The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Chapter 334 The Death of Lady An

"You know I had a purpose for asking you to go to the pavilion, and you know Lady An is plotting against you, but you still went. Why?"

Concubine Wen whispered, "Because you are my sister. I believe you won't harm me..."

Back in the Xia Dynasty harem, Concubine Wen and the Queen did not have an easy life.

All the way here, it was the Queen who protected Concubine Wen.

Concubine Wen may not trust anyone in the world, but she will never distrust the Queen.

The Queen said calmly, "Then you should always remember these words."

After saying that, the queen waved her hand and had Concubine Wen taken away, with a look of fatigue on her face.

Ting He and Li's mother couldn't help but feel distressed, but they didn't dare to say a word.

Xie Run had trouble sleeping at night.

Her injuries were not serious, but there was indeed a cut on her body, and it hurt no matter how she treated it.

She had only turned over twice when she alarmed the emperor standing beside her.

Emperor: "But does the wound hurt?"

Xie Run: "It does hurt a little."

In fact, Xie Run was also a little uncomfortable sleeping in the Zichen Palace.

The people serving here inside and outside are all the emperor's people, so she can't be too casual.

To outsiders, it seems like the highest honor, but to Xie Run, it is a little difficult to adapt to.

The emperor stood up for a moment and asked someone to call the imperial physician.

Xie Run was a little surprised. "Didn't they say that I can't take Ma Fei San for pain relief?"

The imperial physician hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Ma Fei San can only temporarily relieve the pain and will also cause damage to the body afterwards. The Emperor summoned me here to give you acupuncture to relieve the pain."

"Lady Lao, extend your hand."

Xie Run stretched out his hand and let the imperial physician feel his pulse.

The emperor sat down on the edge of the bed in his pajamas, and helped Xie Run sit down, letting her lean on his arms.

The imperial physician didn't dare to look up, but he was secretly amazed at how favored Concubine Zhaode was.

Even the emperor personally served Concubine Zhaode.

After the imperial physician gave me a few injections, the pain was actually relieved.

Xie Run smiled and waved his hand to give the imperial physician a lot of money as a reward.

She leaned against the emperor's arms and whispered, "Your Majesty, please go to sleep first. You still have to attend the morning court tomorrow, and I'm afraid you won't be able to hold on by then."

"understood."

The emperor only responded but did not react much.

After the acupuncture, Xie Run felt a little sleepy and slowly fell asleep in the emperor's arms.

When I opened my eyes the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.

He didn't have to pay his respects to the queen or take care of the children, he could only lie in bed and stare blankly.

Xie Run also felt quite bored.

Xiao Shu went to get some information and whispered in her ear, "I've been asking around, and indeed many people are talking about your assassination, but no one knows the assassin was an envoy from the Xia Dynasty."

"Yesterday, Concubine Wen and Lady An heard the news and ran to Fengyi Palace to plead for mercy. For some reason, Lady An stayed in Fengyi Palace."

"Have you heard anything about the previous dynasty's use of troops?"

Xiao Shu paused, "Unless there's a huge uproar in the former court, this kind of news won't reach the harem. This servant hasn't learned a single thing."

Xie Run fell silent, not knowing what to do for a moment.

"That's all, let's take it one step at a time."

Seeing the worry between Xie Run's brows, Xiao Shu asked, "Your Majesty, would you like someone to bring the Fifth Prince to you for a look?"

Xie Run shook his head. "I'm seriously injured now, how can I take care of the child? Besides, there's a strong smell of blood here, and I'm afraid I'm afraid he'll be scared."

Xiao Shu didn't say anything more, and only she and Dan Tao occasionally talked to Xie Run.

After the emperor left the court, he returned to the Purple Palace to visit Xie Run. He also had breakfast with Xie Run before going to the imperial study to meet the ministers.

Xie Run was just wondering whether he should do some exercise beside the bed when someone suddenly brought him a message.

"Mother, something bad has happened."

Dan Tao was supporting Xie Run, who stood still and asked through the curtain, "Why are you so flustered? Just tell me what's going on."

"The Sixth Prince of the Xia Dynasty killed Concubine An and has now been thrown into prison. The Emperor said that the Xia Dynasty first sent assassins to kill him, and then sent people to murder the concubine of the Yu Dynasty, in an attempt to sever diplomatic relations between the two countries. He has now ordered military action against the Xia Dynasty."

After hearing this, Xie Run finally felt relieved.

She finally understood the emperor's plan.

"Understood, you go down first."

"Yes!"

Xie Run sat on the bed. "I don't know what the Queen did. Concubine An was left in Fengyi Palace by the Queen, and then she was suddenly killed by the Sixth Prince of the Xia Dynasty?"

The Sixth Prince of the Xia Dynasty killed Lady An. This was not only a case of a brother killing his own sister, but also a case of a prince of the Xia Dynasty murdering a concubine of the Yu Dynasty, bringing shame to the Yu Dynasty.

Such a thing happening in the Yu Dynasty palace simply gave the emperor an excuse to send troops.

