Chapter 6
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This sudden appearance of the little child stunned everyone present.
Consort Li’s eyelids twitched. She didn’t recognize the Seventh Prince’s face, but the little child hugging Noble Consort Yi’s legs looked too much like the Seventh Prince who should have died in the pond, judging from his age and appearance.
Despite draining an entire pond, Noble Consort Yi couldn’t find Ling Rui.
Now, seeing this little fellow appear before her, she felt a huge weight lifted from her heart, and the hostility in her eyes was replaced by another emotion.
“Niang Niang, hug.”
Although Ling Rui had applied the medicine, nd drank some, he was still a bit weak. Standing for just a short while made him unstable.
Seeing him swaying, Noble Consort Yi bent down and lifted him up.
Ling Rui was held in Noble Consort Yi’s arms, his small hands wrapped around her neck.
With the two of them close together, Noble Consort Yi smelled the medicinal scent on him and furrowed her brows slightly. She wanted to ask something, but the occasion was not suitable.
“Niang Niang didn’t hit me.”
Sitting securely in Noble Consort Yi’s embrace, Ling Rui turned his small face to look at the crowd, tears welling up in his eyes. “Momo hit me. It hurt so much. Momo said, Niang Niang hit me.”
“Momo, you’re lying.”
Ling Rui was too young to speak fluently, but his presence here and his words were enough to prove that Noble Consort Yi’s accusation of plotting against the heir was purely a set-up.
Imperial Concubine Ling, who had been most enthusiastic about smearing Noble Consort Yi just now, began to panic.
Clutching her handkerchief tightly, she tried not to show any signs of weakness. “Empress, the Momo from Zhaoxi Palace died in Fenghua Palace. This is a fact!”
She no longer mentioned the Seventh Prince but insisted that Noble Consort Yi had killed the Momo.
This matter was actually not a big deal.
Even in the palace, it was not rare for a Momo or maid to die. Trying to bring down Noble Consort Yi with just a Momo’s death was nothing but a fool’s dream.
Sure enough, as soon as she said this, no one else spoke up.
Among the ladies who came to the banquet, the Duchess, who had the closest relationship with Noble Consort Yi, smiled lightly and spoke up, “Xu Er just accused the Noble Consort of plotting against the Seventh Prince and his Momo.”
“Now that the Seventh Prince is safe and sound here, Xu Er’s words are full of lies. The Noble Consort has always been kind-hearted. Even if it were a chicken, she would not bear to harm it.”
“Empress, the Noble Consort has been unjustly accused today. You must stand up for her.”
The Duchess’s words made Noble Consort Yi, the party concerned, twitch at the corners of her mouth.
She was arrogant and domineering. Since childhood, she had never been wronged. Anyone who dared to wrong her was dealt with on the spot.
Before Imperial Concubine Ling had offended her, she was still a Consort.
The Duchess’s defense of Noble Consort Yi’s grievances was not believed by anyone present, except for a very easily deceived little child.
The little child approached and pressed his soft cheek against Noble Consort Yi’s, comforting her, “No, don’t be sad.”
Noble Consort Yi: “…”
The corner of Noble Consort Yi’s eye caught the Duchess trying not to laugh.
As a grown adult, being comforted by a little child in front of everyone made her feel embarrassed. “Alright, alright, I won’t–“
“Indeed, Noble Consort has been wronged.”
A deep voice rang out from afar and drew closer. Emperor Ling, who had been watching the spectacle until now, finally showed himself. As soon as he appeared, the Empress immediately stood up and led everyone in bowing to him.
Emperor Ling waved his hand, signaling them to rise.
With Emperor Ling present, the matter was quickly resolved. Imperial Concubine Ling who had led the accusations against Noble Consort Yi was demoted, her salary confiscated, and she was confined for six months. The other Consorts were also punished accordingly.
As for Xu Er, the maid who had pointed fingers at her mistress, she was dealt with personally by Noble Consort Yi.
She glanced at the tearful Xu Er, covered Ling Rui’s ears with her hand, and said softly, “Execution by flogging.”
She didn’t interrogate Xu Er; she knew that even if she did, she wouldn’t find out anything.
After Emperor Ling punished the people, he rewarded Noble Consort Yi with a lot of things to appease her. He spoke gently to Noble Consort Yi, his handsome face paired with such tender eyes, arousing jealousy in Consort Li.
“He woke up and immediately started looking for you…”
“The injuries on his body are serious; he needs to apply medicine and drink it these days…”
As Emperor Ling said these things, Noble Consort Yi, holding the sleepy child in her arms, quietly observed Emperor Ling’s expression, trying to figure out his thoughts.
She originally thought that Emperor Ling would detest this clingy child in her arms.
But it seemed that Emperor Ling’s attitude towards the clingy child was not bad.
After getting over the recent little incident, the autumn feast continued. Emperor Ling gave Noble Consort Yi face and stayed at the banquet for most of the time.
When he was about to leave, he specifically called Ling Rui, “Little Seven, do you want to go with Royal Father?”
