novelraw Chapter 131 Haven't I treated you well?
Chapter 131 Haven't I treated you well?
Song Shuangning asked, "What is troubling Your Majesty?"
The inner palace was peaceful and the court was calm, but the emperor's expression these past few days had been strangely unsettling.
As she approached, she saw the medicine bottle in Xiao Yan's hand, and her breath caught in her throat, her steps froze.
At this moment, Xiao Yan also raised his head.
Xiao Yan's eyes were already bloodshot.
Song Shuangning's fingertips trembled slightly. She had taken in the Emperor's unpredictable mood swings these past few days, and a chill suddenly ran through her. Could it be because he had discovered this pill?
When did the Emperor realize it? How did he realize it? How long had he known?
She dared not think too deeply about it, nor dared to ask, until that familiar aura enveloped her.
She could only feign confusion as she looked up to meet his unfathomable eyes.
Xiao Yan stroked the patterns on the medicine bottle.
"Ningning, what's in here?"
Xiao Yan's gaze was deep and unfathomable, as if he wanted to suck her in completely.
Song Shuangning's heart sank. She knew that the Emperor already knew everything.
But if you know everything, why ask her?
Her lips moved, a thousand words welling up in her heart, but she didn't know how to begin.
Is it an explanation? Is it a plea for mercy? Or is it a direct admission?
Xiao Yan smiled, a smile that sounded particularly clear and heavy in the deathly silent hall.
Why isn't Ningning saying anything?
"Hmm? You've become tongue-tied after going out for a while?"
Song Shuangning knew he was mocking her and venting his anger, so she remained silent.
It was Song Shuangning's silent and uncomplaining demeanor that angered Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan suddenly smashed the medicine bottle in his hand onto the ground.
Outside the hall, Tingyu heard the piercing sound and trembled. She instinctively wanted to run into the hall, but Tinglu quickly grabbed her arm.
"Don't go in!"
"Yes, Your Majesty..." Tingyu choked up.
Tinglu remained remarkably calm: "If you go in, your life will be in danger."
When the Emperor arrived, the Empress was still in Consort Shao's palace and had not yet returned. Without asking a single question, the Emperor walked straight to the bedside and pried open the hidden compartment. She felt a sinking feeling in her heart; she immediately understood that the matter of the contraceptive pill could no longer be concealed. The Emperor's thunderous rage was inevitable; anyone in his position would have been unable to contain themselves.
The Emperor's affection for the Empress is evident to all, and the Empress, with her keen intellect, will surely be able to turn danger into safety and appease the Emperor.
Xiao Yan grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall.
Song Shuangning felt a sharp pain, as if her internal organs had been shattered.
Xiao Yan stared intently at her, his eyes bloodshot and surging with terrifying rage.
"Song Shuangning, have I treated you badly?"
"Have I treated you badly?" he roared.
Have I treated you badly?
Song Shuangning took a deep breath, suppressing the churning emotions in her chest.
She calmly replied, "His Majesty treats me very well."
Xiao Yan truly hated her calm demeanor.
"I have treated you well, and this is how you repay me? Is this how you betray my good intentions?"
Song Shuangning's eyes welled up with tears.
Xiao Yan pinched her chin, forcing her to look up.
When he saw the tears in her eyes, Xiao Yan was taken aback, but then a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, and his voice was devoid of any warmth:
"Want to cry? Trying to deceive me again? Song Shuangning, you really have a lot of tears to shed. If you want to cry, just cry. Stop with your tricks, I have no interest in watching."
These words are like a thorn in my side.
Xiao Yan had never said such hurtful things to her before.
Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed.
Song Shuangning's tears were partly from genuine grievances and partly a performance for Xiao Yan's benefit.
Xiao Yan still softened his heart.
His face remained stern, his voice still stern, "I ask you a question, you answer it. If you dare to lie again... I will..."
What did he do?
The second half of the sentence ultimately stuck in his throat.
Should she be confined to her quarters, demoted, or perhaps... subjected to an even harsher punishment?
He was reluctant to part with it.
They couldn't bear to let her suffer even the slightest hardship.
After a long pause, he finally managed to utter the second half of his sentence, "I will send your two maids to the Imperial Prison. I think they will tell the truth under the severe torture they endure there."
"Since you entered the palace, every step you've taken has been calculated, every single action scheming for your own benefit. Those heartfelt words, those tender gestures—was any of it truly for my sake? Or was it all for climbing to a higher position, to gain more of my favor?"
After she finished speaking, Xiao Yan stared intently at her, a glimmer of hope still lingering in his eyes.
A sliver of hope remained in his heart.
Until she nodded.
Looking at the woman in front of him, Xiao Yan had many questions, but they eventually turned into a low, self-deprecating laugh.
What's the point of asking more questions?
It's all meaningless now.
She has already admitted that everything she has done since entering the palace was nothing more than to curry favor with the emperor, for power and imperial favor.
What can he gain by pressing for answers?
Xiao Yan released her and took a step back.
"Your Majesty." Song Shuangning stepped forward, hugged his waist, and then rested her head on his chest.
Xiao Yan froze, completely motionless.
But he immediately pushed her away.
Are you trying to deceive him again?
A slap followed by a sweet treat?
He would never believe a word Song Shuangning said again.
Ironically, he, a dignified emperor, was manipulated by a mere concubine.
Xiao Yan looked at her,
"You don't need to take that medicine anymore."
It won't be needed anymore.
Although he liked Song Shuangning, he was also an emperor and could not tolerate the slightest scheming or deception.
He will gradually eradicate this affection from his heart, uprooting it completely.
Song Shuangning's gaze flickered for a moment, then quickly rose again to meet his gaze.
She asked, feeling wronged, "How does Your Majesty intend to punish me?"
Xiao Yan remained silent.
They then left.
Song Shuangning: "?"
They just left like that?
That's it.
Anyway, judging from Xiao Yan's appearance, he wasn't completely helpless or at his wit's end.
Winning hearts and minds is far more effective than endless explanations.
Rather than telling him a lie riddled with flaws that only fuels his suspicions, it's better to be open and honest. This will only turn his anger and distrust into a tangled mess.
Even if Xiao Yan hates her, it's a good thing.
Love and hate are two sides of the same coin.
Love turns to hate
And hatred is mixed with tender love.
Therefore, the colder Xiao Yan appeared, the deeper his feelings for her were.
Let Xiao Yan make a fuss for now.
Tingyu and Tinglu rushed in anxiously. Tingyu asked, choking back tears, "Your Majesty, are you alright? Did the Emperor hurt you?"
Song Shuangning shook her head. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
"How did His Majesty find out...?"
Halfway through the question, Song Shuangning suddenly smiled, as if she realized it was only a matter of time.
Asking for the reason afterward is pointless.