I have to say the Imperial Garden is really beautiful. There are many of the things that Mingxiu doesn't know the names of, but even the most beautiful things will look less appealing after a while.
Mingxiu strolled along leisurely and spotted a flower that looked a little different. Somewhat uncertain, Mingxiu led Green Bamboo over, and upon closer inspection, it was indeed a flower.
What a pleasant surprise! This flower has white petals and is quite inconspicuous as it's a single bloom. If Mingxiu hadn't seen it before, she wouldn't have recognized it at all.
I never expected to see roses here; it's really a rare sight.
It was still a pure white rose. There was only one flower in front of her. What if someone careless pulled it away? Then there would be nothing left. It would be better to put it in her glasshouse and cultivate it properly. Maybe she could grow a few more. Thinking of this, Mingxiu walked over with some eagerness.
Accidents can happen in an instant. Mingxiu was so excited that she didn't notice and took two steps forward. When she realized something was wrong, she swayed and twisted her ankle.
"Ouch!"
Instantly, everyone in the garden heard her voice.
Fortunately, there was no one behind Mingxiu. Mingxiu twisted her ankle and started to fall to the side. Luckily, Green Bamboo grabbed her and pulled her back, preventing her from falling to the ground.
But a sharp pain shot through her ankle, bringing tears to her eyes.
Hearing the commotion, Consort Hui turned around and saw Mingxiu bent over, her face contorted in pain. She exclaimed, "Oh dear, what happened? How could Consort Ming be so careless?" As she spoke, she turned around and walked over to help her up, appearing gentle and considerate.
At this moment, several concubines who were nearby also came over.
But just as Consort Hui came over to help Mingxiu up, Mingxiu suddenly felt a force push her from behind. She had just regained her balance and immediately fell forward, landing directly in Consort Hui's arms. Consort Hui caught Mingxiu, and the two fell down side by side.
Green Bamboo was just bending over to look at her mistress's feet when, unexpectedly, she was pulled down by her mistress's body and sat down as well.
This made the sound even louder.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager, who were walking ahead, also heard the commotion and subconsciously frowned as they looked over.
The Empress Dowager shook her head and said nothing.
Consort Tong frowned and ordered someone to go and see what was going on. Emperor Kangxi also let Consort Tong accompany the Empress Dowager to continue their stroll, while he strode over.
He thought he just heard someone call out Mingxiu's name.
Watching Kangxi's retreating figure, Consort Tong opened her mouth but said nothing, and led the Empress Dowager to continue looking at the flowers ahead.
The concubines were all gathered together, and when they saw the emperor walking this way, they naturally made way for him.
With a space cleared, Kangxi naturally saw the two people slowly getting up from the ground. Seeing Mingxiu's furrowed brows and pale face, Kangxi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
He hurried over and, seeing the two people being helped to the nearest seats, asked, "What happened?"
Mingxiu sat in her seat, first glancing at Consort Hui and noticing that she had only made a brief moment of suaveness and was otherwise unharmed, before looking at Kangxi with a wronged expression and complaining, "Your Majesty, I just sprained my ankle."
Emperor Kangxi frowned, seeing Mingxiu's face covered in cold sweat from the pain. He walked over, picked Mingxiu up, and carried her towards Yonghe Palace.
Mingxiu glanced at Consort Hui, who was still rubbing her waist, and pinched Kangxi's arm, gesturing for Kangxi to look at Consort Hui.
Emperor Kangxi wasn't completely oblivious to Consort Hui; he was simply planning to have the imperial physician examine her.
Now, Kangxi solemnly ordered, "Carry Consort Hui back in a sedan chair and have the imperial physician examine her. The rest of you, please accompany the Empress Dowager on her stroll."
After giving his instructions, Kangxi picked up Qu Mingxiu and prepared to leave.
The flower-viewing banquet was supposed to continue, but the emperor had already left. What was there to see? Especially since the emperor was holding a concubine in his arms, how could he be in the mood to look at flowers?
The flower-viewing party came to an end just like that.
On the way, Mingxiu's face was pale, and tears kept falling down her cheeks.
Emperor Kangxi was extremely anxious and comforted Mingxiu, "Bear with it, the imperial physician will be here soon."
Once inside Yonghe Palace, they quickly placed Mingxiu on the bed, and had people bring her cold water and ice water. They even took off Mingxiu's shoes and had her soak them in water.
The imperial physician arrived quickly and examined Mingxiu's injury. It was indeed a sprain, but not serious. After applying the medicine, it would be healed in about half a month.
Seeing that Mingxiu was in so much pain that she couldn't bear it, the imperial physician prescribed her some painkillers.
After applying the medicine and cooling it, Mingxiu felt much better and was able to speak when she felt the pain in her ankle had lessened considerably.
Mingxiu, sobbing, leaned against Kangxi's chest and began to complain: "Your Majesty, the first time I fell was because the stone bricks on the ground were loose, and I lost my balance and twisted my ankle. But after I got up, I don't know who pushed me from behind, and that's why I fell down with Consort Hui."
"It hurts so much! If Consort Hui hadn't caught me when someone pushed me, I might have been disfigured."
Mingxiu cried and became more and more heartbroken.
Looking at Mingxiu's tear-streaked face, Kangxi sighed and patiently comforted her, "It's alright, don't worry. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation. Right now, the most important thing is your injury. The imperial physician said that you shouldn't be so emotional."
"Also, the loose paving stones in the Imperial Garden are definitely a problem. I will investigate thoroughly, so don't worry."
Mingxiu leaned against him, listening to him methodically arrange things. Her emotions gradually calmed down, but doubt flickered in her eyes.
After comforting Mingxiu, Kangxi had time to check on Consort Hui's condition. Fortunately, Consort Hui was alright; she had just twisted her waist slightly and was fine after applying a plaster.
After hearing the story, Kangxi frowned and pondered deeply. This banquet was organized by Consort Tong, but he did not believe that Consort Tong had arranged it. Although his cousin had some ulterior motives, she was not a malicious person.
But if it wasn't her, then who would want to harm Mingxiu?
Before Kangxi could figure anything out, Consort Tong arrived in front of him.
After Consort Tong entered, she immediately apologized to Emperor Kangxi, saying, "Your Majesty, it's all my fault for not doing my job properly. I failed to notice that the bricks in the Imperial Garden were broken, causing Consort Ming and Consort Hui to be injured."
Kangxi helped her up and comforted her, saying, "This isn't entirely your fault. The palace is so big, there are bound to be places that aren't visible. But the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Garden must be severely punished."
Consort Tong nodded, looking flustered. She had been stunned when the incident first occurred, and she had come to plead guilty because she was afraid the Emperor would think she was responsible. But it seemed that the Emperor still trusted her.
As Consort Tong's emotions gradually stabilized, Emperor Kangxi did not mention that Mingxiu had said someone had pushed him.
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