After a broken heart, I traveled through time and space and became an abandoned concubine. My fate i

After returning to the palace, Concubine Shu's ruthlessness reached a new peak. Simply because her personal maid in the imperial garden was serving tea at a slightly off temperature, failing to perfectly suit her discerning taste, or because she was slow or inefficient in handing fruit, she would lash out without further ado, then order the poor servant to be dragged away and caned. For a moment, the courtyard echoed with the maid's shrill cries, a voice so heartbreaking and terrifying that it filled everyone present with dread.

Afterwards, she pretended to be magnanimous and calm towards the maid who accidentally broke the cup in a panic, and said in a seemingly tolerant and generous manner: "It's just a cup, no need to worry about it, you can leave." However, when the night was deep and everything was silent, she secretly ordered her confidant to strangle the maid with a rope, and then secretly transported the body out of the palace and buried it in a remote, desolate and unknown corner, in an attempt to completely prevent future troubles.

As for the ministers who had tirelessly flattered her in the Imperial Garden, she beamed with joy and, in hidden corners where no one could see, offered them all sorts of tempting benefits. With her eloquent tongue, she vowed, "As long as you serve me loyally, I will speak well of you in court, helping you rise to higher positions and receive promotions. Or, I will speak well of you before the Emperor, securing lucrative positions for you, ensuring you a life of wealth and prosperity." Upon hearing this, the ministers were overjoyed, filled with gratitude, and they knelt and kowtowed, pledging their eternal loyalty to Consort Shu.

Leveraging her intricate, intricate network of connections within the palace and her powerful, intertwined connections within the imperial court, Concubine He secretly issued a ruthless order to the Ministry of Justice. In the deep, darkened chamber, where no sunlight could reach, Concubine He lowered her voice, her tone gloomy and cold, to her trusted confidants, "This time, we must interrogate Concubine Su with ruthless measures. Leave no one alive. We must not allow her the slightest chance of recovery."

A gloomy and terrifying atmosphere permeated the prison of the Ministry of Justice, as if it could instantly freeze one's soul. The official interrogating Concubine Su Xian had a hideous face, his features distorted and deformed, like a demon from the depths of hell, a terrifying sight. The whips and sticks lying beside him were stained with blood, the dried blood clotted on them, exuding a chilling intimidation.

To protect Xiao Taozi from being severely beaten, Concubine Su resolutely straightened her back, like a pine tree standing tall in the cold wind, resilient and unyielding. Her eyes were firm and resolute, as if burning with the last ray of stubbornness, and she did not hesitate to take on a series of false charges, such as casting a witchcraft on the emperor and deliberately emitting black smoke to spoil the fun. Her tone was calm and resolute, and she only made two requests to take on all the charges: "First, I beg Your Majesty to personally supervise the execution. I am willing to make a complete end in front of Your Majesty; second, all the blame has nothing to do with Xiao Taozi. I beg that Xiao Taozi be exiled and driven out of the palace. The mistakes I made should not implicate innocent people. I know I was wrong, and if I am really convicted for it, I will have no complaints. I only ask Your Majesty to judge right from wrong and not let the traitor succeed and undermine Your Majesty's wisdom."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu was overjoyed, nearly laughing out loud with excitement. In her luxurious chambers, she reclined on a soft brocade couch, peering into the bright bronze mirror. She nodded secretly, her lips curled upward in a sinister smile, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of malevolence and triumph. She muttered to herself, "Concubine Su, this time you will undoubtedly die. No one in this harem can ever rival my favor."

The ministers respectfully reported the matter to the Emperor, following the complex and tedious court procedures. The Emperor was overwhelmed by his numerous affairs, and the mountain of memorials weighed on him like a heavy rock, suffocating him and leaving him no time for anything else. At first, he merely glanced up and listened casually, not taking the matter to heart.

However, when his eyes accidentally caught sight of Concubine Su Xianfei's last wish, his heart involuntarily moved slightly, but his face remained gloomy and he coldly agreed. After a series of twists and turns, after dealing with the mountain of memorials, the emperor was exhausted both physically and mentally. He slumped down on the dragon throne like a puddle of mud and sighed deeply, as if to vent all the frustration in his heart.

