips, then dissipated in a flash.

Her boudoir faced west, and in fact for the whole summer she had been living as if in a steamer.

It was only a few days ago, when the imperial decree for her to enter the palace as a concubine arrived at Duke of Protector's Mansion, that a steady stream of ice had been delivered to her boudoir.

"Squeak-"

Song Zhao instinctively glanced up when she heard the sound of the door being pushed open.

Maid Yun Shan walked in carrying a purple cloak, which she neatly placed in front of Song Zhao.

"Second young miss, the clothes for entering the palace have arrived."

It was a purple cloud brocade cloak embroidered with su, made of top-quality fabric and workmanship.

As an illegitimate daughter, Song Zhao had never even touched such fine things before.

Now she had been given them, yet she looked at them unhappily.

"Put them away for now. I'll wear what I have on when I enter the palace tomorrow."

Yun Shan glanced at the gray cloud-patterned shirt Song Zhao was wearing. The fabric was ordinary, the stitches crude, and the color drab. She felt uneasy,

"Second young miss, I know you're unhappy, but the imperial decree has been issued, everything has been settled, there's no room left to maneuver."

Seeing Song Zhao silently bow her head without speaking, Yun Shan picked up the clothes and held them against her to compare.

"Look, this color makes you look so spirited! A beautiful woman entering the palace for the first time has the chance to meet His Majesty. Master said you must seize this opportunity to make the emperor notice you with one glance. If you don't gain his favor at first sight, it will be hard to earn his indulgence afterwards."

Song Zhao was silent for a moment, then asked, "What time is it now?"

"Noon. Tomorrow you enter the palace, so Master and Madam are waiting for you in the main hall to bid farewell."

"Help me up and dress my hair."

Hearing this, Yun Shan's eyes flashed with joy. "Good! It's great that second young miss is willing to pull herself together!"

In her eyes, the fact that Song Zhao was willing to dress up meant she hadn't completely given up on herself.

Although the road into the palace would be arduous, it was still better than staying in the mansion.

Her young miss was so extraordinarily beautiful that as long as she showed her face to His Majesty, there was no reason she wouldn't gain his favor.

If she stayed in the mansion, who knew how much bullying she would continue to suffer from the madam and young miss.

As Yun Shan dressed Song Zhao's hair, Song Zhao took out a new box of powder from the drawer and handed it to her.

"My elder sister gave me this powder when she learned I was entering the palace. I'll use it today."

Song Zhao had very fair skin, smooth and translucent like beautiful jade.

With her heavenly appearance, even without any powder, just some rouge and lip color, she was already dazzlingly beautiful.

But today, Song Zhao had Yun Shan apply an extra layer of powder on her face.

Yun Shan said, "Actually second young miss looks best with her natural bare face."

Song Zhao looked at her exquisite features in the mirror and smiled without replying.

After dressing up, she went to the main hall where the whole family had been waiting for some time.

Sitting at the head was Duke of Protector Song Shicheng. To his left and right were his principal wife, Jiang, and eldest daughter Song Yue.

The three of them fixed their six eyes on Song Zhao, each with their own thoughts.

Song Zhao knelt down and bowed to the high seat.

"Daughter is late, making father, mother and elder sister wait. It is daughter's fault."

Song Shicheng beckoned her to rise. "I thought you were being stubborn again and didn't even want to see us this last time. Sit."

After she sat down, she heard Jiang sneer,

"You should know, letting you enter the palace is entirely for your own good. Your elder sister felt sorry for you and gave up her own spot to enter the palace, begging your father to send you to the palace. There is endless glory and wealth to enjoy in the palace, you've gained this advantage, so don't be ungrateful."

"Yes, daughter is most grateful to mother and elder sister." Song Zhao thanked them obediently. As she spoke, her fingers inadvertently scratched her cheek.

Elder sister Song Yue added, "Of this batch of new palace ladies, there are only four beauties. Although you only got a placeholder position because you're illegitimate, the imperial consorts are all friendly. I'm sure they won't make things difficult for you."

Song Zhao nodded. "Elder sister is absolutely right."

As she spoke, she didn't stop scratching her face, and it grew more intense.

Jiang frowned. "Everyone is talking to you, what are you scratching your ears and cheeks for?"

Hearing Jiang's reprimand, Song Zhao forced herself to stop scratching her inexplicably itchy face and put her hands down. But then Jiang cried out again,

"Oh! Your face..."