Emperor Ling’s paternal affection hadn’t worn off yet. Looking at the clingy child in Noble Consort Yi’s arms, he remembered the clingy appearance of the child in Chenghua Palace, who asked him to hold him, and felt a bit unsatisfied.
Noble Consort Yi noticed his gesture and thought to herself.
If Emperor Ling really took the clingy child away to raise him, there was no doubt that his status would soar, at least he wouldn’t be bullied by anyone anymore.
Such a good opportunity had never been seen by even the Crown Prince or the Third Prince under the Empress’s knees.
Thinking of this, Noble Consort Yi glanced at the child in her arms and wanted to give him a hint.
But the child in her arms just shook his head and sleepily said, “Want Niang Niang, daddy, don’t leave.”
He wanted Noble Consort Yi, and he didn’t want Emperor Ling to leave.
Although Emperor Ling was clearly rejected, seeing the little guy’s sleepy and confused appearance, he couldn’t feel any annoyance at being rejected.
He smiled somewhat helplessly at Noble Consort Yi, “Little Seven wants you, not me.”
Ling Rui drank medicine half an hour ago and was feeling sleepy, but being sleepy didn’t mean he couldn’t hear what Emperor Ling said. He blankly looked up at Emperor Ling and said, “Want daddy.”
He didn’t say he didn’t want daddy.
Emperor Ling chuckled at him.
“Alright, I still have things to do, you guys continue.” Emperor Ling raised his hand, rubbed Ling Rui’s little head, and then gave him a jade pendant he was wearing around his waist.
Ling Rui held the jade pendant in his small hand and, in front of Emperor Ling, handed it to Noble Consort Yi, “Niang Niang, good thing.”
Noble Consort Yi: “…”
Noble Consort Yi: “Keep it yourself.”
She didn’t lack jade pendants.
Emperor Ling watched the two of them getting along harmoniously, smiled, and left.
With Emperor Ling gone, the atmosphere at the banquet became much more relaxed.
The Duchess came over and sat next to Noble Consort Yi. She looked at Ling Rui’s small face with joy, “The Seventh Prince is so handsome.”
After praising him, she took out a brocade pouch and handed it to Noble Consort Yi, “A welcoming gift for the Seventh Prince.”
The two of them were good friends in the palace. Just by exchanging glances, they knew what the other was thinking.
Noble Consort Yi pursed her lips and didn’t accept the pouch, “Why are you giving me the welcoming gift for him? I didn’t say I wanted to raise him.”
The Duchess raised an eyebrow, forcefully stuffing the pouch into her hand, and lowered her voice, “Don’t act with me.”
If she really didn’t want to raise him, she wouldn’t still be holding the little guy on her lap.
The little guy buried his head in Noble Consort Yi’s arms, his eyes already closed. His breathing was light and long, and his pale and delicate little face, even when asleep, could still captivate people’s attention.
The Duchess squeezed Noble Consort Yi’s hand. Her voice was so soft that only the two of them could hear, “Yi Er, I see that this child is destined to be with you. If you raise him under your care, I can rest assured.”
Noble Consort Yi had been in the palace for many years and had never been pregnant.
The imperial physicians and doctors from the General’s Mansion had all seen her, but to no avail.
The Duchess knew about her desire for a child.
“He is the child of Consort Xi. Where do I have a connection with him? Even if there is, it’s a sinful one.”
Noble Consort Yi was beautiful, but her words were always a bit unpleasant.
The Duchess listened to her saying these unpleasant words again, rolled her eyes at her, and pinched the back of her hand.
Noble Consort Yi was angry, “You dare! This palace is the Noble Consort’s palace!”
The Duchess sneered and pinched her hand again, “I dare, do you have the guts to execute me?”
Noble Consort Yi: “…”
Noble Consort Yi was almost driven mad.
Two good sisters who had grown up together, couldn’t even maintain a moment of warmth before starting to not give each other face.
After throwing away each other’s face, when the banquet was over and the Duchess was about to leave, Noble Consort Yi looked at her, feeling reluctant.
Seeing her following, the Duchess held her hand and gently patted it, “Go back, the little prince is still sleeping in your palace. He’s probably about to wake up. I’ll come see you again in a while.”
After bidding farewell, Noble Consort Yi watched her leave and then turned back to the palace.
On the way back, she ran into Consort Li.
Consort Li saw her and subconsciously took a step back.
Noble Consort Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone indifferent, “Rest assured, this is my Fenghua Palace. If I want to deal with you, I’ll choose a better time.”
Consort Li gritted her teeth, “If you dare to touch me, His Majesty won’t spare you!”
Noble Consort Yi sneered, and her gaze towards Consort Li was like looking at a useless waste.
Consort Li was stung by her gaze, wanting to say something more, but Noble Consort Yi had already left.
Although this autumn banquet had its ups and downs, it was finally over.
Ji Yan, the chief palace maid in charge of the autumn banquet, was busy again after the banquet was over.
She had to clarify the mistakes in the outer courtyard of Fenghua Palace and Xu Er’s betrayal.
As Ji Yan was busy with these matters, she also looked at the little prince on Noble Consort Yi’s bed.
