Early the next morning, Xiao Shao, Jiang Ruan, and the others got out of the tent and returned to the direction of the camp at the entrance of the dense forest. Xiao Shao had a good night's sleep last night. Since he had always been outside, he was quite experienced in dispersing wild animals. In addition, he carried medicinal powder to prevent snakes, insects, rats, and ants from approaching, so nothing disturbed him. Today was also the time to go back and compare the game. The Emperor's prize was unknown to whom. The game that Xiao Shao hunted was casually bundled into a pile and placed on the back of the horse. He was not interested in it, and Jiang Ruan had no interest in the so-called prize. Rather than saying that they were hunting, it was better to say that they were having fun. There was not much game, but each one was a little special.
When they returned to the camp, they found that many people had already returned, and they were all fruitful. Seeing the couple return with Xuan Pei, everyone could not help but be somewhat surprised. Xuan Pei explained the matter to the Emperor. Hearing that there were fierce beasts in the forest, the Emperor also frowned and immediately sent someone to interrogate the official in charge of the hunting grounds. Jiang Ruan pondered. The Emperor's actions clearly indicated that he had not heard anyone report this matter earlier. This meant that the wild beast had not encountered any other noble hunters, and was clearly coming for them? Presumably, the wolves that Gu Yi had encountered were only because he happened to be walking in front of Xuan Pei.
Just as she was thinking, Jiang Xin Zhi and Zhao Jin also returned. Gu Yi followed behind them with the rest of his entourage. Zhao Jin and Jiang Xin Zhi's relationship was not as strange as before. It was much more natural. Jiang Xin Zhi dismounted and walked to the Emperor. Most likely, he was also talking about the wild beast. The Emperor's face sank, and his previous relaxed expression was swept away.
Jiang Ruan's gaze fell on the few beauties sitting leisurely in front of the tent. Wang Lian 'er was dainty and gentle, and her whole body exuded a faint scholarly aura. Mu Xirou was as cold as ice, and as beautiful as a peach. As for Jiang Dan, she looked at the people around her with a smile, as if very satisfied with the good atmosphere today.
Jiang Ruan silently looked away. Jiang Dan had racked her brains to create such a scene, releasing the wild beast only for the few of them. But she also deeply understood that the wild beast would not kill them, so there must be a purpose. Jiang Ruan could roughly guess one or two things, but … Her gaze circled around the group of people who had returned. In her heart, she understood. If that was really the case, then this time, Jiang Dan's gamble was really too big.
He saw a man stumbling over from afar. That man was covered in blood and could be vaguely identified as a palace guard. When such a bloody man appeared, many of the women present immediately screamed in panic. The Emperor's imperial bodyguards hurriedly stopped that person. That person seemed to be unable to hold on any longer and fell to the ground. Only then did everyone see clearly that there was an arrow in his back that had pierced through his chest. It was obvious that he would not survive. When he raised his head, people could see that he was the Crown Prince's bodyguard. In the next moment, the dying man spat out a few words with difficulty, "Save … Save the Crown Prince." After saying that, his head tilted to the side and he died.
The Emperor was shocked. After so many years, although the Crown Prince had no virtue or talent, he only had an empty title. The world could not be handed over to such a person. Sooner or later, the Crown Prince would have to be replaced. However, among all his sons who each had their own ulterior motives, the Crown Prince was at least the one who was not shrewd. In the palace, he originally had a lot of children. However, those who were slightly more naive had all died in all kinds of open spears and hidden spears. The Crown Prince was his eldest son and also the son of the Empress. Towards the Crown Prince, the Emperor always had some affection. Therefore, after so many years in the palace, although he gave him the cold shoulder, he did not abolish his position as the Crown Prince. Sometimes, he even ordered his subordinates to secretly protect him. Today, when he heard that something had happened to the Crown Prince, the Emperor's expression immediately changed.
Wang Lian 'er also hurriedly stood up and walked in front of the Emperor. She gently patted the Emperor's back to help him calm down. She had always been used to such gentle and soothing matters. She softly said, "Your Majesty, don't be anxious. Let's send people to search the dense forest. The Crown Prince is a person of good fortune, he must be blessed by the heavens."
