Long Hanjie was suspicious about his father’s actions. After recovering, the Emperor quickly bestowed the title of Jieyu on Xiao Ju, which made him uncomfortable. He visited the Empress, who was in tears, recalling her care for the Emperor during his illness. Now, with the Emperor favoring another woman, it felt like a slap in the face for her. Additionally, the Emperor had demoted Xu Fei to Xu Liang Yi, a move that stripped her of any semblance of equality, clearly marking her as just a concubine.
Long Hanjie suspected Xu Qiu’s involvement. Xu Qing’er fainted upon hearing the edict, and when Long Hanjie returned, the imperial physicians were in consultation.
The physicians soon emerged joyfully announcing, “Congratulations, Your Highness. Xu Liang Yi is pregnant.”
Long Hanjie embraced Xu Qing’er, saying, “Qing’er, I know you’ve been wronged. After the child is born, I will compensate you.”
Xu Qing’er was happy about the child but felt anger toward the imperial edict. She knew her situation – Xiao Ju had aligned with the Emperor, giving Qiu’er backing, while the Qing Concubine had the Empress’s support. She needed a plan.
Long Hanjie believed that if Xu Qiu’er truly loved the little princess, adopting her might be beneficial. He and Qing’er felt guilty about the child, and Xu Qiu’er’s feelings seemed genuine.
“Qing’er, you’re pregnant. For now, let Qiu’er take care of the little princess.”
Xu Qing’er’s face changed. She grabbed Long Hanjie’s sleeve, “Why do you want to give the little princess to Qiu’er?”
Long Hanjie explained, and Xu Qing’er, seeing he had made his decision, couldn’t object, though she was unhappy.
The Qing Concubine, upon hearing the news, summoned Prince Hao Li to the palace.
“Brother…” Qing Ya cried upon seeing him.
Hao Li comforted her, “You’re grown up now. Why are you still crying?”
Qing Ya hated Xu Qing’er, feeling she had all of Long Hanjie’s love. If it were Xu Qiu’er, it might be understandable, but Xu Qing’er was merely a concubine’s daughter – how could she compare?
Hao Li tried to console his sister, “It might be a princess…”
It was all he could say, remembering how he and their father had tried to dissuade Qing Ya from entering the palace, and now she was experiencing the pain.
“Brother, why haven’t I gotten pregnant?” Qing Ya asked, troubled by the question for months. Since entering the palace, there had been no sign of pregnancy. Hearing this, Hao Li summoned imperial physicians to examine her.
“Brother, what are you doing? I was just saying…” she said, embarrassed at the thought of others knowing.
Hao Li remained silent, awaiting the physician’s diagnosis. “How is it?” he asked anxiously.
The physician replied, “It seems the Concubine has taken something that prevents conception.”
Qing Ya and Hao Li exchanged looks. Qing Ya cried and threw herself into Hao Li’s arms. Hao Li frowned, signaling the physician to leave. He never expected this situation. Though Qing Ya was determined to confront Xu Qing’er, Hao Li held her back. Qing Ya was hysterical, wondering why she had been waiting so long and swore to kill Xu Qing’er.
Hao Li roared, “Qing Ya…”
Seeing her brother so angry frightened her, and she began to cry with such sadness and grief, as if she had lost a son.
On her first day taking charge of Xiao Ge Ge, Xu Qiu’er selected the top scholar Jin Yu as her master. She greeted Long Han Jie, who agreed with her choice. Xu Qiu’er tidied up Xiao Ge Ge’s clothes, instructing her to bow to the teacher and be polite.
“Ge Ge must remember to bow to the teacher and not be impolite, understand?” Xiao Ge Ge nodded.
Xu Qiu’er noticed that Xiao Ge Ge was not unintelligent but simply needed care to come out of her shell. A child can feel your love when you care sincerely.
Jin Yu wondered why the Crown Prince chose Xu Qing’er over the more talented and attractive Xu Qiu’er. He had limited interaction with Xu Qiu’er and remained uncertain about her character, especially after the puzzling events at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, including the swift promotion of her maid to concubine.
Rong Jun Wang drank heavily and, with the support of Emperor Ye Zha Yi’s concubine, retired early. The empress, claiming poor health, followed suit, and the crown prince, concerned for her, also accompanied her.
Left at the table were Qing Ya, Qiu’er, Qing’er, and Rong Jun Wang. Qing Ya was drunk and lying on the table, shouting loudly. Rong Jun Wang laughed while looking at Xu Qiu’er, who sensed his inexplicable fondness for her. She was startled.
“Is your father’s health well?”
Relieved, she realized he was an old friend of her father, explaining his special care for her. Before she could respond, Xu Qing’er asked, “Royal Uncle Hao Nan, is my father doing well?”
Rong Jun Wang looked surprised at Xu Qing’er and replied, “Which young lady of the Xu family are you?”
Xu Qing’er replied, “Royal Uncle, I am the third.”
Rong Jun Wang was speechless. Xu Qiu’er sensed his hostility towards Xu Liang Yi and wondered why her father’s old friend treated her and her third sister differently.
Noticing Rong Jun Wang’s indifference, Xu Qing’er stood up with a smile, “Please forgive me, Royal Uncle. My body does not allow me to sit longer.”
Rong Jun Wang’s face turned cold.
After Xu Qing’er left and Long Han Jie returned, he saw Qing Ya passed out on the table and sighed, ordering the palace maids to send her back.
Xu Qiu’er stood up to send her sister home, a proposal that Long Han Jie agreed to.
Once Xu Qiu’er and Qing Ya left, Rong Jun Wang’s expression darkened. Long Han Jie cautiously asked his uncle, “Did Qiu’er say something to upset you?”
Rong Jun Wang responded, “The crown prince’s favoritism is obvious to me. How can the world not know? The crown prince will regret this someday,” and left before Long Han Jie could reply.
Confused, Long Han Jie wondered what Qiu’er and the royal uncle had discussed.
After sending Qing Ya back to her palace, Xu Qiu’er unexpectedly encountered Hao Li. Surprised by the late hour, she handed Qing Ya to the palace maids and followed Hao Li out of the palace.
Hao Li spoke in a low voice, “Princess Consort, do not use your methods on my sister.”
Xu Qiu’er replied coldly, “Qiu’er does not understand what the young prince means.”
Hao Li stepped closer, warning, “I don’t care what you do, but if you involve my sister, you’ll regret it.”
Xu Qiu’er distanced herself. “Please be respectful. I’m unwell and must return to my palace.” As she tried to leave, Hao Li grabbed her arm, meeting her glaring eyes.
Hao Li repeated, “I’m willing to help you, but you must not be ungrateful. Remember, I saved your life.”
Xu Qiu’er broke free. “I will pretend I heard nothing. The young prince and I are not familiar.” She turned to leave.
Hao Li coldly laughed, thinking that if he discovered her actions against his sister, he would not show mercy.
With a dark expression, Hao Li softened as he remembered his purpose for visiting the palace. He encountered Rong Jun Wang outside the main hall and greeted him, “Royal Uncle.”
Rong Jun Wang replied, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you,” but his smile faded and turned cold. He stated, “Tell your father I cannot help with this matter,” and then left.
Hao Li watched him go, considering Rong Jun Wang as the greatest enemy of the Ping Wang mansion. Hiding his thoughts, he smiled, thinking about the princess consort and Rong Jun Wang: How interesting.
Xu Qiu’er returned to her palace, angry about Hao Li’s words, muttering, “Fabricating nonsense.” Seeing her mistress’s mood, Ning’er carefully handed her a small basket. “This was made by Ye Zhao Yi. She said you didn’t eat much tonight.”
