In the days that followed, Jian Yang was treated to good food and drink by Magistrate Zhou.
Except for leaving, all her requests were fulfilled.
With heavy guards outside, she wouldn't be able to escape even if she had wings.
Jian Yang knew she had failed this time.
She only hoped that Xiahou Riyue could arrive here as soon as possible, otherwise she dared not think about what fate awaited her.
That's a crime of deceiving the emperor.
Well, now she can only lie down and leave the rest to fate.
However, it seemed that God did not hear her prayers.
Seven days later, at dusk, the sky was ablaze with fiery clouds, a breathtaking sight.
Jian Yang was enjoying the sunset from a rocking chair in the courtyard.
Suddenly, a muffled creak came from the courtyard gate, and the heavy gate was pushed open from the outside.
Jian Yang assumed it was just someone bringing her food again and continued watching the clouds with a blank expression.
"The Empress is in high spirits."
The emperor's deep voice suddenly rang out.
Jian Yang: "!!!"
She froze in fright.
No way, no way? The emperor can't really be coming, can he?
Countless thoughts raced through Jian Yang's mind at that moment. In the end, she decided to become an ostrich. As long as she didn't look back, she could pretend that none of this had happened!
However, when the emperor, whom she hadn't seen for months, stood before her and looked down at her, she knew she could no longer pretend.
"Hi, long time no see." Jian Yang gave a standard professional fake smile.
Hmm, why does this person look like they've lost a lot of weight?
Compared to her increasingly plump figure over the past few months, Jian Yang inexplicably felt a sense of guilt.
The emperor stared at him intently, without uttering a word.
The more he acted like this, the more flustered she became.
Instead of playing psychological tactics like this, it's better to just give her a quick death!
She lost her head and only had a large scar, but eighteen years later, she became a stunning beauty!
After mentally preparing herself, Jian Yang stood up, ready to face her fate with composure.
"Your Majesty, please let me explain..."
No sooner had she opened her mouth than the emperor suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms.
The body has memory.
A familiar feeling and scent rushed towards her, and before she could even react, her body automatically relaxed.
This is a sign of extreme trust in this person.
However, she quickly blushed.
"Relax...relax a little," Jian Yang said with a pained expression, "Your Majesty, I can't breathe..."
Just as she was about to be strangled to death by his arm, the emperor finally loosened his embrace, allowing Jian Yang to breathe deeply.
"Empress, come back with me," the Emperor said in an unyielding tone.
Jian Yang became an instant sensation.
"Why go back? To take the knife for you?"
Upon hearing this, the surroundings immediately fell silent.
Jian Yang took a step back without making a sound.
Actually, she chickened out after saying that.
She was already burdened with the crime of deceiving the emperor, so saying these words was tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.
If she angers the emperor, he could chop off her head in no time.
But words spoken are like water spilled; though she was terrified inside, she remained outwardly calm and collected.
After a moment of stalemate, the emperor sighed and said softly, "Empress, I will forgive and forget about your deception and escape. As long as you are willing to go back, I will protect you well from now on and never let you suffer any harm again."
Jian Yang looked stunned.
Is the emperor giving in to her?
"Is it alright?" The emperor's voice even carried a hint of ingratiation.
Jian Yang was shocked.
What merit or ability did she possess to have the emperor track her down to this place from afar, and even lower himself to beg her to return?
If she were one of his concubines, she would surely be arrogant by now.
But she wasn't.
Now that I'm out, I never want to go back to that deep palace.
“Your Majesty,” Jian Yang paused, then shook her head, “Now that the world is at peace and the dissidents in the court have been eliminated, I beg Your Majesty to keep your promise and let me leave.”
"Why do you insist on leaving?" the emperor asked, frowning.
Jian Yang: "?"
Jian Yang said, "Has Your Majesty forgotten the agreement we made? Once the Prince of Dingbian is eliminated, I can leave on my own. Your Majesty's word is law; surely you haven't forgotten what you said?"
“Of course I haven’t forgotten,” the emperor said through gritted teeth, “but those were just expedient measures I took to keep you.”
"Keep me here?" Jian Yang was bewildered. "Why keep me here? In terms of managing the harem, I am not as capable as Consort Xian. In terms of serving the Emperor, I can only cook two meals for you at most. Even if it is to let me give you advice, the court is now basically full of the Emperor's people. I really have no place to use my talents."
"Empress," the Emperor said solemnly, "have you ever considered that it's because I like you..."
However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Magistrate Zhou's sycophantic and obsequious voice.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress, long live the Empress!"
The emperor's heartfelt confession was ruined by him, and he immediately frowned and rebuked, "What are you doing here?"
Magistrate Zhou trembled. He had originally wanted to come and claim credit, but seeing the emperor's expression, he knew that now was not the time.
So he obsequiously replied, "Your Majesty, Governor Xiahou of Jiangzhou has arrived."
The emperor frowned upon hearing this: "Who?"
"Lord Xiahou Riyue."
Upon hearing this, Jian Yang sighed with regret.
It's all fate!
If Xiahou Riyue had arrived an hour earlier, she wouldn't have to be here worrying.
"Let him in," the emperor said coldly, then glanced at her casually.
Jian Yang: What are you looking at!
A moment later, Xiahou Riyue, looking travel-worn, was led in by Magistrate Zhou. He gave Jian Yang a barely perceptible nod.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
The emperor coldly scrutinized him: "I remember that Minister Xiahou is the governor of Jiangzhou. Why have you come to Nanyang County?"
Xiahou Riyue said without changing his expression, "Your humble servant heard that the Empress was in trouble, so I came to rescue her."
"You want to save my empress?" the emperor said bluntly. "I think your intention to save her is just a pretense; you really want to take the empress away!"
Magistrate Zhou, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed, not daring to utter a sound.
Good heavens, he actually overheard royal secrets!
But he felt no joy whatsoever.
Sometimes, the more you know, the faster you die.
Xiahou Riyue said meaningfully, "It doesn't matter who took the Empress away. What matters is whether the Empress wants to stay or not."
Magistrate Zhou almost cried upon hearing this.
He felt he might not see the sun rise tomorrow.
He tried to minimize his presence, hoping that none of the three would notice him.
But the emperor had nowhere to vent his anger, and seeing the man's hunched-over appearance only made him more annoyed. He shouted sternly, "What are you doing standing here? Get out of here!"
Magistrate Zhou quickly left.
Now only three people remained, staring at each other in bewilderment.
Xiahou Riyue knew the emperor was angry, but deliberately added fuel to the fire, saying, "Your Majesty, I have said before that the empress does not want to stay in the deep palace. If you want what is best for her, you should grant her wish."
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