The Emperor sent people to search the dense forest. After this incident, everyone no longer had the mood to pay attention to the hunt. Now that something had happened to the Crown Prince, everyone secretly prayed that the Crown Prince would be fine. They hoped that the Emperor would not be enraged and implicate him.
After a short while, the searching Royal Guards returned. One of them was carrying the Crown Prince, who was on his last breath. When the Emperor saw this, his face darkened. The Crown Prince was covered in blood. The leading guard hurriedly said, "The Crown Prince is seriously injured. Your Majesty, the guards around the Crown Prince have all been killed. It seems like he was ambushed."
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and call for the imperial physician! "the Emperor shouted angrily.
The accompanying imperial physician hurriedly stood up. The guards carried the Crown Prince back to the bed in the tent. The imperial physician went in for a while and came out again. Everyone looked at him, not daring to breathe. The imperial physician wiped the sweat from his forehead and immediately knelt down. He said, "Your Majesty, this official is useless. The Crown Prince's injuries are too serious. The arrow pierced through his chest. I'm afraid he cannot be saved …"
"Nonsense!" The Emperor kicked the kneeling imperial physician to the side and said angrily, "We will only give you one way out. If you can't cure the Crown Prince, then don't keep your head! We did not raise you to listen to the words' unable to be saved '! "
The old imperial physician had no choice but to return to the tent, trembling. However, they did not have many medicinal herbs with them. The Crown Prince's injuries could not be delayed, so they had to return to the palace first.
The Emperor was furious. No one had expected that the hunt, which was supposed to be a good omen, would end up like this. The Emperor flicked his sleeves and left, leaving a group of bewildered people looking at each other in dismay. The smile on Xuan Li's lips was like a spring breeze. He looked meaningfully at Xuan Hua beside him and sighed, "Fifth brother, it is a pity that something has happened to the Crown Prince."
Xuan Hua returned a smile and said with a hidden meaning, "Yes, it is a pity."
Jiang Ruan lowered her eyes and quietly looked at Jiang Dan, who was not far away. Jiang Dan seemed to feel her gaze as she turned her head and smiled at Jiang Ruan. She seemed to be somewhat proud of herself.
Xuan Pei walked over from the side and frowned, "This woman is really an eyesore." Her methods were shoddy, her vision was narrow, and every time she made a vicious move, she was like a poisonous snake. Sooner or later, she would become a scourge.
"Don't worry," Jiang Dan's eyes flashed with a strange brilliance, "Very soon, she will not be an eyesore."
…
A strange atmosphere pervaded the palace. Ever since the Crown Prince, who was on the verge of death, was carried back, the Emperor's expression was colder than ice in June. Only then did the servants in the palace realize that the Emperor, who usually did not seem to care much about his eldest son, was actually very attentive. This time, the Crown Prince had met with mishap because someone had set up an ambush in the dense forest. The other party was extremely arrogant and did not put the Emperor in their eyes at all.
However, as to who the mastermind was, there were different opinions in the imperial court. Now, the Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince were secretly competing, and there was also the Thirteenth Prince whose abilities were unknown. Each of these people could have wanted the Crown Prince to lose his life. If it was really one of them, the direction of the imperial court would probably change again.
Not only the imperial court, but also the inner palace would not be peaceful. When the Empress learned of the Crown Prince's mishap, she made a big fuss with the Emperor. For so many years, the Empress had been in the palace in name but not in reality, and did not care about the affairs of the inner palace. Now that her only son had met with such a mishap, her many years of resentment towards the Emperor erupted overnight, and she actually spoke rudely to the Emperor. Although the Emperor understood that she said this because she was worried about the Crown Prince, he had been in a high position for many years and had developed an unquestionable temperament. At once, he severely punished the Empress.
In the past, no matter how weak the relationship between the Emperor and Empress was, it would not have reached the point of shedding all pretense of cordiality. There were many different opinions, and the Emperor finally lost the last bit of respect he had for the Empress. In the end, the master of the inner palace would have to change hands. For the Fifth Prince, Concubine De had already become a master who had let go of everything and rarely appeared. Now, the three most popular beauties each had their own strong points, and it was really unknown who would end up in the end.
