Song Xizhi turned his head in the direction of the sound and saw a familiar face.
He Jingyan had changed out of his eunuch attire, removed the human skin mask, and returned to his original appearance.
He didn't know how he got into the carriage so quietly, and now his tall figure was already sitting next to her.
The man's familiar scent filled the air, making the originally spacious carriage seem much smaller and more cramped.
Having not seen him for a long time, Song Xizhi assumed he was complaining that he hadn't been back to the manor for too long. So, when he looked up and saw that handsome face, he couldn't help but smile at him: "What's wrong, Eunuch He?"
"Why have you suddenly become so anxious and insecure after being a eunuch for a while?"
He Jingyan simply took her hand and gently stroked it with his fingertips. He lowered his eyes and smiled slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Because after today, I suddenly realized that I seem unable to protect you. I am not even able to appear openly by your side and walk alongside you."
Song Xizhi could detect a hint of bitterness in his words. She widened her eyes and said, "But you are my legitimate husband. This temporary anonymity is just a temporary expedient."
"You said you couldn't take care of me properly, but I feel at ease with you by my side."
"It is thanks to your protection that my maternal family was able to escape this conspiracy unscathed. They are my family, and they are my life."
He Jingyan lowered his eyes and nodded, making it impossible to see the expression in his eyes. He took Song Xizhi's hand and gently kissed her fingertips again, the action carrying a hint of piety.
The warm touch was like a dragonfly skimming the water, and Song Xizhi's heart skipped a beat.
"They were also very worried about your safety. Unfortunately, I wasn't by your side when it happened."
"I'm sorry to have troubled you."
She blinked, realizing that something was off about He Jingyan's words.
So she asked, "There are undercurrents in the capital these days. With so many things happening recently, it must be the Western Rong forces stirring up trouble. Not only us, but I'm sure His Highness the Crown Prince on the frontier won't be having an easy time either."
"Now that we've uncovered Zhao Qingshu's affair, do you feel the time is right to announce that you've awakened?"
He Jingyan kept his eyes fixed on Song Xizhi's face, and he slightly opened his mouth.
Before he could even speak, the two of them simultaneously heard an urgent report coming from outside the carriage.
"Judge Song, is the person in the carriage Judge Song?"
Immediately afterwards, Siqin's voice came from outside the carriage: "May I ask what business you have with my master?"
There was a visibly relieved sound outside, followed by an urgent call: "The situation is urgent, please, Imperial Physician Song, enter the palace immediately!"
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi turned and exchanged a glance with He Jingyan.
She gestured to He Jingyan with her eyes to stay in the carriage and not move. Then she lifted the curtain and looked out. She saw a woman dressed as a nanny, who was looking at him anxiously.
The appearance looked somewhat familiar to Song Xizhi.
When the old woman in front of the carriage saw Song Xizhi, she lowered her voice again and said hurriedly, "Consort Zhen requests your presence. Please, Imperial Physician, enter the palace immediately."
After saying that, she hurriedly added, "It's an extremely urgent matter."
Hearing the old woman's words, Song Xizhi finally understood why the face in front of her looked so familiar.
However, the fact that Consort Zhen invited him late at night, and that it was an extremely urgent matter, surprised Song Xizhi.
However, she didn't have time to think too much.
Through the curtain, Song Xizhi reached out and pinched He Jingyan beside him, then hurriedly got off the carriage and entered the palace with Siqin.
"Granny, please don't rush, please go first."
The night was cool and still. He Jingyan sat alone in the completely dark carriage, looking down at his empty palms as if the warmth of the woman's hand still lingered there.
He pursed his thin lips into a straight line, concealing the expression in his eyes.
Song Xizhi followed the nanny who was leading the way, walking very quickly.
They entered the palace gates in no time.
Song Xizhi walked hurriedly, pondering what had happened to make Consort Zhen so anxious.
Before the group could continue walking, they heard a young woman's sweet voice from ahead:
"Who dares to break into the palace gates in the dead of night? Kneel down before this princess!"
Princess Jingyue was dressed in a magnificent palace gown, adorned with jewels, looking every bit the divine being. Behind her followed a large group of eunuchs, each carrying a stick, as if they had been prepared all along.
Seeing Song Xizhi's flustered expression, just as she had expected, her smile grew even more smug.
She had been waiting for Song Xizhi here for a long time!
Since the incident involving the birthday gift, Prince Yu was demoted to a county prince, and Consort Liang lost the emperor's favor. Although she was not blamed because of the emperor's affection, she could not swallow her anger.
So she had someone deliberately tamper with Song Xizhi's carriage parked outside the palace. The carriage could move, but it would fall apart after a short while.
Song Xizhi then had only two choices: the first was to feed the wolves in the wilderness, and the second was to secretly return to the palace, break through the palace gates at night, and beg for a place of refuge.
If it's the former, Song Xizhi will die a gruesome death; if it's the latter, Song Xizhi will fall into my hands.
I must seize this excuse and personally punish her!
To avenge my mother and my imperial brother!
Princess Jingyue's smile grew even more smug as she thought about it. She shouted again, "Song Xizhi! I ask you, what is your punishment?"
Song Xizhi took a deep breath, suppressing his impatience, and bowed to Princess Jingyue: "Your Highness misunderstands. I was only delayed because I was treating the Empress Dowager. Now I am rushing to treat Consort Zhen, which is why I am in such a hurry."
Princess Jingyue snorted coldly. With her noble status and the favor she received from the Emperor and Empress Dowager, she looked down on Consort Zhen in the slightest: "What is Consort Zhen?"
"I'm asking you whether you left the palace and then returned? You entered and left the palace without reporting it or receiving any imperial decree from the Emperor. You entered and left the palace as if it were your own backyard. I find you very suspicious!"
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