Everyone looked over.

Only then did they see Song Zhao's originally exquisite and beautiful face was now covered in swollen red rashes, a shocking sight!

Song Zhao wept piteously as they looked on in astonishment. She covered her face and asked in confusion,

"What happened to my face?"

Song Shicheng quickly said, "Don't touch it! Fetch Doctor Zhang here!"

While waiting for Doctor Zhang, everyone had moved from the main hall to the side hall. By now, Song Zhao had also seen her pustuled face in the bronze mirror.

A woman's fortune depended on her looks, and Song Zhao was originally so brightly beautiful, with innate charm.

Entering the palace tomorrow, she could have earned a good future relying on this face.

But now her ruined complexion meant everything was over.

She wept so sadly that anyone would feel pity. Jiang and daughter watched mockingly from the side, while Song Shicheng was very concerned about Song Zhao's condition.

To be precise, he cared about Song Zhao's face that could entrance all men in the world.

After all, he had hoped Song Zhao could gain imperial favor in the palace and do him credit.

Later, after Doctor Zhang examined her, he quickly found the cause of Song Zhao's facial swelling and rashes.

"My lord, this is an allergic reaction in second young miss."

"Allergic reaction?" Song Shicheng asked in puzzlement. "She's only allergic to peach blossoms. Since we've known about this condition, peach trees have been banned in Duke of Protector's Mansion. How could she have come into contact with peach blossoms in July?"

Doctor Zhang stroked his beard. "Since the reaction is only on her face, the pollen could not have been ingested through food. Perhaps it relates to second young miss's daily toiletries."

Following this lead, Song Shicheng had people investigate in detail.

Soon, the box of powder Song Yue had given to Song Zhao was presented to everyone.

After careful examination, Doctor Zhang said in alarm,

"My lord, peach blossom pollen has been mixed into this powder! And the pollen was ground extremely fine, very difficult to detect any problem without close inspection."

With this, the side hall immediately erupted into chaos.

Before Song Yue could even try to defend herself,

Song Zhao cried and accused her, "Elder sister, why are you so cruel to me?"

When Jiang and her daughter Song Yue heard this, they could no longer sit still as the dirty water had been splashed on them.

Jiang shouted out in injustice, "My Lord, please investigate this clearly! This matter has nothing to do with me and Yue! Song Zhao is entering the palace tomorrow, who would dare to be negligent about such an important matter in front of the Emperor? Even if I look down on her, I would never make a joke out of the honor of the entire Song family!"

Song Yue also said, "Father, don't believe this wicked person's words! Let me tell you, this peach blossom powder must have been put in by Song Zhao herself in order to frame me and my mother!"

Hearing this, Song Zhao cried even harder, "Elder sister, why do you suspect me like this? If I wanted to frame you and mother, I could have done so long ago! Tomorrow is the day I enter the palace to meet His Majesty, why would I ruin my own future at this time to falsely accuse you?"

Looking at Song Shicheng, with tears in her eyes she shook her head, "Father, your daughter has shamed you. Your daughter will not enter the palace anymore! Just let your daughter bash her head to death. Tomorrow you can just report my death to the palace!"

After saying this, she really wanted to smash her head on the corner of the table.

Song Shicheng reacted quickly and grabbed her, "What are you doing? Don't be foolish!"

He certainly did not dare to let Song Zhao bash her head to death.

Although Song Zhao had not yet entered the palace, the imperial decree had been issued, so she was already considered a proper young mistress.

If she died at this moment, and the Song family could not deliver her to the palace tomorrow, they would be the ones to suffer.

In order to appease Song Zhao's emotions, Song Shicheng ordered, "Doctor Zhang, you and the steward search the residence and see if you can find the harmful dirty stuff!"

After searching around, they did indeed find some powder under the pagoda tree in Song Yue's backyard courtyard.

Doctor Zhang presented it to Song Shicheng and said, "My Lord, we found this powder in eldest miss's backyard courtyard. It is confirmed to be peach blossom powder!"

Upon hearing this, Song Yue's eyes widened in disbelief, "No, this is not possible! Father, it wasn't me, I...ah!"

Before Song Yue could finish her denial, Song Shicheng fiercely slapped her to the ground.

He was furious and pointed at Song Yue scolding, "She is your sister! By doing this, do you want her to die, for our Song family to die?"

Song Yue cried out injustice, "It wasn't me! Really it wasn't me Father! Mother! It really wasn't me!"

