Long Jingchen glanced at Consort Qi beside him, then flicked his sleeves and stepped directly into Jinghe Palace.
He originally didn't want to show his face, but he thought that if he only let Sang Jiang know his identity during the southern tour, what if Sang Jiang refused to go? He couldn't very well issue an imperial decree to force her to come along, could he? Just then, Consort Qi came to him and said that Sang Ruo was having an affair with a man.
Consort Qi lowered her head when she felt his gaze. She had just been released from confinement yesterday when a palace maid informed her that Sang Ruo was having an affair. She was so excited about seizing this opportunity that she didn't sleep all night.
If this is true, she has not only rendered meritorious service to the Emperor, but even the Empress will likely think more highly of her.
Thinking of this, Consort Qi felt a surge of excitement, and the panic she had felt earlier due to uncertainty disappeared.
But when she stepped into Jinghe Palace, she was completely dumbfounded.
Sang Ruo was walking out step by step with tears in her eyes, supported by Sang Jiang. Her right leg was still slightly lame, clearly indicating that she was uncomfortable.
Sang Jiang frowned and looked at the Emperor with a questioning expression.
Moreover, there was no sign of any man, and Consort Qi's mind exploded with a "whoosh".
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects." Sang Ruo gave a weak curtsy.
She glanced sideways at Sang Jiang, who was frowning and staring blankly at Long Jingchen, and tugged at her clothes.
Sang Jiang: ...
She curtsied and remained silent.
Long Jingchen glanced at her, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
Long Jingchen nodded. Sang Ruo stood up straight and asked softly, "I wonder what brings Your Majesty and Consort Qi here?"
Long Jingchen coughed lightly and looked at Consort Qi.
Consort Qi was unable to utter a single word at this moment.
What's wrong with you?
"I was thinking of practicing my sword these past few days because I was going on a southern tour, but I didn't expect to twist my ankle."
Sang Ruo's furrowed brows and her tear-streaked face were quite pitiful.
"Have you called the imperial physician?" Long Jingchen's tone was quite indifferent, but if you looked closely, you could see that his gaze kept drifting towards Sang Jiang.
Wan Ting stood behind Sang Ruo and replied softly, "We have already invited him, Your Majesty. Please go in and have a seat."
Long Jingchen nodded and walked inside first, while Sang Jiang helped Sang Ruo walk in with difficulty.
Wan Ting immediately went to serve tea and water.
Consort Qi stood there, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
"Your Majesty," Yaqi called softly to Consort Qi.
Consort Qi gritted her teeth, turned around, and left.
The three of them sat down, each with a glass of water, and the atmosphere became a little awkward.
"Doctor Liu, please hurry." Wanqing's voice rang out at just the right moment.
The three of them put down their cups and looked up at the same time. When Physician Liu saw this, he quickly bowed deeply to Long Jingchen: "This old minister greets Your Majesty and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
Long Jingchen nodded: "Go and see how the Imperial Concubine is doing."
"Yes." Imperial Physician Liu responded and stood up to walk to Sang Ruo: "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?"
Sang Ruo lowered her eyes, looking somewhat uninterested: "I twisted my ankle while practicing swordsmanship just now."
After she finished speaking, Wanqing squatted down and took off her shoes. Doctor Liu pinched her ankle a couple of times through her stockings and then had her do some exercises such as lifting her foot and rotating her ankle.
"Your Majesty, you just twisted your ankle, it's nothing serious. This old minister will prepare some medicine for you to use every morning and evening, just massage the painful area with the medicine." The imperial physician stood up, bowed to Sang Ruo, and then bowed to the emperor.
Long Jingchen nodded, indicating that he could go.
After the imperial physician left, the hall fell silent again. After a while, Long Jingchen spoke: "My beloved consort, please rest well. If you need anything, please go to the head of the Imperial Household Department. I have some matters to attend to, so I will be leaving now."
Sang Ruo lowered her eyes: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."
After Long Jingchen left, Sang Jiang escorted him back to his room and then returned to her own.
As soon as Sang Jiang pushed open the door, she was pulled inside by someone.
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