Chapter 14
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“Go out of the palace?”
When Consort Mei heard these words, her delicate face frowned slightly. She paused for two seconds, then asked again, “Is this the only thing you want now?”
Ling Rui nodded.
Consort Mei was silent for even longer this time. After a long while, she finally said, “It’s not impossible to let you go out of the palace.”
Ling Rui: “!”
Ling Rui’s eyes brightened at these words.
Consort Mei leaned on the chair and said slowly, “Little Seven, I will fulfill this wish of yours, but in return, you must agree to one condition from me, okay?”
Ling Rui hesitated for a moment and asked, “What?”
He was asking what the condition was.
Consort Mei didn’t say, she just said lightly, “It’s a condition that is good for you.”
“Little Seven, my royal mother said that Consort Mei never makes things difficult for people, you can agree to her.”
Ling Fu, holding a plum blossom cake, spoke to Ling Rui about what he knew.
He had heard his royal mother say that Consort Mei did not like to socialize or harm others in the palace.
He had a good impression of Consort Mei.
Ling Rui was still young, and he couldn’t figure out the adults’ thoughts with his little head.
He looked at Sixth Brother, then at Consort Mei, and finally obediently agreed, “Okay.”
Seeing him agree, Consort Mei’s cold expression softened a bit.
“It’s hot now, there are some fruits cooled in the well water on the table, help yourselves.”
Ling Rui, having eaten a stomach full of cake, was feeling a bit thirsty.
He nudged Ling Fu’s arm, and the next second, Ling Fu brought over the chilled fruits.
These chilled fruits, Ling Rui could only eat a little in Fenghua Palace. Whenever he took a small bite, Noble Consort Yi would take the fruit away.
“Mmm, delicious.”
Ling Fu, holding the plate of fruits, was reluctant to let go. Like Ling Rui, he couldn’t eat these in the palace.
The two little ones held the fruits, stuffing their mouths even when they were full.
While they were stuffing their mouths, someone walked in quickly from the door.
At the same time, the maid at the door hurriedly came over to report, “Niang Niang, Noble Consort Yi is here.”
Consort Mei responded with a sound and looked up at the already entered Noble Consort Yi.
She got up and greeted Noble Consort Yi with a bow.
Noble Consort Yi didn’t even look at her. After entering, her gaze locked onto the two little ones.
The youngest of the two, seeing her approach, was so scared his eyes widened and his little hands hid behind his back, his chubby face filled with guilt.
“Little Seven.”
Noble Consort Yi’s gaze fixed on him, her tone sounded calm, but there was suppressed emotion in her eyes, “Show me your hands.”
Ling Rui: “…”
Ling Rui looked to Sixth Brother for help.
The little fatty was just about to speak when Noble Consort Yi coldly cut him off, “Little Six, your mother is also waiting for you in the palace.”
Ling Fu: “…”
Now Ling Fu was also a bit scared.
Under Noble Consort Yi’s threatening gaze, Ling Rui couldn’t rely on Sixth Brother, so he obediently stretched out his little hand.
In his little palm was an unfinished chilled fruit.
Noble Consort Yi took the fruit, glanced at the table.
The snacks on the table were almost finished, and there were only a few fruits left.
She looked and felt her teeth itch.
“Niang Niang, try this.”
Ling Rui sensed something was wrong with Noble Consort Yi’s emotions. He grabbed a piece of cake and obediently offered it, “It’s delicious.”
Noble Consort Yi said nothing and didn’t take the cake.
Seeing this, Ling Rui hugged her leg and started rubbing his little face against it.
In the past, when he did this, Noble Consort Yi would always pick him up.
“Your Grace, it was I who invited the Seventh Prince to play. If you want to blame someone, blame me.”
Consort Mei said that Noble Consort Yi should blame her, but her tone didn’t show any sense of guilt.
She had heard that Noble Consort Yi was very fond of the Seventh Prince, but now it seemed the rumors were not true.
The Seventh Prince had only eaten a little at her place, and Noble Consort Yi got angry at him.
