The abandoned concubine who transmigrated woke up shouting "Long live the widow!"

The banquet finally came to an end, and after the emperor and empress dowager left, everyone gradually walked out.

At this moment, Qi, the nanny beside the Empress, rushed up and called out to Jingxue.

"Your Highness, the Empress has sent me to inform you that all the concubines in the harem have requested a year's worth of beauty cards. The money has already been collected, totaling two thousand eight hundred taels of silver!" After saying this, she handed Jingxue a stack of silver notes.

Jingxue took it, blinked, and said, "Aren't there seven concubines in the harem?"

Granny Qi smiled and said, "Your Highness, isn't there also Her Majesty the Empress?"

Jingxue laughed, "Oh! How could I accept Her Majesty the Empress's money? Besides, I would like to trouble Her Majesty the Empress to provide a room for Xiaoman and the others. On the 29th, all the concubines can arrange their own time to have beauty treatments at Fengqi Palace. This will save time and allow me to not worry about the two maids. Please go back and inform Her Majesty the Empress!"

After Jingxue finished speaking, she took out four silver notes and stuffed them into Granny Qi's hand.

"Your Majesty, you flatter this old servant. It's no trouble at all. This old servant will certainly convey your message. Your Majesty and the Prince should return to the manor immediately!" After saying this, Granny Qi bowed and left.

Jingxue put away the silver notes and, along with Runyue, followed Ye Muchen out of the palace.

They returned to the palace in silence. Ye Muchen then said, "Jingxue, have a servant take this girl back first. I have something to say to you!"

Jingxue recalled that on the night she learned of Jing Zhiyuan's accident, Ye Muchen had said something similar: "Since it has to be said sooner or later, then let it be said!"

"Runyue, you go back to our courtyard first. If you get hungry, ask Xiaoman or one of the nannies to get you something to eat. I'll be back in a bit."

Leap Moon obediently hummed in agreement and followed the servant carrying the lantern.

Jingxue followed Ye Muchen toward Lingyun Pavilion. Gao Chi, who was behind them, was delighted to see that the princess had agreed to go to the prince's courtyard. He said happily, "Your Highness, I'll go make tea for you and the princess first. It's too cold today!" After saying that, he ran off in a flash.

Jingxue: Drinking tea at this hour? You won't need to sleep tonight.

Ye Muchen was actually quite uneasy. These words had been on his mind for many days. Last night, he didn't know what was wrong with the servant who heated the kang (a traditional heated bed), but he made it exceptionally hot. He barely slept for the first half of the night, so he got up and summarized these thoughts, thinking of finding an opportunity to tell Jingxue.

And here comes the opportunity!

When Jingxue last visited Lingyunxuan, she didn't go inside; she just spoke a few words with the steward in the courtyard.

She didn't know how many courtyards Lingyunxuan had, but it was definitely much larger than Jingningyuan.

Upon entering the main hall, both of them took off their cloaks. Jingxue simply draped her cloak over her arm, while Ye Muchen hung his own cloak up and turned around to see Jingxue already sitting in a chair.

Gao Chi also came in from the backyard carrying a tray, placed the tea and a plate of snacks on it, and then went out.

Ye Muchen sat down, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said as if talking to himself, "I grew up in the palace since I was a child. As far back as I can remember, I know that my father had more than a dozen concubines, and that's considered a small number. Even so, some of the concubines still fought each other openly and secretly. I originally had two older brothers and one older sister, but they didn't grow up because they were all murdered! And two others died before they were even born!"

"There is still one of my father's concubines imprisoned in the cold palace of the palace. There were originally four, but the other three died one after another. They were the murderers who killed my elder brother and elder sister."

"Therefore, I feel that having too many concubines is not a good thing. Father Emperor only visits Mother's palace on the first and fifteenth of each month, and he also shows his favor to all the other concubines. I have seen Mother's helpless and resentful tears more than once!"

"Back then, I often thought that if I were to get married in the future, having a legal wife would be enough!"

"During the war, I envied those soldiers. They only had one wife at home. Sometimes when they got together, they would talk about their families and how much they missed their loved ones. Such pure feelings are really a bit unattainable for me."

"When I returned to the capital in triumph, my father arranged a marriage for me with the daughter of Jing Zhiyuan. I was extremely unwilling. First, I didn't want to get married, and second, I didn't like your father. However, my father was in poor health at the time and was about to abdicate. I didn't want to disobey him, so I agreed."

"My experience in the imperial court over the past three years has forced me to admit that my disdain for your father was wrong. Now that your father has run into trouble, I don't believe he had any intention of rebelling!"

Ye Muchen paused here, turned to look at Jingxue, saw her lowered eyes, and continued, "I know that my previous neglect of you was wrong. Actually, I did it on purpose at first, but later I got busy and often forgot you existed. I even thought it was good that things were peaceful like this, but now that we're married, how can it continue like this forever!"

"So I thought, it would be best if we could get along well, but even if we didn't, I didn't want to marry another woman. I didn't want to live the life of my father and brothers!"

"So, Jingxue, I beg you, please don't get a divorce, okay?"

Jingxue looked at Ye Muchen and met his gaze, which was full of sincerity and even pleading.

"Ye Muchen, I believe what you said today comes from your heart, but people's thoughts change over time. You may think this way now, but you may not think this way in a few years!"

Ye Muchen was about to speak when Jingxue raised her hand to stop him, saying, "Let me finish!"

"And I don't want to get married, and I don't like my current life. I like a free and unrestrained life. If it weren't for my father's accident, I would definitely have divorced you!"

Jingxue sighed and continued, "Don't misunderstand me. Don't think I want to rely on your power or care about the position of princess. It's just that I can't abandon my family and leave right now."

"Ye Muchen, if we don't get a divorce, are we just going to live like this, being husband and wife by day and neighbors by night? This isn't a long-term solution! Besides, my father's current state is also affecting you."

Upon hearing her words, Ye Muchen hurriedly explained, "I don't care. Besides, I've already sent people to secretly investigate the mastermind behind framing your father!"

Jingxue didn't expect Ye Muchen to do this, and she clutched the cloak in her hand.

"Thank you for what you've done. I'm not familiar with court affairs and don't know where to begin investigating!"

Jingxue was telling the truth. When Jingzhiyuan got into trouble, Jingxue's first priority was to save their lives, and then she also wanted to find the murderer and clear his name.

Speaking of the murderer, she recalled a very common historical conspiracy: a loyal minister's merits were too great, and she felt that Jing Zhiyuan was somewhat similar.

At this point, the emperor was also afraid that the loyal ministers would become too powerful and have rebellious intentions. However, if the emperor killed the loyal ministers, he would lose the support of the people. But if he did not kill them, the emperor would not feel at ease. Therefore, this loyal minister would be a very difficult problem for the emperor.