Zhao Jin Yu comforted Wen Shi, again afraid she would take things too hard so she remained to have dinner, when she was leaving it was already very late, eunuch w.a.n.g was burning with anxiety, it didn"t show at all on his face though.
Wen Shi saw Zhao Jin Yu off at the door, Zhao Jin Yu said, “Auntie, I did not think the capital city actually has such a tyrannical Peng family, even though I"m just a very minor Zhaoyi, but when I see the emperor, I will definitely report this clearly to him.”
Wen Shi shook her head, gently saying, “You"re just entering the palace, you have to be cautious about everything, again how can you rudely mention our family"s matter to the emperor? Besides, that Peng family"s young master"s older sister is consort Yu of the palace, she was originally a maid of the emperor"s, serving His Majesty for over ten years, their relationship is extraordinary, don"t cause trouble for yourself, auntie will be fine.” Wen Shi spoke up to here showing a resolute gaze,
“Even if their family is incomparable, can they make an unreasonable scene with me Lady Zhi Shi?”
If Zhao Jin Yu had not seen those people"s tyrannical behaviour just now she would have believed her, Zhao Jin Yu shook her head, saying, “I can tell that family simply does not care for the law. Do whatever they please!”
“Don"t worry about me, your uncle Zhang has already sent the two children back to his home, today if you had not come to visit me I intended to go back to my parents" home to hide for a bit, anyway if there"s no one at home, they can only burn down the house right?”
Zhao Jin Yu hearing this muttered, saying, “Auntie, tidy up a little, go live at mine first.” The Zhao family also has a residence in the capital city, the young and old maids who followed her, only two of them could enter the palace with her, the rest needed to live in the residence.
Wen Shi wanted to decline at first but she heard Zhao Jin Yu say, “Auntie, I was almost starving to death back then, you"re the one who provided help in my hour of need saving my life, such a kindness, I will not forget in my lifetime, in my heart uncle Zhang is my actual uncle, auntie you are my actual auntie, granted if I had not seen those evil people just now, as I have seen them I absolutely cannot allow you to stay here.”
“Good child.” Wen Shi held Zhao Jin Yu"s hands, the rim of her eyes red, she did not think, with just very slight effort, it would actually bring about such good karma, “Truthfully in auntie"s heart, you are already like auntie"s own daughter.”
Zhao Jin Yu knew this was her agreeing.
Wen Shi nimbly organised everything, leaving a letter for her husband she packed a bundle and left the house.
Who knew an accident would unexpectedly occur outside at this moment.
Just now those rampant Peng family people had gone and returned, this time the instigator also came along, Peng family"s young master looked like he had been seriously injured, he was carried, limping as he went.
He saw a group of people come out, one of them was Wen Shi, he roared, “Fortunately I came in time, otherwise you cheap people would have run off.”
Zhao Jin Yu was so angry her eyes nearly turned green, she stood in front of Wen Shi blocking the young master of the Peng family"s line of gaze, she said, “You want to take someone? I"m telling you, I am the Zhaoyi His Majesty the emperor personally bestowed the t.i.tle of, if you want to take her in have to step over my body first.”
Li San had a scar on his forehead, he previously led the men, hearing Zhao Jin Yu"s words he only felt his heart thud, the hand holding the sword also shook a little, walking over he quietly said,
“Young master, this person is also a niangniang of the palace, what"s more those protecting her are imperial guards, we ought to return and consider this longer?”
The young master of the Peng family slapped Li San in the face, making him see stars, it was a very ruthless move.
Peng family"s young master bellowed, “It"s only a few insignificant imperial guards, can they seriously disrespect my older sister?” Following which he said to the imperial guards standing behind Zhao Jin Yu, “I"m warning you, this master"s older sister is consort Yu of the palace, now she is pregnant, I also am familiar with your deputy-commander Lord Xu, so don"t put on airs in front of this young master, this young master is not afraid of you!”
Those imperial guards had wanted to make a move, hearing this they cowered a little, actually they didn"t want to offend anyone, if the young master of the Peng family had not come personally, then naturally there was nothing to say…, very naturally the would side with Zhao Jin Yu, but now…, consort Yu, and the deputy-commander…, pregnant, these words made their minds numb.
Actually thinking about it if Su Qing Chen was here, not only Peng family"s young master"s unpleasant words, he wouldn"t even be able to get a hundred steps near Zhao Jin Yu, right now however Su Qing Chen wasn"t here…, those imperial guards again did not have a backbone, naturally they were rather terrified.