No matter what was said outside, everyone still went about their own business. Jiang Dan was in an extremely good mood. It was probably because the matter had been settled, and the Emperor had been keeping watch in front of the Crown Prince for the past few days. His quarrel with the Empress had made him even more distraught, and he basically did not step foot into the inner palace. She had swept away the haze brought about by Jiang Quan's matter a few days ago. For the time being, there was no news of Jiang Quan's matter, but Jiang Ruan was going to be out of luck.
She wore a gauze dress with gold embroidery, combed her hair into a hundred flower bun, and carefully put on earrings and hairpins. Because of the good color, the woman in the mirror appeared even more dainty and beautiful. As if she felt that this way of dressing no longer appeared to be arrogant of age and experience, Jiang Dan also pursed her lips in satisfaction and applied the last bit of rouge.
"Jiang Zhaoyi, are you dressing like this for Imperial Father?" A low male voice sounded from behind her, and there seemed to be some unfamiliar frivolity in it. "Imperial Father really has good luck with women."
Jiang Dan turned around. Xuan Hua walked in from outside and sat down in Jiang Dan's bedroom. At this moment, it was almost night outside. Tonight, the Emperor was going to rest in Wang Lian 'er's bedroom and would not come here. Xuan Hua's loud entrance startled Jiang Dan at first, and then she immediately relaxed. Hearing his words, she said half-bitterly and half-teasingly, "Fifth Highness, where do you think His Majesty is right now? Why say such words to make me sad? No matter how much I dress up, His Majesty will not come here. "
Xuan Hua had originally only wanted to come and discuss the arrangements for the Crown Prince's matter with Jiang Dan. He did not expect to see a beauty dressing up as soon as he entered, and then saw Jiang Dan's pitiful expression and bitter words. His gaze involuntarily drifted. Honestly speaking. Jiang Dan's appearance was not bad. The women of the Jiang family had more or less inherited some of Jiang Quan's good looks. Although Jiang Dan's color paled in comparison to Jiang Ruan's and Jiang Su Su's, in the palace, she was like a fresh and fresh little flower. She was charming, charming, and naive, and also had a bit of a delicate attitude. She was the most able to make men fall for her.
However, no matter how moving she was, she was still his Imperial Father's woman. Although Xuan Hua's behavior was preposterous in private, Concubine De's advice to him had finally played some role. He knew that some women could not be provoked, and some women could bring him a fatal disaster if he was not careful. Therefore, the ripples in his heart only lasted for a few moments before he put them away. He only said, "Jiang Zhaoyi is thinking too much. Imperial Father dotes on you a lot now."
However, Jiang Dan noticed the flash of infatuation in Xuan Hua's eyes. She was somewhat pleased and pleasantly surprised. People were always greedy. When Jiang Dan first entered the palace, she had wanted to seek wealth and status, and to be a person above others. For this, she had sacrificed all her freedom as an ordinary young girl. After she had walked step by step to the position she wanted, she was no longer satisfied and wanted more.
For example, her dissatisfaction with the Emperor accumulated day after day. Jiang Ruan could find a handsome young man like Xiao Shao, but she had to spend time with a man who was about the same age as her father. She was now also at the age of a flower. Which young girl did not yearn for love? Could it be that she had to stay in the palace and guard an old man, watching her beauty wither like a flower? She was not reconciled to this.
Xuan Li was too shrewd. Even now, Jiang Dan could not see through this person. Xuan Hua, on the other hand, was a little simpler. At this moment, looking at Xuan Hua, his appearance could be considered handsome. More importantly, he was so young, which matched her age... Jiang Dan thought absentmindedly. Suddenly, her lips curled into a smile and she said, "No matter how much he dotes on me and shares it with so many women, when it comes to me, it is only a drop." She stroked her wide sleeves, revealing a white wrist that was as lustrous as jade. The nail polish on her wrist was like a fresh flower. She said softly, "Most of the time, this bedchamber is empty. There is no sign of human habitation. After all, I am a woman. I will also feel lonely and afraid."
