After a broken heart, I traveled through time and space and became an abandoned concubine. My fate i

Lord Zhao continued to suffer in his study. The anxiety day and night made him look haggard. His originally upright figure was now slightly hunched, his eyes were bloodshot, and his face was as pale as paper.

Sometimes he sat motionless, like a wooden statue, his eyes blank, and sometimes he would rise and pace anxiously like an ant on a hot pan, his steps choppy and hurried. The balance in his heart constantly swung, weighing the pros and cons of an almost impossible decision. Concubine He's threats hung like a cold sword, gleaming with a gleam of cold light, hovering over his son's head, as if ready to fall mercilessly at any moment. And the consequences of deceiving the emperor were like a heavy mountain, weighing him down, almost suffocating him. If the truth were revealed, it would be a heinous crime that would implicate his entire clan and lead to the execution of his entire family.

"If I obey Concubine He Shu and frame Concubine Su Xian, it will be a disaster once the matter is exposed. But if I don't obey, my son will suffer immediately." Lord Zhao muttered to himself, his voice trembling and desperate, his hands tightly grasping his hair, as if he wanted to pull out all the pain in his heart along with his hair.

At this time, Mrs. Zhao walked in quietly. Seeing her husband in such a state of distraught, her heart felt like it was pierced by a needle and hurt terribly.

"Master, you have almost tortured yourself these days. What should we do?" Mrs. Zhao's voice was tearful, and her eyes were full of anxiety and heartache.

Lord Zhao slowly raised his head, his eyes long gone, their former brilliance now filled with helplessness and confusion. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Madam, the Imperial Clan Court has already begun a thorough investigation of this case. Concubine He Shu is truly a vicious woman! On the one hand, she sends small gifts to the Imperial Clan Court to put pressure on them, while on the other, she hypocritically suggests a swift and impartial investigation to restore peace to the harem, and even begs for mercy on Concubine Su's behalf. But the rage in her eyes is simply unconcealable! She even declares that if Concubine Su is truly guilty, she will handle the case impartially, regardless of sisterly affection, and will even report it to the Empress Dowager. Furthermore, there are ongoing border conflicts, and the fighting on the front lines is tense. Second-rank General He Qiong has requested imperial support, and the Emperor is deeply concerned. Even if the case is brought to Concubine He Shu, he's bound to have concerns. I truly don't know what to do now. I don't know what to do!"

Madam Zhao gasped, her face instantly turning pale. "This Concubine He is so treacherous. Master, you must be careful in your decision."

Mr. Zhao sighed heavily, his body softened, and he slumped in his chair: "I know that, but my son is in her hands, I really..."

Mr. Zhao couldn't help but recall the warm times he had spent with his son. Back then, his son was always by his side, laughing and playing, and the love between father and son was as warm as the spring sunshine. But now, the child's life was in danger, and he, as a father, was powerless to help.

Meanwhile, in the dark and damp prison, Concubine Su Xian was dressed in tattered prison clothes. The thin clothing could hardly withstand the cold and dampness of the prison, and her frail body looked even more pitiful in this harsh environment. However, she still maintained a tenacious and dignified demeanor, her back straight, her eyes firm and noble.

She sat in the corner with a calm expression, secretly discussing countermeasures with her confidants who came to visit.

"Your Majesty, the situation is critical now. What should we do?" The confidant looked worried, his voice was very low, and his eyes were full of anxiety.

Concubine Su Xian raised her head slightly, her eyes clear and calm. "Don't panic. Concubine He Shu is so arrogant that she will inevitably arouse public anger. We just need to wait for the right opportunity. She thinks she can cover up everything with one hand, but she doesn't know that excessive evil will eventually lead to her own destruction."

The confidant looked at Concubine Su Xian and secretly admired her composure.

At this time, news of the border war came from outside.

Concubine Su Xian frowned, her eyes filled with worry. She continued anxiously, "I've long been mentally prepared for the hardships and tortures in prison. But thinking of those soldiers who have made great contributions to the country at the border, still fighting in bloody battles at this moment, is truly heartbreaking."