This lack of tolerance made her feel ridiculous.
“Don’t worry, even if you didn’t take the blame, I would have blamed you.”
Noble Consort Yi squatted down, touched Ling Rui’s stomach.
As expected, it was bulging.
After touching his stomach, she picked up the little one who wanted a hug and ignored his cuddling, turning her face to lightly say to Consort Mei—
“You are disrespectful to me and have offended me, I have the right to punish you.”
“Ji Yan, keep an eye on Consort Mei, make her kneel for an hour, and don’t allow anyone to help her.”
Upon hearing this punishment, Consort Mei, who had just looked like a goddess, immediately changed her expression.
She looked at Noble Consort Yi, her tone unsteady, “Your Grace, this is an abuse of power! If His Majesty knows—”
“Heh.”
Noble Consort Yi chuckled, interrupting her, “Threatening me now, add another hour, Ji Yan, keep a close watch.”
“If she doesn’t kneel, report back to me.”
“Yes.”
Ji Yan bowed her head in response, watching as Noble Consort Yi took both princes away.
Ling Rui, sitting in Noble Consort Yi’s arms, was still a bit confused about what had just happened.
He shook his little head and decided not to think about it anymore.
“Niang Niang.”
Ling Rui nuzzled Noble Consort Yi’s face, his only goal now was to make her happy. His warm breath brushed against her face as he softly said, “Don’t be angry.”
Noble Consort Yi held him, walking without saying a word.
Following behind was Ling Fu, like a little quail, not daring to make a sound.
When they reached a fork in the path, Noble Consort Yi stopped. She glanced at Cuixi and said calmly, “Cuixi, take the Sixth Prince back. And don’t forget to remind Consort Ru to prepare some digestive and stomach-soothing items for him.”
Cuixi nodded, took the Sixth Prince’s hand, and walked to the right.
Meanwhile, Noble Consort Yi carried Ling Rui back to Fenghua Palace.
As soon as they returned to the palace, within less than a quarter of an hour, the previously lively little one’s energy visibly waned.
After a while, sitting on the mat, Ling Rui clutched his little tummy, his pretty face looking like he was about to cry.
“Niang Niang.”
Ling Rui got up, waddled on his short legs to Noble Consort Yi, looked up with teary eyes, and said, “Tummy hurts.”
Not just his tummy, his stomach felt uncomfortable too.
When Noble Consort Yi saw the mess he made in Consort Mei’s palace earlier, she knew he wouldn’t escape a bout of discomfort today.
Consort Mei had no experience raising children, feeding the two children either hard-to-digest pastries or ice-cold fruits in the afternoon.
Children’s stomachs are weak, they can’t handle such things.
Seeing the teary-eyed little one in front of her, Noble Consort Yi’s anger dissipated bit by bit.
“Now you know it hurts? Didn’t I tell you before not to eat cold things, and not to eat too many pastries at once?” Noble Consort Yi asked, picking him up while lowering her head.
Ling Rui, sitting on her lap, didn’t say anything and then vomited.
“Don’t hold it in, let it all out.”
Usually meticulous, Noble Consort Yi couldn’t be meticulous now. She held Ling Rui, letting his little body lean forward to vomit, while her other hand gently patted his back, soothing him.
After a long time, when Ling Rui had nothing left to vomit, he looked up, hiccuping and crying.
“Niang Niang, Imperial Physician Tang is here.” As Ling Rui was still crying, Qingdai led Imperial Physician Tang in quickly.
Earlier, before returning to the palace, Noble Consort Yi had sent Qingdai to fetch Imperial Physician Tang.
“This official greets the Noble Consort—”
“Enough with the formalities, quickly check on him.”
Noble Consort Yi removed Ling Rui’s dirty outer clothes, summoned the physician, and had him examine Ling Rui.
Ling Rui’s symptoms were obvious: one, food accumulation causing fever and vomiting, and two, the cold affecting his spleen and stomach, leading to severe vomiting.
