Empress Xie saw Noble Princess Consort Rong and immediately thought of how the Emperor had taken her to the camp to rest last night and had breakfast together. She couldn’t suppress her jealousy and resentment.
"Noble Princess Consort Rong, you really are fortunate."
"Empress, you are fortunate as well." Noble Princess Consort Rong didn’t believe that the snake last night was sent by Princess Consort De. The suspect in her heart was Empress Xie. "Empress, you really have some skill!"
Empress Xie glanced sideways at Noble Princess Consort Rong and mocked, "Noble Princess Consort Rong, I hope you can still laugh later." With that, she leaned on Jiang Chuan’s hand and walked ahead.
Noble Princess Consort Rong watched Empress Xie’s departing figure thoughtfully. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck her, and she showed a shocked expression: "Could the old acquaintance be the former Empress?"
Jin Mei heard this and displayed a surprised expression as well: "Your Highness, do you mean that Qin Xiulian resembles the former Empress?" If this were true, then it’s over...
"Judging by the Empress’s expression just now, it might be true." Noble Princess Consort Rong’s heart instantly grew heavy, and her bright face turned gloomy.
"Then...then..." The former Empress was extremely important in the Emperor’s heart. If that Qin Xiulian really looked like the former Empress, the Emperor would surely transfer all his guilt and affection for the former Empress onto this Qin Xiulian.
Noble Princess Consort Rong’s mind was in chaos, and her demeanor was no longer calm.
"Let’s go over there and see first."
"Yes, Your Highness."
In the imperial tent of the Emperor’s chamber, the medical woman had already bandaged Qin Xiulian’s wound. However, Qin Xiulian’s injuries were severe, and she had fallen into a deep sleep, not yet awakened.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived."
Empress Xie entered the tent and, instead of looking at the Emperor first, glanced at the person lying on the bed. However, because of the distance, she couldn’t clearly see the woman’s face on the bed.
She first respectfully saluted the Emperor and then asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you alright? Are you injured anywhere?" After speaking, she carefully observed the Emperor. Seeing that he was still wearing his hunting attire, his hair somewhat disheveled, and some dirt on his face, she realized that the Emperor hadn’t had time to change clothes since returning from the hunting grounds and had been standing vigil over the injured woman.
The Emperor replied in a casual tone, "I’m fine."
"I heard that Your Majesty encountered a pack of wolves and was almost in danger, luckily saved by a young woman," Empress Xie inquired with concern, "How is this lady’s injury?"
She walked forward to take a closer look. When she reached the bedside and saw the face of the woman lying on the Emperor’s Dragon Bed, she widened her eyes in shock and blurted out, "Si Youying!"
Empress Xie was aghast, pointing at the woman on the bed in disbelief and exclaiming, "How can it be Si Youying?" Wasn’t Si Youying supposed to have been dead long ago?
Noble Princess Consort Rong had just reached the entrance of the Emperor’s tent when she heard Empress Xie say "Si Youying," and her face instantly turned serious.
She didn’t let Sun Doudou go in to announce her presence; she walked in directly and heard Empress Xie ask, "Your Majesty, is this Si Youying, is she not dead?"
Noble Princess Consort Rong stopped in her tracks and hurriedly looked at the woman lying on the bed. From her position at the door, she couldn’t see clearly. She suppressed her panic, walked over to the Emperor, saluted, and then asked with concern if the Emperor was injured.
The Emperor nodded slightly to Noble Princess Consort Rong and then said to Empress Xie, "She is not Youying."
Upon hearing the Emperor’s intimate address of "Youying," both Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong’s hearts swelled with jealousy.
Empress Xie’s heart was filled with panic, though she didn’t show it on her face. She feigned concern and asked, "Your Majesty, how is this lady’s injury? Is her life in danger?"
Just then, Sun Kui entered.
"Your Majesty, General Shen and his men request an audience."
The Emperor nodded and then said to Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong, "I am fine, you may leave now."
Both Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong saluted the Emperor and then exited the tent.
The Emperor also left the sleeping quarters tent and turned towards the meeting tent.
Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong were both in a state of panic. Neither had time to worry about the other. They hurried back to their own tents.
Noble Princess Consort Rong exclaimed in panic, "She actually looks like Si Youying!" She paced anxiously inside the tent, "She actually looks like Si Youying!" At this moment, Noble Princess Consort Rong would rather Qin Xiulian resembled the former Empress than have her look like Si Youying!
Jin Mei had just taken a secret glance and was also truly frightened.