“This servant is here,” Li Gong Gong immediately responded.
“Have the wet nurse take Wen Bo to Fu Qiu Palace.”
“Yes, proceeding to Fu Qiu Palace.”
Xu Qing’er was confused about why the Prince wanted to hand over the eldest son to Xu Qiu’er, especially after their amicable relations in recent days. She stood up and rushed out, followed by Bing’er, while Long Han Jie’s group walked ahead. They heard Xu Qing’er’s shouting, and Little Li whispered to Long Han Jie, “Your Highness, it’s Xu Liang Yi.”
Long Han Jie stopped as Xu Qing’er, panting, caught up and snatched the eldest son from the wet nurse. “Your Highness, do not believe what Xu Qiu’er says. She must have spoken ill of me. I have done nothing wrong; she is the one having a secret affair with the young prince.”
Little Li gasped at the seriousness of the accusation. Xu Qing’er continued, “Your Highness knows the young prince is dead, but do you know how he died? That night, he planned to elope with Xu Qiu’er but was discovered by the Old Buddha, which is why he died. I speak the truth.”
Xu Qiu’er does not love you; she hates me and is trying to discredit me. Your Highness, you must believe me. How could I lie to you?” In her heart, she thought: Xu Qiu’er, go die.
A vicious light flickered in Xu Qing’er’s eyes.
Long Han Jie stared coldly at Xu Qing’er. Feeling self-conscious, she touched her face and said, “Your Highness…”
Long Han Jie coldly laughed, “Come with me tonight to Ye Fei’s birthday.”
Xu Qing’er was uninterested in the celebration; she wanted to know why her son was being sent to Xu Qiu’er. Long Han Jie took Wen Bo from her arms. “The answer Qing’er wants is there.” Without another word, he walked away.
If Xu Qing’er could be considered unlucky, both her children were distant. Her eldest son observed her kneeling without reaction, and the little princess’s impression of her was similarly lackluster. As the saying goes, those who are hateful must also be pitied, and she was truly pitiable.
Lan Ju Palace –
“Greetings to Young Miss.” Xiao Ju smiled playfully. Xu Qiu’er laughed and helped her up. They sat on the couch. “Why do you have time to sit here today?”
Xu Qiu’er took the box from Ning’er and handed it to Xiao Ju. Curious, Xiao Ju opened it to find pastries. Surprised, she looked at Xu Qiu’er. Xu Qiu’er smiled softly, “Don’t you like these?”
Ning’er wrinkled her nose, “These were personally made by Your Highness. She went to the small kitchen early this morning to make them for you.”
Xiao Ju hugged the box, “Thank you, Young Miss.”
Xu Qiu’er smiled, “Silly girl, do we need to be so formal between us?”
Before leaving, Xu Qiu’er handed a copper lock to Xiao Ju, instructing her to secretly place it under the Emperor’s chair during the banquet. Although Xiao Ju did not understand the reason, she nodded and cautiously ate a small piece of pastry. The Emperor rushed over and, noticing Consort Ye eating so carefully, asked, “My beloved, what are you eating that you didn’t notice my arrival?” He took a piece and found it delicious.
Xiao Ju patted the back of her head as the Emperor laughed, “Stop hitting yourself, you’re already clumsy enough.”
Xiao Ju pouted, “Your Majesty, this concubine is clumsy.”
Amused, the Emperor embraced her, saying, “Today is your birthday, so you’re in charge. What would you like to eat? I’ll have them prepare it for you.”
Xiao Ju shook her head, “Your Majesty, isn’t this pastry delicious?” The Emperor replied, “Not bad.”
Xiao Ju smiled, “This is no ordinary pastry. It was made by the Crown Princess herself.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, “Xu Qiu’er?”
Xiao Ju nodded, “Only our young lady has such a delicate heart. The other concubines wouldn’t know how to make these.”
In fact, she didn’t know how to cook either, but for me, she went to the kitchen. Your Majesty, how should we reward her?”