At that moment, his thoughts drifted involuntarily to Concubine Su Xian, recalling her former talent. Her eloquent wit, like a blossoming flower in spring, each line imbued with fragrance, deeply moved his heart. He recalled her graceful figure, the ethereal movement of her dance, as if a fairy descended from the heavens, her graceful steps and moving gestures captivating him. He recalled her gentleness and virtuousness, her attentiveness in serving him, like the warm sunshine on a winter's day, constantly warming his body and soul. All these beautiful images surged through his mind, and a warmth welled up within him. In that moment, he seemed to have returned to those sweet and heartwarming times.

But the thought of the witchcraft suddenly plunged him into a icy abyss, anger and suspicion flooding his heart like a tide. His brow furrowed, his eyes darkening as he muttered to himself, "Could this Concubine Su really be so cruel as to cast a witchcraft on me?" But the emperor's intuition told him that something was fishy. Now that the truth was out and the dust had settled, it wouldn't hurt to visit the prison and see what she had to say, why she had harmed me. Even if he had to punish her, leaving her body intact would save face.

The emperor personally visited the prison. As soon as he stepped inside, a strong, pungent, and putrid stench hit him like a wave. The ground was uneven, with sewage flowing freely, forming puddles of filthy water that emitted a sickening stench. The walls were covered in thick moss and mottled with mold, like the hideous scars of time. Cockroaches and rats scurried freely in the dark corners, showing no fear at all. In the corners, piles of moldy, rotting straw scatter with a stench that was almost intoxicating.

Yet, amidst this dreadful environment, Concubine Su Xian, clad in a ragged, patched, and stained garment, its original color and texture long lost, could not conceal the graceful beauty of her figure. Her hair was slightly disheveled, a few strands tangled across her pale face, adding to her pitiful and delicate demeanor. Even so, her exquisite features remained captivating, her curved brows like the distant, hazy mountains, her eyes full of affection like a deep autumn pool. Tears shone like falling stars, and her red lips trembled, as if she spoke of endless grievances. This pitiful appearance captivated every man, who wanted to embrace her in their arms. Even the emperor, a ruler accustomed to the beauties of his harem, was momentarily shaken.

The emperor angrily demanded, "Why do you want to harm me?"

Concubine Su knelt on the ground full of sewage, tears streaming down her face. Her tears mixed with the sewage on the ground, but she remained neither humble nor arrogant. She spoke slowly, her voice trembling but firm. "Your Majesty, I know full well that I cannot escape responsibility for this matter. If it is truly my fault that has angered Your Majesty, I willingly accept the punishment without a single complaint. My family has been blessed with Your Majesty's great grace, and my father is the Governor of a state. Since entering the palace, I have always remembered Your Majesty's great kindness and never dared to disobey. I truly do not know where this matter of witchcraft originated. I reflect day and night in this cold palace. If I am truly at fault, it was surely done carelessly and ignorantly, not intentionally to harm Your Majesty. My loyalty to Your Majesty is evident to all. I only ask Your Majesty to consider our past friendship and be vigilant. Do not let me be deceived by treacherous individuals and tarnish Your Majesty's reputation. If I am guilty, I am willing to die as an apology. I only wish Your Majesty good health and a long-lasting rule."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes flickered with hesitation. He unconsciously took a small step forward, as if wanting to approach Concubine Su, but then he stopped and turned his back. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say anything. After a moment's silence, he snorted coldly and said firmly, "Are you threatening me?" With that, he suddenly turned around with a flick of his sleeve, his steps slightly hurried, as if he was eager to escape.

At the moment when the emperor angrily left the cell, Concubine Su, who had been tearful and extremely resentful, suddenly had a barely perceptible cunning glint in her eyes.

Afterwards, the emperor left the Heavenly Prison without looking back, but his departing back seemed a little heavy and entangled.