A piece of Japanese incense

Chapter 118 So this is what the emperor looks like

Yu Tuan said without hesitation: "That's not the case! Our girl went into that side hall to help Princess Qi, but it was Miss Fang who kept blaming our girl for ruining your plan! The Queen can summon Princess Qi to come and testify for our girl!"

"Shut up! You're just a slave! You have no right to speak!"

(Fang Juexia’s words really upset me. She is so noble! Humph!)

I cleared my throat, coughed, moistened my throat, and tried to speak: "Empress..." My throat seemed to be covered by an invisible veil, and my voice seemed to be trapped in the abyss. No matter how hard I tried, I could only make faint, intermittent moans, like a candle swaying in the autumn wind, which could go out at any time.

My grandfather walked over to me and gently helped me up. "Your Majesty, my granddaughter is seriously injured. Please take her home for treatment immediately. This matter will not end here. Even if it comes to your majesty, I will seek justice!"

My grandfather’s palms were broad and warm. Holding his hands felt like holding the peace of the entire world.

I leaned my head on the crook of his arms, and before the Queen Mother agreed, my grandfather had already taken me out of the girls' school.

"Doctor Yun! Doctor Yun!" A shrill voice came from the other side.

An eunuch stopped us, wiped the sweat off his face, and said breathlessly: "I finally caught up with you!"

"Eunuch Jingming." My grandfather responded politely.

"Doctor Yun, His Majesty has heard about the Women's Academy and is waiting to summon you! You and Miss Zhi, please follow me to Xuanzheng Hall!"

Grandfather sighed helplessly, forced a smile, and waved his hand: "Grandpa, please lead the way."

Entering the Xuanzheng Hall, palace lanterns hung from the beams, emitting a soft yet majestic light. On the desk, a golden dragon-patterned paperweight pressed down the flying memorials, making it look particularly solemn.

"Jing Mo, you're here!"

Looking for the source of the sound, I found a small tea table next to a soft rattan chair in a corner of the Xuanzheng Hall. The aroma of tea was wafting from the table, making it warm and comfortable. On the wall hung an ink painting of mountains and clouds. There were also maps, star charts, and calendars.

On the bookshelves, various academic works are stored in categories, ranging from classics, history, and literature to medicine, agriculture, and sericulture. Occasionally, one or two exquisite small ornaments can be seen between the bookshelves, including antique porcelain and jade carvings.

"You must be He'er!"

The emperor's face was like bronze weathered by wind and rain, with deep wrinkles like the marks of time. Although his eyes were slightly cloudy due to age, they still had the sharpness and depth of the former emperor, as if they could see into people's hearts. Although his body was no longer as tall as it was in his prime, he still looked majestic and inviolable against the backdrop of the dragon robe.

I nodded, bowed, and tried to speak, but no sound came out.

"Okay! Stop standing, let the child come and sit." The emperor sat on the couch and stood on the kang table with his head supported by one hand.

"Your Majesty has a headache again." Grandfather walked to the emperor and took his pulse.

Time seemed to stand still during my grandfather's diagnosis. After walking for a long time, I felt a little tired, so I just found a chair and sat down.

The emperor was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wore a string of jade pendants around his neck. The jade pendants were pure in color and carved with cloud patterns or landscape designs. As he moved, the pendants made clear and pleasant sounds, like the sounds of nature.

She has a wide brocade belt tied around her waist, which is embroidered with various auspicious patterns and characters. Jade pendants and sachets are hung on both sides of the belt. She wears cloud-head shoes on her feet, with the toes slightly raised like auspicious clouds. When she walks, she seems to be walking on the clouds, and every step is shining.

So this is the emperor~

I stared at the monarch on the dragon throne, thinking to myself, he is not much different from the emperors on TV.

"Aren't you afraid of me?" the emperor suddenly spoke.

(Afraid? Why are you afraid?)

I shook my head, still staring at him.

The emperor suddenly laughed heartily, and his hearty laughter echoed in the magnificent palace.

I straightened my back slightly, not understanding what he was laughing at, it was so confusing.

"Jing Mo, is He'er's injury serious?"

My grandfather turned his back, lit a stick of incense, and said slowly, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to speak for more than a month."

"Even if Fang Qiyuan is dead, he still makes us restless! He left behind these unworthy descendants. I will never let him off easily this time! I can only apologize to him in the underworld."

My grandfather didn't say a word, just sat quietly by my side and silently poured me a cup of tea.

There was silence all around me. I felt very uneasy, wondering why the emperor summoned me. Should I just sit there and do nothing?

"Your Majesty, the Empress and the Imperial Concubine request an audience." Eunuch Jing Ming entered and reported.

(Oh my, today is such a lucky day. I can see several powerful people in the palace right away! Hehehe!)

I stood up excitedly, looking towards the door with eyes shining with anticipation.

A group of people crowded in, and the already spacious room suddenly seemed crowded.

A woman sat gracefully beside the emperor, like a blooming peony, her clothes were the most gorgeous petals.

She was wearing a long brocade dress embroidered with gold thread, and the hem of the skirt swayed gently with her steps, like the shimmering surface of a lake. The sleeves were wide, and the edges were inlaid with pearls and gems, shining with dazzling light with every move. The ribbon tied around her waist was as colorful as a rainbow, highlighting her slender waist.

Seeing that the Queen was still standing, I tactfully brought a chair for her immediately. She turned her head to look at me, smiled with satisfaction, and sat down.

(That must be the famous Concubine Xin. She is indeed very beautiful. No wonder the emperor has favored her for so many years.)

The Queen Mother said, "I have already inquired about the incident in detail, and now I have come to report to Your Majesty."

The emperor was rubbing his temples with the imperial concubine, and he closed his eyes comfortably: "How is it?"

"According to Miss Fang's personal maid, she ordered people to light aphrodisiac incense in Chenghuang Palace and tricked Zhiyan into going there. When the matter was settled, she would be promoted to the Crown Prince's Consort. However, Miss Zhi and Qi'er mistakenly entered the palace and extinguished the fire in the incense burner. Miss Fang's plan was thus thwarted and she was expelled from the palace by His Majesty. When she learned of Miss Zhi's actions and on her way back to the Women's Academy, she ran into Miss Zhi's maid again and tied her up to vent her hatred."

The Queen Mother glanced at the Emperor, but the Emperor did not respond.

She continued, "Miss Fang still smells of rose dew, which shows that what her maid said is true. Moreover, other maids and servants also confirmed what happened at that time."

The queen still stared at the emperor, as if waiting for his opinion.