“Chapter 84: I Won’t Deceive You”

"Chapter 84: I Won't Deceive You"

"'Right, I also find it strange. Although women may get spots during pregnancy, I heard Concubine Jing say that it's not just spots, but all over her body. Beauty Jia, what do you think is the reason?' Yun Li countered."

"'How would I know? I haven't seen her in private,' Beauty Jia emphasized the word 'private'."

"'Speaking of which, Concubine Jing’s face is indeed odd,' Consort Jin De frowned. 'Who gets their face ruined like that during pregnancy? At this rate, she’ll have trouble facing people in the future.'"

"I've never been pregnant, so I wouldn't know. But this matter, it does seem quite peculiar," Consort Lan remarked lightly.

"The imperial physician says it's due to 'fetal toxin,'" the Empress added, setting down her teacup.

"Now that the fetus is gone, her face might actually recover."

The Empress's words were a veiled accusation.

"For Concubine Jing herself, preserving her beauty is crucial, but for others, choosing beauty over the imperial heir is unforgivable."

"Isn't the imperial heir important?"

"But others don't know her situation. The Empress's words were like a hammer blow to everyone's conscience."

"Concubine Jing’s face troubles were due to fetal toxin? So, her miscarriage might actually lead to her recovery?" Imperial Concubine Ye expressed in surprise.

"That's what the physician said. I don't understand the rest, as I'm not a physician myself," the Empress replied.

The Noble Consort observed the Empress for a few moments, not speaking, as if understanding something more.

"Everyone's comments have twisted the story."

"At this point, whether Meng Baolin pushed Concubine Jing or not doesn't matter."

"In fact, it never really mattered."

"What status does she hold?"

"She's just a minor character, after all."

"Now, with just a word from the Empress, the matter of Lady Jing has become even more intriguing."

"At this point, who still cares about Yun Li having met her alone?"

"Yun Li thought to herself, the Empress really has a cunning mind."

"On their way back, Mei Fei, Lin Cairen, and Yun Li walked together."

"Mei Fei didn't take a sedan chair, choosing instead to walk back with them."

"Such a fuss over this... A perfectly healthy child gone just like that. Lady Jing must be heartbroken. I had an aunt who lost her daughter one year and nearly cried herself to death. It took her years to recover. It was only after she adopted another child that she finally got better."

"Indeed, it's truly pitiable," Lin Cairen agreed.

Yun Li nodded, saying nothing, just sighing along with them.

"I wonder whether you two really think this way, or just pretend to. As someone who knows the truth, I really can't share the same sentiments."

"Yun Li next met He Jinli on the night of April 5th."

"He Jinli came to her place, resting in the main hall."

"After serving him dinner, He Jinli gestured for everyone to leave them alone."

"Yun Li knew he was about to ask her something."

"She wasn't nervous, though."

"He Jinli pulled her into his embrace."

"Before he could speak, Yun Li placed her small hand over his lips, 'Your Majesty, let me speak first.'"

"He Jinli raised his eyebrows slightly but didn't object, nor did he remove her hand."

"Yun Li then squinted her eyes and gently caressed his lips with her index finger before obediently pulling away."

"'I don't know if Lady Jing did something wrong. I just thought her face looked strange and mentioned it. The day she invited me, she didn’t say much. Just that she was feeling uneasy.'"

"Yun Li's gaze was sincere, yet half-truthful: 'I don't want to speculate because it might not be correct. If Your Majesty wishes to know, I will tell you everything. But I didn't want to hear you probing, so I spoke first.'"

"'I can't say I haven't hidden anything from you, but I can assure you, I haven't lied to you.'"

"After she finished, He Jinli laughed, 'Unfortunately, Yun'er is mistaken. What I wanted to ask was why you ate so little today. Are you troubled by something?'"

"Yun Li just glared at him."

"That glare was indescribably coquettish and resentful, full of unspoken emotions."

"Though she was still young, her charm made He Jinli feel she was nearly ripe."

"She was indeed exceedingly beautiful."

"So, the Emperor grabbed her waist firmly: 'Yun'er, do you not trust me?'"

"'Of course, I don't. Your Majesty also tells lies. I may be foolish, but I can still see through some things,' Yun Li hugged his neck. 'Ah, I just hope that one day, when others harm me, Your Majesty would at least stand up for me.'"

"Having said that, she didn’t give He Jinli a chance to respond and continued, 'Your Majesty is so naughty, blaming me for eating less. It was clearly enough. You’re bullying me, you owe me.'"

"He Jinli followed her cue, 'Then what do you want today? My jade pendant?'"

"Yun Li laughed, 'Today, I want Your Majesty’s belt.'"

"He was wearing a dragon crown today, with belts hanging down the sides."

"He Jinli laughed helplessly, 'You want these, but you can't even wear them.'"

"'Your Majesty is really stingy,' Yun Li pouted."

"He Jinli shook his head, 'Alright, I'll give it to you.'"

"'I won't thank you today,' said Yun Li."

"He Jinli lifted her up, 'You don’t have to thank me, but since my consort says she ate a lot, she should exercise a bit. Otherwise, indigestion isn’t good.'"

"As for this 'exercise', it was exactly what Yun Li had in mind."

"The Emperor was again initiating his self-serve mode."

"Yun Li's eyes welled up with tears as she 'rode the dragon', thinking 'damn the husky'."

"He Jinli was utterly satisfied, both mentally and physically. This little concubine, indeed, was extremely delightful."

"Actually, when he asked about Lady Jing, he wasn't so much seeking the truth as he was curious to see how this woman would respond."

"And this woman always managed to surprise him."

"So bold."

"Yet... beautifully so."

"Thinking this, He Jinli felt a surge of passion in his chest and fiercely pulled her down to embrace her, suddenly flipping over: 'Since Yun'er is tired, I should be considerate.'"

"Just as Yun Li was about to speak, her mouth was sealed."

"Irritated, she thought, 'What took you so long? My leg is cramping here.'"

"When she finally got a chance to rest, Yun Li was utterly exhausted."

"She felt like a warrior battling a fierce dragon, completely worn out."

"The next morning, He Jinli indeed left his hairband for Yun Li, who joyfully accepted it."

"He Jinli watched her with amusement and shook his head."

"After He Jinli left for his duties, Yun Li couldn't stay in bed any longer and got up to pay her respects."

"On her way, she thought that in the struggle for favor, everyone has their own methods."

"She was just one of them, and as of now, it seemed to be effective."

"Life in the harem was long, and she was not one to just sit back and wait. She was determined to climb the ranks."

"Since it was summer, the days broke early. By the time she reached Fengyi Palace, it was fully lit."

"Yun Li, along with everyone else, performed their salutations, just like every morning, waiting to pay their respects."

"Life in the harem, day after day, seemed repetitive, yet each day was indeed different."

"No one wishes for a life of misery, yet some are unable to escape it."

"Everyone wants to rise to the top, but some inevitably become stepping stones for others."