Chapter 42: Accident

Chu Mingheng’s words were rather harsh, but no one dared to utter a single word of criticism.

No wonder Zhen Jieyu had stormed ashore in anger. Given her lower status and being mocked to her face, it was remarkable that she hadn’t lost her temper on the spot—she truly had patience.

But thinking about it this way, didn’t her act of pushing someone make her even more suspicious?

As everyone was pondering this, movement was seen outside the hall doors.

Rong Shuyi was helped into the main hall.

Her face now looked haggard and pale, her hair slightly disheveled, her eyes red from crying. In a pitiful state, she entered the hall and knelt to pay respects to the one seated above.

“Your Majesty… this concubine is at fault. This concubine should never have incurred Zhen Jieyu’s displeasure. It is this concubine’s mistake, but the child in this concubine’s womb was innocent. Before it could even grow a little within me, it… it was gone… Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please seek justice for him, I beg you to seek justice for him—”

Rong Shuyi spoke through tears, her already wretched and frail figure appearing even more despairing and sorrowful, a truly pitiful sight.

But Rong Shuyi was a newly entered imperial concubine, and what she did not know was that, in the eyes of the emperor, imperial heirs were not actually of great importance.

“Help Rong Shuyi up,” he said.

The palace maids hurried forward to assist Rong Shuyi to her feet and seated her on a nearby chair padded with soft cushions.

The door to the Inner Palace suddenly opened, and the person who emerged did not look much better than Rong Shuyi, though she could still walk steadily. The palace maids had changed her clothes, so she did not appear too disheveled.

But as soon as Lan Wu came out, she followed suit and knelt as well, lamenting, “Your Majesty, this concubine also does not know how she offended Rong Shuyi. It was bad enough that she named the palace maid by her side to humiliate this concubine. Thinking the small boat was unstable, this concubine hurried to shore, but who would have thought she would still try to bump this concubine into the water? If not for this concubine… if not for this concubine having learned dance since childhood, she truly would have knocked this concubine into the water.”

“Rong Shuyi claims her bumping was unintentional. Does that mean this concubine, standing properly and being bumped, then pushing back in response, was deliberately done by this concubine?”

“Just because this concubine comes from a dancer background, does she deserve to be humiliated and bumped into the water without being allowed to resist?”

After speaking, Lan Wu wiped her tears with a handkerchief. She looked at Rong Shuyi, who was sitting in her chair struggling to restrain herself from taking action, and continued, “This concubine has a weak constitution. Earlier, I specifically asked the Imperial Physician, who said that if this concubine had fallen into the lake today, it might have made bearing children difficult…”

“Then could this concubine not also say that Rong Shuyi intentionally tried to knock this concubine into the water?”

“You are slandering me!” Rong Shuyi trembled with anger upon hearing her words and immediately refuted.

In the end, today’s incident was a matter of coincidence, a series of events linked together that led to these consequences.

Hearing Lan Wu’s words, Chu Mingheng’s expression changed only for an instant, but no one noticed. He ordered someone to help Lan Wu up and seat her properly. His cold face now carried a trace of ruthlessness, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

“Since it was an accident, let this matter rest,” he said, his voice carrying an authoritative and stern tone that brooked no argument. Frowning slightly, his gaze heavy, he looked at Rong Shuyi, whose face was filled with panic and disbelief. “Anyone who mentions it again will have their tongue cut out as a warning.”

The imperial concubines dared not utter another word, only responding with acknowledgment.

Even Rong Shuyi slowly lowered her head.

“This palace maid of yours failed to protect you properly, making her useless. Take her away and behead her.”

Chu Mingheng leisurely tapped his fingers on the table and called for someone: “Chen Kangan.”

Chen Kangan stepped forward in response: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Go to the Inner Court Administration and pick a new servant to send to Qiushui Pavilion. Keep your eyes open and choose carefully.”

“This servant obeys the decree.”

