Tang Palace Falling Swallows [Noble Lady's Ordeal Series 01]

King Han slumped to the ground, murmuring, "Han is finished... finished..." The Han dynasty, spanning over a hundred years, had finally come to an end today, with even the most revered Saintess Princess of the kingdom being escorted away by Qin soldiers. "Bring forth the Princess of Han, Han Lingxin!" "Bring forth the Princess of Han, Han Lingxin!" "Bring forth the Princess of Han, Han Lingxin!" The eunuch's repeated pronouncements, growing louder as they approached, filled Han Lingxin with unease. Her eyes were blindfolded with a black cloth, forcing her to rely on her hearing. This legendary Epang Palace must be vast, nothing like the Han Palace where she had lived for over twenty years. "Move it!" The soldier in front of her yanked the iron chain around Han Lingxin's neck, pulling her forward. She had been blindfolded for the entire journey since her capture and had grown accustomed to such treatment. She stumbled, her hands bound behind her back by the soldier, making it difficult to maintain her balance. Guided by the soldier, Han Lingxin stepped into the grand hall, and only then was her blindfold removed. The sight within surprised her. Heavily armored soldiers, wielding axes and halberds, stood rigidly on either side of the hall, a testament to the Qin King's vigilance against assassination. Looking towards the dais, she saw three identically dressed young men standing before the throne, their gazes fixed on the bound Han Lingxin, sending a shiver down her spine. Nei Shi Teng approached Han Lingxin and said coldly, "The King of Qin has heard that Princess Lingxin is skilled in physiognomy and has specially invited the Princess to ascertain if our King possesses the countenance of a ruler destined to conquer the world." Han Lingxin understood. She had never met King Ying Zheng of Qin. He wanted her to identify the true King from the three men dressed in black. "Since I have been captured, I shall obey." Han Lingxin found the Qin King's temperament peculiar but saw no reason to resist over this matter. Han Lingxin raised her head again, looking towards the dais, and spoke loudly. "The one in the center, though imposing, lacks deep cunning and is likely a commanding general." "The one on the right, with his refined demeanor, is suited to be a high minister." Her neck ached from the rope, and she couldn't help but shift her body. After a pause, she continued, "Only the one on the left possesses the aura of a monarch; he is undoubtedly the King of Qin." As expected, the man standing on the left clapped his hands and laughed, saying to the two beside him, "Meng Tian, Meng Yi, it seems this Han Princess has some talent, far surpassing her useless father." Ying Zheng, accompanied by Meng Tian and Meng Yi, descended the steps and walked directly towards Han Lingxin. "Then look closely and tell me, does this King of mine have the appearance of one who will unify the realm?" Ying Zheng raised his hand and hooked Han Lingxin's chin, forcing her to look at him. The Qin King's insolence made Han Lingxin feel nauseous, but she was powerless to escape. She instinctively stiffened. The purple silk sorceress robe she wore was already tight from the ropes, and her breasts were pushed even further forward and higher, eliciting gasps of admiration from those present. Han Lingxin had already seen Ying Zheng's face clearly. She turned her head away in disgust and said, "The King of Qin's lifespan will not exceed fifty years. Even if he unifies the world, what then?" The Qin court officials were shocked. Ying Zheng was clearly young and strong; this was tantamount to calling him short-lived. Han Lingxin closed her beautiful eyes tightly and said resentfully, "If the King of Qin finds my words displeasing, he may order my execution." Reduced from a princess to a captive without freedom, she would rather die. But Ying Zheng did not become angry. Instead, he laughed heartily. "This King cherishes beauty and pities the fair sex; why would I take the Princess's life? However, I am quite interested in the Princess." Han Lingxin didn't immediately grasp the meaning of Ying Zheng's words. Then, two soldiers unbound her. Before she could even catch her breath, the soldiers pinned her down and ripped off her luxurious sorceress robe, leaving only her white undergarments! Although Han Lingxin had witnessed many grand occasions, she had never been treated so roughly. She cried out in panic, "Tyrant! Beast!" But no one showed her any pity. When the soldiers released her, her sorceress robe had been torn to shreds and taken away. On the floor beside her, a different purple garment had been placed at some point. Han Lingxin recognized this outfit as the ceremonial dress of a Han princess. She quickly picked it up to cover herself, looking at Ying Zheng with fear. The Qin King, who had appeared so dignified moments ago, now seemed like a beast in human clothing in her eyes. "Han values purple above all