Meanwhile, in the Prince’s Consort Palace, Xiao Ju could hardly believe that after losing the young master, the Empress had conferred the title of Compassionate Consort on Xu Qing’er. Angry, she looked at Liu Nainai, saying, “Nainai, our mistress’s life is so bitter.”
Liu Nainai glanced at Xiao Ju and cautioned, “Xiao Ju, don’t let anyone hear you say such things. The Prince’s Consort is the legitimate wife of the Prince and will be the future Empress. Stop calling her ‘mistress’ and be careful not to cause trouble.” She sighed, adding, “Without a Compassionate Consort ceremony, they’ve already been considerate to the Prince’s Consort.”
Xiao Ju responded resentfully, “What consideration? Our young master was sent away by the Prince himself. He took the young master’s life.” She couldn’t believe he was gone, feeling that the Prince was cruel for disposing of him. The Prince’s Consort might never be able to bear children again.
Liu Nainai sighed deeply, recognizing her position as a servant, which prevented her from criticizing her masters.
Meanwhile, Xu Qiuer was asleep, dreaming of a child affectionately calling her “mother.” Each time she reached for him, he would disappear, fueling her anxiety as she shouted, “Where are you?” The little boy looked back at her sadly, saying they no longer wanted him before he vanished.
Startled, Xu Qiuer sat up, her face covered in tears.
“Mistress, please lie down,” Xiao Ju urged, helping her back.
Xu Qiuer placed her hand on her abdomen, realizing he was truly gone, even though they had eaten bird’s nest together at noon. She cried out, “Mother doesn’t want you, Mother doesn’t…”
Xiao Ju suppressed her tears and pulled the blanket over Xu Qiuer, who soon drifted off to sleep.
Liu Nainai asked, “Is she asleep?”
Xiao Ju nodded. “She keeps talking in her sleep and wakes up with tears on her face.”
Liu Nainai sighed. A child is a piece of flesh from the mother’s body.
Xu Qiuer quickly became emaciated, her chin sharp enough to thread a needle. She remained bedridden, struggling between dreams and reality, not uttering a single word. Months passed, and even when the Virtuous Consort took the little princess to admire flowers, Xu Qiuer still hadn’t spoken. The Old Buddha and the Empress had visited, but seeing no improvement, they gradually lost interest. Only Xu Furen continued to shuttle between the palace and the Xu residence. Xu Qiuer seemed to recognize no one, eating whatever was placed before her, yet growing increasingly haggard. Rumors spread throughout the palace that the Prince’s Consort would not live much longer.
In contrast, Xu Qing’er recovered well, her figure becoming slimmer, and her face gaining fullness. People looked at her and thought she was blessed. The palace gradually believed the Virtuous Consort would be elevated soon.
Xu Qing’er held the little princess, playing with flower petals.
The little princess glanced briefly and looked away. Xu Qing’er, annoyed, handed the little princess to Bing’er. “You hold her and walk around. I’m tired,” she said, then turned and walked away.
Bing’er carefully held the little princess, trying to comfort her. The mistress was understandably angry; the little princess, almost a year old, still couldn’t speak. The imperial physicians attributed it to her premature birth, suggesting it would take more time. Some palace maids whispered that she couldn’t speak because her life was exchanged for the young master’s, and since the Prince’s Consort was also mute, they speculated the princess might follow her if the Consort died.
Bing’er thought it was all superstition.
Hao Li sighed, asking Xu Qiu’er, “Do you want to die like this? Don’t you want to avenge your son?”
Xu Qiu’er clenched her hand, and a hint of a smile appeared on Hao Li’s mouth. Seeing Xu Qiu’er begin to respond, he pressed on, “You want to avenge your son, right?”
Xu Qiu’er’s eyes focused on Hao Li, as if digesting his words. “Why do you want to help me?” she asked softly, the first sentence she had spoken in months.
Hao Li looked at her, contemplating his motivation to help.
He didn’t even know himself. Perhaps he disliked Xu Qing’er, the Crown Prince, or perhaps…
Xu Qiu’er looked at Hao Li and pleaded, “Please help me.”
Hao Li smiled satisfactorily.
The Emperor had recently caught a cold, so all matters were handed over to the Crown Prince. Long Hanjie was busy day and night. Xu Qing’er was furious that her child was born mute. A year had passed, and as the weather warmed, the Second Madam entered the palace to celebrate the little princess’s birthday.
The beautifully dressed little princess sat in the center, silently staring into the sky, leaving no one to understand her thoughts. Sometimes, Xu Qing’er didn’t want to see this child, as her presence constantly reminded her of the princess’s perceived foolishness.
The Second Madam attempted to pick up the little princess, but upon encountering the child’s cold, fierce gaze, she hesitated. Trying to coax herself, she said, “Our little princess is having her birthday.” The Second Madam’s smile felt stiff as she wondered why the child’s gaze felt so menacing.
Xu Qing’er glanced at the little princess and angrily called for Bing’er, “Bing’er, Bing’er.”
Bing’er rushed in from outside, “What are your orders, Madam?”
Xu Qing’er pointed at the little princess, saying through gritted teeth, “Take her away. I don’t want to see her.”
Bing’er picked up the little princess and walked out of the hall.
The Second Madam sighed and advised Xu Qing’er, “You should be kinder to her. She is your daughter.”
Xu Qing’er scoffed, “Be kind? What’s the use? She’s just a fool… I gave birth to a fool…” She began to cry.
The Second Madam consoled her, “How can you say that? The little princess just doesn’t want to speak.”
Xu Qing’er, full of resentment, lamented, “What use is a daughter? I want a son, but nothing shows. The Crown Prince is about to take a new consort. What should I do?”
The Second Madam, understanding Xu Qing’er’s struggles in the palace, said, “The most important thing now is that you must give birth to a son for the Crown Prince.”
Xu Qiuer expressed her frustrations, “What I hate most about this quilt is Xu Qinger. If she doesn’t fall, I won’t compare to her.” Her eyes were filled with intense hatred.
Xiaoju nodded but was worried. Although the Prince was apologetic to the young lady, Xu Qinger’s favorable position over the past year made things complicated, especially with a beautiful new concubine entering the palace.
Xu Qiuer believed Long Hanjie felt guilt over both violating her and the child’s death. To defeat a favored woman, she felt she must endure her dislike for Long Hanjie, convincing herself to fall in love with him to destroy Xu Qinger.
After a meal, Xu Qiuer suggested a walk in the royal garden, accompanied by Xiaoju. The blooming flowers brought cheer, and bees busily collected nectar. This happiness was rare for Xu Qiuer.
Suddenly, she spotted a child crouching in the corner. Sighing, she noticed Xiaoju’s concern, who urged her to leave. Understanding Xiaoju’s worry about painful memories, Xu Qiuer smiled and approached the child. It struck her as odd that the little princess was alone, without nursemaids or palace maids, especially so near the pond. This thought angered her.
Xu Qiuer crouched beside the child, feeling a bond of blood. The little princess, sensing someone nearby, warily looked up and relaxed upon finding no threat. She continued drawing with a tree branch. Xiaoju, frowning at Xu Qiuer’s undignified posture, said, “Young lady, let’s go back.”
Xu Qiuer found the child’s crooked writing intriguing and sternly said, “Don’t make noise.”
