Xiao Wenyi looked at the memorial regarding the Dongshan banditry submitted from below, his expression slightly cold.
"Cheng Fang, tell me, what kind of life must the common people be living to choose to become mountain bandits and rob others?"
Cheng Fang was stunned, then gave a sheepish smile, "Your Majesty, you are making things difficult for this servant! This servant grew up in the Imperial Palace since childhood; I truly do not know what those mountain bandits are thinking."
"Perhaps, they are insatiably greedy and want a better life, so they take such risks?"
Xiao Wenyi sneered, "In this world, there are indeed greedy people, but the Dongshan banditry has been suppressed time and time again, yet they keep emerging! How can that be? Could it be that everyone in Dongshan is greedy?"
Cheng Fang hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Then, this servant does not know!"
Xiao Wenyi tossed the memorial to the side, picked up his tea to moisten his throat, and then asked nonchalantly, "What was the matter just now?"
A flicker of light passed through Cheng Fang's eyes, and he hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Emperor, Sanxi just returned from Yonghe Palace. He said... he said Consort Zhang is injured."
"Injured?" Xiao Wenyi paused with his teacup, casting a cool gaze, "What do you mean? Is the injury on her forehead serious?"
Cheng Fang nodded, his tone impartial, "It is said that she accidentally took a fall and scraped her palms and forehead."
Xiao Wenyi frowned.
Took a fall?
Could it be that her strength had not yet recovered, and her legs gave out, causing her to fall?
Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth could not help but curl up, "That Yatou, she is truly delicate!"
Seeing that the Emperor seemed to have misunderstood, Cheng Fang added, "Little Sanzi also said that the palace maid by Consort Zhang's side was slapped across the mouth..."
The smile on Xiao Wenyi's face vanished, and his expression turned gloomy, "Was it done by the Noble Consort? Then her injury, was it truly from a fall?"
Cheng Fang shook his head, "This servant does not know, but Consort Zhang said it was indeed an accidental fall."
Xiao Wenyi's expression was not very good, and he placed the teacup in his hand coldly back onto the Imperial Desk.
Sensing his displeasure, Cheng Fang smiled again and said, "Your Majesty, just now Little Sanzi said that Consort Zhang specifically instructed him not to tell you about this. She said that you bear the heavy responsibility of the world and must not let your mood be affected by such a small matter!"
"Consort Zhang is truly naive. She does not know that in this Imperial Palace, no matter has ever been able to be hidden from Your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Xiao Wenyi glanced at him, "You want to speak for Consort Zhang, yet you fear you cannot clear your own name. Cheng Fang, in your heart, do you think I am a tyrant? Would I punish you just because you spoke a few extra words?"
Cheng Fang hurriedly knelt to admit his fault, "Your Majesty is wise; this servant was merely showing off before an expert!"
Xiao Wenyi waved his hand and said indifferently, "Enough, I do not blame you! Go and see that Yatou!"
Cheng Fang kowtowed in acknowledgment, "This servant obeys!"
✦✦✦
When Imperial Physician Hu emerged from the Main Hall of Yonghe Palace, his hanging heart finally settled.
Guided by a palace maid, he walked away quickly, as if some demons or monsters were chasing him from behind.
Seeing Chun Liu return to the Main Hall after sending off the Imperial Physician, Qing Ning's heart also settled.
"Empress, the Imperial Physician has left, and no one from the Noble Consort's side has come to ask questions. Could it be, just as you said, that the Imperial Physician said nothing?"
Zhang Wanrou sat before the vanity, looking at her pale yet exquisite and clean face in the mirror, feeling an indescribable melancholy in her heart.
In her previous life, before she gave birth, she was harmed by Consort Shu, leaving a pink scar on her left cheek, half a finger long. Although her hair could cover it, she could always see it when grooming.
Moreover, ever since she was injured, the Emperor had never come to see her again.
She suddenly spoke, not continuing the topic of the Imperial Physician, but asking Qing Ning, "Qing Ning, do you have any dreams?"
