Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 107: Did You Act Out of Self-interest?

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Did You Act Out of Self-interest?

He did not know when he had placed the Little Concubine so high in his heart, but now, as they were to part, his heart was filled with panic and unease. If he missed his chance with her, he might never meet someone who could touch him so deeply again in this lifetime.

At that moment, Lian Hua was held in His Majesty’s embrace, her face buried in his chest, feeling a painful blockage at her heart as tears uncontrollably streamed down.

It hurt so much!

She had told herself over and over not to think of His Majesty anymore, that she wanted to forget him and live a good life, that she should close off her heart. But why was it so difficult? Why did her heart feel so empty?

Being thrown into the Imperial Prison yesterday did not mean she felt no pain, she had merely numbed herself, forcing herself not to think, afraid that she couldn’t bear it.

Now being held in His Majesty’s arms, the repressed emotions and grievances of many days burst forth uncontrollably.

The Emperor, hearing Lian Hua’s sobs, also panicked and became flustered, his head bowed as he continually wiped her tears with his hand, but the person before him seemed made of water, for her tears could not be dried.

Seeing her cry with her nose turning bright red, her tears unstoppable, and her entire body shaking with sobs, his heart nearly broke. He tenderly comforted her without stopping, "Don’t cry, my dear, it’s all my fault. You can punish or reprimand me however you wish, just stop crying, will you?"

Fearing she would tire from standing, the Emperor naturally sat down on an adjacent stool, holding her on his lap, and continued to console her, "Do whatever you want in the Imperial Garden, I won’t stop you anymore, will you agree?"

"You find poetry difficult, right? Shall I teach you?"

The more he consoled her, the harder Lian Hua cried, gasping for air, which left the Emperor utterly distraught and heartbroken.

He consoled her with many phrases, promising her everything she ever wanted, yet she was still inconsolable. The Emperor, also worried about her health, feared her crying might hurt her and felt truly at a loss, more so than he had been at the beginning of his reign faced with a nation full of devastation.

"Would you like a swing set up in the courtyard, and perhaps a grape arbor too? Shall I have someone do that for you?"

"...Want to exchange that Gold Hairpin for money? Then let’s exchange it, I’ll help you personally, shall I?"

"...I have always trusted you; it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have imprisoned you..."

At these words, Lian Hua cried out loud, her silent sobs turning into loud wailing, believing he trusted her yet still sent her to the Imperial Prison, she had thought he wanted her dead.

"Don’t cry, don’t cry, my dear, what would you have me do? It doesn’t concern the Altar of Soil and Grain or ethics; I’ll grant whatever you ask, will that be alright?"

Finally, Lian Hua, with a choked voice, lifted her eyes to look at him, her gaze filled with disbelief.

Realizing the meaning in her eyes, the Emperor felt a painful sting in his heart and said awkwardly, "It’s also my fault you don’t trust me. I never really gave you anything, thinking I was treating you well, but I forgot to consider your feelings. From now on, I will change, will you trust me this time?"

Lian Hua, looking into the earnest eyes of His Majesty before her, watched for a while, then lowered her head and gently rested it against his chest, her eyelids drooping as she remained silent.

Seeing her action, the Emperor felt a surge of joy, knowing she had taken his words to heart. He kissed her forehead and explained, "The matter of your imprisonment was a lapse in my judgment; it was just that you refused to explain more at that time, which put you at a disadvantage. I couldn’t simply release you, as it would not be proper, and it would unfairly affect your standing in the future."

"If I had not intervened, Noble Consort Xue would have dealt with you. I would not have handed you over to her. With my protection, even though you were sent to the Imperial Prison, I could still ensure your safety."

"After you were taken away, I had those in Driftfrost Hall imprisoned and interrogated. They had guilty consciences, and by nightfall, I expect a result that would clear your name."

"Yet I realized I couldn’t wait even one night, thinking of your distress in prison, I had you brought out immediately."

Lian Hua listened and gradually stopped crying. Was that really how it was? Had she misunderstood His Majesty? She had thought...

