Chapter 163: Preferring Someone with Flesh on Their Bones

She was not entirely without consideration for this matter. If sacrificing one person truly could save countless others, Huarong certainly had room for such reflection.

Yet, she still did not wish to die, especially not to perish unjustly and without reason.

At this thought, Huarong lowered her gaze, watching the man silently for a long moment, mistaking his quietness for tacit approval.

After a brief internal struggle, she finally raised her head, her eyes carrying a touch of newfound firmness. "When all is said and done, this matter has some connection to me. If sacrificing one person can truly restore peace between the two nations, then this concubine is willing to bear this blame, only..."

Huarong nervously twirled her hands. This was her very first time making a decision concerning life and death, and her palms were already slick with cold sweat.

After enduring a round of intense mental agony, she continued, "I only hope that after I take the blame, Your Majesty might one day clear my name and restore my innocence. That would put this concubine's mind at ease."

With those words spoken, Huarong ceased her entanglements, simply awaiting his final verdict.

Yet, after quite a long while, the anticipated judgment failed to arrive. Instead, a flick directly landed against her forehead.

A slight stinging sensation brought a wave of astonishment. She lifted her head, puffing out her cheeks in mild discontent. "What is the meaning of this? This concubine has already stepped down and expressed her unwillingness to be a scapegoat, yet Your Majesty still bullies me so..."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt. She was about to die, and yet she was struck right before the end. Huarong had not offended anyone; why must she endure such torment?

However, Jun Yeli said with an exasperated tone, "I watched you ramble on for ages, listening to your utter nonsense. Tell me, do you deserve to be punished or not?"

Though his tone carried a hint of reproach, Jun Yeli did not strike her again.

Staring at him in slight shock, she saw the genuine seriousness on his face. This was no joke. She grew somewhat bewildered. "What does Your Majesty mean? Is it not your intention for me to be the scapegoat?"

"Listen carefully to me: anyone who wants your life is essentially taking mine, and that is something I will never, ever allow!"

So all her talking just now had been nothing more than unrequited sentiment!

For a moment, Huarong was rendered utterly speechless. "Your Majesty, why didn't you say so earlier? You made this concubine agonize over it for half the day!"

Clearly, she had already hardened her heart to face death, only for the situation to take a massive and unexpected turn. Yet, she felt no great sense of joy.

After all, if she refused to act as the scapegoat, the unimaginable consequences of failing to find the true culprit remained.

She raised her head, her clear eyes shimmering with a slight ripple.

Seemingly piercing through Huarong's thoughts, Jun Yeli chuckled softly. He pulled her into his arms, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and gently consoled her, "Rest assured, I have already settled this matter. However, tomorrow you must follow my lead regarding what is said..."

Jun Yeli's hand rested near her ear, his soft murmur lingering and sending a pleasant tickle through her earlobe.

When morning came and Huarong woke up, she was surprised to find Jun Yeli lying right beside her. His posture was remarkably proper, save for the arm wrapped tightly around her waist, refusing to loosen its grip even slightly, as if he feared she might vanish the moment he relaxed.

"Your Majesty?" Huarong swallowed, cautiously testing his arm, only to find it completely immovable. A sense of helplessness washed over her.

"I should have known better than to feel soft-hearted yesterday."

For reasons unknown, with the flickering candlelight acting as if by some magic, Huarong had actually wished for him to stay last night. Though nothing had happened between them, spending the night sharing the same bed had provided a remarkably peaceful sleep.

Gazing at the daylight outside, Huarong could no longer sit still and attempted to get up, only to be yanked back down by the wrist.

"You fell asleep so late yesterday, do you really not intend to rest properly today?"

Had he appeared in the chambers of any other imperial concubine, those women would have been reluctant to leave their beds for days. Huarong, on the other hand, was practically impatient the moment she woke up.

"So... Your Majesty wasn't asleep after all, just tricking this concubine again." Huarong pouted with a trace of playful annoyance, though the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward into a subtle smile.

After lingering in bed a little longer, the two arose together and stepped out the door, instantly startling the attending maidservants.

"Good heavens, are my eyes deceiving me? His Majesty and Her Ladyship are walking out of the bedchamber together! When did this happen?"

Suxin rubbed her eyes repeatedly, nearly dropping the damp handkerchief in her hand. Examining the two closely, she half-wondered if the Jun Yeli standing before her was merely an illusion.

"Aren't you lot usually desperate for His Majesty to visit my quarters? Why are you suddenly so unaccustomed to it today?" Huarong rolled her eyes at them. The thought processes of these young maids were truly baffling at times.

"Ahem, indeed, it is best when His Majesty comes. Would Your Majesty care to have breakfast before leaving?"

Suxin eagerly stepped forward to extend the invitation, trying her utmost to keep the Emperor with Huarong for just a little longer. In truth, she need not have worried so much.

Jun Yeli had no intention of lingering. Taking Huarong's hand in his, he stated directly, "No need. I shall take her to my own palace to dine."

The culinary offerings varied across the palaces, and Huarong had grown so slender that she likely wasn't eating well enough at the Xuanji Palace. Naturally, he could not bring himself to wrong her today.

Before Huarong could even react, she felt her body being pulled forward uncontrollably. She could only helplessly look back at Suxin and instruct, "Make sure to finish all those dishes that were prepared; do not let them go to waste."

Well, she had truly gained a husband and forgotten her maids.

"Do you think Her Ladyship is going to abandon us?"

Qiunuo walked over, watching the retreating figures of the couple. They certainly looked like a match made in heaven, but it was hard on the remaining four of them left behind in the desolate Xuanji Palace—out of five total occupants, taking away the mistress left only four.

Without their mistress around, even their meals tasted bland.

"What nonsense are you uttering? Her Ladyship receiving His Majesty's favor means we shall all share in the reflected glory hereafter!" Suxin curved her lips into a smile, her heart overflowing with indescribable joy.

However, when Chunxia witnessed this scene from afar, a deep sense of discomfort stirred within her. "Didn't Her Ladyship promise to stay away from the strife of the inner palace and spend her entire life with us..."

The morning sun was exceptionally warm and harmonious. After finishing breakfast, Huarong felt as though her belly had rounded into a little ball, and she absentmindedly stroked her slightly protruding stomach.

Glancing at the relaxed Jun Yeli beside her, she felt a mixture of helplessness. "Your Majesty, could you please refrain from constantly making me eat next time? I was stuffed to the point of nearly bursting..."

"That simply won't do. I prefer a bit of meat on you. If you remain this frail, I fear you won't even be able to walk steadily in the future." Jun Yeli stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a full smile gracing his face, leaving her entirely helpless.