No one but Yi Yi could see the dark, ominous energy.
Imperial Consort Liu and Fuling, struck by the foul energy, swatted blankly at their robes, unaware that the energy had already coiled swiftly around them and begun to gnaw away at their fortune and luck.
Bzzzzz A low hum sounded abruptly, and more than a dozen bees darted straight toward the pavilion.
In an instant, the consorts scattered in panic, throwing the place into chaos.
Seeing this, Jiang Wantang quickly pulled Yi Yi into her arms and covered her, afraid the child might get stung.
Yi Yi leaned close to her mother’s ear, her voice soft and secretive: “Don’t be scared, Mummy. It was me… I got revenge for you~”
The little bundle of fluff crinkled her eyes into a sweet smile, and Jiang Wantang’s heart melted right there.
As for what Yi Yi had said, she did not believe a word of it. She knew full well what her own child was capable of or rather, what she was not.
The dark energy was not abundant, so the bees lingered only briefly before flying off.
Even so, those few moments left the consorts suffering.
Each of them ended up with a red, swollen welt on their fair faces. Imperial Consort Liu and Fuling fared the worst, bearing no fewer than five stings apiece!
Yi Yi watched their miserable state, feeling utterly delighted.
Those who bully Mummy finally got what they deserved!
Seeing Yi Yi’s cheerful expression, Imperial Consort Liu burned with such hatred that she wanted to rush over and tear the little girl’s mouth apart.
Ever since Yi Yi had returned to the palace, nothing had gone right for her.
What an ill-omened little troublemaker!
But rather than punishing Yi Yi right now, Imperial Consort Liu only wanted to flee the Imperial Garden. She had heard that bee stings could swell one’s face beyond recognition, and she had no intention of looking like a swollen pig here. “Your Majesty, I shall let this matter involving Lady Jiang go today. I choose not to pursue it further.”
“Not pursue it?” Dongfang Mo echoed, his eyes sweeping over her without a trace of warmth.
Imperial Consort Liu froze under his gaze, a deep, nameless fear rising in her chest.
She could not help but wonder did this tyrant truly mean to kill her?
After a long pause, Dongfang Mo finally shifted his gaze away, turning it toward Fuling.
“You were the one who struck her.”
He reached out and took hold of Jiang Wantang’s wrist, asking her directly: “Do you know how to strike back?”
It was clear he wanted her to return those two slaps herself.
“Your Majesty, it was Lady Jiang who first shattered the teacup gifted to Her Ladyship! She clearly holds no regard for palace rules. Such a woman is unfit to be the princess’s mother!”
Crack!
Jiang Wantang struck Fuling hard across the face. She could endure the disdain and insults of these consorts, but she would never stand by and let them drive a wedge between her and Yi Yi.
“You keep saying I do not understand the rules, yet here you are nothing but a servant striking and scolding a lady of the palace as you please. What kind of rule is that you follow?”
Fuling’s face turned from red to white, then green. She had never expected Jiang Wantang, who had seemed so timid only moments before, to speak with such sharpness and confidence.
She clamped her mouth shut, not daring to utter another word.
Jiang Wantang delivered the second slap, then curtsied respectfully to Dongfang Mo. “I have done as you commanded, Your Majesty.”
Dongfang Mo gave a faint nod, then signaled for Eunuch Li to step forward.
Understanding his master’s will, Eunuch Li unfurled the imperial edict and read aloud: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jiang Wantang is gentle, virtuous, and proper in conduct. Having borne the imperial heir, she has rendered great service. She is hereby elevated to the rank of Consort, granted the title Xi, and shall reside in Everlasting Joy Palace. Let her conduct herself with reverence and caution, cultivate inner virtue, and prove herself worthy of my favor. So it is ordered.”
Seeing Jiang Wantang standing motionless, Eunuch Li prompted her gently: “Consort Xi, please accept the edict.”
Jiang Wantang came back to her senses, a little dazed as she received the scroll. “I obey the imperial decree.”
Kneeling on the ground, Imperial Consort Liu gritted her teeth so hard they nearly cracked.
Not only was Jiang Wantang raised straight to the rank of Consort, but she had also been given the title Xi a name reserved traditionally only for the most favored women in the harem.
“Your Ladyship, there is also a decree for you.”
Eunuch Li roused Imperial Consort Liu from her bitter thoughts. “His Majesty acknowledges your merit in assisting with the management of the six palaces. You are hereby tasked with preparing the grand state banquet ten days from now. I trust you will see to it with utmost care.”
Hearing this, Imperial Consort Liu accepted the edict with a bright, grateful smile. Her gloomy mood vanished instantly.
She knew it His Majesty still held her in high regard.
He recognized her efforts overseeing the harem, and had entrusted such an important event to her hands.
Clearly, Jiang Wantang had only received her promotion because she had given birth to the prince.
With matters settled, the hour was growing late.
