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墨書 Inktalez
As they passed through the Imperial Garden, Qin Hao caught sight of them. "Cheng Qian, which palace are you eyeing this time..."
His voice abruptly halted as he looked at Qi Chao Xi, a flicker of anger evident in his eyes.
Qi Chao Xi quickly bowed. "Long live the Emperor, long live Consort Li."
Qin Hao examined her face, still bandaged. "Is your injury on your face serious?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I was just about to take her to find a physician for treatment."
Feng Chengqian glanced at the downcast Qi Chao Xi, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Consort Li accompanied the Emperor on his stroll through the garden and was already displeased by the interruption. Seeing this injured woman seemed to provoke the Emperor's interest even more.
Resigned, Qi Chao Xi allowed the physician to treat her. Upon returning, she was instructed by her aunt to pack her belongings.
Du Yuetang, after persistently asking, learned about her chance encounter with the Emperor and thought she had finally risen to prominence. However, her aunt's words were like a bucket of cold water: "You’re going to the Laundry Bureau."
Qi Chao Xi was taken aback.
Seeing her stunned expression, her aunt felt pity. "Xi, how can you not recognize your own position? The Emperor is not someone you can simply think about! And now look what you've done—offended Consort Li..."
The Empress Dowager was deeply devoted to Buddhism and ignored worldly affairs, while Consort Li ruled the harem with an iron fist, known for her cruel methods towards those who attempted to seduce the Emperor.
She hadn’t wanted any part of it, yet she found herself entangled in the palace’s intrigues.
The Laundry Bureau was traditionally a place for punishing maids who had erred; once inside, there was only endless toil and relentless corporal punishment—likely something Consort Li had ordered.
The head of the Laundry Bureau was a fierce woman who showed no mercy when dealing with others. Qi Chao Xi felt every bruise on her body as she braced for what lay ahead.
Xiang Xi lay on the ground, unable to open her eyes, as her aunt's piercing voice echoed in her ears. "How dare you try to seduce the Emperor? Bah!"
The pain was overwhelming, and she felt as if she had returned to her childhood, locked away in a dark room for making a mistake, back when Du Yuetang was by her side. But now... thankfully, Du Yuetang was not here.
Xiang Xi closed her eyes heavily, unsure how much time passed until she heard her aunt's heart-wrenching pleas for mercy. Struggling to open her eyes, she felt a cloak draped over her shoulders. "Xiang Xi, I’ll take you out."
"Who are you..." Xiang Xi closed her eyes again, leaning into his embrace. It was Feng Chengqian.
"I'm sorry." His voice was calm and distant.
Upon returning to the palace, Li Fei admitted that she had wronged Xiang Xi and presented precious medicinal herbs as compensation to settle the matter.
Throughout it all, Feng Chengqian held onto her tightly, never letting go. After leaving Li Fei's presence, Xiang Xi insisted on getting down and creating distance between them.
"Lord Feng, this is not a game of push and pull; I truly do not wish to be involved with any of you."
Xiang Xi said firmly, "Please let me go."
She stepped past him and saw Du Yuetang behind him, worry etched on his face. She walked straight towards him.
"Xiang Xi, you scared me to death."
Seeing her covered in injuries made Du Yuetang's heart ache. "I heard that the Laundry Bureau is no place for people; thankfully, I asked Lord Feng to rescue you..."
So he had acted on Du Yuetang's request.
It turned out that her earlier words were just a figment of her own imagination.
Xi turned around, but Feng Chengqian had already vanished without a trace.
After enduring quite a bit, Xi's body was in poor condition, and the injury on her face had been left untreated, resulting in a long scar.
The weather was hot and stuffy, and unable to sleep on the bed, Xi decided to step outside for some fresh air.
As she walked into the garden, someone suddenly jumped down from the wall, startling her.
"Don't be alarmed, it's me."
Feng Chengqian stepped into the light, holding out a small bottle. "I brought this ointment from a friend; it works wonders for removing scars."
She took it and thanked him. "Are you looking for Yuetang? She’s on night watch tonight and won’t be back until dawn."
"I'm not here to find her."
"Lord Feng, even if it's just to be a minor concubine or a servant, please don’t let Yuetang down."
She understood what Du Yuetang was hoping for.
Feng Chengqian repeated angrily, "Xi, I’m not here to find her."
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