coobybook Chapter 306 A Woman of Unknown Origin
Chapter 306 A Woman of Unknown Origin
All the officials followed Emperor Wen back to the city. When Emperor Wen's carriage was about to reach the city gate, a girl suddenly rushed out from the roadside. Her hair was scattered on her shoulders, and she was wearing tattered clothes, looking very embarrassed.
She fell to her knees in front of Emperor Wen's carriage, crying out, "My Lord! Please save me!"
Seeing this, the guards quickly stepped forward and tried to drag the girl away. However, at this moment, Emperor Wen shouted loudly behind the curtain: "Wait!" His voice was full of majesty and determination, which made everyone stop.
Eunuch Gao gently lifted the curtain, then stood respectfully beside the carriage, waiting for Emperor Wen to get off. Emperor Wen slowly got off the carriage, his eyes calm and deep. Then, Imperial Concubine An Qinghuan also got off the carriage gracefully, her beauty and nobility attracting everyone's attention.
At this time, the imperial guards brought a girl who was under escort to Emperor Wen. The girl's hair was scattered and covered half of her face, but her appearance was still good.
Emperor Wen stared at her, with a hint of surprise and confusion in his eyes. Suddenly, he cried out in astonishment: "Xiao He!"
Hearing this name, Xiao Jinghan's face instantly became serious. He quickly got off the horse and strode towards the girl.
At this time, the maid beside the imperial concubine had carefully and gently lifted the girl's hair.
Xiao Jinghan's gaze was fixed on the girl's face, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.
The face in front of him was so similar to his deceased mother, as if they were carved from the same mold! Even the weak look in her eyes was exactly the same, full of charm.
At that moment, Xiao Jinghan couldn't help but have an illusion that his mother had returned to his side.
However, this feeling only lasted for a moment before it was replaced by an intense anger.
He thought to himself: Whose conspiracy is this? They found a woman who looks exactly like my mother and sent her to Emperor Wen. He clenched his fists and his eyes flashed with anger.
Emperor Wen's heart began to beat wildly uncontrollably, as if it was about to jump out of his chest! Xiao He! This name lingered in his heart like a spell! She was the softest and most precious existence in his heart! Unexpectedly, in these long years, he would have the opportunity to meet a woman who was so similar to Xiao He!
Emperor Wen's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "What grievances have you suffered? Just tell me! I will make the decision for you!"
The girl seemed to be greatly frightened. Her face was as pale as paper and her lips were trembling constantly. After a long time, she slowly spoke: "Your Majesty! I am from Yuqing, Jiangnan. My name is Jin Xiaohe! I came to the capital this time to visit my uncle's family. Who knew that when I passed by Longgu Mountain, I unfortunately encountered a group of bandits! They took me away and threatened to sell me to a brothel! I finally escaped from their clutches after a lot of effort!"
"Dragon Bone Mountain?" Emperor Wen frowned, a puzzled look on his face. He turned to look at Eunuch Gao and asked, "The bandits in Dragon Bone Mountain, as far as I can remember, are gone. Why are there still bandits?"
Eunuch Gao quickly replied, "Your Majesty, you don't know that Dragon Bone Mountain is now the location of the Dark Moon Pavilion. And the Dark Moon Pavilion Master, Dark Moon Fairy, is a subordinate of Princess Wu'an."
Emperor Wen was slightly stunned after hearing this, and then fell into deep thought. After a moment, he slowly said, "I understand. In this case, send someone to bring Jin Xiaohe back to the palace immediately."
When Imperial Concubine An Qinghuan and Xiao Jinghan heard this, they looked at each other and saw a hint of anxiety in each other's eyes. They knew very well that this incident was not accidental, and the other party was obviously coming for Luo Lingyue.
After Emperor Wen brought Jin Xiaohe back to the Qianqing Palace, Imperial Noble Consort An Qinghuan whispered to Emperor Wen: "Your Majesty, since Miss Xiaohe came to the capital to look for her relatives, why don't we send someone to look for her uncle's family? This way, she can be reunited with her family as soon as possible."
Emperor Wen was staring at Jin Xiaohe intently at this moment, as if he was completely attracted by her. After hearing An Qinghuan's words, he came back to his senses and said to Eunuch Gao awkwardly, "Then go find Xiaohe's uncle."
After receiving the order, Eunuch Gao cautiously left the room. However, when he just walked out of the garden of the Qianqing Palace, he unexpectedly ran into the queen.
Eunuch Gao hurriedly greeted the Queen and prepared to leave. But Queen Li Qianwan stopped him and asked in a serious tone: "I heard that Your Majesty brought back a girl of unknown origin. Is this true?"
Eunuch Gao secretly complained in his heart, but still answered truthfully: "Your Majesty, that Miss Jin Xiaohe... uh, looks exactly like Princess Xiaohe!"
"What did you say?" Upon hearing this, Queen Li Qianwan's eyebrows immediately turned upside down, and a trace of anger flashed in her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, gnashed her teeth, and strode towards the Qianqing Palace.
"Alas! Queen Mother..." Eunuch Gao shouted symbolically, his eyes flickering. Then, he ordered the other eunuchs to find Jin Xiaohe's uncle.
Eunuch Gao lowered his head and returned to the Qianqing Palace with a heavy heart. He knew that Emperor Wen had deep feelings for Xiaohe, but he did not want to see someone taking this opportunity to plot against Emperor Wen, and this was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
The Imperial Concubine was weak in character and might not have the courage to stop Emperor Wen. However, the Empress was completely different. She had a strong temperament and could not tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes!
Therefore, Eunuch Gao secretly prayed that the Queen would expel Jin Xiaohe from the palace to maintain the dignity of Emperor Wen and the royal family.
Eunuch Gao hurried to the Qianqing Palace, but before he could enter, he heard a quarrel coming from inside.
He leaned closer to the crack in the door and saw Empress Li Qianwan standing in front of Emperor Wen, angrily pointing at Jin Xiaohe beside her and shouting, "Your Majesty! This woman's origins are unknown! I will never allow her to stay in the palace!"
Jin Xiaohe knelt aside, trembling with fear!
Emperor Wen felt a pain in his heart when he saw this! He frowned and responded in a serious tone: "Li Qianwan! I am the master of this imperial city! It is not your turn to make the decision!"
Just as the two were at a stalemate, Imperial Concubine An Qinghuan stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty! Queen! Why are we so anxious? Why don't we send someone to find Miss Xiaohe's uncle first? It won't be too late to make a decision after the truth is revealed!"
After hearing this, Emperor Wen's expression eased a little and he nodded with satisfaction: "My beloved concubine is right!"
Emperor Wen then turned to the eunuch beside him and ordered, "Come here! Take Miss Xiaohe to wash up, change clothes and come to see me again!"
A palace maid came over and carefully led Jin Xiaohe to wash up.