The grand drama concluded with Xuanyuan Mo’s humiliating departure.
In his current state of dejection, he had even forgotten about holding An Ningxiang accountable.
Meanwhile, An Ningxiang, still in a daze, was supported back to her palace by Chunxue. The things she had heard today were simply too unbelievable.
The man Xuanyuan Mo had sent to the Imperial Concubine turned out to be his elder twin brother. At the time, she vaguely heard Xuanyuan Mo refer to him as “Imperial Brother.”
“Don’t let today’s events get out,” An Ningxiang warned Chunxue. She knew that if this secret leaked, death would surely follow.
Her mind was a mess, and she had no idea what to do. She had gone to ruin Xuanyuan Mo’s hope, but she never expected so many uncontrollable events to unfold.
Chunxue was equally terrified. She had always known the Imperial Concubine to be bold, but she never realized just how audacious she could be. She feared nothing and even dared to openly say, in front of the Emperor, that she would cuckold him.
Chunxue suddenly felt that the last time she returned alive from the Imperial Concubine’s palace, it was pure luck, as if she had narrowly escaped with her life.
Chunxue nodded and quickly left to warn the others. Not long after, she came running back in a panic.
An Ningxiang’s heart sank. “What happened?”
“Your Highness, I’m afraid it can’t be kept secret. The Imperial Concubine is openly strolling through the Imperial Garden with that man, completely ignoring the eyes of others.”
An Ningxiang jumped up in disbelief. “Is she crazy?”
The Emperor had been seen returning to his chambers, and now she was parading around the garden with that man. Wasn’t she practically handing people evidence?
“She must have a death wish,” An Ningxiang muttered. She couldn’t understand how there could be someone so brazen and reckless in the harem, someone who feared nothing, disregarded everything, and acted purely for her own momentary pleasure.
Concubine Meng De and Concubine Yin Shu also heard the news. It was said that the Imperial Concubine was strolling through the Imperial Garden with a man who looked exactly like the Emperor.
When she couldn’t walk any further, the man carried her on his back.
When she fancied a beautiful flower, the man carefully set her down, stepped into the flowerbeds, and picked it for her.
Everyone thought the Imperial Concubine had gone mad.
The timid ones didn’t dare to go see for themselves, fearing they might be silenced.
But bold ones like Concubine Meng De and Concubine Yin Shu went to investigate. From a distance, they saw the Imperial Concubine being carried on the man’s back. He stepped lightly across the water with her, using qinggong, while she clung to his neck, laughing so hard her eyes curved into crescents. Every now and then, she whispered something into his ear. Whatever she said made the man laugh as well, his lips curving into a wicked smile that was distinctly different from Xuanyuan Mo’s.
The sight left everyone stunned.
“The Imperial Concubine is so happy,” He Zhaoyuan remarked. “I’ve never seen her smile like that before. This… this must be her true self.”
“Sister Meng De, what do you think about this?” Concubine Yin Shu asked worriedly. “Has the Imperial Concubine truly gone mad? Otherwise, how could she dare to have an affair with another man here in the Imperial Garden?”
Concubine Meng De shook her head. “I don’t know, but I don’t think the Imperial Concubine is that simple. Let’s wait and see.”
“Ah Mie, take me up there.”
Tang Guo had already noticed the people over there. Lying on Xuanyuan Mie’s back and hugging his neck, she whispered in his ear. With a slight movement of his foot, Xuanyuan Mie swiftly leapt into the pavilion and carefully set her down.
This scene unfolded right before Concubine Meng De and the others.
The women exchanged glances before finally stepping into the pavilion.
At first, no one spoke, until Concubine Yin Shu couldn’t hold back anymore. “Sister Imperial Concubine, what… what are you doing?”
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