Chapter 635 County Princess Fusui

Chapter 635: Princess of Fusui

Beauty Li prostrated herself in thanks, no longer daring to weep or plead.

Emperor Jiazheng’s face darkened. “Enough. The Lady of Blessed Peace said the Empress needs quiet. From now on, none of you are to disturb her!”

Beauty Li and Beauty Qing quickly complied with the order, escorting Princesses Ming Yi and Ming Qiong away.

Xingxing sensed that Emperor Jiazheng had something to discuss with Empress Nie, so she politely withdrew to a side chamber to rest.

The emperor sat by Empress Nie’s bedside, his expression still grim.

Though pale, Empress Nie managed a smile and patted his hand. “Why the stern look?”

He clasped her hand in return. “Empress…”

His voice held a sigh heavy with meaning.

She remained lighthearted. “You fret too much. I’m truly fine, and with Xingxing here, I’m well cared for. These days, I’ll have Zhaoyang Palace sealed and turn away all guests. After some proper rest, I’ll be as good as new.”

She understood his worry.

Years ago, to save their second son Wei Shiyan, both Empress Nie and Emperor Jiazheng had given up ten years of their lives.

He feared she might die too soon despite her youth, because of those lost years.

Seeing her calm demeanor, he didn’t want to burden her further and lightened the mood with a smile. “Xingxing may be young, but she’s a gifted healer. With her around, I’m truly reassured.”

Empress Nie smiled softly, recalling something. “I think Xingxing knows…”

“Knows what?” the emperor asked, surprised.

“That A’Yan is our son… Lately, she’s often spoken of her childhood—most of it tied to A’Yan,” she said wistfully. “She’s been easing my longing for him… That’s why I was so angry when Beauty Li spoke disrespectfully of her.”

Deeply moved, Emperor Jiazheng stroked her hand. “Xingxing is clever, and A’Yan used his real name with her. It’s no wonder she figured it out… And yet, even when I punished Li Shi earlier, you still pleaded for her.”

Empress Nie gave a helpless smile. “Having endured the pain of losing my own child, how could I not understand her sorrow?”

The emperor’s heart ached. He fell silent for a long while before finally exhaling, his gaze drifting into the distance. “In less than a year… A’Yan will return.”

…

Xingxing waited in the side chamber until an imperial edict arrived.

The decree praised her in ornate language for her devoted care of the Empress, then elevated her title from Township Lady to Princess of Fusui.

The news rocked the entire palace harem.

Many within the court were well-informed. Everyone knew that Li Xiurong had disparaged Lady of Blessed Peace before Empress Nie, drawing the Empress’s ire. When Emperor Jiazheng saw how Li Xiurong had upset the Empress to the point of coughing, he demoted her to Beauty Li and almost had Princess Ming Yi fostered out.

But that wasn’t all—the emperor then swiftly promoted Xingxing from Township Lady to Princess!

A Princess! Even daughters of princes rarely received such an honor!

The palace agreed on one thing: Don’t cross Princess Fusui!

Xingxing, however, was still dazed.

After the emperor left, Empress Nie pulled Xingxing into a hug. “When you helped the Crown Princess conceive twins, you should’ve been rewarded then. But at the time, the twins hadn’t been born yet—we feared rewarding you too soon might jinx it… This time, during my illness, you saved me.”

Empress Nie looked at Xingxing with tender affection, as if she were her own daughter.

Xingxing’s heart swelled with warmth as she leaned into Empress Nie’s embrace, whispering softly, “Your Majesty, you treat me so well.”

As Empress Nie cuddled Xingxing and spoke warmly, Wei Shiyu’s voice rang out from beyond the door: “Mom! Mom, are you okay? I heard Beauty Li upset you—”

Wei Shiyu shouted as he ran, palace servants trailing helplessly behind him.

He shoved the door open and saw his mother sitting on the couch, cradling the Lady of Blessed Peace—no, wait, he had just learned that she’d been elevated to County Princess Fusui.

When Wei Shiyu heard the news, he was totally baffled.

Hold on—weren’t his parents paving the way for this little girl to marry his eldest brother?

But now, seeing Empress Nie holding Xingxing so tenderly, it clicked!

They were treating her like their own kid!

His parents had always regretted not having a legitimate princess, so now they were doting on this sweet little girl as if she were their daughter. Proof? The look on his mother’s face as she held County Princess Fusui—something he hadn’t seen since his troublemaking days at six!

Wei Shiyu couldn’t help feeling a pang of jealousy.

But only for a moment. He thought he seemed more mature than Xingxing and should be magnanimous.

So, putting on a serious face, he adjusted his robe and said to Xingxing, “I seem older than you, so you may call me Third Brother.”

Empress Nie: “…”

Xingxing: “…”

If Empress Nie weren’t ill, she would have gotten up and smacked her son right then!

“Shiyu, don’t be ridiculous,” she chided gently.

Wei Shiyu blinked his wide, innocent eyes, feigning confusion. “Mother, aren’t you and Father raising County Princess Fusui as your daughter? If she’s your daughter, what’s wrong with her calling me Third Brother?”

Empress Nie pressed her fingers to her temple.

Meanwhile, Xingxing curtsied before Wei Shiyu. “Third Prince honors me too greatly. I am overwhelmed.”

Wei Shiyu thought to himself, Yeah right! ‘Overwhelmed’ my foot—you didn’t even blink! Who do you think you’re fooling?

Knowing Empress Nie needed rest, Wei Shiyu didn’t clown around too much in front of her. After confirming that his mother was indeed fine, he left reassured, promising before his departure to send her a heartfelt gift.

Watching Wei Shiyu’s retreating figure, Empress Nie shook her head and smiled helplessly. “Shiyu’s a handful.”

Xingxing whispered, “Third Prince was playing the fool to lift your spirits.”

Empress Nie already knew this. Her eyes sparkled with amusement; the faint lines around them only added to her grace.

Looking at Empress Nie, Xingxing couldn’t help but reflect: Of the three brothers, Brother Yan resembled Empress Nie the most, having inherited every bit of her beauty.

The news of Xingxing’s elevation to County Princess Fusui soon reached Consort Bai’s palace. Consort Bai remained motionless for a long while, idly rubbing her barely-there bump for what felt like an eternity.