Jiang squatted on the ground, shielding Song Yue behind her, "Speak properly, how can you hit Yue?"

Song Shicheng pointed at the peach blossom powder and angrily said, "The powder was found in her courtyard, the evidence is conclusive! What more can you argue for her? This is the good daughter you have raised for me!"

Song Yue also did not know how the peach blossom powder had gotten into her backyard. Having been spoiled all her life, experiencing such a sudden change, she was stunned and at a loss.

Song Zhao meanwhile cried and asked her, "Elder sister...if I have offended you in any way, you can beat me and scold me. But I'm entering the palace tomorrow, after you have ruined my appearance like this, how will I conduct myself in the palace in the future?"

She was quite emotional as she said this, and after finishing she again tried to commit suicide, scaring Song Shicheng tremendously.

No matter what, Song Zhao had to enter the imperial palace tomorrow.

Not only if she contracted some incurable disease, even if her limbs were all severed and she only had one breath left, she would still have to be carried into the imperial palace and die in that cage surrounded on all sides by crimson walls.

But now Song Zhao felt she had lost face. She was bent on suicide and would not listen no matter how they persuaded her.

"Zhao'er, father knows you have suffered an injustice. Like this, father will restore justice for you!"

Song Shicheng also harbored resentment towards Jiang mother and daughter. He blamed them for destroying Song Zhao's appearance at this time and messing up his big plan, which now caused real damage to his interests. Only now would he put on this performance.

With a wave of his hand he ordered, "Come, lock the Lady and eldest miss in the firewood shed for a flogging punishment!"

Jiang and her daughter were filled with injustice, shouting out that they were being falsely accused.

But who would listen?

The stewards only uttered a 'forgive me', then dragged the two into the firewood shed.

After that, the entire Duke of Guardianship manor could hear the hysterical screams coming from the firewood shed.

On the surface, Song Zhao expressed gratitude to her father. But in her heart it was as clear as a mirror:

Over these years Jiang and her daughter had bullied her for not just one or two days.

In the past Song Shicheng had turned a blind eye, only because it did not harm his interests.

Now that her face was ruined, and she would not obtain a good position in the palace tomorrow, it directly damaged his interests, so only now would he put on this show.

People, only when the knife point pricks their own flesh, will they feel the pain.

Later that evening, Song Shicheng looked at Song Zhao after she had applied medicine, and urged her to rest early and not delay entering the palace tomorrow.

Lying in bed, Song Zhao's face still stung from the burning.

Soon, her maid Yun Shan came in to pass on: "Second miss, Doctor Zhang is here to change your medicine."

"Let him in. I haven't eaten dinner, so I'm a little hungry now. Go make me a bowl of porridge."

Song Zhao got up and went to the dressing table, looking at her swollen red face that was gradually subsiding, but still frightening.

Doctor Zhang stood next to her and bowed with clasped hands, "Second miss, I've come to change your medicine."

Song Zhao raised her hand to stop him, and slowly asked, "How many days?"

"If we follow the prescription I gave you, it should be better in three to five days. But the amount of peach blossom powder you used was too much. Although it won't scar, to fully recover, it will take at least half a month."

"I see." Song Zhao replied tonelessly, then took out a silver note from the dressing table drawer and handed it to him,

"You did this matter well. Take this silver for now. I heard your younger brother got into trouble in the palace and was punished to work at Xin Repository, and is not doing well. After I enter the palace, I will also find an opportunity to have him serve me, so he doesn't have to suffer anymore."

Doctor Zhang did not take the silver note. He bowed again and thanked her,

"I didn't really do anything, just took the opportunity during the search to sprinkle the peach blossom powder in eldest miss's courtyard, and said a few words in front of the Lord as second miss instructed.

In truth, it was second miss who took the risk and suffered. This silver I do not need. I only hope after second miss enters the palace, you can save my younger brother. Back when my family fell into hardship, because father was in dire straits he sent my younger brother into the palace to exchange for silver. He has a pitiful life, I really cannot bear to see him suffer more in the palace."

Song Zhao smiled lightly, "Don't worry, with him by my side, no one will have the ability to bully him. As for the silver, it is what you deserve for doing this matter well, so keep it."

After he took the silver note, Song Zhao carefully applied the medicinal ointment on her face, and said with a sardonic smile,

"When people are beaten, they will naturally be injured. With injuries, they naturally need medication."

