This Hatred and Love are Endless

The next day, Amy's coronation ceremony as Empress officially began.

The ceremony was held in the bell tower outside the Throne Hall. Below, drums and gongs rang out, and the streets were packed with people celebrating.

Even the officials of the imperial harem, both high and low, went to participate.

I leaned against the palace gates, the smell of medicine lingering around me, gazing toward the Throne Hall.

Huston had told me that since I still needed to recover, it was inconvenient for me to attend.

"Inconvenient?"

"More like he's worried that Miss Renee will lose her mind and cause trouble for Empress Amy!"

"Exactly! When a woman gets jealous, it's dangerous! Of course, the Emperor needs to be cautious!"

Carol chased away the gossiping maids and returned to comfort me, but I could only shake my head and smile bitterly.

Huston, there was no need for you to guard against me.

Since you had already made your decision, I would naturally obey you.

Not long after Amy was crowned Empress, she predictably came to my palace.

She wore an Empress's robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, the phoenix tail patterns on her sash gleaming, highlighting her regal status.

Arrogantly, she knocked over my medicine pot and slapped me.

"The year's end is approaching, and I will be offering prayers and sacrifices for the people alongside the Emperor. No medicine brewing is allowed in the harem during such a sacred time! How dare you!"

Feeling the stinging pain on my face, I gently explained.

"The Emperor personally approved my medicine brewing so I could recover quickly and bring him joy. I ask the Empress to understand."

I didn't know what nerve this struck, but her eyebrows furrowed sharply.

Suddenly he grabbed my neck.

"Approved? The Emperor only gives you face out of respect for your childhood connection! And you dare to use his words to threaten me?"

"Go kneel outside the palace! You'll only rise when I'm satisfied!"

I had no choice but to stand and kneel in the courtyard. In the bitter cold of winter, the icy white jade stones stabbed painfully into my knees.

The old wound on my neck began bleeding again from her grip.

Gasping for breath, my frail body trembled.

Amy, still filled with rage, kicked me.

"Kneel properly! Stop pretending to be weak!"

My body shook, my heart pounding.

Through the blur of my vision, I saw a figure in yellow robes approaching quickly.

Then, I lost consciousness.