“The Seventh Prince is too young, his organs are not fully developed, and now he has both food accumulation and cold intake, which his body can’t handle.”
Imperial Physician Tang wrote a prescription and handed it to the palace staff to prepare the medicine.
While the medicine was being prepared, he personally massaged the little prince to relieve his symptoms.
Compared to Ling Fu, Ling Rui was much smaller, so his condition was more severe.
An hour later, Ling Fu also started showing symptoms of fever and vomiting.
Both little ones were struggling, and Noble Consort Yi, seeing them crying weakly, couldn’t bear to be angry with them anymore.
She directed all her anger towards Consort Mei.
Little Seven was still so young, how could he understand restraint?
Blame Consort Mei!
The more Noble Consort Yi thought about it, the angrier she got, wishing she could make Consort Mei kneel for two more hours.
While Noble Consort Yi was fuming in the palace, Emperor Ling, having learned that Consort Mei was punished to kneel for an hour and fainted in the courtyard, came to Fenghua Palace with a displeased face.
He had always favored Noble Consort Yi, and if she had punished any other consort today, he wouldn’t have intervened.
But Noble Consort Yi had punished Consort Mei.
Consort Mei was noble in character, never competing for favor, and never causing trouble for others.
The fact that Noble Consort Yi punished even her, and for such a minor reason as bringing the two children back to the palace to play for a while…
Emperor Ling, with a stern face, felt that Noble Consort Yi had been too overbearing this time.
He had allowed Consort Mei to interact with Little Seven.
Noble Consort Yi’s punishment of Consort Mei made Emperor Ling feel humiliated.
Soon.
Emperor Ling arrived at Fenghua Palace and immediately saw Imperial Physician Tang who was about to leave.
Emperor Ling was surprised, “Imperial Physician Tang, why are you here?”
“Your Majesty, I was summoned to examine the Seventh Prince.”
Imperial Physician Tang knelt down, explaining his presence to Emperor Ling.
After speaking, Emperor Ling looked up and saw Noble Consort Yi sitting on the bed, holding the little one.
Noble Consort Yi looked tired, her clothes somewhat soiled, holding the little one who was crying intermittently, gently patting to comfort him.
“Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince just recovered from a high fever. Thanks to the meticulous care of Noble Consort Yi, otherwise, the Seventh Prince would still be in danger now.”
Imperial Physician Tang, having received much favor from Noble Consort Yi, knelt on the ground, slightly embellishing his words.
His words didn’t distort the facts; he merely made the little prince’s situation sound more dangerous and truthfully conveyed Noble Consort Yi’s efforts to Emperor Ling.
After listening, Emperor Ling was silent for a moment.
Then he walked quickly to Noble Consort Yi.
“Yi Er, you’ve had a hard time.”
Emperor Ling didn’t mention Consort Mei, bending down to look at the crying Ling Rui, he asked softly, “Do you want me to hold him?”
“No need, he recognizes people now.”
Noble Consort Yi spoke softly, careful not to disturb the uncomfortable child in her arms.
After Emperor Ling arrived, he did not leave.
That night, he stayed and helped Noble Consort Yi care for Ling Rui throughout the night.
The next day.
When Ling Rui opened his eyes, Noble Consort Yi was still asleep.
He laid between Noble Consort Yi and Emperor Ling, kicking the quilt with his chubby little legs, amusing himself.
Before he could kick off the quilt, Emperor Ling grabbed his chubby foot.
“Don’t kick.”
Emperor Ling lowered his voice, stopping him: “Niang Niang is still sleeping, don’t wake her.”
“It’s still early, close your eyes and sleep a little longer.”
While telling Ling Rui to continue sleeping, Emperor Ling sat up. He had to attend the morning court, though he could be a little late, he couldn’t miss it entirely.
“Daddy, hold me.”
Seeing Emperor Ling sit up, Ling Rui quickly reached out his little hands, wanting to be picked up.
Emperor Ling didn’t pick him up: “Royal Father has to work. Little Seven, stay with Niang Niang and sleep.”
