Children of Loulan

Chapter 284 Grounded

The maid's last meaningful words were like a secret key. Although on the surface they seemed to be defending Concubine Xian and trying to persuade the king not to easily believe his own guesses, in fact, she was secretly reminding the king that he should re-investigate thoroughly the events of a few years ago.

The king sat quietly on the high seat, looking coldly at the two people below who were biting each other like wild beasts. At this time, Aisan walked quietly to the king and whispered a few words in his ear: "King, Madam Lan is awake!"

This sentence was like a flash of lightning, instantly breaking the silence in the hall. When the king heard this, he stood up suddenly like a lion awakened, and his majestic aura instantly spread. At this moment, he just wanted to go and see what happened to Dalan!

Therefore, he said in a deep voice with a solemn expression: "This matter concerns the royal heir and is of great significance. Immediately confine Concubine Xian to the Summer Palace, and the confinement will not be lifted until the truth of the matter is found out. Moreover, all the palace maids and eunuchs in the Summer Palace must be strictly and carefully interrogated, and no details should be missed. And those who suffered unexpected miscarriages a few days ago, and those palace maids who disappeared inexplicably, must be investigated thoroughly and no leniency will be shown!" After that, he did not stop and rushed out of the palace in a hurry. His anxious figure showed his inner anxiety and determination.

When Concubine Xian heard the king's decision, she felt as if struck by lightning. She collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face as she cried, "Your Majesty, I am innocent, I am really innocent! I have always been loyal and have never harmed the crown prince. This is all a frame-up, Your Majesty..." Her cries echoed throughout the imperial study, but could not change the king's steps to leave, nor could they clear the grievances in her heart.

When the king walked quickly to the door, his steps seemed to be suddenly frozen by a mysterious force, and his originally firm steps suddenly stopped. However, the king did not even look at the virtuous concubine beside him, as if this woman who once had a special status by his side was now completely ignored by him.

His eyes went straight to Aishan standing beside him, and he said in a low and powerful voice: "Put this palace maid in jail and wait for her fate!" His words revealed an unquestionable determination, as if this decision had been brewing in his mind for a long time and just came out at this moment.

At this time, Aishan walked up to Concubine Xian with steady steps, lowered his head slightly, and said softly: "My queen, since you are wronged, you can go back to the palace and wait for the time being. This matter concerns the succession of the king. If the king does not thoroughly investigate the matter, he will never give up. After the king has thoroughly investigated it, he will naturally clear your name, and then everything will be restored to normal."

When Concubine Xian listened to Aishan's words, a complicated look flashed in her eyes. She knew very well that her current situation was difficult. Although she felt many grievances in her heart, she could only nod helplessly and turned away and walked towards the Summer Palace in a daze.

As she stepped step by step into the once familiar hall, the heavy door was suddenly slammed shut from the outside with a dull sound, as if isolating her from all the disturbances of the outside world, and as if foreshadowing the long wait she was about to face.

The palace was now empty. The maids and eunuchs who had surrounded her had all been taken away, leaving only a dead silence. The king seemed determined to let her reflect in this isolated environment, and only sent a new maid to serve her. The new maid lowered her head, her eyes full of caution, as if she was afraid that the virtuous concubine would use her as a venting bucket if she was not careful.

And at the moment when the king stepped out of the imperial study with great pride, the entire harem suddenly became like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, and people from all walks of life immediately watched every move here like alert hounds.

Soon, the news that Concubine Xian was under house arrest for investigation spread like a gust of wind throughout the harem. Those concubines who seemed ordinary on weekdays now had curiosity and inquiry in their eyes. They whispered to each other, guessing the secrets that might be hidden behind it, and the undercurrent was also quietly surging, as if an invisible storm was about to set off in the harem.

Concubine Ru was still basking in the sun in the palace, the sun shining on her delicate face, as if coated with a layer of golden light. She raised her head slightly, feeling the warm touch, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile, and then she said softly: "Wumei, when you have time, you have to go to the storehouse to pick out a few things that are worth showing off. You have to pack them up well, because soon, we will go to give gifts to people!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Mei quickly responded, "Didn't Her Majesty say that she would send gifts to Madam He and Madam Lan after they give birth in a few months? Oh, it's still too early, there's no need to be so anxious." As she spoke, she couldn't help but frown, and a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes.

Concubine Ru shook her head, a sly light flashed in her eyes, and she said slowly: "It's not just that, there is also the joy of promotion!"

Wu Mei's eyes widened after hearing this, and she asked in confusion, "Promotion? Your Majesty, are you saying that they will be promoted to concubines?"

Concubine Ru sat on the rocking chair leisurely, stroking the hem of her skirt gently, with a hint of pride in her eyes, and said: "After the downfall of Concubine Xian, there will be only me in the palace, and the king will naturally have to promote some people. Moreover, Madam Lan is usually well-behaved and clever, and is deeply loved by the king, so it is only natural that she should be promoted."

After hearing this, Wu Mei nodded thoughtfully, "Madam Lan is still in the king's bedroom. If the king wants to promote a concubine, she will definitely be one of them!"

An imperceptible look flashed across Concubine Ru's eyes, then she regained her composure and said, "Of course, so we have to prepare more generous gifts, so that we can better congratulate people on their double happiness." After saying that, she narrowed her eyes slightly and a mysterious smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

The king came to Dalan's side with big strides as fast as the wind. When the deep eyes met Dalan's eyes, his heart, which had been hanging high, seemed to have found a place to rest in an instant, and finally slowly let go. He leaned down slightly, and his voice was as gentle as the spring breeze blowing past his ears, and he asked softly: "Lan'er, how do you feel now? Is there anything that is still uncomfortable?"

Seeing the king's sudden but tender look, Dalan's heart suddenly surged with an inexplicable emotion, making her seem a little at a loss. She tried hard to recall, and only clearly remembered that she did see the king's figure vaguely before she fell into a coma. At that time, she thought that the king would only send her back to his palace indifferently, and then no longer care about her life or death.

However, she never expected that when she woke up, she would find herself in the king's bedroom. She was shocked by the sudden sense of security. Moreover, she heard from others that the king personally stayed by her bedside and took good care of her all night. The meticulous care made her a little unbelievable. Did the king really care about her so much?