Palace maid Shuoning

(One)

The moment Jiang Shuoning's gaze met Bao Zhong's, his body suddenly stiffened, and he hurriedly broke free from Huo Xiao's embrace and shrank back.

A layer of fearful suspicion clouded her eyes, and she subconsciously tried to hide her broken and battered appearance.

Huo Xiao turned to look at Bao Zhong, whose expression was cold and stern, slowly stood up, and stood in front of Jiang Shuoning to block her from that gaze.

His Adam's apple bobbed laboredly, his tone carrying a barely perceptible plea: "The concubine is not at ease seeing people. If you have something to say, let's go outside and talk."

Bao Zhong stood with his hands behind his back, slowly walking forward. His gaze swept over Huo Xiao, then over Jiang Shuoning cowering behind him. His tone was cold, each word like a stone striking:

"Lord Huo, what a clever scheme to hide a beauty in a golden house! So you've been keeping her hidden here all along, keeping it a secret from us all for so long."

Huo Xiao frowned as he looked at Bao Zhong, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and patiently explained in a deep voice, "Let's talk outside!"

Bao Zhong's deep eyes were fixed on him, his teeth clenched tightly, his tone forceful: "Get out!"

The two men locked eyes, their anger clashing silently in their gazes, tensions rising like swords drawn.

Just then, Jiang Shuoning, with his back to the two of them, slowly slipped his cloak down, his thin back taut, and his trembling, hoarse voice softly rang out:

"You all leave. I don't need any of your pity."

Bao Zhong stepped forward, but Huo Xiao raised his hand to block his way, his voice tense: "The concubine is not in a position to see people, do not disturb her."

"Get out of my way!" Bao Zhong's eyes burned with rage as he raised his hand and shoved Huo Xiao.

Huo Xiao dodged to the side, bent down to pick up the cloak from the ground, and hurriedly wrapped it around Jiang Shuoning's thin, trembling body before turning to Bao Zhong and advising him in a deep voice:

"If you want to argue, come outside with me. She can't take another blow."

Bao Zhong wouldn't listen to a word, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he lunged at Huo Xiao.

In the cramped thatched hut, the two men instantly began to wrestle and fight.

Zhan Qing was extremely anxious and rushed forward to stop them, repeatedly shouting for them to stop.

Jiang Shuoning covered her ears tightly with both hands. The muffled thuds of fists and feet hitting her eardrums pierced her eardrums. She trembled violently, her lips moving as she murmured softly:

"Stop hitting me...stop hitting me..."

Her voice grew increasingly urgent, as if she had been driven to complete loss of control by the noisy fight. She staggered to her feet and abruptly turned around.

He ripped off the black cloak wrapped around his body and hurled it at the two combatants, a hoarse scream escaping his throat:

"Enough! Enough!"

Huo Xiao and Bao Zhong stopped moving at the same time, immediately stopped their punches and kicks, and looked at her.

Jiang Shuoning's eyes were bloodshot, filled with shattered pain. He stared sadly at the two people before him, his voice hoarse yet sharp in its utterance:

"What are you doing? A dignified Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and Xie Yude of the Eastern Palace are actually fighting over a concubine of Prince Jingchen!"

What are they trying to show? Are they trying to tell outsiders that Prince Jingchen's concubine is promiscuous, seducing both Lord Huo and Lord Xie, and that the two are vying for her affections?

Upon hearing this, Huo Xiao and Bao Zhong were suddenly shocked and froze on the spot.

Jiang Shuoning burst into tears, looked up at Bao Zhong, her voice trembling, carrying a piercing question:

"Lord Xie! Who am I to you? What gives you the right to be so arrogant and domineering? What gives you the right?"

As she spoke, she slowly turned her gaze to Huo Xiao, her eyes filled with disappointment and heartbreak.

"Lord Huo, you knew all along that Lord Xie was an inside agent planted by the Crown Prince's side, but you kept it a secret from everyone!"

You two often come here to exchange secrets, don't you?

Is it as if in this game of chess, you two are the ones holding the pieces, and we are merely pawns to be manipulated by you?

Huo Xiao lowered his eyes, a surge of indescribable bitterness welling up in his chest, and he was speechless for a moment.

Bao Zhong strode up to her, his gaze falling on her bruised and disheveled face. A mixture of heartache and anxiety welled up within him, and he spoke hastily:

"Ning'er, listen to me. I know that you were left behind that night and you are feeling wronged. I have been wanting to explain it to you."

Do you know that the coachman was actually Zhou Zhengyin's secret bodyguard? I absolutely cannot reveal the slightest flaw!

I did indeed feign allegiance to the Crown Prince, and I wanted to tell you the truth several times, but I could never find the right opportunity.

This time, since you've gotten into trouble, I need to get to the bottom of this with you, no matter what.

