Crossing the Palace Fighting Fox Harem

Chapter 107 Imaginary Enemy

After thinking it over, Concubine An finally weighed the priorities. Her originally stiff expression gradually returned to normal. She stepped forward to help Ji Anni up and said, "Sister, get up quickly. Now that all the misunderstandings have been resolved, what's the point of talking about punishment or not? Even if there is a punishment, it's not you and Die'er who will be punished, but that bold aunt."

Hearing this, Ji Anni's heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down, knowing that Concubine An had chosen not to pursue the matter any further.

This matter has finally come to an end.

Ji Anni turned around and smiled gently at Die'er, her smile was very natural, not as stiff as before. Die'er also looked at Ji Anni gratefully, her mouth full of blood bubbles opened, although no sound came out, but Ji Anni seemed to hear her thanks.

The Queen Mother also respected Concubine An's choice. She didn't say much, but just glared at Ji Anni with a warning look.

The emperor's nervous expression relaxed at this time. It was hard to tell from his face whether he believed what Ji Anni had just said, but one thing was certain, that is, he had no intention of pursuing the matter. Because no matter whether the person who tortured Die'er was Concubine An or an aunt, as long as the Queen Mother, Concubine An, and Ji Anni were willing to let it go, he had no need to pursue the matter to the end.

"Zhao Ji, please stand up." The emperor raised his hand and motioned Zhao Ji and Die'er to stand up.

In order to show her kindness, Concubine An ordered Huarong, who was standing beside her, "Huarong, quickly send Die'er to the Imperial Hospital for treatment. It would be best if she didn't leave any scars."

Huarong lowered her head and responded, then stepped forward to help Die'er up.

Die'er kept looking at Ji Anni with a hint of worry in her eyes. It seemed that she didn't want to leave just like that, and wanted to see Ji Anni return to the right courtyard safely before she would stop.

How could Ji Anni not know what Die'er was thinking? She patted Die'er's hand and said, "It's okay, Die'er. Sister An will no longer pursue our faults. You can go to the Imperial Hospital without worry. The most important thing is to cure your burns."

Although Die'er was reluctant to leave, it would be annoying if she lingered here for too long. Since Ji Anni had said it was okay, Die'er took it as an obedience, bid farewell to the emperor, the empress dowager, Concubine An and Ji Anni, and followed Huarong to the direction of the Imperial Hospital.

After Huarong and Die'er left, Ji Anni was left without any maids around her. Standing alone in front of the Queen Mother and Concubine An, she seemed a little powerless. She raised her eyes and inadvertently glanced at the Emperor, and found that his eyes were full of fatigue. In fact, in front of the Queen Mother and Concubine An, didn't the Emperor seem powerless?

Three months ago, he was still a hostage in the Qi Palace. But now, even if he returned to his own country and ascended the throne as emperor, wouldn't he still be a hostage in the hands of the Queen Mother and the An family, his in-laws?

Recalling the loneliness and desolation the emperor showed in front of her last night, Ji Anni suddenly felt a little sympathy for him.

He really needed a good queen, otherwise if he really allowed Concubine An to ascend the throne, he would become a real puppet.

This autumn has come, and now it is summer, so there is not much time left...

Afterwards, the Queen Mother asked the Emperor why he was there. The Emperor replied that Zhao Ji had just moved into the right courtyard and he wanted to see if she needed anything. As expected, Zhuge Huarong was right again.

Although Ji Anni didn't say anything, she was very grateful for the emperor's love for Zhao Ji.

Then, the Queen Mother asked the Emperor to accompany her to visit the Imperial Garden. Ji Anni thought that the Queen Mother did this to separate her and the Emperor, but just when she was about to say goodbye and leave, the Queen Mother actually asked her to stay and let her go to visit the Imperial Garden together.

Since it was the Queen Mother's good intention, it would be disrespectful to refuse, so Ji Anni had no choice but to agree.

On the way to the Imperial Garden, the Emperor supported the Empress Dowager and walked in front. The two concubines, Ji Anni and An Guifei, followed about five or six steps behind them. The other eunuchs and palace maids who accompanied them also walked cautiously and silently with their heads lowered, making the atmosphere seem extremely stiff. Ji Anni and An Guifei had no topics to talk about, not to mention that they had a big fight in the right courtyard not long ago. Even if they started chatting, they would probably start arguing before ten sentences.

Ji Anni's steps became heavier and heavier, and every step she took seemed like she was enduring great torment. She only hoped that the Queen Mother would return home soon after her fun, so that she could be liberated.

At this time, a group of people were walking along the Qinglan River. The scenery along the river was so picturesque that one could never get tired of looking at it.

Ji Anni tried to focus on the scenery to distract her attention from Concubine An. But just when she was about to succeed, she heard Concubine An's voice calling out, "Zhao Ji."

Ji Anni was startled, and shuddered as if she heard an evil ghost calling her soul. She turned around subconsciously, but saw Concubine An with a meaningful smile on her face.

"Is there anything wrong, sister?" asked Ji Anni.

Concubine An lowered her voice so low that even the maids and eunuchs beside her could not hear it. The volume was only loud enough for Ji Anni to hear. She said, "Zhao Ji, whether you believe it or not, the arrow that shot you in the shoulder in the woods of the hunting ground in the imperial suburbs of Xiyuan that day had nothing to do with me. Zhao Ji, don't think that I am the only one in the harem who is suspicious and hostile to you. In fact, there are many malicious eyes hidden under their hypocritical smiles."

"What do you mean?" Ji Anni glared at Concubine An with disgust. She felt that Concubine An seemed to be trying to sow discord.

But Concubine An did not go into details and only said in general terms: "Sister Zhaoji, I know you are straightforward, not scheming, and not worldly-wise. However, I will give you a piece of advice: the closer someone is to you, the worse they are. The closer someone is to you, the more likely they are to betray you. Maybe you think I am exaggerating and making up rumors now, but you will understand soon - there is no innocent person in this harem. Even if there is, you just think they are too innocent."

After whispering this, Concubine An laughed coldly twice, and that laugh seemed to be a mockery of Ji Anni.

Ji Anni's body felt cold, not only because of Concubine An's arrogant sneer, but also because she felt a cold heart from Concubine An's words just now.

"Noble Concubine An." Ji Anni raised her head and said fearlessly, "You must be living a very painful life, because you regard everyone around you as an enemy. You live in fear every day, and use your sinister heart to doubt everyone who approaches you. When others are nice to you, you think they are just sweet words with a sharp tongue; when others are mean to you, you have more reason to hate and seek revenge. Even if you don't think this is tiring and boring, you must think you are ugly."

After hearing this, Concubine An was not angry. Instead, she shook her head and smiled, "Zhao Ji... no matter how painful your life is, it is better than having no life at all. I am becoming more and more interested in you. I want to see what you can do in this harem."

"You also think of me as an enemy, don't you?" Ji Anni sighed softly, "From the moment I entered the palace, you have already regarded me as an enemy, right? You thought that I entered the palace just to compete for the throne, so you were against me everywhere. In fact, this is not the case... If you hadn't been so active in imagining me as an enemy, there should have been no conflict between you and me."