Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ignoring the pain in her arm, Song Qingying propped herself up with one hand and knelt before Consort Xian, "This subject did not intend to collide with Your Highness. Please forgive me!"

Consort Xian, still in shock, gasping for air, one hand on her belly and the other pointing at Song Qingying, asked, "Who are you?"

Song Qingying quickly kowtowed, "This subject, Song Qingying, is the younger sister of Noble Consort Song."

Consort Xian's gaze flickered, observing Song Qingying prostrated before her, noting her slender waist.

"So, you're the Noble Consort's sister. The Song family indeed has good upbringing," Consort Xian remarked with sarcasm, finding Song Qingying's figure particularly irksome.

"Please, Your Highness, forgive me," Song Qingying pleaded repeatedly, her broken arm throbbing painfully, sweat beading on her forehead, shaking like a leaf.

Consort Xian scoffed, "I will surely pay a visit to Noble Consort Song and inquire how she teaches her sister manners."

Though Song Qingying did not injure Consort Xian and had injured herself instead, Consort Xian found it inappropriate to further blame her and left with those parting words. Only after Consort Xian was out of sight did Song Qingying finally relax, collapsing to the ground, her life momentarily spared.

Xiangqiao, petrified by the turn of events, knelt on the ground, too scared to stand or speak. She was even more terrified than Song Qingying, failing to complete the task given by Noble Consort Song, fearing for her life upon return.

"Sister Xiangqiao... Sister Xiangqiao..."

Song Qingying called out to Xiangqiao several times before Xiangqiao snapped back to reality and hurried over to assist Song Qingying.

"Miss Six, are you alright?" Xiangqiao asked.

Song Qingying shook her head: "I'm fine, Sister Xiangqiao, but please be more careful when walking from now on. It's fine if you bumped into me today, but if it had been Her Majesty, it could have been a capital offense. You see how close a call it was today, it scared me to death..." Song Qingying said, patting her chest, looking genuinely frightened.

"Miss Six is right, I deserve to die for this." Xiangqiao didn't expect Song Qingying to say such a thing, feeling unsettled as she had deliberately pushed her earlier...

Wincing in pain, Song Qingying said while walking: "Alas, causing trouble by coming out today, I wonder if the Noble Consort will blame us when we return. Sister Xiangqiao, just say it was my fault for falling down carelessly. After all, I am the Noble Consort's sister, she probably won't be too harsh on me."

Seeing Song Qingying speak so sincerely, Xiangqiao felt a touch of emotion, sighing inwardly at how fortunate it was that the Noble Consort wasn't injured today, acknowledging it as her own good luck. This thought brought some calculation to Xiangqiao's mind.

In the Chaoyang Palace, the Noble Consort had already reported the garden incident to Consort Song, who was so angry that she smashed a set of white jade cups.

"Go, call for Physician Huang," Consort Song said coldly.

The attending eunuch, upon receiving the order, hurried off to summon the physician. As the eunuch reached the palace gate, Song Qingying also returned to the Chaoyang Palace.

Knowing Consort Song must be in a foul mood, Song Qingying fell to her knees as soon as she entered the hall, crying out loud: "Noble Consort, sister, I have caused trouble. Please, sister, save me!"

"Get up first, and we'll have the physician look at you." Since her plan had failed, Consort Song wasn't going to take Song Qingying's life at this moment. Considering that if Song Qingying were to suffer an unjust fate, the Song family would not let her off easily, Consort Song's tone softened, "Don't worry, it's just a Noble Consort, she can't do much to you."

"Sister, I want to go home..." Song Qingying didn't get up, still kneeling on the ground, crying with her face covered in tears, her makeup smeared, and her hair disheveled.

"Nonsense! Help Miss Six up," Consort Song, seeing Song Qingying in such a state, truly felt a hint of pity. After all, they were sisters connected by blood. If it weren't for the dangerous nature of the palace and the ruthlessness of family politics, who would want to harm whom?

Cuiwei stepped forward to help Song Qingying up, and Noble Consort Song approached, asking in a soft voice, "Does it hurt much?"

Song Qingying nodded, wincing: "It hurts~"

"Go lie down on the bed for now; I've already called for the imperial physician, and he'll be here shortly," Noble Consort Song said gently.

Obediently nodding, Song Qingying was assisted to the side hall by Xiangqiao. Noble Consort Song followed into the side hall, showing a semblance of deep sisterly affection. Soon after, Doctor Huang arrived.

Doctor Huang applied a medicinal paste on Song Qingying's arm, secured it with a splint, and then wrapped it with a cloth strip, leaving the beauty in a pitiful state.

"Doctor Huang, is the Sixth Miss's arm going to be alright?" Cuiwei, speaking on behalf of Noble Consort Song, echoed her concern.

Doctor Huang reassured, "Please be at ease, Your Highness. The Sixth Miss's arm is not seriously harmed, but she must take good care of it and avoid moving the injured part, as it takes a hundred days for bone and muscle injuries to heal."

Noble Consort Song and Song Qingying advised, "Did you hear that? Rest well and don't move around too much."

"Understood," Song Qingying nodded obediently.

After Doctor Huang left some medicines and departed, Noble Consort Song added, "Rest well after taking the medicine. Don't worry about Consort Xian; you didn't even touch her."

