The Little Consort's
Eps. 88: Mask

Empress Jin, for her evil deeds, was stripped of her title and empress status. She was directly divorced by the king and is now officially a widow and a palace prisoner. During the two-week investigation, it was discovered that Empress Jin had illegally purchased poison from outside the palace. The poison he gave secretly to five concubines executed a month ago for poisoning the apples of the Royal Consort.

His other crimes were also revealed one by one. It was first discovered that she had sent out several assassins to finish off Li Anlan while she was still a wasted concubine. The motive was because Li Anlan had already attracted the attention of His Majesty the King, it was later discovered that the real reason was because Li Anlan had helped His Majesty the King and treated his wounds during the attack on the Houchi Lake park. That meant, Han Jinxi not only attacked Li Anlan, but also tried to kill the king blatantly.

Later, the attempted murder when Li Anlan and Long Ji Man returned from the trip after inaugurating the orphanage was also his act. The target is again Li Anlan. Han Jinxi then began to sense that the outcast Li Anlan was starting to bond with the king. That is considered a threat. Apparently, ever since Li Anlan came to the palace as a concubine two years ago, Han Jinxi had always been watching her secretly through the spies she sent.

In addition, it was also known that the letter of apple vinegar that Li Anlan got from a pigeon that he accidentally darted also came from Han Jinxi palace. This is evidenced by the discovery of various related items in the palace of Han Jinxi who was searched by the Palace Justice Bureau some time ago.

This terrible crime will not be forgiven. The news of all his actions spread so quickly throughout the entire Dongling Kingdom. Many people protested for Han Jinxi, the former Grand Empress, to be executed in mid-autumn. The officials who had originally sided with him also started to turn around and turn their faces away, pretending to know nothing.

Han Jinxi has already disappointed the Queen Mother. The woman betrayed her trust. All this time, the Queen Mother always loved him, always spoiled him and always protected him. Because apart from being a son-in-law, Han Jinxi was a distant cousin. Han Jinxi is his family. So when Empress Dowager Han Yuemei learned that the culprit of the assassination of the Grand Empress was Empress Jin, she was very surprised. Empress Dowager Han Yuemei was even unconscious.

It was fortunate that Long Ji Man could calm him down. Empress Dowager Han Yuemei never thought that her daughter-in-law and distant cousin were two-faced people. All this time she was blinded by Han Jinxi's tenderness and elegance which made the woman look like a noble woman.

Li Anlan forced Long Ji Man to take him to the detention room of the Palace Justice Bureau, since Han Jinxi had already been transferred from the Harem Palace to the prison. Now, his guard is not only guarded by prison soldiers, but also the king's secret soldiers. Li Anlan wanted to see what the look of the person who had already killed him looked like and nearly killed His Majesty the King after stepping on the prison floor.

A woman dressed in prisoner's clothes was sitting casually on the straw covering the cell floor. The woman's face and skin were very shabby and dull. Hair that is usually always neat is now only tied ala perfetnya only. At a glance, the ordinary lady appeared luxurious and elegant it looked like a bum. One wouldn't know that the figure was the former King's Grand Empress if it didn't see her face well.

“What makes noble people like the Grand Empress come all the way to the cell of a despicable person like me?” han Jinxi asked half-pout.

“I'm kind enough to visit you. Haish, milk water repaid tuba water.”

Li Anlan thought that the woman before him was complicated. It had been like this, but his tone remained haughty and arrogant. There was not the slightest trace of guilt on that shabby face. The figure of Han Jinxi did have a strong kink, but the way it used was very wrong.

“Huang An, we better go,” take Long Ji Man to Li Anlan.

“No, Your Grace. It wasn't easy to get a chance to talk to him,” repelled Li Anlan firmly. The woman then crouched down, then grabbed Han Jinxi's dirty hands filled with dust.

“Han Jinxi, will you tell me what makes you mad at me?” pinta Li Anlan gently, hoping Han Jinxi would listen to him.

Han Jinxi brushed off Li Anlan's hand. He laughed, but his laughter sounded terrible. The whole prison room turned gripping. Li Anlan's hair was goosebumps, but his determination and courage did not subside. He should be informed today no matter what.

“You want to know? You believe in the words of someone like me?”

“I believe.”

“Hahaha. Grand Empress, you're so funny! Why don't you just kill me?”

“You think killing people is easy? You think human life is a toy? Han Jinxi, when will you realize?” li Anlan asked. He was so impatient.

“Didn't your king who loved you so much tell you?”

Li Anlan turned his head for a moment to the cold-faced Long Ji Man.

“I want to hear another reason from your mouth directly.”

Han Jinxi sighed. Li Anlan's arrival to the prison interrupted his day.

“What can be told of something that comes from liver problems?” ask Han Jinxi then.

“You mean?”

“I never dreamed of becoming empress. All my life, I only wanted to accompany Long Ji Yan, it was a pity that she died leaving me alone. My distant cousin even married me to his son. How can I live in such a state? Li Anlan, I'll tell you one thing. I never had any big ambitions. But, seeing many women come to the palace and become the concubine of the king, who could stand it?”

