Chapter 161 Chapter 161 People who are incompatible with each other are treacherous.
In her youth, Concubine Chang favored extravagance. Emperor Jiaqing, deeply concerned about his mother, had intended an extravagant banquet for the Concubine this time. However, remembering Gu Huaijin's aversion to extravagance, he feared further upsetting the lord, so he compromised and reduced the original 108 dishes to 88.
On that day, the Ganhe Hall was filled with distinguished guests, including important officials of the previous dynasty, close relatives of the royal family, wives of princes and nobles, and female relatives of the harem.
Concubine Chang, adorned in pearls and jade, sat at the top. Her withered cheeks had plumped up a bit, and she had regained some of her former beauty and majesty. Beside her, Emperor Jiaqing and Li Xuanbai sat together on the high platform in the center. Chang Da and Mao Linyan, being related to Concubine Chang, naturally sat at the head of the table below.
Nan Qiong Shuang sat a little further down and felt somewhat relieved that she didn't have to be too close to the top.
Upstairs, Li Xuanbai rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly at the banquet in boredom.
She hadn't seen him for a long time, and the last time she pointed at his head and ridiculed him with such sharp words, even she felt a little scared.
This guy had a violent temper, after all. While he could be soft-hearted and reluctant at times, she had truly pissed him off this time. Who could say how he'd punish her when he came to his senses?
If possible, she absolutely did not want to meet the Regent.
What's more, Gu Huaijin was sitting next to her.
She lowered her eyes, picked up the exquisite gilded wine cup on the table, and pretended to turn it around to look at it, while secretly glancing at the people around her out of the corner of her eyes.
Gu Huaijin was much taller than her and sat next to her.
She didn't know why, but whenever he was around, even if he did nothing, she felt enveloped by him. It was as if there was a strange aura around him—when she saw him, a part of her would become entangled with him, wrapping herself around him.
She liked the feeling of having him by her side, even if they said nothing or did nothing.
The court music played, the tea ceremony was performed, the wine pouring ceremony was performed, and everyone recited the toasts in unison. Finally, the palace banquet began. There was a chorus of toasts and the sound of stringed instruments. Food boxes wrapped in yellow silk satin flowed into the Ganhe Hall. The eunuchs serving the food sang in their shrill voices. She held her chopsticks tightly, unable to hear any of the sounds.
There was a slight clattering sound, which was his chopsticks gently touching the enamel bowl.
After going through those heart-wrenching days of the past few days, she would feel at ease whenever he just sat beside her and ate a few mouthfuls of food in silence.
She sighed and put a piece of sweet osmanthus fish in the bowl.
However, let it go again.
Looking around, there were rows and rows of neatly arranged guards with swords, all of them with their legs crossed and hands behind their backs. They were tall and strong, with broad shoulders and bodies, as if a dark fence had been built around the hall.
These people included the Golden Spear Guards with golden lion heads hanging on their scabbards, the Chang family soldiers wearing Chang's tiger armor, and the Feiyu Guards with Feiyu Orders hanging around their waists.
Nobles and celebrities gathered together, and the big men from the three parties gathered together. No one dared to hand over the responsibility of guarding the hall to the other party. In the end, each of the three parties brought people in order to not be inferior to others.
At the palace banquet when Gu Huaijin returned to the palace a few months ago, the three parties had not been so wary of each other.
I guess he cut his wrists a few days ago, and everyone smelled something unusual.
The three-party confrontation may be loosening.
However, the order for her to take action hadn't even come down yet. Once the situation changed, it might not be so easy for her to take action. Gu Huaijin was caught in the middle of the situation. If a coup occurred, the winner would be the king and the loser would be the bandit. Who knows, she might end up dead in the market.
Even if he finally got rid of the Regent and Chang Da, Emperor Jiaqing was so decadent, self-righteous and insane. After regaining power, would he still be able to tolerate this big Buddha?
It is not true that when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked.
The more she thought about it, the more she was confused about the future. Sitting at the banquet, she felt like she was walking a tightrope on a cliff, and sighed with a splitting headache.
But suddenly I had a feeling.
The hand hanging by the side was being pulled little by little and held in someone's hand.
A warm touch, extremely light force.
He pushed aside her layers of sleeves and gently and softly hooked his hand around hers.
Gu Huaijin's face, wrapped in black silk, remained calm.