else. This purple robe, I bestow it back to you. From now on, you shall continue to be the Princess of Han here in Epang Palace." Ying Zheng's voice was stern as he pronounced the fate of the fallen princess. "Put it on and withdraw." Han Lingxin's mind reeled. The sudden blow left her bewildered. After a long moment, she reacted and, under everyone's gaze, hastily put on the purple long gown, wanting to flee the hall. But she did not succeed; her hands and feet were immediately restrained by soldiers. This time, the soldiers brought not luxurious clothing, but a pair of shackles. After the ordeal, as the soldiers escorted Han Lingxin out of the hall, thick, silvery-white shackles adorned her hands and feet. She was led away in a daze towards the "sleeping quarters" Ying Zheng had prepared for her. "Absurd! I, this princess, have fought and bled for Zhao, repeatedly repelling the Qin army. How could I possibly be plotting rebellion?" Zhao Yan roared in fury. "Whether the princess is innocent or not will be decided by the King," Guo Kai, unwilling to engage in a direct confrontation with Zhao Yan, used the King of Zhao as a shield. In Zhao, no one dared to cross Zhao Yan; it was a death wish. "Very well, take me to see the King." Zhao Yan knew further argument was futile and ceased her protest. The Zhao royal family had always been just; the royal court would surely vindicate her. "Then, we must trouble Princess Wu'an." Guo Kai waved his hand, and several soldiers, carrying shackles and manacles, approached Zhao Yan step by step. Zhao Yan had a premonition that something significant would happen tonight, so she had already donned her full armor early. She wore a fiery red battle suit, stepped into crimson flame boots, and her long hair was tied high. Yet, she had not awaited battle; instead, she received cold restraints. She harbored no thought of resistance. On the contrary, the soldiers, intimidated by Princess Wu'an's reputation, were hesitant and fumbling as they placed the iron cangue on her. Seeing that Zhao Yan truly did not resist arrest, the soldiers became bolder. They skillfully added a pair of hand manacles beneath the iron cangue. Finally, the leg irons. Typically, all prisoners were shackled barefoot. As a soldier prepared to remove Zhao Yan's boots, her beautiful eyes glared, striking fear into him and making him dare not proceed. They had no choice but to fasten the shackles above her boots, near her calves. Under Guo Kai's specific instructions, the restraints given to Zhao Yan were exceptionally heavy. Furthermore, her head and fists protruded from the cangue, trapped in perfectly sized holes, rendering her immobile. Her martial prowess was completely nullified, leaving her at the mercy of others, no different from any frail woman. "Princess Wu'an, please," Guo Kai led the way, and a contingent of soldiers escorted Zhao Yan out of the princess's mansion and into a specially prepared iron prison cart. As she was being placed inside, a soldier stuffed her ears with plugs and covered the cart with a black cloth, completely isolating Zhao Yan's senses of hearing and sight. Even for someone accustomed to battle, a trace of unease began to surface. Zhao Yan sat cross-legged inside the prison cart, acclimatizing herself to the weight of the cangue and shackles while contemplating how to defend herself during the trial. However, the journey grew increasingly strange. The prison cart had been moving smoothly on the stone roads of Handan. After half an hour, it began to jolt, feeling as if they had left the city and were on a dirt road. Yet, the decree was to escort her to the palace. Why were they leaving the city? Zhao Yan's suspicion deepened. She shouted loudly, "Guo Kai! Weren't we going to the palace! Where are we going?" But no one answered. Zhao Yan hefted the iron cangue and slammed it against the bars of the prison cart. However, even under her forceful blows, the specially made iron cart remained unyielding. Despite the commotion she caused, there was no response from outside. "Guo Kai! Guo Kai!" Still, no one acknowledged her, and she began to feel genuinely panicked. After another half hour, the prison cart finally stopped. She could hear nothing, see nothing, and could only wait for someone to bring her out. But this wait stretched for an entire night. When the black cloth was finally removed from the prison cart, it was already the next morning. Zhao Yan, disoriented from the stuffiness inside the cart, had repeatedly smashed the cart with her iron cangue, which had also exhausted her considerable strength. Suddenly, the black cloth was lifted, and the sudden influx of light made her instinctively squeeze her eyes shut. When she opened them again, the sight before her left her utterly stunned. Outside the prison cart, there wasn't a single Zhao person in sight. Instead, there were ranks upon ranks of black-armored Qin soldiers! This was a Qin army camp! She recognized the leader: the Qin general Wang Jian, whom she had