Murong Zheng's eyes were filled with helplessness. He had not expected that there was such a secret behind what happened back then. He didn't know that the person he had always blamed in his heart was the one who actually risked his life to save him.
"If the emperor doesn't believe it, you can let Dong come to testify." Concubine Jin's words were calm, without any fear.
"Although I was seriously injured that year, I woke up earlier than the emperor. After I woke up, the Empress Dowager asked me if I loved you. I said yes, and then the Empress Dowager asked me to conceal the fact that I had saved you. She said that according to your personality, you would definitely favor me endlessly, and my mother's family, the Xie family, would definitely soar to the sky because of this. I know what kind of people my father and brother are. If they have the emperor's protection, their ambitions will expand infinitely, and the result of the expansion is death."
"Just like the Dong family now."
"Although I love the emperor, I don't want to harm my parents and brothers because of me, so I am very hesitant and don't know whether to agree to the queen mother's request."
"The Queen Mother told me at that time that I was pregnant and that I might not be able to give birth to the baby because of my serious injuries. Even if I could save the baby, it would be extremely weak when it was born. The Queen Mother said that she could save the baby in my belly and that she could also ensure that my child would live in peace for the rest of his life."
"For a child of the royal family, a peaceful life is truly a luxury."
"I'm a little tempted, but I can't make a decision yet." Concubine Jin said frankly. Murong Zheng looked at her, but he understood his struggle in his heart.
The Queen also knew about Concubine Jin's dilemma back then, so she continued speaking without waiting for Concubine Jin to speak again.
"The Empress Dowager had no intention of making things difficult for Concubine Jin. She was just discussing the matter. She was most worried about the Xie family. She said at the time that if Concubine Jin didn't want to, she could use other methods to suppress the Xie family."
"It was then that Concubine Jin realized that if she..., the Xie family would become a major threat to the Great Zhou."
"I was really shaken at that time. If my concealment could make my relatives and my lover feel at ease, I would rather sacrifice myself."
Concubine Jin couldn't help but say that at that time, the only thing she was reluctant to leave was the emperor's love for her.
"Concubine Jin has made a decision in her heart because of her relationship with you. But before she could say anything, she received the news that you woke up."
"The Queen Mother and I rushed over upon hearing the news, and we just happened to see Dong, covered in blood, kneeling beside your bed, speaking affectionately, saying that she had saved you."
"Because of the Empress Dowager's concerns, we knew the truth but chose to conceal it at the time. However, we could only let Dong deceive us. Later, the Empress Dowager said that Dong must have heard our secret conversation with Concubine Jin."
Mrs. Dong knew Concubine Jin's character too well. She knew that Concubine Jin would definitely choose to conceal the truth for the sake of her relatives and Murong Zheng. However, since Concubine Jin didn't want such a great achievement, then she would take it and have a lifetime of wealth and glory.
Murong Zheng didn't need to distinguish whether the matter was true or not. He knew that what the two people in front of him said was true.
Before the assassin appeared, he used to like Concubine Jin very much. The Empress Dowager told him that he should restrain his feelings for Concubine Jin because the Xie family behind Concubine Jin was deeply rooted and would be a great threat to the court if they had any ambitions.
He didn't take it seriously at the time, but he didn't expect that the thing he didn't care about back then would make him miss a woman who loved him deeply.
This missed opportunity lasted for more than ten years.
Murong Zheng felt that he was a mess and stupid. He was deceived by a woman for more than ten years and treated her like a treasure.
He looked at Concubine Jin and didn't know how to face her for a moment.
He once hated Concubine Jin, hated her for betraying his love and for being no better than the maid by her side in times of crisis.
But I never thought that the truth would be like this.
"Concubine Jin, let's go." The queen raised her hand and invited Concubine Jin to leave with her. Concubine Jin tidied her clothes, followed the queen, turned around, and walked towards the door step by step.
They looked calm, completely unaware that they had thrown a bolt of lightning into Murong Zheng's world.
(End of this chapter)