Now with the assassination incident, even if the court officials of the previous dynasty wanted to stop it, they could not stop the emperor's desire to mobilize troops.

After the war broke out in the previous dynasty, Xie Run didn't want to continue to be "seriously injured", so he stayed in the Zichen Palace every day to recuperate.

After a while, Chunjuan came back with news.

"Your Majesty, it turns out that Concubine An missed the Sixth Prince of the Xia Dynasty. The Empress took pity on her and specially let her stay at Fengyi Palace. She also asked Concubine An to write a letter to the Sixth Prince."

"After receiving the letter, the Sixth Prince of the Xia Dynasty rushed back to the palace to meet Concubine An. While they were alone, they seemed to have a conflict. In a rage, the Sixth Prince killed Concubine An and was then captured by the guards of Fengyi Palace."

The Queen disliked Concubine An and other people from the Xia Dynasty, so how could she feel any pity for someone Concubine An missed?

This is obviously a trap.

Xie Run: "No need to inquire anymore, go back to Showa Palace and take good care of those people."

Chun Juan smiled and said, "Everyone in Showa Palace is looking forward to your speedy recovery so that they can serve you again."

Xie Run smiled and said nothing.

Two days later, Xie Run sent someone to tell the emperor that she was much better now and it was not appropriate for her to live in the Purple Palace anymore. Besides, he was afraid that Taotao would miss her and cry.

The emperor agreed.

Xie Run was officially considered recovered from his "serious injury" and returned to Showa Palace from the Purple Palace.

As soon as she returned to Showa Palace, someone came to visit her.

Xie Run refused them all and said to Dan Tao, "Just say that I'm seriously injured and need to rest. I won't be seen for a while."

Dan Tao nodded.

Xie Run added, "If Lady Lu wants to see me, have her come in through the corner gate."

"Yes."

When Lady Lu came to see Xie Run, she mostly conveyed some news from the palace.

The emperor issued an edict, and General Hua, the governor of Yunzhou, killed the sixth prince of the Xia Dynasty as a sacrifice, declaring war on the Xia Dynasty completely.

All the court officials were busy and the emperor was extremely busy.

Three days later, the first victory news came from the front line.

Inspire the people of the Yu Dynasty.

Because the emperor was busy and had no time to visit the harem, the harem became quiet.

But it was also because Lady An died.

On the third day, Lady Lu sneaked into Showa Palace to visit Xie Run.

She came quietly and brought big news to Xie Run.

"I heard that Lady An was not stabbed to death by the Sixth Prince of the Xia Dynasty, but was hanged alive."

Xie Run's eyes narrowed: "Where did you hear this news?"

Lady Lu whispered, "It was the old eunuch who was dealt with by Lady An who let slip something when he was drunk. He has now been dealt with by the Queen."

Xie Run had long suspected the death of Lady An and was not surprised.

He only said at this moment: "You don't need to inquire into these matters anymore, be careful not to get into trouble."

She paused, then realized what was happening and asked, "Has the news spread throughout the six palaces?"

"That's not true!"

Xie Run breathed a sigh of relief.

Concubine Lu said softly, "In fact, everyone guessed that Concubine An's death was not simple, but no one thought it was the Queen who did it."

"She is her biological sister after all."

Xie Run's expression was cold. "The Empress's biological sister is Concubine Wen. Concubine An is just the daughter of the same father. I heard that she often bullied the Empress and Concubine Wen during the Xia Dynasty. I'm afraid the Empress doesn't have any sisterly feelings for her."

"But..." Lady Lu paused.

Xie Run interrupted her, "But what? You are an elder in the palace after all. The Queen was able to secure the position of Princess Jing even though she had no children a few years ago. Is she really without any tricks?"

"Don't say that again."

Seeing Xie Run's serious expression, Lady Lu didn't dare to discuss it further.

Xie Run added, "The Queen is probably having a hard time right now."

"No matter how much she cuts ties with the Xia Dynasty, she is still a princess of the Xia Dynasty. Now that the emperor has sent troops to attack the Xia Dynasty, she is in a difficult situation, and it is difficult to be a good person both inside and outside."

Lady Lu nodded gently, "I vaguely heard that someone in the court today said that Xia Chao had evil ambitions and ulterior motives, and asked the emperor to depose the empress."

Xie Run said calmly, "The Emperor will not depose the Empress."

The emperor has gained a reputation for filial piety and enjoyed the benefits that reputation brings. He would not be willing to depose the empress during his reign and tarnish his reputation.

Lady Lu also followed suit, saying, "The late Empress Dowager committed all sorts of evil deeds, yet the Emperor, who hated evil as much as he hated it, never deposed her."

"The Emperor is now much better than the Emperor Emeritus, so how could he so easily depose the Empress?"

The two chatted for a while, and Lu Meiren belatedly asked about the injury on Xie Run's hand.

In fact, she saw the injury on Xie Run's hand as soon as she came in, and wondered why Xie Run was obviously "seriously injured" but the injury was not visible.

