Outside the Imperial Garden.
Before the noble concubine left the palace and returned home, she placed many cakes and pastries in the pavilion of the imperial garden and asked someone to invite Murong Jie over.
Murong Jie was reluctant to come, but the noble concubine invited him three times, so he had no choice but to go.
The night was beautiful, with a gentle breeze and lanterns lighting up a corner of the Imperial Garden.
The noble concubine sat upright on a stone bench, holding a cup of tea in her hand with a gloomy look on her face. When she saw Murong Jie coming, she raised her head with a cold look in her eyes.
"Mother!" Murong Jie sat down, "Why aren't you returning home so late? Are you staying in the palace tonight?"
The noble concubine put the teacup in her hand heavily on the table, stretched out her hand to dismiss the people around her, and said sternly: "You still know that I am your mother. I want to ask you, do you have me as your mother in your eyes?"
Murong Jie frowned, "Why is mother so angry?"
"You're not angry?" The noble concubine was so angry that her hands were shaking. "What does the life and death of the King of Liang have to do with you? I told you a long time ago that the Queen was afraid of you and asked you to stay away from the King of Liang, but you refused to listen. Now you have offended your aunt for him. Do you know that she was really angry tonight?"
Murong Jie looked nonchalant, "Really? Mother, just comfort her."
"Appease?" The noble concubine said angrily, "How to appease? He is her grandson. Even if I, as her sister, talk her out of my mouth, she still won't forgive you for your arbitrary behavior today. You were promoted to regent by your brother, and you have offended the queen. Fortunately, your aunt has always suppressed the queen and the prince. She is your only support. Now you have offended her. You will suffer in the future."
"Yes, that is her grandson. If her grandson gets better, she will only be grateful to me."
The noble concubine was so angry that she smashed the cup. "Why do you trust Xia Zian so much? To tell you the truth, today in Changsheng Palace, the judge and several imperial doctors said that the King of Liang would not survive tonight and would probably die early tomorrow morning. If you don't care about this matter, no one can blame you, but you insist on asking Xia Zian to treat him. If it gets out, what will others say about you? Xia Zian's regret of the engagement has offended the Queen and the King of Liang. Others will only think that you ordered him to harm the King of Liang."
Murong Jie poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of the noble concubine, his eyes as cold as water, "Are these words guessed by mother herself, or did mother say it?"
The noble concubine pushed the teacup away. "She didn't say it, but I guess that's what she meant. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so angry tonight. If she said it tonight, people will say tomorrow that the King of Liang was killed by the princess who broke off the engagement with him. Think about it, who insisted that Xia Zian treat the King of Liang? It was you, my son. You have always been smart. Why are you so stubborn at this critical moment?"
Murong Jie smiled and said, "I have confidence in Xia Zian."
"You have confidence in Xia Zian?" The noble concubine gasped, "Are you crazy? The imperial physician said there's no cure, but you still have confidence in her?"
The noble concubine was suddenly stunned and stared at him suspiciously, "Tell me, do you really like her? Does her regretting the engagement have anything to do with you?"
"What do you think, mother?" Murong Jie laughed wildly, somewhat unruly.
The noble concubine stood up suddenly, and the muscles on her face trembled a few times. "I warn you, Xia Zian cannot enter the gate of my palace. If she really cures Prince Liang by chance, I will let her die."
Murong Jie looked at her with an indifferent expression, "Mother, are you living a comfortable life now?"
"What do you mean?" The noble concubine stared at him.
"If you feel comfortable living in the mansion away from the palace, then live your life well and don't get involved in the affairs of the palace. Occasionally, you can go to the palace to have tea and chat with the queen mother."
After saying this, he stood up and said, "Axin can't be left alone, and there is an early court tomorrow. I will not leave the palace tonight and will stay in the Changsheng Palace for the night."
"Are you crazy?" The noble concubine chased after him, "Xia Zian also lives in the Changsheng Palace. If you don't leave the palace tonight and live there, won't outsiders gossip about you?"
Murong Jie smiled coldly, "Is there any problem? She will be the regent princess soon."
He strode away with a hearty laugh, as if he was in a very good mood.
The noble concubine clenched her fists in anger. No, he cannot marry Xia Zian.
There was a hint of viciousness in the eyes of the noble concubine. Xia Zian must die, and he must die before King Liang.
Ni Rong chased after him and said to Murong Jie with some concern: "Prince, do you really have confidence in Xia Zian?"
Murong Jie's previous good mood changed, and his face was shrouded in gloom. "From now on, you will not leave, keep an eye on Xia Zian, and don't let anyone touch her."
Ni Rong was shocked, but then he understood, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I know."
Murong Jie was extremely upset. Today, he went against everyone's opinion and let Xia Zian treat Axin. It's not that he has great confidence in Xia Zian, but he knows that the imperial physician cannot cure Axin, and he can't watch Axin die. No matter what, he will not let go as long as there is a glimmer of hope.
Xia Zian, you'd better be able to cure Axin, otherwise, I will not let you go.
Murong Jie did not sleep in the Changsheng Palace, but stayed by Prince Liang's side with the imperial physician.
Zi'an woke up at midnight. Her long hair was not tied up, but just hung down over her shoulders. Her clothes were loose on her body, making her waist look even thinner.
The original owner was very thin and had not even fully developed. Zian felt that this body could still grow taller as long as the nutrition was adequate.
When Zi'an arrived, he asked the imperial physician to go back and rest first.
The imperial physician did not dare to go back because the regent ordered that the imperial physicians should take turns on duty.
However, when Murong Jie heard Zi'an's words, he said to the two imperial doctors who were on night watch, "You go back first. If there is anything, I will call you over."
When the imperial doctors heard Murong Jie's words, they stood up and left.
There were palace guards and servants standing far away. Ni Rong was waiting outside the pavilion, somewhat alert.
The night breeze was very cool. Zi'an had just washed his hair, but before it dried, he let it fly in the night breeze. His long hair was like a waterfall, and paired with his handsome face, he looked indescribably beautiful and charming.
Murong Jie took a glance and then turned his eyes away.
Zian realized that this action was a little indecent. In this era, there were too many things to pay attention to.
She took out a handkerchief, tied her hair, walked up to Murong Jie and said, "My Lord, you are tired too. Go back and rest first."
Murong Jie held a cup of tea in his hand and said calmly, "I want to get some fresh air here."
Zi'an sat on the stone steps of the pavilion, reached out and pulled the hem of her skirt, without saying anything.
Murong Jie turned his head to look at her, "Are you really Wen Yi's successor?"
Zian smiled and said, "No!"
Murong Jie was startled, "You are so brave."
Zi'an looked at him and said boldly, "Your Highness, I have no background and I learned all my medical skills by myself. But I can tell you these things, Your Highness, but not others. Otherwise, I won't be able to stay and continue to treat His Royal Highness Prince Liang."
Murong Jie snorted, his handsome face raised, the curve of his chin seemed a little conceited and arrogant, "Obviously, your lies will only make people think that you are not trustworthy. When you brag about being the successor of Wen Yi, others will know it is not true as soon as they hear it."
(End of this chapter)