Xie Ruzhuo didn't know how he got out of this courtyard.
When she came out, it was just before dawn. The whole night was pitch black, and you couldn't see your fingers. The cold air spread all around, making people shiver with coldness all over.
The truth in Lin Bufan's mouth was almost absurd, but Xie Ruzhuo truly knew that this was the truth. She had already suspected the death of the Empress Dowager, but she had no evidence.
But she didn't expect that a virtuous concubine could actually do such a thing. If this thing came to Xiao Junxi's ears, he wouldn't know how sad he would be!
The weather in the first month brings with it the harbinger of the revival of all things. The smell of gunpowder smoke in the air has not yet dissipated. The wealthy people have already prepared their firecrackers, waiting only to explode again during the Lantern Festival, bringing a new round of colorful fireworks. .
But Xie Ruzhuo felt deeply that the air now carried the smell of an approaching storm.
Such quietness is like the calm before the storm.
Suffocatingly oppressive.
Xiao Junxi had been waiting for her to come back, and the candles in the study were lit all night.
When Xie Ruzhuo came back, she saw the warm light on that side. Although it was dim, it inexplicably calmed her heart.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, every household hangs lanterns during the Lantern Festival.
The lanterns in the imperial city are winding like petals, all the way to the depths of the palace.
Even in the daytime, these lanterns look particularly beautiful when they are hung and blown by the wind.
It’s just that the scenery is beautiful, but no one is destined to appreciate it.
It's been the third day since I received Xiao Junhan's letter. Xianbi has been awakened by nightmares every night for the past few days, and she has been restless during the day. It felt like there was a steel knife hanging above my head, but I didn't know whose hand the other end of the rope was. She didn't know when the knife would fall and kill her.
This feeling is the most unbearable.
Just after lunch, a palace attendant came over cautiously and asked, "My Lady, do you want to sleep for a while?"
The virtuous concubine was suddenly excited, and when she turned around and saw her maid, she waved her hands haggardly and said, "No, you can go out." After she said this, she hurriedly called back to the palace and ordered, "Come out of the palace." , invite King Qi to come and say that I have something to explain."
For some reason, her uneasy feeling became stronger today, as if if she didn't see Xiao Junhan today, she would never see him again in her life.
Seeing her like this, the palace servant sighed slightly and said respectfully, "My slave, I obey."
According to the rules, children and grandchildren below the rank of concubine cannot be summoned at will, but seeing her mother-in-law like this, she could only think of a way.
Not long after the palace man left, he heard the shrill voice of the eunuch outside the door, "The emperor has arrived—"
The Xian concubine's heart was beating wildly, and she tried to calm herself down. She stood up and walked to the outer hall to greet him, "I send my regards to the Emperor."
When Emperor Jing came in, he also brought in a gust of cold wind.
He looked at Xianbi without any trace, without asking her to get up, and just locked his eyes on her.
Sensing Emperor Jing's gaze, Xian Concubine's uneasiness grew. She tried her best to raise a smile and asked in a steady voice, "Why does the emperor look at me like this? But is there anything wrong with my concubine's dress today?"
Hearing her words, Emperor Jing's face showed a hint of coldness, but his words were exceptionally calm and indifferent, "Have you ever been inappropriate, my beloved concubine?"
Ever since the virtuous concubine was taken out of the cold palace, she has become quieter and quieter. She eats fast, chants Buddhist scriptures, and prays for blessings every day, and she has become more responsible for the word virtuous.
"Get up."
Hearing the three words Emperor Jing, the wise concubine breathed a sigh of relief. She thought that Emperor Jing today only had anger in the previous dynasty, and the root cause was not with herself.
She believed that she and Emperor Jing had been a couple for many years, and she had always been very accurate in figuring out his emotions. Therefore, after making this judgment, Xianbi's heart returned to its original position, but she was still a little cautious.
Emperor Jing looked at the virtuous concubine in front of him, with a flash of murderous intent, and then turned his gaze to the statue of Guanyin in the center of her palace.
There is an incense burner placed in front of Guanyin, and the fragrance is curling up, and the room seems to be filled with the fragrance of Buddha.
"You've been very sincere lately."
Hearing this, the wise concubine smiled cautiously and said, "I am grateful for your kindness, and I just want to pray for the emperor and our court. I hope that my emperor will be healthy and have a long life. I hope that our court will have good weather and the people will be happy and healthy."
When she spoke, she seemed to have a Buddhist flavor.
Emperor Jing pointedly said, "You look like this, it reminds me of the emperor's grandmother."
The corner of the concubine's eyes twitched and she glanced at Emperor Jing. Seeing that he seemed to be just talking about family affairs, she smiled and said, "I was lucky enough to serve the Empress Dowager in my early years. Unfortunately, I was confused at that time and only learned a little bit about the Empress Dowager." .Now that I have passed this year, I feel very regretful when I think about it. Maybe if I work hard now, I will still have the opportunity to learn a thing or two from her."
"Oh, isn't it? Even your title was obtained by the Imperial Grandmother for you." When Emperor Jing said this, the smile in his eyes faded a little, and he sighed, "The Imperial Grandmother has always been kind and willing to take care of you. Junior. It’s a pity that she died too early.”