faced on the battlefield multiple times. What in the world was going on? Sensing Zhao Yan's shock and confusion, Wang Jian said to a young man beside him, "Meng Yi, it seems you'll have to explain things to Princess Wu'an first. I'll be waiting for you in the main tent." "Perhaps the princess can try to guess for herself," Meng Yi walked to the side of the prison cart, looking down at Zhao Yan. He actually held great admiration for Zhao Yan. Despite being the same age, Princess Wu'an's reputation already echoed throughout the states. He, on the other hand, was merely a guard to the King of Qin, and this mission to Zhao was his first assignment. Zhao Yan, being exceptionally intelligent, pieced together most of the puzzle by recalling everything that had happened in Handan. The Qin army at the city gates, the treacherous minister Guo Kai, the sudden appearance of the King of Zhao's personal guards... The gazes of all the Qin officials were drawn to the entrance of the grand avenue: Princess Mi Yan, adorned in resplendent attire, a jade-green silk dress in the style of the Chu court, and a silver phoenix coronet, slowly walked towards the center. She walked slowly, for she was truly burdened. Her hands were shackled in front of her with silver manacles, a gleaming silver collar hung around her neck, and a silver chain descended from the collar, connecting to the manacles. Five silver chains emerged from beneath the hem of her skirt, held by the princesses following closely behind her, all originating from her waist. These chains, like a crinoline, pleated the sweeping hem of her skirt behind her into the shape of a phoenix's tail. Only Mi Yan knew the torment her body endured because of this arrangement. Hidden beneath the skirt were also her silver-chained high heels. Had the Wei Xue and Wei Fei sisters not taught her how to walk in these restraints in prison beforehand, she would have been even more disheveled than she was now. Counting all the visible and invisible aspects, the Qin had melted down all the priceless silver artifacts of the Chu palace to custom-make these restraints for Princess Mi Yan. *Clang— Clang—* The friction of the chains against the floor tiles, accompanied by the solemn court music, marked Princess Mi Yan's every step as she reached the center and stood. Princess Mi Yan's reputation for literary talent was renowned throughout the Central Plains, but this was the first time the Qin court officials had seen her true appearance, which was truly captivating. For Princess Mi Yan alone, the King of Qin had specially convened a grand court of the highest caliber, and all the civil and military officials present felt honored. "Princess Mi Yan of Chu— presents herself before our King!" Zhao Gao, standing beside the throne, announced in a drawn-out voice. "Kneel—" At this point, Princess Mi Yan dared not disobey. Under Zhao Gao's command, she suppressed her grief and dragged her entire body of silver shackles to kneel. Simultaneously, the princesses behind her straightened the silver chains they held, winding them around the pillars on either side of the avenue. Today, Mi Yan was the sole focus, so the other five princesses were dressed as palace maids in black, not to overshadow her. After winding the chains, they all knelt behind Mi Yan. "Princess Mi Yan, you once told me you would make me apologize to the world. What of today's matter?" Ying Zheng descended from his throne, already exuding the majesty of one who ruled the world. "Everything is solely my fault..." The memory of the Jiang Xin Zhou negotiations surfaced, and Mi Yan felt a pang of sadness. In less than half a year, she had fallen from being the savior of anti-Qin sentiment to Ying Zheng's captive. Yet, she gritted her teeth and pleaded in a low, submissive voice, "I beg the King of Qin to preserve the ancestral temple of Chu." For the people of Chu, the greatest shame was the destruction of their ancestral temple. Two hundred years ago, Wu Zixu had breached the Chu capital, exhumed graves, and whipped corpses. The Chu people mourned as if they had lost their parents. Princess Mi Yan could not bear such pain and infamy, which was why she had endured such humiliation until this day. "Are you not known for your literary talent? I shall command you to compose a *ci fu* on the spot. If it satisfies me, why should I not allow your Chu people to continue their lineage?" Though she knew it was a mockery, Princess Mi Yan still had to submit to Ying Zheng's manipulation. Ying Zheng's chosen theme for Princess Mi Yan was "The Chu Captive," and she was to compose the *fu* within a limited time. She had to praise Qin's conquest of Chu and her own imprisonment, yet she was forbidden to use the character for "captive" (囚) throughout the entire piece. The princesses Mi Yan had recently befriended could not escape this fate either, becoming tools to "assist" Princess Mi Yan with the countdown—their hands were bound by ropes, and they were dragged behind warhorses. Qin