Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 951: Chapter 861: Too Proud to Be a Slave

The time for the Spring Festival was approaching soon. Before it arrived, the Emperor had to go to the Imperial Awakening Temple for fasting. All concubines of the harem were required to accompany the Emperor to the temple for incense offerings and prayers. After the prayers finished, the Emperor entered the back of the temple to fast, showing his dedication and sincerity towards the Spring Festival.

The Emperor came for incense offerings, and the abbot of the Imperial Awakening Temple gave great importance to this. Both inside and outside the temple, lotus lamps were lit up. The scent of incense in the hall filled the air, and amidst the swirling smoke, the tall and majestic Buddha statue at the center was solemnly dignified.

The Emperor bowed on the bright yellow mat inside the hall, while the concubines knelt on mats arranged in rows in the courtyard outside. Led by several high-ranking concubines, they formed neat lines, devoutly burning incense, bowing down, and chanting prayers for national prosperity and the health of the common people.

Amidst this quiet solemnity, a thread of flame silently emerged from behind the Buddha statue, entwining the bright yellow lotus streamers hanging throughout the room. Initially, the smoke went unnoticed due to the overwhelming incense burning in the room.

By the time people noticed, the fire had already started and spread with eerie speed. Flames reached the windows and quickly consumed the door, trapping the Emperor in a sea of fire inside the grand hall.

Since the Imperial Awakening Temple was within the harem, it was thought to be a safe place, and to demonstrate sincerity, neither the Emperor nor the concubines were accompanied by servants, requiring the Emperor to complete the incense rituals alone. This resulted in the Emperor being trapped without guards to protect him.

The unexpected fire during fasting was unimaginable to everyone. Though there were water barrels prepared in the temple due to the potential fire risk from incense burning, no one anticipated a fire breaking out in the grand hall where the Emperor was worshipping. Even if the guards from the courtyard rushed to extinguish the fire, it seemed too late to intervene.

The concubines were already in chaos, screams echoing throughout. Even Du Zhaoyi, who had orchestrated the fire, did not foresee it growing so large. Her original plan was to start a small fire and then heroically rush into the burning hall to save the Emperor.

Yet, the fire couldn’t be too big, as it might actually cause harm. Du Zhaoyi feared that if her face or delicate skin were burned, even if the Emperor was moved by her selfless act, he might lose affection for her due to her imperfections.

Upon initially seeing the fire, Du Zhaoyi excitedly rushed towards the hall’s entrance to save the Emperor. However, upon witnessing the torrents of smoke and blazing tongues of fire at the entrance, she hesitated, fearing that she might be burned to death and have her beauty destroyed.

Du Zhaoyi was afraid, and Lady Jing, who followed her, shared the same fear. She recalled what Shuangshuang had said to her before, when Nangong Shuangshuang held her hand, looking seriously into her eyes, ”Empress, do you trust me? Trust that even if you are burned and your skin is damaged, I can restore your beauty.”

Lady Jing remembered thinking about how Nangong Shuangshuang had supported her wholeheartedly, always assisting her even after gaining the Emperor’s trust, providing strategies, and helping solve her problems.

Lady Jing believed her success was all because of Nangong Shuangshuang. Without her, she would merely be an unremarkable Noble Consort within the harem. Thus, she trusted Nangong Shuangshuang, knowing that wealth comes with risks, and she could endure physical pain.

Without hesitation, Lady Jing nodded, choosing to believe in Nangong Shuangshuang. She recalled Nangong Shuangshuang’s advice: not to be frightened by the smoke when the fire starts, use a wet cloth to cover her mouth and nose and keep her body low when entering the fire scene.

With many thoughts racing through her mind, all actions occurred in a flash. Instinctively recalling Nangong Shuangshuang’s countless reminders, Lady Jing began her actions.

She tore a piece from her cotton garment, moistened it with water, covering her mouth and nose, then drenched herself with water, covering her head with a soaked cloak. Encouraging herself with bravery, she charged into the burning hall.

Once inside, Lady Jing lowered her body and looked around. As smoke rose above, the air below was relatively clear. In a fire, smoke is as deadly as the flames, as most fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation. These were things Nangong Shuangshuang had repeatedly impressed upon her, firmly etched in Lady Jing’s mind.

The hall was only so large, with the Emperor’s position evident due to his persistent coughing. The sound guided Lady Jing, who hurriedly approached, despite the Emperor’s surprise, forcibly lowering his body. She pressed a prepared wet handkerchief over his mouth and nose, instructed him to keep it in place, then wrapped her soaked cloak around the Emperor, pulling him towards the exit.

The fire spread swiftly. Though prepared, Lady Jing still experienced the unbearable heat from the flames searing her skin. While escaping, she stepped over burning debris, urging the Emperor forward haphazardly as they ran.

As they neared the hall’s entrance, Lady Jing felt delighted—this was the best outcome, rescuing the Emperor without injury or danger.

However, before her joy could fully unfold, she saw a section of a window frame, burned through, falling from above towards the Emperor’s head.

If left unattended, both she and the Emperor could be hit, or the Emperor would be struck, leaving her trapped inside. In a split second, Lady Jing made her decision.

Since she couldn’t avoid danger, she might as well take it to the extreme. The window frame looked light, unlikely to be lethal, but the fiery frame posed the real threat, potentially causing burns upon contact.

Running swiftly, just as they were about to leave the hall, the Emperor suddenly felt a powerful force behind him, propelling him out of the hall to the ground outside. Instant pain surged through his knees and palms.

The Emperor instinctively turned back in anger, witnessing a scene that would be etched in his memory forever!