The whip still landed on Shen Miao.
She roared in pain, "Ah! It hurts! What are you still standing there for! Come out quickly. Are you just going to watch me die?"
Blood oozed from Shen Miao's arm and dripped onto the ground.
As soon as she finished speaking, two black - clad men suddenly appeared in front of Shen Miao. They stood in front of her like meat shields to block the attacks.
"So you've even hired some helpers? It seems you're doing quite well!" Shen Li looked at the two men who suddenly appeared. A fighting spirit ignited in her eyes as she spoke with a teasing tone.
The two black - clad men remained silent. One of them insisted on taking Shen Miao away.
But Shen Miao refused to leave until she achieved her goal.
"You are the subordinates of my Brother Hanzhi. You're just lowly servants. I order you to kill Shen Li now!"
The two black - clad men were suddenly stunned. They looked at Shen Miao and then at Shen Li, looking very hesitant.
"If you don't go, I'll complain to Brother Hanzhi when we get back! Let's see what your end will be!"
Seeing the embarrassed look on the black - clad men's faces, Shen Li understood immediately: "It seems you're from the Fourth Prince. You also know who I am. Then give it a try. I'll convince you heart and soul."
The black - clad man clasped his fists and said, "Forgive our rudeness, Miss Shen."
Although the two black - clad men were not extremely powerful, they were not weak either. It seemed that Xiao Hanzhi still cared quite a bit about Shen Miao.
Shen Li and Han Yue each faced one black - clad man, and they still seemed to have more than enough strength.
With the whip in her hand, Shen Li made it impossible for the black - clad man to get close to her. As time passed second by second, the black - clad man gradually became exhausted, and there were several whip wounds on his body.
Now Shen Li could wield the whip superbly.
"Forget it. I don't have time to play with you. I originally planned to spare you for a few days, but you insist on challenging my patience. Then I'll just do as you wish." Shen Li waved the whip towards the black - clad man's neck.
It seemed as if she was going to take his life.
The black - clad man wanted to dodge but couldn't because Shen Li's speed was too fast.
The whip wrapped around the black - clad man's neck. He grabbed the whip with both hands, trying to break free, but the whip clung tightly and there was a faint tightening feeling.
With his life in her grasp, he didn't even have time to plead for mercy.
"Han Yue, you guard these two. Don't kill them. I don't like that." Shen Li threw the whip to Han Yue.
She then used her light - body technique and attacked in Shen Miao's direction.
Shen Miao wanted to run, but how could she outrun Shen Li?
She was directly grabbed by the collar by Shen Li, just like a chicken being caught by an eagle.
"You had so much bravado just now. Why are you running?"
Caught, Shen Miao was so scared that she immediately pleaded for mercy: "Good elder sister, I... I was wrong. Please spare me."
"That's not possible. I still have to keep you alive so that you can experience the several major tortures of my Night Shade Division. I originally wanted to spare your life, but who knew you were so ungrateful."
"Don't... don't..."
Shen Miao was extremely scared. Big teardrops rolled down, and she kept pleading for mercy.
Shen Li still wanted to scare her some more, but Shen Miao actually fainted from fear, which completely killed Shen Li's interest.
Just like this, the two of them dragged these three burdens back to the Night Shade Division.
...
The next day, in the Imperial Garden, Concubine Chen walked leisurely. Suddenly, the maid beside her pointed forward and covered her mouth, saying, "Why has the Empress brought her habit of praying and chanting Buddha to the Imperial Garden?"
Concubine Chen narrowed her eyes. She clearly saw the Empress offering incense in a pavilion in the distance. The fresh chrysanthemum she had just picked was crushed by her and casually thrown on the ground without any pity.
She put her hand on the maid's and gently curled her lips. She sneered in the direction of the Empress: "Let's go. Let's go over and have a look. By the way, let's get some edification from the Empress's Buddha incense."
She swayed her waist and walked gracefully.
The maid was obviously a bit surprised. After all, on normal days, Concubine Chen didn't want to see the Empress, let alone participate in the things the Empress liked.
As soon as they entered the pavilion, Concubine Chen greeted with a polite smile: "What a coincidence, elder sister. I didn't expect to meet you here today. I thought you didn't have such an interest on normal days."
The Empress looked non - committal. Her bright yellow clothes were a bit dazzling. Her eyes didn't stay on Concubine Chen for long. After a quick glance, she just nodded faintly: "The weather is nice today. Sister can stay in the Imperial Garden for a while."
The Empress told the servants to pack up the things. It was obvious that she didn't want to stay any longer. But Concubine Chen was like a curious child. She stood on the path the servants had to pass, clearly blocking their way.
"I wonder what elder sister is doing? Sister's talent is not as good as yours on normal days. I have to listen to your explanation. I'm really curious."
As she said this, Concubine Chen covered her mouth and laughed, looking a bit shy. The Empress still had the same expression. She took Concubine Chen's hand and put the Buddhist beads on the Concubine's wrist: "Buddhist beads can calm the mind and clear the qi. If sister is really interested, you might as well go to the Royal Ancestral Hall more often."
As soon as the Empress let go, for some reason, Concubine Chen fell backwards and shouted, "Elder sister, why did you push me!"
Even though the maid beside her was quick - witted, she still couldn't catch Concubine Chen. Concubine Chen fell to the ground in a sorry state. She lay on the ground and refused to get up, stroking her foot.
The Empress frowned. Looking at the farce in front of her, after living in the harem for so long, she was already tired of such petty tricks. She secretly sneered in her heart that Concubine Chen was regressing. She was even showing off such shabby tricks.
So the Empress didn't do anything. She just watched coldly. She raised her hand and ordered the maids around: "The Concubine just accidentally fell. Someone, quickly help her up!"
Several maids immediately went to help the Concubine up after receiving the order. But the maid beside Concubine Chen also received a signal from her and kept blocking the maids. The several of them were shoving each other, and it seemed as if they were about to fight.
Xiao Huaishi saw this scene from afar. He walked over with a dark face: "Why are you still shoving and pulling in the Imperial Garden? What kind of propriety is this! One is the mistress of the harem, and the other is a noble concubine!"
Obviously, Xiao Huaishi was angry. There was even fire in his eyes. The maids and eunuchs beside him quickly knelt down. The Empress curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, it's my fault. The Concubine just accidentally fell, and I failed to handle this matter in time. Please punish me."
Hearing this, Xiao Huaishi looked at Concubine Chen coldly. On normal days, Concubine Chen was a bit lively in front of him. She always did some small and playful things, but they were harmless, so he just turned a blind eye.