Just this morning, the Old Imperial Concubine met with an accident and was injured by falling debris!
Before the carriage was ready, the guard Rong Feng happened to return to the manor and hurriedly informed them of the matter.
"The Yunxiao Theater in the Imperial Garden has suddenly collapsed."
"Dozens of palace attendants and actors did not survive. Even the Old Imperial Concubine, who was watching the play in the garden, was injured by the falling beams and tiles. All the Imperial Physicians have gone there," Rong Feng said.
"What?" Su Jinhan was deeply shocked upon hearing this and could not bring herself to leave. "Dozens of people died? That is a great disaster in the palace. How could this happen?"
Rong Feng was also only half-informed, saying, "Now everyone outside is saying that three days ago, the Goddess made a prophecy that the Flying Moon Star would clash with the palace gates, causing a disaster in the palace. I never thought it would actually come true."
Xiao Sui An was extremely worried when she heard this. With a flushed little face, she asked, "Are you saying that Grand Consort Grandmother was also injured? How badly is she hurt? Is she alright?"
Rong Feng comforted her gently, "Little Miss, please rest assured. I heard that the Old Imperial Concubine only suffered superficial wounds and should not be in any life-threatening danger."
"However, the palace is in chaos right now, and His Majesty is furious and intends to severely punish the Ministry of Works. In my opinion, it would be better for Madam and Little Miss not to enter the palace," the guard Rong Feng tried to advise.
Su Jinhan had the same concern and was about to nod.
But Xiao Sui An refused, saying anxiously, "No, that makes it even more necessary for me to enter the palace. Mother, if I don't go to see Grand Consort Grandmother, I won't be at ease."
In the end, Su Jinhan could not refuse her and had to take her to see her.
Upon entering the palace and walking into Huaze Palace, they saw the Imperial Physicians gathered outside the hall, their faces full of sorrow.
"The Old Imperial Concubine is no longer in any major danger, but the skin on her face is... alas, it is a tragedy. What are we to do?"
"The injury is so severe that I fear it will leave a scar the size of a bowl. I only hope she does not vent her anger on us. After all, we are only Imperial Physicians, not Immortals," the Imperial Physicians shook their heads one after another.
Hearing this, Xiao Sui An frowned. Just then, Granny Zhou came over and hurriedly led her into the main hall.
"It is good that Miss Sui An has come. The Old Master can finally find some comfort."
At this moment, the Old Imperial Concubine was lying on the couch, her expression pained. A large piece of medicinal gauze was wrapped from her left cheek down to her chin and neck.
She was in so much discomfort that she kept gritting her teeth.
Hearing Xiao Sui An's voice, the Old Imperial Concubine finally turned her eyes and said with a trembling voice, "Is my Guai Bao here? Quickly, come to Grand Consort Grandmother."
Xiao Sui An's eyes stung, and she rushed over eagerly, but she did not dare to touch the Old Imperial Concubine for fear of disturbing her wounds, so she moved cautiously.
"Grand Consort Grandmother, how are you? Can the Imperial Physicians cure you? I am so worried about you!" Xiao Sui An asked with a tearful voice.
The Old Imperial Concubine felt a warmth in her heart. Enduring the pain, she squeezed out a smile and shook her head.
"Grand Consort Grandmother is fine. You can sit on the couch. Having you here to talk to me is much more comforting than listening to the chattering of the Imperial Physicians outside."
At this time, Granny Zhou, filled with worry, came over to serve tea.
Su Jinhan sensed something was wrong and could not help but ask, "I wonder how the Old Imperial Concubine's injury is? The Imperial Physicians seem to be in a difficult position."
Granny Zhou sighed and shook her head, "The rest is easy to handle, but the Old Master's face and neck were struck by a tile, which gouged out a long piece of flesh. Now there is a large bloody hole, and the Imperial Physicians can only manage to bandage it; they have no other methods."
With missing flesh, it was not just ugly; I fear that even the recovery process would be a painful ordeal.
Just then, the Head of the Imperial Hospital, Imperial Physician Zhang, entered the hall and bowed to the Old Imperial Concubine, saying, "Please forgive me, Old Imperial Concubine. We have read through all the medical books but have found no good strategy. For now, we can only stop the bleeding and alleviate the pain."
He paused, seemingly not wanting to appear too useless, and added with a serious expression.
"Unless we can obtain Silver Green Grass to use as medicine. This item was once a Sacred Artifact of a Foreign Country. It has an unusual fragrance, grows extremely fast, and has the effect of regenerating skin and flesh. It would be able to resolve this current predicament."
Xiao Sui An widened her eyes, "Silver what grass? Can it help Grand Consort Grandmother? Then you should hurry and find it! That way, Grand Consort Grandmother can get better."
Imperial Physician Zhang immediately frowned and stared at her with displeasure. Where did this ignorant child come from to interrupt?
He shook his head, "Silver Green Grass is extremely rare. There are only a few stalks left in the world. Furthermore, it is not produced in our Great Xi Dynasty. Even the Imperial Hospital has never seen it. How can it be found just by saying so?"