Now I dare to ask.

Xie Run also lowered his eyes and took a look: "The emperor said it was a serious injury, so it must be a serious injury."

After a few days, Xie Run's wounds had healed a lot, and her energy and spirit were also much better.

Concubine Lu's eyes were filled with envy: "The Emperor values Sister Xie. Although he used Sister Xie as a raft, this raft was also an excuse to make Sister Xie a Defei."

"Come to think of it, I haven't formally congratulated Sister Xie on becoming the Empress Defei."

Xie Run was not too modest at this moment, and just said: "You will naturally have the time to thank me in the future."

Xie Run recuperated for another four or five days, but he couldn't bear it anymore, so he took people to take a walk in the Imperial Garden.

I don't know whether she is too lucky or too unlucky.

Just like that, I went out for a walk and ran into another problem.

Amidst clusters of brightly blooming flowers and trees, a gentle yet somewhat charming voice came.

"The Emperor specially bestowed the title 'Gong' upon Gong Xiurong, but Gong Xiurong seems to never understand it."

"Regardless of whether you are respectful to the Emperor or not, I will teach you a lesson as you show no respect to me. This will prevent you from losing face and being disliked by the Emperor in the future."

Amidst the overlapping shadows of the flowers, Xie Run vaguely saw Concubine Li sitting on a stone bench.

From her perspective, she couldn't see where Fang Yuaner was.

After a while, Fang Yuaner's slightly weak voice was heard.

"Last time, Concubine Wen and Concubine An had a fight and fell into the lake. The Empress demoted them both to Concubine Wen and Concubine An."

"Now that Concubine Li wants to train me, aren't you afraid of following in her footsteps and becoming Concubine Li... or even Concubine Li?"

Fang Yuaner's tone was very calm, but those who knew her could also hear a bit of stubbornness and dissatisfaction in her.

Concubine Li chuckled: "That's the Empress punishing her own family, so of course she has to be ruthless to appear fair and impartial."

"Now that you've offended me, I've taught you the importance of respect. It's only natural and reasonable. The Empress is not unreasonable, so why would she punish me?"

Just as Concubine Li finished speaking, the eunuch beside her came forward with his men and said, "Gong Xiurong, you have offended Her Majesty today. Her Majesty will only punish you by kneeling for an hour, which is already a mercy. If you are dissatisfied, why not ask Her Majesty to judge the case?"

"I'm afraid the punishment will be even heavier by then."

Concubine Li's expression did not show any intention of forcing anyone, but she was just hinting at threats in her words.

Fang Yuaner seemed annoyed and turned to leave.

Her clothes swayed under the flower shadow wall, and Xie Runcai noticed her in the corner.

But Fang Yuan'er had only taken two steps when she was kicked and suddenly fell to her knees.

She turned her head suddenly: "Empress Li, what do you want to do?!"

Concubine Li smiled and said, "Let me teach you how to write the word respect."

Concubine Li stood up with the help of the palace maid, and looked back in the direction of Xie Run with a graceful posture and a deep smile.

Through the layers of flowers and leaves, Concubine Li's sight seemed to penetrate the space and fall on Xie Run.

In a trance, Xie Run suddenly remembered what Lady Lu said.

Concubine Li... maybe it really is Wan Linlang?

But how could she have the ability to replace the princess of Rakshasa Kingdom?

Xie Run stared at Concubine Li's back until she and her men disappeared.

I kept trying to compare the appearance of Concubine Li and Wan Linlang in my mind.

For a moment I felt that there was a bit of similarity, but after a moment, I felt that they were completely different.

At least, whether in the previous life or this life, Wan Linlang would never do anything to bully Fang Yuaner in public.

Such direct and brutal means have never been Wan Linlang's style.

But the look that Concubine Li just gave...contained too much meaning that Xie Run couldn't understand.

Xie Runsi muttered to himself, "I thought she and I had no friendship."

When Dan Tao and Xiao Shu heard this, they looked at Xie Run curiously.

"My lady, would you like to go over and take a look?"

"Go." Xie Run walked forward with the ceremonial guard and saw Fang Yuaner kneeling on the ground.

Her face was full of gloom, and it was hard to tell whether it was more hatred or anger, or both.

Hearing the noise, Fang Yuaner raised her head and looked at Xie Run. Her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Are you here to see my joke?"

Xie Run sat on the stone bench, casually adjusted the hem of her skirt, and said calmly, "Why don't you stand up first?"

When Fang Yuaner heard this, her face changed several times.

Finally, he chuckled, full of sarcasm: "Empress Li is punishing me, how dare I not obey the punishment?"

Xie Run looked at her quietly, "I never knew Gong Xiurong was such a good-tempered person. She would punish me however someone asked her to."

"The stones on the ground hurt my feet. Are you really not going to stand up and talk to me?"

Fang Yuaner bit her lip and stood up with the help of the palace maid.

She was just kicked in the knee and fell down.

She knelt so hard and fast that her knees were rubbed raw by the stones, leaving spots of blood on the hem of her skirt.