generals would take turns inflicting the "Chariot Punishment" upon them. If Mi Yan had not finished her composition by the time the five women's ordeal concluded, she would be declared a failure. Nei Shi Teng was the first to mount his horse, grabbing the rope tied to Princess Ling Xin, and sneered, "Look at the pathetic state of the Chu princess. For her sake, you'd better last a while longer." "Giddy up!" The warhorse began to trot around the Bi'an Square, and Princess Ling Xin was forced to run behind the horse, stumbling. The Qin had hung a string of bells on her shackles, and the jingling sound echoed as she ran. At first, the horse's speed was not fast, and the silver shackles on Ling Xin's feet were not too heavy, so she could still keep up. However, with her hands bound in front, this awkward posture soon left her breathless. A glance from the corner of her eye showed Mi Yan already bent over her writing desk. *Just a little longer,* she thought, *I need to buy Mi Yan more time.* But she soon realized how naive she was. Nei Shi Teng cracked his whip, and the warhorse, in pain, accelerated its gallop. Princess Ling Xin was caught off guard. After a few hurried steps, her feet tangled in the shackles, causing her to stumble. "Ah—" Seeing Ling Xin fall to the ground, the warhorse continued to gallop forward. The unfortunate Korean princess, with her delicate body, was dragged across the ground for over a hundred meters! "Ah—" Princess Ling Xin screamed in agony, but with her hands bound, she couldn't get up. She could only kick her legs and shriek. "Whoa!" By the time Nei Shi Teng reined in his warhorse to a stop, Princess Ling Xin had lost consciousness. Her palace maid's attire was in tatters, her elbows and knees were bleeding, but the specially made shackles, gleaming with metal, were still intact, firmly fastened to her hands and feet. The shackles had gouged bloody marks into Princess Ling Xin's wrists and ankles, a truly shocking sight. "Hahahaha! Exhilarating! Next!" Nei Shi Teng threw the unconscious Princess Ling Xin to the imperial physician and beckoned to the next group of riders in the arena. Princess Mi Yan, at her desk, had of course noticed the commotion. Seeing Ling Xin dragged like trash, Mi Yan's heart bled. Not much time had passed; she had only written a few lines. Ying Zheng was insane to make her write with manacles on her hands. How could she possibly write quickly! But time waited for no one. The next Qin general, Meng Tian, had already mounted his horse. The rope behind his horse was used to tie the Wei Xue and Wei Fei sisters together. At this moment, Wei Xue and Wei Fei had their shackles removed, and instead, fine, sturdy red ropes bound them in a *kote-kote* style. Their feet were also tied with knots, leaving a slight gap for them to step. It had been some time since the sisters came of age, and they had been meticulously cared for in the Wei prison, growing more and more graceful. With the *kote-kote* binding, the ropes crisscrossed, [indescribable] swelling, their arms like jade藕, truly a pair of beauties. Ropes were looped around their waists, connecting the sisters one after another. Unlike Nei Shi Teng, Meng Tian had no intention of toying with the sisters and immediately spurred his warhorse into a full gallop. Mi Yan's heart chilled to the bone. So, the title of "slave concubine" was merely a twisted method for Ying Zheng to toy with her. "I have a marriage contract with the princess, and now I am fulfilling it. What, is the princess unwilling?" Ying Zheng walked up to Mi Yan. "This slave is willing... this slave thanks His Majesty for his grace..." Princess Mi Yan immediately came to her senses and hastily agreed. Whether she agreed or not was irrelevant; no one cared about her thoughts. Palace maids approached, holding a black and gold wedding ceremonial robe. Qin favored black, so the wedding ceremony naturally used black as the primary color. The palace maids unlocked Princess Mi Yan's shackles and the silver chains from the pillar, then stripped off her jade-green silk dress. As the voluminous skirt was removed, five silver chains coiled around her waist on her undergarment were revealed, looking menacing and terrifying. For all this time, these five silver chains had been like coiled dragons, bound to Mi Yan's slender waist, never allowing her a moment of ease. The Qin people had granted her a final shred of dignity by not stripping her undergarment, instead directly pulling the ceremonial robe over her. Once the ceremonial robe was on, a wreath of thorns bound Princess Mi Yan's tender hands together again. This wreath was made of black roses and vines. The palace maids placed the wreath on Mi Yan's wrists and tightened it forcefully, turning it into an exquisite pair of handcuffs. The black roses and vines were covered in sharp thorns, and any slight friction between Princess Mi Yan's hands and the wreath sent piercing pain through her. To outsiders looking from afar, it would appear as a