Song Lianhe snapped back to her senses and dropped to her knees with a thud. "Cheng Hong greets Your Majesty."
But the movement was too abrupt and pulled at the wound on her back. She hissed in pain, her features contorting, but she dared not rise.
Zhou Cangyan merely glanced in her direction, his gaze indifferent, before quickly looking away again.
Lu Shunfu chuckled softly and said respectfully to Emperor Cheng Xiao, "Your Majesty, Princess Cheng Hong is truly devoted to you! The County Princess is injured, yet she knelt so firmly. Even this old servant feels the pain for her just watching."
Chief Eunuch Lu Shunfu was an attendant who had served Emperor Cheng Xiao since childhood. He was, naturally, the Emperor's eyes and mouth.
Emperor Cheng Xiao said kindly, "You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shuang Ye quickly helped Song Lianhe to her feet. Zhou Cangyan's gaze swept imperceptibly over her knees.
