Chapter 230 Concubine Zhao is Demoted
The next day, Qinzheng Hall.
Princess Duanrou came walking gracefully, wrapped in a rosy brocade cloak embroidered with twin lotus flowers.
Xiao Heng looked listless, with thick weariness and sadness covering his eyebrows and eyes.
"Royal sister, last night Concubine Zhao tried to harm Concubine Xi and her son, so I confined her."
Duan Rou's hand, which was removing the cloak, hesitated for a moment, and then she regained her composure: "My royal brother, you expected this day to come, didn't you?"
She stared at Xiao Heng and advised, "You don't have to be too sad. No matter how innocent a woman is, once she enters the palace, she will never be the same as before."
"I'm not sad, I'm just disappointed."
When Duanrou heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Concubine Zhao has always been the apple of Xiao Heng's eye. Now, shouldn't he feel heartbroken when he finds that the woman he has liked for many years has become unrecognizable like an ordinary woman?
Xiao Heng raised his eyes with a look of melancholy. "On the day Concubine Zhao entered the palace, I told my sister that no matter what she became in the future, I would preserve her status and position because of her deep affection for me in the past. After all, I owed her this."
"But when I saw Concubine Xi crying in grievance, I suddenly regretted it. I had kept my promise and protected Concubine Zhao, but I had hurt another woman who loved me deeply."
"Sister, tell me, what should I do?"
One is the woman I loved when I was young, and the other is the woman I like now.
If I had to choose one, it would be really difficult.
Duan Rou pondered for a moment and said, "Then I will ask my brother, if you had not made that promise to Concubine Zhao, how would you punish her?"
Xiao Heng also thought about this question yesterday.
At the moment of punishment yesterday, he thought of demoting himself, but considering his previous promise, he gave himself a lighter punishment.
"She should be demoted, or sent to Chaoxia Temple to cultivate her hair without any hair."
Duan Rou nodded slightly. "Then I will ask the Emperor another question. It's also a question that every woman in the six palaces wants to know. That day, when Ruan Yuxiao put the knife to Concubine Xi and Concubine Zhao's necks, my brother... who were you thinking of saving at that time?"
The hall suddenly became quiet, with only the green smoke rising from the Boshan furnace with a Chilong pattern, lingering vaguely on Xiao Heng's face.
After a long moment, Xiao Heng spoke, "To be honest, my sister, my mind subconsciously told me that I must save Concubine Zhao. But when I looked into Concubine Xi's eyes, my heart was gripped tightly. As I wavered, Concubine Rong thrust the hidden weapon into my hand."
Duan Rou smiled faintly, "Royal brother, you already have the answer in your heart, why ask me again?"
Xiao Heng said slowly: "What the emperor means is..."
"Royal brother, whoever touches your heart the most is the one you care about the most."
Xiao Heng's heart moved slightly. Who could touch his heart the most?
Of course it's her right now.
Liu Yuetang!
But……
"But sister, someone once told me that love means you feel happy when you see her and your heart beats faster when you are close to her. I have only experienced these things with Concubine Zhao."
Duan Rou chuckled, and even the pearl hairpins on her temples swayed slightly. "Royal brother, how old are you? And your heart is still beating fast?"
Xiao Heng frowned slightly.
Duan Rou covered her lips and said, "To be frank, you have three harems and six courtyards, and you have seen all kinds of women. How can you compare the love you had when you first fell in love with what you have now?"
"Which military advisor taught the emperor brother?"
Xiao Heng felt a little embarrassed for a moment and raised his chin towards the outside of the hall.
Duan Rou tilted her head slightly, and as her eyes moved, she saw He Yunzheng standing with his hands behind his back in front of the steps of Chengming Palace.
The smile on her lips faded a little: "No wonder, it's He Yunzheng..."
She slowly turned her head and looked at Xiao Heng, saying sternly, "Royal brother, you no longer have any feelings for Concubine Zhao. Whether you subconsciously tried to save Concubine Zhao or to protect her, it was only because of years of affection and promises."
Xiao Heng's eyebrows were a little entangled. "But if so, doesn't it seem that I am too heartless, sister? After all, I was the one who wronged Concubine Zhao first, and she is the niece of the Queen Mother."
Duan Rou sighed softly, her tone sinking, "Xiao Heng! For so many years, Concubine Zhao has been taking advantage of your guilt, which is why she's been so unscrupulous in the palace. Yes, I admit, you said you would marry her before, but everything changes. As an emperor, you have no control over many things. If Concubine Zhao truly loves you, she wouldn't care about status."
"On the contrary, you've done enough for Concubine Zhao over the years. No one will accuse you of being heartless, and the Queen Mother won't blame you either. Don't let yourself be trapped in the promises of the past. Xiao Heng, that's not love, that's obsession, guilt."
Duanrou said this with such anxiety that her face turned red.
If Concubine Zhao was a sensible person, she would not interfere in these matters in the harem. After all, they were playmates since childhood.
But unfortunately, after Zhao Fei entered the palace, she always treated Xiao Heng coldly. Her personality was really boring and stubborn. It was simply too tiring to get along with her.
Every word she said hit Xiao Heng's heart like a heavy hammer, and his confused expression gradually became clear.
Duanrou's voice continued, "Since Concubine Xi is sincere to you and you like her, don't let her down again, otherwise you will regret it even more in the future."
Xiao Heng slowly raised his head, his eyes firm: "My Royal Sister is absolutely right. I understand. I will not let Concubine Xi be sad again."
After saying this, he summoned Zhou Defu and said, "Go and convey my decree. Concubine Zhao has plotted to murder the imperial concubines and heirs. Effective immediately, she will be demoted to Concubine Zhao and confined to Yaohua Palace. Without my permission, she is not allowed to leave the palace."
Duan Rou nodded in appreciation: "My royal brother, you handled this matter properly. In the future, focus more on the court and stop being bothered by these love affairs. It's not good for you or your favorite concubine."
Xiao Heng immediately understood that if he favored someone too much, her fate would most likely be the same as Wen Yi's mother.
"Okay, then I, your Majesty, will return to the palace. Your Majesty, your Majesty, still needs to review the memorials."
"Royal sister..."
Xiao Heng called out to Duan Rou who had just stood up, his eyes a little vague.
"How can we appease this angry girl?"
Duan Rou was slightly stunned, and a smile quietly spread across the corner of her lips.
Is it possible that her brother, who is always calm and stern, would bow his head and coax a woman?
Duan Rou looked at Xiao Heng quietly and said softly, "Women all like gifts. My royal brother will personally deliver the gift and put it on her."
"And then?" Xiao Heng thought, is it that simple?
“Then…” Duan Rou thought of something and smiled gently: “Then don’t say anything, just hold her in your arms and tell her you are wrong.”
Xiao Heng's eyes lit up slightly and he nodded gently.
"I am the emperor, so it is impossible for me to admit my mistake. Then I will go to the storehouse and choose a piece of jewelry for Concubine Xi."
Duan Rou bowed with a smile: "Then my sister will return to the palace first. My brother, remember, it's not the gift that counts, but the thought that counts."
Xiao Heng looked at Duan Rou's back and murmured, "What's more important is the thought?"
He thought of something and his eyes lit up.
"Zhou Defu! Go and get the best jade from the storehouse. I want to make a hairpin for Concubine Xi myself."
Zhou Defu widened his eyes and stood there in a daze.
Did you hear that correctly? The Emperor wants to make a hairpin for the woman himself?
"Are you deaf? Go quickly!"
Xiao Heng's shout frightened him so much that he trembled all over. He quickly bowed and said, "Yes, I'll go right away."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