Hearing this, the wise concubine also showed a sad look, "Isn't it true? I still want to show my filial piety to the Queen Mother, but who would have thought -"
Her tears came as soon as she said it, and she burst into tears instantly, looking extremely sad.
The way Emperor Jing looked at her, this woman had always been known for being virtuous and weak. If she wasn't like this, how could she have caught the eyes of the imperial grandmother? Unfortunately!
Thinking of the scene in the imperial study room this morning, Emperor Jing's heart was filled with overwhelming anger, but his words became even calmer, "My dear concubine, I'm interested. I'm not the only one who wants to miss the emperor's grandmother. Since You are so filial, how about I help you and send you down to the Imperial Grandmother to continue your filial piety?"
As soon as he said these words, Concubine Xian's expression suddenly changed. She forced a smile and said, "Is your Majesty joking?"
But when she met the murderous intent in Emperor Jing's eyes, she was so shocked that the color drained from her face!
Such Emperor Jing made her heart beat wildly, as if she was about to burst out of her body at any moment. At this moment, without any words, Xian Concubine has truly understood one fact, that is, he knows!
"emperor-"
The wise concubine knelt down with a plop, and Emperor Jing was even in the mood to answer what she just said, "Have I ever joked with you? Come on!"
After saying that, Emperor Jing turned his head and shouted outside, "Give me some wine!"
The virtuous concubine immediately knelt down on the ground, tears streaming down her face, "Your Majesty, do you really want to treat me like this?"
She shouted these words sadly, with disbelief in her eyes. She was betting that she still had some place in Emperor Jing's heart, and that she wouldn't let him kill her without even listening to the difference!
Unfortunately, the virtuous concubine is destined to lose the bet.
Emperor Jing walked up to her step by step, bent down, held her chin firmly, and forced her to look at him, "Has the Imperial Grandmother ever treated you badly since you entered the palace?"
The Xian concubine shook her head involuntarily and said in a trembling voice, "No."
Emperor Jing was furious, but instead showed a bloodthirsty smile, "Then why did you do such a thing!"
Hearing this, the wise concubine immediately burst into tears, "Your Majesty, I don't know where you heard these rumors, but how could I do such a thing? After all, the Empress Dowager did not know what kind of rumors you heard from me. Excellent, I will definitely appreciate it!"
"You explained it well, but unfortunately, you forgot one thing." When Emperor Jing said this, he said word by word, "Since I came in until now, have I ever said anything? And why have I ever mentioned the reason for the death of the emperor's grandmother?" die?!"
After hearing this, Xian Concubine could no longer hold on, and her face turned pale.
Yes, she was too eager to argue, but she forgot that although Emperor Jing had been hinting, he had never broken this layer of paper with her!
On the contrary, the virtuous concubine, under the hint of Emperor Jing, made such retorts on her own initiative!
Emperor Jing released her chin in disgust, glanced at the palace servant who came in with the poisoned wine, and then said coldly, "Now I will save some dignity for you, you can go on your way!"
Hearing this, the wise concubine knew that there was no room for change in the matter. She glanced at the wine pot desperately, then suddenly remembered something, kowtowed and cried, "I know that my sins are serious. I only hope that after my death, the emperor will not blame Han'er for my sins. After all, he is also your flesh and blood." ah!"
Emperor Jing hated her so much that he gritted his teeth, but he was no more concerned about Xiao Junhan's face than he was before, so he gave the virtuous concubine a pot of poisonous wine.
But how could he say what was in his heart to a virtuous concubine
Emperor Jing suddenly smiled coldly and said, "You are really wild at heart, but I might as well tell you that just because you are my mother-in-law, my position in the future will be that of the third child!"
The Xian concubine's face could not be any whiter, and these words were like a big stone hitting her heart non-stop, causing her whole body to tremble in pain.
She has been fighting and fighting her whole life, but when it comes, she still hasn't won this position for her son. She refuses to accept it!
Seeing the despair in the eyes of the wise concubine, Emperor Jing felt very sick. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and said, "Watch her on her way!" and strode out of the palace.
The little eunuch was holding the poisoned wine and looked at the virtuous concubine sitting on the ground. He became a little impatient at the moment. He winked at the other palace people and said in a sharp voice, "Send the virtuous concubine on her way -"
When Xiao Junhan came, he happened to hear these words. The face of the maid who was looking for him changed, and she immediately ran in regardless of her appearance.
I saw the wise concubine being held down by several father-in-laws and forcefully drank the poisonous wine. She struggled and screamed, and spread the poisonous wine all over her clothes.
However, the done thing is done.
Xiao Junhan took a few steps in. After seeing this scene, he immediately kicked the leading father-in-law and cursed angrily, "You can't touch my mother-in-law!"
He used so much force that the father-in-laws didn't dare to fight back. They were kicked so hard that they couldn't breathe for a while. But after seeing Xiao Junhan's face, they didn't dare to stay here any longer. He just said, "This It’s the emperor’s order!”
Several people ran away quickly.
Anyway, once the poisonous wine was poured down, no one could change this fact. Their errand was finally completed.
If he stays here any longer, there is no guarantee that King Qi will not vent his anger on these minions in his rage.
In this deep harem, the lives of slaves are like ants, and no one takes them seriously.