Then, Concubine Su Xian raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a bitter smile, with reluctance and helplessness in her eyes, and slowly said: "Those soldiers are pitiful, but it is time for me to close the net."

In the clan affairs office, officials discussed the matter privately after receiving the gift from Concubine He.

"This Concubine He is too arrogant, but what can we do?" An official frowned, his face full of helplessness.

"Well, it's better to be cautious and not offend her. But this case also needs to be weighed against the pros and cons and handled with caution." Another official sighed, looking worried.

Li Zhushi of the Ministry of Clan Affairs felt even more pressured. On the one hand, he was under the coercion and inducement of Concubine He Shufei, and on the other hand, he had his own duties and conscience. Besides, the internal affairs of the imperial palace were a hot job in themselves.

In the Queen's Palace, the Queen frowned slightly upon hearing what Concubine He Shu had done. The maids around her didn't dare to breathe, and the entire palace was filled with an oppressive atmosphere.

"This Concubine He Shu is becoming more and more lawless. Does she really think I don't exist?" The Queen's voice was filled with majesty and anger.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It's more important to take care of your health." The palace maids hurried to comfort her.

The Empress Dowager was also dissatisfied with Concubine He's behavior.

"The harem is in such a mess, I cannot just sit back and watch." The Buddhist beads in the Queen Mother's hand turned faster, showing her inner restlessness.

Other officials also secretly paid attention to and discussed this case in private.

"I'm afraid Lord Zhao will be forced into a desperate situation by Concubine He." An official shook his head with a serious expression.

"I just hope that..." another official echoed, his eyes full of worry.

The entire palace seemed shrouded in a gloomy haze, and everyone felt insecure. The maids and eunuchs walked cautiously, fearing that a single misstep would bring disaster upon them. Those who passed messages between the palaces also wore nervous expressions, as if harboring a profound secret.

Meanwhile, urgent memorials regarding the border wars poured in one after another. Second-rank general He Qiong's letter requesting assistance made the emperor even more worried.

"How can I allow foreign enemies to invade my kingdom like this!" The emperor was furious in the court.

The ministers knelt on the ground, not daring to look up.

"Quickly dispatch troops to support the front line!" The emperor was so anxious that he had no time to care about the struggles in the harem.

At this time, Concubine He Shu was feeling very proud in the palace, thinking that her plan was flawless.

"Hmph, Concubine Su, let's see how you can turn things around this time." Concubine He sneered, her eyes full of viciousness.

Her maids were also very obedient and did not dare to disobey in the slightest.

However, what Concubine He Shu did not know was that her evil deeds had aroused public anger. The other concubines flattered her on the surface, but secretly hoped that she would fall soon.

Concubine Li was restless in her palace.

"This Concubine He is so arrogant. If the matter is exposed, we will also be to blame." Li Pin said to her personal maid worriedly.

Concubine Chen held the jewels given to her by Concubine He, but her heart was filled with fear.

"Will these jewels become my death warrant?" The more Concubine Chen thought about it, the more scared she became.

Wang Changzai was filled with regret and cried all day long.

"I shouldn't have agreed to Concubine He Shu's request just for the sake of temporary benefits."

The atmosphere in the harem was extremely tense, like a taut string that could break at any time.

Lord Zhao was still struggling in pain in his study.

"What should I do? If I disobey Concubine He Shu, my life will be in danger. If I deceive the emperor, my entire family will be killed!" Lord Zhao slammed his fist on the table, his eyes full of despair.

Mrs. Zhao cried silently, but she couldn't think of a perfect plan.

Just then, a good friend of Lord Zhao came to visit.

"Brother Zhao, this matter is very serious. You should think twice." A good friend advised.

Lord Zhao smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I know that too, but I'm really at my wit's end."

The friend pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can take a long-term view and perhaps turn defeat into victory."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Lord Zhao's eyes, but it quickly dimmed.

"How could it be easier said than done? Concubine He Shu is very thoughtful and meticulous, so she wouldn't reveal her flaws so easily."

The situation in the palace is becoming increasingly complicated, with various forces secretly competing with each other. Meanwhile, Concubine Su Xian is always waiting for the opportunity in the prison, preparing for a desperate counterattack.

No one knows how this palace storm will end...