After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

As noon approached, a few scattered, weak rays of sunlight slanted down through the windows above the palace, like golden threads, bringing a rare touch of warmth and life to the somewhat desolate and solemn palace.

After Cao Yuan finished her breakfast, she waited in the palace for Granny Qiu and the others to arrive, but they didn't show up until noon.

"Jinzhu, have they been like this for the past few days?"

Jinzhu nodded honestly, "When you went to the East Palace, I didn't see them at all. They just told me outside the bedchamber that I shouldn't look for them if I needed anything."

"I was worried they would come to the bedchamber, but it turns out they never intended to come at all."

Cao Yuan let out a long sigh of helplessness.

Even if she were an ordinary concubine, let alone someone who came for a political marriage, she shouldn't be treated like this. It seems that her elder sister's life wasn't good before.

Could it be that the ruler of Shu is deliberately making things difficult for us?

"Your Highness, the cloak you brought back is a bit dirty. I'll go to the back and wash it!"

Cao Yuan stood up. "You're going? Isn't there a laundry service here?"

Jinzhu blinked. "They said the laundry department is far from here, and there are no palace servants to bring us laundry! We'll have to figure it out ourselves."

"Take me to where they are resting."

Cao Yuan walked to the door, pushed it open, and a warm breeze wafted out.

"That's outrageous! The palace servants' quarters are so warm! We were freezing all night." Jinzhu put her hands on her hips.

The old women inside were still resting when Cao Yuan stepped inside.

One of the old women woke up and looked up to see Cao Yuan, which made her suddenly realize what was happening.

The remaining nannies also woke up and got out of bed to stand in front of Cao Yuan.

"Princess, what brings you here!"

Cao Yuan sat down at the tea table, and Jinzhu poured her a cup of hot tea.

Cao Yuan took a sip slowly and deliberately. "This tea... is quite good! I didn't expect the Shu Kingdom to treat palace women and those who came for marriage alliances so differently!"

“Princess, this isn’t very good tea. It’s old tea that was given to you by other palaces. If you’d like some, I’ll get you some new tea,” Granny Qiu said, trying to find a better one.

Cao Yuan smiled and said, "Then your charcoal isn't good either?"

"Um... not so good, it's all leftovers from other palaces!"

"Yeah yeah!"

Several old women chimed in.

"Since you all think it's not good, why don't you bring it all to my bedroom? I don't see a single piece of charcoal in my bedroom."

"This..." The old women looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Jinzhu, take all the charcoal back to the bedroom!"

"Yes!"

"You guys, don't just stand there, go and get it!" Cao Yuan ordered.

"Wait a minute!" Granny Qiu stopped Jinzhu. "But Princess, we palace servants have our own necessities, and yours are different from ours!"

"Tell me, gentlemen, what's the difference? Do you all think that my expenses as a princess of Wei are less than those of you palace servants?"

"This is a regulation from above, it has nothing to do with us!"

"Besides, this was the case for all the previous marriage alliances. You can't deduct from our wages just because you're a princess."

Cao Yuan gripped the teacup tightly, and with a forceful movement, the teacup shattered in her hand.

The old women present were frightened.

"Are you teaching me how to do things?"

"Then why don't you come with me to see your emperor and see if your life is more precious or mine?"

Cao Yuan's eyes sharpened, and she gave Jin Zhu a wink.

Jinzhu was stunned for a moment, then raised her hand and slapped the person who had just spoken.

"Princess! Why did you hit me!"

"I didn't hit anyone, because I only kill!" Cao Yuan raised an eyebrow at them. "Do you need me to do it myself?"

They backed away in fright, muttering under their breath.

"This princess is different from the previous ones."

"Completely different from Princess Zhaoyang!"

"I seem to have heard that this princess of Wei has been to the battlefield before!"

"They seem to have a bad temper! We'd better not push them too far, or they might really kill us."

"It's all my fault!" The old woman knelt on the ground, begging for forgiveness.

"This servant deserves to die! This servant will go and prepare charcoal for you right away."

The group quickly put on their clothes and ran outside.

Jinzhu jumped up happily, "Your Highness, you are amazing! You scared them with just a few words."

Cao Yuan took Jinzhu's hand. "Look how red your hand is, doesn't it hurt? I told you to make them kneel down, not to hit her. Let's go back and put some medicine on it!"

Jinzhu nodded.

"We'll be here for a long time to come, and there will likely be people who make things difficult for us. We should try not to resort to violence unless absolutely necessary. We shouldn't break ties with them."

As evening fell, the palace finally felt a little warmer.

"Your Highness, I didn't expect them to be so quick!"

Jinzhu praised.

"Your Highness, we've been here for so many days, and His Majesty doesn't seem to value the marriage alliance much! Otherwise, these palace servants wouldn't be bullying us like this!"

Just then, a loud shout came from outside the door: "His Majesty has arrived! Princess Huayang, come out immediately to greet him!"

The sound was sharp and loud, like a thunderclap ripped through the sky.

Speak of the devil and he appears!

The two people inside the house turned pale upon hearing the sound.

Jinzhu trembled involuntarily, pacing back and forth like a startled deer. She inwardly groaned, "Why did His Majesty have to choose this time to come?"

"Your Highness, what should we do now! The marks on your body haven't faded yet! If His Majesty sees them, the consequences will be severe!"

For a moment, the room was filled with tension and fear. Everyone looked at each other, unsure of how to deal with this sudden situation.

"Princess Huayang, why aren't you welcoming the Emperor at once!"

"Jinzhu, go open the door!"

"Your Highness..."

What is supposed to come will come.

Xiao Shengxi strode into Cao Yuan's bedroom. His eyes swept around, then fixed on Cao Yuan with a strange look in them.

Cao Yuan bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"This servant greets Your Majesty!"

Jinzhu bowed to the other old women, who were filled with apprehension, fearing that Cao Yuan would betray them.

After all, this princess is not someone to be trifled with.

Xiao Shengxi lazily sat down on the daybed, leaning back against the headboard, "Get up, everyone!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"You've been here for so many days, are you getting used to it? Last time they asked you to dance, it was just a joke, you shouldn't mind, right?"

Cao Yuan pursed her lips and said frankly, "I'm not used to it, and I mind it a lot."

Jinzhu stared wide-eyed in shock. His Highness was far too bold.

She tremblingly raised her eyes to look at Xiao Shengxi, who, instead of flying into a rage, burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You're quite the straightforward one. Indeed, quite interesting."

"Cough cough..."

Cao Yuan's involuntary cough attracted Xiao Shengxi's attention. He narrowed his eyes and frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the old women in the palace.

"This main hall is indeed much colder than the other halls."