klisemfg Chapter 341: The Cold Palace
Chapter 341: The Cold Palace
Chapter 341: The Cold Palace
"Young Master Shen, what are you saying? This princess is quite fond of you." As she spoke, she giggled confidently, which infuriated Shen Bin. He stepped forward and grabbed her arm with no hesitation. His eyes were fixed on Princess Xiangping as if spitting fire.
Princess Xiangping felt pain in her arm as Shen Bin held her like that, but she didn't show it. Her phoenix eyes were fixed on Shen Bin's profile, and she seemed a little dazed. Then she smiled and said, "Young Master Shen, don't be angry. I'll take you to see that bitch, oh, no, I mean, Sister Ning'er." She deliberately emphasized the word "bitch," and then covered her face and chuckled.
Her eyes kept stealing glances at Shen Bin. Upon hearing that he could see Zhao Ning'er, Shen Bin hesitated slightly before releasing her hand. Noticing the bruise on her arm, he quickly stepped aside.
Princess Xiangping walked slowly ahead with small, quick steps, while Shen Bin followed absentmindedly behind her. Occasionally, she would glance back at Shen Bin with a smile, which he would avoid with a look of disgust, feeling extremely annoyed. He wondered to himself what she was up to this time.
But looking at Princess Xiangping's retreating figure, he couldn't guess what was going on. He thought to himself that he should see Ning'er first. The two of them walked for an unknown amount of time, and the road became increasingly remote. The road was overgrown with weeds, and there were some broken branches and tree stumps, which had long been eaten away by insects, leaving only the surface bark.
For some reason, Shen Bin immediately felt a sense of unease and became more vigilant, while Princess Xiangping strolled leisurely ahead. The further they walked, the more remote the place became. Even the wind seemed chilly. They came upon a grand hall, but it lacked the splendor of other palaces. It appeared to be ancient, the plaque long since blurred and illegible. Weeds grew rampant around it, the doors were dilapidated, and the scene was desolate and bleak.
The palace was pitch black, a stark contrast to the bright sunshine outside. Inside, it was eerie and frightening, a stark contrast to the sunlit earth. The sounds of a woman crying and maniacal laughter frequently drifted from within. Occasionally, there were sounds of wooden objects being pounded, and curses being shouted.
Shen Bin watched Princess Xiangping walk calmly ahead, but upon seeing the palace, he hesitated and dared not approach. "Where is this?" he couldn't help but ask, looking at Princess Xiangping's retreating figure.
The former turned around in surprise, then smiled at Shen Bin, finding it both amusing and perplexing. He himself had remained so calm in the face of this scene, yet Shen Bin's eyes held a hint of fear.
"This place...this is the Cold Palace." She finished speaking and continued walking forward. Shen Bin lowered his head in thought. The Cold Palace? A place for those who are no longer favored?
"You took Ning'er to the Cold Palace?" She strode forward, blocking Princess Xiangping's path, her eyes filled with undisguised ruthlessness as she questioned her. The Cold Palace wasn't cold in any physical way; the only thing cold was the human heart. Most of those who fell out of favor were pampered young ladies, and after losing their place in the Cold Palace, they couldn't bear the thought of being left unattended.
Moreover, no one could speak, the cold palace was unattended and poorly maintained. They were often starving, and when they saw food, they were like hungry wolves spotting their prey.
Shen Bin was aware of the rumors circulating about the Cold Palace: people there had short lifespans, corpses were everywhere, and there were even tales of cannibalism. Thinking of the scene there, he anxiously inquired about Zhao Ning'er's condition from Princess Xiangping. Princess Xiangping stared at him blankly, then scoffed, "Young Master Shen, you're hurting me. How could I possibly bear to leave Ning'er, who is so frail, in this Cold Palace?"
Shen Bin looked at her with a seemingly kind expression and felt a surge of disgust. He glanced at her suspiciously, and only when he felt that she wasn't lying did he slowly let go of her hand.
Princess Xiangping bypassed the Cold Palace and walked for a while until she reached a secluded path. The path was very narrow, only wide enough for one person to pass through at a time. Shen Bin followed anxiously behind Princess Xiangping. He didn't know how long they would have to walk, but looking at the surrounding environment—dark and cold—he couldn't help but wonder where Zhao Ning'er was, and whether she was suffering inhuman torture.
Shen Bin couldn't help but want to ask Princess Xiangping, but then he noticed the road was opening up a bit, and there was a thatched hut not far away. Shen Bin guessed that Zhao Ning'er must be inside. He hurriedly bypassed Princess Xiangping and walked towards the thatched hut, but his heart was filled with unease. He was afraid that he would find either a corpse or a person covered in wounds.
But thinking that Princess Xiangping wanted to marry him, he couldn't possibly be so impulsive. He quickly dismissed his suspicions and hurried towards the thatched hut. When he touched the door, his heart sank. The door was locked. He and Zhao Ning'er were separated by only one door. As long as the door opened, he could see her.
Thinking to himself, he turned around and saw Princess Xiangping staring at him. She seemed to have guessed that Shen Bin would turn to look at her, and her eyes betrayed her smugness. Shen Bin lowered his gaze, suppressing his temper, and said to Princess Xiangping, who was standing still, as if trying not to be angry, "Open the door."
Princess Xiangping covered her face and smiled, slowly walking up to Shen Bin. She took out a key the size of a fingernail from her sleeve, gave Shen Bin a meaningful look, and then slowly inserted the key into the lock.
Watching her leisurely movements, Shen Bin snatched the key and opened the door. He rushed inside, unaware that Princess Xiangping was waving at a tree next to the thatched hut. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past, and a man in black stood before her. Princess Xiangping looked at the man in black, a strange smile appearing on her face.
The man in black, looking at Princess Xiangping's smile, felt a chill for some reason. He had heard rumors about Princess Xiangping—gentle, generous, and a talented woman. Now, realizing this, he could hardly believe it, and couldn't help but curse those who praised her. Where was the gentleness and generosity? She was a woman with a heart of stone.
As soon as Shen Bin entered, he saw Zhao Ning'er lying on the ground, her head covered with a black burlap sack, and her hands tightly bound. Some bruises were visible. Shen Bin quickly removed the burlap sack from her head. Zhao Ning'er, who had been asleep on the ground, woke up alertly when she sensed someone approaching.
When Shen Bin lifted the black sack from Zhao Ning'er's head, he saw her familiar face and excitedly hugged her. Zhao Ning'er was a little flustered by the sudden embrace, but that familiar embrace made her nose tingle, and tears soaked Shen Bin's shirt.
The sudden embrace overwhelmed her with unspeakable grievances, and she burst into tears. Hearing Zhao Ning'er's sobs, Shen Bin didn't know what to do and hugged her even tighter. "I'm sorry you had to suffer like this," Shen Bin said softly, looking down at Zhao Ning'er in his arms, his heart filled with complex emotions.