I'm in trouble again! My best friend, the princess in the group, please save me!

Jiang Xingkuo took Xiao'e all the way to the Huafeng Pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Although it was autumn, the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and the fragrance of flowers was everywhere.

She carried a basket and saw the chrysanthemums in the garden blooming by the water. The breeze blew off a few petals that were carried away by the flowing water. She couldn't help but feel in a good mood.

"Xiao E, these chrysanthemums are blooming so beautifully. We should not be discovered if we pick some and take them back for Tengxi, right?" Jiang Xingkuo rubbed his hands together, then reached out and picked one beautiful chrysanthemum after another.

"So many, I think. But why do you have to be so sneaky?" Xiao E also started picking flowers.

"Didn't they say that these chrysanthemums were specially for Concubine De to enjoy? I didn't ask her, so of course it counts as stealing. If you steal, you must not let anyone find out."

As he spoke, Jiang Xingkuo's basket was almost full.

"——But, it has been discovered." Xiao'e pointed behind her and said innocently.

"Xiao E, you--" Jiang Xingkuo turned his head with gritted teeth, and quickly turned into a smile when he looked at the woman in front of him.

"I'm sorry—"

The woman in front of her was wearing a plain white dress. Her thin shoulders made her belly look more prominent. She had a gentle smile on her delicate face, and a pair of eyes that seemed to be able to speak made her feel like she had seen them somewhere before.

"Empress Defei." Jiang Xingkuo reacted immediately, threw down the flower basket, and pulled Xiao'e to pay his respects quickly.

Concubine De was stunned when she saw the woman in front of her look up.

Jiang Xingkuo stood in the flowers, the sun shone on her, setting off her fair skin. Her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, with a hint of tenderness but firmness, and her bright eyes and white teeth revealed a bit of agility and intelligence. The breeze blew gently, and her hair fluttered in the wind, like a fairy descending to earth.

She gave an embarrassed fake smile, causing a blush to appear on her cheeks, making her look even more delicate and charming, with a smile as beautiful as a flower, as if the whole world had lost its color because of her beauty.

...The rumors in the palace are indeed true.

The look in Concubine De's eyes changed slightly, but she quickly returned to normal. She waved her hand and said with a smile, "No need to be polite. Is this Miss Jiang? I just came out to relax and saw you picking flowers here, so I came to take a look."

Jiang Xingkuo stood up and said with a smile: "Thank you, Madam. The chrysanthemums are in full bloom here, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. I dare to pick some to use as medicine. Madam is so kind, I think you won't mind, right?"

Concubine De was startled, then smiled gently and said:

"Of course not. I'm pregnant, and I've been vomiting a lot these days, and I've lost my appetite and I'm not in a good mood. Your Majesty specially moved all these flowers here just to make me feel better. It would be great if I could help my sister."

Sister? Jiang Xingkuo blinked and hid his strange emotions in his heart.

"Thank you, Empress Defei. But I am afraid I don't deserve to be called sister. Xingkuo is not worthy of being called sister by Empress Defei. It is really too much for Xingkuo."

De Fei held her hand and said, "Making friends, identity, family background, those are all illusory. In comparison, only character and personality are the most important."

He said and patted her hands gently.

Jiang Xingkuo didn't understand what she meant, and she didn't know why she had goose bumps. She quickly pulled her hand back and stroked her arm, and found that she was alone, and the maids were standing at the end of the corridor, and changed the subject:

"Your Majesty is right. How can you be alone? You should be more careful when you are pregnant."

Concubine De looked at the maid not far away and said, "I don't like crowds by nature. I get bored when there are too many people around, so I sit here alone every day. It's quiet and peaceful here."

"I see. I am sorry to have disturbed your Majesty's pleasure. I will take my leave now." Seeing an opportunity, Jiang Xingkuo quickly picked up the basket and was about to run away.

Concubine De held her hand and said with a smile, "That's not true. Miss Jiang and I hit it off right away. If you are free, please come and visit us more often."

We hit it off right away. Isn't that a little too familiar?

Jiang Xingkuo took a step back stiffly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. But this flower is still waiting to be used as medicine, so I'm sorry I can't stay here for long."

Having said that, he pulled the silly Xiao'e and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute," Concubine De bent down with difficulty, and was about to pick up a chrysanthemum that had fallen on the ground. "Your flower..."

"Hey, hey, hey! Your Majesty! Don't move, I'll do it." Jiang Xingkuo was quick to grab her.

"It's okay, it's okay. For such trivial matters, I am still - ah -" Defei's feet suddenly slipped. In a flash, she instinctively reached out and grabbed Jiang Xingkuo, who was closest to her.

Jiang Xingkuo opened his eyes wide and quickly grabbed her hand, but found that he also slipped. What! Something terrible is happening!

Jiang Xingkuo was caught off guard and was made to stagger by Concubine De's force. "Ah!" They both cried out in shock at the same time. Jiang Xingkuo tried his best to steady himself, but it was too late.

She and Concubine De both rushed to the railing beside them. The old wooden railing creaked under the weight and broke in an instant.

"Snap!" The railing broke and the two of them fell towards the pond together.

Xiao'e hesitated for a moment, and the scene before her made her wonder who to save first. Jiang Xingkuo was the master she had always served, but Empress Defei was obviously of noble status, not to mention that she was pregnant.

After a brief struggle, Xiao'e remembered An Zhaoyan's words: "If you encounter danger, you must protect Jiang Xingkuo."

Without time to think, she rushed to the railing in two steps, then leaped in mid-air to grab Jiang Xingkuo's shoulders. With a little force, Jiang Xingkuo was held steadily by Xiao'e in mid-air as if he was on a roller coaster. Before he could react, he was back on Huafengxie and narrowly avoided falling into the water.

She stood there in shock, still terrified, and hurriedly turned back to look at Concubine De in the pool. She saw Concubine De falling into the pool with a scream, like a kite with a broken string, splashing a large amount of water.

The cold pool water instantly surrounded Concubine De. She choked on the water and struggled desperately.

"Empress Defei!" Jiang Xingkuo exclaimed, his face pale.

Xiao'e was also nervous, and quickly jumped into the water and swam towards Concubine De. Concubine De was struggling in the water, her clothes were soaked, and she looked extremely embarrassed. Xiao'e swam hard to Concubine De, grabbed her arm, and dragged her to the shore.

The maids not far away heard the noise and rushed over, screaming and running up.

Xiao'e finally rescued Concubine De to the shore. Concubine De was lying on the edge of the pool, her wet dress clinging to her body, her face pale, her breath weak, her hands subconsciously protecting her abdomen. She was gasping for breath, her eyes full of fear and helplessness.

"Empress Defei, are you okay? How are you?" Jiang Xingkuo asked anxiously.

Concubine De nodded slightly and said weakly, "Thank you Miss Jiang and Xiao'e. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid..."

At this moment, Concubine De's face suddenly changed, she covered her stomach and groaned in pain. The maids saw this and panicked, and surrounded her.

"Empress Defei, what's wrong with you?" a maid asked in horror.

Defei clenched her teeth, her face was pale, and her voice was trembling, "My stomach hurts so much... child..."

Jiang Xingkuo's face suddenly changed, his heart tightened, and he hurriedly said: "Quick, go get the doctor! Quick!"

One of the maids immediately turned around and ran to call the imperial physician, while the other maids carefully held Concubine De, trying to relieve her pain.