Chapter 525: Chapter 524: 524: Crying Just by Thinking about It

Jiang Ning stopped in her tracks.

She hesitated to break the serene solitude.

Nonetheless, the Emperor had already noticed her and spoke up, “Seventh Sister, come and sit down.”

The nickname made Jiang Ning smile quietly. She walked over, sat on a stone stool across from the Emperor, and took a jug to pour herself a cup of wine.

The Emperor, holding a wine cup in his hand, remarked, “You’re not shy about helping yourself.”

“Your Majesty, when you first came to my place for a meal, you were even more unreserved.”

“You were quite bold when you took so many antiques from me.”

“Oh, pardon my ignorance, but I didn’t realize they were antiques at the time.” Jiang Ning brought the wine cup to her lips and took a small sip, finding it had a mellow aroma without any harsh taste.

She found it delightful and gulped it down, pouring herself another cup.

The Emperor warned, “This wine has a strong kick.”

“It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, a few more cups won’t hurt,” Jiang Ning chuckled.

The Emperor cast her a sidelong glance, “What do you want to see me for?”

“It was Your Majesty who summoned me.”

“Ha, don’t play your little games with me. When you sent mooncakes to the Splendid Palace, wasn’t it just to see me?” The Emperor rolled his eyes, “Those little tricks of yours are better used on the Crown Prince. What’s the use of trying to get my attention, an old man?”

Jiang Ning laughed, “Unfortunately, in the Crown Prince’s heart, the state is more important than beautiful women.”

“Is that so?” The Emperor was noncommittal.

“Though the Crown Prince is your son, he’s truly not like you,” Jiang Ning shook her head. “In your heart, Your Majesty, beautiful women are more important than having a country. Sadly, Li Hongyuan is not that kind of person; it’s such a pity, a great pity indeed!”

The Emperor laughed, “Stop beating around the bush. While I kept you confined, you dared to let your thoughts wander out. How many times has this happened? Do you think that because I’m considerate of your mother, you can act without any restraint?”

Jiang Ning sighed, “Your Majesty, I have been wrongly accused. No one knows my true nature better than you. Do you really think I would harm the Imperial Concubine?”

The Emperor took a sip of wine and said leisurely, “I know it wasn’t you.”

Jiang Ning was irritated, “Then why do you keep me locked up? Li Zhongci won’t let me take a single step out of the East Palace! Whenever he sees me, his eyes turn red, as if I am the murderer of his concubine mother! If this goes on, how can I make a living in the palace? Soon, even Li Yuanyuan will have the upper hand over me!”

With a laugh, the Emperor replied, “You have a powerful figure by your side. This treatment is reserved for me and the Crown Prince alone. There is no third person in the palace who can dare to step on you. Concubine Xian has been frightened by you so much that she has lost her courage. They say she did not even attend the banquet, probably out of fear of running into you. How could Li Yuanyuan surpass you?”

“Isn’t this because Your Majesty has been protecting me? Without your protection, do you think I’d have the guts to fight with Concubine Xian?”

Jiang Ning picked up the wine jug, filling the Emperor’s cup diligently, “Your Majesty, please release me and clear my name. On this day of Mid-Autumn Festival and family reunions, my mother must be missing me terribly and crying for me.”

The Emperor covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing a few times while laughing, “You can stop using your mother to scare me. Didn’t I send the Crown Prince to investigate? As soon as the truth is determined, your innocence will be restored. Why are you in a hurry? You’re not suffering any hardships in the East Palace.”

Jiang Ning got the message.

No matter who she brought up, it would be useless.

The Emperor was determined not to lift her imprisonment.