Like a catchphrase, it caught Jiang Yu's attention. And like a sound of rescue, he found a reason to return at his empress side.
"Your majesty, you are the emperor. This scene, this mess, this--- you're not supposed to witness all this."
This is true, as it is the empress duty to run the inner palace and not the emperor. Wei Yi Yi moves restlessly. She anxiously brushes away her fringe a few times, almost messing the pins in her hair.
"Forgive me your majesty, the--chenqie panic and I just--- I just thought of you first and I... I used not to care but now...now... Chenqie doesn't know what to do when I saw them drowning and I'm scared that they might die or injured or in shock."
The empress talk shakingly, afraid and nervous. Her voice broke a few times but she did not cry.
Jiang Yu felt her hesistation. But she was taking a step. And that's all good.
His eyes soften, directed only to her and reaches out for her hand to hold. "Zhen has told you, if anything happens, you have me."
'Good, I have his attention.' Wei Yi Yi gave a double thumbs up to herself.
She cannot cry. She cannot produce those tears. But hell yeah she can act too, alright.
People heart jump up to their throat. Just what is this that the emperor and the empress are showing them.
"Many thanks, your majesty." Wei Yi Yi shows a radiant smile amiss her quivering lips. She squeezes their entwine hand, sending her determination before she pulls out. "Please watch over me, your majesty. Yi Yi will not burden you for long and learn from now on."
Wei Yi Yi gave him a last look, showing him she could take it from here. Hopefully, he won't screw things up.
Whether in the modern world in ancient times, guys look like a little lamb ready for slaughter when girls turn to tigers. And they thought a harem is fun. Wei Yi Yi rolls her eyes. In the end, they excuse it as it's a wife duty to take care of the mistress.
This is why mistresses are a lot more fierce! Cough! Cough! No wonder men have a shorter lifespan. Probably got stab one way or another.
"Bengong only wish for us sisters to live peacefully with each other. There might be some misunderstanding and so bengong will give you the benefit of doubt."
Wei Yi Yi stood in front of Jiang Yu. His eyes shifting from her straight back to Ye Ai Ning and then at his concubines.
After hearing his empress' soft and slow voice, her wordings partial and patient, Jiang Yu sat back properly. A few words in favor of Ye Ai Ning were swallowed down.
Wei Yi Yi is the Empress. How she's going to run the harem is up to her. And he'll have to give her the support she needed for her position. Only then, will the harem be at rest.
"How about the two of you speak first." She first encourages the two who talk less from the four.
'My empress.' Su Mei Fan thought in delight. Like a child who been wrong, she tearfully said, "Empress, this one is just trying to separate them but Imperial noble consort Ye suddenly falls down the water. When we were getting her on shore, she slips, hit her knees and then grab me thus I fall down the pond too."
It's not a complete lie. It was true in fact. Although distorted a little bit like how Ye Ai Ning got her knees injured earlier instead of when she falls down the second time.
"That was---"
The Empress raised her hand, indicating to Imperial noble consort Ye not to interrupt. As a consort, Ye Ai Ning cannot disobey the empress in front of the emperor. She grinds her teeth and shut up.
Wei Yi Yi then turns to Shen Nian Zhen.
"This sister is also trying to help her out. But she was frightened and agitated so sister Ye maybe thought it was some twigs or weed that pulling her. In her panic, she also ends up pulling me." She dried her tears and answer accordingly to the Empress.
Combining her composed and rational movements with her tone and words, everyone would take it as the truth.
This time, Wei Yi Yi raises her brows. She stares at Shen Nian Zhen for a moment and then at Feng Lei. In the end, she let go of it.
In irritation, Ye Ai Ning bites her tongue and dismissed her retorts. Jiang Yu must be the one to speak up for her. She sent a few looks towards him. In her devastation, all she received is a shake of his head.
'What...'
Is the emperor not going to protect her? Then what was he acting for from the beginning?! That two btch is acting innocent and pointing at her already!
Her gaze then turned to Wei Yi Yi.
Was it because she's here? How can that be? That's not how it supposed to be! Or maybe because of some stupid protocols again?!
But it's not like that either! He's being more resolute on given her her authority. It supposed to be just an empty title with no power! This is more than just 'respecting' the crowned Empress.
Years of useless pursuit, how could it bear fruit? Especially now! When they are so far in the game.
Ye Ai Ning's phoenix eyes turn sharper.
Wei Yi Yi must have done something. She's sure of it. And she cannot let it be any longer.