She didn't need to say anything.
The palace maid beside her, observing her expression, immediately knew what to do. She waved her hand impatiently: "Where did this shrew come from, daring to offend the Imperial Concubine? What are you standing there for? Tie her up!"
The accompanying eunuch immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to arrest the person.
In the entire harem, there was no Empress; the Imperial Concubine was the highest-ranking official.
Liu was initially unsure, but upon hearing this address, she immediately recognized who it was and excitedly exclaimed, "Are you really Wang Ruoxiang?"
Wang Ruoxiang: "......."
I suddenly have a bad feeling.
The palace maid, emboldened by her father's power, flew into a rage: "How dare you address the Imperial Concubine by her maiden name!"
Liu snorted coldly and raised her chin: "I am Chu Jinjin's biological mother."
Wang Ruoxiang: "......"
Suddenly feeling a bit confused, she regretted not going out today. Of course she knew that the Empress Dowager had summoned Chu Jinjin for such an important matter.
The palace maid who accompanied her today was not her personal maid and did not know what had happened. She was stunned for a moment, then frowned and said, "So what?"
The Imperial Concubine now oversees the six palaces and holds a position equivalent to the Empress.
"Not good." Madam Liu wanted to vent her anger, but then she suddenly remembered the situation over there and said anxiously, "Xiangxiang, where is the Emperor? Something might have happened to Jinjin."
Wang Ruoxiang: "......."
They call each other so affectionately.
She had already killed Chu Jinjin countless times in her heart, but dared not say a word. She pretended to be shocked and said, "Is that so? Auntie, please come with me."
She had to maintain her dignity even when she was in front of a servant.
When the two arrived, they learned that the Emperor had already left, so Lady Liu followed them to the courtyard where Wang Ruoxiang lived.
As a noble imperial concubine, her residence was naturally not just any ordinary place.
Liu was not polite at all, looking around here and there as if she were on an inspection tour.
Wang Ruoxiang gritted her teeth, but since the other party had the leverage over her, there was nothing she could do but order everyone to leave.
You have to have some self-respect.
This made Liu feel more at ease.
Sitting in the main seat, Madam Liu said sternly, "Tell me, what are your thoughts?"
Even the palace intrigue expert Wang Ruoxiang was caught off guard: "Huh? What did you say?"
"Your sister stole my daughter's husband and was divorced on the second day of their marriage." Chu Jinjin valued her family very much, as did Liu Shi. "Why are you taking revenge on Jinjin? It should be your Wang family that owes her. Tell me, what are you thinking?"
Wang Ruoxiang: "......"
She's already been forced to acknowledge Chu Jinjin as her master, so is it really necessary to say anything more?
The reason is quite simple: she was a high-ranking imperial concubine, so it was only natural for her to punish a merchant's daughter.
Liu accepted her motive and continued seriously, "Now, do you regret it?"
Wang Ruoxiang: "...I regret it."
He regretted not acting sooner and killing the person at all costs.
She understood that Liu was deliberately humiliating her as a way of settling scores later.
However, just as she was preparing herself to endure the humiliation, she heard Liu speak again.
Does the Emperor like you?
That tone wasn't one of concern or inquiry, but rather—curiosity!
Her feeling was right.
Liu was incredibly curious. It was a rare opportunity to get to know someone personally, and she didn't have to worry about anything else; she could ask whatever she wanted.
Wang Ruoxiang didn't know how to answer, but she had to. She thought for a moment, and then her anger subsided. She smiled bitterly and said, "The Emperor's feelings for me are the kind of affection a man has for a woman."
Liu understood immediately.
A man's impulses.
“Hey, I asked your sister before if Xu Wenda washed her feet. If a man truly loves a woman, he’s completely different.” Madam Liu shared her thoughts in a serious tone. “For example, my husband, even though the children are all grown up, still wants to sleep with me at night. He likes my appearance, but he likes me more as a person. Xiangxiang, actually, you’ve had a tough time too.”
One second they're causing trouble, the next they're offering comfort.
Wang Ruoxiang was certain: this person was not mentally sound.
When Chu Jinjin arrived, she saw this scene: the table was full of various jewelry and ornaments, her mother was sitting, and Wang Ruoxiang was standing, serving her like a little maid as she put the jewelry on her head one by one.
Chu Jinjin: "......."
In front of Eunuch Zhao, Wang Ruoxiang didn't know what to say. She forced a smile and was about to find an excuse when she saw the blood on Chu Jinjin's body.
Liu didn't care about anything else and rushed over, her eyes immediately reddening with heartache: "Where are you hurt? Does it hurt?"
Wang Ruoxiang immediately understood what had happened and exclaimed in disbelief, "How dare the Empress Dowager do this?"
The imperial physicians arrived quickly, a dozen or so of them, all sweating profusely, and surrounded Chu Jinjin.
Just as Chu Jinjin said, no bones or tendons were injured, but it looked quite frightening.
Such injuries are nothing in the apocalypse. As long as they're not poisonous, they'll be fine in a few days. Chu Jinjin asked politely, "Eunuch Zhao, may I go home?"
Eunuch Zhao looked troubled: "Miss Chu, please wait a little longer. The Emperor should be here soon."
With such a serious injury, the Emperor must be very angry, and he dares not make the decision on his own.
Chu Jinjin sighed. That's true. Without the Emperor's order, no one would dare let her go.
The medicines in the palace are unparalleled; even the same medicines are of the highest quality and aged period.
Before the medicine was even ready, Xiao Huai arrived. His face was ashen, and he waved for everyone to leave, including Wang Ruoxiang and Liu Shi. Once only the two of them remained in the hall, he looked deeply at Chu Jinjin and finally sighed, "I am sorry, Jinjin."
“Your Majesty, there’s no need to say that. I was in the wrong first. I couldn’t bear to see my mother humiliated, and I deserve to die.” Chu Jinjin’s tone was respectful but indifferent. “I’ve lost too much blood and am feeling a bit dizzy. I want to go home and rest as soon as possible.”
Xiao Huai remained silent for a long while: "Jin Jin, my feelings for you are genuine."
Now that things were out in the open, Chu Jinjin didn't shy away from the topic: "I am grateful for Your Majesty's favor, but I am truly not suited for the harem. I'm sure Your Majesty has already heard Xu Wenda say that."
Xiao Huai nodded: "You don't want to be Empress either?"
Chu Jinjin shook her head without hesitation: "No."
"The position of Empress has been vacant for many years. The Empress Dowager has always wanted her niece from her maternal family to enter the palace as Empress. Do you know why I have always disagreed?" Xiao Huai said with a bitter smile. "Everyone thinks I've gone mad, actually wanting to make a divorced merchant's daughter my legal wife."
Xiao Huai sighed: "Jinjin, can you listen to what's on my mind?"
He first heard the name Chu Jinjin from Eunuch Zhao.
Wang Ruoxiang's younger sister is a lovesick fool who actually forced someone to divorce his legal wife.
At the time, I wouldn't have cared about such a trivial matter.
Then I heard about a woman who went to Black Eagle Mountain Village alone to rescue her father.
Then he took note.
Such an extraordinary woman!
One incident after another came in, and the city gate commander, including his important minister in charge of mining, actually suffered losses at Chu Jinjin's hands.
Unbeknownst to him, Chu Jinjin was no longer just an ordinary merchant's daughter.
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