Di Jinghan was in a good mood and didn't bother to look away from the scene.
She slowly walked forward. Consort Wu was still scolding Consort Liu. When Cai Ning, who was beside her, saw Princess Changning appear, she quickly whispered a reminder.
"Your Majesty, Princess Changning."
Upon hearing this, Consort Wu quickly composed herself, trying to conceal her malice and putting on a polite and virtuous smile.
She slightly bent her knees and reached out to help Liu Meiren up: "Sister, please get up quickly. I was in a moment of emotional agitation and hurt you. I feel very guilty."
Consort Liu covered her face in horror, looking at her. This Consort Wu's mood swings were as erratic as a chameleon, even more so! It truly terrified her. With such a capricious person, she was afraid that Consort Wu's slap would land on her face again at any moment.
Di Jinghan took in the whole scene, a hint of mockery flashing across his face. This Consort Wu was truly hypocritical and utterly repulsive! Her brother wasn't even here; who was she putting on this act for?
This Liu Meiren is really unlucky.
"This concubine greets Princess Changning."
"This servant greets Princess Changning."
Di Jinghan looked at Consort Wu, who was standing with her head bowed and eyes lowered, and then at Consort Liu, who was still sobbing.
"Get up."
"What's wrong with you two?" Di Jinghan just wanted to watch the drama unfold.
Consort Wu arrived uninvited, smiling as she walked over and reached out to grasp Emperor Jinghan's hands.
"Princess, where did you come from?"
Di Jinghan withdrew his hand, leaving Consort Wu's hand awkwardly hanging in the air.
"Where I come from is none of your business, but it's inappropriate for Consort Wu to be here punishing a palace concubine." Di Jinghan was extremely disdainful of the hypocritical person in front of her.
Hearing this, Consort Liu was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected the Princess to speak up for her, and tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.
Consort Wu awkwardly withdrew her hand and smiled, "Your Highness has misunderstood. I was just momentarily excited, and Consort Liu has already forgiven me." After saying that, she glanced at Consort Liu.
Consort Liu dared not offend anyone, so she had no choice but to swallow her anger: "Your Highness, Consort Wu is right. It was all my fault for offending Consort Wu unintentionally."
Di Jinghan scoffed, but she held Liu Meiren in higher regard. Last time she dared to stop her people, but this time she was so cowardly. Oh well, she could only help her temporarily, not forever.
She didn't want to care anymore.
Di Jinghan nodded and said casually, "This princess thought that Consort Wu was trying to overstep her bounds by arbitrarily punishing the palace concubines. But I think I was just being paranoid."
Consort Wu's hands, hidden under her cloak, were almost bleeding from digging. How dare Changning threaten her like this, her words implying that she was wrong!
"This concubine knows that Her Majesty the Empress is in charge of the inner palace and dares not overstep her bounds. Thank you for your advice, Princess."
Di Jinghan didn't want to get entangled any further; he was just a hopeless case. Without saying goodbye, she turned and left, heading back to pack her bags! She was quite pleased with herself.
After seeing Changning off, Consort Wu straightened up, turned around abruptly, and glared fiercely at Consort Liu: "Think carefully about what I just said."
Consort Liu dared not utter a single word, nodding slightly in defiance. Only after seeing Consort Wu off did she finally relax, letting the palace maids help her into her own palace as if all her strength had been drained.
Consort Liu felt that her life couldn't be worse. She had finally managed to get a few good days by begging the Princess, but Consort Wu refused to let her go.
This palace, seemingly opulent and offering endless wealth and luxury, is actually a place many are not destined to enjoy. Human beings are intertwined with one another; it's impossible to remain uninvolved.
-
The next morning, Emperor Jingcheng pulled Azi out of bed, personally served her, washed and dressed her, fed her breakfast, and then carried the drowsy Azi into the carriage.
Di Jinghan happily ran over with Ning Hui, wanting to ride in a carriage with her beautiful sister-in-law!
"Sister-in-law of the Emperor, Sister-in-law of the Emperor!"
Di Jingcheng, holding the little girl who had fallen asleep again, sat in the luxurious carriage. Hearing his younger sister's voice, his brow twitched. He suddenly regretted bringing Jinghan along!
When Zheng He'er saw the young master arrive, he quickly hid on the other side of the carriage and pushed Zheng San forward, saying, "You go and deal with him!"
Zheng San's face fell: "Master!"
But there was no time to complain further, so he could only greet her with a smile: "This servant greets the Princess. Princess, the Emperor and the Empress have already boarded their carriage, and the Empress is still asleep."
Upon hearing this, Di Jinghan pouted with some regret, "Ah? Then this princess would like to sit with my sister-in-law, the Empress. You should ask my brother for permission."
Zheng San hurriedly ran to the carriage and informed Di Jingcheng through the curtain. Di Jingcheng refused without hesitation: "Let her ride in her own carriage, or don't go."
Di Jinghan stomped his foot angrily. "Humph! My brother is so wicked! He only wants to possess my beautiful sister-in-law!"
She tossed her handkerchief as she boarded her carriage, giving Zheng San a disgruntled glare and a snort before entering. Zheng San immediately lowered his head, utterly exasperated.
There were five carriages in total for this trip. Azi and Di Jingcheng's carriage was in the second one, followed closely by Di Jinghan. The other carriages were carrying a lot of goods. Leader Sun led a hundred elite imperial guards to escort the emperor, along with more than ten fine horses and dozens of palace maids.
In addition, Cheng Yi and Cheng Er rode tall horses on either side, with dozens of guards providing covert protection. Emperor Jingcheng had prepared everything meticulously, traveling in plain clothes, with a relatively small entourage to avoid attracting attention.
Emperor Jingyuan stood with his hands behind his back on the majestic city wall, watching the procession slowly disappear into the distance. A touch of melancholy settled in his heart. He wondered when he would see them again. In the end, he was all alone in this palace. He thought of his elder brother, who had been on the throne for many years, governing diligently. Perhaps even he, at the top, had moments of loneliness.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has already gone far away. Let's go back." Fu Zi was a little worried that he would get sick from the cold wind, which would be a loss.
Di Jingyuan withdrew his gaze, nodded, and turned to leave.
Consort Wu stood in the corner by the side door, watching the procession leave, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes. If she couldn't have it, she'd destroy it!
"Cai Ning, how's the person I asked you to find coming along?"
Cai Ning clenched her hands, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes: "This servant has tried her best, but... it's really hard to find."
"Useless trash, get ready, I'm going out in a bit." Consort Wu turned around and went back briskly, exuding a sharp aura.
——
Grand Secretary's Residence
Ever since Mu Wanyu obtained the jade pendant that day, she began eating and drinking, and she drank every single bowl of medicine. Her health gradually improved, and Grand Scholar Mu was much relieved.
Li Li came to visit her, and she met him. The two inevitably poured out their hearts to each other again. Li Li genuinely loved Mu Wanyu and didn't mind her being humiliated; he even begged Mu Wanyu to be with him.
He wanted to take care of her for the rest of his life.
Looking at her childhood sweetheart, Mu Wanyu felt a pang of reluctance. She agreed to Li Li's request and they became a couple. Within two days, Li Li prepared betrothal gifts and went to the Grand Scholar's residence to propose marriage. Grand Scholar Mu was moved to tears and agreed to the marriage.
The two were already engaged, and Li Li would visit her at the Grand Scholar's residence whenever he had time, bringing her all sorts of small gifts. Their relationship was growing stronger.
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