Consort Jiang was helped back to her palace. Along the way, Xiao Tao and Lian Zhi chattered nonstop, hoping to ease her fear.
But no matter what they said, Jiang Nian refused to speak. She clutched Xiao Tao’s hand tightly, cold sweat beading on her brow.
The wind was bitter. To sweat in such weather meant she would surely catch a chill. She had only recently fallen into the water, her body still weak. Another chill might bring grave illness. Worried, Lian Zhi forgot all notions of rank and wrapped her arms around her mistress, soothing her gently. “Don’t worry, Your Ladyship. We are here. You need not be afraid.”
Yet the stench of blood and cat lingered at her nose. Earlier, her anger had outweighed her fear, but now, recalling the sensation on her face, Jiang Nian trembled harder, clutching Lian Zhi’s sleeve, unwilling to let go.
Water was brought basin after basin. Her face already showed faint abrasions. Lian Zhi feared further washing would draw blood. She held Jiang Nian’s hand and coaxed softly: “Your Ladyship, your face is clean now. No trace of blood or smell remains. You mustn’t wash again, or your skin will bleed.”
Jiang Nian had always prized beauty. If her face were ruined, she would be even more distraught. But she could not hear reason. She felt filthy—inside and out. In her helplessness, she suddenly thought of His Majesty. Whenever he was present, she feared nothing. With him, she could even be willful without restraint.
Clutching at this lifeline, she looked at Lian Zhi, her voice trembling: “Where is His Majesty? I want to see him. Lian Zhi, quickly, go and bring him here.”
Her emotions were spiraling. Lian Zhi did not rush to fetch the Emperor, but first calmed her: “Your Ladyship, His Majesty is in the Imperial Study, discussing affairs of state with his ministers. He will come later. For now, please don’t be afraid. Drink some calming soup, yes?”
Yes—she must compose herself. If Qi Yi came and saw her deranged, he might stop caring for her.
Jiang Nian did settle somewhat. She drank the soup. Still weakened from her fall into the water, now shaken by terror, she soon succumbed to drowsiness under the soup’s effect and fell into deep sleep.
Once the door closed, Xiao Tao could no longer contain her anger:
“That young prince is truly vicious! After all the kindness Your Ladyship showed him, and this is how he repays it.”
Lian Zhi remained steady: “The young prince never liked Your Ladyship. After suffering such humiliation days ago, he was bound to seek revenge.”
Xiao Tao flared: “Revenge? Your Ladyship is his mother-consort! Parents disciplining children is natural. Even if she wished to kill him, it would be her right. Yet he dares to act so arrogantly. And Consort Jin—she’s no good either. Pretending concern, but her heart is with the prince.”
Indeed, Jiang Nian had been sincere, treating both as family. She had showered the young prince with affection and treated Consort Jin as a sister.
The more Xiao Tao thought, the angrier she grew, wishing she could kill the boy outright.
Lian Zhi nudged her sulking lips, sighing: “And what then? Don’t forget—the young prince and Consort Jin have the Empress Dowager behind them. If Your Ladyship angers the Empress Dowager, her days will be far worse.”
His Majesty had ignored Jiang Nian for months. Fu Garden’s provisions had been greatly reduced. Were it not for the young prince’s presence, the Household Bureau might have treated Fu Garden even more harshly.
Xiao Tao knew this truth. Her shoulders slumped. “What shall we do? Just now, Your Ladyship slapped the prince several times. He cried so hard—surely he’ll run to the Empress Dowager…”
The Empress Dowager adored her nephew. She would not let Jiang Nian off lightly.
Lian Zhi thought for a long time, then, staring at the palace gates, gathered her courage and stepped forward.
The gates opened. Four or five sword scabbards barred her way. From her sleeve, Lian Zhi drew a purse of silver and offered it to Xu Zhengchun, the nearest guard.
“Sir Xu, Her Ladyship was frightened badly by the young prince today. She keeps calling for His Majesty. Could you please make an exception and inform His Majesty?”
Xu Zhengchun pushed the purse back, his face cold: “His Majesty has ordered that no one is to report matters from Fu Garden. Any who disobey will be executed without mercy. Miss Lian Zhi, you had best return and care for your mistress properly.”
With that, the palace gates slammed shut without ceremony.
Lian Zhi sighed helplessly. Thankfully, she had soothed her mistress earlier—if Jiang Nian had heard those words, she might have been terrified and heartbroken all over again.
Nearby, a young guard had overheard Consort Jiang’s repeated cries to see His Majesty. He found it strange. In the past, Consort Jiang had wished never to see him again—merely hearing his name would drive her mad.
Just now, they had even heard her sobbing and calling for him. Unable to resist, the guard asked: “Shouldn’t we report to His Majesty? If Consort Jiang truly comes to harm, what then?”
Xu Zhengchun shot him a sidelong glance, mocking his naivety: “There’s an old saying—when something is too unusual, beware of trickery. Our lady consort is surely scheming something.”
He did not believe Consort Jiang was in danger. With her venomous heart, it was a miracle that she wasn’t tormenting others. Surely she was plotting yet another way to trouble His Majesty. He would not be fooled so easily.
Cining Palace.
“Has Consort Jiang gone mad? She even dared to harm Jing’er!”
A priceless teacup shattered across the floor. Consort Jin shrank back, bowing in terror: “Forgive me, Empress Dowager. It was my negligence that allowed His Highness to be struck.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed, her gaze icy. Consort Jin felt needles prickling her back, her legs trembling.
Zhao Jing sobbed breathlessly, but could not bear to see his aunt scold Consort Jin. Through tears, he cried: “Aunt, it was all that wretched Jiang Nian’s fault! You must avenge me!”
The Empress Dowager’s expression softened. She brushed away his tears, coaxing: “Very well, very well. Aunt will see justice done for Jing’er. Don’t cry anymore, or Aunt’s heart will ache.”
“Attend me—take the young prince out to play, let him relax.”
Nanny Fang led the boy away, the other attendants withdrawing as well.
Fresh tea steamed. The Empress Dowager sipped lightly, then asked: “You say Consort Jiang is disobedient now?”
“Yes. Before, I thought she destroyed the young prince’s whip only out of anger at being pushed into the water. But today, she not only struck him, she told me: ‘The young prince is not the Crown Prince. Better to rely on His Majesty than on him.’”
“Empress Dowager, what should we do? If Consort Jiang truly repents, then His Majesty…”
The Empress Dowager frowned, displeased at Consort Jin’s panic: “What is there to fear? Look at you—so useless, you shame me.”
Qi Yi was not her own son, but she knew his nature. Once he gave up on someone, not even the Queen Mother of Heaven could bring him back.
She had tolerated Jiang Nian only because Jing’er was content in her care, and because Jiang Nian lacked a powerful family—she posed no threat. But now, daring to harm Jing’er, what reputation was worth protecting? She would personally deal with this unruly consort. If Jiang Nian admitted fault, she might spare her life. If not, Jiang Nian was of no use—better to remove her and find Jing’er a favored consort as mother.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes hardened. Her voice rang sharp: “Attend me—prepare the carriage. We go to Fu Garden!”