Chapter 215 Safe Departure from the Palace
"My wife!"
At this moment, Dong Rou rushed forward and knelt down with a thud.
Tears streamed down her face, her face filled with lingering fear and self-reproach: "This servant deserves to die! This servant was foolish! It's all my fault for trusting that little palace maid who delivered the message, thinking you were really drunk and unwell, and that's why I recklessly ran to the Bamboo Green Pavilion... This servant almost offended the Imperial Brother-in-law, almost... almost harmed you!"
She became more and more agitated as she spoke, and raised her hand to slap herself.
Lu Zhaoruo grabbed her wrist: "Get up and talk."
Then he added, "Dongrou, explain yourself clearly: who spoke to you, where, and how?"
Dong Rou sobbed, recounting the events in broken sentences: "Right outside the palace gate... a young palace maid I didn't recognize came running, panting, saying that you, my lady, had drunk wine in Jinxia Garden and were feeling unwell, so you were resting in Zhuqing Pavilion, and ordered me to hurry and attend to you... I... I was in such a hurry at the time that I didn't verify whether it was true or not..."
"Then, outside the Green Bamboo Pavilion, I ran into Li Nian'er..."
“Li Nian’er scolded me for not knowing the rules, saying that the inner palace was forbidden gardens, how could a maid like me just barge in with a few words? She also said that the lady was not inside at all, but the emperor’s brother-in-law who was resting drunk! And that if I barged in rashly, I would implicate the lady.”
"After that, she ordered me to leave quickly. Just as I was about to leave, she made me stop and said that Lady Lanyang of the Marquis of Anguo's residence was watching me. I had rushed over in a panic and had already caught the eye of a noble lady! If I ran away rashly, it would only confirm that I was guilty."
"She then told me to retreat to the bamboo grove over there and wait for Lady Zhan to leave before I hurriedly left the palace."
"Although I don't completely believe Li Nian'er's words, what she said does make some sense."
Lu Zhaoruo listened quietly to the end.
As expected, it was a series of schemes set up by Li Nian'er, first using Dong Rou as bait, and then luring herself into the trap.
Her expression softened, and she gently patted Dongrou's hand: "Alright, don't blame yourself anymore. It's impossible to guard against something that's not meant to be. Look, I'm right here, perfectly fine."
Dongrou looked at her ankle: "But, my lady, weren't you injured? How did you get injured?"
Lu Zhaoruo did not answer, but watched the carriage approach and said, "Let's get in the carriage first."
The master and servant then boarded the carriage.
Xiao Yeming took the reins from the servant, and with a nimble flip, sat firmly on the saddle, his movements as smooth as flowing water.
He reined in his horse and approached the car window, his voice still hoarse: "You can ride in peace, I'll protect you."
The curtain was not fully lowered, leaving a gap.
Xiao Yeming held the reins, keeping his mount at just the right distance from the carriage, allowing for clear conversation without being impolite.
The carriage rumbled along, leaving the solemn imperial city behind, and the sounds of people in the streets gradually came into view.
Xiao Yeming turned his head and looked through the curtain at the blurry figure inside the carriage. His tone was clearly concerned, yet he carefully chose his words: "Madam Lu, did you encounter any trouble in the palace today?"
He paused, then quickly added, "If it's inconvenient to say, don't force yourself. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."
Looking at the tall and imposing silhouette of the young general outlined by the setting sun outside the curtain, Lu Zhaoruo felt a warmth in her heart and decided not to hide it any longer.
In a calm voice, she clearly and concisely recounted the turmoil at the banquet, Li Nian'er's framing, the malady's madness after being drugged, Princess Yongfu's unexpected involvement, and her own counterattack.
After the narration was finished, there was a moment of silence in the car.
Lu Zhaoruo remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised her eyes, her gaze seemingly able to penetrate the carriage curtain and look directly in Xiao Yeming's direction. Her voice was soft yet clear: "General Xiao, in your opinion, do you think I am cunning and ruthless in using this scheme against you?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming blurted out almost without thinking, "Absolutely not!"
He pulled his horse closer, with the sincerity and sharpness unique to young people, "They were clearly the ones with ulterior motives first, and it is only natural that they reaped what they sowed! You were merely acting in response to the crisis and protecting yourself, what wrong have you done?"
His voice revealed undisguised admiration: "To be honest, I have never seen a woman as intelligent and courageous as you. Your composure in the face of adversity and your ability to use your wisdom to overcome challenges are a thousand times better than simply swallowing your anger and letting others bully you!"
Hearing his unwavering defense and praise, Lu Zhaoruo's previously furrowed brow quietly relaxed, and a hint of warmth appeared in her eyes.
Yes.
He allowed Li Nian'er's innocence to be ruined, which was just self-preservation, and she reaped what she sowed.
Listening from the side, Dongrou patted her chest with lingering fear: "It was truly a blessing from the Bodhisattva today! Fortunately, my lady was quick-witted and took Princess Yongfu with her. If we had really fallen for Li Nian'er's trick and gone into that room alone, the consequences... I don't even dare to think about them!"
As she spoke, a hint of smug satisfaction crept into her voice, "She deserves this fate, she brought it on herself!"
After saying that, she looked down and saw Lu Zhaoruo's obviously swollen ankle, and her eyes immediately reddened again: "But my wife! Your foot... you are too cruel to yourself! Knowing it was a trap, why did you hurt yourself so badly? How much pain must it have caused you!"
Seeing that she was so anxious that she was about to cry, Lu Zhaoruo couldn't help but chuckle: "It's just an act for people to see, it's just to look scary. It's not really that heavy. Look how worried you are, stop nagging."
Xiao Yeming, standing outside the carriage, keenly sensed the change in her aura. Feeling somewhat relieved, he smoothly steered the conversation toward pleasant practical matters, his tone becoming lighter: "By the way, before noon, palace servants delivered the keys and contract to the Xiao residence, indicating that the gifts had already been placed in the new house."
He recalled the look in Shu Heng's eyes when he looked at Lu Zhaoruo, paused slightly, and then said, "His Majesty's grace is comprehensive. The bestowed residence has been initially cleaned by people sent by the Inner Palace Service, and ten government slaves have been assigned there. They are all honest and unassuming servants who are responsible for guarding the gate and managing the courtyard. Their indentures have been sent to the Xiao residence along with the house deed."
He continued, "However, these are ultimately government-appointed personnel, and they are probably not attentive enough. You will naturally need to choose your own capable personal servants in the future. It's late tonight, so go back to your residence and rest. Tomorrow I will accompany you to see the new house, how about that?"
Lu Zhaoruo hadn't expected this.
The emperor even rewarded him with ten government slaves.
She nodded slightly: "Thank you for your arrangements, General Xiao. In that case, let's go back to the manor first."
Ten minutes later, the carriage came to a stop in front of the Xiao residence.
Lu Zhaoruo had just gotten out of the car with Dong Rou's help.
Having already received the news, Madam Xiao, who was waiting at the second gate, greeted them with a joyful expression.
She grabbed Lu Zhaoruo's hand and laughed heartily, "Good child! You're finally back! The Emperor himself has graced our residence with his presence, what an honor! I knew that with your looks, talent, and intelligence, you would surely have good fortune in the future! Come in and rest, I've already had some tea and snacks prepared to calm your nerves!"
However, this joy did not spread throughout the Xiao family mansion.
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