Dongfang Mo had intended to hand the little girl over to Jiang Wantang and take his leave, but Yi Yi clung tightly to him, refusing to let go and insisting that both her father and mother walk together.
Having not seen her mother for most of the day, the little bundle of fluff refused to be set down or walk on her own, clinging fast to Jiang Wantang’s body.
Yi Yi wrinkled her nose and sniffed at her own clothes.
They smelled unpleasant.
She pouted in displeasure.
She admired handsome brothers and pretty ladies, and she held equally high standards for herself.
Immediately, she began to fuss and cry, demanding to be taken back to bathe.
Everlasting Joy Palace was still some distance from the garden. Dongfang Mo said, “I have already ordered Eunuch Li to bring the royal palanquin. You may ride back.”
He looked down, his gaze resting briefly on Jiang Wantang’s knees.
Though she looked small, Yi Yi was solid and heavy. It was no trouble for him to carry her, but this woman had been kneeling for a long time and was still trying to act as if nothing was wrong.
Jiang Wantang lowered her head and replied softly, “Very well.”
Only after watching them board the palanquin did Dongfang Mo return to the Purple Star Palace to resume reviewing his official documents.
This was Yi Yi’s first time riding in a palanquin, and she was so excited that she barely noticed her father leaving.
The moment they arrived back at Everlasting Joy Palace, Yi Yi insisted on having her bath.
Though many new maids and servants had been assigned to attend to her, Jiang Wantang still preferred to care for Yi Yi herself.
No sooner had she finished bathing the child than Eunuch Li arrived bearing a great pile of gifts sent by Dongfang Mo.
Yi Yi trotted over happily and found an array of beautiful garments and a small golden jar.
She thanked him politely, her voice sweet and soft: “Thank you, Uncle Li~”
Freshly washed and neat, her big, bright eyes shining like polished black gems, she looked utterly adorable and impossible not to love. Eunuch Li’s heart felt as though it might melt.
But this was the Emperor’s own daughter he dared not let any improper thoughts enter his mind.
Once Eunuch Li had left, Yi Yi eagerly asked her mother to help her try on every piece of clothing one by one.
The garments Dongfang Mo had ordered were of every style imaginable, embroidered with exquisite craftsmanship only found in the palace.
Yi Yi tried them on one after another, loving every single one.
In the end, Jiang Wantang helped her settle on a perfect outfit.
With just a little dressing up, the child who had looked dusty and grubby earlier now appeared as lovely as a little celestial maiden.
Her black hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her clean, pink cheeks looked even softer and more cherubic.
She wore a short, sheer white jacket embroidered with delicate pink lotus petals, over a pale yellow inner garment whose neckline was trimmed with tiny pearls. A soft pink silk sash tied at her waist, ending in tassels, and below it she wore a light green pleated skirt scattered with flower patterns. Tiny silver bells were sewn into the hem, chiming softly with every step she took.
Yi Yi was so pleased with her new clothes that she flatly refused to take them off, insisting on wearing them straight to see her father.
When she set her mind to something, the little girl was stubborn and difficult to persuade.
Jiang Wantang put on a firm but gentle expression. “Yi Yi, you have been quite naughty tonight. Mummy hasn’t even had a chance to wash and change yet, and your father is very busy with state affairs.” She paused, thinking the phrase might be too hard for her to understand, and rephrased it: “If Daddy stopped working, not just you and me, but everyone here would go hungry.”
At those words, Yi Yi’s eyes went wide, and she patted her small tummy in alarm.
Go hungry? She wanted nothing to do with that. Hunger felt terrible.
Only then did she relent, though still with a pout, and let Jiang Wantang help her change back into her nightclothes. She promised to wear the new dress the next day when she went to visit her father.
Once undressed, Yi Yi was tucked into bed, and soon fell asleep to the soft lullabies her mother hummed.
Jiang Wantang sighed in relief, glad that her temperamental little one was finally resting.
“What is your name?” she called to the maid standing by the door.
“Lady, this servant is called Qinghe.”
“Keep watch over the princess, please. She tosses and turns quite a bit in her sleep.”
“At once, my lady.”
Having given her instructions, Jiang Wantang could finally attend to herself.
She removed her shoes and rolled up her trouser legs.
Her knees, usually smooth and fair, were now red and swollen. Thankfully, she had not knelt long enough for blisters to form.
Her gaze drifted to the table, where, laid beside the pile of children’s clothes, sat a bottle of healing ointment that looked distinctly out of place.
She had not expected such a fierce and unyielding man to also possess such a thoughtful side.
Lost in thought, her mind drifted back to that night long ago.
Later, as the alcohol wore off, he had not let her rest. His movements had been rough and forceful, with no trace of tenderness.
That night, water had been called for seven times.
When she left the next morning, her skin was marked all over with purple and red bruises beneath her dress.
Truly… a man of terrifying strength and intensity.