Leaving Fenghua Palace, Emperor Ling thought for a moment and decided to visit Consort Mei’s palace.
Consort Mei had not slept well during the night and was already awake.
Upon Emperor Ling’s arrival, before she could speak, he told her about Little Seven’s condition after returning.
“I’m not here to blame you. This was an accident.”
Emperor Ling consoled Consort Mei: “Noble Consort Yi did not punish you deliberately; she acted out of urgency and anger.”
After this incident, Emperor Ling temporarily abandoned the idea of having Consort Mei raise Little Seven.
Although he didn’t want Noble Consort Yi to adopt Little Seven, there was truly no one else suitable for the task besides her.
“Your Majesty.”
Consort Mei understood his intentions. Dressed in a white undergarment, she knelt on the bed, her swan-like neck slightly exposed in Emperor Ling’s view. Her usually clear and cool voice now had a hint of hoarseness: “This time, it was my oversight that caused Little Seven to suffer.”
“Fenghua Palace lacks nothing, so I doubt any gift I prepare will satisfy Noble Consort Yi.”
“Therefore, I dare to ask Your Majesty for a favor.”
“What favor?” Emperor Ling asked.
Consort Mei lowered her eyes and replied, “I promised Little Seven a gift. He wants to go out of the palace with the Fifth Princess to see the scenery outside.”
“Your Majesty, under the emperor’s protection, the city is well-governed. I thought letting Little Seven broaden his horizons would be beneficial.”
After speaking, Emperor Ling looked at her intently for a long time.
“Are you sure you want to request this favor for Little Seven?”
“I’m sure.” Consort Mei responded solemnly.
She disliked competing for favor in the harem and did not want to get involved in any factions.
But after a long conversation with her mother, she realized she had to consider her family’s standing.
Since Emperor Ling wanted her to take care of the Seventh Prince, she had to—
Bring the Seventh Prince into her palace.
The favor Consort Mei requested was soon granted by Emperor Ling.
The Fifth Princess, Sixth Prince, and Seventh Prince, accompanied by four personal attendants, two eunuchs, several imperial guards, and some of Emperor Ling’s secret guards, left the palace discreetly.
Before departure, Noble Consort Yi, looking at the neatly dressed little ones, felt uneasy.
Frowning, she knelt down and instructed carefully: “Listen to Ji Yan outside, don’t run around, and don’t go with strangers…understand?”
Ling Rui, having heard these instructions many times, nodded obediently, leaned in, and kissed Noble Consort Yi: “Got it. I’ll bring a gift for Niang Niang.”
“No need for gifts, just come back early after having fun.”
Noble Consort Yi kissed his little cheek, then let Ji Yan take him away.
After Ji Yan left, Noble Consort Yi stood for a while and then called someone to send a message to the general’s residence.
It was Little Seven’s first outing, and she felt reassured only if the general’s residence sent people to watch over him secretly.
Unaware of Noble Consort Yi’s arrangements, Ling Rui sat in the carriage with Ling Fu and Fifth Sister Ling Ning, his pretty face full of excitement.
“Fifth Sister, Sixth Brother, we’re going out!”
Ling Rui’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his siblings. Despite his excitement, he remembered to say, “We need to hold hands.”
Noble Consort Yi had told him he was small and easily taken away by strangers.
So outside, he had to be obedient and let people hold or carry him.
“Don’t worry, Little Seven, Fifth Sister and I will take good care of you.”
Little Fatty was also very excited. He patted his chest, promising not to lose him.
Ling Rui sat in the carriage, his little face full of anticipation for the outside world.
And outside the palace did not disappoint his expectations.
On the sign of a famous restaurant that had branches in various countries, there was a fluffy little dumpling carved at the bottom right.
The little dumpling held a round ball in its mouth, its belly up and four feet in the air, looking very cute.
This was a self-portrait of Ling Rui’s little dumpling version.
In this world, only one person could have drawn this little dumpling.
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