"Dreams?" Qing Ning was bewildered and shook her head, "Empress, why do you suddenly ask this?"
She turned to look at Qing Ning, whose red and swollen cheek stung her eyes.
A trace of apology and pity appeared on her face, "Qing Ning, this Harem is a place that eats people. Those who stay here live in fear every day! If it is possible, I want to send you away. Are you willing?"
"Empress?" Qing Ning looked at her in confusion, her heart unable to help but panic, "Are... are you abandoning Qing Ning?"
Was it because she had said the wrong thing earlier and angered the Noble Consort, so Consort Zhang did not want her anymore?
"Of course not!" Zhang Wanrou held her hand, feeling reluctant as well, "Qing Ning, today you were beaten, but perhaps tomorrow, or the day after, you might lose your life! I just want..."
"No! Qing Ning will not leave!" She knelt down with a thud, interrupting Zhang Wanrou's words, tears falling uncontrollably, "You said it yourself, this Imperial Palace is full of crises. If even Qing Ning leaves, what will you do, Empress? Can you survive safely in this place?"
"Qing Ning's life was saved by you; even if I die, I will die by your side!"
"Young Miss, please don't send me away, okay?" She pleaded until the end, even calling out her maiden name.
Zhang Wanrou knew that she was genuinely worried about her and did not want to leave! Her eyes turned red, and she ultimately suppressed this thought for now.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about it anymore, get up quickly!"
Qing Ning stood up, and just as she went to wipe her tears, she heard the sound of "Greetings, Your Majesty" from outside.
Qing Ning was startled, "The Emperor is here?"
Zhang Wanrou was also surprised, "He came so quickly?"
She seemed to have underestimated how much Xiao Wenyi cared about her.
She hurriedly went out to welcome him, not even wearing her outer robe.
As Xiao Wenyi stepped into the courtyard, he saw two palace maids and two servants carrying water.
He did not speak, only glancing at Cheng Fang.
Cheng Fang immediately understood, stopped in his tracks, and then called the servants and palace maids to the side to question them.
When Zhang Wanrou came out, she only saw Xiao Wenyi looking heroic, his every gesture naturally exuding nobility. That temperament surpassed all the men she had ever seen!
When Xiao Wenyi reached her, he saw her gazing at him blankly and couldn't help but tap her forehead, "What? The Emperor is here, and you don't even offer a greeting, only knowing how to act foolishly?"
Zhang Wanrou rubbed her head; it didn't hurt at all.
This time, he had avoided her injury and used no force.
She smiled and hooked her arm around the man's, saying sweetly, "The Emperor is truly handsome; your subject was just mesmerized!"
This was not a lie. In her previous life, she had always thought Xiao Wenyi was very handsome and had secretly given him her heart, wishing she could stay by his side every moment!
And at that time, under Zhang Wanyin's "encouragement," she had done many things that made Xiao Wenyi dislike her, so much so that later, even when she appeared before him with a large belly, he did not give her a single glance!
"Sharp-tongued!" Xiao Wenyi tapped her forehead, his gaze sweeping over her bandaged hand.
Once inside the room, one could vaguely see spilled food and uncleaned oil stains.
He sat on the Noble Consort's couch and looked at her hand, asking, "How did you get your hand and head like this?"
She hid both hands behind her back and said with a grin, "Your subject's legs were weak, and I accidentally took a fall."
Xiao Wenyi was stunned, unable to describe the feeling in his heart.
Why did he always feel that this Yatou was like a roundworm in his stomach, always able to think the same things as him?
Seeing him silent, the smile on Zhang Wanrou's face faded, and a trace of worry appeared, "Your Majesty, if a scar remains on my head, will you dislike it?"
He kept a straight face, said nothing, and only looked at her sternly.
This Yatou loved to make jokes; one careless moment and she could lead him astray.
Not until she was truly afraid and nervous did he speak indifferently, "Are you still not going to tell the truth?"
✦✦✦