Chapter 1966: Don’t, Don’t Leave

“This was a very disappointing incident that also consumed a lot of system energy. Therefore, you must be punished,” the favored concubine system said coldly.

“No, ah-!” Attendant Zhou instantly felt as though her body wasn’t her own. Her flesh was pierced by countless knives and she was in agony as metal scraped against her bones.

All of that horrific pain hit Attendant Zhou in a single moment. Her pupils dilated, she dripped with sweat, and blood from the wound on her back soaked her clothes.

She couldn’t even pass out, only able to lie there and suffer seemingly endless pain.

Attendant Zhou was sweating profusely. Her face was ashen and she breathed rapidly through an open mouth as tears streamed from her eyes. She begged the system, “Please have mercy! I’ll definitely complete the task well-it hurts, it hurts!”

“Just kill me! Even if the emperor doesn’t kill me, you’ll just torture me to death. So I might as well die,” Attendant Zhou roared.

“If you wish to be free of this system, then I’ll leave.” The favored concubine system’s mechanical voice was frigid.

“Don’t, don’t leave.” Attendant Zhou’s tone immediately softened. She was still subconsciously relying on the system, even though she despised its cruelty.

Once the system really left, Attendant Zhou would definitely be at a loss for what to do. It had always been the one to plan her next move. Without the system’s tasks, Attendant Zhou was lost.

In the entire harem, all she could count on was the favored concubine system.

With the system’s clever use of rewards and punishments, it enslaved Attendant Zhou.

After finally surviving her punishment, Attendant Zhou immediately fainted.

When Ning Shu left the Palace of Moonlight, a maid from the Palace of Prolonged Autumn informed her that the emperor was waiting for her there.

Ning Shu returned to the Palace of Prolonged Autumn and saw Zhao Xu drinking tea. She saluted him and asked, “How come Your Majesty is visiting at a time like this?”

“Where did my empress go?” Zhao Xu put the teacup down and looked at Ning Shu.

Ning Shu sighed and said, “Attendant Zhou was awake so this subject wife went to see her. After all, she was injured while saving Your Majesty, so this subject wife was obligated to visit.”

“Is she better?” Zhao Xu asked, his expression calm.

Ning Shu nodded. “Since she is currently awake, did Your Majesty want to visit her?” Ning Shu asked.

“There’s no need. Just ask the imperial physician to treat her well.”

“I will.” Ning Shu nodded as was expected of her.

“Empress, I want to dismiss all the dancers in the palace. We will keep no more dancers here,” Zhao Xu said.

Ning Shu had no opinion on the matter either way. The women in this inner palace were all Zhao Xu’s reserve concubines, including those dancers. But there was one problem with his plan…

“Your Majesty, imagine that the dancers have been dismissed. What would you do if an important banquet was held and you needed music and dancing? Letting dancers from outside the palace enter would be even more dangerous.”

“This subject wife thinks that we should check the identities of these dancers again. Then send away any who might become a problem,” Ning Shu said.

Zhao Xu thought for a while before nodding. “That is an issue. As the emperor of a country, my reputation would be ruined if I couldn’t even provide a single dancing girl to entertain foreign visitors.”

“I’ll assign someone to do this,” he said. “You were also shocked by the events at the banquet. You should rest as well.”

This was a harem matter yet Zhao Xu wanted someone else to handle it. It was obvious that he didn’t trust her.

Ning Shu nodded. “This subject wife thanks the emperor for his concern. Your Majesty should also take good care of your dragon body.”

Zhao Xu stood up and took a step forward before turning his head. “Give Attendant Zhou something as a reward.”

Editor: Shark

Translator: Kaho