Returning to the courtyard, Jiang Yunxu rubbed her back—that blow had landed solidly.
Hong Qiao lifted her clothes and carefully applied medicine while reporting the day’s events: “It was the Lady of Yian Bo who sent someone to Zaixiangfu to lodge a complaint. Madam was furious and sent someone to the Wangfu to deliver a message. Concubine Yan then began searching Linglong Pavilion, taking many things away.”
Jiang Yunxu nodded, roughly understanding the situation.
After the medicine was applied, she dressed and looked up at the small figure sleeping soundly on the bed. She had to grow stronger and find a reliable backer.
Otherwise, Sanwangfu would never tolerate her.
As long as she remained the Third Princess Consort for a day, Jiang Yan’er would forever be a concubine. The two masters of Zaixiangfu would never allow their precious daughter to suffer such hardship.
“You may leave now. I understand the situation.”
For now, Jiang Yunxu had no mind to deal with those people. She still needed to prepare for the Little Imperial Grandson’s surgery tomorrow.
“Yes.”
Linglong Pavilion fell into tranquility, but Yulouge was anything but peaceful. Jiang Yan’er covered her face, leaning pitifully into Chu Youqi’s embrace.
“The Wangfei is truly ruthless. Knowing that the Cefei is in poor health, she still used such force,” Qian Bi muttered softly.
Chu Youqi’s expression darkened. “That wretch—I will divorce her sooner or later.”
“Your Highness, after all, Sister was married into the family with great ceremony. Divorcing her rashly would be difficult to explain to the imperial family, especially since Sister has not committed any of the Qichu Zhi Zui,” Jiang Yan’er said virtuously. “I’m only worried that Sister might speak carelessly outside and bring unnecessary trouble to our Wangfu.”
Hearing this, Chu Youqi patted Jiang Yan’er’s shoulder. “Yan’er speaks wisely. Do you have any suggestions?”
Jiang Yan’er’s eyes flickered, and she whispered, “Killing Sister is something I cannot bear, but letting her run wild is also unacceptable. If we could send Sister to the family temple to pray for blessings and have someone keep watch over her, then all would be peaceful.”
Once away from the capital, countless accidents could happen. After a year or so, she could be elevated to the rightful position.
“Yan’er is truly kind-hearted. Very well, let’s spare that wretch’s life.”
Chu Youqi affectionately stroked Jiang Yan’er’s cheek. One gaze was fervent, the other shy and charming. The atmosphere between them grew intense, and the maids tactfully withdrew.
The next day, before dawn, Jiang Yunxu rose to wash and dress. She instructed Hong Fei, “Don’t go anywhere today. Stay right here.”
“Rest assured, Mistress. This servant will not leave.”
After a few brief instructions, she stepped out of the courtyard and immediately saw the Steward. Remembering the blow to her back, Jiang Yunxu’s eyes turned fierce.
“Does the Wangfei intend to devour this servant?” The Steward did not retreat but instead stopped, putting on an arrogant demeanor, showing no regard for Jiang Yunxu as his master.
Jiang Yunxu said nothing and continued walking forward.
“Is the Wangfei feeling guilty? How could she be so cruel as to injure Nanny Lin’s hand…”
The Steward continued to chatter incessantly, clearly unable to contain his anger.
Jiang Yunxu halted and glanced back at the Steward, her gaze icy to the core. “You look like someone destined for a short life. Enjoy the next few hours to the fullest. I’ll settle accounts with you when I return!”
As she finished speaking, someone from the palace arrived outside and addressed Jiang Yunxu respectfully, “Third Princess Consort.”
Seeing this, the Steward’s expression changed slightly.
“Wangfei!”
Behind her, Chu Youqi arrived just in time. He was very curious about why someone from the palace had come to fetch her so early in the morning.
He decided to enter the palace together.
Jiang Yunxu didn’t even lift her head, stepping away directly without paying him the slightest attention.
Chu Youqi’s face turned livid with anger, but he had no choice but to follow. Inside the carriage, due to the presence of the palace maid, the journey remained quiet.
The two arrived at Fengqi Gong one after the other. Empress Mu glanced at Chu Youqi and said, “San Wangye, what brings you here today? Are you worried about Wangfei?”
“Mother Empress, your son has come to pay his respects,” Chu Youqi replied respectfully, bowing.
Empress Mu waved her hand and casually found an excuse to dismiss Chu Youqi. Reluctantly, Chu Youqi had to leave, but before going, he glared fiercely at Jiang Yunxu, signaling her not to speak carelessly.
This scene also happened to catch Empress Mu’s eye.
After he left, Empress Mu said, “Jiang Yunxu, if you can save the Little Imperial Grandson today, this palace can grant you one request.”