Their little fingers and ring fingers were loosely intertwined.
Everyone drank, talked and laughed, complimented each other and made friends with each other.
She focused all her attention on her two fingers.
At the banquet, the sound of stringed instruments and pipes continued among the crowd, and everyone was toasting each other. He even heard her sigh.
It’s strange to say, she was so nervous just now, but when he held her with two fingers, she felt better.
Also, my eyes were a little sore and I really wanted to hug him and cry.
She held her breath for a moment and swallowed involuntarily. Looking up, she saw Li Jingtai toasting Chang Zhong with great joy across the round table, while Wang Maoxing was waving modestly to his colleagues.
Everyone was enjoying themselves, drinking and chatting happily.
She breathed softly and carefully hooked her fingers around his.
He looked at Emperor Jiaqing with anxiety in his heart.
On the high platform, Emperor Jiaqing was whispering to Mao Linyan, and the two of them were laughing happily.
Under the table, Gu Huaijin rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, and the rough fingerprints slowly rubbed on the back of her hand, lingering, cherishing and nostalgic.
As if he missed her very much.
Didn’t you say, “We can’t be together”?
Her eyelashes trembled, and she was afraid that the people at the table would notice something. She looked lazy and listless, and used her other hand to hold the chopsticks to pick up the food.
Gu Huaijin gradually took her entire hand in his palm. His hot palm rubbed the four protruding joints on the back of her hand, and his thumb scratched it repeatedly, as if to coax her.
She lowered her eyelashes and breathed softly.
No one should have noticed. Everyone was chatting and laughing—his sleeves were so long, his sleeves were longer than hers, and the tablecloth was dragging on the ground. This subtle movement, no one should have noticed.
She looked around again calmly.
But suddenly, Concubine Chang on the high platform gave a look to the people below.
Below, Chang Da took a last bite of his food as if nothing had happened, put down his chopsticks, and straightened his collar.
Nan Qiongshuang immediately felt something was wrong in her heart.
Whatever these two discussed, it couldn't be good.
A few days ago, because the Prince Regent had unconditionally confined Concubine Zhen to the Jingsi Pavilion, countless rumors had spread inside and outside the palace. Some said she had offended the Prince Regent, lost his favor, and the two had been at loggerheads ever since; some said the Emperor Jiaqing had displeased the Prince Regent so much that he had a headache and refused to allow Concubine Zhen to attend him; and some said her frequent visits to the Daming Palace had aroused the Prince Regent's ulterior motives, sparking jealousy with the Emperor Jiaqing.
Although all these things were just hearsay, rumors were still a powerful thing. If Chang Da was determined to get rid of her, she would probably be in trouble.
What's more, Chang Da did have the motive to get rid of her - after all, she had the support of the Daming Palace.
Without her, Emperor Jiaqing would only have Mao Linyan by his side, and Yu Changda in the Purple Palace would be in his hands.
Chang Da suddenly clasped his fists towards Emperor Jiaqing on the high platform:
"Your Majesty, I was shocked to hear that you were ill recently. I was deeply concerned and restless, hoping to share your worries. Coincidentally, a few days ago, the Chang family army stationed outside Shanhaiguan defeated several Mongols. Fearing our Qi and Song dynasties, the Mongols surrendered and offered precious treasures from the Western Regions as a token of their sincerity, including a deer blood pill."
Emperor Jiaqing was chatting and laughing with Mao Linyan, his arm around her waist. He turned around and asked, "Deer Blood Pill?"
"Indeed." Chang Da bowed his head and saluted. "This item is a rare treasure from the Western Regions. It can dispel rheumatism, improve essence and blood, and replenish kidney yang. It is also very effective in promoting blood circulation and dispelling cold. I have heard that Your Majesty has always suffered from sore waist and knees, and cold air has invaded his body, which often troubles him. Therefore, I would like to present this item to Your Majesty."
During the banquet, no one dared to show any strange expression and listened as if nothing had happened.
Nan Qiong Shuang sneered inwardly.
In the past, Chang Da fed Emperor Jiaqing a bowl of medicinal wine, and he became weak and unable to lift his legs. If he were to be offered medicine again, would he dare to use it?
What’s more, it is a medicine that “tonifies kidney yang”.
Chang Da was quite bold in offering aphrodisiac medicine to Emperor Jiaqing in front of a room full of royal family ministers.
