The legitimate daughter returns, and everyone in the Marquis's mansion regrets and begs for for

Su Muya checked the time; at this hour, the palace probably hadn't served breakfast yet! So she sat on the stone bench, took out a grape, peeled it, and started eating.

Su Muya was eating grapes in the pavilion when two women dressed in gorgeous brocade robes suddenly walked in.

"Hey, where did this pheasant come from?"

One of the high-pitched voices said sarcastically.

Seeing the two girls' attire, Su Muya guessed their identities. These two were the Empress and Consort Shu, one being Consort De's niece and the other the Crown Prince's cousin, who was also Consort De's beloved daughter. Su Muya had heard the Crown Prince mention that Consort De's niece was named Zhao Yuanyuan, and that she was about the same age as Su Muya.

"Me, a pheasant? How do I resemble a pheasant?"

Su Muya's eyes widened, her face full of indignation.

"What's wrong with you? Look at yourself, you look like a poor, shabby person!"

Zhao Yuanyuan scoffed, scrutinized Su Muya from head to toe, and then said, "Tsk tsk, still won't admit it? Look at your clothes, they're practically rags!"

"Even if I'm just a piece of junk, you're still nobles adorned in gold and silver. What right do you have to laugh at others?"

Su Muya retorted without backing down.

She didn't want to lose face in front of the Su family. Although she didn't want to lose face in front of them either, she was Su Muya now, a person with backbone.

"Hmph, am I a nobleman?"

Zhao Yuanyuan snorted coldly and pointed at Su Muya's clothes, "Look at your attire! How could a lowly maid like you possibly wear fine clothes? And what are those things on your face? They're utterly hideous! Do you think you can seduce the Crown Prince just because you're a little pretty? How laughable!"

Su Muya sneered, "Is that so? Then let me tell you one thing: His Highness the Crown Prince will never marry a country bumpkin like me! You'd better stop daydreaming!"

"hehe"

Zhao Yuanyuan sneered, then reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from Su Muya's forehead. "We're not like you, obsessed with climbing the social ladder. We want to marry the Crown Prince as his concubines!"

"Hmph, keep dreaming! If you want to become the Crown Prince's concubine, you'll have to be capable, and even better than me. Otherwise, it's just wishful thinking!"

"Hmph, you're just being stubborn!"

Zhao Yuanyuan said disdainfully, "You'd better take care of yourself first, lest the Crown Prince rejects you, and then we'll be the ones who benefit!"

"That depends on whether you have the ability!"

"Haha, whether you're capable or not, just try and see!"

"Hmph, who's afraid of who!"

"We'll see!"

Zhao Yuanyuan turned and left.

Su Muya watched her departing figure, her eyes flashing with a cold light. This woman must be jealous of her! This Zhao Yuanyuan, although not particularly beautiful, has a noble air about her and an arrogant and domineering personality.

However, Su Muya wasn't worried about her, because her parents had already settled in the capital, so she could take advantage of this opportunity to leave the palace and escape. Then she would go to her parents and ask them to rescue her.

This trip was Su Muya's first time traveling far from home. Although her martial arts skills were quite good, she was, after all, a country bumpkin who had never traveled far from home before, so she was completely unfamiliar with the situation in the capital.

It would be great if someone could go with her!

"Oh, young lady, you've finally arrived!"

As Su Muya was lost in thought, a young eunuch rushed over, "His Majesty has decreed that you, Miss, must come to the Imperial Study to see him!"

"Yeah?"

Su Muya followed the little eunuch into the imperial study.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"This humble woman kowtows to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Su Muya knelt down and kowtowed.

She was puzzled. Why would His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly summon her to see him? Was it because of what happened last night?

"Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Raise your head so I can see you!"

Upon hearing this, Su Muya slowly raised her head.

"you."

The Emperor looked at Su Muya in surprise. This girl was so beautiful! And her figure was so slender.

What's your name?

"Your Majesty, I am Su Muya!"

Su Muya answered respectfully.

"How did you manage to sneak into the palace?"

A hint of liveliness seemed to emanate from Su Muya's brows; this young girl possessed a composure beyond her years. The more the Emperor looked at her, the more interesting he found her.

"Your Majesty, my name is Su Muya. I was abducted to the palace last night by the flower thief. Because I live in the suburbs, they captured me and locked me in this small house. They said they would release me in a few days when Your Majesty holds a selection of concubines!"

After Su Muya finished speaking, she stole a glance at the Emperor's expression.

"Oh, I see! When were you locked up here?"

The emperor asked.

"He was arrested last night!"

"is it?"

"Is that so? Do you know your crime?"

"This humble woman confesses her crime!"

"Since you admit your guilt, tell me, how should I deal with you?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to accept punishment!"

"Then tell me, how should you be punished?"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and looked at her with great interest.

"This humble woman is willing to wash her neck clean and await the Emperor's punishment!"

"Very well, then I'll have someone serve you, so you can wash your neck thoroughly and await my punishment!"

After the emperor finished speaking, he dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs and went into the inner room.

A moment later, when the emperor reappeared, he was holding a leather whip.

"Look at this whip, isn't it vicious enough? If it's not vicious enough, I'll whip you half to death!"

The Emperor raised his whip and approached Su Muya step by step.

"Your Majesty, please wait! I will do it myself!"

Su Muya leaped onto the table, spread her legs, and assumed a fighting stance, her eyes fixed warily on the Emperor.

"You know martial arts?"

The emperor's eyebrows were slightly raised.

Su Muya nodded.

The emperor smiled.

"Alright, I'll practice with you!"

When Su Muya saw the emperor pick up a leather whip and attack her, she cursed inwardly, "This emperor is a madman! He actually dares to lay a hand on me!"

She immediately channeled her spiritual power and used it to block the whip as it lashed out.

The emperor had not expected that her cultivation level was so high, and she actually blocked the attack in one move.

"Your Majesty, please stop!"

"You think you're so great? I'd like to see what you're capable of doing to stop me!"

The emperor brandished his whip as he lunged at Su Muya.

Su Muya dodged, inwardly groaning. Why was this emperor acting like such an unreasonable brute?!

While dodging, she used her spiritual power to resist the emperor's attacks.