mtlumby2d Chapter 278: Winning over the Harem
Chapter 278: Winning over the Harem
Xu Jiaoran was very tired last night and slept for a long time. She thought Li Zhen had left long ago, but today Li Zhen excused himself from attending court on the grounds of feeling unwell.
When Xu Jiaoran woke up and saw Li Zhen beside her, she was a little surprised.
Li Zhen's body was extremely ferocious last night, so when he woke up today, he was full of regret and self-blame. He looked at the slightly exposed scar on Xu Jiaoran, and his heart was filled with self-blame and pity.
The next morning, the clouds in the sky gradually faded from their dark black color. Li Zhen's brows were filled with deep regret. He walked gently to Xu Jiaoran's bedroom and pushed the door open, only to see her still sleeping on the bed, as peaceful and elegant as a water lily. His eyes wandered over her face, and everything there seemed so familiar yet so strange.
He called her name softly, then walked to the bed and sat down. He gently held her hands, the hands that had stirred up waves in his heart, now seemed so fragile. He looked at the marks left by the storm last night, and an indescribable pain surged in his heart.
He picked up the ointment and applied it carefully to her, every drop of it as strong and sincere as his love.
However, Xu Jiaoran ignored him and there was a hint of coldness and alienation in her eyes.
"Don't be angry, I apologize to you!" Li Zhen knew that he was wrong last night, but he was also excusable. He was so abnormal last night, probably because of the drug, but he still hurt her.
Xu Jiaoran said coldly: "I am your Majesty's person. Your Majesty can do whatever he wants. How dare I blame your Majesty?"
Seeing Xu Jiaoran like this, Li Zhen didn't know what to say anymore. Saying more would only make her angrier, so it would be better to do something.
"Don't worry, I only have you. Although you have been cold to me these days, I have not touched other women. As for Concubine Liu, I will also drive her out of the palace to avoid you being upset when you see her."
"I'm not upset. Your Majesty, please don't make me hate you anymore! Concubine Liu has done nothing wrong!" Xu Jiaoran looked at Li Zhen and felt that this man was so cold-hearted. He had clearly visited Concubine Liu a few days ago, but today he wanted to drive her away.
However, Li Zhen didn't dare to tell Xu Jiaoran what Concubine Liu had done, and only wanted to drive Concubine Liu away.
However, Xu Jiaoran insisted, "Your Majesty, please leave Concubine Liu behind."
Li Zhen had no choice but to do as she said.
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you and we won't mention her anymore!"
So, Li Zhen began to try his best to please Xu Jiaoran. He personally selected valuable jewelry, put it in an exquisite brocade box, and attached his sincere apology.
He knew that she liked the scent of plum blossoms, so he specially found plum blossoms and planted them in Xu Jiaoran's palace. He also found a high-quality perfume made by ancient methods. The faint scent of plum blossoms made her feel peaceful and relaxed. The firmness and warmth revealed in his eyes gradually touched the cold barrier in her heart.
At the same time, he found the best chefs and cooks in the palace to prepare nutritious, delicious and nutritious meals for Xu Jiaoran to nourish her body, and personally taught his servants how to be meticulous and thoughtful in serving her without losing manners and rules.
In addition to daily care and concern, Li Zhen also carefully arranged various activities to divert Xu Jiaoran's attention and let her forget the pain of the past.
Everyone in the palace knew the emperor's deep love for the queen.
However, Xu Jiaoran didn't care about Li Zhen's flattery.
……
Most of the discussion in the palace was about His Majesty's deep affection for the Queen, but Concubine Liu was extremely terrified.
Ever since the emperor left her that night, she began to worry that the matter would be exposed. However, two days passed and nothing happened.
Concubine Liu thought that the emperor had not noticed, and she also thought that this was just a small trick she used to win favor and power. However, she did not expect that this action was like touching a taboo minefield, causing a huge wave.
Li Zhen had already sensed something was wrong during the effects of the drug. When he understood the truth, the anger and grief that welled up from the bottom of his heart was hard to calm down. His face was as cold as ice, and his rage shook the entire palace. According to the law, Concubine Liu should have received the most severe punishment, but Xu Jiaoran's plea made him choose a punishment: expel her from the palace, nothing more.
In the lonely night, the long corridor under the palace lanterns was illuminated like silver and water. The emperor's decree echoed in the quiet palace walls, as biting as the cold wind in winter. When Concubine Liu learned of her fate, her heart was wrapped in ice at that moment, as if she was a lonely soul abandoned by the world. Tears flashed in her eyes, but more of them were endless despair and unwillingness.
However, just as she was about to be sent out of the palace, Xu Jiaoran appeared in front of her. The eyes that had comforted countless people were now filled with deep sympathy and care. Concubine Liu looked at her, and an inexplicable feeling of gratitude welled up in her heart.
"Princess Liu, do you realize that what you did was wrong?" Although Xu Jiaoran's voice was soft, her tone revealed an unquestionable majesty.
Concubine Liu lowered her head, tears falling: "Empress, I... I know I was wrong."
"It's wrong." Xu Jiaoran sighed softly, "But I think you still have regrets, and it hasn't caused irreparable harm. If you have a repentant heart, you can still have a glimmer of hope."
It turns out that Xu Jiaoran's plea was not out of personal feelings but justice. She understood that although Concubine Liu had made a mistake, there was still a possibility of redemption. So she pleaded with Emperor Li Zhen in the hope of giving Concubine Liu a chance to reform.
When Concubine Liu heard this, she was filled with gratitude: "I, Concubine Liu, will always remember the great kindness of the Queen."
Li Zhen originally wanted to send Concubine Liu away quietly, but was intercepted by Xu Jiaoran. He was very angry at Xu Jiaoran's behavior and didn't understand why she was so nice to an unrelated woman but so cold to him.
However, Xu Jiaoran insisted, so Li Zhen had to agree, and then he said to Concubine Liu sternly:
"From now on, you must sincerely copy the scriptures to show your repentance, pray for the queen, and atone for your sins."
So Concubine Liu was allowed to stay in a quiet place and began to copy scriptures to show her repentance. She faced the scriptures every day with regret and self-blame in her heart, but at the same time she was also full of gratitude to Queen Xu Jiaoran.
During the days of copying scriptures, Concubine Liu gradually calmed down and began to reflect on her mistakes. She realized that her behavior not only hurt the emperor, but also hurt Empress Xu Jiaoran and the order and rules of the entire palace. She began to regret her impulsiveness and irrationality and sincerely repented of her mistakes.
Xu Jiaoran often came to visit her and gave her encouragement and support, which made her more determined to turn over a new leaf. With the help of Xu Jiaoran, Concubine Liu gradually walked out of the shadow of her heart and began to re-examine her life. Although she did not have the emperor's favor, she felt very warm in her heart because she had a good queen to help her.
When Concubine Liu finally finished copying the scriptures and sincerely repented, she was filled with gratitude, especially to Xu Jiaoran. She knew that it was Xu Jiaoran who gave her a chance to start over, allowing her to start anew and face life again.
So Concubine Liu knelt in front of Xu Jiaoran and said with tears in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I, Concubine Liu, will never forget your great kindness."
"Get up." Xu Jiaoran helped Concubine Liu up and said gently, "Your sincere repentance is the best reward. There are many things to do in the harem, and I also need your help."
Concubine Liu understood the Queen's intention and was about to let her take charge. She was very excited and immediately expressed her loyalty: "From now on, I will do my best to help you. I hope you will not despise me."