As expected, Emperor Jiaqing paused, then said dryly, "Prince Ding is so thoughtful, and I am very grateful. But..."
Concubine Chang leaned back in her seat and asked lightly, "...what do you mean by 'only'?"
Emperor Jiaqing was so desperate to rescue his mother because he was afraid of Chang Da and hoped that his mother would say a few words in front of Chang Da. Unexpectedly, his mother interrupted him.
His heart sank, and after careful consideration, he said with a pale face, "...My dear minister, you have always thought of me. I am deeply grateful. How can I refuse? Wang Rang, accept it."
Wang Rang took it with a nod.
Concubine Chang raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "Your Majesty, how do you want to use this Deer Blood Pill?"
Nan Qiong Shuang laughed in her heart. The concubine even asked the emperor who he wanted to sleep with after taking the medicine?
Suddenly, someone squeezed the hand under the table.
She pretended to look at the person behind him and stole a glance at his expression.
Gu Huaijin's profile was handsome and bright, he sipped his wine, looking calm and relaxed.
She turned back with a normal expression.
Why arrest her? It's not like she wants to sleep with the emperor.
Gu Huaijin knew that she didn't want to get on the dragon bed.
But as soon as she thought of the slightest possibility that she would be sent to another man's bed naked.
He just couldn't stand it.
He deliberately rubbed his wrist against her so that she could feel the gauze wrapped around his wrist.
Nan Qiong Shuang did feel it, and her hand trembled at the slightest touch.
She clutched two of his fingers sourly and lowered her eyes.
Above, Emperor Jiaqing, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, didn't know how to respond, and stammered:
"Naturally, the child will use it as the mother wants him to."
Concubine Chang snorted coldly.
She was carefully touching the back of his hand with her thumb, trying to coax him the same way he did, but suddenly she saw that Concubine Chang was meeting her gaze without blinking.
"That would be the best. Everyone around Ye'er must be loyal to the Emperor." The Concubine spoke each word clearly, as if chopping vegetables into small pieces. "Those who are disloyal will never receive the Emperor's grace again!"
Nan Qiongshuang realized that this was a challenge to her and sat up straight.
But he was held loosely by Gu Huaijin.
His expression remained unchanged as he shook her hand.
Nan Qiong Shuang understood that this was a message to her that nothing would happen.
Her shoulders relaxed again, and she leaned back in her chair, fanning herself lazily.
Just now, when the concubine stared at her and yelled at her, she almost stood up to speak back. Now she thought, no one was mentioned by name, so if she bumped into the topic, wouldn't she be accused of being the one being spoken to?
She ignored him and calmly picked up the wine cup and drank.
Concubine Chang looked at her again and said, "Serving the emperor is a great favor. Anyone who dares to defile the palace and betray the emperor's grace will be hanged according to the laws of Qi and Song!"
As soon as the words "filthy palace" came out, Gu Huaijin pinched her fingertips meaningfully.
The word "dangjiao" made her smile.
To scare her.
I think he heard that she had always been at odds with Gu Huaijin, and recently she had not been favored by the Regent, so he was thinking of ways to remove her from Emperor Jiaqing's side.
However, "the palace is defiled."
The two of them held hands in each other's sleeves.
Seeing that she only responded with a polite smile, Concubine Chang suddenly slammed the table, her index finger bent and pointed directly at her:
"How dare you deny it, Concubine Zhen!"
All the guests were shocked at the moment. Even Emperor Jiaqing, who was sitting in the middle of the high platform, was not prepared for this situation. He shuddered and looked around in astonishment.
Amidst the surprised gazes from all around, Nan Qiongshuang calmly stood up and saluted:
"I don't know what the Concubine is referring to."
"Still trying to quibble?" The concubine snorted coldly, "In the Quiet Thought Pavilion, you and I lived together, and I heard everything clearly! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare to speak so shamelessly and defy the grace of Heaven?"
She lowered her head and continued, "I don't know what the Concubine is referring to."
"Don't know? Fine, I don't know!" the concubine shouted. "Let me ask you, who was that man who spoke to you in the Jingsi Pavilion?!"
There was a brief silence among the guests in the room. They looked at each other and then exchanged glances.
