Chapter 91: Sacrificing Oneself to Save the Emperor
Outside Jinxiu Pavilion, Concubine Zhao got off the sedan chair and met the Queen who happened to arrive.
She walked forward quickly, beads of sweat already forming on her forehead.
"Your Majesty, is the Emperor alright?"
The queen got out of the sedan chair with the help of a palace maid, and her golden hairpin swayed on her face, creating a shimmering halo.
After she landed safely on the ground, she looked at Concubine Zhao: "I heard that Concubine Xi blocked the knife for the emperor."
Concubine Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest with a look of joy.
"That's good, that's good..."
"Xi Jieyu is injured. Zhao Fei, please come with me to see her."
After saying this, the queen walked towards the inner hall.
Concubine Zhao walked lightly and followed the queen at a leisurely pace.
She glanced around the Jinxiu Pavilion and realized that the palace could not compare to the luxury and spaciousness of her Yaohua Palace.
However, the furnishings are quite gorgeous, and many of the items are only available to concubines.
This is enough to prove that Concubine Xi is indeed quite capable.
She stepped into the inner hall, and the scene before her made her stop and freeze in her tracks.
Concubine Xi was sitting on the bed, and the emperor beside her was personally helping her put on her clothes, and then he gently gathered the long hair on Concubine Xi's chest behind her back, strand by strand.
The curtain half-covered the emperor's face. Whether it was an illusion or because of blurred vision, he was particularly gentle and doting at this moment.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
As the Queen's voice rang out, Xiao Heng's expression returned to its usual cold and calm state.
"The Queen is here."
Only then did Concubine Zhao lift her foot, straighten her expression and walk forward.
When Xiao Heng saw Concubine Zhao, there was some surprise in his eyes: "Concubine Zhao is here too."
Concubine Zhao bowed and said, "I heard that the emperor was nearly injured in the plum garden, so I came to visit him in a hurry."
She looked at him intently, the corners of her mouth raised slightly: "I am relieved to see that the emperor is fine."
"If it weren't for Concubine Xi who sacrificed herself to protect me, I would be the one injured right now." As he said this, Xiao Heng turned and glanced at Liu Yuetang.
Liu Yuetang lowered her brows and smiled slightly, dimples forming on her slightly pale lips.
Concubine Zhao smiled faintly: "I heard that the crazy woman was like a demon, stabbing around with a dagger. Concubine Xi is really brave. She was able to face danger without fear and protect the emperor in such a situation."
She deliberately dragged out the last four words.
How could Liu Yuetang not understand the meaning of her words?
But there are some things that only women can understand.
She half-raised her body, looked directly into Concubine Zhao's deep gaze, and slowly said, "How could I have remained calm in such a critical moment? At that time, I had only one thought in my mind, that is, the Emperor must not be in any danger. That's why I panicked and stood in front of the Emperor."
After a pause, she looked at Concubine Zhao, whose smile had already froze, and continued, "I believe that if Concubine Zhao were here, she would protect the Emperor at all costs, just like I do."
There seemed to be frost and snow in Concubine Zhao's eyes. She turned her gaze away coldly and gently looked at Xiao Heng's face.
"I believe that if it were me who was here today, the Emperor and I would be able to protect each other and would never allow the other to suffer any harm."
Her voice was soft, but it carried a hint of arrogance and confidence.
The emperor's favor and youthful love are her greatest confidence.
That's why Concubine Zhao could say this so confidently.
Looking at the two people's eyes full of admiration for each other, the queen's eyes dimmed, but she still forced a perfect smile on the corner of her mouth.
"How can Concubine Zhao compare you to Concubine Xi? You and the Emperor have been together for many years, and you share a cherished bond. If there is any danger, you will protect each other."
"But Concubine Xi's love for the Emperor is no less than yours, Concubine Zhao. I believe that there are few people in the palace who would be willing to take the blame."
A cold smile suddenly appeared on Concubine Zhao's lips: "The Empress's intention..."
"Alright, Concubine Zhao."
Before Concubine Zhao could finish her words, she was interrupted by Xiao Heng.
She lowered her eyes and saw Xiao Heng holding Liu Yuetang's slender hand in his. He said softly, "You are different from Concubine Xi. You know that a mere mad woman can't hurt me. But Concubine Xi didn't dare to gamble with me. In the moment of crisis, she sacrificed her life to save me. I know her feelings towards me very well, and I won't let you have any say in that."
He turned around and looked at Concubine Zhao.
When Concubine Zhao felt his cold gaze, a thin layer of chill spread from head to toe.
Her throat felt sore, and she stared at Xiao Heng deeply: "Your Majesty, this is not what I meant."
Seeing the bitterness in her eyes, Xiao Heng's heart softened: "Alright, I know how you all feel about me, so why bother arguing about who's better."
Concubine Zhao's eyes grew colder and colder, and she said in a cold voice, "It was your fault."
As she spoke, she knelt and said, "Xi Jieyu is injured. Your Majesty, please take care of her. I will take my leave now."
After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Xiao Heng's answer.
Xiao Heng's face darkened instantly, and he looked at Concubine Zhao's back coldly.
Upon seeing this, the Queen quickly said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhao was just in a moment of urgency and spoke without thinking. Please calm down."
Xiao Heng snorted coldly: "I dote on her too much, that's why she is so presumptuous."
Those who are loved are always fearless.
Xiao Heng understood that the reason why Concubine Zhao acted so recklessly was because she relied on his friendship and love for her.
But he couldn't understand why she was jealous of Concubine Xi at this time.
Tang'er sacrificed herself to save me, so even if I love her a little more, that's what she deserves.
In fact, the love he gave her was far less than what she gave.
Her deep affection was met with ridicule.
Fortunately, Tang'er is kind-hearted. If it were someone else, they would have turned their backs on Concubine Zhao.
So, he patted Liu Yuetang's hand and said softly, "Don't take Concubine Zhao's words to heart."
"You have done me a great service in saving the emperor. Tell me what you want. I will satisfy you."
Liu Yuetang pretended to think about it, then shook her head: "The emperor has given me enough."
"I only wish the emperor good health and harmony in the harem."
Looking at her sincere eyes, Xiao Heng felt more pity for her.
The Queen smiled and said, "There are few people in the harem who are as sensible as Concubine Xi. Even if she has no other requests, the Emperor must reward her well."
Xiao Heng nodded.
The Queen was right. Compared with Concubine Zhao, Tang'er was indeed considerate, sensible and caring.
"If everyone could be like Tang'er, the six palaces would truly be in harmony."
As soon as Xiao Heng finished speaking, Zhou Defu hurried in from outside and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, something happened in Mingse Palace."
"Mrs. Bai is bleeding."
"Seeing blood?" The Queen and Xiao Heng's expressions changed.
Afterwards, Xiao Heng said to Liu Yuetang, "You should have a good rest. I will go see Concubine Bai and come back to accompany you in the evening."
Liu Yuetang was also worried: "Okay, Your Majesty, don't worry about my concubine. Concubine Bai is more important."
Xiao Heng rubbed her hand and took the queen to Mingsexuan.
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