bride holding a large bouquet of black roses as she entered the bridal chamber. Princess Mi Yan, with her extensive knowledge, knew that black roses symbolized confinement and despairing love, and also foreshadowed her impending fate. What awaited her was not love, but only Ying Zheng's abuse. The palace maids then covered Princess Mi Yan's face with a black veil, obscuring her vision. Thus, a special bride was adorned. The five silver chains on Princess Mi Yan's undergarment were not idle either. They were soon pulled taut towards the front and locked onto a magnificent chariot. King Ying Zheng of Qin stood imposingly on the chariot. According to regulations, the King of Qin's chariot should be pulled by four horses, but for this wedding ceremony, the ones pulling the chariot were Princess Ji Ran, Princess Wei Xue, and Princess Wei Fei. Leading the way was Ji Ran. She wore a bridle made of black leather, and a leather muzzle with a ball gag was inserted into her mouth, locked at the back of her neck with metal clasps. Above the muzzle, a nose hook was attached, pulling her nostrils upwards. The other end of the hook was looped over her forehead and fastened at the back of her neck. The peerless Princess of Yan was reduced to a state of panting with her nostrils flared towards the sky. Palace maids combed her long hair into a single ponytail, tied at the back and secured with a leather hair tie. The bridle had many components, and each component was connected by chains to the chariot behind Ji Ran, ensuring that this poor horse-slave could not break free. To Ji Ran's sides were the sisters Wei Xue and Wei Fei. The restraints for the three women were identical. As Mi Yan changed her ceremonial robe, the palace maids had also dressed the three princesses and awaited them, with horse bridles around their necks, locked to the front of the chariot. "Play the music! The slave concubine enters the palace!" At Zhao Gao's command, the three women arched their necks, exerting force with their heads and shoulders. The chariot wheels began to roll slowly. Black armored guards led the way, followed closely by the three princesses pulling the chariot. The newly enfeoffed slave concubine, Mi Yan, was dragged behind the chariot by chains. Her vision obscured by the black veil, she could only follow the massive procession slowly towards the Chu Prison. Before being captured by Qin, Princess Mi Yan had already heard that Ying Zheng had specifically dispatched Qin troops to Yunmengze to move her secluded residence to Epang Palace in its entirety, even transplanting the bamboo forest. And now, as Ying Zheng personally lifted the veil, Princess Mi Yan finally saw her new home—a simple and elegant wooden house, surprisingly enclosed within a massive iron cage. The princesses were accustomed to being confined in cages, but this iron cage, tens of meters in length, width, and height, was truly unprecedented, signifying the dread of the "Chu Prison." Two palace maids led Princess Mi Yan to the iron cage. She soon noticed something was amiss—the main entrance of the cage was not open, but rather a small opening was located in a corner. Was this... a dog hole? Zhao Gao did not give her time to think and loudly urged, "Slave concubine, enter the hall!" It seemed the Qin people were determined to witness her humiliation, forcing her to crawl through this dog hole. Mi Yan looked helplessly at Ying Zheng, hoping for a shred of mercy from him. But it was in vain; Ying Zheng intended to continue to debase her. With no other choice, Princess Mi Yan abandoned all hope, knelt on the ground, her hands bound by the thorny wreath, unable to provide support. Thus, she could only prop herself up with her elbows, enduring the pricks of the thorns while wriggling her waist to crawl through the small opening. The process lasted only a few brief seconds, but she kept her eyes tightly shut, unwilling to face her own degrading state, like an animal. When she opened her eyes, she was startled to find Ying Zheng already inside the cage through the main entrance, waiting, with several palace maids in attendance behind him. At this stage of the wedding, according to ritual, the husband and wife should kneel opposite each other, signifying their shared life henceforth. But this wedding ceremony allowed for no equality. Ying Zheng naturally stood with his head held high, while Princess Mi Yan was supported by maids as she knelt before Ying Zheng. Her hands were pulled up above her head and, along with the thorny wreath, were tied with rope to a lush bamboo stalk directly behind her. With her hands raised high, the sleeves of her ceremonial robe slipped down, revealing Princess Mi Yan's fair arms. Faint bloodstains from the thorny wreath could be seen on her wrists. And this patch of green bamboo behind her would continue to bear witness to her humiliating wedding ceremony. "The ritual of sharing a meal, begin!" Zhao Gao shouted. The maids carried a cauldron of food and placed it between Ying