The bloodstained scent in Hexi Palace had been completely eliminated. When the Xuanwu Emperor arrived, there was no sign of anything amiss.
"My beloved!"
Jiang Xinyue wore a white nightgown, looking somewhat frail but still stunningly beautiful as ever.
The emperor steadily caught the beauty who flew into his arms, lovingly stroking her black hair. "Wang Dequan said you summoned the imperial physician last night. What happened? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Jiang Xinyue's smile was as radiant as flowers, dazzling the Xuanwu Emperor's eyes. He couldn't help but smile along with her. "What's this? You're smiling so happily. Is there some joyous news that I don't know about?"
The beauty's eyes sparkled with a captivating light, brimming with countless emotions, the very picture of irresistible charm.
The Xuanwu Emperor's affectionate eyes suddenly lit up with immense joy. He carefully pushed her away, holding her waist as he asked, "You... are you with child?"
Her delicate white hand caressed her flat belly as Jiang Xinyue nodded gently. "Yesterday in Concubine Li's palace, I felt nauseous at the smell of medicine. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when I threw up while drinking white fungus soup in the evening, I had a feeling I might be pregnant. I summoned Imperial Physician Yan to check, and it turns out I really am. But it's still early, not even a month along!"
She took the Xuanwu Emperor's hand and placed it on her stomach. Though nothing could be felt, her face was filled with happiness. "My love, there's actually a little baby living in my belly. It's so miraculous. I'm going to be a mother. Quick, help me listen. Is he moving?"
She was just like any normal mother, experiencing the joy, bewilderment, emotions, and anticipation upon learning of her pregnancy... Countless emotions blended into something called love, overwhelming the Xuanwu Emperor.
Unlike his mother, the Dowager Empress, or his other consorts who, upon having children, only thought about how to use them to gain favor.
This normalcy felt so warm in the deep palace, giving the emperor a sense of home.
Seeing her in good spirits, he found her presumptuous behavior quite natural.
"Silly girl..."
The Xuanwu Emperor embraced her as they sat down. "It's only been a month. How small do you think he is? He can't move yet! You need to be more careful now. You can't be as careless as before. Now that you're with child, you must behave like a royal mother."
Jiang Xinyue pouted, saying unhappily, "Well! The baby's still in my belly, and Your Majesty already considers him more important than me. I won't stand for it. Even with the baby, I must be second in Your Majesty's heart."
"Why be second, and not first?"
"Because..." Jiang Xinyue wrapped her arms around the emperor's neck, her eyes twinkling like little stars, "Because I hope that no matter what, Your Majesty will always put your own feelings first. No one is worth Your Majesty compromising yourself for."
For instance, in the matter of Consort Shu, the emperor had already conceded too much.
"This is a novel idea. It's the first time I've heard it said that you always put me first in your heart. I also hope that you will consider yourself first in everything, before caring for others."
Jiang Xinyue thought to herself: As if you need to tell me that. Of course I put myself first.
Her "deep love" for the Xuanwu Emperor consisted of nothing but her own empty words, with the rest left to the emperor's imagination.
To some extent, he was quite love-struck as well.
It could also be said that he was overly confident, believing that a naive young girl like Jiang Xinyue should be utterly smitten with him.
"All the ladies in the harem are wonderful, and their hearts are all set on Your Majesty. It's already a blessing from three lifetimes of prayer that Your Majesty keeps me in your thoughts. How could I not consider Your Majesty in everything I do?"
Her warm hand covered the back of the Xuanwu Emperor's hand, full of tender affection. "Your Majesty, could you promise me to spare an hour each day to visit me? I heard from the old palace maids that if a child in the mother's womb can feel the love of both parents, the baby will be born with a strong sense of security and better health!"
The Xuanwu Emperor raised an eyebrow, clearly hearing this idea for the first time. But seeing Jiang Xinyue's apparent deep belief in it, he couldn't bear to refuse. "Alright. Wang Dequan, remember to remind me."
He was diligent in state affairs, often forgetting even to eat. His nightly visits to consorts relied entirely on the Palace Eunuch Office's daily reminders. If he had to check in at Hexi Palace every day, he feared he might promise and then forget.
Wang Dequan quickly bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Suddenly, several guards appeared at the doorway, silent but immediately noticed by the Xuanwu Emperor.
He took Jiang Xinyue's hand and walked towards the exit, whispering in her ear, "The people I told you about yesterday have been brought here. Come with me to identify them."
A glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, which Jiang Xinyue lowered her head to pretend not to see.
Empress Zhu's visit to Hexi Palace last night definitely wouldn't have escaped the emperor's spies, yet he still brought Zhu Erlang and Consort Jin's brother.
If Jiang Xinyue were to accuse the Jin Family Young Master, the emperor would believe she had already allied herself with the Empress's faction, no longer the pure, unaffiliated consort in his heart who could only rely on him and needed his pity.
In the front hall, four or five guards were restraining a pale-faced young man and a youth of about twenty. Seeing the emperor emerge, they all knelt and bowed.
The Xuanwu Emperor pushed Jiang Xinyue forward. "My dear, look closely. Which of these two is the one who tried to take your life underwater?"
The young Zhu Erlang's eyes were full of smugness, looking contemptuously at the Jin Family Young Master, as if to say: You're done for.
The Jin Family Young Master, on the other hand, glared at Jiang Xinyue with eyes full of hatred, his face flushed red with bulging veins.
Jiang Xinyue appeared frightened and looked back at the emperor. The emperor's face was full of encouragement, urging her forward.
That dog of an emperor, he's digging a pit for her to fall into!
Indeed, the imperial family was deeply suspicious. Even if he had fallen into the web of love and revealed his heart to you, he still wanted to test your character and intentions, fearing that the object of his love might be unworthy.
Jiang Xinyue looked for a long while, and in the silence, the Xuanwu Emperor's heart grew heavier and heavier.
Has Consort Jiang truly allied with the Empress?
"Your Majesty, I have reached a conclusion."
Lost in thought, Jiang Xinyue turned and ran to his side, grabbing his arm and pulling him down. "Your Majesty, neither of them is the person who was underwater that day."
The Xuanwu Emperor's eyes lit up. "Is that so? But among the palace guards, only these two have the wounds you described!"
Jiang Xinyue shook her head: "This humble consort does not know how they received their injuries, but it certainly wasn't by my hand. How could I possibly have such strength? Besides, their build is quite different—that person was taller and more robust. Although they wore a mask, judging by their eyes, they were not a handsome individual, completely unlike these two gentlemen."
Not only did the Jin Family Young Master breathe a sigh of relief, but the Emperor's gaze towards Jiang Xinyue also softened somewhat: "Is that so? Then it seems I was mistaken."
How could assassins arranged by the Dowager Empress be so easily uncovered?
