Behind the emperor, an older man kept a stern face and spoke in a low voice: “Your Majesty, forgive me. It is my failure in teaching my daughter. I will admonish her properly.”
He turned sharply to the guards. “What are you four still standing here for? You barged into His Majesty’s tent without permission. Go back and face punishment according to military law.”
The four guards withdrew one by one, leaving Xu Wanqing flushed with anger. She protested: “Father, they were the ones who offended me first. Why must you—”
“Silence!” Xu Shi glared at his daughter, scolding without mercy: “You’ve been spoiled at home, that’s why you act so lawlessly in the palace. Why are you still standing there? Come out with me at once.”
For the first time, Xu Wanqing was harshly rebuked by her father. Her eyes reddened with grievance, but as she left, she shot Jiang Nian a vicious glare before storming out.
Jiang Nian still held Lian Zhi in her arms. Qi Yi glanced at them casually, then strode to the dragon throne and sat down.
Lian Zhi suddenly felt a chill, though she didn’t know why—until Xu Zhengchun kept signaling at her. Realizing belatedly, she scrambled up: “Your Majesty, My Lady, this servant will take her leave.”
The two maids fled one after another, as if chased by beasts. Jiang Nian watched their backs for a long while before turning to Qi Yi on the throne.
He held a brush, writing something, but his expression was clearly displeased.
Jiang Nian sighed inwardly. She had planned to thank him properly for gifting her the white fox after the banquet, but fate had turned against her. Now she had stirred up trouble, and Qi Yi must surely resent her for it.
Perhaps it was because she offended Consort Xu that Qi Yi was angry and ignored her. Her heart ached with sourness. She sniffled, just as she was about to rise and explain, Qi Yi lifted his gaze and said coolly: “Kneel properly.”
So it was indeed because of Consort Xu. In the past, even when she spoke ill of the Empress Dowager or insulted Zhao Jing, Qi Yi had never punished her like this.
Without contrast, there is no hurt. Jiang Nian suddenly regretted awakening—if she hadn’t, she could have remained a reckless consort in Fu Garden, living and dying without care. Now she had to curry favor with Qi Yi while enduring humiliation from other consorts. The more she thought, the sadder she became, until soft sobs escaped her.
Qi Yi heard the crying. From afar, the once fearless Jiang Nian now wept like pear blossoms in the rain, her frail back trembling. He found her harder to understand. When beaten or threatened with death by others, she remained calm. Yet at his mere command to kneel, she cried endlessly.
Setting down his brush, he said evenly: “Why cry? Just now, you were bold enough to risk your life for your maid. Now you kneel a while and weep?”
That only deepened her grievance. Through tears, she whispered: “What else can I do? Consort Xu has palace guards and her own retainers. I have nothing—only myself to rely on.”
Qi Yi frowned. “She is but a maid. Yet for your two maids, you’ve risked your life more than once. Is it worth it?”
He recalled:
—Lianzhi, whom she saved from the fire.
—Xiao Tao, who defended her against Zhao Jing’s abuse.
Even when Jiang Nian had no honor or favor in Fu Garden, they remained loyal, caring for her wholeheartedly.
Memories surged. Jiang Nian wiped her tears, eyes red but voice firm: “It is worth it. Since childhood, no one has truly cared for me—only Lian Zhi and Xiao Tao. No matter what happens, they stay by my side. They treat me so well; I must protect them, keep them from leaving me.”
Qi Yi studied her resolute gaze for a long time, then murmured almost mockingly: “So they matter that much. No wonder you’d rather die than lose them.”
Jiang Nian wasn’t sure if his words were praise or reproach, but she sensed his displeasure. Was it because she hadn’t said she couldn’t bear to lose him? She thought so. Sliding forward on her knees, she leaned against him, pressing her face to his robe: “I cannot bear to lose Your Majesty either. If danger ever comes to you, I will protect you with my life.”
Qi Yi lowered his head. Her tear-stained lashes trembled pitifully, and strangely, her words felt sincere.
The thought flickered—then he crushed it, scolding himself for weakness. Jiang Nian was heartless; she had deceived him too many times. He should push her away.
But just as his hand touched her, a tear fell from her nose onto his robe, dampening it.
He withdrew, suppressing discomfort. “I have plenty of people to protect me. I don’t need you. You, on the other hand, only bring me trouble. Tomorrow I’ll have Rong Chengguang send you back to the palace.”
Jiang Nian panicked. She hadn’t yet accomplished her purpose here—she couldn’t be sent away.
“No! I want to stay with Your Majesty. I won’t go anywhere.” She pressed closer, voice muffled: “It’s because people in the palace say you’re tired of me, that you’ll discard me, that Consort Xu is your true favorite. That’s why they bully me.”
Suddenly, she sat upright, clutching his arm coquettishly: “Your Majesty, please show me more affection. Then no one will dare bully me, and I won’t cause you trouble anymore.”
Still as shamelessly argumentative as before.
Qi Yi met her hopeful eyes. Reaching out, he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Since ancient times, a favored consort must respect, revere, and love her emperor.”
His gaze deepened. “Jiang Nian… do you love me?”