Zheng and Princess Mi Yan. The ritual of sharing a meal meant that the couple would eat from the same pot. Ying Zheng, naturally, ate with great composure, picking up a piece of meat with his chopsticks without hesitation. But Princess Mi Yan's face showed difficulty; her hands were still bound! Princess Taiping was rewarded for capturing Shangguan Wan'er, and Prince Linzi personally led troops to capture Princess Anle. Both seized their spoils. The losers of the coup only managed to keep their lowly lives, destined to fall into endless darkness. Li Longji's icy voice echoed in Li Guor'er's ear: "Princess Anle has committed treason and is no longer worthy of the imperial surname." "Your servant Guor'er obeys." She had nowhere else to turn. Li Longji pulled Guor'er up and reached for the necklace around her jade neck, bringing it closer to admire. The necklace was shaped like a jade peony, originally bestowed by her father, the Emperor, to celebrate her becoming Crown Princess. She had worn it continuously since yesterday. Li Longji chuckled softly and handed the necklace to the eunuch beside him, "How could a mere servant be worthy of such a treasure? Put it in the storeroom." The eunuch hastily accepted and agreed. Guor'er looked up sadly, her gaze lingering on the tray in the eunuch's hand. This look ignited Li Longji's anger. He pointed at her robes, "What are you still clinging to? Take them off!" The humiliation of being stripped in public was immense. Yet, facing his piercing gaze, Guor'er dared not utter a word of protest. She forced herself to stand tall, unable to cry. She absolutely could not show weakness again. Her trembling hands reached for her waist, paused, and then gently unfastened the sash. Slowly, she shed her palace robes, leaving only a white undergarment to cover her slender body. A palace maid brought a coarse linen dress for servants for her to change into. The eunuch also presented a new set of silver manacles and shackles to bind her hands and feet. From this moment on, she was no longer the high and mighty Princess Anle, but merely Guor'er, a servant in the prince's manor. Yet, she had not completely given up hope. These two enemies who had cast her into the abyss would one day turn on each other. As long as they fought until both were wounded, she would still have a chance to turn things around! Empress Wei was first escorted to the Yeyou Court, while Princess Taiping and Li Longji tactfully withdrew with their newly acquired servants into the ranks of officials. The nation could not be without a ruler for a day. Amidst the court officials' congratulations, Li Dan ascended the throne, and Li Longji was, as he wished, appointed Crown Prince on the spot. Today's court session was long. After the trials and investitures, it was already noon. The new Emperor arranged a luncheon directly in the hall. Everything was kept simple during the period of mourning, and the luncheon was not a grand affair. However, Li Longji paid it no mind. Unlike Princess Anle, he did not care for ostentatious displays; he only valued tangible gains. Moreover, his position as Crown Prince was not yet secure. Princess Anle had already been brought to justice, but how long could his alliance with Princess Taiping last? For Guor'er, this banquet was merely the beginning of her suffering. Li Longji watched Guor'er, now clad in coarse cloth and bound by shackles, transformed from a once imperious princess into his slave. A sense of immense satisfaction washed over him. He called out loudly, "Guor'er, come and pour wine for this prince!" Guor'er, who had been kneeling hesitantly in the hall, could only reluctantly rise and walk over upon hearing the command. Although she had already experienced wearing shackles in the prison, her changed status today made her legs feel as if they were filled with a thousand pounds of lead. With every step, a metallic clinking sound accompanied her, the jangling a constant reminder of her current identity. The heavy shackles restricted her stride, chafing her delicate ankles. After only a few steps, the pain made her frown, and her pace slowed. Li Longji watched her struggle to walk, his heart filled with even greater delight. His voice involuntarily became cheerful, "Hurry up!" Unable to defy his command, Guor'er could only endure the pain in her ankles, quicken her steps, and reach the sandalwood table where the wine and food were laid out. "Pour the wine!" Li Longji commanded coldly. Guor'er nodded in assent. With her left hand supporting the manacles, she carefully picked up the wine pot with her right hand, only to hear a voice from beside her. "Wait a moment!" Princess Taiping, from the adjacent table, interrupted her movement. But that was all in the past. One of the Hundred Birds skirts had long since been offered by Li Guor to her mother, Empress Wei, while the other, along with Li Guor, had become Li Longji's spoils of war. Li Longji had signaled the soldiers to untie Guor from all her ropes and