Thus, servants work diligently to protect their masters not out of loyalty, but to avoid repercussions. While masters can choose their servants, the reverse is not true, making it essential for servants to be discerning and showcase their talents before the right audience. This resembles concubines flattering the emperor.
Xu Qiu’er and her peers share a common interest, making navigating the palace dynamics particularly challenging. Their dedication to Xu Qiu’er stems from mutual trust, as servants who betray their masters often meet dire fates, unless their master is hopeless and never intended to share fortunes.
“Master, Lord Gongson requests an audience.”
Xu Qiu’er orders someone to let him in, pondering why Long Hanxie initially sent Gongson Jinyu out of the capital, concerned that they were scheming together. Why has he now permitted Jinyu’s return?
“This subject pays respects to Your Ladyship,” Gongson Jinyu said, appearing dusty after coming straight to the palace.
Xu Qiu’er asked, “What happened?”
Gongson Jinyu caught his breath, “I have just met with the Crown Prince, who wants me to convey a message to Your Ladyship.”
Xu Qiu’er raised an eyebrow, “Go ahead.”
Gongson Jinyu’s expression was troubled. After a long pause, he said, “The Crown Prince wants to know whether one should do something to gain others’ trust. He mentioned there have been few joyous events in the harem recently and suggested that perhaps Your Ladyship could have a child…”
Before he could finish, Xu Qiu’er’s porcelain cup shattered in her hand. Cang Yue stepped forward, spreading out her hand. Xu Qiu’er smiled coldly, “Since when did Jinyu become the Crown Prince’s messenger?”
Gongson Jinyu lowered his head, “My heart is as clear as the sun and moon.”
Xu Qiu’er frowned as Cang Yue carefully removed the fragments from her palm.
“Then go tell the Crown Prince that since my poisoning, the imperial physicians have said I cannot bear children.”
Gongson Jinyu looked up.
“Why aren’t you going?”
“This subject wants to ask Your Ladyship one thing,” he said softly. “If the young prince appears before you again, how would you react?”
Long Hanxie knew that Hao Li was not dead and had returned to the capital. Perhaps only Xu Qiu’er remained unaware. If the Pure Consort’s temper flares up, who knows what might happen?
Xu Qiu’er’s face turned pale. She replied, “I will pretend not to recognize him,” in hopes of holding onto Hao Li.
Gongson Jinyu smiled, “I hope Your Ladyship remembers what she said today. As for the message the Crown Prince wants me to relay, I will refuse on your behalf.”
“Who are you? Where is this? What do you want?”
The guard looked at the person shouting, stepped outside, and closed the door. After some time, a voice from outside said, “Greetings to the Crown Prince.”
“Where is the person?”
“Inside.”
The door creaked open. Chen, the imperial physician, blocked the way, slightly opening his eyes and kneeling. “This subject pays respects to the Crown Prince, long live the Crown Prince…”
“Enough,” Long Hanxie coldly interrupted. “I called you here today to ask some questions. Answer truthfully, and you can leave safely. Any discrepancies, and you’ll lose your head.”
Chen wiped his sweat with his sleeve, “I will certainly speak without holding anything back.”
“What poison did Consort Qiu actually suffer from?”
“Responding to the Crown Prince, it was white arsenic.”
“Are there no other possibilities?”
Chen looked at Long Hanxie puzzled, “I, along with four other imperial physicians, examined her. Even if I misdiagnosed, the other three were present, so that situation is impossible.”
Long Hanxie narrowed his eyes, “How could she suddenly recover?” A few days ago, he had panicked and forgotten basic common sense. Having been poisoned with white arsenic, how did Xu Qiu’er survive? They said she couldn’t be saved, but so much changed in just one day.
Chen smiled, “This is thanks to the Old Buddha.”
“Old Buddha?” Long Hanxie frowned.
Chen continued, “Her Ladyship was beyond saving. But the Old Buddha sent a thousand-year-old spiritual mushroom king, given to her by the late Empress Dowager for life-threatening situations in the palace.”
Long Hanxie studied Chen carefully, finding nothing suspicious, and said, “You may go. Remember to keep your mouth shut.”
“Yes.”
Long Hanxie narrowed his eyes. It seems someone has lied. He noted Xu Qiu’er cutting her hair short. An evil fire surged through him, burning without a place to vent.
A tall figure stood at the corner, wearing an embroidered robe, noble and sacred, as if everything around existed for him, yet his face remained indiscernible.
From afar, a thin voice called out, “Lord Gongson! Lord Gongson!”
“Is it clear?”
“Yes.”
“Consort Qiu will not forget Doctor Chen’s kindness.”
“This official does not dare.”
Red Ning screamed in agony as her body ached, as if her muscles were being torn and bones stripped. She suddenly sat up from the bed, her back drenched in sweat. Touching her skin, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and stared blankly. Xu Qiuer, enveloped in a blanket, dwelled on Gong Sun Jinyu’s last words: Hao Li wasn’t dead? This possibility burned in her mind, prompting her to call out, “Cang Yue, Cang Yue…”
“My lady, this servant is here,” Cang Yue replied from outside the tent.
“Is Hao Li dead?” Xu Qiuer realized the loopholes in the situation. Cang Yue’s eyes briefly panicked before she suppressed it. “This servant and Guan Yue witnessed it personally.”
Xu Qiuer pulled open the tent curtain and looked intently at Cang Yue. “Look me in the eyes and say it again.”
Cang Yue’s lips trembled as she met Xu Qiuer’s gaze, but her eyes drifted elsewhere. “This servant witnessed it personally.”
“Go and call Guan Yue.”
Soon, Guan Yue stood before Xu Qiuer and answered her question about the young prince’s death with a startled yet respectful “Yes.” Xu Qiuer smiled faintly and permitted her to leave.
Cang Yue later asked softly, “My lady, what’s wrong?” Both felt something strange but couldn’t identify it. Xu Qiuer lay down, pondering her next move.
Meanwhile, in Ning Xin Palace, Bing’er inserted a gold hairpin for Xu Qing’er and noted, “Your Highness, the Prince has been with you for seven nights. Who in the palace doesn’t know that Your Highness is about to rise?” Xu Qing’er coldly remembered how Xu Qiu’er had treated her, responding with disdain, “What do you mean by ‘rise’? Has someone stepped on me?” Her displeasure was evident, causing Bing’er to fall silent.
“Your Highness is blessed.”
Hearing the sounds of kowtowing, Xu Qing’er knew Long Han Jie had arrived. She stood and went to the door, “This concubine pays respects to Your Highness.” Long Han Jie supported her, and with a glance from Xu Qing’er, Bing’er retreated. Bing’er was happy her mistress was finally rising, remembering the slap from Guan Yue and determined to seek revenge.
“What have you been busy with?” Long Han Jie asked casually. Xu Qing’er described her day, saying, “This concubine has no idle time, taking care of the eldest son and Chan Xi. Sometimes I wish time could stop, as I barely have enough time.” Her meaning was clear: she was busy taking care of two children and serving him.
Long Han Jie curved his mouth slightly, “Is that so?” Xu Qing’er nodded.
“Then let Qiu’er take care of Wen Bo.” This was more effective than a pressure point. Xu Qing’er froze, her smile shattering. Long Han Jie, seeing no reaction, added, “Since Qing’er agrees, have the wet nurse send him to Fu Qiu Palace now.”
Xu Qing’er knelt down, “This concubine misspoke. This concubine is not tired…” She looked up into Long Han Jie’s unfathomable eyes, forgetting her next words. Long Han Jie gently touched her face, “What you want is to serve me. Let Qiu’er take care of the child.”
