“Might I trouble Master Bai to treat her?” Dongfang Mo clasped his hands in respect, his expression earnest and sincere.
Even Bai Ningbing, whose face had always been as calm as still water, showed a flicker of surprise.
For the notorious tyrant ruler of the Great Xia to bow and make such a request this was surely the first time it had ever happened.
Clearly, this newly recovered princess was truly no ordinary child.
Master Bai glanced lightly around the hall. Eunuch Li, ever attentive, immediately signaled for all the imperial physicians to withdraw.
The physicians let out a collective sigh of relief. If the little princess did not survive, the Emperor would be sure to hold them accountable first.
Thinking of this, they hurried out as fast as their legs could carry them, eager to be gone.
These past few months had been nothing short of torture.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager and Prince Jing also understood that the diagnosis and treatment required absolute silence, so they too stepped outside.
Only Imperial Consort Liu remained, reluctant to leave. She would not be satisfied until she saw that little brat Yi Yi breathe her last.
Her beautiful, fox-like eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her voice caught in her throat, thick with sobs: “Your Majesty, I only wish to stay here and keep you company. You have only just recovered from your grave illness…”
With this tearful, heartbroken expression, anyone would have found it hard to refuse her.
Unfortunately, Dongfang Mo was hardly a normal man. The only reply she received was a single, frigid word: “Get out.”
Imperial Consort Liu trembled at his roar, her wronged expression freezing on her face as she stood there, momentarily lost for words.
Dongfang Mo did not even lift his eyelids, his gaze fixed solely on the small figure lying on the bed. “I said get out. Do you not understand?”
His voice sank to a terrifyingly low tone clear warning that his temper was about to snap.
Eunuch Li stepped forward at just the right moment. “Your Ladyship, the princess is gravely ill. I beg you to please be understanding.”
Only then did Imperial Consort Liu collect herself, realizing that staying any longer would only bring further humiliation. She curtsied deeply, and without even uttering the proper words of farewell, turned and left.
With the commotion cleared from the Purple Star Palace, Dongfang Mo felt as though the air itself had grown fresher.
Meanwhile, Yi Yi was “fainting” in a most restless manner. The quilt Dongfang Mo had tucked around her had long since been kicked down to the foot of the bed.
Her soft, pink lips smacked from time to time, and a damp, shiny patch had formed on the silk pillow beneath her head.
Her breathing was steady, and her complexion was rosy and healthy. This was no faint at all she was sound asleep.
Even a fool could see that this little bundle of fluff was in perfect health.
And yet, she had clearly swallowed the Soul-Devouring Mother Gu a poison even Master Bai, from the renowned Divine Medicine Valley, had declared beyond cure…
Bai Ningbing felt her pulse, and found exactly the same thing.
Not only was there no sign of harm, but nourishing energy was flowing through Yi Yi’s body, sustaining her.
Could it be… that she had actually absorbed the deadly Soul-Devouring Mother Gu as if it were nourishment? It was utterly inconceivable.
Though he could hardly believe it, Master Bai still reported what he had found to Dongfang Mo.
“Master Bai, I ask that this matter be kept in strict confidence.”
Bai Ningbing nodded in understanding.
At such a tender age, the princess already possessed such a strange and powerful ability this would surely draw the covetous attention of many malicious forces.
Even though Dongfang Mo was the Son of Heaven, ruler of all, he could not possibly foresee every danger.
Once he was certain Yi Yi was unharmed, Bai Ningbing politely took his leave, leaving the inner chambers of the Purple Star Palace to father and daughter.
Dongfang Mo covered Yi Yi with the quilt once more, then turned to catch up on the stack of neglected memorials awaiting his review.
About two hours later, the little bundle on the bed began to stir and babble softly.
Yi Yi herself had no idea what changes had taken place inside her body. She only felt as if she had drunk her fill of sweet milk, and her whole frame was filled with a warmth and comfort she could not put into words.
That little bug had tasted wonderful. If only there were more of them…
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, her tummy seemed to feel empty again.
Yi Yi slid nimbly off the bed, pattering across the floor until she reached the writing desk. She wrapped her arms around Dongfang Mo’s chest and rubbed against him, her voice soft and pleading: “Daddy, I want Mummy…”
It had been so long since she had seen her mother. Though she liked this new father very much, her heart still belonged most of all to her mother.
Dongfang Mo stood up and bent down, lifting this solid little bundle of fluff into his arms with effortless ease.
Yi Yi wrapped her chubby little arms tightly around his neck, her small body staying perfectly still, not daring to fidget.
There was a simple reason: Dongfang Mo was simply far too tall!
He stood well over six feet, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a posture as straight and imposing as a pine tree. Clad in a deep black robe embroidered with subtle golden dragon patterns, he exuded an understated yet undeniable air of authority. His jet-black hair was gathered neatly with a simple hairpin of black jade, softening the sharp edge of his usual fierce demeanor.
His eyes were dark and unfathomable, betraying no trace of what he was thinking. Yet his feet moved steadily forward, carrying Yi Yi out of the hall.
The residence assigned by the Empress Dowager to Jiang Wantang was Everlasting Joy Palace, located not far from the Purple Star Palace.
But when Dongfang Mo arrived with Yi Yi in his arms, Jiang Wantang was nowhere to be found.
The palace servants replied, “Her Ladyship Jiang was summoned by Imperial Consort Liu to enjoy the flowers in the Imperial Garden.”
Two hours earlier, the Empress Dowager had gone straight to the Purple Star Palace with Yi Yi, while Jiang Wantang had been led by a matron to Everlasting Joy Palace.