Hearing this, Lian Hua looked up at His Majesty, her eyes red and moist, her voice slightly choked as she asked, "Your Majesty, so, you just let me out, was that favoritism?" She unconsciously emphasized ’me’ in her query, her voice still quivering with the hoarseness of prolonged crying.

The Emperor was momentarily speechless; his Little Concubine’s concern was still so unexpectedly pointed...

But alas, he might as well admit it.

With that thought, the Emperor nodded helplessly, seeing her soft, delicate appearance, he couldn’t resist and kissed her forehead again.

Seeing him nod, Lian Hua felt the blockage in her heart slowly clear and happiness gradually fill her.

Her eyes were somewhat bright, and she bit her lip and buried her face into his chest again, feeling a bit of sweetness, while a thought lingered in her mind, "His Majesty favored her privately! The always just and clear His Majesty actually favored her privately!"

Thinking of something, she suddenly looked up and asked, "Then, won’t people call you a foolish ruler?"

If that were the case, it might be better for her to just return to the prison and obediently wait, as she did not want His Majesty’s reputation to be tarnished.

"..." The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh and cry at how the Little Concubine dared to say anything. He pinched her nose and said somewhat irritably,

"Didn’t Xiao Linzi come back and say that Beauty Li personally admitted that it was she who pushed you, not you who pushed her? You are innocent, and I merely discerned the truth early to release the innocent ahead of time. How can that be deemed a foolish ruler?"

Lian Hua’s nose was red, her eyes swollen, and she bit her lip and thought about it, it seemed there was nothing wrong with that explanation.

Speaking of Beauty Li, the Emperor recalled something, looked around her, and asked, "Xiao Linzi mentioned that Beauty Li hit you this morning. Where did she hit you? Let me see." He had been dazed by the news of her pregnancy upon arrival and hadn’t noticed anything wrong; hence, he was only asking now.

"Ah?" Beauty Li had hit her? No, she clearly was the one who had hit Beauty Li.

Ah, could it be that Xiao Linzi messed up the story in her favor? Xiao Jizi was truly talented, and having him involved was just right!

Thinking this, Lian Hua’s eyes flickered, and she began to feel slightly guilty. Seeing that His Majesty was still waiting for her to speak, she mumbled and muttered "Hmm" and "Uh" for a long time without making a clear statement.

Seeing her evasive eyes, the Emperor raised an eyebrow, ready to probe further.

Busy, Lian Hua changed the subject, "Your Majesty, this servant is hungry..."

Indeed, once His Majesty heard this, his heart ached for her, and he quickly set her down to start the meal.

After the heavy weight in Lian Hua’s heart had lifted, she became more talkative and resumed her chatty banter just as before, "Your Majesty, the eunuch in the prison who laughs ugly, was he arranged by you?"

It was indeed as His Majesty had said. It was His Majesty protecting her, after all, having her cell changed.

"Hmm?" the Emperor said tenderly as he looked at her, helping her to wipe her mouth.

"It’s the one who changed my cell, who laughs like a chrysanthemum on his face!" After His Majesty finished wiping, Lian Hua continued as she picked up a piece of meat and put it in her mouth.

Regarding the person she mentioned, the Emperor had no particular memory, but it was not important—as long as she was happy, "Hmm, what about him?"

While eating, Lian Hua said, "Nothing much, just that that old eunuch is really ugly. It’s fine when he’s not smiling, but when he does, he looks both ugly and frightening."

She thought back, unable to help but nod emphatically; that old eunuch’s smile was indeed too frightening.

What she might not know was that, this old eunuch had hardly ever laughed in his life; last night, he was squeezing a smile to please Lian Hua. If he heard her now, he might collapse in outrage.

"Hmm, very ugly." The Emperor chuckled, his heart filled with joy, feeling that everything the Little Concubine said was right.

Lian Hua smiled, her eyes squinting, indeed, her thoughts were somewhat aligned with His Majesty’s.

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