AWB Chapter 221 Begging for mercy
Chapter 221 Begging for mercy
Palace Turmoil: The Empress's Crisis and the Emperor's Wrath
In the imperial palace of Xijing Kingdom, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the glazed tiles, casting dappled shadows and adding a touch of softness to the solemn palace. In the imperial garden, flowers bloomed in profusion, their vibrant colors vying for attention. A gentle breeze stirred, and petals drifted down like a shower of blossoms. Jia Xiaoyan, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, her belly slightly protruding, strolled along the garden path with her maids, a blissful smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, look how beautifully these peonies are blooming!" a palace maid said with a smile.
Jia Xiaoyan nodded gently, stroking her belly, her eyes full of tenderness: "Yes, after the baby is born, I'll bring him to see this beautiful garden." Her voice was soft, carrying the glow of motherhood, echoing in the tranquil Imperial Garden.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from ahead. Jia Xiaoyan frowned slightly and looked up, only to see a minister running towards her in a panic, completely unaware of Jia Xiaoyan in front of him.
"Make way! Make way!" the minister shouted as he ran, clutching a memorial tightly in his hand, as if something urgent had happened.
Upon seeing this, the palace maids panicked and hurriedly cried out, "My lord, be careful! Her Majesty the Empress is here!"
However, the minister was running too fast and didn't have time to stop. He bumped into Jia Xiaoyan, and the force of the impact sent her flying backward.
"Ah!" Jia Xiaoyan screamed in pain, instinctively covering her stomach with her hands, and fell heavily to the ground.
"Your Majesty the Empress!" The palace maids rushed forward in alarm, their eyes filled with worry and fear.
Jia Xiaoyan's face was pale, and cold sweat kept pouring from her forehead. She bit her lower lip tightly and groaned in pain, "My stomach...it hurts so much..."
The minister then realized what had happened. He turned pale with fright and knelt on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I deserve to die!"
Just then, Jiang Liushen rushed over upon hearing the news. He was dressed in a dragon robe, his expression dignified, but his eyes were filled with anxiety. Seeing Jia Xiaoyan lying on the ground, his heart sank. He quickly stepped forward and gently held Jia Xiaoyan in his arms.
"Xiaoyan, how are you?" Jiang Liushen's voice trembled, filled with worry and fear.
Jia Xiaoyan weakly opened her eyes, saw Jiang Liushen, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Your Majesty, our child..."
Jiang Liushen, like an enraged lion, held Jia Xiaoyan tightly in his arms, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world, not to be violated by anyone. Then, he abruptly turned his head, his sharp, sword-like gaze shooting directly at the minister kneeling on the ground, trembling. A raging fire of anger instantly ignited in his eyes, as if it could burn the person before him to ashes.
"How dare you!" Jiang Liushen roared in uncontrollable rage, his voice like a thunderclap from the heavens, shaking the entire Imperial Garden. It contained boundless imperial majesty and fury, sending chills down everyone's spine. "How dare you so recklessly offend the Empress! If anything happens to the Empress and the imperial heir in her womb, I will make sure your entire family is executed!"
Upon hearing this, the minister was terrified, his face drained of color, and his body trembled violently. He kowtowed frantically, his forehead pounding against the ground with a resounding thud, repeatedly begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, spare me! This humble subject truly did not mean to do it. There is an extremely urgent military matter that needs to be reported to Your Majesty immediately! In my haste, I accidentally offended Her Majesty the Empress. Please, Your Majesty, have mercy..."
"Shut up!" Jiang Liushen roared, interrupting the minister. "No matter how urgent the military situation, it is not a reason for you to offend the Empress! Guards, drag him away and await your punishment!"
Several guards immediately stepped forward and dragged the minister away. The minister's pleas for mercy gradually faded into the distance, leaving only Jia Xiaoyan's painful groans and Jiang Liushen's anxious words of comfort in the Imperial Garden.
"Xiaoyan, don't be afraid, the imperial physician will be here soon."
"No, Xiaoyan, you must be strong! Our child will definitely be safe and healthy!" Jiang Liushen held Jia Xiaoyan's hand tightly, his gaze firm and affectionate, but his slightly trembling fingers could not hide the deep fear and unease in his heart.
Time seemed to stand still, each second feeling incredibly long. Finally, a series of hurried footsteps approached, and the imperial physician, carrying his medicine chest, rushed into the bedchamber. Without even catching his breath, he immediately went to the bedside, his face grave, and placed three fingers on Jia Xiaoyan's slender wrist, beginning to carefully take her pulse.
At this moment, the entire palace was deathly silent. Jiang Liushen and all the palace maids held their breath, nervously surrounding the bed, not daring to utter a sound. Their eyes were all fixed on the imperial physician's tense face, and they silently prayed that everything would be alright.
The imperial physician's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and Jiang Liushen's heart clenched with worry: "Imperial physician, how are the Empress and the child?"
