Chapter 227 Apology

Liu Shuyao's pupils contracted, and almost instinctively she took half a step forward, quickly bending down to pick it up.

Just then, Jiang Huan bent down as well, and the two of them crossed their hands above the medicine packet.

In her haste to grab it, Liu Shuyao forgot everything else and her fingernail scratched across Jiang Huan's hand, causing a slight sting.

"hiss--"

Jiang Huan took a light breath and withdrew her hand.

A faint red mark appeared on the back of her fair hand; although the skin was not broken, it stung painfully.

"Your Majesty!" Wang Degui exclaimed in surprise.

Good heavens! He actually managed to injure the person the Emperor cherishes most!

Liu Shuyao clutched the medicine packet she had found tightly in her palm, her knuckles turning slightly white.

After calming down for a moment, his gaze fell on the red mark, and a trace of annoyance flashed deep in his eyes.

"Your Highness, I have been disrespectful and accidentally scratched you. Please forgive me."

She bowed to Jiang Huan, offering a swift and decisive apology.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Consort Liu did not mean it," Liu Shuyao's personal maid hurriedly explained, her voice somewhat nervous.

Jiang Huan looked at the insignificant red mark on the back of her hand, then at Liu Shuyao, who looked so frail and delicate that she could faint at any moment, and waved her hand.

"It's just a small scratch, nothing to worry about. Since you're not feeling well, sister, you should go back and rest early so the imperial physician can take a good look at you."

Oh well, never mind.

Even a minor cut will heal in just a few minutes.

It was no secret in the deep palace that Liu Shuyao was in poor health, but she never used her illness to do anything to threaten anyone.

The reason they rushed to grab the medicine kits was probably for the sake of dignity.

She can understand.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuyao's tense back seemed to relax slightly.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now."

After saying this, he turned and left with the help of a palace maid.

Jiang Huan watched her disappearing figure at the end of the palace road, then looked down at the red mark on the back of her hand, shook her head helplessly, and turned to continue walking towards Weiyang Palace.

Half an hour later, at Weiyang Palace.

Jiang Huan was knitting a scarf when a palace maid walked in.

"Your Highness, Consort Liu has sent someone to deliver something."

Jiang Huan was somewhat surprised: "Oh? Bring it in."

Before long, a palace maid from Liu Shuyao Palace entered, carrying a delicately carved sandalwood box in both hands.

"Your Highness, this is what my lady sent me to deliver. She said it was to comfort you and apologize for your fright. I hope Your Highness will forgive her."

Jiang Huan gestured for Xiao Zhao to take the brocade box and open it.

Inside the brocade box, a soft red velvet cushion lay quietly, upon which lay a jade hairpin, entirely emerald green and of excellent translucency.

Its emerald green color was so rich and vibrant, it shimmered with a warm luster under the light, and it was clearly priceless.

Wow, what a beautiful hairpin!

This water feature, this carving craftsmanship, it must be worth a fortune.

He gave her such an expensive gift as an apology for that little thing.

As expected of the young lady from the Prime Minister's mansion, she is truly generous.

Jiang Huan was amazed, but remained outwardly calm, and had Xiao Zhao accept the brocade box.

"Your mistress is so kind. It's just a small matter, don't worry about it. Let her rest well."

"Yes, this servant will take her leave." The young palace maid respectfully withdrew.

Meanwhile, not far from the entrance of Weiyang Palace.

He Ling paced back and forth in the corridor like an ant on a hot pan, occasionally peeking at the gate of Weiyang Palace, her face full of struggle.

What should we do? What should we do? Should we go in?

I wonder if Her Majesty is here right now?

He Ling was holding a sandalwood box containing a Chinese knot that Jiang Huan had given her.

She had kept the box close to her body ever since she got it, and now she was clutching it tightly.

[How could Her Majesty possess such a thing? Could she have also traveled from another time?]

But what if it isn't? What if it's just a coincidence?

Should I just ask her directly? But if I do, won't Her Majesty think I'm crazy?

He Ling was torn between her inner turmoil and her palms were sweating with nervousness.

Just then, the electronic voice in her mind rang out.

"Beep—Host detected attempting to approach high-risk target Jiang Huan."

"Is the host tired of living, or has their brain been slammed in a door?"

"You're eagerly chasing after him like a lapdog, but he's actually thinking of killing you."

He Ling couldn't help but yell back in her heart.

[Bullshit! How could the Empress possibly want to kill me? What good is this lousy system besides spreading alarmist rumors?]

Besides, you don't even have a physical entity; don't spout nonsense with just a bunch of gibberish.

You can't understand the emotions between us humans.

She scoffed at the system's warnings.

The system immediately retorted, displaying a programmed stubbornness.

"System detection confirmed: Target Jiang Huan attempted to eliminate the host; the evidence is conclusive. The host's vital signs were severely threatened, as clearly recorded by the system!"

"Host, please face reality and do not be misled by appearances!"

"Stay away from Jiang Huan! Immediately! Right now!"

He Ling rolled her eyes upon hearing this.

[Is the evidence conclusive? What evidence? Your system records?]

【Then I'll say your record is wrong.】

I was perfectly fine while I was asleep; nothing seemed wrong.

If Your Majesty truly wanted to harm me, would you need to wait until I fell asleep?

[System, you're definitely acting up again. I don't believe you.]

"Host, please trust the system's analysis. Target Jiang Huan is extremely dangerous. She has ulterior motives for approaching you. Please be vigilant!"

"The host is advised to immediately execute the distancing command; otherwise, the consequences will be borne by the host!"

The system's voice rose, carrying an almost threatening tone.

He Ling was furious at the noise.

[Is she plotting something? What could she possibly want from me?]

Are you after me because I'm poor? Because of my low rank? Or because I have a malfunctioning system?

That impulse surged up in her heart again, and she lifted her foot to walk towards Weiyang Palace.

"System detection data is correct. The host is misled by the target's appearance, refuses to face reality, and exhibits serious cognitive bias!"

"Target Jiang Huan is cunning and adept at disguise; host, do not fall for her tricks!"

[Cunning? Skilled at disguising yourself? I think you're the biggest fraud system!]

He Ling was so angry that she trembled all over. She couldn't help but stop and silently growl at the air in rebuttal. In her emotional state, she suddenly swung the arm holding the box.

The poor box slipped from his grasp and fell with a thud onto the bluestone slab beside the corridor.

The Chinese knot inside rolled out, and the red rope was particularly dazzling in the sunlight.

"Ah!" He Ling exclaimed, instinctively bending down to pick it up.

In her panic, she moved too much and accidentally kicked a small ceramic flowerpot placed on the side of the corridor.

The flowerpot tipped over and shattered, scattering soil and broken porcelain shards all over the ground.

The loud noise seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet corridor.