Emily Clark knew that there was no way she could escape this calamity today. However, no matter what, she could not allow her master to remain by this woman's side, nor could she let her master suffer any punishment. Grace, who was beside her, kept begging for mercy, but the cold-hearted Consort Yu paid her no heed, not even sparing her a glance. Gritting her teeth, Emily Clark somehow found the strength to suddenly break free from the two eunuchs, throwing herself at Consort Yu's feet and repeatedly kowtowing as she pleaded, "Your Highness, all the fault lies with us servants; it has nothing to do with the Seventh Prince. It doesn't matter if I am punished, but please do not blame the Seventh Prince. From now on, we will serve His Highness with utmost dedication and will never make another mistake!" After speaking, Emily Clark knocked her head on the ground several more times, beads of blood seeping from her forehead. At that moment, the dull sound of a board and Grace's anguished screams came from the next room.

Consort Yu looked in surprise at the stubborn girl before her. For a moment, her heart nearly softened. However, her dignity as a noble consort ultimately prevailed. After a brief pause, she spoke slowly, "You are a girl with some conscience. But since you wish for the Seventh Prince to be spared punishment, then you must bear his share in his place. Are you willing?"

"I am willing to accept the punishment," Emily Clark finally breathed a sigh of relief, "I only ask that Your Highness allow me to continue serving His Highness."

"This request I will grant," Consort Yu nodded indifferently. "Take her away and, together with the prince's share, give her thirty heavy strokes."

Chapter Four: A Bolt from the Blue

Cheerfully admiring the scenery of Lingbo Palace, Ethan Foster had no idea that, in a hidden chamber out of his sight, Emily Clark and Grace were enduring a brutal beating. Grace had already fainted from the pain, while Emily Clark's ordeal was just beginning. The eunuch in charge of the punishment would show no mercy to such palace maids; every blow made Emily Clark feel pain deep in her bones. At first, she managed to stifle her cries, but as a frail young woman who had never suffered such torment, she soon lost control of her emotions and broke down in tears. She could feel her undergarments soaked with blood, her flesh torn with each stroke, yet the merciless eunuch continued. In a daze, she seemed to see Ethan Foster's smiling face. Your Highness, do you know? For you, Emily Clark will never fear mere corporal punishment...

"Your Highness, Grace's punishment is finished. Both she and Emily Clark have already fainted," reported one of the eunuchs who had just entered. "Emily Clark could only endure twenty-seven strokes before she collapsed."

"So this stubborn girl can't take a beating after all." Consort Yu raised the teacup in her hand, brushed away the tea leaves with the lid, and took a gentle sip. "This tea is quite good. Little Jack, have them send more next time." She turned her head to another eunuch standing by.

Little Jack quickly nodded in agreement. Consort Yu nonchalantly continued speaking to the eunuch in charge of the punishment, "Jack Foster, you were too careless. Two lovely young girls, and you struck them so harshly. I only meant to give them a slight punishment, yet you made both of them faint. When Ethan comes in and asks about it, how am I supposed to explain?"

Jack Foster was taken aback. He had only followed Consort Yu's order to "punish them severely," and now he was being blamed. But as a servant, how could he dare to argue? He could only accept his bad luck. "It was my heavy hand, Your Highness. Please forgive me."

"Enough, let this matter end here for today. Have a few people take the two girls to Fenghua Palace, and instruct everyone—including the eunuchs and maids of Fenghua Palace—not to breathe a word of this. Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished!" Consort Yu glanced at those kneeling on the ground. Jack Foster immediately felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, and quickly kowtowed in agreement.

Accompanying Ethan Foster on a stroll was not an enviable task. Everyone in Lingbo Palace knew he was a prince out of favor and feared being blamed by their master for neglecting their duties. But Sarah was an exception. As the second most important person in Lingbo Palace, her status was extraordinary. After dismissing all the surrounding eunuchs and maids, she enthusiastically pointed out the palace sights to Ethan Foster. Ethan Foster had never known that, while he had always dreamed of living in a spacious, bright house, there were actually people dissatisfied with such a life. If he were not now someone other than that country boy, and if he did not possess the real memories of Ethan Foster, he would surely have cried out in surprise. Bending down slightly, he placed his hand in the clear water, and a bone-chilling cold made him shiver, nearly losing his grip on the railing.

"My little ancestor!" Sarah could not contain her emotions. Although she did not have deep feelings for this prince, she knew that beneath his frail appearance was a stubborn heart. Seeing his childish behavior now, she suddenly realized that Ethan Foster was still a child in need of care, and her heart was filled with a rare tenderness. "Do you not care about your life? Don't you know the state of your own body? Just wait and see how Her Highness will punish you!" Sarah had lost her usual sternness, her tone now that of an elder.