Hearing this, the Old Imperial Concubine's heart sank slightly.
Is there no hope...
Xiao Sui An curled her lips in silence, "So you can't find it and don't want to look for it either. Then why did you deliberately mention it and let my Grand Consort Grandmother be disappointed!"
"You!" Imperial Physician Zhang's face turned pale, and he glared, saying, "What does a child know?"
Xiao Sui An ignored him and instead hugged the Old Imperial Concubine, "Grand Consort Grandmother, don't worry. If they won't look for it, Sui An will help you find it. I will definitely not let your wounds suffer."
Anyway, she knew many spirits; at worst, she would just ask them one by one.
The child's gaze was pure, like a ray of light, instantly warming the Old Imperial Concubine's heart.
"Good, good. Having these words from you is enough for Grand Consort Grandmother." The Old Imperial Concubine's eyes moistened, and her pain even lessened slightly.
Imperial Physician Zhang snorted inwardly, feeling even more disgusted. She truly did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.
If such a treasure could be found by a little girl like her, then he, the Head of the Imperial Hospital, might as well quit!
...
While there were sighs in Huaze Palace, on the other side, in Azure Heavens Palace, a harsh laugh rang out.
Noble Consort Shen returned to the inner hall and sat down, flicking her sleeves with joy.
"Very good. Today's matter has already become known throughout the city!"
"The common people are all saying that Xi'er's prophecy was accurate. No wonder she was crowned as the Goddess. Great Shaman, your idea was truly brilliant." Noble Consort Shen was extremely proud, her face full of cunning as she raised her hand to give out a reward.
The Great Shaman of the Western Regions hurriedly bowed and flattered, "It is mainly due to your brilliance, Your Ladyship, and your daring to make the decision to have the theater collapse at the right time."
It turned out that the so-called prophecy was merely something they had deliberately planned.
Today's disaster at the theater was entirely because they had tampered with it beforehand, destroying the beams and pillars, which allowed the prophecy to "come true"!
Noble Consort Shen sipped her tea and sneered with disdain, "What is the big deal? The lives of dozens of lowly people in exchange for my Xi'er's good reputation—it can be considered that they died for a worthy cause."
After the incident in the Imperial Study, she had to do something to ensure that His Majesty would not doubt Xi'er's identity.
Thus, this plan was born.
They deliberately created a man-made disaster to pretend that the Goddess's words were effective, taking the opportunity to build momentum.
As for the blame later, there would naturally be people from the Ministry of Works to take the fall; it would not be traced back to them.
"By the way," at this moment, Noble Consort Shen remembered and turned to question, "More than ten days have passed. Has it been found out who took the Talisman Token buried under the Begonia?"
Otherwise, the Luck Stealing Curse would not have failed for no reason...
The head palace maid beside her shook her head.
"Replying to Your Ladyship, this servant has checked the records. During those days, no outsiders entered the palace. It must have been some blind palace maid or eunuch who dug it up thinking it was a valuable item."
Noble Consort Shen rubbed her forehead in frustration.
Little did she know that after Granny Zhou reported it that day, the Old Imperial Concubine had sensed something was wrong and had already ordered someone to remove the record of Xiao Sui An and her mother's visit from the register.
Since no results could be found regarding this matter, Noble Consort Shen let it go for now. After all, she had another important task to do!
Just then, Princess Gu Yuanxi walked in, swinging a medicinal herb in her hand.
She pouted reluctantly, "Mother, you're back. Is this the Immortal Herb that the Great Shaman found? Why give it to that old woman in Huaze Palace? She doesn't even like me."
As she spoke, Gu Yuanxi tossed it onto the table casually. The Great Shaman of the Western Regions hurriedly stepped forward to catch it and carefully stored the herb in a brocade box.
Noble Consort Shen raised her eyes and looked over.
She saw that the Immortal Herb was as long as a small arm, slender and emerald green, with silver velvet growing all over its body, and it had an extraordinary fragrance.
"Great Shaman, is this item really as rare as you say?" Noble Consort Shen narrowed her eyes, showing curiosity.
The Great Shaman of the Western Regions nodded vigorously, "Your Ladyship, this Silver Green Grass is rare in the world and can regenerate skin. If someone who has been disfigured uses it, they can regain their appearance. I was fortunate enough to obtain this one and have brought it especially for you."
Noble Consort Shen showed a greedy expression, "Since it is such a treasure, then divide it into two. Half a stalk will be used for my own beauty and skin care."
She planned to send the other half to Huaze Palace in a few days.
"Right now, the Old Imperial Concubine is troubled by her facial injury. Let her suffer for a few days. Once she is tortured by the wound to the point of being unable to bear it, then have Xi'er present this item to show her favor." Noble Consort Shen curled her lips, revealing her calculations.
She thought she had victory in her grasp, "By then, the Old Imperial Concubine's gratitude and the reputation of the Goddess's miraculous healing will all belong to Xi'er!"
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