He reached out and firmly grasped her trembling shoulders, his gaze earnest:

"Ning'er, please give me a chance to explain fully."

(two)

Zhan Qing stepped out of the door again, gently closing the wooden door behind him, leaving the three people inside alone in this oppressive and suffocating space.

Jiang Shuoning looked at Bao Zhong with a look of utter despair in his eyes. He looked up and suddenly laughed bitterly, then shook his head gently. His whole body was drenched in endless exhaustion, as if all his strength had been exhausted.

"Xie Jinghuai! There's no need to say anything more. Explaining once shows you care, explaining twice is an attempt to keep me, but explaining three or four times just makes excuses."

You always say there are countless solutions, but when it comes to you, you always choose the way to hurt me to fulfill your own sense of justice.

She raised her hand, forcefully pushing away his hands that were on her shoulders, staggered backward, crying and laughing at the same time, her voice broken, overflowing with despair:

"Xie Jinghuai, this should be a very simple matter, so why has it become so complicated and convoluted when it comes to you?"

You could have simply told me that night that you would have eliminated that bodyguard directly.

Just like Zhao Xiaodie, you could have openly accepted her as your sworn sister to cover your tracks, but you chose to hurt me by giving her the identity of Madam Xie!

When I asked you for a formal title, you made things difficult for me in every way. But when I asked Zhao Xiaodie for a title, which I had only known for less than a year, you readily gave her one.

Xie Jinghuai, is this fair to me?

Her chest heaved violently, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

"You can be frank with me, Shuoning. I want to pretend to pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince and assist Zhou Zhengyin. This way, the three of us will be more secure."

But you didn't! You deliberately adopted a posture of severing ties with us, declaring before the Emperor that you weren't a true eunuch, and then publicly belittling Zhou Zhengyin in front of the Emperor. What exactly are you trying to achieve? Do you really think that your scheming is so noble?

"Fine, I can let bygones be bygones for these things. But you pretended to side with the Crown Prince. In the end, did you protect me or Zhou Zhengyin?"

Xie Jinghuai, is it really that hard to admit that you are just an ordinary mortal?

Zhou Zhengyin had no intention of confronting the Crown Prince; it was you who plotted and forced him onto this dead end!

You habitually judge everyone from a superior position, but what gives you the right to do so?

Her eyes were filled with a broken coldness, her voice hoarse as she pressed for answers, each word sharp and piercing:

"Xie Jinghuai, I was abducted by Ye Wan and taken to the palace, where I suffered endless humiliation. What did you do then?"

The piercing questions left Bao Zhong speechless, unable to respond. His Adam's apple bobbed heavily as he suppressed his turbulent emotions and slowly approached her again.

But he had only taken half a step when Jiang Shuoning's expression changed drastically, his face filled with resistance, and he roared uncontrollably:

"Don't touch me! Don't come near me!"

Bao Zhong froze, his hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, slowly retracted and fell to his side, his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white.

His gaze fell on her bruised and tear-streaked face, and a wave of guilt washed over him, making him dare not approach her any further.

Huo Xiao stood to the side, his expression solemn, silently watching the two of them. His heart was heavy, knowing that any words at this moment would be provocative, so he could only remain silent.

Jiang Shuoning's chest heaved violently, his tearful eyes fixed on Bao Zhong, his voice filled with anguish:

"Do you want to see how miserable I am? Fine, I'll show you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she raised her hand and began to unbutton her clothes, layer by layer, until the fabric fell to the ground, leaving her only in her undergarments.

His body was covered in a shocking mix of old and new bruises, and his chest was wrapped in thick cotton cloth.

Huo Xiao abruptly turned his back, his fists clenched tightly, his jaw stiff, unable to bear watching this scene any longer.

Bao Zhong stared blankly at her, covered in wounds, feeling as if his heart had been ripped apart by a sharp blade. He swayed violently, his lips trembling uncontrollably, and his eyes surging with overwhelming pain and guilt.

"I've also been poisoned by the seeds of love and have become addicted." Jiang Shuoning looked at him with tears in her eyes, each word dripping with anguish:

"What can you do for me now? Xie Jinghuai, let me go. Even if you assist Zhou Zhengyin in fighting against the Crown Prince's faction, and he bestows upon you titles and ranks, that's his business, and has nothing to do with me, Jiang Shuoning!"

I, Jiang Shuo Ning, can honestly say that I have a clear conscience towards you, Xie Jinghuai. I am grateful for your protection over the past ten years. You were once my only ray of light, but now that ray of light has long since turned into an abyss.

Please let me go, stop loving me. I can't bear your love anymore!

After saying this, she knelt heavily at Bao Zhong's feet, her forehead touching the ground, her voice broken and choked with sobs:

"Spare me, go and fulfill your greater cause!"