"There have never been any outsiders in Jingsi Pavilion." If there were, it might have been Wu Dao—he'd come out to talk to her that day, and the Concubine had indeed seen him. She gritted her teeth, "After I moved into Jingsi Pavilion, it was guarded by the Regent's Golden Spear Guards. They are all trusted personal soldiers of the Regent, and there's no way they'd fail to observe. Why don't you ask the guards on duty at Jingsi Pavilion?"
Chang Da sneered, slowly put down his wine glass, and glared at the platform with his tiger eyes:
"The Golden Guards are the Regent's personal attendants. They are highly skilled and can naturally defend against external thieves."
"But what if the person who knocked on Jingsi Pavilion's door was the Regent himself?"
There was a cry of horror in the hall.
When everyone heard the concubine's attack, they were originally curious about the secrets of the palace. But after hearing this, they realized that it was a dispute between Chang and Li, and that they were pulled in by the concubine to be the audience. They were all shocked.
After hearing this, Li Xuanbai didn't react at all, but just smiled.
He was quite abnormal today. He ate quietly and leaned quietly in his chair. He was neither annoying nor irritating.
Chang Da: "It's been rumored in the capital that Concubine Zhen, under the guise of being a cousin, has been in and out of the Daming Palace every day, coming and going freely, and the palace people are accustomed to it. But even if they were siblings, they would still have to consider the strict rules between men and women. How could mere cousins have such frequent exchanges? Concubine Zhen had been having an affair with someone in the Daming Palace for a long time. So when the Emperor fell ill, Concubine Zhen wanted to go to the Purple Palace to tend to him. The Prince Regent was jealous and, in a rage, had Concubine Zhen banished to the Jingsi Pavilion!"
Nan Qiong Shuang asked with a smile, "Prince Ding is saying that I'm having an affair with the Prince Regent?"
Prince Ding bowed his head and said, "That's right!"
Nan Qiong Shuang glanced up at the platform.
Li Xuanbai looked at her from a distance, twisting his earrings and smiling without saying a word.
Not only do they not want to rescue, they also want to watch the show.
She sneered. Having an affair with the Regent?
But suddenly, he felt that the man's hand in his sleeve was holding something with a bit of resentment and unwillingness.
His white jade ring.
The ring that was once placed inside her body and plucked her like a pipa.
Slowly, he put it on her middle finger and stroked it to the base of her finger.
A vague threat.
He didn't like her looking at him, didn't like hearing people say that she had an affair with Li Xuanbai, and even more didn't like hearing people say that she was imprisoned in Jingsixuan not for him.
Nan Qiong Shuang tried her best not to think about what the ring had touched or what it felt like.
In public, it's fine to just hook your fingers, but why is he taking out that ring?!
She looked around with a trembling breath, and saw that most of the guests were stunned and ignored.
Pretending not to hear is because you have heard it before and it is not surprising.
It turns out that everyone guessed that she was having an affair with the Regent.
People who are close to each other are the most innocent.
People who are irreconcilable are adulterers.
She curled her lips and smiled, "In that case, does the Concubine have an exact date and time? The Prince Regent has a diary. If the Concubine can tell me a date and compare it with the diary, wouldn't it be clear whether this matter is true or not?"
Concubine Chang had only vaguely heard the man's voice that day, and she was afraid to give a specific time, which would backfire, so she spoke ambiguously: "I have been confined to the cold palace by the Regent for many years, and my health has been failing. How could I remember the date!"
Nan Qiong Shuang smiled and said, "How is the concubine's health?" The words of a madman are not counted.
Concubine Chang hated people knowing she had been crazy: "She was drowsy, dull and sleepy."
Nan Qiong Shuang couldn't say in front of everyone that the concubine had been crazy - that would be disrespectful, so she was speechless for a moment.
Li Xuanbai had long disliked Concubine Chang, who became so aggressive when in power, and when he heard her pretending to be nice, he sneered.
Upon hearing his sneer, Concubine Chang flew into a rage. "Not only did I hear a man's voice in the Jingsi Pavilion, I also saw his face! He was dressed in a red and purple brocade robe, adorned with a four-clawed python. He was arrogant and presumptuous, his words and actions were frivolous. Who else could he be if not the Regent?"
When the guards in the hall heard this, they were all shocked and angry. Without waiting for orders, they drew their swords in a hurry. There was a sound of swords being unsheathed in the hall.
The guests looked around in horror and at each other. Some of them stood up in a cold sweat and slipped away under the pretext of washing their hands.
