Little Bandit Jiang stood with her hands on her hips in Anqin Dian, completely satisfied with her handiwork as she met the palace maids’ resentful yet silent gazes.
The maids who had come with Changshun Gonggong each held one or two exquisitely crafted items that had been thrust into their hands.
The bewildered maids were deeply concerned that the Little Princess’s reckless behavior would anger the Guifei Niangniang. Exchanging uneasy glances, their faces showed clear distress.
They said this Niangniang had quite the temper…
Jiang Yingcheng’s eyes were darting toward the inner chambers, her mind entirely occupied with how she could get inside to plunder more treasures, completely oblivious to the varied expressions around her.
Until a slightly complaining voice spoke up.
“Niangniang, these were all gifts from several other guifeis. Letting the Little Highness take them like this… I’m afraid it won’t be easy to explain…”
The maids who had come with Jiang Yingcheng looked embarrassed, while those from Anqin Dian appeared indignant. The three who knew the truth didn’t know how to explain the current situation.
After all, they couldn’t possibly say that this pink, delicate little dumpling knew all of Noble Consort Rou’s schemes and was actively helping Qing Guifei eliminate dangers, could they?
Jiang Yingcheng snapped out of her daze.
[Ah…]
She awkwardly lowered her head, her fingers twisting together.
[Is Chengcheng being annoying?]
Qing Guifei glanced at the maid who had spoken and was about to reprimand her when the familiar inner voice sounded in her ears again.
[Really?]
Qing Guifei paused.
This inner voice carried obvious delight.
Had something good happened?
She grew curious.
[Is she unhappy because I’m taking all these things away, and she’s someone sent by Noble Consort Rou?]
[It’s really not because I took too much and made them unhappy?]
While the little one’s inner voice was tirelessly confirming whether she had actually annoyed anyone, Qing Guifei could no longer pay attention.
She stared incredulously at Xueqing before her, her jaw clenched tightly.
Xueqing had been by her side since she entered the palace. Out of nostalgia, Qing Guifei had always treated Xueqing with great leniency. Yet in the end, the person she trusted most was also a spy sent by Noble Consort Rou?!
So the peace and comfort she thought she had was only because she had been kept in the dark all along?!
Qing Guifei’s trembling hand lifted slightly, ready to slap Xueqing right then—
[Ah!]
Perhaps because the little one was emotionally charged, this inner voice was particularly loud.
Qing Guifei’s movement halted, and she quickly lowered her arm.
[Tong Ge, you’re so smart!]
[The idea that Pretty Auntie can use her to send false messages to Noble Consort Rou is brilliant!]
[But how should I remind Pretty Auntie that this maid is problematic?]
Jiang Yingcheng’s round, adorable little face was full of conflict, making Qing Guifei’s mood lighten somewhat.
It also gave her a new perspective.
That’s right.
Since Noble Consort Rou was unjust first, her counterattack was completely justified!
Xueqing remained completely unaware that her secrets had been exposed. Still pretending to be considerate of Qingfei, she continued with a worried expression, “Niangniang, these things…”
“Smack!”
This time, Qing Guifei didn’t let Xueqing finish her sentence.
Qing Guifei’s expression was icy, her voice seeming to be wrapped in a layer of frost: “When have I ever needed a palace maid like you to point fingers at my actions?”
Xueqing’s eyes were filled with terror, but she didn’t even think to cover the stinging side of her face that Qing Guifei had struck. Her body reacted before her mind could, immediately kneeling down: “Niangniang, please calm your anger. This servant was only worried that the friendship between Niangniang and Noble Consort Rou would be harmed—”
“Silence!” Qing Guifei raised her voice and shouted again, “Guards—”
[Ooh, the pretty auntie is going to punish this palace maid!]
[I hope auntie doesn’t just slap her palms this time!]
[This palace maid is so wicked!]
[She clearly knows the effects of these things, yet she still reminds auntie every day to wear the sachet on her person!]
[Later when Noble Consort Rou exposed how auntie mistreated other consorts to Father Emperor, it was this palace maid who came forward to testify, saying these things were indeed done by auntie, ultimately leading to auntie ending up dying in the Cold Palace!]
[Go auntie! Don’t let her off!]
Jiang Yingcheng clenched her small fists, her bright eyes fixed intently on Qing Guifei’s direction.
But Qing Guifei had frozen completely in place, her body trembling uncontrollably.
How dare she—how dare they—attempt to ruin her life like this!
At this moment, Qing Guifei wished she could have this person torn apart by five horses immediately, but her remaining reason made her restrain herself at the last moment.
The little one’s thoughts were right—she could still use Xueqing to deal a heavy counterblow to Noble Consort Rou.
But today, she could first vent her own anger, and vent anger for the little one too!
Qing Guifei shut her eyes tightly, her voice hoarse as she continued her previous command: “Guards, drag her out and give her twenty heavy strikes with the board!”
Xueqing looked up in complete shock, staring fixedly for a moment before beginning to kowtow repeatedly and beg for mercy. She was gagged by the eunuchs who surrounded her and dragged away roughly.
Qing Guifei’s fists remained tightly clenched, a dull pain spreading through her chest.
Her heart was filled with hatred.
Had Xueqing looked at her like that because she didn’t believe the usually gentle Qing Guifei would make such a decision?
But why didn’t Xueqing stop to think about who gave the palace staff such confidence that she wouldn’t use such harsh methods to punish them?
She had always treated everyone with kindness, yet she had raised such a traitor!
Fortunately…
Fortunately she had learned this not too late.
Suddenly, she felt a soft touch on her hand.
Qing Guifei looked down to see the little bun had somehow run up to her. When their eyes met, the child suddenly gave her a bright, energetic smile.
Her eyes grew hot, and she nearly couldn’t stop herself from crying on the spot.
She had imagined countless times what her future child might look like, and today, upon seeing this little one, her fantasies had finally taken concrete form.
Small, soft, with round eyes, and a warm smile.
But now, she didn’t know if she would still have the chance to have a child of her own someday.
Suppressing the stinging pain in her heart, Qing Guifei slowly knelt down and reached out to stroke the little one’s head.
Her voice was very soft, still carrying a faint tremor: “Thank you…”
Jiang Yingcheng stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Qing Guifei’s neck, and nuzzled her cheek with her hair bun, speaking in a childish voice: “Auntie, don’t be angry~”
【When Chengcheng saves enough Merit Points, I’ll exchange them for medicine to repair your body—it’s super effective!】
Qing Guifei’s breath hitched.
Fragrances, saffron, hyssop.
She had long heard of these—common methods used in the imperial harem to cause infertility. If exposed for too long, even Imperial Physicians would be powerless.
But the little one’s inexplicable behavior today defied all logic, so perhaps this so-called body-repairing medicine could truly heal her!
Qing Guifei slowly rested her hand on Jiang Yingcheng’s back, tears finally streaming down her face in large drops.