Blinking back tears, Song Qingying said, "Sister, can't I really go back? I know why our family sent me here, and I wanted to obey you and help you. But I'm scared now. If I had really hurt Consort Xian today, it would have been the end for me. My death doesn't matter, but being a daughter of the Song family and your sister, it could bring trouble to you and our family. Not only can I not help you, but I also cause you more trouble. Now that I've injured my arm, I can't assist you at all. Sister, could you send a message to our father to take me back?"

Seeing Song Qingying's earnest plea to return home, Noble Consort Song felt swayed. Sending Song Qingying back at this time would likely not meet resistance from the Song family. After all, a beautiful daughter could be put to use elsewhere rather than risking her life in the palace. Having already offended Consort Xian and being of a timid nature herself, Song Qingying's chances of survival in the palace were slim. Returning her to the Song family would be beneficial, as they wouldn't find a more suitable candidate than Song Qingying in the short term. The Song family's priorities remained with Noble Consort Song.

Song Qingying, while speaking, observed Noble Consort Song's reactions closely. Sensing her sister's hesitance, she added softly, "Sister may not know, but I never wished to enter the palace. It was only upon our uncles and parents' insistence, claiming you needed help, that I came. But since arriving, I've seen that sister hardly needs any assistance. With your unmatched beauty and status as the Noble Consort, what need do you have for others? Whatever sister desires, you will surely obtain it eventually..."

"Alright, if you truly wish to leave the palace, I won't force you to stay," Noble Consort Song was indeed persuaded.

"Really! Thank you, sister!" Song Qingying's eyes lit up with excitement upon hearing Noble Consort Song's words, sitting up eagerly.

"Yes, truly. Now lie back down; didn't we just agree you shouldn't move recklessly?" Noble Consort Song gently helped Song Qingying to lie back down.

Noble Consort Song felt a surge of happiness seeing Song Qingying's genuine joy. Although today's plan didn't harm Consort Xian, it managed to scare this girl back home, serving as a reminder to the Song family that not just anyone can aspire to be the Noble Consort.

After chatting with Song Qingying a bit longer, Noble Consort Song left. Before leaving, Song Qingying reminded her again not to forget sending a message home, showing her eagerness to return.

Xiangqiao, who had been listening attentively, also breathed a sigh of relief. If the Sixth Miss stayed, the Noble Consort might have asked her to act again. No one would want to see such a tragedy befall Song Qingying.

With Noble Consort Song's permission secured, Song Qingying felt a weight lifted off her chest and soon fell asleep.

In the imperial study, Emperor Zhao Xing, after a long day of attending to state affairs, sipped his tea while listening to his trusted eunuch, Lude Li, report on the palace's happenings. The incident involving Song Qingying and Consort Xian was included.

"The Noble Consort's sister? Is she the one recently sent to the palace by the Song family?" Emperor Zhao Xing inquired.

"Indeed, it's Miss Song, the Sixth Miss of the Song family," Lude Li confirmed.

Emperor Zhao Xing scoffed, "The Song family sure reaches far. Today's incident doesn't seem accidental."

"Indeed, someone saw Noble Consort's maid Xiangqiao pushing Miss Song, the Sixth Miss. However, Miss Song cleverly fell in such a way that she broke her arm but didn't touch Consort Xian at all, saving the Consort's pregnancy," Lude Li reported.

"What a scheme, truly befitting my Noble Consort. And this Miss Song, what of her?" Zhao Xing inquired, sipping his tea.

"Which aspect does Your Majesty refer to? In terms of appearance and figure, no one in the harem compares," Lude Li replied without hesitation.

Knowing Lude Li's candor, Zhao Xing realized Miss Song must indeed be a great beauty.

"No wonder her sister, the Noble Consort, wants to harm her. From what you say, this Miss Song is not simple; she managed to save her life even with a broken arm," Zhao Xing mused, curious to meet Miss Song.

"Indeed, she's extraordinary. Not only did she save her life, but she also persuaded the Noble Consort to let her leave the palace," Lude Li added.

A smile played on Zhao Xing's lips, "Leaving the palace? She's quite resourceful. Does she think the imperial harem is the Song family's backyard, to come and go as she pleases?"

Lude Li remained silent as Zhao Xing continued, "Since the Song family has sent her, how could I not graciously accept? Let's first visit Consort Xian, then meet this unparalleled Miss Song of the harem."

In Consort Xian's palace, she had already prepared the Emperor's favorite dishes, knowing he would visit after her scare.

As expected, the Emperor arrived. Consort Xian, slightly smug, went out to greet him.

"This consort greets Your Majesty." Consort Xian intended merely to gesture, not expecting to perform the full courtesy, thinking the Emperor would assist her. Surprisingly, he stood still, forcing her to complete the gesture, which displeased her.

"Please rise, my consort," Zhao Xing gestured. Consort Xian straightened and, seizing the moment, clung to Zhao Xing's arm as they walked inside together.

"Why does Your Majesty have the leisure to visit this concubine today?" Consort Xian asked purposefully.

Emperor Zhao Xing pointed at the dishes on the table, "Wouldn't my love know whether or not I should come?"