Everyone’s attention was now fixed onto the palace guard. The palace guard looked a little pale, but he seemed much more sensible than Imperial Concubine Jing. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. After a long time, he seemed to have made up his mind as he kowtow-ed before the empress, “This subordinate does not know Imperial Concubine Jing. I was just caught in the heat of the moment, that’s why I abducted her. This subordinate is willing to pay for my crimes by death!”
After that, he turned his head and took a deep, long look at Imperial Concubine Jing, who was still crying. He did not wait for anyone to respond as he suddenly pulled out the sword on his waist and killed himself.
It all happened so fast, no one could react in time to stop him. Amidst the screams, blood splattered across the scene, and the palace guard fell to the ground. His eyes were still stubbornly open as he looked towards the crowd.
Not knowing where his eyes laid, he smiled. Then, he was no longer breathing.
The concubines who witnessed everything turned pale with fright. Some even fainted on the spot. The empress did not expect things to turn out like this. Everyone was in a state of panic. Fortunately, the patrol guards had arrived in time. Every palace maid and servant hurried away with their masters, leaving only the patrol guards to deal with the scene.
Lin Feilu walked at the very tail-end of the crowd. Amidst the chaos, she watched Imperial Concubine Jing being escorted away. She also looked on as the body of the palace guard was being carried away. In the end, it was Lin Ting who took hold of Lin Feilu. With warm fingers, he covered her eyes and whispered, “Don’t look, let’s go.”
She was a little dumbfounded. Lin Ting saw that she was without an escort. He wanted to personally take her back to her residence, but Noble Consort Ruan was also struck with fear in her heart as she called out desperately looking for him.
Lin Ting could only ask his palace servants to escort Lin Feilu back to Mingyue Palace. Halfway through, she met Qingyan who came to pick her up. Qingyan thanked the servants of Yunxi Palace as she took hold of Lin Feilu’s hand and walked back.
With lingering fears, she said, “My Princess, I heard that someone had died at the scene. That is so frightening.”
Lin Feilu seemed to have regained her voice as she asked, “Where is Mother?”
Qingyan replied, “My Lady suffered from a headache after drinking so much wine at the banquet today. She had just returned some time ago. She heard that something happened, so she quickly asked me to come pick you up. My Princess, did you happen to see anything unpleasant?”
Since the news had not spread this far, Lin Feilu just shook her head silently.
When she returned to Mingyue Palace, Xiao Lan was already waiting at the front gates with a worried expression on her face. Seeing her daughter had returned, she quickly walked over and picked her up. Xiao Lan soothed her daughter by patting on her back as walked into their home.
Lin Feilu burrowed her head into her mother’s embrace. After a long time, she began to speak, “Mother, he is dead.”
Xiao Lan was shaken, but she continued to hold her daughter without saying any other words.
Lin Feilu continued, “He looked at me as he died. As if to remind me of our promise.”
It was not clear if Xiao Lan was frightened or upset as her tears flowed out. Clenching her teeth, she spoke, “You are not to be blamed, Lu’er, what has happened is not our fault. We only did what we could to protect ourselves. This was all that woman’s fault. If not her, the ones who would be implicated today would have been us!”
Lin Feilu put her arms around Xiao Lan’s neck and breathed a heavy sigh. She whispered, “Mother, that was my first time watching a person die. I’m scared.”
Xiao Lan hugged her tightly, “Don’t be afraid, Lu’er. Mother is here.”
Lin Feilu nodded. Once they were both feeling a little calmer, she asked, “Mother, did that maid notice anything?”