Being scolded for no reason like this, Li Xuanbai just sneered casually, resting his chin on his hand, and refused to interrupt.
Nan Qiong Shuang said, "Since the Concubine Dowager has insisted that the Prince Regent had sneaked into Jingsi Pavilion to meet with me, I have no evidence to support my claim and cannot defend myself. Why not ask Aunt Shenshu, who serves the Concubine Dowager in Jingsi Pavilion, to confront me?"
Soon, Li Shenshu was invited into the Ganhe Hall.
Li Shenshu held the handkerchief in his hand and folded it over his lower abdomen, still smiling politely.
Concubine Chang sat on the high platform and said slowly, "Li Shenshu, whatever I ask you, just answer truthfully."
Li Shenshu lowered his head: "Yes."
Concubine Chang: "You once served me in the Jingsi Pavilion. I want to ask you, when you were in the Jingsi Pavilion, did you hear anything in the palace?"
Li Shenshu: "To answer the Concubine Dowager's question. Jingsi Pavilion is quiet and secluded. Concubine Zhen doesn't talk much. The only sound in the palace is usually the birdsong."
"So," Concubine Chang leaned back in her high chair, "have you ever met anyone in the palace?"
When she asked this question, she supported her temples with her onion-like index finger and raised her eyebrows lazily.
She dared to publicly criticize the guests at the palace banquet, so she was certainly well prepared. Chang Da had given her gold and silver to bribe the head aunt.
Everyone said that Li Shenshu was a man of integrity and sensible conduct, so she thought it would take some effort to bribe her. Unexpectedly, as soon as she opened her mouth, Li Shenshu accepted it with a smile.
Li Shenshu said in a steady and deep voice: "To the Concubine, no."
As expected, Nan Qiong Shuang smiled slightly.
Concubine Chang sat up in shock: "Can you tell me again?!"
Li Shenshu lowered his head and said, "No, my lady."
"What do you mean nothing?" The Toffee pointed a trembling finger at her with her armor. "What do you mean nothing? You didn't hear anything, and you didn't see anything?!"
Li Shenshu simply said, "It is true that no outsiders enter or leave Jingsi Pavilion."
Emperor Jiaqing also saw his mother's intention today - it was nothing more than to leave Mao Linyan alone by his side. Instinctively sensing danger, he spoke up to stop her, "Mother, the witnesses all say Deyin is innocent. Let's just let it go. Perhaps you misheard."
Just as Concubine Chang was about to speak again, her lips trembled twice and she was dazzled by the white blade shown by the Jin Ge guard.
She gritted her teeth, her bright red lips being squeezed between her teeth, deformed, and slammed her palm down on the table.
"No, this involves the royal bloodline. We can't just let this go! When Li Shenshu entered Jingsixuan, I had already received a pardon from the Regent. By then, Concubine Zhen had been imprisoned there for several days! Even if Li Shenshu didn't see her by accident, it doesn't count—I did see her!"
Nan Qiong Shuang smiled, "The Concubine is saying that before Aunt Shen Shu entered the Jingsi Pavilion, the Regent had sneaked into the Jingsi Pavilion and had a secret meeting with me?"
Concubine Chang curled her bright red lips: "Bitch! How dare you deny it?!"
Li Xuanbai was sitting at the top, and no matter how much he was angry and refused to speak, he was finally scolded and scolded. Hearing this, he could no longer hold back and sighed:
"Toffee, everyone outside said you were crazy. Now it seems you are really crazy, right?"
He tilted his head and glanced at Li Shenshu:
"Tell me. When the Concubine first entered Jingsixuan to serve her, what was her mental state like? Was she normal or abnormal?"
Li Shenshu was a little embarrassed this time, and carefully considered his words:
"Replying to the Regent, the Concubine... initially, she was indeed lethargic and tired, and her words and actions were different."
"Sleepy and tired" is in line with the Dowager Consort. "Different words and deeds" is in line with the Regent.
Nan Qiong Shuang thought to herself, what a cunning person.
She saw her chance and immediately spoke out, insisting: "When I first entered Jingsi Pavilion, I often heard the Concubine talking to the birds outside the window. Sometimes, at night, I would catch her singing to the wall. She said she heard me talking to and having secret meetings with men outside the family. I wonder if she mistook the birds in the trees for men, or if she saw something filthy out of thin air."
