Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 125 A Springtime Scene
As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yi's fingers twitched for a moment, her lips curled up slightly, and she buried her face even deeper into her arms.

Upon hearing this, Miss Meng stared blankly at Song Yi.

After a long pause, she said in a low voice, "However, Your Majesty's harem is not only occupied by Consort Yun. As long as Your Majesty allows me to go to the palace, I will certainly not interfere with Consort Yun!"

Jiang Lanye didn't even look at her, but said, "After a certain person disappeared three years ago, I searched all the women in the world, only asking that they resemble that person, so that I could look at their faces every day and maintain my sanity."

His voice was very soft as he simply recounted the past, yet it made Song Yi's heart tremble.

After hearing this, Miss Meng stared blankly at Jiang Lanye, then belatedly realized what he meant, and her face immediately turned pale.

So that's how Jiang Lanye's harem of "three thousand beauties" came about.

It turns out that he only ever loved Song Yi.

She suddenly felt that her eager approach was extremely ridiculous and embarrassing.

"So that's how it is. It was I who offended Your Majesty. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, and please forgive me, Your Highness."

Having said that, before Jiang Lanye could say anything more, Miss Meng wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She was too ashamed to stay any longer and ran out crying.

Seeing that she had left, Jiang Lanye walked up to Song Yi and gently pinched her earlobe.

This was something he had only recently discovered: Song Yi's earlobes were so delicate that a light pinch would cause them to turn red quickly, like cherries.

"You heard everything I said, why are you pretending to be asleep?"

Song Yi raised her head and said, "Who's pretending to be asleep?"

But the smile at the corner of her mouth betrayed her without mercy.

"Jiang Lanye, your rejection was exceptionally decisive, completely extinguishing her hopes."

Jiang Lanye said without changing his expression, "I am merely stating a fact."

Song Yi pursed her lips.

It was already quite late when Jiang Lanye picked her up and suddenly began to slowly settle accounts with her:

"Who gave you permission to get out of bed at will tonight?"

Song Yi immediately said, "I hopped across on one foot, it didn't hurt, and I didn't touch my injured ankle."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure limped over from the darkness not far away.

Song Yi narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Is that General Zuo?"

Jiang Lanye glanced at it casually and hummed in agreement.

At the same time that Song Yi spotted him, Zuo Sheng also clearly saw them and suddenly strode over.

He gave Song Yi a deep look, then clasped his hands in a fist and knelt down decisively on the ground, saying in a deep voice:
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine."

His injuries were severe, but he was usually in good health and was able to walk around today, though the whip marks on his body were still very noticeable, and a sharp pain would occasionally ripple through his body with each movement.

Song Yi pursed her lips, recalling the events of that day; she didn't want to see Zuo Sheng.

The reason he stopped Jiang Lanye from punishing him was not because he didn't hate him.

Suddenly, he shouted, "This humble subject deserves to die! I had a great misunderstanding about Her Highness the Imperial Concubine. That day, I neglected my duty and failed to protect Her Highness, almost causing her death!"

"Fortunately, Your Majesty is unharmed and even pleaded with His Majesty to spare my life. Your Majesty is magnanimous and kind-hearted, and I am deeply grateful!"

Hearing him say that, Song Yi looked at Jiang Lanye with some surprise.

Jiang Lanye remained calm and said coldly, "Consort Yun insisted on pleading with me for you. If she commits this offense again, she will be executed without mercy."

Zuo Sheng trembled and quickly said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I know my crime!"

After saying that, he glanced at Song Yi again before staggering away.

After he left, Song Yi whispered, "Jiang Lanye, I didn't plead with you. You said that on purpose because you don't want him to make things difficult for me in the future, right?"

Jiang Lanye responded, adding at the end, "Don't provoke him."

"I know." Jiang Lanye carried her back, then went outside again, and returned a while later with many bottles and jars.

Song Yi was taken aback, watching him begin to carefully cut the white cloth, knowing that it was time for her to change her dressing.

To be honest, since she woke up, she had never seen herself covered in wounds, only a white cloth wrapped tightly around her body.

Song Yi sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought, and for a moment it was unusually quiet.

Jiang Lanye felt a little uncomfortable. After preparing the plaster, he glanced at her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Song Yi reached out and touched the cloth wrapped around her chest, asking softly, "Jiang Lanye, will these wounds leave scars in the future?"

"will not."

Extremely decisive.

Since he said no, Song Yi would definitely believe him.

She asked again, "But, am I ugly now?"

Jiang Lanye thought she was about to be upset, and was just choosing his words to comfort her when Song Yi suddenly said:
"It doesn't matter if I'm ugly. Physical appearance is secondary anyway, and I don't show it when I wear a skirt."

"Jiang Lanye, will you dislike me?"

Sometimes, Song Yi always manages to ask questions that make Jiang Lanye want to shut her up.

Jiang Lanye gathered all the ointment together and said, "Take it off."

Song Yi stared at him, trying to struggle.

Jiang Lanye glanced at her expressionlessly. Just as he raised his hand, Song Yi, like a startled rabbit, quickly took off her dress.

Her skin was fair, and because she often stayed in the palace and was not exposed to the sun, it was exceptionally smooth and delicate. It was easy for her to be scratched by anything.

Not to mention she rolled down such a high hillside.

Jiang Lanye focused intently as he carefully untied the knot. In front of Song Yi, he cautiously unwrapped the cloth, revealing rows of bloody scars underneath.

Even though Song Yi was mentally prepared, she was still startled when she saw it for the first time.

She murmured, "So there were so many scars?"

She was in pain all over her body, but she was more afraid than anything else, and had no idea how many wounds she had.

"The medicine I've applied to you is the best. As long as you obey me, you'll recover quickly and won't leave any scars."

She closed her eyes, feeling the cool ointment being gently applied to her wounds, her skin trembling uncontrollably.

As if to reward her for being obedient, Jiang Lanye said while applying the medicine:

"We'll be staying another day tomorrow. There are many markets nearby. If you want to eat anything, I'll have the palace servants buy it for you."

Song Yi's eyes suddenly opened.

"It's too cold."

The light in her eyes dimmed for a moment.

"Spicy food is even worse."

Song Yi: "..."

She racked her brains for a long time before saying, "Then let's make xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)."

That's certainly possible.

After Jiang Lanye finished applying the medicine, he saw that Song Yi hadn't reacted yet and was only thinking about the steamed buns for tomorrow, so he looked at her.

Before my eyes, spring is in full bloom.

(End of this chapter)