TICIEC Chapter 48.2

Helian Qi frowned, picked her up from the ground, and carried her straight to the imperial carriage.

He ordered Wang Degui: “Go to Lingxue Pavilion and summon the female physician.”

He then glanced casually at the group of people kneeling on the ground: “Anyone who disrespects Ning Jieyu shall be beaten to death.”

“The affairs of the state are of utmost importance, including military matters and sacrifices. Prayers for blessings are indeed not to be neglected. But it seems the Empress Dowager has chosen the wrong person. Old Mrs. Ning is praying on her behalf; ultimately, the one praying is still the Empress Dowager. Therefore, the palace should find a concubine related to the Empress Dowager by blood. This blessing belongs to Xue Guiren.”

“I entrust this matter to you.” Helian Qi said, staring at Xue Jinyan.

He turned around and boarded the imperial carriage.

Xue Jinyan’s face turned pale instantly.

Several eunuchs cried out, “Your Majesty, spare my life…”

…

Inside Lingxue Pavilion—

Helian Qi carried Ning Wanyin into the bedchamber.

The female physician rushed over, applied the medicine to Ning Wanyin, and then reported: “Your Majesty, Ning Jieyu’s forehead injury is superficial and not serious. The wound is shallow and will not leave a scar, but she should be careful not to get it wet.”

“Very well. You may leave.” Helian Qi nodded.

Then he instructed Lian Rui: “Help your master change her clothes, but don’t get her forehead wet.”

Lian Rui accepted the order.

Ning Wanyin, however, respectfully knelt and bowed, saying, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine now. Your Majesty’s health is of utmost importance. Please go back and change your clothes.”

Ning Wanyin was soaking wet, and after the Emperor hugged her, he was also mostly wet.

“Are you trying to send me away?” Helian Qi clearly sensed the distance in her tone.

“This concubine dares not. This concubine doesn’t know what she did wrong, but it must have offended His Majesty that he’s unwilling to come to Lingxue Pavilion. Today, I’m already deeply grateful for His Majesty’s mercy in saving me; how could I dare continue to be an eyesore before His Majesty?”

Ning Wanyin’s eyes were red, and tears fell drop by drop.

She said that she dared not.

That meant she was blaming him.

Helian Qi didn’t feel angry; instead, he felt a pang of pity.

She hadn’t done anything wrong; in fact, she had done very well.

It was just that he didn’t trust her.

But Empress Dowager Xue reminded him.

Ning Wanyin’s life had always been in his hands.

How this pawn was used and where it was placed was up to him.

He wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; as long as he stopped interfering with Ning Wanyin, the Xue family could kill her.

In this predicament, Ning Wanyin had no choice but to rely on the Emperor.

If she weren’t stupid, she would know what she could and couldn’t do.

Holding the other party’s life and death in his hands, Helian Qi could naturally feel a little more at ease.

At least until Ning Wanyin did something that would arouse his suspicion, he could use her for now.

“It’s just that I’ve been busy with official duties and haven’t seen you for a few days, yet you’ve misunderstood me like this.”

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin and said in a deep voice: “If I despised you, why would I have gone to Cining Palace to fetch you?”

Ning Wanyin seemed to be throwing a tantrum, lowering her head and refusing to look at him with a wronged expression: “Perhaps Your Majesty is kind-hearted and pities me. Ultimately, it’s because I’m not as favored by Your Majesty as others that Your Majesty hasn’t come to see me for so long.”

Of course, she couldn’t utter a single word about the Emperor’s suspicions toward her.

Even less could she clarify or defend herself.

But she needed to find a reason for the Emperor’s coldness, for example, that the Emperor had found a new favorite.

“I have indeed been busy with state affairs and have neglected you.” Helian Qi could not explain, so he brushed it off.

He said instead, “You’re soaking wet; be careful not to catch a cold. I’ll take you to bathe.”

Ning Wanyin descended the steps, her cheeks slightly flushed. She looked up at him shyly, her eyes revealing a hint of lingering grievance, a touch of innocence, and the rest pure joy.

 

 

 

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