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Chapter 87
How could there be such a good thing in this world?
She could settle old scores with Concubine Zhen later, but she had no intention of letting Consort Shu off the hook for using her to attack Concubine Zhen.
Consort Shu protected her belly, while Xizhu shielded her from behind. Jiang Xinyue, who was well-prepared, had already grabbed Xi Que and pushed past one of the unsuspecting eunuchs, running to the side.
She didn't leave either, but stood nearby with a concerned expression: "Concubine Li, let's talk this through calmly. We mustn't spoil the harmony."
In her heart, however, she was screaming: Fight! Fight! Come on, start fighting!
Concubine Li shot her a piercing glance: "Of all the fools in the you're the biggest one. I truly don't know how you've survived until now. You still think Consort Shu is a good person? Let me tell you, she was the one who schemed to have you sent to the Cold Palace back then."
If Consort Shu hadn't come to her, saying that the Emperor cherished her and couldn't bear to see her hurt, urging her to take care of herself and not waste her health on unworthy opponents, she wouldn't have harmed herself to frame Concubine Zhen.
At that time, she had various grievances against Concubine Zhen and was in a heated state of mind. A slight suggestion was all it took for her to act impulsively.
Afterward, when she pondered it over, she became very suspicious of Consort Shu's intentions.
Apart from Concubine Zhen, who else in this palace was a complete fool?
Consort Shu, in particular, was crafty to the core. How had she not noticed it before?
Jiang Xinyue, who was considered a "complete fool," immediately put on an angry facade: "Concubine Li, although we've had our differences in the past, that's all behind us now. The Empress has also cleared up that it wasn't me who harmed you. Why do you still call me stupid?"
She appeared deeply offended, her eyes reddening and her breathing quickening. The maid beside her tried to comfort her: "My lady, don't be upset. I think you're the smartest of all."
Why did they only hear the first half of what was said and ignore the crucial second half?
The image of Jiang Xinyue as a fool had already taken deep root in Concubine Li's mind.
Jiang Xinyue herself didn't mind when others referred to her as a brainless beauty.
In fact, she hoped that others would see her this way.
Playing dumb to outwit others was the key to long-term survival in the back palace.
Concubine Li couldn't be bothered to argue with a "fool" and signaled with her eyes for Xia He to approach. Xizhu screamed: "What are you doing? Concubine Li, don't do anything rash. This is the imperial palace; concubines are not allowed to use violence."
As the eunuchs gradually closed in, Jiang Xinyue couldn't see clearly what was happening inside. She only heard Concubine Li cry out in pain, and then the palace servants dispersed, revealing the scene within.
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Consort Shu was straddling Concubine Li's stomach, her eyes filled with terror, but it was Concubine Li who lay on the ground, screaming in agony.
"What are you doing?"
A thunderous voice rang out. Jiang Xinyue knelt on the ground in fear, looking up at the newcomer: "Your Majesty, they... they..." frёeωebɳovel.com
She appeared to be in shock, unable to explain the scene before her.
The Xuanwu Emperor quickly walked over, grabbed her hand, and forcefully pulled her up from the ground, sheltering her in his arms.
In the Emperor's entourage, Jiang Xinyue saw Layue, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, following at the back.
It seemed that Concubine Li had been prepared, sending her to fetch the Xuanwu Emperor.
She thought to herself...
Concubine Li's pregnancy and the fact that she was taking medicine to stabilize it should have been the biggest secret in the entire Changxin Palace. How could it be that Jiang Chuan just happened to stumble upon them disposing of the medicine dregs?
If she were Concubine Li, she would have buried the dregs within Changxin Palace and never disposed of them outside, let alone allow others to see.
If she were truly that careless, she wouldn't have deliberately fallen out with the Emperor and retreated to Changxin Palace to nurture her pregnancy.
"Ah—"
Xia He let out a sharp cry: "My lady... my lady, you're... you're bleeding!"
The Xuanwu Emperor pushed Jiang Xinyue behind him and said gently, "Don't look. Go back to Hexi Palace first. I'll have Wang Dequan summon you later."
Concubine Li appeared to be having a miscarriage. Concubine Zhen was still young and had never seen such a bloody scene. The Xuanwu Emperor feared it might frighten her and cause her to develop a phobia about pregnancy and childbirth, which would be troublesome.
Jiang Xinyue sniffled, nodding and agreeing outwardly, but in reality, she took a detour and crouched behind the palace wall, curiously peeking out.
Wang Dequan saw half a head and a pair of sparkling eyes peeking out, and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He shook his head and blocked Concubine Li and Consort Shu's line of sight, earning an approving look from the Emperor.
"I... This Concubine... This Concubine is pregnant?"
Beads of sweat formed on Concubine Li's forehead, the pain making it difficult for her to speak: "This Concubine's... child... Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Save This Concubine's child!"
Consort Shu's hands were stained with blood. She was pushed aside by the palace servants, and Xizhu immediately shielded her, using her own clothes to wipe the blood from her hands: "My lady, don't be afraid... Little Guizi has already gone to Kunning Palace to request the presence of the Empress Dowager."
Consort Shu composed herself and coldly watched as the Xuanwu Emperor carried Concubine Li into Changxin Palace, shouting: "Summon the imperial physicians! Quickly summon the imperial physicians!"
Concubine Li's childlessness was his deliberate doing.
If Concubine Li were to have a child, given the Song family's position in the court, half of the officials would immediately petition to have that child named Crown Prince.
But he was in his prime and would not allow anyone to covet his throne.
A favored concubine could have his love, but she absolutely could not have his child.
His gaze fell upon the anxious Consort Shu, unsure whether to thank her for solving his problem or to hate her for killing his child.
He had deprived Concubine Li of the right to be a mother, which was why he had shown her such favoritism over the years, trying to make up for the debt he owed her.
He had never intended for Concubine Li to become pregnant, only to miscarry, subjecting her to such unbearable pain.
Jiang Xinyue returned to Hexi Palace, her heart still pounding wildly.
If she hadn't run away quickly and stood far off earlier, she probably wouldn't have been able to extricate herself from the situation.
Let's rewind to this morning when Jiang Chuan encountered the palace servants from Changxin Palace disposing of the medicine dregs.
Concubine Li had initially intended to frame her!
She just hadn't expected that she would bring the equally pregnant Consort Shu along.
At that moment, Concubine Li changed her mind, deciding to take revenge on Consort Shu who had used her, while also implicating Jiang Xinyue. She would eliminate them one by one if she could, and if she could get rid of both, Concubine Li would come out on top.
Using the long-awaited child as a sacrifice to strike at them was clearly impossible.
Jiang Xinyue believed she wasn't qualified enough to compare with Concubine Li's child. Although that child had not yet been born, it already possessed all of its mother's love.
Unless...
Jiang Xinyue suddenly widened her eyes and said to Jiang Chuan and Xi Que: "Go to the Imperial Hospital and send a message to Yan the Imperial Physician. Ask which physician is responsible for Concubine Li's regular pulse readings. Find a way to help me obtain Concubine Li's pulse record."
She had a bold conjecture!