She remained silent as Shuang Jiang collapsed to the ground. Instead of further explanation, she spoke with resignation: "This servant entered the palace at six years old. Before meeting you, Concubine, I served many masters. I'm not good with words and couldn't please the masters, so I was often bullied by other palace maids. Sometimes when the masters were in a bad mood, beatings were common. Only you, Concubine... You taught me to fight back. You even beat Concubine Li's most favored maid to avenge me, not minding your own injury."
She sobbed: "Concubine, no one has ever been as kind to this servant as you. Please forgive this servant. I can't reveal who's behind me, but I... I've never harmed you. Because the information I passed on wasn't important, the person behind me became suspicious and forced me to drug you. I didn't know what was in the bottle and didn't dare seek a royal physician. But I never used the drug on you, please understand."
"For our time as master and servant, for your kindness, this servant will repay you in the next life."
Shuang Jiang finished in one breath and ran out. A loud thud was heard, followed by Jiang Chuan's alarmed cry: "Concubine! Don't come out, Shuang Jiang hit the pillar!"
The sound was so loud; she must have been determined to die.
She didn't shed blood in front of Jiang Xinyue, fearing her gruesome death might shock her.
Even now, she considered the child in Jiang Xinyue's womb. She must have been in great pain and conflict.
The small green bottle was full; she indeed hadn't harmed Jiang Xinyue. When she threw away the bottle earlier, crying so hard, was she threatened, feeling death was near for not following orders?
Jiang Xinyue's hands trembled violently as she stood up from her chair. Xi Que knew she still cared for Shuang Jiang; after all, even a dog would form deep feelings after a year together.
She ran out quickly to see blood smeared on the pillar by the door. Shuang Jiang's face was covered in blood, but she smiled weakly: "Don't... don't save me. If I die... she won't... threaten me to harm Concubine Zhen anymore. Xi Que... Xi Que... knowing you and the Concubine has been the greatest happiness of my life. I... you must take good care of the Concubine..."
Despite the pitch-black night, Shuang Jiang's lifeless eyes stared at the sky above the courtyard, as if returning to last summer when she first served Concubine Zhen.
How beautiful she was!
Like a fairy descending from heaven, she saved her from being bullied by other maids and told her that from then on, with her protection, no one would dare make her wash clothes for the entire maid's quarters alone again.
Although this scene was also aimed at Concubine Zhen, specifically arranged to place her in Xihuo Palace.
But...
The act was fake, but the experience was real. That person saved her with ulterior motives, to use her for their own purposes.
Concubine Zhen saved her without wanting anything in return, just to save her.
The memories of her time with the people in Hexi Palace flashed before her eyes like a flipbook as she lay dying.
They were all... beautiful memories!
How could she... how could she possibly harm Concubine Zhen?
Anyway, she hadn't followed orders tonight and had planned to face death alone tomorrow.
It was better this way, letting Concubine Zhen discover the truth. It would prevent her from being "accidentally killed" tomorrow, leaving the Concubine unaware and grieving for such a spy.
"Carry her inside and summon the royal physician."
Jiang Xinyue's voice was terrifyingly calm, as if brewing a great storm.
Shuang Jiang's lack of free will and her painful dilemma were the result of her own failure as a master.
In fact, since Jiang Yutong had hanged herself in Xihuo Palace, she had been wary of Shuang Jiang.
This wariness was undetectable; she simply never involved Shuang Jiang in important matters, instead instructing Xi Que, Xiao Xuanzi, or Jiang Chuan.
She said she was kind to her and taught her to fight back against bullies, but it was also a way to win her loyalty.
She just wanted to see when Shuang Jiang would finally confess and reveal who was behind her.
Or perhaps she kept Shuang Jiang to prevent another unknown maid from replacing her if she were sent away.
Now she was in the dark, and Shuang Jiang in the light. Whatever she did, Jiang Xinyue could anticipate and guard against it.
Despite all her precautions, she never expected Shuang Jiang to switch sides, willing to lose her life rather than harm her.
"Did Hexi Palace summon a royal physician?"
"Master, did Shuang Jiang succeed?"
"Wait until dawn to inquire if there was blood in Hexi Palace. That dog of a servant Shuang Jiang, when asked to do something, hesitates and dawdles, extremely unwilling. I don't trust her."
"Yes, this servant will arrange it immediately."
The beautiful face in the bronze mirror was blurry and unclear.
The palace was in secret uproar over Concubine Zhen summoning a physician in the middle of the night, but on the surface, everyone pretended not to know.
Concubine Li was in postpartum confinement, Consort Shu was attending to Concubine Li, and Consort Zhang had completely fallen out of favor, no different from an abandoned consort in the Palace of Exile.
The only two who could still make moves were Consort Jin and Noble Consort Ye.
"I heard Concubine Zhen summoned a royal physician last night. Shall we visit Hexi Palace together?"
The one breaking the eerie silence was Noble Consort Ye, who often imitated Concubine Zhen.
Today she wore a crimson pink embroidered robe with crabapple flowers, Concubine Zhen's favorite. Her hair was styled in a small bun, adorned with kingfisher feather fluff and hairpins. Her makeup was bright and docile, making her look even more like Concubine Zhen.
Empress Zhu knew something was happening in Hexi Palace today. She was waiting for good news and wouldn't let Noble Consort Ye, that troublemaker, go and disrupt things.
"Concubine Zhen was confined by the Empress Dowager to reflect on her actions and improve herself. If you all go and the Empress Dowager finds out, it might cause more trouble for her. She's already summoned a physician, so she must be unwell. Why burden her further with your presence?"
She waved her hand: "I'm tired. You may all leave now."
Noble Consort Ye flicked her handkerchief and left, swaying her hips. Outside, she caught up with Consort Jin: "Consort Jin, since the Empress won't go, shall we visit together?"
Consort Jin narrowed her eyes, a meaningful smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I was thinking the same thing. Noble Consort Ye, why don't you join me in checking on Concubine Zhen?"
The Emperor had just finished his morning court session when Wang Dequan informed him about the imperial physician being summoned to Hexi Palace the night before. He immediately rushed towards Hexi Palace.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to bring along two guards who had injuries on their chests.
Consort Jin had initially hoped to see Jiang Xinyue make a fool of herself, but once they reached Hexi Palace, it would be Consort Jin who would find herself unable to cry even if she wanted to.
