USWHC -Chapter 499 If You Love, Then Love Deeply (Part 9)

“Did anyone see clearly what just happened? Why did Princess Lanqin and Princess Pingning fall?” The Emperor’s voice rang out coldly as he looked at the crowd kneeling on the ground.

The area before the hall was packed with kneeling figures—palace maids and eunuchs alike. Hearing the Emperor’s icy tone, everyone began to tremble.

“Speak at once! What did you all see?” The Emperor’s gaze grew even sharper. The old emperor, who rarely lost his temper these days, now sounded visibly angered.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a palace maid stammered, “Reporting to Your Majesty… this servant vaguely saw that Princess Lanqin lost her balance and pushed Princess Pingning.”

“Nonsense!” At that moment, Wan Yue cried out resentfully. “This servant originally did not wish to speak, but I was kneeling beside my princess just now. I clearly saw Princess Lanyi bump into my mistress. That caused Princess Lanqin to lose her balance and crash into Princess Pingning!”

“Stop talking nonsense! It was clearly Princess Lanqin who bumped into Princess Pingning herself. Why are you trying to frame my princess?” Lanyi’s maid, Liu Rong, shouted back.

“It was obviously Princess Lanyi who struck my princess first!” Wan Yue refused to back down.

Hearing this, the Emperor narrowed his eyes silently. Just then, a voice filled with excitement rang out:

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Princess Lanqin has awakened!”

When Zhu Jie opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the Emperor’s anxious and concerned gaze. Beside him was the Empress, her eyes brimming with tears of pity and distress.

“Jinghan, you’re awake?” the Emperor said gently.

Zhu Jie struggled, trying to sit up. She suddenly straightened, but only for a moment before pain overwhelmed her, leaving her unable to move. Letting out a soft groan, she choked out, “Father Emperor…” Her voice was filled with helplessness.

The Emperor quickly reached out and supported the weak Zhu Jie. “Jinghan, do you feel unwell anywhere?” he asked with concern.

At his question, Zhu Jie appeared even more fragile, swaying as if she might collapse. Holding her head, she said tearfully, “Father Emperor, my head…” But as soon as her hand touched her forehead, she froze.

So thick? Did they wrap me in an Indian scarf?

She sneaked a glance at the bronze mirror opposite her—and was stunned.

What on earth is this? Who did this?! My head looks like it doubled!

Indeed, her head was now wrapped in thick layers of cloth. Had she really injured it that badly? Honestly, it just felt a bit heavy. Pain? Not really.

“Father Emperor, my head feels like it’s splitting apart!” Zhu Jie said hoarsely, completely against her conscience.

The Emperor looked at her with heartache. “You silly child. Even if Pingning had fallen, nothing serious would have happened. Why did you risk yourself to save her?” he couldn’t help but scold softly.

Now that’s a real doting father.

At that moment, Zhu Jie suddenly began sobbing again. “Yes… Sister Ning’er… how is she? I truly didn’t mean to push her! There was a sudden stabbing pain in my back—I don’t know why, but my body moved forward uncontrollably. I tried my best to save Sister Ning’er, I really did!”

Hearing her aggrieved and frightened crying, the Emperor’s heart softened immediately. “Listen to you—since Yingning had your protection, how could anything have happened?”

“Then… what about her child? Is the child alright?” Zhu Jie asked anxiously. She turned and grabbed the Empress’s hand. “Mother Empress, where is Sister Ning’er? I want to see her!”

“She has already returned to rest. You should rest as well,” the Empress said gently. “Thanks to you, both mother and child are safe. You needn’t worry.”

Only then did Zhu Jie let out a long breath of relief. “That’s good… that’s good…”

Seeing her like this, the Emperor couldn’t help but sigh. “Ah, none of you are ever free from worry…”

Zhu Jie and the Empress both looked at him in confusion, startled by his inexplicable remark. But the Emperor immediately changed to a warm smile and said kindly: “Don’t overthink it. What happened today was not your fault—it was merely an accident. Just focus on recovering.”

Zhu Jie obediently lowered her head. “Yes, Father Emperor.” But a faint smile tugged at her lips.

An accident?

If it were truly an accident, would the Emperor need to emphasize it like this?

Perhaps… even he didn’t quite believe it himself.