A mischievous glint flashed across Emperor Jingxiang's eyes. Lan Miao saw it clearly. She wasn't going to fall into Emperor Jingxiang's trap. If she pleaded for mercy, it would seem that she couldn't separate public from private affairs. If she didn't, she might seem heartless.
Lan Miao put down the scroll in her hand and said calmly, "I don't know why my younger sister, Lan Xin, offended Your Majesty, so it's not appropriate for me to plead for her. If she said something that seriously offended Your Majesty, wouldn't it hurt Your Majesty's feelings if I spoke for her? Thinking about it this way, it's better that I don't plead. Your Majesty is a wise and enlightened ruler. After your anger subsides, you will naturally release my younger sister."
She spoke appropriately and naturally, and also subtly flattered Emperor Jingxiang. Emperor Jingxiang liked her even more. Every time she spoke, it hit the right spot in his heart. Therefore, he was even more eager to tease her. "Do you want to know what she said to offend me?"
Lan Miao let out a breath and shook her head. "It mustn't be anything nice. I don't really want to know."
Lan Miao was still thinking when Emperor Jingxiang suddenly kissed the corner of her mouth. She was startled and saw the handsome emperor in front of her smiling faintly. "Forget it. You can go and ask her yourself. And let your family take her away. You can decide how to deal with her."
She could decide? Lan Miao's heart skipped a beat. Was His Majesty going to release Lan Xin? Lan Xin was indeed detestable. But she was also the apple of the Lan family's eye. Madam Qin had high hopes for her. Now that this incident had happened, even if Lan Xin could leave the palace, how could she find a good family? Lan Miao thought there was no need for her to make things difficult for her. After all, it was all in the past. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will handle my younger sister's matter properly."
Emperor Jingxiang looked at Lan Miao's confident and humble smile. Instead, he felt a bit smug. He had already sent someone to remind Lan Xin. Next, he would let his lady be confused. "Come, my lady. Keep me company and rest for a while."
Emperor Jingxiang pretended to pull her into his arms and tried to untie her clothes. Lan Miao blushed. Why was His Majesty at it again? Was he so energetic? "Your Majesty, it's still daytime."
Even though Lan Miao tried to push him away, he still forcefully pulled her onto the couch. His Majesty's energy was really boundless.
After the passionate encounter, the sky was almost completely dark. At night, after having dinner with Emperor Jingxiang in the Yangxin Hall, Lan Miao insisted on returning to the Lovesickness Pavilion. But now Emperor Jingxiang watched her as closely as he would his own eyeball and wouldn't let her go for a single step. Without a word, he followed her to the Lovesickness Pavilion. The servants who served Emperor Jingxiang also came to the Lovesickness Pavilion.
Emperor Jingxiang couldn't help but regret. He had shot himself in the foot. He had arranged such a remote residence for his lady just to prevent Xue'er from coming to disturb them. As a result, his lady insisted on not staying with him in the Yangxin Hall. He had to run back and forth between the two places.
Lan Miao didn't mind the trouble. She could go to the Yangxin Hall during the day and return to the Lovesickness Pavilion at night. Anyway, she could ride in His Majesty's carriage. She didn't feel tired.
The next day, Emperor Jingxiang returned to the Yangxin Hall and instructed An He, "Choose some good palaces for my lady. They must be close to the Yangxin Hall." "And choose some nice titles for my lady. See which one she likes."
Although his tone seemed to be complaining about the long distance back and forth, the joy on his brows still revealed his happiness. An He smiled and echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will definitely handle this matter properly. Congratulations, Your Majesty, for getting what you want."
Emperor Jingxiang gave a faint grunt. Thinking of his lady, he also thought of her younger sister, Lan Xin. He pondered and said, "Release the younger one from the Lan family today. Before releasing her, remind her that she must never say what she shouldn't."
After all, Emperor Jingxiang still wanted to use this to play a trick on Lan Miao. "Yes, Your Majesty." An He took the order and left.
