The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 93

"Didn't you serve by Wen Xiuyi's side? Why are you here?" At this moment, Zhao Jinrui had calmed down. He looked at the person who had been brought forward and asked coldly.

Hua Zhi never expected to be caught so quickly. She tried to defend herself, but under the emperor's gaze, she couldn't say anything. Trembling, she knew it was over for her. Whether she had betrayed her mistress or been caught by the emperor, her fate was sealed—there was no way she could survive.

Hua Zhi was loyal, and in the end, she didn't betray Wen Xiuyi.

"Your Majesty, please spare me! I only wanted to teach He Liangdi a lesson. She's always making life difficult for my mistress and humiliating her. It's all her fault for repeatedly going against my mistress and causing her to lose face," she pleaded.

Her plea for mercy was genuine, but her explanation was puzzling. In the palace, if anyone had the biggest grudge against He Liangdi, it was Lan Guifei, not Wen Xiuyi. Lan Guifei hadn't even acted yet, so how did it fall to Hua Zhi? Zhao Jinrui wasn't a fool—he could tell immediately that Hua Zhi was taking the blame for Wen Xiuyi.

"In that case, I'll grant you your loyalty," he said. "Take her away and beat her to death. Execute her entire family."

As soon as he spoke, Hua Zhi collapsed in fear. She cried out for justice, but it was too late—the emperor had no interest in hearing her further pleas. Soon after, Hua Zhi was dragged away and beaten to death.

The three children had caught a chill and now needed careful care. If no high fever occurred, their lives would be spared. Zhao Jinrui felt pity for the three children and stayed with them for a long time before leaving. Before departing, he promoted Bai Jingxian to the rank of He Fangyi.

When Bai Jingxian woke up again and learned that her children had been targeted, she was furious. "Hmph, she dares to extend her reach that far. Momo!" After drinking half a cup of water, Bai Jingxian began planning her revenge for her children.

Wang Momo understood her intentions. "Don't worry, Your Highness. Wen Xiuyi cares greatly about the child in her womb. I'll make sure she doesn't get her wish."

Hearing this, Bai Jingxian was satisfied. She wasn't a saint, nor did she have any qualms about retaliating against children. She had only one belief—to survive. Anyone who stood in the way of her survival would be sent to hell, one by one.

"Thank you, Momo," she said.

Not long after, the three children were brought in. Looking at the three little babies who had suffered, Bai Jingxian's heart filled with warmth. These children would be her closest family in this world from now on.

"Let me hold them," she said, her maternal instincts kicking in as she looked at their sleeping faces.

But just as she reached out, Chunfeng stopped her. "My lady, you've just woken up and haven't regained your strength. You mustn't carry the little princes. What if they get hurt? They've already suffered enough."

Chunfeng's words might have seemed bold, but her concern was genuine. Bai Jingxian understood her reasoning. "Then bring them closer so I can touch them."

As soon as the children were brought closer, all three babies opened their eyes at the same time and looked at her. Bai Jingxian couldn't help herself—she leaned in and kissed them one by one. It wasn't until she had kissed them to the point of tears that she awkwardly pulled back.

"Uh, I didn't mean to make you cry! Do you believe me?" They were too adorable, and she just couldn't help it. She hadn't meant to make them cry.

Chunfeng looked at her helplessly. "Your Highness, let the wet nurses soothe the little princes. Crying like this isn't good for their health."