Xiao Wenyi fell silent.
When it came down to it, he was the one who lost control that day and lost track of time, yet he let her bear the blame alone and suffer so much.
Zhang Wanrou noticed the change in his expression from the corner of her eye and quickly read a trace of guilt in it.
He was just that kind of person; he favored those he liked, and for those he didn't, he couldn't even be bothered to look at them.
Taking advantage of his guilt toward her, she looked up at him, a hint of fear in her eyes: "Emperor, do you think I will die in the future?"
Xiao Wenyi did not notice her pretense, only frowned and scolded lightly: "What nonsense are you saying?!"
A sorrowful and delicate smile appeared on Zhang Wanrou's face as she said slowly: "When I was comatose, I had many dreams... I dreamed that my Yiniang was killed by someone, and my two younger brothers were covered in blood... They were waving at me, begging me for help, but no matter what, I couldn't get close to them..."
"Later, I saw a woman covered in blood. Her face was rotting, and her whole body was covered in bloody, mangled wounds... It was so terrifying! It hurt so much..."
"Emperor, in my dreams, I could feel the pain... It was as if the wounds on that person's body had appeared on my own!"
"I was so scared, I wanted to call for help, but I didn't know who could save me..."
Xiao Wenyi looked at that delicate and helpless face, and deep in his heart, it felt as if something had pricked him, causing a sharp pain and a sense of bitterness.
He stroked her hair, then gently pressed her into his arms and said: "I am here! From now on, I will protect you!"
She leaned against his neck, her weak breath gently brushing against his neck, her voice trembling with disbelief: "Really? Can your subject truly rely on the Emperor from now on?"
"Of course!" He stroked her cheek with his palm and promised earnestly: "You are my woman. In my Harem, you naturally must rely on me! Otherwise, who else could you rely on?"
Zhang Wanrou listened to these words and fell silent.
She suddenly realized one thing: a man's sweet words have absolutely no credibility! They cannot be trusted!
In her previous life, he had also liked her and treated her well, but what happened later?
Later, he was fooled by Zhang Wanyin's schemes, misunderstood her, loathed her, and even wanted to strangle her to death!
Now, if she does not fight, does not scheme, and does not become the woman he calls disgusting—the kind who plays with people's hearts—can she still change her fated death?
Could he still say this promise of "I will protect you" to her?
The ending of her previous life told her that there was only one answer: impossible!
Since that is the case, in this life, she will never rely on anyone else's protection again!
"Why are you not speaking? What are you thinking about?" Seeing her silence, Xiao Wenyi lowered his head to look at her.
Zhang Wanrou came back to her senses, smiled, and pulled one of his hands into her palm to play with it: "Your subject was thinking that the first person I can rely on in this Imperial Palace is naturally my Elder Sister!"
Xiao Wenyi was stunned. Just as he was about to speak, he heard her say with disappointment: "However, Elder Sister must have many things she cannot control, right? Otherwise, when I was being caned and begged her to save me, she wouldn't have remained silent..."
After finishing, she looked up at him, her eyes bright and her voice much clearer: "In the future, I will try my best not to make mistakes. That way, when I ask Elder Sister for help again, she should have a reason to protect me!"
Xiao Wenyi was indeed deceived by her simple and innocent appearance and couldn't help but laugh: "I really don't know if I should call you innocent or stupid!"
"Emperor, how is your subject innocent? Is what your subject said wrong?"
Xiao Wenyi paused, then laughed: "Right, everything you said is right."
Zhang Wanrou smiled and burrowed into his arms, appearing dependent and joyful.
✦✦✦
Later, Zhang Wanrou was arranged to live in the East Side Hall of the Chengqian Palace.
After recuperating for a month, her body had largely recovered, though she still walked a bit unsteadily.
During these days, Xiao Wenyi's rewards flowed in like water, giving Zhang Wanrou plenty of face, and he even exempted her from the rule of paying respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress while she was recovering!
