Queen Zhao Gui uttered an "Oh" and said: "Back in the Great Jin Nation, I heard that Concubine Xue was most skilled in dicine mastery, which is why she gained Empress Dowager Mo’s trust. Turns out I was mistaken. I always thought Concubine Xue, my younger sister, had exceptional skills in dicine mastery; otherwise, how is it that while none of the concubines in the Imperial Harem are conceiving, you alone managed to get pregnant?"
As soon as these words fell, so perceptive concubines revealed startled expressions and slowly began to piece things together. Helan Qi also raised his head and slowly cast his gaze toward Concubine Xue.
Though Helan Qi might be dim-witted, he wasn’t a fool. He spent each day tirelessly visiting the palaces and sowing seeds, yet only one bore fruit. Anyone would grow suspicious in such circumstances. Now, with Queen Zhao Gui voicing these thoughts, he instantly realized the full picture.
Concubine Xue was suddenly inundated with countless stares—seeds of doubt, surprise, dawning realization, and seething rage. Especially Helan Qi, whose murky and complex expression pierced through her, causing her heart to tremble. Forcing herself to respond with composure, she smiled and said, "The Queen’s wit truly shines. As I’ve ntioned before, the sole reason I was able to conceive is that His Majesty favored with more visits than my esteed sisters. As for being adept in dicine mastery, it’s just an unfounded rumor!"
Despite her evasive reply, Helan Qi was not easily deceived. Upon leaving Feixue Palace, he imdiately dispatched soone to summon Helen Xue and demanded a full account of Concubine Xue’s past.
Helen Xue was once the Crown Princess of Nangong Shi and had stayed in the Great Jin Nation for five or six years, likely familiar with its palace figures. If Concubine Xue was indeed proficient in dicine mastery and the lack of pregnancies among concubines tied back to her, there could be no doubt of her involvent. He wouldn’t let her off lightly!
Helen Xue naturally knew Luo Xue, but she never realized that the esteed Concubine Xue was none other than the forr Luo Xue. Helen Xue was nothing but an ignored princess; her mother, a confidante of Queen Jia, fell from grace and died not long after Queen Jia’s death, owing to Helan Qi’s decree. Considering Helen Xue’s docility and the fact she was rely a daughter, Helan Qi didn’t impose punishnt on her, instead confining her to her palace with strict orders forbidding her from leaving without an edict.
Thus, she remained entirely unaware that Concubine Xue was Luo Xue—soone she’d never even seen!
When summoned by her Imperial Father for questioning, Helen Xue naturally treasured the opportunity and wasted no ti in disclosing the details of Concubine Xue’s background to Helan Qi—from her distinguished standing beside Empress Dowager Mo to her expertise in dicine and martial arts.
Upon hearing Helen Xue confirm her proficiency in dicine mastery, Helan Qi’s suspicions grew even deeper. Without delay, he issued an edict citing Concubine Xue’s post-natal confinent as an inconvenience and ordering the Empress to take charge of managing the Imperial Harem while commanding Concubine Xue to focus solely on her recovery.
When Queen Zhao Gui received the edict, she imdiately understood its implication. A few days later, during her visit to Feixue Palace, Concubine Xue dismissed her attendants, knelt on the floor, and said: "Queen Zhao Gui, Luo Xue acknowledges her mistake. I shouldn’t have underestimated the Queen or defied her in the past. Moving forward, Luo Xue will surely abide by her place and never dare cause offense to the Queen again. Luo Xue pledges to look up to the Queen as her leader and begs the Queen to lift her noble hand and spare the lives of Luo Xue and her daughter."
Queen Zhao Gui listened and laughed coldly, saying: "Hehe, who would have thought that the once arrogant Concubine Xue would fall to such lowly depths? But not everything can be undone just because you wish so. We’ve had no enmities in the past nor recent grievances, always keeping to our own waters—’river water doesn’t offend well water.’ Yet to establish dominance, you repeatedly humiliated and pressured to the point of no retreat, forcing my hand to strike back just to secure my place. This current predicant is entirely self-created; you have no one else to bla for it. As for forgiving you, just two words."
Desperate, Luo Xue asked, "What words?"
Queen Zhao Gui slowly uttered two words: "Dream——on——."
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