Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Although the date for selecting imperial concubines was not right, it was still a major event in the capital, and no mistakes could be made that would tarnish the royal family's reputation.

Xiao Zong was summoned to the palace by His Majesty a few days ago to stand guard. Today the ladies entered the palace, and tomorrow he can return to the Leopard Guard to serve.

The night was deep, and the candlelight from the distant palace couldn't reach us, making the surroundings appear pitch black.

A crescent moon hangs in the sky, its pale white hue like pear blossoms, carrying the warmth of spring through countless palaces to the gentle land on the other shore.

As he walked slowly along the cobblestone path, the beads and jade pendants on his sash clattered together, producing a clear, ringing sound.

A while ago, Yuanzhi spent his days at home tinkering with palace tassels, intending to give them as little trinkets to the restaurant's regular customers. He finished all the designs and had some leftover scraps, so he used them to make one for him, calling it a return gift from last time.

As a military officer, he had never liked wearing such cumbersome things, and made a move to take them off, but she repeatedly warned and intimidated him:

"The people in the palace are treacherous, and we have many enemies. If you are framed and have a one-night stand with some palace maid or concubine, the Xiao family will be finished!"

You should treat this as if it were me, wear it every day, and always remember that you are a married man! You must keep your distance from other women besides me, understand?

He found her jealous expression amusing, so he patted her face and let her tie the palace sash around his waist.

These past few days, every time he thought of her, he would touch the tassels on his palace sash, as if she were right beside him.

After passing a pond, a figure moved at the end of the path, seemingly lingering.

"Who's there?"

Xiao Zong gripped the hilt of his sword and asked loudly.

A maid in a green palace dress walked over with a lantern, knelt down and bowed, "My lord."

Xiao Zong recognized the person; she was the head palace maid who served Xiangxiang, and her name was Xing'er.

What are you doing here so late?

Xing'er said timidly, "This servant...this servant came specifically to wait for you, Your Highness. She wishes to see you."

Xiao Zong said solemnly, "She is an imperial concubine, and I am an official. It is inappropriate for us to meet so late. Consort Xiang... if you have any difficulties, please speak frankly. As long as it is within my ability, I will certainly do it!"

Seeing his caution, Xing'er worried that he wouldn't come with her. After a moment's thought, a plan came to her mind.

She choked up and said, "I didn't want to trouble the commander, but the beauty has fallen ill from worry about the selection of concubines and hasn't eaten or drunk anything for several days."

This servant suspects that Your Highness has given up hope of gaining favor and is resigned to death. I wonder if she will survive the winter. You and Your Highness were childhood sweethearts; are you unwilling to see her off on her final journey?

Xiao Zong sent Wei Xueyao to the palace partly to protect Zheng Xiangxiang. He hadn't intended to tell her, but now it seemed he had to make things clear.

"Lead the way."

Xing'er carefully avoided people along the way and safely brought Xiao Zong to Huanhua Pavilion.

She pushed open the palace door and said respectfully, "This servant will stay here without leaving for a moment. Please rest assured and reminisce with the beauty."

Xiao Zong nodded and stepped inside.

There wasn't a breath of wind in the room, and curtains hung on the floor, making the grand hall feel like a stuffy and oppressive prison.

He lifted the curtains layer by layer and finally saw the long-lost figure behind them.

She was dressed in thin clothes and was very thin, much thinner than when she was in Liangzhou.

If she hadn't entered the palace, perhaps she would have remained a carefree rich young lady forever. However, His Majesty's western tour changed his life and hers.

This matter has always been a thorn in his side.

He still can't forget that wet, rainy night in Liangzhou, when Xiangxiang cried and begged him to marry her.

If his opponent were not His Majesty, and if he had not yet avenged his great grudge, he would surely have married her out of gratitude for her kindness.

Unfortunately, there is no if in the world.

She entered the palace, and he became a favored minister. From the moment they stepped into Shengjing City, they were destined to part ways.

He worried that she would have a hard time in the palace, so he took it upon himself to arrange for eunuchs and maids to serve her. When she found out, she only said one sentence: "I will not appreciate your kindness!"

He knew she harbored resentment and didn't expect to gain her forgiveness. However, the grudges and guilt that had accumulated over the years were like a bottomless pit that could never be filled.

Just like now, standing here, without even seeing her face, he already felt utterly ashamed.

His voice was hoarse as he called out, "Beauty Zheng."

Hearing the voice, Zheng Xiangxiang turned her head and called out after a long time, "Brother Xiao."

She looked like she was about to cry, and after a long pause, she said, "Can you come in?"

"Your Majesty, I am an official from outside the capital."

"No, you are my Brother Xiao!" Zheng Xiangxiang coaxed him little by little, following Xing'er's instructions: "Please, I'm so sad and scared. I just... want to talk to you, like before."

Xiao Zong sighed, lifted the gauze curtain and went in. He saw that Zheng Xiangxiang was only wearing a nightgown, and hurriedly turned his head away.

"I have come here primarily to comfort Your Majesty. Among these ladies are my people, and I will order one of them to assist and protect you. Therefore, Your Majesty must not seek death!"

"Really?"

"Ah."

Zheng Xiangxiang was overjoyed. Looking at the reliable back in front of her, she rushed up and hugged his waist.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

Xiao Zong grabbed her wrist, trying to pull her away, but she held him even tighter.

“Brother Xiao, those ladies are young and beautiful. His Majesty may never come to Huanhua Pavilion again. I just want a child to protect me. Please grant my wish.”

Xiao Zong was shocked and forcefully broke free from her embrace. "Xiangxiang, royal blood is not to be confused!"

"How could I not know? But what can I do? Look at His Majesty's health. How many years does he have left to live? Do you really want me to be buried with him?"

Xiao Zong never expected that the problems Yuan Zhi faced in his previous life would be transferred to Xiang Xiang.

However, based on the circumstances of her previous life, she already has children, so there's no need to rush.

"You will definitely have His Majesty's child, I promise!"

Zheng Xiangxiang sneered, "How can you guarantee that?"

Xiao Zong knew that the idea of ​​rebirth was too absurd, and she certainly wouldn't believe it, so he chose to remain silent.

"Look, why should I believe things that you yourself don't believe?"

"Xiangxiang, listen to me!"

Zheng Xiangxiang covered her ears, "I won't listen, I won't listen! What's it this time? Your official position? Your family?"

As she spoke, she seemed to lose all her strength and collapsed onto the edge of the bed.

“Back then, when your whole family was exiled to Liangzhou, you were starving and cold. It was I who gave your Xiao family a meal and a place of refuge.”

You keep talking about repaying my kindness, but what have you done for me all these years? You've only made me live like a walking corpse! Brother Xiao, listen to me, I want nothing but the child. If you leave today, I will take my own life right here!

Xiao Zong said urgently, "Xiangxiang, don't do anything foolish!"

Zheng Xiangxiang hugged him again, "If you help me, I won't do anything stupid."