The young master of the Peng family seeing the imperial guards cower positively happy laughed loudly, pulling at Li San"s ear he quietly said, “See that Zhaoyi, while you are capturing the other person tear off her clothes, destroy her innocence.”
Li San widened his eyes in fright.
The young master of the Peng family viciously and mercilessly said, “Didn"t you always wish to marry Cui Er, when we return I"ll give Cui Er to you.”
Li San shuddered saying, “Young master, you…”
“This woman is the new favourite of the emperor, but my older sister just happened to be pregnant…, my older sister worked her way up from the emperor"s maid, she"s been planning for over ten years, it"s about to be fulfilled, how can I allow her to fail?” Young master of the Peng family firmly patted Li San"s face, again he added, “What are you afraid of? A Zhaoyi who has yet to be spoiled, and a pregnant imperial concubine, who do you think His Majesty will favour? At most he"ll only punish me a bit, but we are also innocent are we not? We only came to take away a lowly woman, who told her to not enter the palace sooner, dawdling here? I"m afraid she also has something sneaky going on right?”
Li San was still somewhat frightened, “This…”
“You don"t want Cui Er? Once this is dealt with, I will set you guys free together.” Cui Er was Peng family"s young master"s concubine.
Li San thought of the beautiful woman Cui Er, callously, he said, “Fine.” Even though he knew his family"s young master was nothing more than a poisonous snake, perhaps in a while he would retract his promise, but this was too enticing for him, so long as there is a trace of possibility he would want to try.
The young master of the Peng family seeing Li San agree, showed a cruel smile, to those few imperial guards he coaxed, “We only want to take that married woman, we won"t make things difficult for you, you can take the Zhaoyi away.”
How could Zhao Jin Yu agree? The several groups of people were torn, Li San went to pull at Wen Shi, eunuch w.a.n.g and nanny Li and others protected Zhao Jin Yu, the imperial guards were at their wits" end, it was at this moment…, Li San took advantage of their inattention, he reached out to hold at Zhao Jin Yu"s lapel, immediately pulling it.
“Ah…” With Zhao Jin Yu"s shriek, her outer clothes were torn open, exposing her underclothes, it was then that Zhao Jin Yu understood, those people had actually aimed for her, wanting to slander her reputation and integrity!
Nanny Li sharp-sighted and deft took off her clothes covering Zhao Jin Yu, so angry her eyes reddened, she bellowed in rage, “You sc.u.m, I"m going to take you on!”
The imperial guards turned pale with fright, didn"t the young master of the Peng family only want to take that married woman? At this point they wanted to step forward to protect her, however they heard the young master of the Peng family lazily say, “Aiya, so Zhaoyi niangniang unexpectedly took off her outer clothes in public, you imperial guards also saw right? Won"t you have to commit suicide by cutting your own throats when you get back?”
The imperial guards were stunned, thinking about it…, that"s right, this could be considered as failing their task.
“But I can"t see why this is your fault, it"s Zhaoyi niangniang who failed in etiquette herself, not knowing her position, fine if she didn"t enter the palace straightaway arriving at the capital city, she actually came to such a house? I"m afraid she must have come to see an old lover right? She deserves to lose her honour like this!” In just a moment he young master of the Peng family had placed this label onto Zhao Jin Yu.
The imperial guards again began to hesitate, now that the Zhaoyi had lost her honour, it was an undeniable fact…, but everyone wanted to live, if it wasn"t that they didn"t do their best, but rather
Zhao Jin Yu who lost her own honour? The young master of the Peng family was an expert in playing people"s feelings, in just a short while he made those imperial guards change their minds.
Eunuch w.a.n.g was crazy with anger, these scoundrels, they simply did it on purpose!
Li San saw the imperial guards waver, his courage increased, let"s disregard the fact that he had just touched Zhao Jin Yu…, that cold flesh, simply overwhelmed him, he stepped forward to pull again.
“All of you desist for us!” At this moment an imposing voice came.
The young master of the Peng family did not turn his head, he said, “Don"t pretend, you think you"re
His Majesty? And call yourself we! Hehe, would His Majesty come to such a rundown place?” Who would have imagined he had just finished speaking when he felt those people beside him turn pale and all of them kneeled on the ground.