When she woke, her entire world had been turned upside down, and she was still struggling to adjust to her new reality.
Two years before, Jiang Wantang had been sent by her mother to a wine house in the city, to pour drinks and entertain a wealthy merchant from the south.
At the feast, she had been forced to drink until she was completely intoxicated.
Feeling ill, she had excused herself to freshen up, and stumbled into a stranger’s private chamber.
Crimson candles flickered in the dim room. The man’s figure was blurred in the shadows, but his eyes were cold as ice.
He sat by the window, carefully polishing a long sword. Seeing Jiang Wantang burst in unannounced, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Have you come to try your hand at seduction this time?”
Dongfang Mo let out a short, mocking laugh. “The last thing in this world that interests me is women.”
But Jiang Wantang was too drunk to make sense of his words.
All she saw was a man as elegant and refined as a character from old poetry, tending to his sword with quiet grace. His features felt strangely familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.
Acting on a wild impulse, she stepped forward and pressed her lips to his. “Don’t go thinking of ending your life. Look at me my life is miserable enough, yet I never thought of giving up.”
That night, beneath the warm glow of red lanterns and silken curtains, their bodies became one.
And so, in time, Yi Yi was born…
Back in the Imperial Garden, delicate pink lotus blossoms rose proudly from their round green leaves. Crimson roses bloomed bright and bold, climbing roses wound around the wooden pillars to form garlands of vibrant color, and gardenias filled the air with their soft, sweet fragrance, while bees and butterflies drifted lazily among the blooms.
Yet more beautiful than any flower were the noble consorts seated in the open pavilion, sipping tea and admiring the scenery.
“Dear sister, it seems Lady Jiang truly does come from the countryside. Only moments after arriving at the palace, she has already knocked over the precious teacup bestowed upon you by the Emperor. Someone really ought to teach her proper manners.”
The speaker was Noble Lady Shen, a close confidante of Imperial Consort Liu.
Imperial Consort Liu always welcomed such words. Remembering the humiliation she had suffered earlier in the Purple Star Palace, her mood grew even more sour.
But then she thought of Yi Yi swallowing the poisonous Gu, and her spirits lifted slightly. By now, that little brat must surely be dead.
She looked down coldly at Jiang Wantang, who knelt on the hard stone ground, and a sharp spark of jealousy flashed in her eyes.
The other consorts in the pavilion also stared at Jiang Wantang with undisguised resentment not only because she had given birth to the Emperor’s only child, but also because she possessed a face of such striking beauty.
Everyone praised Imperial Consort Liu as a woman of unmatched, breathtaking beauty, saying that no other woman in the entire harem could compare to her.
Yet now, here stood someone whose loveliness could rival her own.
The sun beat down fiercely. Jiang Wantang knelt on the bare, sun-scorched stone, with no shade to shield her.
She had a delicate, oval face, skin so fair it seemed almost translucent. Her eyes were bright, black, and clear as apricots, her eyebrows curved like distant mountains veiled in mist, and her lips soft and pink as newly opened cherry blossoms. Strands of hair at her temples were damp with sweat, making her glow like a pearl just lifted from the water.
Her expression remained calm and distant, which only served to make Imperial Consort Liu appear all the more coarse and worldly by comparison.
Imperial Consort Liu waved her hand, and her personal maid, Fuling, stepped forward.
Though she was only a servant, she carried herself with the arrogance of her mistress. Raising her hand, she struck Jiang Wantang hard across the cheek.
“This slap is to teach you your place and respect for your superiors.”
Crack! A second blow landed.
“This one is for raising such an unruly child who dared to offend Her Ladyship.”
Fuling raised her hand to strike again, but before it could fall, a fierce, childish voice rang out: “Bad Auntie! Don’t bully my Mummy!”
Everyone turned toward the sound, and there stood the Emperor, holding a small, chubby little girl in his arms.
Imperial Consort Liu stared at Yi Yi in utter disbelief.
Hadn’t that little monster been poisoned to death? How could she be running around so lively and healthy so soon?
The consorts in the pavilion quickly rose and bowed low. “Long live Your Majesty! May your reign be blessed and prosperous!”
Dongfang Mo did not even glance at them. He strode straight over to Jiang Wantang.
He reached out, gripping her smooth, jade-like chin between his fingers, and spoke in a low, quiet tone: “You seemed so bold and fearless that night. Why do you let others bully you now?”
Jiang Wantang turned her face away, refusing to meet his gaze or answer.
Yi Yi did not notice the tense, awkward atmosphere between her parents.
She tugged Jiang Wantang gently to her feet, then spread her small arms wide to stand in front of her mother. “No one is allowed to bully my Mummy!”
She had seen it clearly this pretty, wicked auntie had brought a whole group of other ladies to pick on her mother.
The little girl was clever. She had already realized her father was very powerful, and all these women were afraid of him. So she immediately called out in complaint: “Bad Auntie bullied Mummy! Daddy, punish her!”
“Your Royal Highness, the Emperor is the Son of Heaven. How dare you give orders? This is most disrespectful and insolent!” It was Fuling, the chief maid, who spoke up.
Yi Yi did not fully understand the words, but she knew very well that this woman was speaking harshly to her.
Anyone who shouted at her, anyone who hurt her mother she hated them all!
Her chubby little hands reached out, grabbing a wisp of dark, murky energy from Dongfang Mo’s body. She rolled it into a small black ball and hurled it forward.
There was still a little bit of that dark energy left on Daddy just enough to make all these bad ladies regret their actions!