Leo thought to himself, feeling a strange sensation in his heart.
Although the Cold Palace was located within the unrevealed area of the Imperial Palace, it did not refer to a specific place. Any place where concubines were confined was commonly known as the “Cold Palace.”
If the rumors from the eunuch were true, then this place could also be considered a “Cold Palace.”
Being sent to the Cold Palace was essentially being deposed. Most concubines sent to the Cold Palace would be secluded in remote chambers, without a fixed location.
In history, it was extremely rare for concubines to be demoted to commoners. Usually, their titles would be revoked, and they would be demoted to lower-ranking concubines.
Even if they were demoted to commoners, they would be imprisoned in a dark little house, similar to prisoners. They would not be allowed to leave the palace.
“As women of the emperor, although they may appear glamorous on the surface, they actually live quite miserable lives, especially those who have been sent to the Cold Palace.”
Moved by the scene, Sophia’s voice echoed softly. “I once read a report that described a royal woman called Concubine Pearl being sent to the Cold Palace. She was locked in a room with one window that remained open. Meals and washing were done by servants passing things through the window. Concubine Pearl was not allowed to talk with the maids of honor.”
“No communication is the most suffocating thing. She ate the same food as ordinary servants. Two eunuchs took turns monitoring her…”
In the Imperial Palace, which had experienced more than 560 years of vicissitudes, many stories of emperors, concubines, and princes were left behind.
Within the towering palace walls stood a formidable fortress.
In a feudal society where men were superior and women were inferior, the fate of women in the palace had always been tragic.
Indeed, entering the palace was like entering an abyss, full of twists and turns and endless grievances.
“Let’s go,” Leo said, afraid that Sophia would become too melancholic. He pulled her away from this courtyard.
Although Sophia was a powerful businesswoman, deep down in her heart, she could still be sentimental at times.
After walking through a long and narrow passage and passing through a moon gate, both of them stopped in their tracks.
The sight before them was quite extraordinary!
In this season of autumn winds, it should not be a time when various flowers bloomed.
What appeared before their eyes was a small garden.
In the garden, various flowers bloomed in competition, displaying their unique beauty.
With the addition of artificial hills and flowing water, stepping into this garden felt like entering a magnificent painting.
“It’s so beautiful!” Sophia never expected to find such a small garden in this unrevealed area. She couldn’t help but admire it.
After the initial shock, Leo quickly regained his composure.
This garden was definitely abnormal!
Entering the unrevealed area, one could tell from the greenery in the courtyard they had just passed that there were hardly any gardeners maintaining it, let alone planting various types of flowers.
Moreover, some of these flowers shouldn’t even be blooming at this time!
Take pansies, dwarf morning glories, daisies, and Imogen flowers for example; they only bloom in spring.
This scene that defied logic made Leo more cautious. He extended his Divine Awareness.
Strangely enough, he didn’t detect anything abnormal.
According to the feedback from his Divine Awareness, all the colorful flowers in the garden were real and not illusions.
Captivated by the beautiful scenery, Sophia couldn’t help but approach for a closer look.
Leo pulled her hand and said cautiously, “Something seems off about this place. I’ll go ahead, and you follow behind me.”
Although the flowers in the garden were blooming brilliantly, there was no fragrance in the air.
In stark contrast to the beautiful garden was a small palace on their right side. Weathered by time, it appeared quite old.
Especially the two copper rings on the palace gate; they were not locked and covered in green patina. It was evident that they hadn’t been opened for a long time.
“Honey, look ahead! It seems like there’s a well!” Sophia pointed ahead and couldn’t help but exclaim.
Leo looked ahead and indeed saw a well located near the wall of the garden.
As they approached slowly, they noticed something peculiar: the plants and flowers near the well had withered.
Strangely enough, this well appeared to be an ordinary ancient well. However, the closer they got to it, the stronger an eerie feeling crept into their hearts.
Under the detection of Divine Awareness, there was nothing abnormal about this well either.
While Leo pondered about this well, he saw Sophia’s eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.
She took a few steps forward, trying to look into the well.
“Don’t get closer!” Leo whispered urgently as he quickly pulled her back.
Only then did Sophia snap out of it, her eyes filled with fear. She murmured, “Why… how strange… Oh look! There’s a stone next to the well. It seems like… there are words on it!”
Leo also noticed the stone next to the well. Covered in thick dust, he could vaguely see traces of writing on it but couldn’t make out what it said.
With a gentle sweep of his right hand, Leo cleared away the dust on the stone.
When he saw what was written on it, both Sophia and Leo were stunned.
There were only three words on the stone – Concubine Pearl Well!
A strange and eerie aura enveloped them.
This was actually Concubine Pearl Well! But wait, Concubine Pearl Well was seen before in the open area within Gate of Continuous Harmony at the northern end of Ning Shou Palace. How could it be here?
Moreover, the Concubine Pearl Well within Gate of Continuous Harmony had its well opening sealed with a stone and small holes on both sides for inserting iron bars to lock it. It was sealed by the management office of the Imperial Palace.
However, this “Concubine Pearl Well” in front of them was not locked. With an octagonal well opening, even with sunlight shining directly on it now, it was pitch black inside.