Imperial Physician Yan carefully dabbed the blood droplets on Jiang Xinyue's neck and face with medicine. The Emperor's worried gaze intensified his pressure.
"Ouch—"
"Do you even know how to apply medicine? Give it to me, let me do it."
As soon as Jiang Xinyue let out a small sound of pain, the Xuanwu Emperor snatched the medicine away. Imperial Physician Yan visibly relaxed.
"Imperial Physician Yan, it won't leave a scar, will it?"
The Xuanwu Emperor asked, and Imperial Physician Yan glanced at Jiang Xinyue before replying, "The facial injury is superficial. I'll prescribe a scar-removing ointment for the Concubine. It should heal in less than ten days. However..."
"However, what?"
"The cut on the Concubine's neck is deeper, and there seems to be some unpleasant substance on the Empress Dowager's armor. If not properly cared for, I'm afraid it might leave a mark."
Upon hearing this, the Xuanwu Emperor grew even angrier. The Empress Dowager had become so brazen as to openly poison his most beloved concubine.
She still treated him like a three-year-old child, trying to destroy everything he loved.
His face turned frighteningly dark, his naturally imposing eyes seeming to contain a vortex, slowly accumulating energy. It was as if a tornado was coming, ready to uproot and shred certain things to pieces.
Jiang Xinyue looked very worried, covering her neck. "Imperial Physician Yan, will this affect the child in my womb?"
The Emperor was also extremely anxious, fearing it might impact the fetus in Concubine Zhen's womb. But Concubine Zhen herself was equally concerned, not even minding the possibility of scarring, eagerly awaiting Imperial Physician Yan's answer.
"Rest assured, Concubine. The imperial child in your womb is very healthy. You dodged quickly earlier, so not much of that substance came into contact. I've already cleaned it thoroughly for you, Concubine. However, the wound will indeed be difficult to heal. In my opinion, only scar-removing gel can prevent leaving a mark."
The scar-removing gel was a miraculous medicine made by a palace maid who was skilled in making fragrances, but that maid had passed away several years ago without passing on her skills. The Xuanwu Emperor only remembered that Consort Liang's palace might still have a bottle.
That was also something Consort Liang had kept, reluctant to use.
The Xuanwu Emperor immediately ordered, "Wang Dequan, go to Consort Liang's palace and borrow the scar-removing gel. Say that I need to use it."
If he said it was for Concubine Zhen, Consort Liang would certainly be unwilling. Even if she agreed, he feared she might do something harmful. The Xuanwu Emperor didn't want to take that risk.
His current consideration for Concubine Zhen undoubtedly had an element of making amends for the past.
Jiang Xinyue had a firm grasp on his psychology. She maintained a stern face, showing no signs of happiness or gratitude for his thoughtfulness.
The Xuanwu Emperor swallowed nervously, "What's wrong, my love? Is it very painful?"
As he spoke, he reached out to touch Jiang Xinyue's wound.
"Slap!"
His arm was forcefully pushed away. It didn't hurt much, but the one who struck him was his "beloved" Concubine Zhen.
He frowned and looked at Jiang Xinyue's face, only to see her expression cold, her eyes filled with hatred and anger as she glared at him: "Your Majesty is so clever and busy with state affairs, knowing I was being schemed against and making advance preparations, yet keeping me completely in the dark, letting everyone in the palace watch my downfall and laugh at me for being... being..."
She was so angry that she choked up, large tears rolling down her cheeks. "Since I am so insignificant in Your Majesty's heart, why bother putting on this affectionate act in front of me, fooling me into giving you my whole heart? Your Majesty's acting is too good, you've completely deceived me. My situation today is all my own fault, I brought this upon myself. Please leave, Your Majesty! I'm tired."
Her attitude seemed to say that she was tired, couldn't love anymore, and didn't want to see him ever again from now on.
"It's not like that..."
The Xuanwu Emperor wanted to say that he had made foolproof arrangements and would never let anything happen to her.
But Jiang Xinyue had already turned her head away, refusing to look at him again. Her tone gradually grew cold: "I don't want to hear Your Majesty's explanations. I only have one question for Your Majesty. In the past, when Your Majesty favored Consort Shu, could you have borne to see her pushed down onto a bed by another man? To be frightened to the point of nearly miscarrying, and then be beaten by the Empress Dowager?"
If it were the former moonlight in Your Majesty's heart, Consort Shu, could Your Majesty bear to let her suffer even the slightest grievance?
If someone had treated Consort Shu the way they treated Concubine Zhen, what would their fate have been?
"Consort Shu of the past, Concubine Li of the past, Your Majesty has favored them all. Your Majesty's favor changes with the wind, but I am different. Your Majesty is the first man I have ever loved. I bet my entire life's happiness on Your Majesty, yet Your Majesty disappoints me time and time again. If this is how it is, Your Majesty should go find another beloved. From now on, I will no longer hope for an emperor's love."
Her silhouette appeared so resolute, causing a dull ache in the Xuanwu Emperor's chest.
That vague, knife-like sensation also reddened his eyes.
In an instant, his guilt reached its peak. He clenched his fists behind his back, wanting to step forward but fearing to upset her. He gritted his teeth, restraining himself: "Has someone been gossiping in your ear?"
That person must truly have malicious intentions. Knowing that Concubine Zhen had just experienced such an ordeal and was in a sensitive state of mind, yet still saying such hurtful words to her, trying to drive a wedge between her and himself. They truly deserved death!
"Is that not exactly what Your Majesty did?"
Concubine Zhen suddenly broke down emotionally, shouting at the Emperor: "Didn't Your Majesty wait outside, only coming in to catch Jin Wuyong in the act after I cried out? What was Your Majesty thinking at that time? Did it not matter whether I and the child in my womb lived or died? Did you absolutely have to make Consort Shu pay for betraying your son? Was the price to be me and the child in my womb becoming sacrificial lambs? Your Majesty, you are too frightening. Today I finally understand why everyone says emperors are heartless. I've seen it for myself, and I don't want to fall in any deeper. Can't you just let me be?"
Her words also infuriated the Xuanwu Emperor. He believed that among the women in his harem, only Consort Shu in the past had captured his attention as much as Concubine Zhen.
But Consort Shu had long since changed, and his heart now stood completely on Concubine Zhen's side. Yet she still said he was heartless, that his love changed with the wind. Even knowing it was just angry words spoken without thinking, the Xuanwu Emperor was still displeased.
Never before had any concubine dared to be so bold as to say such treasonous words to his face.
Not just concubines, even if a high official felt slighted, they could only find fault with themselves. Who would dare blame the Emperor for not valuing them?
"You're in a bad mood today. I won't hold it against you. I'll come see you again later."
"This concubine doesn't need Your Majesty to come see her. Xi Que, after escorting the Emperor out, close the palace gates. Before this concubine gives birth, Hexi Palace is sealed. No one is allowed to enter."
All the palace servants were struck dumb by the sudden conflict between Concubine Zhen and the Emperor. Only Xi Que, that brave soul, still dared to respond. She walked up to the Emperor with her head bowed and extended a hand towards the door: "Your Majesty, please."
Even Jiang Chuan sucked in a cold breath, secretly praising her: Brave woman, you have my respect.
No wonder the Concubine treated Xi Que so well. She truly risked her life for the Concubine's sake.
