The Little Consort's
Eps. 26: Punishment for Li Anlan

At night, when the guards changed shifts in the king's palace, and the night became quiet, the situation in it was even quieter. The main room of Hongwu Palace was like uninhabited, even though the occupant along with his eunuch and two other people were in the room.

Long Ji Man, from above his seat of greatness, sat firmly staring coldly at the two women kneeling in front of him. One woman dressed as a man, another as a servant. The woman in men's clothes did not look down like a woman in servant's clothes, but rather firmly looked back at Long Ji Man.

After returning from the old house in the forest, Long Ji Man immediately dragged Li Anlan back to the palace to account for his actions. The maid, Xie Roulan, was also called to account for her actions for not taking good care of her master to the point of daring to let him sneak out of the palace.

One time is still understandable, twice is not tolerated. Li Anlan was extremely brave, risking his small life of only one. How could he have escaped twice in less than seven days?

Long Ji Man said many times in his heart, this wasted concubine of his was the bravest woman. Never doubt, never fear, and never flirt. Her character really cannot be found in any woman in this world.

"Li Anlan, is there something you want to say?"

Wuss...

The wind from outside suddenly blew, infiltrating through the gaps of doors and windows, and through an air ventilator. Li Anlan's fur immediately stood up all. That damn wind made the atmosphere inside Hongwu Palace even more sinister. The situation is so gripping. The brightly lit room turned like a courtroom, which tried the suspect via live broadcast.

The suspect is Li Anlan. The witness was Xie Roulan. The judge is Long Ji Man. The audience of the trial was Xiao Biqi. The case was the case of an outcast concubine who had not taken the title of sneaking out of the palace without permission twice. The greatest threat of punishment is the death penalty.

Li Anlan was like a persecuted defendant. He became a suspected violator of the palace's protocol of excellence. Li Anlan commits a crime of recreation without the permission of her husband, who is forced to break the rules for the sake of a speck of freedom and breathe fresh air, all while enjoying the scenery and opening a company.

"If Your Majesty wants to punish me, punish me."

"You should be punished."

That cold tone and gaze made Li Anlan freeze. Vibes caused this kind of situation just like he was in a dark haunted house. The entire inside of Hongwu Palace was like he was staring at her.

"The master will not run away if his servant lacks courage."

"Please don't involve my servant!"

The tense situation actually made Li Anlan become annoyed. Long Ji Man's aura was indeed sinister, but the man's attitude made Li Anlan cluck. The man was talking too much and rambling.

Long Ji Man who became king was very much different from Long Ji Man as a eunuch. Li Anlan realized that Long Ji Man being a eunuch was not this cold. Also, it does not restrict its space of movement and does not prohibit anything it does. Long Ji Man who became a eunuch was a little warmer and friendlier. It was very much different from Long Ji Man being a king.

"good. Since you're so brave, then I've decided on a suitable punishment for you."

Li Anlan held her breath.

"You must be my servant for an entire month!"

Li Anlan's brain bugs for a few seconds.

"What's? Are you serious?"

Although Long Ji Man did not understand what Li Anlan was saying, but he understood that this woman was protesting.

"Still want to protest?"

"No, I mean, why should I be a waiter?"

Yes, Long Ji Man thought he should teach his concubine a lesson personally. Li Anlan's stubborn character would not be faced by anyone other than himself. Li Anlan's disrespectful and arrogant conduct made Long Ji Man intervene on his own. The woman should know the limits and feel the punishment in order not to create problems in the future.

Xiao Biqi came out to pick up some items. When the eunuch returned, in his hand was already a special set of clothes that the high-level servants wore, or that the palace chief often wore. It's light gray. In addition to clothes, on top of it were also hats and belts.

"I have to wear this?"

"Walking punishment must be wholehearted."

Li Anlan wanted to protest, but it was no longer possible. The decision on his punishment has been made. Inevitably, Li Anlan had to accept and live it. This is the consequence he has to bear. With a heavy heart, Li Anlan was forced to accept the servant clothes that he had to wear tomorrow until the next month.

"Because you neglected to look after your master, your salary will be cut for three months!" exclaimed Long Ji Man at Xie Roulan whose body position had already turned into a prostration position.

"Hey, you said you wouldn't involve my servant!"

"I never said that."

What happened to this man?

Li Anlan did not expect, Long Ji Man still also involved Xie Roulan. Though, this was purely his fault, not Xie Roulan's fault. Xie Roulan was only a servant who received the master's orders, never provoking or inciting him. Li Anlan himself had the initiative.

No, Li Anlan did not like someone teasing those closest to her. Xie Roulan was the person he first met when he reached this world. Xie Roulan was the first good person to treat him like a precious treasure. Xie Roulan had absolutely nothing to do with this.

"Men are not consistent."

"Because you said so, then your sentence plus two more months!"

Li Anlan did not want to argue anymore. This guy is so stubborn. His authority as king was strong and firm. But, still, it should not abuse the authority to punish innocent people!

Out of annoyance, Li Anlan finally decided to return home to Xingyue Palace. The woman stood up, then took a quick step while pulling Xie Roulan's hand, in order to get out of this cursed place immediately.

When the two reached the exit of Hongwu Palace, Li Anlan told Xie Roulan to return first. Li Anlan wanted to calm herself down by enjoying the scenery and the quiet atmosphere of the night, a less meaningful piece of her life.

On top of the bridge of Lake Houchi, Li Anlan stood staring at the stars and glittering palace buildings from a distance. This palace was so vast and majestic, but it seemed to be uninhabited. The atmosphere of the night like this made Li Anlan remember his pleasant life in modern times.

The nights of Li Anlan in modern times are always crowded. He will go out to play with his community and friends, then go home if he is tired. The warmth given by her friends made Li Anlan feel like she had a family. But here, he only had a loyal servant and a kind brother. Only they were the ones on Li Anlan's back.

Sometimes Li Anlan asked, what exactly is the purpose of his life in this world. She comes without a guide, without a clue, without knowing anything and immediately plays an outcast concubine who happens to look like, surname, and name the same. Li Anlan had thought of finding a way back, but then he remembered that he had fallen from a height to the bottom of a ravine in the mountains. The chances of surviving are very small. If discovered, Li Anlan would definitely not survive for long.

Li Anlan had always felt that the palace was not a safe place. In the palace, anyone can be a suspect. Danger is always lurking everywhere. She knew the characteristics of a cunning palace woman, she knew how ruthless politics and power struggles were. Because the most terrible is the competition between women and the seizure of the throne.

Li Anlan stared at the calm surface of Lake Houchi. That's where it first appeared. It was there that he met Long Ji Man for the first time. Suddenly, a thought ran through his mind. If this lake had magical power that could exchange the body and soul of someone from another world, then this lake would also definitely be able to return that soul and body back to its original world.

Li Anlan threw her servant clothes at just any place. Without a second thought, he jumped straight into Houchi Lake. Li Anlan's body that fell from the bridge into the water made quite a loud noise, breaking the silence of the night around the area.

Li Anlan sank deeper and deeper.

...***...