In addition to exquisite jewelry and clothes, even Zhang Wanrou's meals exceeded the regulations for a concubine.
Qing Ning served Zhang Wanrou her meal, her face filled with irrepressible joy.
"Empress, the Emperor did not come to dine today, but the meal prepared for you is still served according to the regulations of a Noble Consort, and there is Golden Silk Candied Jujube Cake in every meal!"
"It must be that the Emperor knows you love to eat it, so he specifically instructed people to prepare it!"
Zhang Wanrou smiled and handed the plate of Golden Silk Candied Jujube Cake to her: "You eat it."
She actually didn't like eating this. In her previous life, because she liked eating this, she was framed by someone and poisoned.
Although it wasn't fatal, the pain of ten thousand ants gnawing at her heart tortured her for three days and three nights! So much so that now, every time she sees this Golden Silk Candied Jujube Cake, she still has lingering fears!
Pretending to like it before was just to create an innocent and ignorant facade in front of Xiao Wenyi.
But a facade is a facade after all. Perhaps one day, he will know that everything she is now is just an act... At that time, I wonder what his mood will be?
Would he, in a fit of rage, cast her into the Cold Palace? Or even kill her?
Zhang Wanrou did not know, but she knew that now, she must never let Xiao Wenyi notice anything unusual!
She needs enough time to strengthen her importance in his heart!
✦✦✦
After the meal, a report came from outside: "Noble Consort has arrived!"
When Qing Ning heard this, her expression changed. She still remembered the indifference and heartlessness of the Noble Consort on the day her mistress was caned!
She had a premonition that the Noble Consort was by no means as kind to her mistress as she appeared on the surface!
She didn't know if her mistress had noticed this.
Zhang Wanrou saw her looking distraught, patted her lightly, and whispered: "Qing Ning, no matter what you are thinking in your heart, do not let your emotions show, or let people notice, do you understand?"
Qing Ning heard this and nodded quickly, while taking two deep breaths to suppress the emotions in her heart.
When she couldn't suppress them, she kept her head low so others wouldn't see her expression.
Zhang Wanyin was wearing a lotus-root pink silk dress embroidered with magnolia branches, her head adorned with gold hairpins and jade ornaments, looking noble and imposing.
On both sides of her exquisite cheeks, she had applied the currently fashionable pearl makeup, making her already beautiful appearance look even more charming and alluring.
With her hands folded in front of her, she walked over gracefully.
Zhang Wanrou looked at the person arriving, a flash of darkness in her eyes, and then a bright and surprised smile bloomed on her face as she went to meet her: "Elder Sister! You finally came to visit Rou'er!"
Zhang Wanyin looked straight ahead, even deliberately avoiding Zhang Wanrou who was walking toward her, and sat straight down on the main seat in the hall.
After sitting down, seeing Zhang Wanrou's look of disappointment and grievance, a flash of doubt crossed her eyes.
After what happened last time, why is she still clinging to her like this? Is she not resentful that she didn't save her?
Or is this obedient appearance just an act?
Putting aside the suspicion in her heart, she put on a smile: "Wanrou, these days Elder Sister has been managing the Harem affairs and has been so busy that I haven't been able to come visit you. You don't blame Elder Sister, do you?"
Zhang Wanrou acted as if she were carefree, smiling and shaking her head: "How could I! Elder Sister is now shouldering the responsibility of managing the Harem and is already exhausted. How could Younger Sister possibly blame Elder Sister?"
Facing this statement, a look of satisfaction appeared in Zhang Wanyin's eyes: "That's good! Elder Sister came this time, besides visiting you, to explain what happened that day..."
"What happened that day?" Zhang Wanrou was stunned for a moment, then said: "Is Elder Sister talking about the day Younger Sister was punished?"
Zhang Wanyin nodded with a fake smile: "Yes. Wanrou, you must know that it wasn't that Elder Sister didn't want to save you that day, it's just that the Empress and the Empress Dowager were both pressuring Elder Sister, and Elder Sister was truly powerless! You can understand, right?"
✦✦✦