Emperor Wen's face turned gloomy in an instant. He frowned and waved his hand vigorously, signaling the deputy general to retreat. The deputy general hurried away as if he had been pardoned.
There was a hint of coldness in Empress Dowager Xue's eyes. She glanced at Li Jingshu and said in a cold and firm voice: "Emperor! The Imperial Astronomical Observatory has calculated that the country's fortune will decline this year. The emperor should go to the White Horse Temple in person to pray for the country's fortune and pray for peace and prosperity." There was irresistible majesty in her words.
Emperor Wen was silent for a moment, a cold look flashing in his eyes. He slowly said, "I am busy with state affairs and cannot leave. However, the Empress and I are one, and she is kind and generous. I will ask her to pray at the White Horse Temple on my behalf. I hope her devotion will move the heavens and bless the prosperity of the Great Wei." His voice was filled with both concern for state affairs and trust in the Empress.
Upon hearing this, the Queen lowered her head slightly, a flicker of resentment flashing across her eyes, but it was fleeting. She slowly raised her head, her expression calm, and said in a firm tone, "I obey your command!" However, beneath her calm exterior, her heart was turbulent.
Emperor Wen then said, "The harem will be temporarily managed by Concubine An!" Upon hearing this, the empress clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The stinging pain in her palms was far less than the pain in her heart. A flash of despair flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
Emperor Wen glanced at Li Jingshu and said with a smile, "Jingshu is quiet and intelligent! Accompany your aunt to the White Horse Temple to pray for the great omen!" Li Jingshu's heart sank and she immediately knelt to thank him. The empress watched all this, feeling helpless and sad.
Luo Lingyue entered the bedroom of the Haoxue Palace. She walked slowly to Xiao Jinghan's bed with light lotus steps. Her figure was as graceful as a lotus in the wind. She opened her red lips and thanked him softly, "Thank you, Master Xiao, for saving my life!"
Xiao Jinghan's voice was as calm as autumn water, seemingly without a trace of emotion: "Lord Luo, you are too serious! Even without this prince's rescue, Lord Luo would have escaped danger!"
Luo Lingyue stared into Xiao Jinghan's eyes, trying to find a clue in his deep gaze. The more she looked, the more she felt that there was something different about this rumored sickly prince. So, she leaned forward, wanting to take a closer look.
However, at this moment, Xiao Jinghan's pale face suddenly flushed with a suspicious blush, as gorgeous as the sunset. Luo Lingyue sneered in her heart, but her face was filled with concern. She asked softly, "Why is the prince blushing?"
Xiao Jinghan's voice was still as cold as a thousand-year-old ice: "It's a bit hot today!"
His eyes flickered and he didn't dare to look at Luo Lingyue, as if he was hiding something.
Luo Lingyue moved closer to Xiao Jinghan, almost close to his ear, and whispered, "I don't want to know why Prince Xiao helped me today, nor do I want to know what grudge you have with the Kaiyang Palace or even the Queen Mother. Prince Xiao, the blood you sprayed on my clothes still has a fruity scent!" There was a hint of ridicule in her tone, but it seemed to be meaningful.
Xiao Jinghan's body trembled slightly, and he turned his head to meet Luo Lingyue's eyes. In that instant, the coldness in his eyes seemed to melt a little, revealing a complex emotion.
Perhaps he was touched by Luo Lingyue's frankness, or perhaps he was hiding an unknown secret in his heart.
As soon as Luo Lingyue finished speaking, her eyes changed from sharp to ignorant in an instant.
Seeing this, Xiao Jinghan couldn't help but sigh. He had simply wanted to prevent Luo Lingyue from being framed, but now Luo Lingyue had become suspicious of his good intentions, believing he had ulterior motives. He felt helpless and lost, as if his sincerity had been misunderstood.
Xiao Jinghan's gaze fell on Luo Lingyue, a complex mix of emotions in his eyes. He hoped to explain his original intentions, but he was also afraid of causing more misunderstandings. He secretly pondered how to convince Luo Lingyue of his good intentions.
Luo Lingyue's eyes also revealed a hint of confusion and uneasiness. She seemed to be pondering Xiao Jinghan's true intentions, her heart filled with doubts. She didn't know whether she should believe him, but she felt that his concern was not a pretense.
At this moment, the atmosphere between the two became subtle and tense. Their eyes met, but there seemed to be an invisible barrier between them.
Xiao Jinghan's face flushed slightly, and he coughed a few times unnaturally. He tried his best to restore himself to his previous calm demeanor, and said in a cold tone: "It's getting late! County Master Luo, please go back!"
Luo Lingyue's face showed an indescribable expression: "Take good care of yourself, Xiao Shizi! If you keep vomiting blood, Lingyue will be guilty of a serious crime!"
After saying that, Luo Lingyue turned and left, leaving Xiao Jinghan alone, half leaning on the bed. Watching her back gradually disappear, Xiao Jinghan's mouth curled up slightly, and he secretly sighed in his heart, this Luo Lingyue is completely different from the legendary nymphomaniac. She is like a little wild cat with bared fangs and claws!
If it were any other young lady from aristocratic family, seeing me vomiting blood, they would have probably lost their composure in panic. How could they be like her, not only checking whether it was real blood, but also warning me so calmly not to demand repayment?
He couldn't help but feel sad. Why did he think of that nightmare every time he saw her? He panicked in front of her!
Xiao Jinghan intervened in this matter primarily to drive a wedge between Empress Dowager Xiao and the Empress. One was the culprit who murdered my grandfather, and the other was implicated in my mother's death! How could he let them off easy?
Luo Lingyue slowly walked out of the Haoxue Palace, feeling a mix of emotions. As soon as she left, she saw Concubine An's maid approaching, respectfully inviting her in. Luo Lingyue's heart tightened, knowing this summons must be related to something that had happened in the palace earlier.
Arriving at Concubine An's palace, Luo Lingyue was standing quietly aside. Concubine An's face was ugly, and her anger was evident: "The Queen is really going too far! She actually let Li Jingshu provoke Zhong Lengqiu to deal with you! Fortunately, Prince Xiao and King Xian came forward today, so you didn't suffer any loss!" Her voice was full of anger and dissatisfaction, and she was deeply resentful of what the Queen had done.
Luo Lingyue smiled faintly and tried to comfort Concubine An: "Aunt, His Majesty and the Queen Mother are wise and intelligent, and they will definitely see through everything."
Concubine An's expression was profound. She was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The Queen will go to the White Horse Temple to pray on behalf of His Majesty, and Li Jingshu will accompany her."
When Luo Lingyue heard this, a look of joy appeared on her face: "That's great! I finally don't have to see that annoying Li Jingshu anymore!" There was a hint of relief in her smile.
Concubine An looked at Luo Lingyue silently, feeling helpless and distressed. "The Queen won't stay in the White Horse Temple for long. Next month, she will select concubines for the Crown Prince and several other princes. She will be back to preside over the selection process! Xiaoqi, your aunt originally wanted to secure a county lord position for you, which would give you a higher status in your husband's family. Who would have thought that you would become a thorn in the Queen's side!"
Concubine An's voice was full of guilt and self-blame, and she felt sad for not being able to protect Luo Lingyue.
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