Zhou Donglin had no time to care about the flesh - and - blood - blurred, charred wounds on his hands. Disregarding his own safety, he took off the quilt on his body and wrapped the unconscious Li Qiyu in it. The quilt was already heavy, and with the weight of a person added, and his own injuries, it was extremely difficult for him to even take a step.
No, for Qiyu.
Zhou Donglin let out a roar, carried Li Qiyu on his back, and dashed out all at once. Just as he rushed out of the sea of fire and threw Li Qiyu out, the palace behind him finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed with a thunderous noise. Zhou Donglin leaped up with his last bit of strength. Although he managed to avoid being completely crushed, his leg was still hit. The sudden pain made him kneel on the ground painfully and he couldn't get up for a long time.
In the courtyard, Concubine Xiang and Song Jiaye had already been sent by the palace servants to other palaces for diagnosis. The scene of the fire was in great chaos. Now it was Concubine Yu, who had rushed over after receiving the news, who was in charge.
Concubine Yu, Zhong Yuxiu, was recognized by Zhou Donglin. After all, they had both grown up in Chang'an. Although as a well - bred young lady, she rarely went out, they still ran into each other from time to time and were acquainted.
Zhong Yuxiu naturally also knew Zhou Donglin. She knew he was in the palace, but she didn't expect to see him here.
However, when she saw Li Qiyu with half of her face burned to a bloody mess, Zhong Yuxiu instantly understood everything.
She walked up to Zhou Donglin. Seeing that he still had his eyes open and was breathing heavily, she knew that he was still conscious at this moment, so she asked,
"Zhou Donglin, can you hear me? If you don't have the strength to answer me, just blink your eyes. If not, don't blink."
Zhou Donglin blinked his eyes.
Zhong Yuxiu reminded him, "I know it was you who saved the Empress. But you can't be seen here. It's for your own good as well as hers. Do you understand?"
Zhou Donglin hesitated for a while and then blinked his eyes.
"I'll send someone to take you back now. You should act as if you've never been here. I'll handle the rest. Can you do it?"
Zhou Donglin understood what Zhong Yuxiu meant. If the news that an outside man had saved the Empress spread, it would not only damage Li Qiyu's reputation. Just thinking about the petty - minded Song Jiaye, he would surely cause trouble again. Thinking of the slap Song Jiaye had given him before, Zhou Donglin clenched his fists tightly, but then, thinking of his own identity, he let them go helplessly.
He blinked his eyes.
"You're quite an understanding person."
Zhong Yuxiu sighed and ordered the palace servants behind her to help Zhou Donglin back to his own palace.
When Zhou Donglin was leaving, his eyes were always on Li Qiyu, who was lying on the ground badly injured.
Zhong Yuxiu knew what he meant.
"Don't worry. I'll order the imperial doctors in the palace to treat her. I'll send someone to inform you of any results." Seeing Zhou Donglin looking at her in doubt, Zhong Yuxiu said, "You have someone you like and want to protect. So do I. After all, she's his wife. I won't harm her."
Zhou Donglin had a rough idea of Zhong Yuxiu. Although she was cold - hearted, she came from a scholarly family and would not do anything to harm someone's life.
After Zhou Donglin left, Zhong Yuxiu issued a gag order in the palace. The palace servants on the scene all knew that this matter was the Emperor's sore spot and could not be touched. Moreover, the woman in front of them, although still just a concubine, was much favored by the Emperor and could not be offended.
Everyone obediently agreed and quickly went to put out the fire and save the Empress.
The imperial doctor came soon. However, since both the Emperor and Concubine Xiang were injured, the palace was in a complete mess. The imperial doctor who came was just a newly - recruited one with shallow qualifications.
He roughly examined the wound and quickly said to Concubine Yu, "Your Highness, the Empress's injury is very serious. If not treated in time, she may be scarred. Since the wound is on her face, if there are scars, her appearance will be ruined. I dare not prescribe medicine rashly. Please invite my master, the chief of the Imperial Medical Bureau, to treat the Empress."
"What are you talking nonsense about!" Concubine Yu scolded, "The Emperor is still unconscious. The chief must be treating the Emperor."
Li Qiyu's maid, Xiaoxuan, heard this and quickly knelt at Zhong Yuxiu's feet to plead.
"Your Highness, please save the Empress. The Emperor has no external injuries and was rescued long ago. He must be fine by now, but the Empress can't wait." Seeing the wound on the Empress's face, Xiaoxuan was extremely heart - broken.
Zhong Yuxiu was merciless. "Are you an imperial doctor? Do you think the Emperor is fine just because you say so? As long as the Emperor doesn't wake up, the chief has to stay with him."
Then she ordered the newly - recruited imperial doctor,
"Treat her. If you can't cure her, come and see me with your head."
After giving these instructions, Zhong Yuxiu didn't focus on this matter anymore. She still had to direct the palace servants to put out the fire quickly. It was going to be a chaotic and busy night for her.
The Empress was finally disfigured. Half of her face was burned beyond recognition in the fire. It was said that a palace servant who saw her face was directly scared crazy.
Zhou Donglin was extremely heart - broken when he heard this. How important a face was to a woman! Why did God treat her like this?
Zhou Donglin knew that she must be very sad, but he didn't even have the qualification to go and see her or talk to her.
The next day, the Emperor greatly rewarded Concubine Yu for her meritorious service in saving the Emperor and putting out the fire, and promoted her to Concubine Yu Fei, setting the fastest record for the promotion of a concubine.
Zhou Donglin knew that Concubine Yu Fei was Song Jiaye's person. Whether this incident happened or not, Song Jiaye would promote her.
But what about Li Qiyu?
She had risked her life to save Song Jiaye. Didn't Song Jiaye even show the slightest bit of gratitude?
Song Jiaye was really heartless towards Li Qiyu!
Standing at the palace gate, Zhou Donglin heard the maids and palace servants talking about how favored Concubine Yu Fei was and how the Empress was disfigured. They said that Concubine Yu Fei would soon replace the Empress.
Zhou Donglin clenched his fists.
He wanted to become an official in the court. Since Song Jiaye supported Concubine Yu Fei but was unwilling to support Li Qiyu,
He would!
Qiyu, don't be afraid, I'm here.
Looking in the direction of the Empress's palace, Zhou Donglin silently made a vow.
Even though Li Qiyu would never hear this vow.
Not long after this incident, Zhou Donglin's body had recovered almost completely and he was soon sent back to the Zhou family.
Song Jiaye was not afraid that Zhou Donglin would tell Prime Minister Zhou about this matter. He also knew that Zhou Donglin wouldn't.
As long as Zhou Donglin dared to expose this matter, Song Jiaye would have ten thousand reasons to punish him. Moreover, if this matter was revealed, everyone would know that Li Qiyu was involved. Zhou Donglin was most afraid of implicating Li Qiyu, so he had no choice but to let the matter rest.