AWB Chapter 177 I Love Her
Chapter 177 I Love Her
The expected pain did not occur; instead, Wen Shuyao fell into a warm embrace.
She didn't need to look up to know who was holding her.
— Xie Jinghan.
Wen Shuyao vividly remembered Xie Jinghan's cold aura. In her memory, the only time the two of them had such intimate contact was on that ambiguous night.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Wen Shuyao finally managed to stand up and quickly pushed Xie Jinghan away.
She felt her cheeks heat up rapidly. It was clearly late autumn, and she was almost ready to put on her cloak, but at this moment she felt as if she were in the middle of a sweltering summer, her heart burning with heat.
"Be careful."
As Wen Shuyao stepped back, she almost fell again, but Xie Jinghan reached out and caught her around the waist once more.
This time, no matter how much Wen Shuyao struggled, Xie Jinghan refused to let go.
Xie Jinghan pulled her into his arms and personally escorted her to the carriage.
The moment the carriage curtain was lowered, Wen Shuyao clearly saw the smile in Xie Jinghan's eyes.
Then, the blush on her face spread all the way up to her ears, which were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.
The carriage slowly drove towards Prince Jing's residence. Magpie looked at the street scene flashing by outside the carriage curtain, then suddenly realized what was happening and covered her mouth in shock.
"Miss!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock, "The Prince is in love with you!"
After she said that, it was as if she had flipped a switch, and she began to talk non-stop: "This servant discovered it a long time ago! Before, the prince was never home. It was already difficult to see the prince once every ten days or half a month."
"But afterwards... the prince returned to the palace almost every day, and even to the main courtyard!" She covered her mouth, belatedly realizing, "The prince clearly wanted to get closer to you!"
"And just now! He stood up for you just now, even at the risk of offending the Northern Di princess!" Magpie said, her eyes sparkling. "Now I understand why, despite the prince's previous disgraceful reputation, a noble lady was still so devoted to him!"
A man as handsome and capable as Xie Jinghan is indeed captivating.
Wen Shuyao's blush never faded as she listened to the magpie's words.
"Alright." She lifted the carriage curtain, letting the cold wind blow in, and the blush on her face finally faded a bit.
She didn't want to hear the magpie's words anymore, which were enough to shake her mind, and whispered, "We're almost at the Prince's mansion. You can't tell anyone about what happened today, understand?"
“Especially Granny Qi.”
Wen Shuyao added a final sentence, which made the magpie pout.
The magpie whispered, "Miss, is it the Prince...?"
"Your Highness holds a high position and wields great power; it is not something I can covet." Wen Shuyao coldly said, word by word, "And you should stop thinking about these unfounded things."
Magpie's eyes widened, but upon noticing Wen Shuyao's displeased gaze, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
"I understand," she said reluctantly and with a wronged expression.
"Good girl." Wen Shuyao gently rubbed her head and said softly, "The difference in status between me and the prince is too great, we are not a good match, and besides... he may not really like me."
As Wen Shuyao spoke, she thought of her own face.
Because of this face, this appearance, didn't Chen Che in his previous life also fall in love with her?
Love based solely on appearance is too shallow; it dissipates like quicksand without a breeze.
Wen Shuyao lowered her eyes, suppressing all the thoughts in her heart.
Having been given a second chance at life, she will never rely on anyone again.
We need to hurry up and open the next shop.
Wen Shuyao thought to herself.
……
The next morning, at the grand court assembly.
The lively scene at Liuzhu Pavilion was presented to the emperor by the censor.
The fact that Xie Jinghan had trespassed into Consort Zhang's palace was also presented.
Imperial Censor Liu, with an air of righteous indignation, declared loudly, "Prince Jing's unauthorized intrusion into the Empress's bedchamber is a violation of both propriety and law! I implore Your Majesty to punish him severely!"
"At best, this was just Prince Jing's momentary anger; at worst... it shows that Prince Jing covets the empress's concubines! Your Majesty! You absolutely cannot condone Prince Jing's actions!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor rubbed his furrowed brow.
He glanced at Xie Jinghan with annoyance. If he had known that Xie Jinghan would cause such a commotion with Consort Zhang, he should have had someone stop Xie Jinghan. It would have been better than being impeached by the censor today.
Coveting the imperial concubines?
If such a charge were leveled against Xie Jinghan, it would severely damage his reputation.
The emperor frowned, pondering how to resolve the matter.
When Imperial Censor Liu caught a glimpse of the emperor's expression, he knew in his heart that something was wrong and quickly gave his colleagues meaningful glances.
Several censors stepped forward simultaneously: "We beg Your Majesty to punish him severely!"
"Prince Jing's actions are outrageous! This is not the first time such a thing has happened!" Imperial Censor Liu said righteously. "Regardless of whether Prince Jing has any designs on the empress or concubines, His Majesty should not let him off so easily!"
"It concerns the royal bloodline!"
"This concerns His Majesty's dignity!"
One accusation after another was being leveled at Xie Jinghan, and for a moment, Xie Jinghan even thought that he had really done something to Consort Zhang.
He sneered, his sharp eyes sweeping over the several censors who were shouting loudly. Satisfied that they had shut their mouths, he raised his hand and said slowly to the emperor, "I hope Your Majesty will see the truth."
"The reason why my brother dared to trespass into the inner palace is because Consort Zhang harbors treacherous intentions," Xie Jinghan said quietly. "The welcoming banquet not only had envoys from the Northern Barbarians, but also envoys from the Abbasid Caliphate and other vassal states."
“A casual remark at the welcoming banquet could become an alliance between the two countries.”
"How could we allow Consort Zhang to plant spies at such an important banquet?"
The moment the words "planting spies" were uttered, Duke Zhang's expression changed.
He bowed tremblingly to the emperor: "Your Majesty! Please understand! The Imperial Concubine had no such intention!"
"If there weren't spies planted, how could the news have been spread so quickly after the Northern Di princess finished spouting her mad ramblings?"
"The messenger is from Consort Zhang's palace."
Xie Jinghan raised his peach blossom eyes and stared coldly at Duke Zhang.
A cold sweat broke out on Duke Zhang's back. His mind raced as he tried to figure out how to cover up the matter for Consort Zhang.
At the same time, he cursed Consort Zhang in his heart.
He knew that Consort Zhang was targeting Prince Jing, but he did not expect that Consort Zhang would be so foolish as to do things so blatantly. Did she think that Xie Jinghan would not dare to touch her?
"It must be a misunderstanding," Duke Zhang said in a trembling voice. "The Imperial Concubine is extremely strict with her subordinates. How could she allow them to leak such important information? Why didn't Your Highness check again..."
"Does Duke Zhang want evidence?" Xie Jinghan sneered. "Perfect, my men just happened to spare that palace maid's life."
"That palace maid also entered the palace with Consort Zhang," Xie Jinghan said in a sinister tone. "Presumably, Duke Zhang also recognizes her."