Chapter 131: Seeing Red

Chapter 131: Seeing Red

"Affected her lifespan?"

Jiang Hui stood up, recalling that both Physician Li and Physician Liu had mentioned the Great Princess's coughing issue, but both suggested it only needed proper care...

Physician Li was the Emperor's man, and his comforting words to avoid aggravating her condition made sense, but Physician Liu...

Jiang Hui reflected deeply, recalling Physician Liu's exact words—

"There are some hindrances, but nothing too serious. Proper care is all that's needed... However, I noticed from the Great Princess's pulse that she has recently consumed quite a bit of Qi-boosting medicine, making her a bit too Yang."

The entire Liu family depended on the Marquis's house. Over the years, they had covered up many things for her, even committing the crime of deceiving the Emperor multiple times. They wouldn't betray... So, it meant her mother had been sustaining herself on medication.

Jiang Hui slowly sat back down, murmuring to herself, "So, it indeed was an old ailment, not someone's plotting. But this ailment's origin goes back to the serious illness during the Qianning years... before my birth..."

Hongying stood quietly, not daring to interrupt.

After a long pause, Jiang Hui quietly said, "You may leave now."

"Yes," Hongying acknowledged.

At this moment, Nian'er peeked out from behind the screen, holding his calligraphy practice in hand and said to his mother, "Mother, Nian'er has finished writing!"

"Good," Jiang Hui's expression softened as she approached to inspect Nian'er's writing. She praised him, "Nian'er writes very well!"

Nian'er, delighted, said, "Then Mother, will you read to Nian'er tonight?"

"Of course," Jiang Hui agreed, gently adjusting the tassel of the gold and jade longevity lock around his neck.

"Is Mother unhappy?" Nian'er suddenly asked.

"No, no," Jiang Hui touched his head reassuringly. "Mother is just missing your grandparents. See, this longevity lock you're wearing was given by them."

"Oh," Nian'er looked down at his longevity lock and said earnestly, "I'll keep Mother company."

Unable to resist, Jiang Hui kissed him on the forehead, smiling, "Nian'er is such a good boy!"

In the evening, as usual, the Emperor came to Yao Hua Palace for dinner. After the meal, each parent took a child for a walk in the garden to digest.

It was autumn, and the garden was filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus.

Snowball playfully chased after Huayang. Sometimes it ran ahead, waiting for them to catch up; other times it rolled around in the chrysanthemum garden, and then it would tug at Huayang's dress, making her laugh all the way.

Watching his daughter's enjoyment, the Emperor commented, "He Fei's gift of this cat was quite apt."

Jiang Hui nodded with a smile, "Huayang insists on sleeping with Snowball every night..."

Before she could finish, Huayang had already run ahead to chase Snowball, and Jiang Hui followed her, leaving the Emperor and his son behind.

Xiao Sheng, watching the backs of his wife, daughter, and the cat, smiled and lifted Nian'er into his arms, asking about his son's preferences, "Would Nian'er like a cat too? Father will gift you one."

Nian'er, now refraining from taking things from the Emperor, hugged Xiao Sheng's neck and shook his head, "Snowball is enough."

Nian'er, quiet and exceptionally intelligent, often fell ill. His response only made the Emperor more determined to gift him something. He said, "Your younger brother has moved into Yan Qing Palace and has been asking me for a small bamboo horse. Don't you want anything, Nian'er?"

Nian'er turned his gaze towards his father, his clear eyes fixed on him, and said, "Then, Nian'er wants to see Grandfather."

Jiang Hui, busy playing with Huayang ahead, didn't hear the conversation between father and son. Xiao Sheng paused, gently patting Nian'er's shoulder, and asked softly, "Why is Nian'er suddenly thinking of your grandfather?"

Nian'er looked down, slightly lifting the longevity lock around his neck to show Xiao Sheng, and said quietly, "Mother said this lock was given by Grandfather. Nian'er thinks Mother misses him…"

Hearing this, Xiao Sheng sighed lightly and responded softly, "Your grandfather is in mourning and cannot enter the palace, but next year, you and your mother will see him."

"Okay," Nian'er brightened up, twisting around to look at his mother and sister, urging Xiao Sheng, "Father, let's catch up with them!"

*

After Wang's treason, the ladies of the harem had been subdued for a while. But by August, they began to stir again, each employing their strategies to win the Emperor's favor at the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Jiang Hui was reviewing the talent show list when Qingfeng entered to report, "My Lady, Wan Cairen is unwell. She was nearly pushed into Taiye Pond by Sun Baolin and is now showing signs of miscarriage, and has been taken back to her quarters."

"Miscarriage?" Jiang Hui raised an eyebrow, her eyes briefly scanning the list for Wan Cairen and Sun Baolin's names, then said, "Let’s go to her quarters."

At Jiaxue Xuan in Chonghua Palace.

Besides Wan Cairen, who was being examined by the physician, De Fei, Sun Guiren, and Sun Baolin stood outside. Seeing Jiang Hui arrive, they respectfully greeted her.

Jiang Hui waved them up and asked directly, "De Fei, what happened here?"

De Fei, caught off-guard by Jiang Hui's direct question, awkwardly responded, "My Lady, I just happened to be there. I was simply enjoying the view at Taiye Pond. Then I heard a scream from the shore, and when I arrived, Wan Cairen was clutching her stomach, lying on Sun Guiren, while Sun Baolin…"

Pausing to glance at Sun Baolin, especially noting her beauty, De Fei continued, "…stood aside, looking indifferent. It seems she might have pushed Wan Cairen."

Sun Baolin, panicking, protested to Jiang Hui, "My Lady, I'm innocent! I was just startled and couldn't react in time—"

Before she could finish, De Fei scoffed, interrupting, "Startled? Shouldn't Wan Cairen be the one startled? You were standing there just fine!"

Sun Baolin ignored De Fei, pleading with Jiang Hui, "My Lady, you can ask the witnesses. I really didn't push her on purpose!"

"Enough," Jiang Hui raised her hand slightly to stop her crying, and turned to Sun Guiren, "Sun Guiren, your turn to speak."

Unlike De Fei, Sun Guiren was known for her clear allegiance to Wang. But facing Jiang Hui, she showed no panic. Although her face was veiled, her eyes were lively and expressive.

Sun Guiren recounted, "My Lady, Wan Cairen and I went to Taiye Pond to admire the green chrysanthemums, as it was a pleasant day. We unexpectedly came across Sun Baolin dancing by the lake. Wan Cairen complimented her, but somehow that seemed to offend her. Sun Baolin then tried to push Wan Cairen into the pond. In a moment of urgency, I grabbed Wan Cairen, but we both fell over."

Sun Guiren paused, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, and softly said, "Then Wan Cairen complained of stomach pain. That's when I noticed signs of bleeding. Perhaps, perhaps she was already pregnant…"