“You like His Majesty?”

“I just want to secure my position. They're weak women, I never count on them. But you, Li Anlan, an orphan and an outcast concubine instead came to His Majesty!”

Han Jinxi sighed again. There was pain running from his heart.

“I may be a stupid woman. I'm not a free woman like you. At first I was fine seeing you with His Majesty. Butwhat? His heart is slowly moving towards you and his steps are always breaking into your place! I'm a legitimate wife, why has she never looked at me at all?”

Li Anlan was silent for a moment. So, this woman was afraid her position was stolen just because she slowly rose to a higher status and His Majesty the King was always on his side? Indirectly, Han Jinxi was jealous of him. He was jealous because Li Anlan grabbed a high position, he was jealous because Long Ji Man had always been by his side the entire time.

“Han Jinxi, you can declare war on me blatantly. Why did you choose the hard and steep back road?”

“Which path I choose, there is no need for you to specify. Go!”

There was one thing that still stuck with Li Anlan's heart. He had yet to find a reason why Han Jinxi had sent assassins to attack the king and make him injured so Li Anlan had to sew him up.

Han Jinxi stared intently at Li Anlan.

“Never be curious about something that could kill you!”

Li Anlan was getting curious.

“Who is the person behind you?” ask Li Anlan. He wanted to provoke Han Jinxi who was filled with anger.

“Enough!”

“Han Jinxi, who told you to do it?”

“Enough! Go!”

Before Han Jinxi went berserk and made a mess, Long Ji Man pulled Li Anlan's hand and took her away. That's enough, he doesn't want to hear anything anymore. The blind Han Jinxi would never want to tell him who was behind it. Let it be like that, someday time will come to reveal everything.

Long Ji Man took Li Anlan to Hongwu Palace. Now, the palace has been repaired and the entire contents have been reorganized. Li Anlan's magnificent masterpiece took two days to complete. All the expensive items that are broken are discarded and replaced with new ones.

Li Anlan leaned against Long Ji Man's desk. Interrogating Han Jinxi was quite draining. People say he's probably crazy for meeting his enemy so well. To hell with people's words, all he wanted was the truth of the woman's words. Until now, it was unknown who the person behind Han Jinxi was controlling him.

“Li Huang An,” call Long Ji Man soft.

“Ya?”

“I won't allow you to meet him again.”

“Why?”

“He is very dangerous. You might get hurt.”

“Your Majesty, are you worried about me?”

Long Ji Man did not reply. Really, he was very uncomfortable while in the Prison of the Palace Justice Bureau. His heart was not calm as he watched Li Anlan talk to Han Jinxi.

“You already know the answer.”

“Uh, Your Majesty, why are you so possessive?” wonder Li Anlan.

“Who do you mean?”

“Who else if not the big baby standing in front of me?”

“You said I was a big baby? Li Huang An, you want me to prove that I'm not a big baby?”

Li Anlan stuck out her tongue while crossing her eyes. The figure of the worried Long Ji Man was indeed really funny.

Long Ji Man stepped forward until the distance between him and Li Anlan was only a few centimeters. Li Anlan was on standby. The alarm of the danger sign in his body rang out loud. Long Ji Man leaned over, while Li Anlan retreated his body. Honey, he forgot that behind him was Long Ji Man's desk.

Long Ji Man grabbed Li Anlan's chin with his hand then slightly raised it. His eyes met with eyes as beautiful as the brilliance that shines even during the day. Slowly, his face was brought close to Li Anlan's face.

Cup.

The man kissed Li Anlan's lips gently. Short, but so powerful. Warm, as warm as the autumn sun. Li Anlan was still riveted. His entire consciousness had not yet been gathered. The woman blinked her eyes many times, trying to control the turmoil inside her chest. He looked into Long Ji Man's eyes. A moment later, Li Anlan covered her mouth with both hands. His position turned to the side, while looking at Long Ji Man warily.

“How? Do you still dare call me a big baby?” asked Long Ji Man with his ignorant face.

“You! Ji Man, you're a big, very naughty man!”

Li Anlan dashed out of Hongwu Palace while keeping her mouth shut, leaving the laughing Long Ji Man behind her. Li Anlan's face flushed red. It could be that the man kissed her at a time like this! Shameful, Li Anlan was so embarrassed!

Xiao Biqi who was looking at the Noble Empress came out with a red face while covering her small smiling mouth. These lovers are so adorable. He breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, everything has gone in a better direction. Yesterday was a gripping day. The king's face was gloomy, the noble Empress's face was also stiff. Now, the two of them had already interacted and fought like normal days.

Long Ji Man stared at Li Anlan's departure with a smile. His red face and misguided manner made the man's heart warm. Li Anlan had already made all the complexities in her heart disappear even if it was just for a moment. Long Ji Man was increasingly in love with that eccentric woman.

...***...