shackles, releasing her from the dog cage. Her limbs were free, and her strength had returned, but she was no match for Li Longji, and the guards surrounding her made escape utterly impossible. For the first time in days, she was not bound by shackles, and she felt a strange sense of unaccustomedness. Thus, clad only in her undergarments, Guor stood before Li Longji, instinctively covering herself with her hands where her chemise had shifted, revealing a hint of her flesh, lost and bewildered. "Since I'm taking you to pay a visit, how can you not be dressed beautifully? Hurry and put it on." It was only when she heard Li Longji's command that Guor suddenly awoke. She hastily and voluntarily knelt on the ground, "Your servant dares not, your servant is unworthy to wear it again. Only Princess Muyue is worthy of the Hundred Birds skirt!" Whether it was genuine or feigned, Li Longji was pleased with her submissive demeanor. Nevertheless, he had Guor change into the attire. A servant, dressed in opulent clothing yet of lowly status, would find it hard to resist such a stark contrast, no matter how composed. The green silk bandeau, the inner lining, and finally the most magnificent Hundred Birds skirt were put on one by one. Guor felt as if she had once again become Princess Anle, the most radiant woman in the capital. But she knew it was all a dream, for she saw something else in the soldiers' hands—an intricately crafted set of silver interlocking shackles. This set of interlocking shackles was composed of several slender yet sturdy silver chains, with a total of six cuffs of varying sizes attached to the ends of the chains. The largest cuff was placed around Guor's waist. The soldier pulled the silver chain upwards from the waist cuff, securing the second cuff around her delicate neck. Then, with the waist cuff as the center, four smaller cuffs were fastened to her wrists and ankles. "Click." "Click." The sound of the shackles locking echoed in Guor's mind, pulling her back to reality. She lowered her head to examine them. This set of interlocking shackles was truly a meticulously crafted work of art, perfectly matching the Hundred Birds skirt. The silver chains were etched with exquisite patterns, and each link was inlaid with delicate designs, as if ancient rhythms flowed within them. The chains intertwined, forming a complex network, with cleverly designed connection points that were both secure and flexible. The cuffs were cast with the emblem of the Crown Prince's estate, firmly locking Guor's slender limbs and showcasing the artisans' superb skill. On the inner side of the shackles, a soft lining was hidden, which could slightly alleviate the direct pressure on Guor's skin, but it could not conceal the sense of restraint brought by the silver shackles. She stood there, adorned in the resplendent Hundred Birds skirt, yet her hands and feet were bound by cold shackles, like a beautiful canary trapped in a cage. Every bit of the skirt's splendor was a mockery of her status, a false magnificence. The humiliation and helplessness in her heart were evident in her eyes. Li Longji watched coldly, calculating. Every piece in this game of power was within his grasp. Guor might have been Princess Anle once, but now she was merely a pawn in his hands, forced onto the path of destiny he had designed. "Let's go." The soldiers escorted Guor out of the room, and they set off with Li Longji to visit Princess Taiping. "Jingle bells... jingle bells..." Between her hands and feet, there were also short chains connecting the shackles, causing Guor to shuffle with each step. The hem of the Hundred Birds skirt swirled around her body, creating a stark contrast with her heavy gait. Li Longji and Guor shared a carriage. As they neared their destination, Li Longji once again placed a red rubber gag into Guor's mouth. "You just watch. We'll talk about anything when we get back to the palace." Guor thought the same. She knew she had to endure, regardless of the truth. However, the foreign object in her mouth and being led out of the carriage by Li Longji with a chain still filled her with a sense of humiliation at being controlled. Standing outside Princess Taiping's mansion to greet Li Longji's entourage was none other than Shangguan Wan'er! Shangguan Wan'er, dressed in a light green cross-collared ruqun, adorned with hairpins and makeup, greeted Li Longji with a smiling face. Her gaze flickered towards Guor, who was bound by the interlocking shackles behind Li Longji, a barely perceptible hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, as if she had long foreseen Guor's fate. Guor witnessed Shangguan Wan'er's appearance and wanted to question her, but her lips, blocked by the gag, could only emit a weak stifled sound. This former accomplice, who had once plotted with her, had now truly become a honored guest of Princess Taiping! Li Longji feigned surprise, "Miss Shangguan, you have remarkable skills. You've been freed from servitude in just a few days?"