Concubine Chang was so angry that she leaned on the table, pinching her vermilion nail polish into her palms and her body was shaking.
But there is nothing more to say.
The Prince Regent had already defined her by calling her crazy. He was the most powerful man in the Forbidden City, so what else could she do?
She picked up the small wine cup on the table, drank it all in one gulp, and with a sullen expression, glanced at Chang Da who was walking down the stairs.
Chang Da had already offended the Regent today, and there was no way he could retreat. He was determined to remove this thorn in the Emperor's side. He clasped his fists:
"Then, may I ask, Prince Regent, if it wasn't out of jealousy, why did you imprison Concubine Zhen that day?"
Li Xuanbai lowered his head with a smile, propped up his chin, and looked into her eyes from across the crowd.
Raised an eyebrow.
Nan Qiong Shuang already understood him to such an extent that she could not understand what he meant.
He asked: Do you want me to tell you?
She felt threatened by his smile from thousands of miles away, and clenched the small wine cup in her hand.
She knew that Li Xuanbai made her very angry, but she still bet that he wouldn't tell her.
He would still cover up for her.
Because if it were her, her choice would also be this one.
Sure enough, Li Xuanbai just smiled lazily and ignored anyone who questioned him.
Chang Da saw that he was too lazy to pay attention. He was not only angry, but also felt insulted. His bushy beard was blown by his nose and moved.
"The Prince Regent didn't answer. What exactly does he mean?! Even if they're cousins, they can't be so arrogant! A concubine has nothing better to do than to run into her cousin's bedroom. And the Prince Regent and the Emperor are brothers! If something goes wrong and pollutes the dragon vein, and the prince is replaced by a cat in a cat-for-a-crown trick, our Qi and Song dynasties will be destroyed!"
The guests in the hall never expected that Prince Ding would dare to tear his face with the Regent in front of everyone, the Emperor, and Gu Huaijin. Everyone was panicked and left the table with excuses.
Gradually, one third of the Ganhe Hall became empty.
Chang Da: "It is better to kill someone by mistake than to let him go lightly! Otherwise, how can we tell who holds the throne and who holds the throne? Since Concubine Zhen is suspected of having an affair, she should be killed!"
After he finished speaking, he shouted: "Come here!"
The Chang family soldiers, wearing tiger armor and ready for battle for a long time, shouted in unison: "Here!"
Chang Da: "Strip the concubines of their clothing and beat them to death outside the palace!"
Nan Qiongshuang didn't expect that Chang Da would dare to confront her in front of Li Xuanbai before he even opened his mouth. Before she could react, her shoulder was pressed down by the Chang family army who rushed forward, and she almost fell on the table.
Li Xuanbai looked at her from afar. Seeing that she was unwilling to give him a look even at this point, he was so angry that he didn't know what to do. He sneered and nodded.
At today's palace banquet, he didn't move at all, just to watch her from above.
See if she submits, reflects on herself, or begs him for help.
Unexpectedly, she was sitting next to the man named Gu, looking contented and not even glancing at him.
He really eats with the bowl in his hand and kicks the bowl after eating.
Who helps her the most? Who understands her the most? Who is most compatible with her personality?
That stubborn idiot, who couldn't do anything bad, how could he possibly understand her?!
He looked up and saw it again.
Chang Da, who was ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, and who had raised a bunch of ignorant soldiers, rushed forward without a word and pushed the man, whom he was reluctant to touch, so hard that his hairpins shook violently.
She was so frightened that her face turned pale.
Li Xuanbai sat on the golden steps and felt that everything that happened today was ridiculous.
If he doesn't take care of it for a moment, things will get out of hand here, right?
He bent his index finger, supported his temples, half-closed his fox eyes, and blinked slowly:
"——Who dares to move?"
Three words: not angry, not heavy, and not carefree.
Under the high platform, the aggressive Chang family army stopped and stood still in fear.
Amidst the gazes of those who were either fearful, respectful, or scrutinizing him, Li Xuanbai slowly crossed his legs, interlaced his fingers, and clasped them on his knees.
He yawned. "You said that this prince and Concubine Zhen were having an affair?"
After he finished speaking, he smiled, looked at the horrified faces in the audience, and said softly:
“—That’s right.”
"—— Concubine Zhen is my person."
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