Chapter 458 Settlement
Jiang Huan snapped out of her naiveté about being granted freedom. Looking at the faces before her, each one etched with fear, she felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Sisters, please rise."
The concubines looked at each other, hesitant, but under Jiang Huan's gaze, they stood up one after another, though they kept their heads down and wiped away their tears with handkerchiefs from time to time.
Jiang Huan looked around at them and said slowly, "I know that you are afraid and worried about life after leaving the palace. It is because the Emperor and I did not think things through. We only thought about giving you your freedom, but we did not think about the difficulties that would follow."
Many of the concubines raised their heads, their eyes shining with hope.
"Since you are unwilling to return home, I will give you another option." Jiang Huan's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "There are several unused palace gardens in the northwest corner of the palace. The environment is quiet and secluded. If you stay, you can move there. All your allowances and expenses will still be provided according to the old system. You can live a life of luxury and comfort."
She paused, glanced at Wen Yilin's still mocking face, and added, "Of course, if anyone changes their mind in the future and wants to leave the palace to return home or remarry, the palace will also prepare a generous dowry and send you off in a grand manner, and will never let you suffer the slightest grievance."
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent, with only faint gasps remaining.
The concubines looked at each other in disbelief.
They remained in the palace, still enjoying its sustenance. Although they no longer received imperial favor, they were spared the harsh realities of the outside world and the cold stares of their own families. This was truly an immense blessing.
"Is Your Majesty telling the truth?" Consort Zhang asked in a trembling voice, tears glistening in her eyes.
Jiang Huan nodded, her tone resolute, "Since I have spoken, I will keep my word. The choice is entirely up to you. Those who wish to stay will register at the Imperial Household Department later and have their relocation to the palace arranged. Those who wish to return home will be generously provided with travel expenses to preserve their dignity."
Most of the concubines chose to stay almost without hesitation, for for them, this was undoubtedly a way out of their desperate situation.
Only a few concubines from well-to-do families, confident that their families would not mistreat them excessively after they returned home, chose to express their gratitude and return home.
The news quickly reached the Imperial Study. Huo Lin was very proud after hearing Wang Degui's report on the commotion at the palace gate and Jiang Huan's handling of it.
[This not only fulfilled my wish to dismiss the harem, but also gave those women a way to survive. Not only is she clever, but she also possesses a rare compassion and thoughtfulness.]
[Tsk, it looks good no matter how you look at it. My taste is truly the best in the world.]
He put down his pen and smiled slightly.
"Do as Madam wishes. All supplies must be provided without shortage. Inform the Imperial Household Department to handle this matter properly. If there is any negligence, I will not let it go lightly."
"Yes." Wang Degui bowed and withdrew.
Meanwhile, a turmoil was unfolding outside the palace.
Huo Yunxing accompanied Ayina shopping in the most bustling streets of the capital. Ayina was dressed in a bright red northern riding outfit, which was dazzling. Huo Yunxing was as dashing as ever. The two walked side by side, attracting the attention of passers-by.
As they reached a street corner, suddenly, a woman dressed in plain clothes rushed out from the side, knelt down in front of Ayina, and burst into tears.
"Your Highness, please have mercy!" The woman raised her tearful eyes, looking pitiful. She covered her still-flat stomach with one hand and cried out, "I have no other way out. Please, Your Highness, give me a way to live."
Ayina frowned slightly: "Give you a way out? Do you think we're that close?"
The woman cried even more miserably, pointing to her abdomen: "Your Highness, please see the truth! This humble woman...this humble woman is pregnant...it is the child of the Carefree King!"
Her words were like a thunderclap, instantly silencing the surroundings.
“A few months ago, the Prince traveled south and had a brief affair with me. But after he returned to the capital, he disappeared without a trace. I only recently discovered that I am pregnant. My parents are ashamed and want to drown me. I had no choice but to travel thousands of miles to the capital to find the Prince… I beg the Princess to take me in, for the child is innocent, and give the child a chance to live!”
Ayina's face instantly darkened, her eyes narrowed dangerously, and she slowly turned her head to look at Huo Yunxing.
Huo Yunxing inwardly groaned, and quickly waved his hands: "This is slander, blatant slander..."
Before he could finish speaking, a fierce whip kick swept over him with a whoosh.
Caught off guard, Huo Yunxing was kicked squarely in the side, causing him to groan in pain.
"Ayina, let me explain." Huo Yunxing clutched his waist, both anxious and angry; this was simply an unexpected disaster.
"Explanation? Wait until I'm done fighting." Ayina ignored it completely, lunging forward with swift and ruthless punches and kicks, targeting the thickest parts of Huo Yunxing's body.
Having grown up on horseback, she was agile and ruthless, and in her rage, she showed no mercy whatsoever.
Huo Yunxing's martial arts skills were no less than Ayina's, but he didn't dare to actually attack his fiancée. He could only dodge and parry in a disheveled manner, while constantly trying to explain himself.
"Ayina, believe me, this is definitely a conspiracy!"
More and more people gathered on the street to watch the spectacle, forming a circle, pointing and discussing among themselves.
Some sympathized with the poor woman, some were eager to see the carefree prince cause trouble, and others were amazed by the fierce skills of the Northern Desert Princess.
The woman kneeling on the ground had her head down, but a smug, sinister smile crept onto her lips.
However, as Ayina continued fighting, her movements slowed down.
She suddenly stopped, took a step back, crossed her arms, and looked coldly at the panting Huo Yunxing. She then glanced at the woman on the ground, her face still showing anger, but her eyes were very clear.
"Alright, stop pretending." Ayina snorted coldly, her tone filled with disdain. "You think you can fool this princess with your pathetic attempts at framing me?"
She stopped looking at Huo Yunxing and walked straight up to the woman, looking down at her: "You said you're pregnant with the carefree prince's child?"
The woman was intimidated by her imposing manner and shrank back slightly. She forced herself to remain calm and her sobbing voice grew even louder: "Yes, it's absolutely true."
Ayina remained unmoved, her voice as cold as ice: "How many months?"
“It’s been three months…” the woman answered, her shoulders trembling slightly, looking pitiful.
Upon hearing this, Ayina suddenly laughed, but the laugh was devoid of any warmth.
"Three months ago, Huo Yunxing was fighting the epidemic in Jiangnan. He fell ill and was seriously injured. He was in a coma for more than half a month. It was only through the joint efforts of the imperial physicians and famous doctors in Jiangnan that he was saved from the brink of death."
She stepped forward, staring intently at the woman, and spoke each word with conviction: "How did someone severely injured and unconscious, on the verge of death, manage to have a romantic relationship with you, and even get pregnant? Hmm?"
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