Murong Zheng, who also heard the footsteps, turned around and looked at the woman who had already walked to the door.
Yuxue's face was the same as it had been more than ten years ago. She was dressed in the simplest way, but she easily stole the limelight from the surroundings. Her eyes, in particular, were surprisingly calm when she looked at him.
She bowed gently and walked towards Murong Kai's bed without saying a word.
Murong Zheng's gaze followed Concubine Jin, watching her gently touch Murong Kai's forehead and then tightly hold Murong Kai's hand.
"Don't worry, I will save him and won't let anything happen to him."
Without anger or blame, or even words of accusation, she hurried over just to see her own son.
Looking at Concubine Jin like this, Murong Zheng felt a little helpless, but he also wanted to be a mountain for the mother and son to rely on, so he spoke with a lack of confidence.
Murong Zheng was expecting Concubine Jin's response, but Concubine Jin just stared at her son, as if she didn't hear her voice.
"Empress Jin, you still don't have the emperor in your eyes. Didn't you hear the emperor talking to you?" Just when Murong Zheng was feeling frustrated, Concubine Dong, who had been trembling with fear, finally couldn't help but speak out to provoke him.
After hearing what Concubine Dong said, Concubine Jin shifted her gaze. She stared at Concubine Dong and suddenly smiled faintly.
Murong Zheng, who had been staring at Concubine Jin, held his breath. He hadn't seen her smile for many years. It was like the gentle breeze and bright moon. Although it was just a gentle smile, it easily touched his heartstrings.
This smile, in the eyes of Concubine Dong, became a mockery. Even though he had stayed in the cold palace for more than ten years, she still looked down on him.
Concubine Dong was thinking about what words to use to anger the emperor and make him send Concubine Jin back to Qingqiu Palace, but she didn't expect Concubine Jin, who had been calm all the time, to suddenly speak.
"The emperor asked me to come here to see his son. I am following his orders. Is that right?"
Concubine Jin finally looked at Murong Zheng. Her autumn-water-like eyes were full of calmness, without any emotion.
Murong Zheng felt a little disappointed, but he had to nod. He asked Concubine Jin to come out of the cold palace just for Murong Kai.
It is understandable that Concubine Jin started to care about her son as soon as she came in.
Although in his heart, Murong Zheng still hoped that Concubine Jin would look at him more when he saw her.
"Empress Dong, I withdrew from the competition with you the day I sealed off Qingqiu Palace. Now I only care about my son's life, so please don't make trouble here."
Every word was spoken without any emotional ups and downs, as if it was just an objective statement.
Concubine Jin successfully reassured Concubine Dong. She couldn't even hold back the pride in her heart and glanced at Murong Zheng.
Murong Zheng's face was gloomy. He was in a bad mood at the moment, but he didn't know whether it was because of Murong Kai's illness or because of Concubine Jin's words.
"Empress Dong, since you don't have a motherly heart towards Akai, don't make trouble here."
Murong Zheng hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, it's already very late. I will take Jie'er back."
Concubine Dong wanted to insist on staying here, as she was worried about Concubine Jin being in front of the Emperor. But just as she was about to speak, she saw Jie'er kneeling on the ground tremblingly.
Concubine Dong changed her mind instantly, and after she finished speaking, she felt a little proud in her heart.
"Come here, take Concubine Dong away, and leave the Fourth Prince behind. As before, if the Third Prince lives, the Fourth Prince lives; if the Third Prince dies, the Fourth Prince dies."
Murong Zheng's voice was as cold and hard as stone in the freezing weather. When Concubine Dong heard his words, the smile on her face froze instantly, and her eyes were filled with empty despair.
She was optimistic about what the emperor said before, but now, he said it in front of Concubine Jin. What if Murong Kai really..., I'm afraid Concubine Jin will not give in and take Jie'er's life, right
"Your Majesty, you can't. Jie'er is your most beloved child. You can't..."
Concubine Dong still wanted to beg, but all she could do now was to take the beating. When she asked the imperial physician to prescribe medicine, she knew that there was no antidote for Zui Beichun in the Great Zhou.
"Take him away."
(End of this chapter)