The imperial physician sighed slightly and said, "Her Majesty the Empress has suffered a miscarriage, and the situation is extremely critical. I will immediately prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy. Your Majesty, Her Majesty must rest in bed during this period and must not experience any emotional fluctuations."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Liushen's heart tightened. He gently grasped Jia Xiaoyan's hand and said, "Xiaoyan, did you hear me? You must rest well. For our child's sake, you must get better."
Jia Xiaoyan nodded weakly, her eyes filled with tears: "Your Majesty, I will..."
With the imperial physicians' meticulous treatment and Jiang Liushen's constant care, Jia Xiaoyan's condition gradually stabilized. However, Jiang Liushen's anger remained unabated. He ordered a thorough investigation, severe punishment for the officials involved, and strengthened security measures in the palace to ensure the safety of Jia Xiaoyan and her child.
Every night, Jiang Liushen would sit by Jia Xiaoyan's bedside, holding her hand tightly and gently comforting her: "Xiaoyan, don't be afraid, I'm here, no one can hurt you and the baby." Jia Xiaoyan would lean against him, feeling his warmth and strength, and a glimmer of hope would gradually rise in her heart.
Jia Xiaoyan lay on the carved bed in her palace, her face still pale, yet radiating a gentle resilience. She turned slightly to the side, gently stroking her swollen belly, her eyes filled with love and anticipation for the baby inside her.
"Your Majesty," Jia Xiaoyan called softly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, yet carrying an undeniable firmness.
Jiang Liushen was sitting on the edge of the bed, intently looking at the memorial in his hand. Hearing Jia Xiaoyan's voice, he immediately put down the memorial and responded gently, "Xiaoyan, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" As he spoke, he gently held Jia Xiaoyan's hand, his eyes full of concern.
Jia Xiaoyan gently shook her head, looking at Jiang Liushen with sincere eyes: "Your Majesty, I would like to tell you something."
Jiang Liushen nodded slightly, gesturing for her to continue, his eyes full of doting affection: "Go on, I'm listening."
Jia Xiaoyan took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I know that you severely punished that minister because of the incident, and I am very grateful for everything you have done for me and my child. However, I also know that the minister did not do it intentionally. He was in a panic because of an urgent military matter and bumped into me."
Jiang Liushen's face darkened slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes: "Even if he had a great reason, he shouldn't have acted so recklessly, almost harming you and the child."
Jia Xiaoyan gently stroked Jiang Liushen's hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, I understand your feelings. You are worried about me and the child. However, that minister is usually very diligent and has made many contributions to the court. Now, because of this matter, he and his family are in trouble. I really can't bear it. Your Majesty, please forgive him this time."
Jiang Liushen looked at Jia Xiaoyan, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He felt sorry for the suffering Jia Xiaoyan had endured, yet he was also moved by her kindness and forgiveness. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Xiaoyan, you are always so kind, but this matter concerns your safety, and I find it difficult to forgive him so easily."
Jia Xiaoyan sat up, grasped Jiang Liushen's hands, and said with tears glistening in her eyes, "Your Majesty, I know you mean well. However, as emperors and empresses, we bear the heavy responsibility of governing the people. If we punish a meritorious official because of a moment of anger, it will likely chill the hearts of the ministers. Your Majesty, please forgive him this time for my sake."
Looking at Jia Xiaoyan's pitiful appearance, Jiang Liushen's defenses gradually crumbled. He sighed softly and said, "Xiaoyan, you're always so soft-hearted. Fine, since you've said so, I'll forgive him this time. However, he must deeply reflect on his mistakes and never act so rashly again in the future."
Upon hearing this, Jia Xiaoyan smiled with relief: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe he will be grateful for your leniency and will serve the court even more diligently in the future."
Jiang Liushen gently pinched Jia Xiaoyan's nose and said with a smile, "You're so kind-hearted, always thinking of others. But you have to promise me that you'll take good care of yourself and the child from now on, and don't make me worry anymore."
Jia Xiaoyan nodded vigorously: "I will, Your Majesty. With you by my side, my child and I will definitely be safe and sound."
Just then, a palace maid brought in a bowl of medicine to help with the pregnancy. Jiang Liushen took the bowl, gently blew on it, and then carefully fed it to Jia Xiaoyan. Looking at Jiang Liushen's focused expression, Jia Xiaoyan felt a surge of happiness and warmth in her heart.
"Your Majesty, you must be tired after a long day. Please get some rest," Jia Xiaoyan said softly after finishing her medicine.
Jiang Liushen put down the medicine bowl, lay down next to Jia Xiaoyan, and gently pulled her into his arms: "Okay, let's rest together."
In Jiang Liushen's warm embrace, Jia Xiaoyan gradually drifted off to sleep. A smile graced her face, as if she were experiencing this happiness and peace even in her dreams. Jiang Liushen, gazing at Jia Xiaoyan's sleeping face, secretly vowed to protect her and their child, ensuring their eternal peace and happiness.