Jiang Yunxu dared not rejoice, as she actually had little confidence. She could only do her utmost.
“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty.”
After kneeling and bowing, Jiang Yunxu had the Little Imperial Grandson brought to a simple sterile disinfection room. She then said to those outside, “Without my orders, no one is to approach this place. Otherwise, the Little Imperial Grandson’s life will be at risk.”
“Yes!”
Jiang Yunxu closed the door, took a deep breath, and retrieved mechanical equipment from Kongjian, along with surgical knives. First, she disinfected the entire room and the equipment, then administered the prepared anesthetic.
After setting up the electrocardiogram and confirming the Little Imperial Grandson’s condition, she began the surgery. Compared to the surgery she had performed on Chu Xuan, the Little Imperial Grandson’s case was more challenging.
Unconsciously, two hours passed. With her heart in her throat, Jiang Yunxu placed the stent into the missing part of the Little Imperial Grandson’s heart.
Another two hours later, she closed the chest cavity. Her hands trembled slightly as she gritted her teeth to complete the final suture.
“Phew!”
The surgery was successfully completed.
Summoning her last ounce of strength, Jiang Yunxu disinfected the wound and took a bag of glucose from Kongjian, gulping it down. Only then did she begin to recover.
After packing up all the equipment, she opened the door and was nearly blinded by the sunlight outside.
“Empress, isn’t this reckless? Even the Imperial Physician couldn’t cure him, so how could Third Princess Consort possibly do it?”
“Your Majesty, I want to take a gamble.”
“Nonsense!”
The sound of an argument reached her ears.
Jiang Yunxu cleared her throat, interrupting the dispute. She saw the newcomers clearly: a man in a dragon robe, exuding an air of authority. She knelt and called out, “Long live the Emperor!”
Before she could react, a lavishly dressed woman rushed over and slapped her hard across the face.
“You wretch! If you want to die, don’t drag Sanwangfu down with you. What misfortune did You’er suffer in eight lifetimes to marry you?” Consort Yun tearfully said to Emperor Lingzhou, “This wretch cannot be divorced. I implore Your Majesty to sentence Jiang Yunxu to guard Huangling for the rest of her life!”
Having just completed a difficult surgery, Jiang Yunxu was weak and exhausted. The slap left her dizzy, her ears ringing, and it took her a moment to clearly see the woman.
It was Consort Yun!
Chu Youqi’s mother, her nominal mother-in-law.
How cruel-hearted! She actually wanted to imprison her for life.
Jiang Yunxu covered her face and knelt down again, kowtowing to Empress Mu at the head of the hall. “Your Majesty said that if I saved the Little Imperial Grandson, you would grant me one condition. Does that still hold true?”
“Of course it does!” Empress Mu replied with great emotion.
“Then I ask Your Majesty to send a trusted Imperial Physician to examine the Little Imperial Grandson.”
Upon hearing this, Empress Mu immediately ordered the Imperial Physician to go in and check.
Everyone waited anxiously. Consort Yun did not believe Jiang Yunxu had such ability at all. She had even prepared to shift all blame onto Jiang Yunxu once the Emperor and Empress held them accountable.
It would be even better if she were divorced, sparing Sanwangfu from further trouble.
The time it took for one incense stick to burn was the most agonizing. Soon after, the Imperial Physician emerged and knelt on the ground. “Reporting to Your Majesty and Her Majesty, the Little Imperial Grandson… the Little Imperial Grandson’s life is indeed saved, and his heart condition has been cured. The Third Princess Consort is a miraculous healer!”
These words stunned everyone.
This ugly woman before them was a miraculous healer?
Jiang Yunxu kowtowed to Empress Mu. “Your Majesty, I have a request to make.”
Empress Mu, now overjoyed, stepped forward and personally helped Jiang Yunxu to her feet. Understanding what Jiang Yunxu wanted, she turned to Emperor Lingzhou and said, “Your Majesty, I did promise the Third Princess Consort that she could make a request. I beg Your Majesty to grant it, no matter what.”
Jiang Yunxu was momentarily stunned. She looked up at Emperor Lingzhou.
Clearly, Emperor Lingzhou was also pleased and agreed without hesitation. “Third Princess Consort, state your request freely.”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Jiang Yunxu with envy. A promise from the Emperor was worth more than ten thousand pieces of gold.
After a brief moment of joy, Jiang Yunxu understood that her request could not be too excessive.
At this moment, she was part of Empress Mu’s faction. To have support in the capital in the future, she had to stand on the same side as Empress Mu.
“Wangfei?” Consort Yun anxiously signaled to Jiang Yunxu with her eyes. This rare opportunity must not be missed.
Consort Yun’s eyes almost rolled to the back of her head as she subtly glanced toward Chu Youqi.