Zhi Lan was dragged away, her body limp. Rong Shu Yi never lifted her head from beginning to end, only looking desolate as she was supported by someone after Chu Mingheng finished speaking.

Chen Kangan quietly reminded her: “Your Ladyship, it is time to thank for the grace.”

Only then did she squat and bow, her head hanging heavily, her voice muffled and hoarse: “This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

Lan Wu also remained silent, but when Chu Mingheng stood up to leave the palace, she instinctively rose as well.

She hated Luoying Court and did not want to stay there any longer.

From the end of the boat ride until now, the sky had clearly grown dark. It was best for her to return to Longyu Pavilion first. Once Chu Mingheng left, who knew what unpleasant words these imperial concubines might say.

Chu Mingheng glanced at her but said nothing more, pretending not to see her following.

Only when Lan Wu slowly trailed behind, shuffling her steps out of the palace gate, did she see that Chu Mingheng’s Imperial Carriage had not yet departed.

She bit her lip and hurried to catch up.

Beside the Imperial Carriage, Chen Kangan pulled aside the curtain for her and smiled: “Your Ladyship, please.”

Chu Mingheng slightly raised his gaze, his eyes falling upon her as he watched her pitifully take her seat.

As soon as the curtain closed, Lan Wu scooted to the edge of the seat and called out: “Your Majesty…”

Chu Mingheng sighed and reached out a hand toward her.

When she placed her hand in his, he pulled her onto his lap and said in a deep voice: “You ran off recklessly. This time, you should learn your lesson.”

Lan Wu’s body was still somewhat cold. The Imperial Physician had given her acupuncture, and she had taken the medicine, but the pain was not entirely gone. Her lower abdomen still felt vaguely uncomfortable.

Held in Chu Mingheng’s embrace, she curled into a ball, her soft body sinking into his arms. Hearing his words, her voice trembled slightly, somewhat hoarse: “This concubine thought… she should behave obediently…”

After all, Chu Mingheng had already scolded her over the storybook incident and had ignored her for several days afterward. If she had also refused Consort Rou’s invitation, word might have reached Chu Mingheng, and she could have been accused of disrespecting her superiors.

That was why she went.

Chu Mingheng pinched the back of her neck, loosening her tense nerves: “When did I ever say anything?”

Even today, when Rong Shu Yi miscarried, he had not uttered a single word of blame toward Lan Wu.

He didn’t say anything, but Lan Wu herself seemed somewhat dazed.

She rested her cheek against Chu Mingheng’s neck and remained silent all the way back.

When they returned to Longyu Pavilion, Lan Wu was carried by Chu Mingheng into the main hall.

“Does it still hurt badly?” Chu Mingheng placed her on the soft couch. Seeing her listlessly hanging her head, he couldn’t help but lift her chin and look down at her.

Lan Wu shook her head and said: “It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”

“Then what are you thinking about?” Chu Mingheng asked again.

Lan Wu snapped back to attention, not daring to meet his gaze, and then said: “Your Majesty, Rong Shu Yi, she…”

That child was ultimately lost.

“Don’t think nonsense.” Chu Mingheng’s expression turned cold. He rubbed her lips with his fingers, then slowly slipped them inside and said, “Do you not want your tongue anymore?”

His fingers pressed inch by inch against Lan Wu’s warm, soft tongue, teasing and warning her playfully before withdrawing. He then took the handkerchief from beside Lan Wu and wiped his hand.

Seeing Lan Wu seemed stunned, he raised a brow slightly. “What, didn’t your storybooks write about these things?”

Hearing him bring up the storybooks again, Lan Wu quickly shook her head. “This concubine won’t mention them anymore, Your Majesty. Please stay with me a while…”

She grabbed Chu Mingheng’s robe, pressing herself against him.

“How else should I accompany you? Carry you to court, perhaps?” Chu Mingheng stroked her head.

Lan Wu was left speechless, shaking her head sullenly. “…No.”