CH 25

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-曦嫔(xī pín)-Imperial Concubine Xi, Liao Qing Qing’s current designation

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

–梁贵妃(liáng guìfēi)- Noble Consort Liang

-廖贵人(Liào guìrén)- Noble Lady Liao, the female lead’s paternal elder cousin. 

–蒋贵人(Jiǎng guìrén)- Noble Lady Jiang, the female lead’s “best friend”

–谢绎(xiè yì)- Xie Yi, a given name of Xie manor’s third son, also known as General Xie and Xie Zi Xing. He was the person Liao Qing Qing went on a blind date with. 

–谢将军(xiè jiāngjūn)- General Xie, refers to Xie Zi Xing. He was the person Liao Qing Qing went on a blind date with. 

Current Ranking: Noble Consort Liang → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort → Imperial Concubine Xi →  Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Noble Lady Liao + Noble Lady Jiang

Shouldn’t His Majesty be shocked?

Shouldn’t His Majesty be angry?

Why does His Majesty sound anxious and concerned?

Noble Lady Liao and Noble Lady Jiang were confused.

The two of them couldn’t help taking a few steps forward.

Their eyes swept past the guards towards the ravine, and landed on Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li who were in the ravine.

What’s going on?

How come Liao Qing Qing is in the ravine?

Why is His Majesty also at the ravine?

All at once, they all turned their eyes to Xie Yi.

Xie Yi’s face was still tense.

But Xie Yi’s position…

Xie Yi’s position is actually the farthest away from Liao Qing Qing!

It’s not right!

Not right, not right, not right!

In order to overthrow Liao Qing Qing, they had planned for a long time.

They also specially begged Noble Consort Liang to bring them to Wansui Mountain.

Just waiting for this chance!

When they found out that Liao Qing Qing did not want to tour the mountain and stayed in the back garden, they immediately adjusted their plan and clearly saw for themselves that Xie Yi was heading for Liao Qing Qing.

They felt that the matter was half successful.

Why did it seem like Xie Ye was the last one to arrive?

Could it be that Xie Yi did not have a “private meeting” with Liao Qing Qing at all?

How could this be?

Their plan also got a nod from Noble Consort Liang.

They even intentionally bolted the door to the back garden. They were waiting to catch the adulterous pair ‒ for Liao Qing Qing and Xie Yi to receive the punishment they deserved and never have a chance to turn the tables!

How come the current situation turned out to be different from what they imagined?

What went wrong?

Their faces involuntarily blanched; their hearts shrouded in great fear.

Their eyes looked straight into the ravine.

They watched Emperor Jing Li carry Liao Qing Qing.

They watched them come up the slope.

It seemed to stop unintentionally in front of Xie Yi, causing Xie Yi to lower his head helplessly. Then, continued straight into the back garden.

Just like that, he left everyone in the back garden.

Not a word was left behind.

They didn’t know what the situation was right now.

Looking at Xie Yi finally coming back to his senses, then beginning to arrange for the next matter.

While the two of them were still in a state of fear.

They wanted to find Noble Consort Liang, but they didn’t know where she was.

They had no choice but to follow right after Emperor Jing Li into the back garden.

When they were about to enter the small room, Emperor Jing Li swept daggers at them. They were too scared to move forward, and stood frozen in place. .

They stared at the small room in front of them with apprehension and confusion.

Regardless of which, they couldn’t figure out how Liao Qing Qing ended up in the ravine?

But Liao Qing Qing’s heart was pure.

Emperor Jing Li understood.

After some examinations, it was determined that Liao Qing Qing only broke her foot and needed to recuperate for two or three months. There were no other major problems. Imperial Physician Fan took his leave and went to decoct the medicine.

There were only two people in the room, Liao Qing Qing and Emperor Jing Li.

Liao Qing Qing secretly let out a sigh. She thought she would lose her life or be disfigured from this leap. But unexpectedly, she only broke her foot.

Heaven have eyes! Heaven loves her!

However, Emperor Jing Li’s expression did not change in the slightest. With an ashen expression, he scanned up and down at Liao Qing Qing, whose clothes were torn, hair was in disarray and foot was sprained. He said unhappily, “Look what good thing you have done!”

“This imperial concubine[1] is wrong,” Liao Qing Qing hurriedly admitted her mistake.

Emperor Jing Li asked coldly, “Where have you been wrong?”

Liao Qing Qing said guiltily, “For spoiling Your Majesty’s good mood and causing trouble for Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li asked, “Is that all?”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

Emperor Jing Li let out a disdainful sound, “Hmph.”

Upon hearing this, Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li in surprise, not grasping what Emperor Jing Li meant.

Emperor Jing Li gave another cold snort and said, “Beloved Concubine has really broadened my[2] horizons today!”

Liao Qing Qing, “???” Where does this come from?

“In order not to implicate General Xie, you ignored your own safety and jumped just like that. If it was not a ravine but a cliff in front of you, would you also jump down for General Xie?” Emperor Jing Li’s tone was quite awful, “It sure is different when it comes to affections being involved.”

“??” Liao Qin Qing was surprised and asked, “Your Majesty, you saw this imperial concubine jump?”

Emperor Jing Li tilted his face to the side, but anger could obviously be sensed surging through him.

Liao Qing Qing took a moment to recall the situation.

When she and He Xiang saw Xie Yi, it was almost time for lunch.

It was also the time when Emperor Jing Li returned.

It was rare for him to leave the palace. Emperor Jing Li was not willing to return the same way.

That was to take the path down the mountain.

Just happened to see her pull He Xiang and jump into the ravine?

Most likely!

No wonder he was able to appear in front of her first, she confessed, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine did jump down of her own accord.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing Li was extremely annoyed and didn’t even want to give Liao Qing Qing a second glance, so he turned around and walked out.

“Your Majesty.” In a rush, Liao Qing Qing reached out and grabbed the hem of Emperor Jingli’s robe. She couldn’t let the emperor do so; otherwise, it was possible some kind of chaos could arise.

Emperor Jing Li’s steps halted. His eyes moved along his own hem and saw Liao Qing Qing’s slender fingers. His gaze moved little by little towards Liao Qing Qing’s somewhat pale face. He asked, “What? Afraid that I will dispose of General Xie?”

“No.” Liao Qing Qing hurriedly denied.

“Then why are you pulling on me and not letting go?”

“This imperial concubine has something to say to Your Majesty.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you.” Emperor Jing Li appeared very heartless.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine jumped for you.”

Emperor Jing Li’s gaze stalled slightly and asked, “You jumped for me?”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing nodded.

“You are thinking so much for me?”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing nodded her head emphatically to show her thoughtfulness.

“Then why don’t you stab General Xie for me?”

“???”

What kind of words are these?

How can you be so capricious?

[1] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[2] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).