The young master of the Peng family froze from head to toe in fear, slowly he turned his head, seeing the emperor astride a steed, sitting on it imposingly, gaze profound, a coldness he could not understand, a formidable and solemn group of soldiers behind him.
Zhao Jin Yu had her head lowered, her hairdo had been pulled apart, her fine black hair scattered, her originally neatly ironed clothes were now torn like a rag, her collar was partially open, cold flesh exposed.
In truth Zhao Jin Yu"s appearance looked very pitiful, she no longer had the composure of those beauties in the palace, and did not have the lovely and moving manners of those who incite pity, she only tightly pulled on her collar, both stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat appearance.
But it was precisely this appearance which made the emperor"s heart ignite, a furious flame which could burn everything up to the sky.
The emperor did not allow anyone to help him, he agilely jumped off the horse, the boots he wore exhibited the outline of his slender legs, tall and thin, very handsome out of the ordinary.
Zhao Jin Yu saw there was another pair of boots in front of her, golden dragons were embroidered with golden thread, exceptionally exquisite, she actually up until now did not dare to believe, the emperor would come to personally find her?
That"s right, that"s what she thought, the emperor did not leave the palace for no reason, even if he did leave the palace, then he would pick a good day during the day, why would he come at night against reason? Clearly it was because of her!
She could also think of a reason, Su Qing Chen went to report to the emperor, but did not see her after so long, finally without a choice he immediately left to find her.
But for what reason?
Although all her thoughts were that the emperor had come to find her, but why?
An emperor, supreme ruler, beyond ordinary, would he deliberately leave the palace for a candidate?
Unless…, Zhao Jin Yu"s heart jumped wildly, that hypothesis was like a wishful thinking in her heart, all of a sudden it grew madly like weeds after rain, unable to be stopped!
Unless the stone was the emperor!
In this way everything was clear, the stone"s haughtiness and insufferable arrogance, that egotistical character, who could it be apart from the emperor? What"s more when she was caught by the Tiangui sect, she had distinctly heard that Xu Xiang Zhu say…that secret guard who protected her was the commander of the secret guards in the palace!
Zhao Jin Yu"s heart was now split in two, one side she was ecstatic, simply unable to restrain her excitement, the stone was the emperor? The emperor was the stone? Such a wonderful thing?
However on the other side there was a voice which said, don"t waste your breath, would a ruler resign himself to being raised by you like a pet? It"s simply wishful thinking.
It was like this the more she thought about it the more tense she got, Zhao Jin Yu suddenly didn"t dare to raise her head, even more she didn"t dare to meet the other person"s gaze, afraid that rather than seeing love in them there would be dislike.
That"s right, if he was the stone it would be hopping mad, venting on her behalf, and if the emperor wasn"t the stone…, then as an already dishonoured woman, she would see hatred.
A slender and fair warm hand softly held Zhao Jin Yu"s chin, Zhao Jin Yu finally looked at the other person"s face.
Mountain peak like eyebrows, serene as a lake eyes, the man before her had an ethereal lightness and a rarely seen n.o.ble air, just by standing there he made people unconsciously want to kneel in worship.
Now, those beautiful eyes held a lot of complicated emotions, rage, tenderness, remorse, and a strong unconcealable love.
This strong emotion made his eyes feel like the most beautiful gem in the world.
Tears gradually rushed into Zhao Jin Yu"s eyes, she felt her sight blur slightly…, with uncertainty she yelled, “Stone?”
The emperor only felt a stifling pain rush out spectacularly, pushing him to almost lose his rationality, stooping, he held her, resolutely putting her into his embrace, like he didn"t want them to separate at all in their lives, he said, “We thought you wouldn"t recognise us.”
The two held each other tightly, like long lost lovers.
The emperor removed his own cloak covering Zhao Jin Yu, his warm voice resounding against Zhao Jin Yu"s ear, filled with fervent love, he said, “It"s so good, you are here.”
The emperor recalled that moment when his stone body had shattered, it was not as painful as he imagined, and not as scary as he had thought, the only thing which his mind persistently centred on was the reluctance to part, he couldn"t escape from it, unable to put it aside, like his heart had been ripped out, completely empty.
When he had once again woke up he had already changed back into the body of the emperor, after he could no longer change into the stone, in the beginning he had earnestly hoped he could escape from this difficult situation, but when he actually did resolve it he was disappointed and frustrated, at that start there were a good few nights he did not sleep well…, sometimes in the dead of night he seemed to still be able to hear the light breathing of Zhao Jin Yu beside him.
