The Empress panicked and immediately sent someone to call for the Imperial Physician!
...
Actually, the health of the nearly six-month-old Little Princess had already improved significantly. This time, it was merely a common cold. The Imperial Physician arrived, checked her pulse, prescribed medicine, and offered some advice before departing. It wasn’t anything serious.
But the Empress didn’t see it that way. After feeding the Little Princess her medicine, she stayed up all night by her side.
Shih Jieyu, feeling worried, came to check on them. Seeing the Empress staying up the entire night, she felt an indescribable mix of emotions. No matter how one looked at it, the Empress’s attention to the child surpassed that of a biological mother.
...
Early next morning, the Empress made sure the message was sent everywhere: There was no need to pay respects. Luckily, everyone was exhausted, so no one went.
Xia Ruqing didn’t get up until late in the morning. By the time she arose, Little Bun had already been fed twice. Yet, having not eaten any solid food, Little Bun was tearfully anxious.
Xia Ruqing, with sleepy eyes, struggled out of bed. After a hasty wash and grooming, she called someone to bring their meal. Little Bun’s solid food was finally served. There was pea puree, steamed egg, and vegetable mash, along with a small bowl of light fish soup. Little Bun ate quite a lot, polishing off the bowl of fish soup with gusto.
Sister Liang laughed. "The Little Prince is eating more and more, and he’s growing so fast!"
Xia Ruqing looked at her son’s twinkling large eyes and smiled. "Grow up quickly, won’t you?"
It would be best if he learned to walk soon. Looking after a child is truly exhausting, and Xia Ruqing didn’t want to dwell on just how tiring Little Bun could be. Having Wetnurse Nannies and Sisters around was indeed helpful, but some things required personal attention. After all, the child was her own flesh and blood, not someone else’s. She had no understanding of these matters before, but as a mother, she now comprehended them!
...
Once Little Bun was full and content, he was taken away to play by a Wetnurse Nanny.
Xia Ruqing, feeling a pang of conscience, remembered the goal she had set for herself. She asked Zi Yue to bring the calligraphy practice materials the Emperor had given her, intending to practice writing. As she ground the ink and laid out the paper, they chatted idly.
"Is there any fresh gossip in the palace?"
Xiao Xizi had already gathered information early in the morning. He was closest with the people in the Imperial Kitchen. Whether someone was doing well or not, he usually knew early on.
Xiao Xizi said, "Lady Wang in the palace hanged herself. They say she was driven to death by the Noble Consort!"
Such matters weren’t the kind people liked to discuss. The Empress, upon learning of it, would not speak carelessly—she would merely report it to the Emperor. Therefore, the rest of the Harem found out through their own inquiries after returning to their palaces.
Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing immediately froze.
"Hanged herself!"
One must be truly desperate to choose such an end. The Empress is currently cultivating an image as a virtuous wife and devoted mother. If only Lady Wang had waited for the Empress to return, her life could have been spared! Alas...
"Is the Noble Consort past caring now?"
Xiao Xizi scoffed coldly. "She’s a broken pot whether she smashes it further or not! Would the Emperor even deign to visit her chambers anymore? He probably finds even glancing her way to be excessive!"
"Another pitiful soul!" Xia Ruqing sighed.
After a moment of lamentation, the topic was dropped. For the time being, peace reigned in the palace.
...
「Outside the Palace.」
Ye Tang arrived in the capital with Xia Tingfeng and the others. Their little courtyard was just too small, with all four rooms already occupied. Moreover, it was inappropriate for a young lady to live with a group of grown men. Ultimately, Ye Tang chose to stay in an inn!
Xia Tingfeng felt very sorry about this. Using his own salary, he paid her room bill.
Ye Tang was initially unwilling. "Brother Xia, I can afford the silver for staying at an inn myself!"
Xia Tingfeng insisted. "Consider it my duty as the host, to offer the hospitality of the land!"
Thus, Ye Tang no longer persisted. Staying at an inn isn’t bad. Besides, I never planned to stay long anyway!
...
Rat and Monster knew that the girl disguised as a boy before them was Ye Tang. After looking her over for quite some time, they finally greeted her, which counted as making her acquaintance.
Rat didn’t feel much turmoil inside. Just gratitude, perhaps? Without this girl, the Captain wouldn’t be alive. He also admired her. He’d heard she could kill a tiger with a single arrow—impressive! Anyway, since I don’t know martial arts myself, admiration is all I can offer.
Monster, on the other hand, practically melted at the first sight of Ye Tang.
"Ye... Ye... Miss Ye?" he stammered. "Are you Miss Ye?"
Ye Tang looked at the person in front of her—someone with very beautiful facial features and extravagant clothing! They look like a woman, but their voice sounds like a man’s. Are they male or female? And why... are they looking at me like that? Ye Tang was surprised and felt goosebumps all over.