Xuan Hua's heart stirred. He seemed to have heard many things from Jiang Dan's words. He looked at the woman sitting alone in the huge palace hall. She was as beautiful as a flower, with deep feelings and hidden bitterness. A pair of bright eyebrows fixed on him, seemingly filled with infinite affection and longing. Xuan Hua finally could not sit still. Jiang Dan casually lit a stick of incense. The incense was a tribute from the Western Region. The fragrance was very light and very refreshing. However, it could make people unconsciously go crazy. Every time the Emperor came, she would light this incense. Today was the first time she had used it on another man.
However, there was a kind of stimulating pleasure, as if it was a kind of crazy catharsis. The faint light in the bedchamber slowly shone on people. Slowly, the night sky was filled with the sound of suppressed breathing, which slowly dissipated in the cold wind.
...
Jiang Ruan put down the book in her hands. The spy who had reported had returned a long time ago. Xiao Shao had just finished bathing when he saw Jiang Ruan sitting on the couch with a thoughtful expression. Even the book in her hands was upside down. He did not know what she was thinking about, but she was so lost in thought.
He walked over and took the book from Jiang Ruan's hands. Jiang Ruan turned her head. Xiao Shao covered her with the quilt more tightly and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I was thinking... tomorrow, they will probably find out that the arrow that pierced the Crown Prince belongs to our fu." Jiang Ruan said.
Although the words "our fu" were unintentionally said by Jiang Ruan, it obviously pleased Xiao Shao. He seemed to smile and said, "There is nothing to think about." Since he had already made arrangements, he would certainly not let anything unfavorable to the fu happen. Jiang Dan and Xuan Hua had planned well, but they had always underestimated their opponents. They had thought that everyone in the world was as stupid as them.
Jiang Ruan glanced at him. With someone like Xiao Shao by her side, it would always save her a lot of trouble. In any case, he would arrange everything. She said, "In fact, even if you don't do anything and really do as they wish, the Emperor will not blame you." The Emperor was indecisive, capricious, and short-sighted. However, he had one strong point that had never changed from beginning to end, and that was, he always trusted Xiao Shao.
Jiang Dan did not know about Xiao Shao's background. She and Xuan Hua thought that as long as they blindly pushed the matter onto Xiao Shao, they would be able to succeed. They did not know that this matter had been wrong from the beginning. Once they really found out that it was related to Jinying Wang fu, the Emperor's first thought would be that someone was slandering Xiao Shao. Instead, they would have to investigate from Xiao Shao's enemies.
If they pushed the boat with the current, they would most likely be able to find out about Jiang Dan and Xuan Hua. However, that would take some time.
Xiao Shao said, "If we don't do this, you will be in trouble again." Jiang Ruan was originally not favored by the Emperor. Xuan Hua had not acted rashly against Jinying Wang fu for so many years, so why would he suddenly make a move? The mastermind must be Jiang Dan. Why would Jiang Dan instigate Xuan Hua without rhyme or reason? Naturally, it was because of Jiang Ruan. In this way, the Emperor would think that Jiang Ruan was a troublemaker. First impressions always lasted especially long. In order to avoid this kind of trouble, Xiao Shao first dealt with the trouble later on.
Jiang Ruan did not expect Xiao Shao to think of this. She was stunned for a moment, then she smiled, "You also know about Xuan Hua and Jiang Dan?"
Xiao Shao nodded his head silently, tacitly agreeing.
Jiang Ruan shook her head, "She really has big guts." In Jiang Ruan's opinion, it was inconceivable that Jiang Dan and Xuan Hua would roll around together. In fact, Jiang Dan could not be considered very smart, nor could her methods be superb. The reason why she had gotten to where she was today, step by step, was entirely because of the word 'endurance'. It was probably the same as Xuan Li and Xuan Lang. In the past, when she was in the Minister's fu, she had put on a harmless and timid appearance, and at that time, she was just a child.