The Emperor sighed, “I’ve told you to change how you address her. How would it sound if you called her ‘young lady’?”
“Anyway, no one knows. Your Majesty, how should we reward her?”
“You decide.”
The birthday of the Emperor’s favored consort was significant. The entire palace was bustling, with palace maids and eunuchs working frantically. Before the evening banquet, a long queue of twenty people carried the Emperor’s gifts into the Fu Qiu Hall.
“The Emperor rewards Consort Qiu…” “The Emperor rewards…”
Palace maids and eunuchs watched from outside, witnessing the palace’s unprecedented twenty consecutive gifts. Some observed with interest; others, with anger. Xu Qiu’er knew this was due to Xiao Ju’s request and generously rewarded the servants with many nice things. The Fu Qiu Hall became the center of attention that night.
Xu Qiu’er felt anxious, sensing something was about to happen. She called Guan Yue, “Are they still here?”
Guan Yue nodded.
What could happen? She sighed, perhaps she was overthinking. Xu Qiu’er smiled and prepared to attend the gathering. Just as she turned the corner, she saw Xiao Rong rushing towards her, pale-faced and gasping, almost colliding with her.
Ning’er scolded, “Watch where you’re going!”
Xiao Rong looked up, “My lady, hurry to the Lan Ju Hall…”
A chill enveloped Xu Qiu’er. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Consort Ye… is not going to make it. Please hurry.”
Xiao Rong’s words struck Xu Qiu’er like thunder, leaving her speechless and cold. She had seen Xiao Ju happily preparing for her birthday that morning. How could this be happening now?
“My lady…” Xiao Rong rushed to support Xu Qiu’er as she trembled. Guan Yue advised, “Perhaps we shouldn’t go…” but Xu Qiu’er firmly shook her head, “Support me.”
Xu Qiu’er was nearly carried by Guan Yue and Cang Yue to Xiao Ju’s palace. Servants knelt outside, some crying. Inside, there was complete silence. Xu Qiu’er nearly fell but was caught by someone. Looking up helplessly, she wanted to smile but couldn’t.
“This servant greets the Young Prince.”
In the palace chamber, the Emperor seemed to have aged significantly, holding Consort Ye silently. The Empress and Old Buddha waited outside, anxious. Xu Qiu’er didn’t want to think at that moment. The Old Buddha noticed Hao Li supporting Xu Qiu’er and frowned but said nothing.
“The Crown Princess has arrived.”
The Emperor looked up at Xu Qiu’er, nodding, “Consort Ye wants to see you. Come and send her off one last time.”
Xu Qiu’er approached, noticing that the face which had been radiant that morning was now ashen. She called out, “Xiao Ju, your sister has come to see you…”
The Emperor closed his eyes, his voice choked with emotion. “Consort Ye has already gone.”
Xu Qiu’er looked at Xiao Ju’s face and demanded, “How did Consort Ye die?”
The imperial doctors knelt, sweating. One stepped forward. “Responding to the Crown Princess… the cause of death is unclear…”
“Unclear cause of death? For a favored consort?” Xu Qiu’er exclaimed. “What are you all doing? How can you not know who is behind her death?”
At this moment, she seemed more like an empress than a crown princess. The Old Buddha intervened, “Enough. We’ll investigate.”
Breaking free from Hao Li’s support, Xu Qiu’er knelt before the Emperor. “Imperial Father, you must seek justice for Consort Ye!”
The Emperor kept his eyes closed while holding Ye Fei. “You can all leave now.”
“Qiu’er…”
Xu Qiu’er paused as Guan Yue and Cang Yue retreated. Hao Li caught up, grabbing her arm. “Qiu’er…”
Feeling desolate, Xu Qiu’er thought, What in this world can still be trusted? Wasn’t the person she loved most deceiving her? It was all just a performance. She pushed Hao Li away coldly. “Young Prince, please maintain propriety. There are boundaries between men and women.”
Hao Li frowned, “Qiu’er, I know you’re angry with me.”
