All the officials followed Emperor Wen back to the city. When Emperor Wen's carriage was about to reach the city gate, a young woman suddenly rushed out from the roadside. Her hair was disheveled and draped over her shoulders. She was wearing tattered clothes and looked very miserable.
She desperately knelt before Emperor Wen's carriage, crying out, "My Lord! Please save me!"
Seeing this, the imperial guards rushed forward and tried to drag the girl away. However, at this moment, Emperor Wen shouted from behind the curtain: "Wait!" His voice was full of majesty and determination, which made everyone stop.
Eunuch Gao gently lifted the curtain and then stood respectfully beside the carriage, waiting for Emperor Wen to alight. Emperor Wen slowly stepped down from the carriage, his gaze calm and deep. Then, Imperial Noble Consort An Qinghuan also gracefully disembarked, her beauty and elegance commanding attention.
At this time, the imperial guards brought a young girl to Emperor Wen. The girl's hair was disheveled and covered half of her face, but her beautiful appearance could still be seen.
Emperor Wen stared at her, a hint of surprise and confusion flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, he cried out in surprise: "Xiao He!"
Hearing this name, Xiao Jinghan's face instantly became serious. He quickly dismounted and strode towards the girl.
At this time, the palace maid beside the imperial concubine had carefully lifted the girl's hair.
Xiao Jinghan's gaze was fixed on the girl's face, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.
The face before him was so similar to his deceased mother, as if they were carved from the same mold! Even the delicate look in her eyes was exactly the same, full of charm.
At that moment, Xiao Jinghan couldn't help but have an illusion that his mother had returned to his side.
However, this feeling only lasted for a moment before it was replaced by an intense anger.
He thought to himself: Whose conspiracy is this? They found a woman who looks exactly like my mother and brought her to Emperor Wen. His fists clenched, and his eyes flashed with anger.
Emperor Wen's heart began to beat uncontrollably, as if it was about to burst out of his chest! Xiao He! This name lingered in his heart like a curse! She was the softest and most precious existence in his heart! He never expected that in all these long years, he would have the chance to meet a woman so similar to Xiao He!
Emperor Wen's voice trembled slightly with emotion: "What grievance have you suffered? Tell me! I will make the decision for you!"
The girl seemed terrified. Her face was as pale as paper, and her lips trembled constantly. After a long moment, she slowly spoke, "Your Majesty! I am from Yuqing, Jiangnan. My name is Jin Xiaohe! I came to the capital to visit my uncle and his family. Unexpectedly, while passing Dragon Bone Mountain, I encountered a group of bandits! They abducted me and threatened to sell me to a brothel! I finally escaped their clutches with great difficulty!"
"Dragon Bone Mountain?" Emperor Wen frowned, a puzzled look on his face. He turned to look at Eunuch Gao and asked, "The bandits in Dragon Bone Mountain, as far as I can remember, are gone. Why are there still bandits there?"
Eunuch Gao quickly replied, "Your Majesty, you may not know that Dragon Bone Mountain is now the home of the Dark Moon Pavilion. And the Dark Moon Pavilion's leader, Dark Moon Fairy, is a subordinate of Princess Wu'an."
Emperor Wen was stunned for a moment, then fell into deep thought. After a moment, he slowly said, "I understand. If that's the case, then immediately send someone to bring Jin Xiaohe back to the palace."
When Imperial Noble Consort An Qinghuan and Xiao Jinghan heard this, they exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of anxiety in the other's eyes. They knew full well that this incident was no accident, and the other party was clearly targeting Luo Lingyue.
After Emperor Wen brought Jin Xiaohe back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Imperial Noble Consort An Qinghuan whispered to him, "Your Majesty, since Miss Xiaohe has come to the capital to look for her relatives, why don't we send someone to look for her uncle's family? This way, she can be reunited with her family sooner."
Emperor Wen was staring at Jin Xiaohe intently, seemingly completely captivated by her. Hearing An Qinghuan's words, he came to his senses and, somewhat awkwardly, instructed Eunuch Gao, "Then go find Xiaohe's uncle."
After receiving the order, Eunuch Gao cautiously left the room. However, when he just walked out of the garden of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he unexpectedly ran into the Queen.
Eunuch Gao hurriedly paid his respects to the Empress and prepared to leave. But Empress Li Qianwan stopped him and asked sternly, "I heard that Your Majesty brought back a girl of unknown origin. Is this true?"
Eunuch Gao secretly groaned inwardly, but still answered truthfully: "Your Majesty, that Miss Jin Xiaohe... uh, looks exactly like Princess Xiaohe!"
"What did you say?" Empress Li Qianwan's eyebrows shot up at the words, a flash of anger in her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, gnashing her teeth as she strode towards the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
"Alas! Empress..." Eunuch Gao called out symbolically, his eyes flickering. Then, he ordered the other eunuchs to look for Jin Xiaohe's uncle.
Eunuch Gao lowered his head and returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity with a heavy heart. He knew that Emperor Wen had deep feelings for Xiao He, but he did not want to see anyone taking this opportunity to plot against Emperor Wen. This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
The Imperial Noble Consort was weak and might not have the courage to stop Emperor Wen. However, the Empress was completely different. She had a strong character and would not tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes!
Therefore, Eunuch Gao secretly prayed that the Queen would expel Jin Xiaohe from the palace to maintain the dignity of Emperor Wen and the royal family.
Eunuch Gao hurried to the Qianqing Palace, but before he could enter, he heard a quarrel coming from inside.
He leaned closer to the crack in the door and saw Empress Li Qianwan standing before Emperor Wen. She pointed angrily at Jin Xiaohe and shouted, "Your Majesty! This woman's origins are unknown! I will never allow her to stay in the palace!"
Jin Xiaohe knelt aside, trembling with fear!
Emperor Wen felt a pang of pain upon seeing this! He frowned and replied in a serious tone, "Li Qianwan! I am the master of this imperial city! It is not your turn to make the decision on this matter!"
Just as the two were deadlocked, Imperial Noble Consort An Qinghuan stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty! Queen! Why are we so anxious? Why don't we send someone to find Miss Xiaohe's uncle first? Once the truth is revealed, it won't be too late to make a decision then!"
After hearing this, Emperor Wen's expression softened slightly and he nodded with satisfaction: "My beloved concubine is absolutely right!"
Emperor Wen then turned to the eunuch beside him and ordered, "Come here! Take Miss Xiaohe to wash up, change clothes and then come to see me!"
A palace maid came over and carefully led Jin Xiaohe to wash up.
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