Quick Wear: Domineering System on Your Own

Chapter 128 The Emperor's White Moonlight 10

Three days later, the sun shone through the Imperial Garden, and the flowers vying for brilliance seemed to be welcoming the upcoming feast. Lingjiu, dressed in gorgeous palace attire, arrived at the Empress's cordial invitation, stepping lightly into the fragrant Imperial Garden to attend the flower viewing banquet.

After everyone had arrived and taken their seats, a gentle smile appeared on the Queen's dignified face. She opened her red lips and began to greet her, "It has been quite some time since your Highness entered the palace, but I have never been able to have a good conversation with you. I am truly delighted to see you today."

"My dear concubine, you can't stay bored in the palace all the time. Look at how beautiful the scenery of this imperial garden is. You should go out for a walk more often. We are all family. Spending more time with your sisters can help relieve boredom and make your life more comfortable."

Lingjiu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile as she slowly said, "Your Majesty is right. The scenery of this Imperial Garden is indeed breathtaking. It's just that it's not that I don't want to go out and walk around. You also know that the hearts and minds of people in this palace are complicated. I must be careful in everything I do."

"What if I accidentally offend you sisters and cause you all to be unhappy? Besides, there are many malicious people in this palace. If some ignorant and short-sighted fellows try to murder me while I'm away, my life will be in danger. What should I do then?"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed the Queen's face upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her dignified demeanor and gave a dry laugh, saying, "Your Highness, you're worrying too much. Who in this palace would be so bold as to resort to such tricks and maneuvers under my nose? I will definitely not allow such a thing to happen."

At this time, Concubine Liu said coquettishly: "The Queen is right, Sister Noble Concubine, you say that, as if we sisters are all bad people."

Lingjiu glanced at Concubine Liu and said with a smile, "Sister Concubine Liu, what do you mean? I didn't say that, I just have to be on guard. Sister, you are so anxious to explain yourself, are you feeling guilty?"

Concubine Liu was startled and said hurriedly, "Sister, please don't wrongly accuse me. I just don't want you to misunderstand everyone's good intentions."

Lingjiu snorted softly, "Good intentions? I hope so."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Liu felt uneasy. She secretly glanced at Lingjiu, thinking to herself, "Could it be that she already knows what I'm going to do today? My plan seems to be flawless. Could it be that something has gone wrong?" The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Her hands unconsciously clenched their handkerchiefs, and beads of sweat oozed from her forehead.

The flower viewing banquet continued amidst laughter and joy. At this time, Concubine Zheng slowly stood up and her gentle voice echoed in everyone's ears: "Empress, sisters, look, the lotus flowers in the pond are in full bloom. The scene is truly beautiful. Why don't we move to the front of the pond to admire them and feast our eyes."

The Queen's eyes flashed with surprise when she heard this. She then stood up, smiled, and praised, "Concubine Zheng is very thoughtful and what she said is absolutely right. The sight of the lotus flowers in full bloom is not to be missed. Sisters, let's go now."

The concubines all responded: "The Queen is right, let's go."

So, with the queen in front and everyone following behind, the group walked towards the pond in a mighty procession.

Concubine Zheng smiled and said to Concubine Xu beside her: "The scenery of this imperial garden is really picturesque in all seasons. There are new surprises every time I come here."

Concubine Xu nodded and said, "Yes, especially the summer lotus flowers, which are very pleasing to the eyes."

Soon, they arrived at the pond. It was a sea of ​​lotus leaves, huddled together. From between them, blossoming lotus flowers peeked out, some as pink as clouds, others as white as snow. Their beauty was captivating, their fragrance overflowing. Everyone was captivated by the beauty before them, gathering around the pond to admire and marvel.

Concubine Xu exclaimed: "The lotus is so beautiful, it seems like a fairyland."

At that moment, a figure quietly approached Lingjiu. A sinister glint flashed in the man's eyes, and he suddenly pushed Lingjiu with all his might. However, Lingjiu had already sensed the attack and deftly dodged it by shifting his body. The man, having exerted too much force, lost his support and fell straight into the pond, splashing water everywhere.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden accident and turned pale, looking over. It turned out to be a little palace maid, struggling in the water, crying out: "Help, help, help, I can't swim, help!" The voice was filled with fear and despair, echoing over the pond.

The queen shouted anxiously, "Come quickly! Save her!"

The guard leader on the side immediately ordered: "All of you, hurry up and get in the water to save him!"

Fortunately, the accompanying guards reacted quickly. Seeing this, one nimble guard jumped into the water without hesitation and swam towards the young palace maid. He quickly swam to the little palace maid, grabbed her, and then swam back to shore with all his might. With everyone's help, the little palace maid was finally rescued. By then, she was soaking wet, trembling, and her face was full of fear.

The accompanying eunuch frowned and said, "How could you, a little palace maid, be so reckless? You almost frightened the ladies."

Lingjiu sneered, "Humph, I'm afraid someone did it on purpose."

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Ji Heng, concerned about Lingjiu, headed to Guangling Palace after finishing his government affairs. However, upon arriving, a palace maid informed him that Lingjiu had gone to attend the Empress's flower-viewing banquet. His heart tightened, and he frowned, muttering to himself, "Flower-viewing banquet?" Worried that Lingjiu might have met with misfortune, he immediately rushed to the Imperial Garden.

Ji Heng was so anxious that beads of sweat oozed from his forehead as he sped along. As he entered the Imperial Garden, he saw a large group of people gathered by the pond. His brow furrowed, his pace quickened, and he hurried over. Seeing this, the eunuchs accompanying him shouted at the top of their lungs, "The Emperor has arrived!" Everyone turned around and knelt hurriedly, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Ji Heng ignored the formalities and walked straight forward, holding Lingjiu's hand, his eyes full of concern: "Jiu'er, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Lingjiu shook her head slightly and chuckled, "Your Majesty, I'm fine." Ji Heng's eyes continued to wander over Lingjiu, examining her carefully, not missing a single corner. Only after he was sure that she was unharmed did he breathe a sigh of relief and turn to the crowd, "Everyone, stand up."

"What happened here?" Ji Heng frowned and asked dignifiedly. The Queen hurried forward and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, a young palace maid slipped and fell into the water."

"Oh? Slipped?" Ji Heng's eyes swept over everyone's faces one by one, "Which palace is this maid from?"

At this time, Concubine Xu stood up with her face as pale as paper: "Your Majesty, this... this is a maid in my palace."