Jiang Dan was good at lying low, and she was even more meticulous in her work, taking care not to leave any traces for others to use against her. How could such a person do something improper with Xuan Hua? Once it was done, it would inevitably attract endless disasters in the future. Jiang Dan would rather bring disaster to be together with Xuan Hua, which was really not in line with her cautious temperament. After all, it was not that she wanted to use this opportunity to make a deal with Xuan Hua. Jiang Ruan's expression became somewhat strange, and that was because … This person, Xuan Hua?
Jiang Dan probably did not like Xuan Hua, but Jiang Ruan had always heard of the romantic affairs of the imperial concubines in the depths of the palace who were unwilling to be lonely and seduced outsiders. Jiang Dan was probably not much different from those women, and she also had a desire in her heart. It was just that the Emperor was old, how could someone of her age endure it?
Jiang Ruan asked Xiao Shao, "Do you want to intervene in this matter?"
"It's all up to you," Xiao Shao replied, "I will take care of it from behind."
Jiang Ruan could not help but laugh. She looked Xiao Shao up and down, and muttered, "Now it seems that my luck is also not bad. Jiang Dan found someone as old as the Emperor, no wonder she turned and chose a young man like Xuan Hua. And I have lived two lives, so adding up my age …. Perhaps I can also be considered your elder. In this way, it seems that I have taken advantage of you. I don't even need to have an affair. "
"Have an affair?" Xiao Shao narrowed his eyes, and his tone suddenly became dangerous.
Jiang Ruan was usually the most stable in grasping people's emotions, and today, she did not hear the difference in Xiao Shao's words. She still said, "You are so beautiful, I naturally cannot bear to part with you."
The next moment, Xiao Shao pushed her down on the bed. Xiao Shao's gaze was deep, and his tone was cold, "En, I will work harder, and you will not have any other energy to have an affair."
Jiang Ruan, "..."
…
The night passed silently. Jiang Dan tidied up her clothes, and the person beside her had left at some point. She felt sore all over, and the craziness of last night seemed to have dissipated, but there seemed to be a lingering charm in the room. In Xuan Hua, she found her own freshness and age, and finally felt that she was different from those old women in the palace.
Xuan Hua was a completely different person from the Emperor. He was young, and his energy was unbelievably good. Desire was such a thing, and Jiang Dan felt that it was good to be like this.
Last night, when the passion was strong, Xuan Hua said, "You are such a smart and beautiful woman, I am somewhat reluctant to part with you. In the future, when this prince's great undertaking has been accomplished, you can change your name and stay by this prince's side."
At that time, Jiang Dan had only taken it as a joke, but now she seriously began to consider Xuan Hua's words. Indeed, she was not willing to guard the Emperor for a lifetime. After the Emperor's death, they, the imperial concubines, would either be buried with him or sent to a nunnery. Why not consider the rest of her life? In the end, the world would either fall into Xuan Li's or Xuan Hua's hands. Xuan Li had already regarded her as an abandoned chess piece, and Xuan Hua was an excellent candidate.
Jiang Dan summoned the person beside her, "How is the Crown Prince?"
"He seems to have found the arrows," Zhu 'er replied. "But right now, His Majesty seems to be very angry. I haven't heard any news."
Jiang Dan furrowed her brows at first, and then she thought of something. Her brows gradually relaxed. No news was good news. In order to obtain the exact same arrows as Jinying Wang fu, they had spent a lot of time. That day, everyone had seen the arrows that Xiao Shao had shot at the white tiger. As for coming back with Xuan Pei, it had attracted many people's attention. Jinying Wang fu and the Thirteenth Prince had conspired to kill the Crown Prince in an attempt to usurp the throne. The name of conspiracy was pressed down, and Jinying Wang fu had learned from their mistakes. Even if they wanted to escape, it would be very difficult.
At this moment, the Emperor would certainly be furious. It was only because it concerned his own prince that outsiders could not hear it. This was also normal. Xuan Pei, that little bastard, had always used his identity as a prince to mock and ridicule her. Now, he would also pay the price. Jiang Dan smiled slightly and looked at herself in the mirror. She pulled out the flower hairpin and replaced it with a plain silver hairpin. She said, "Let's go. Since His Highness the Crown Prince has met with an accident, Ben gong is also very worried. Going together to visit is also a token of my sincerity."
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