The group had said all they needed to say. Since they had managed to persuade Princess Shangyang to return to the palace, she began to pack the things she would take with her. However, after rummaging around, there wasn't much to take. After all, in the palace, one would lack for nothing.
She looked at the somewhat shabby thatched cottages. They had witnessed so many years of her life. It was here that she had watched her son grow from a swaddled infant into a young lad.
There were too many memories here. Now that she was leaving, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of reluctance.
Helian Rong walked over and patted her on the shoulder. "Aunt, you'll still have a chance to come back in the future. Don't be too sad."
Although she nodded, deep down, she knew that she might never have the opportunity to return here in her lifetime.
After they had finished packing, they set off on their journey out of the forest. In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they emerged from the forest. As soon as they got out, they saw General Lian waiting outside. As soon as he saw them, he rushed forward and said, "Your Majesty, you're finally back!"
When he saw the Queen and the Princess of Nanping beside the Emperor, he continued, "Your humble subject welcomes the Queen and the Princess of Nanping. It's a blessing from the heavens!"
Dongfang Yi knew that he was worried about her, so she returned a solemn smile.
Immediately afterwards, a group of ministers surrounded them. Most of them came to congratulate them. She was in the middle, being bombarded with questions. Just as she was starting to feel tired, Helian Qi pulled her out of the crowd.
The ministers could tell that the Emperor didn't want them to pester the Queen too much, so they wisely dispersed.
The two of them then returned to the tent.
As soon as they entered the tent, Helian Qi asked his secret guard, "Has anyone gone to visit Concubine Chu?"
The secret guard replied, "At noon, Concubine Lian went to visit her!"
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yi frowned tightly. Everyone in the harem knew that Concubine Lian was Concubine Chu's most trusted subordinate. So, it seemed reasonable for her to visit when her master was in trouble. But upon closer inspection, things didn't seem that simple.
Concubine Lian had been bullied for many years. Could she really remain loyal? Or had she already harbored traitorous thoughts and was just waiting for the opportunity to bring her down?
Let's rewind to noon today.
Concubine Lian decided to visit Concubine Chu. So, she tidied up her appearance and rushed to her tent. However, she saw that the tent was heavily guarded. She had to bribe the guard at the door with a gold bracelet before she could enter.
As soon as she entered, she saw the woman sitting listlessly on the couch. Her head was lowered, and she seemed to be lost in thought. When she heard the noise, she looked up. When she saw that it was Concubine Lian, her eyes immediately burned with anger. Then she shouted, "Bitch, what are you doing here?!"
She hated the woman in front of her. She never expected that she would betray her like this and hide it so well that she hadn't noticed a thing.
The angrier she got, the more she stood up and raised her hand to slap her.
But the slap didn't land on her skin. Instead, Concubine Lian reached out and blocked it. Then she gritted her teeth and said, "Do you think you can still beat me now? You're just a criminal! Don't even think about touching me!"
With that, she pushed the woman aside forcefully, with a look of unbridled pleasure on her face.
Concubine Chu's face froze. She never expected that one day this woman would dare to treat her like this. This tough look was so different from her usual submissive and delicate self.
"Who instigated you to harm me?" she roared.
Concubine Lian sneered. "Harm you?"
She was really laughing. The trap was clearly set by her. She wanted to kill her, but she had just fought back and then cleverly pushed her into a deeper trap. How could it be that she was the one who had harmed her now?
"You tried to kill me but were outwitted by me. How dare you speak so righteously now!" she continued.
"Hahaha!" Concubine Chu threw her head back and laughed.
"Good! The dog I raised has finally grown wings and dares to talk to me like this!" With a fierce look in her eyes, she walked over, gathered her strength, and reached out to grab her by the neck, squeezing tightly.
"No matter how strong your wings are, you're still just a dog I raised. Do you really think the Emperor will kill me?" she said arrogantly, completely ignoring her words.
"You... stop. Don't forget that you're a criminal now. If you kill me, the Emperor won't spare you!" Concubine Lian tilted her head back and struggled desperately. Concubine Chu's strength was so great that she couldn't resist at all. Her throat was almost out of breath.
"Ah..."
Concubine Chu saw that this woman dared to talk to her like this even when she was on the verge of death, so she increased the pressure on her hand. But she also knew her own situation. If she killed her now, it would be impossible to clear her name. Since this wasn't her doing, she didn't have to bear this injustice.
Thinking of this, she let out a cold laugh from her throat and threw her aside. Then she roared at her, "Get out!"
Concubine Lian lay on the ground, clutching her neck and gasping for breath. The physiological tears in the corners of her eyes couldn't stop. After hearing her words, she quickly got up and ran out of the tent.
Concubine Chu watched the woman flee in a hurry. The mockery in her eyes deepened. After all, she had learned martial arts. Two or three ordinary men would probably be no match for her, let alone this delicate woman. How dare she shout at her?
Although her situation was not good now, she believed that the Emperor wouldn't dare to kill her easily. After all, her adoptive father was Nangong Liuyun. He would surely be wary of him.
Moreover, before she was imprisoned, she had already sent a letter out. Her adoptive father doted on her, so he would surely not abandon her.
Thinking of this, she felt a little calmer, as if she had grasped a life-saving straw.
On the other hand, Concubine Lian, who had left Concubine Chu's tent, rushed back to her own tent. The pain in her neck was still very obvious, and her breathing seemed to be blocked.
She never expected that this woman would still be so domineering. But she had to take her words seriously. What if the Emperor was really wary of Nangong Liuyun and let Concubine Chu go? What would her life in the harem be like in the future?
Should she completely defect to Concubine Yao? Knowing that she was from the neighboring country of Nan, wasn't she just jumping from one dangerous situation to another?