newbobooks Chapter 615: Taking Off the Hairpin to Apology
Chapter 615: Taking Off the Hairpin to Apology
When Mrs. Zhen saw her daughter vomiting blood out of anger, she was immediately shocked.
She quickly took out a handkerchief and tried to wipe the shocking blood from the corner of her eldest daughter's mouth.
Zhen Huan grabbed the hand she extended, her sharp eyes seeming to see through her.
"Mother, do you know? The Emperor has always been very strict about rules, but today he allowed Concubine Hua to beat his daughter again and again. He...he is really dissatisfied with his daughter."
"My daughter is taking care of the children in Zhongcui Palace and has always been well behaved."
"Then this disaster can only be caused by the missing Yu Rao. Mother, if you don't tell the truth, I'm afraid the entire Zhen family will be destroyed by Yu Rao!"
Mrs. Zhen was so frightened that she took a step back and the handkerchief in her hand fell to the ground.
"Huan'er, this...what should we do? Yu Rao does have some ulterior motives, but they are also for your own good and for the Zhen family's good."
Zhen Huan gave Cui Jinxi a wink, and the latter understood and quietly left the room.
When only the mother and daughter were left in the room, Zhen Huan helped Madam Zhen onto the couch and knelt in front of her.
"Mother, I know that Yurao has suffered with the two elders in Ningguta. It's natural for you to favor her, but the emperor is unpredictable. If Yurao's actions provoke the emperor's wrath, our family will be exiled to Ningguta at best, or even confiscated and executed..."
"Only if you tell me the crux of the matter can I find a way to remedy it."
"Huan'er, don't be like this," said Mother.
The wind and snow in Ningguta are life-threatening. Mrs. Zhen trembled all over when she thought of these three words.
She struggled to help Zhen Huan up.
"On the way back to Beijing, your father was recuperating in Chengde. Yu Rao was nearly bullied while she was out... Later, she told me she wanted to find a powerful man to rely on."
"A powerful man?"
Zhen Huan's eyes suddenly narrowed.
"Mother, you said Yu Rao has a crush on the Emperor?"
Mrs. Zhen nodded with difficulty.
"When I discovered she had this thought, I tried to persuade her earnestly. Mother still regrets letting you suffer in the palace, so how could she bear to watch another daughter step into the fire pit?"
"Yu Rao did relent at that time and said she would wait for you to find her a husband."
"Over the next two months, she became even more obedient and sensible than before, and she would often pester your father to study and practice calligraphy. Mother thought she had given up the idea, so, at your father's persuasion, she brought her into the palace to stay for a while."
"Huan'er, it's all mother's fault. I didn't teach Yurao well, and that's why you've been in trouble."
"But she is your biological sister after all. You must save her."
Zhen Huan forced herself to swallow the sweet taste in her throat and nodded heavily in response to Mrs. Zhen's plea.
"Please rest assured, mother. Your daughter will definitely bring your sister back."
She walked with heavy steps to the other side of the couch and shouted orders at the door.
"Baizhi, Madam is not feeling well. Please take her back to her room to rest and keep watch there."
"Yes, slaves obey."
Seeing her eldest daughter's firm attitude, Mrs. Zhen looked at her several times with heartache, her lips moving slightly but she didn't know what to say.
Finally, he left the main hall with Bai Zhi's help.
Cui Jinxi stepped forward with the ointment and advised in a low voice.
"Master, this is the blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing medicine left by Doctor Wen. Let me rub it on you."
"Jinxi, don't rush to apply the medicine. Yurao accidentally angered the Emperor, and I have promised my mother that I will bring her back."
Zhen Huan stood up and walked towards the bedroom. "Come here and help me take off the pearls and jade on my head, and then find me some plain clothes."
"Master, are you going to take off your hairpin and apologize?"
Cui Jinxi lost her composure so much that the ointment on her hand fell to the ground with a dull sound.
Taking off the hairpin to apologize is a courtesy that concubines perform when they commit serious mistakes and ask for forgiveness from the emperor.
What on earth did Miss Zhen Er do wrong that her master should run out and be humiliated without even losing face?
Zhen Huan gave a bitter smile, "Jinxi, Yurao is my biological sister. I must save her."
Cui Jinxi felt severe pain all over her body, especially on the head where Songzhi slapped her.
In a panic, she fell to her knees with a plop.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. Today is the 100th day banquet for the Eleventh Prince and Princess Lingxi. If you come to the Emperor to apologize at this time, this..."
"Jinxi, you don't need to persuade me anymore. I have made up my mind."
Zhen Huan gently wiped away the tears that overflowed.
She had been laughed at before for walking around the palace in her nightgown, and this time was no exception.
Yu Rao is her biological sister, and no matter what she does wrong, the emperor will blame it on himself.
She, Zhen Huan, had to take the lead!
Today is the hundred-day banquet of the twins, and only on this special day will the emperor be moved.
"Yes, master."
Cui Jinxi had no choice but to do as she said.
When Zhen Huan wanted to take off her shoes and socks, Cui Jinxi held her legs tightly.
"Master, as the saying goes, 'Cold starts from the feet.' Doctor Wen said you are weak and must not abuse yourself like this."
"Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about Princess Lingxi."
"If you, Madam, fall, Princess Longyue's present will be the young master's future."
Cui Jinxi put the sharp silver hairpin that she had found at some point on her neck.
"Master, I know you and the Second Young Miss share a deep bond, but if you insist on apologizing barefoot, then please step over my body."
She absolutely couldn't let Zhen Huan bring shame to the young master.
"Jinxi, you...Okay, I'll listen to you."
Zhen Huan stepped forward, took the silver hairpin from her hand, and helped her up with her own hands.
"Jinxi, I am so lucky to have met you."
"Master, you are embarrassing me. I did this willingly."
Cui Jinxi stood up with the help of her strength and supported her again.
"Master, we must hurry to Yongshou Palace as soon as possible, so that the servants won't disturb the emperor after he retires."
"You said so, let's go."
The master and servant hurried back to Zhongcui Palace in a panic, but they didn't stay there for long before leaving in a hurry.
Bai Zhi, who was hiding in the dark, stayed there for a long time before turning around and going to the small kitchen to get some snacks for Madam Zhen.
An Lingrong in Yongshou Palace was talking so much that her mouth was dry and she had no idea anyone was coming.
The emperor, satisfied with what he heard, poured her a cup of chrysanthemum tea.
"Rong'er, you are truly eloquent. You've even inspired me to explore Songyang County."
"Your Majesty, you are so busy with affairs that you never get a moment's rest. I, your concubine, hope that you can really visit the Jiangnan water town."
An Lingrong took a sip of chrysanthemum tea, and her dry throat was instantly moistened.
The emperor responded with a smile.
"Don't worry, when I have time in the future, I will take you back to Songyang to have a look."
"Thank you very much for your grace, Your Majesty."
An Lingrong looked at the hand stretched out in front of her and obediently covered it.
If things go well in the future, she will definitely return to Songyang to fulfill her wish.
But it’s hard to say who will accompany her at that time.