Soon, he led the servants and released Lan Xin, who had been imprisoned for several days. He brought her to the Lovesickness Pavilion and in front of Lan Miao.
In the Lovesickness Pavilion, Madam Qin was also there. Lan Miao had sent a letter to the Lan Mansion last night, asking Madam Qin to come and pick up Lan Xin. The last time they met, it had ended unhappily. Madam Qin had been worried ever since. After receiving Lan Miao's letter, she was both shocked and delighted. She didn't know how Lan Miao had pleaded with His Majesty, but His Majesty had really released Lan Xin. She was both ashamed and surprised.
Madam Qin came to the Lovesickness Pavilion early and waited. When she saw Lan Miao, all the words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat. She had nothing to say and could only lower her head and silently wait for Lan Xin to come. Lan Miao also ignored her. The two of them remained silent for a long time.
It wasn't until An He and the guards brought Lan Xin, who had been imprisoned for many days. After not seeing her for a few days, Lan Xin was disheveled and pale. She was so frightened that she couldn't speak. She no longer looked like a noble young lady. She was still wearing the dress she had worn at the strange stone banquet that day. It seemed that she hadn't changed her clothes for several days.
Lan Xin knelt on the ground, her eyes blank. An He bowed to Lan Miao and said politely with a smile, "Lady Lan, the person has been brought. Your mother can take her back to the mansion. No one will talk about this matter." "Thank you, Father An." Lan Miao thanked him with a smile.
Then she glanced at Madam Qin. Madam Qin understood her look immediately and immediately offered a wrapped package of gold to An He. After some polite refusals, An He finally accepted it. He happily led the servants and guards out.
When there were no outsiders left, Madam Qin immediately put away her dignity and grace. She rushed forward and hugged Lan Xin. Tears welled up in her eyes.
At first, Lan Xin seemed to be in a daze and didn't feel anything. As Madam Qin cried, she gradually regained her senses. Soon, she also hugged Madam Qin and cried loudly. The mother and daughter hugged each other and cried bitterly, showing their deep mother - daughter love. Lan Miao watched them quietly and then looked away.
After the mother and daughter had vented their emotions, Madam Qin wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and slowly helped the weak Lan Xin up. The two of them sat down.
Madam Qin asked with red eyes, "Xin'er, what on earth did you do? Why did you anger His Majesty? How did you get through these days?" "… Mother, I… was locked in the dungeon. There were so many bugs, and the food was spoiled…"
Just thinking about it, Lan Xin burst into another fit of crying. There was indeed an unpleasant smell on her body, and even Madam Qin, who had just hugged her, smelled it. Lan Miao sipped her tea calmly and didn't interrupt. She just ordered the servant to open half of the window to let in some fresh air.
Lan Xin avoided answering Madam Qin's question. Maybe it was because His Majesty had given instructions in advance, but it was more likely that she was ashamed. Hearing what Lan Xin said, Madam Qin shed a few more tears. She covered her face and cried, "You've been raised so delicately since childhood. How could you have suffered like this?"
"Mother, I… don't want to stay in the palace anymore. Let's leave quickly. I miss home. I want to go back…" Lan Xin covered her head with both hands and cried bitterly.
Madam Qin let out a sigh. It seemed that she also wanted to leave quickly. Seeing this, Lan Miao put the teacup she had picked up on the table with a crisp sound. "Wait a minute. I still have something to tell you."
Her tone was as calm as usual, without the slightest hint of arrogance. But to Lan Xin, it was a blatant show - off. "It's all your fault. It's all because of you that I've suffered this humiliation. Otherwise, how could I have been treated like this?"
Lan Xin raised her head and pointed at Lan Miao on the upper seat. All the pain from before turned into anger. She was like a unreasonable shrew. However, in Lan Miao's eyes, Lan Xin's current behavior was no different from seeking death directly.