To Be a Mighty Empress, Or Not to Be - C116
Shi Anran’s body could not hold on any longer. She forced herself to walk backwards, but before she even reached the Palace, her vision went dark and she lost consciousness.
When she woke up, she was surprised to find that the emperor and the others were also by her side. She opened her mouth to bow, but was stopped by the emperor. “If you’re injured, you don’t need to stand up and greet …”
“Anran, you’re serious too. Since you suffered from the cold, why didn’t you inform me?” Li Ruolan looked very concerned.
Shi Anran sneered in her heart. This was the exact same method Li Ruolan had used in her previous life to torture her. Unfortunately, she no longer had the chance in this life.
After seeing her, Shi Anran was clearly frightened. Her white fingers gripped tightly onto the quilt as she timidly said, “It’s Anran’s fault. The imperial concubine really deserves to be punished.”
The Emperor swept over his questioning gaze. “Anran has only been at Phoenix Maiden Palace for a few hours, how could such a thing happen? Ruo Lan, don’t let This Emperor’s love for you become the capital for your indulgence! ”
In front of so many servants, the emperor had not given her any face at all. After hearing what was said, Li Ruolan strangely raised his eyes, and his eyes flashed with an innocent light: “Your majesty, how did chenqie do anything wrong? chenqie only punished a disrespectful maid.”
It’s enough, Anran has been by our side for a long time, I know her character better than you, I do not wish for such a thing to happen again, do you understand?
Li Ruolan felt so wronged that tears were about to fall, she could only lower her eyes and say, “Chenqie understands!”
“If you understand, then leave!” The Emperor glanced at her, then ignored her.
This made Shi Anran very surprised. In her previous life, because of this, Shi Anran was scolded by the emperor, and she ordered her not to be disrespectful to the Imperial Noble Consort Lan.
This time, when Li Ruolan walked out of the room, she looked back and glared at her fiercely. Shi Anran knew that from today onwards, their hatred could be considered sealed. However, she didn’t mind at all. The grudges from her previous life were caused by her revenge in this life. She wanted to see who would win in the end.
After saying a few more words, the emperor left. Xiu Er took care of him the entire time, “Master, Imperial Noble Consort Lan is too much, it’s clear that she was the one at fault by wanting the villains to sue first, but after seeing the emperor berate Imperial Noble Consort Lan, this servant is happy!”
Looking at the angry and indignant Xiu Er, Shi Anran thought of Liu Yue, who was also lively like her, and immediately became much more fond of her: “Oh you, you always talk so much, I really wonder if you and Liu Yue are blood sisters!”
“Master, who is Liu Yue?” She curiously blinked her large, intelligent eyes.
Shi Anran pursed her lips and smiled, “My personal maid in the Shi Family is also of the same temper as you.”
Xiu Er laughed somewhat embarrassedly: “Then this servant has a chance to see that Liu Yue again!”
The night gradually sank.
Shi Anran stood at the window as usual, and looked towards a certain direction. She only felt that there seemed to be someone there that she was worried about, and did not retract her gaze for a long time.
“Aunt, it’s late at night. Why aren’t you resting? Your body is in danger!” Jadeite took the cloak and tied it around her.
Shi Anran suddenly thought of that night as she slowly closed her eyes, “Jadeite Jade, go rest first!”
The next day, Shi Anran had long since been waiting at the entrance of the emperor’s sleeping quarters. When the emperor saw her, his gaze darkened, and he said with a calm and gentle voice, “Didn’t we promise you three days of rest?”
“Your Majesty, Anran is fine now …” She did not know why she had insisted on coming. After hearing what was said, the Emperor did not speak anymore. Shi Anran followed closely behind the Emperor.
In the imperial court, after the civil and military officials had said all sorts of nonsense, a guard rushed in and cupped his hands as he presented the letter. “This lowly general greets Your Majesty. There’s news from the borders!”
“Speak!”
“We won the battle, but due to the spies in the military camp, the young general was heavily injured in the night battle last night. He hasn’t woken up yet!” The guard said solemnly.
“Pah!” The emperor almost instantly slammed the table and rose to his feet. “The young general is heavily injured?”
The officials were all discussing amongst themselves. The number one general of the imperial court was injured, who could take on such a heavy responsibility?
Shi Anran felt a cold wind blow against her heart, and she could not help but take half a step back. Xiang Rongcheng was heavily injured?
The Emperor did not plan to send his troops out, the troops that were left in the capital would not be able to leave, what if Xiang Rongcheng did not get any reinforcements? Shi Anran only felt that she seemed to have never been so worried for anyone before. Xiang Rongcheng only hoped that they would return safely.
When he entered the palace to pay his respects to the Emperor, he ‘coincidentally’ met Shi Anran. As he walked, he said softly, “I heard that Xiang Rongcheng’s army was trapped in a valley of death. They are in a dilemma now!”
“Why is Third Prince telling me this?”
“The night before the expedition, you and Xiang Rongcheng were alone together for an entire night?” Although these words sounded like a question, Li Mu had actually long confirmed it in his heart.
Shi Anran laughed faintly. After being silent for a while, he said: “What do you mean by that, Third Prince?”
Li Mu’s expression was calm to the point where not a single ripple could be seen, but then, his eyes shone brightly: “I hope that you can recognize your own identity. You and I are on the same boat;
Was he afraid that if she were to help Xiang Rongcheng, she would put him aside? Thinking about that, Shi Anran gave a very gentle smile and said: “Third Prince is overthinking it. I believe that Third Prince has also heard of that absurd marriage between the young general and Anran.
“This is for the best …” With that, Li Mu unhurriedly swept his eyes over her, and then walked into the study.
Looking at his back, Shi Anran’s expression turned indifferent. Third Prince wanted to grab onto her weakness, but unfortunately, she would not let this man do as he wished. What she couldn’t figure out was, how exactly did the events of that night leak out. Cui Yun? It should be impossible. It looks like Third Prince has really wasted some of her attention on me, I wonder how many pairs of eyes she had sent behind her back to stare at me.
Within the study.
“Father, your son shouldn’t have sent the people from the capital out!” Li Mu said seriously.
The emperor also had the same intention, nodding his head, “Continue!”
“If the people in the capital were to be absent, they would inevitably become a piece of fat in the eyes of the enemy. If they were to turn around and attack the imperial city at this time, the consequences would be unimaginable!” After saying that, Li Mu took a deep breath before continuing to speak, “The army from the south is currently on their way back, and they can be used to assist the young general in his urgent needs.”
“With the army trapped, even if there were more troops going, it would still be easier to win the battle.”