Chapter 242 Concern

Chapter 242: Concern

"Alright, Luo Xian'an, you've grown quite capable, daring to lecture your sister! Watch me spank your bottom raw."

Luo Qingge didn't actually use much force, just a few light pats, but Xiao Tuanzi let out a loud yell, acting like he'd been beaten badly.

As he yelled, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure beneath a big tree to the side.

The woman, dressed in a light purple gown, was stunningly beautiful and ethereal, watching them with a gentle smile.

Xiao Tuanzi's mouth, already wide open, grew even wider. He shouted excitedly, waving his chubby little hands like lotus roots to greet Ji Yuntang.

"Fairy Sister-in-law, save An'er! An'er is about to be beaten to death by the Imperial Sister!"

Despite his words, his cute, chubby face was beaming, and there wasn't a single tear in his eyes.

Ji Yuntang laughed and walked over to pinch Xiao Tuanzi's cheek.

"The Seventeenth Prince is so adorable, even his crying is adorable."

Xiao Tuanzi immediately pouted and looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Fairy Sister-in-law, the Imperial Sister won't play with me, and she even hits me! You can't just stand by and watch!"

Luo Qingge was delighted to see Ji Yuntang, but hearing Xiao Tuanzi's words, she angrily gave his bottom another pat.

"Who said I won't play with you? Huh?"

"And who helped you catch those butterflies just now?"

Ji Yuntang found the little one incredibly cute and clever.

If she hadn't witnessed him scolding Luo Qingge with his hands on his hips, she might have believed his words.

But Luo Xian'an looked at her with tearful eyes, melting her heart. Unable to resist, she walked over and rescued him from Luo Qingge's grasp.

"Alright, Qingge, go easy on him."

"You can spank his bottom after I finish the Seventeenth Prince's acupuncture session."

Ji Yuntang admired this sibling bond. She knew Luo Qingge wasn't really hitting him, and Luo Xian'an wasn't truly crying. They were just caring for each other.

Even little Luo Xian'an, only three, worried about his big sister's safety. Ji Yuntang couldn't deny her envy.

Hearing her words, Luo Xian'an pouted. "Fairy Sister-in-law, you don't love me anymore."

Ji Yuntang didn't respond directly, just chuckled softly.

"Third Sister-in-law brought you some bear cookies and strawberry cake today. Do you want some?"

Luo Xian'an's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, yes! Fairy Sister-in-law, An'er knew you're the best. You're the most beautiful and kindest sister-in-law in the world."

"You're so young and already such a smooth talker. What will you be like when you're older?"

Ji Yuntang gently tapped his forehead, feeling happy inside.

After all, what woman doesn't like being complimented?

Back at Fengyi Palace, Ji Yuntang began the acupuncture treatment for the Seventeenth Prince.

Compared to Imperial Physician Zhu's previous sessions, Xiao Tuanzi really liked how Ji Yuntang did it.

"Fairy Sister-in-law's acupuncture feels so good. My whole body feels warm, and it doesn't hurt at all."

Ji Yuntang smiled. "After two or three more sessions, An'er will be fully recovered and won't have to deal with seizures anymore."

The Empress looked relieved, a faint smile playing on her lips. "That's wonderful. Once An'er's health is restored, it will be a huge relief to me."

She turned to Ji Yuntang warmly. "Tang'er, thank you."

Ji Yuntang smiled back. "Your Majesty, you don't need to be so formal with me."

The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace was joyful.

After the acupuncture, Luo Qingge pulled Ji Yuntang aside to a secluded corner.

Making sure no one was around, she asked nervously, "Third Sister-in-law, do you know how Young Master Xie is doing?"

Ji Yuntang raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her lips. "Is Qingge worried about him?"

Luo Qingge's ears went bright red instantly. She looked away, stammering nervously.

"I... I... not at all! He saved my life. I just don't want to feel guilty if something happens to him."

Ji Yuntang knew that Luo Qingge had the hardest mouth—she would never admit her feelings.

She clearly cared about him but refused to admit it. Ji Yuntang didn't tease her further and spoke honestly instead.

"Young Master Xie is doing fine. I sent him some healing ointment, and the wound on his shoulder is nearly healed."

"However, Duke Rong has confined him to his residence recently and won't let him go out."

Luo Qingge visibly relaxed.

She had wanted to go see Xie Liuzheng but feared his annoying remarks would upset her.

She held herself back and didn't go.

Knowing he was fine, she felt relieved.

Ji Yuntang didn't stay long in the palace. After bidding farewell to Luo Qingge, she led Tao Zhi out of the palace.

It was a quiet trip.

Tao Zhi asked curiously, "Your Highness, since you made such a showy entrance this time, why hasn't Consort Li summoned you?"

"I recall that every time you came to perform acupuncture on the Seventeenth Prince, Consort Li would summon you to Weiyang Palace."

Ji Yuntang curled her lips disdainfully. "Summon me? Only if she wants everyone in Weiyang Palace dead."

Meanwhile, at Weiyang Palace.

After learning that Consort Li had gone to the Eastern Palace and was instead asked by the Crown Prince for fifty thousand taels of silver, Luo Qianxue stormed into Weiyang Palace in a fury.

Like a hedgehog bristling with spikes, she lunged at Consort Li.

"Don't you care about him? Aren't you worried about him? Just because some courtesan died, he asked you for fifty thousand taels of silver?"

"I bet those supplements and herbs you sent him cost even more than fifty thousand taels, right?"

Luo Qianxue felt more jealousy than anger.

She didn't understand why Consort Li was so good to the Crown Prince, even giving him all the precious supplements she had saved up, things she wouldn't even eat herself.

Clearly, she had never been this generous when dealing with Luo Junhe.

But seeing Consort Li try to gain sympathy and get shut down in front of Luo Jingshen, Luo Qianxue felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

Look—this was the person she cared about, the one she tried so hard to please.

Luo Jingshen didn't seem to take her seriously at all!

Consort Li's face tightened, and uncharacteristically, she didn't speak.

But Jian Lan came over and pulled at Luo Qianxue, advising, "Tenth Princess, please stop saying that. Her Ladyship's in a bad mood today. Why don't you come to see her another day?"

Luo Qianxue rolled her eyes and snorted coldly, "She's in a bad mood? Isn't that her own fault?"

"The Crown Prince is a grown man. He just broke his leg; he's not going to die. Even the Empress isn't that worried about her own son. Why is she so eager to please him?"

Now she's been kicked out of the Eastern Palace and had a large sum extorted from her by Luo Jingshen—isn't that exactly what she deserves?

But Luo Qianxue didn't say that last part out loud.

------------