Then looking up at Doctor Zhang, her eyes were like silk threads, smiling charmingly, "Doctor Zhang, you are clever. You should know how important my mother and elder sister are to me. So when treating their injuries, you must be extra attentive."

Doctor Zhang naturally understood Song Zhao's meaning, and laughed, "Second miss, rest assured, I will 'take good care' of treating them, and definitely not disappoint you."

Everyone thought that Song Zhao didn't want to enter the palace,

But no one knew that she actually wanted to enter the palace more than anyone else.

Because only by entering the palace could she completely escape the earthly purgatory of the Song family and avenge her deceased mother.

Bai, Song Zhao's birth mother, was a concubine of Song Shicheng.

Bai was beautiful and became the favored concubine upon entering the Song family.

Therefore, after she entered the family, the main wife, Jiang, had some grievances against her.

When Song Zhao was still young, Jiang framed Bai for theft and publicly whipped her to death, right in front of Song Zhao.

Jiang's family had provided considerable support to Song Shicheng in the officialdom, so even though he knew that Bai was wrongly killed, he never questioned it.

Having witnessed the tragic death of her birth mother, Song Zhao understood from a young age:

Men must have power, and women must also hold real power in their hands.

If they only rely on men, when their beauty fades and love weakens, even if they are beaten to death, it would be considered a worthless life, and no one would care.

So she didn't want to be the one who was beaten by others.

If she had to, then she must be the one holding the whip.

Late one night, Song Zhao went to the firewood shed.

She saw that Jiang and her daughter had indeed suffered some torment.

Their faces were pale, with many bloodstains, and they had no strength to speak.

Seeing this, Song Zhao furrowed her brows and reprimanded the executioner, saying,

"Father told you to administer the punishment, not to beat my sister and mother to death. If you leave visible injuries, how can they entertain guests in the future?"

The executioner scratched his head and said, "But the master said that thirty lashes must be completed, and we still have ten lashes left."

"Women are weak. If you continue beating them like this, they will be half-dead."

Song Zhao rolled up her sleeves, took the whip from the executioner's hand, and said, "Forget it, I'll finish the remaining ten lashes for you. It's just a formality, so you can report to my father."

Jiang was the main wife after all, and the executioner didn't want to do this job that offended people.

Seeing that Song Zhao was going to take over, he quickly handed her the whip and fled as if his life depended on it.

Song Zhao walked slowly towards Jiang and her daughter.

With both hands gripping the whip, she cracked it, making a loud sound.

Jiang and her daughter looked at her in horror, cowering against the wall.

"What... What do you want?" Jiang stammered.

"Crack!"

Song Zhao raised the whip and struck Jiang's face harshly.

A red, almost black, bloodstain appeared on her left cheek, and the pain made her scream as she fell to the ground, covering her face.

Song Yue rushed to protect her mother, glaring at Song Zhao with eyes full of hatred.

"You... You wicked woman! All of this was your plan against me and my mother! You... Ah!"

"Crack!"

Another lash struck Song Yue's forehead.

"You think I planned all this against you? Ha\~ Compared to the humiliation you have subjected me to all these years, compared to your mother killing mine, these few lashes today are far from enough!

If it weren't for the rule that newly entered palace maids cannot attend funerals, do you think I would let you live? But it doesn't matter. After I enter the palace, that will be the beginning of your nightmares."

"I spit on you!" Jiang spat a mouthful of blood at Song Zhao. "You've disfigured your own face in order to frame us. Tomorrow, when you enter the palace, you won't be able to receive favor anymore!

Yes, you're good-looking, but the palace is never lacking in beautiful women. You're a common-born daughter, and there has never been a precedent of a common-born daughter becoming a noble concubine in Qichao Dynasty! Just be content with your fate and wait to die in the palace!"

Song Zhao twirled the whip in the air a couple of times and then laughed.

"Noble concubine? Haha! I entered the palace to become an empress, or else what's the point? Should I go cook for others?"

Her eyes turned cold, and suddenly, he turned fierce, lashing out at Jiang and Song Yue with the whip.

After suppressing the anger that had been pent up for years, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and said,

"I've endured you all these years, and you should know to what extent I can go to get what I want.

I'm not my mother, sacrificing my life for empty promises from Song Shicheng.

I know very well what I want, and anyone who stands in my way will be eliminated one by one, completely eradicated.

And you, today, are the best examples!"

With that, she casually threw the whip at Jiang's face and walked away, clapping his hands.