This half a year this longing had ruthlessly tormented him!
The emperor held Zhao Jin Yu even tighter, saying, “We will never let you go again.”
Zhao Jin Yu firmly buried her head into the other person"s chest, this was her stone, even if the body had changed, but in her heart it was the same person.
Su Qing Chen sneered at the young master of the Peng family, using his feet he ruthlessly pressed on his skull, using a voice that sounded like it came from h.e.l.l, he said, “Consort Yu"s younger brother?
Young master of the Peng family? Do you know who the h.e.l.l is in this house? My sister-in-law! The one you took liberties with is my nephew!”
Su Qing Chen went to console Wen Shi, he had heard the sequence of events clearly, he was simply raging with anger, saying, “It"s all because of my carelessness! If it wasn"t for me being out for several months on business, how would I not have known such a thing happened at home!”
Wen Shi saw the emperor was tenderly comforting Zhao Jin Yu, her mind was both flabbergasted and was very happy, in every case she had not implicated Zhao Jin Yu, she said, “We didn"t want to make things difficult for you!”
“Sister-in-law, do you not consider me as family?”
“No?” Wen Shi saw Su Qing Chen"s eyes were red, she hastened to console him, “Your older brother was worried it would make things difficult for you, you know the Peng family…, his older sister is consort Yu.”
Young master Peng who had been forced to the ground by Su Qing Chen finally returned to his senses, he cried, “I was wrong, spare my life, my older sister is consort Yu!”
Su Qing Chen scoffed, saying, “Ai, young master Peng ah, did you not know? While the emperor was away from the capital city because the consort Yu had not observed the female virtues, committing adultery with an imperial guard and conceived a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, she has already committed suicide on orders of His Majesty.”
“It can"t be, just a few days ago I still…”
“She was ordered to commit suicide today.” Following which he spat on his face, saying, “Even if your sister had not been disloyal and had not been ordered to commit suicide, even if she was living well she still has to make way for this person! Do you know who this Zhaoyi is? This is the future empress, how can you humiliate her as you wish?”
The emperor tenderly looked at Zhao Jin Yu, saying, “He"s right, you are our empress.” The emperor had at an earlier time set his mind on Zhao Jin Yu, however he had merely bestowed the t.i.tle of Zhaoyi because he was afraid it would scare Zhao Jin Yu, because no one had ever reached the heaven in a single bound, directly bestowed the t.i.tle of empress, only if it was the first wife of the emperor.
Zhao Jin Yu felt the wrong just now, all the suffering had already disappeared, what remained was sweet syrup, making her relaxed on the inside, she said, “Will you always cherish me?”
“Yes.” The emperor held Zhao Jin Yu like a treasure he had lost and found again.
“Then I am willing to be your empress.”
The bystanders drew in a cold breath, who exactly was this girl? Unexpected she made the emperor humble in this way, shouldn"t she be thanking the emperor for his favour? How is it she looks like she"s giving the emperor a favour?
But unconcerned with what others thought, the emperor was actually uncontrollably happy, he said, “Good, we will certainly always love you.”
The emperor carried Zhao Jin Yu onto the horse, riding the towering horse he walked over to the young master of the Peng family, saying, “This scoundrel…” Then pointing at the imperial guards, “And these who are supposedly loyal and devoted to us, but essentially are cowards afraid to die, we do not want to see them from now on.”
In fact if it was in accordance with the emperor"s former temperament, he would itch to kill young master Peng personally, but right now Zhao Jin Yu was in front of him, he was afraid…it would frighten her, he could only force down his anger and allow Su Qing Chen to handle it, he knew…, Su Qing Chen understood his way of thinking.
Those imperial guards who had watched without lifting a finger all kneeled on the ground with a thud, with a defeated expression, they knew they were done for…, however they couldn"t say a word of refute, a woman"s reputation and integrity was the most important thing, it was absolutely a taboo even for the common people, let alone to the supreme ruler, didn"t dare wordlessly allow someone to dishonour the future empress just now?
They were done for!
These people looked at the young master of the Peng family"s with a gaze as piercing as a blade, one by one they threw themselves at him, one drew his sword to cut him, that one directly used his hands to break young master Peng"s arm in anger.
The emperor had already gotten far away carrying Zhao Jin Yu, a lofty figure protecting a woman…, like the most intimate inseparable lovers in the world, that sort of attachment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N: Finally she knows!!!