The little prince had been sleeping for quite a while, and Ji Yan stood by watching.
“Big Sister Ji Yan.”
Qingdai walked over, called her, and then hesitantly asked, “Will the Seventh Prince be staying in our palace from now on?”
Ji Yan casually responded with a “Mmm.”
Seeing this, Qingdai bit her lip, gathered her courage, and continued, “Noble Consort Yi doesn’t like the Seventh Prince. Is it deliberate for His Majesty to leave the Seventh Prince in our palace, causing displeasure to Noble Consort Yi?”
Ji Yan: “?”
Ji Yan originally wanted to touch the little prince’s sleeping face, which was getting a bit red, to check his temperature. But upon hearing Qingdai’s words, she abruptly turned her head: “Who told you that Noble Consort Yi doesn’t like the Seventh Prince?!”
She happened to be absent when the Seventh Prince came over last time.
When she returned, she heard Qingdai complaining to her, saying that Noble Consort Yi disliked the Seventh Prince and that Cui Xi was trying various ways to please the Seventh Prince.
At that time, she didn’t react much, but she didn’t expect Qingdai to come and say it again now.
“Niang Niang herself said so. When she brought the Seventh Prince back last time, she said she was going to treat the Seventh Prince as—”
“Shut up!”
Ji Yan sternly interrupted her, “The Seventh Prince is our master. Who are you to comment on him?!”
Ji Yan could clearly see at the banquet today that His Majesty’s attitude towards the Seventh Prince was not a sign of neglect.
Their mistress didn’t dislike the Seventh Prince either; it was just a case of saying one thing and meaning another.
“If I hear you gossiping about our master like this again, you won’t need to serve in the Fenghua Palace anymore.”
After reprimanding Qingdai, Ji Yan directly sent her away.
Once everyone left, she felt a bit more peaceful.
Meanwhile, the little prince under the covers seemed to have become even redder during this short time.
Feeling that something was wrong, Ji Yan reached out and touched his forehead, “Hmm, he’s burning up. Fen Er, go and fetch the imperial physician.”
“Cui Xi, go tell Niang Niang—”
“What’s wrong?”
Before Ji Yan could finish her orders, Noble Consort Yi walked in, frowning and asking.
“Niang Niang, the little prince has a high fever.”
“Fetch the imperial physician!”
After receiving the message, the imperial physician quickly arrived.
It was Imperial Physician Tang who came. He had anticipated the little prince’s fever and, after physically cooling him down, re-administered medicine to him in front of Noble Consort Yi.
“Niang Niang, the little prince’s condition is still unstable. He may have recurring high fevers and may experience vomiting during them.”
Imperial Physician Tang repeated what he had said to Emperor Ling to Noble Consort Yi, explaining it in more detail: “The little prince is young, so he shouldn’t take too much medicine. Once a day is enough.”
“When he has a fever, he should be wiped down with warm water like earlier…”
Ji Yan noted down everything Imperial Physician Tang said.
She stepped forward and handed Imperial Physician Tang a pouch of money, “Imperial Physician Tang, you’ve worked hard. I don’t know if you’re on duty tonight. If there’s anything wrong with the little prince during the night, our Niang Niang will still call for you…”
With this, Ji Yan meant for Imperial Physician Tang to be on duty tonight as well.
Imperial Physician Tang bent down and hurriedly replied, “I’m on duty tonight. If there’s anything wrong with the little prince, just call me anytime.”
Ji Yan arranged for Imperial Physician Tang and personally saw him off.
When she returned, she saw her mistress sitting by the bed, checking the little prince’s body.
“Zhen Li is quite ruthless!”
Noble Consort Yi looked at the tender and injured little body of the clingy child, her coldness almost turning into substance: “I’ve been too kind lately, which is why she has the audacity to extend her hand in front of me!”
Seeing the Noble Consort in anger, Ji Yan immediately knelt down without hesitation.
She lowered her head, not daring to try to calm her mistress down at this time.
As Noble Consort Yi’s personal maid brought from home, Ji Yan was most familiar with her mistress’s temperament.
When her mistress was angry, she didn’t recognize anyone.
“Wu.”
It’s unclear whether Noble Consort Yi’s voice startled Ling Rui or if his discomfort made him whimper suddenly.
He was scratching around randomly, his pale and delicate little face blinking his eyelashes.
“Niang Niang.” He closed his eyes and whimpered with a sobbing tone in his little voice.
Noble Consort Yi held his restless little hand, suppressed her anger, softened her voice, and responded, “I’m here.”
“Niang Niang.”
“I’m here.”
“Ah Wu.”
Noble Consort Yi: “…”
Noble Consort Yi: “Who’s Ah Wu?”
Noble Consort Yi furrowed her brows. Ah Wu, whom she couldn’t find anywhere in the palace, was now locked behind closed doors in the palace thousands of miles away, with no one allowed to enter.
With a grim face, he smashed things all over the floor.
He could clearly feel that his little dumpling was also in this world, and he could even sense—
His little dumpling was enduring pain.
But he just couldn’t find his little white dumpling!
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