Chapter 0127: A Dangerous Encounter by the Lake

Chapter 0127: A Dangerous Encounter by the Lake

This year, He Jinli did not promote anyone.

However, Lady Qiong's relocation was quite conspicuous.

But at the same time, there's another person moving out, that is, Xu Baolin, who was promoted in the palace last year.

She moved even earlier, settling into the Furong Pavilion where Lady Wu used to reside.

Everyone was puzzled. Xu Baolin used to live in the Zhao Hua Palace of Consort De. Suddenly, she's moving out?

People had all sorts of thoughts, all thinking that Xu Baolin had finally made it through and might enjoy a period of favor.

She left on the seventeenth day of the first month, which was just suitable. Missing this day meant waiting until February.

In the main hall, Consort De was listening to the Crown Prince recite.

The six-year-old Crown Prince was articulate and intelligent, capable of reciting.

He's already started his education.

Since Consort Jin's miscarriage, she became even more attentive to this child.

At this moment, Consort De saw Lan Xiu coming in for the first time, just as the Crown Prince finished his recitation.

"What's the matter?"

Lan Xiu stepped forward. "Your Highness, it's Xu Baolin who came to bid farewell."

Consort De's expression was indifferent. "No need, just tell her to take care."

"Yes," Lan Xiu replied.

It was very cold, the previous snow hadn't melted yet, and Xu Baolin stood quietly.

When she saw Lan Xiu leave, she knelt down and kowtowed to the main hall, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your care. I'm leaving."

After getting up, she held the hand of her maid and walked away.

Inside the room, the Crown Prince asked, "Mother, why did she leave?"

The Crown Prince lived here, naturally knowing who Xu Baolin was, she was also the Emperor's concubine.

Perhaps the six-year-old child didn't quite understand what a concubine was, but living here, he understood.

"Zhao Hua Palace is too cramped, she can't spread her wings," Consort De smiled.

"Mother Consort is talking nonsense, how can people fly," the Crown Prince said.

Consort De patted his head, "Mother Consort is just talking nonsense, continue reciting."

The Crown Prince nodded and continued reciting. As for where Xu Baolin went, he wasn't very concerned.

Consort De listened to the child recite, but she was thinking about Xu Baolin.

She seemed soft, but she was also calculating.

She served the Emperor with devotion, and now that she had Baolin's status, she felt her wings were hardened? It's ridiculous.

But recalling that Xu Baolin had been serving in the Zhengyang Palace in the past few days, Consort De felt stifled.

But there was ultimately nothing she could do about it now.

Sometimes, people don't understand things at the moment, only to realize later on.

Over the past two years, Consort Jin has regretted numerous times using such drastic measures to eliminate the Empress's people. She just wanted to set an example.

But what use is regret?

Initially, she was furious due to the miscarriage, which led her to employ such methods.

But afterward, the Emperor didn't pursue it, yet... it became less and less frequent.

She knew this, so she pushed the Xus out. Now she didn't know if it was the Emperor's intention or Xu Baolin's.

They actually moved out.

Thinking of this, the Crown Prince finished reciting completely.

Consort Jin praised him, "Your recitation was very smooth. Good boy, recite it again, and I'll have someone accompany you to play ball."

The Crown Prince happily agreed and began to recite again obediently.

This time, it was even smoother than before.

Consort Jin thought, it's okay, at least she still had the Crown Prince. This child is smart and healthy, and he'll be her support in the future.

-----

On the first day of the second month, some people followed the Empress to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

After having breakfast, Yunli didn't feel like sleeping, so she went to the Imperial Garden.

Despite the cold weather, there were still some early spring plum blossoms.

The wintersweets were also starting to bloom, making the Imperial Garden quite picturesque.

Meeting Jiamei again, Yunli just frowned, thinking it was unfortunate. But there was no real need to avoid her.

With their relationship being like this, is there any need for them to meet?

The last time His Majesty entered the palace was the day before yesterday, precisely at Yue'an Palace, where Yunli served.

Jiamei hasn't seen the Emperor since she sent away He Jinli the last time.

Coupled with those two slaps, her hatred for Yunli is beyond words. Every time they meet, she looks like she wants to devour her.

Yet Jiamei still hypocritically says, "Isn't this Sister Qiong? Meeting like this must be fate."

Yunli walked over, stood three steps away, and looked at her, "I don't really want to meet you."

She was standing by the lake, which was the route Yunli had to take to get to the Fallen Plum Pavilion.

Jiamei sneered, "What's there to be so arrogant about?"

Yunli couldn't even be bothered to look at her. This woman was utterly foolish.

It's the same every time.

She turned and walked away.

Later, Yunli learned that Jiamei had slapped Wu Zhaorong when she left the Fengyi Palace in the morning, hence her furious behavior.

But at that moment, Yunli didn't know, so she wasn't prepared when Jiamei suddenly grabbed her.

Yunli was stunned, and Zhu Yu, who was following her, exclaimed, "What does Jiamei want to do?"

Jiamei's face twisted in a grimace. At this moment, Yunli finally saw the imprint of a hand on her cheek.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you confront me? Go to hell." She grabbed Yunli and tried to push her into the lake.

Yunli was intelligent and quick to react, but fundamentally, she was still a noble's daughter.

While Zhu Yu tried to pull her, she couldn't know Jiamei's intentions, and it wasn't appropriate for Hongzhu to pull her mistress either.

So she joined in to help.

So, in a moment of carelessness, both Jiamei and Yunli fell into the lake.

This lake, connected to the Jade Belt Bridge, is spring-fed.

Although there are no ice chips in the water at this moment, it's bone-chillingly cold, after all, it's only the first day of February.

Yunli felt like she had fallen into an ice cave, and she couldn't swim.

Caught off guard, she inhaled the icy water, robbing her of breath, her brain numbed by the cold.

She felt herself losing consciousness entirely.

When she regained some sensation, she felt someone holding her.

She didn't even feel the cold anymore.

It was as if she had briefly disconnected from the world, then she heard someone calling her, many people.

As Yunli's consciousness gradually returned, she felt someone draping clothes over her or something else.

Gradually, she began to shiver all over.

"Miss? Miss?" Zhu Yu called loudly.

Yunli slowly looked around.

Zhu Yu's face was streaked with tears.

Yunli looked around and saw several guards nearby, three or four of them soaked through. Not far away, Jiamei was also being shielded by her maid.

Just as none of them could gather their senses, the Emperor and Empress arrived, along with others.

Today was the first day of the month, and after the morning court, He Jinli went to the Empress Dowager's place.

The distance to the Cian Palace was very close, so when something happened, they could come quickly.

"What's going on?" He Jinli strode over.

"Your Majesty, Jiamei has gone mad and suddenly dragged our mistress into the lake," Zhu Yu cried.

The Empress glanced over. "Take them back first. Is it worth risking your lives in this weather?"

Yunli exerted all her strength to hold onto Zhu Yu and spoke softly, "Help me up."

Zhu Yu agreed, but Yunli had no strength left at this point.