Danqing was no fool; she could certainly sense that something was off about Snow White’s “escape.” So when the Grand Empress Dowager punished the young eunuch, she chose to remain silent and did not plead for mercy.
Just as when Kangxi had punished the servants in Yikun Palace, though she was shocked, she had said nothing.
In this treacherous palace where people’s hearts were unfathomable, her understanding was still too shallow to fully grasp their intentions. For now, she had to abide by the rules and not let her compassion run wild.
Those who were punished had already made mistakes. Regardless of whether they had their reasons, they had sown the seeds and must bear the consequences themselves. They could not expect a little princess like her, who could barely protect herself, to save them.
Yinreng, however, was somewhat worried that Danqing might be frightened. That night, he offered to stay at Cining Palace, playing with her until she began to yawn before asking Hemiao to take her back to sleep.
“Nanny Su, has the eunuch confessed?”
After Danqing was coaxed away, Yinreng asked directly.
The Crown Prince, raised under the personal guidance of the Qing Emperor, was no longer an ignorant child. Like the Grand Empress Dowager, he simply did not want to frighten Danqing.
Sumalagu did not hide the truth: “Your Highness, he has been sent to the Punishment Office. There are no results yet.”
The Grand Empress Dowager beckoned Yinreng to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around him as she said, “Do not involve yourself in this matter. Let your Emperor Kangxi handle it himself.”
Yinreng frowned, seeming to guess something. He bit his lip but ultimately only nodded without speaking.
After he had also retired for the night, Sumalagu asked again, “Does the Ancestor have an idea?”
The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at her sideways. “Don’t you have an idea yourself?”
The mistress and servant exchanged a knowing smile, though neither spoke plainly.
Fourth Princess had not provoked anyone—who in the palace would want to harm her?
It was likely because she was to be raised in Cining Palace in the future, blocking someone’s path. Anyone with clear eyes could guess who.
…
The next morning, Danqing woke up refreshed and energized. She wore a light pink new dress hastily made overnight by the embroidery workshop, adorned with the colorful gem-studded hydrangea hair comb sent by Sumalagu, and pinned a round, fluffy hydrangea silk flower in her hair. She looked as adorable as a little flower sprite that had just taken form.
The Grand Empress Dowager, an early riser, had already finished her breakfast. After Danqing paid her respects, she ordered food to be brought for her.
“My little Galuo is so lovely,”
the Grand Empress Dowager pinched Danqing’s rosy cheeks. “You look full of energy, as if you’ve completely recovered. After you’ve eaten your fill, I’ll have the imperial physician check your pulse. If all is well, you won’t need to take any more medicine.”
Danqing nodded vigorously to protest against that dark, bitter decoction.
Falling ill wasn’t terrifying, but taking medicine was truly life-threatening.
Even though she possessed the soul of an adult and had mentally prepared herself, she had been deterred by that bowl of bitter medicine the day before. In the end, it was Yinreng who offered his privately stored sweet brew, letting her take a sip of medicine and then rinse her mouth with the sweet brew, that she barely managed to drink half a bowl.
Even so, she had completely lost her appetite during dinner and ate almost nothing.
Now, waking up from sleep, she was ravenously hungry, her little stomach growling incessantly.
The Grand Empress Dowager had always disliked waste, so breakfast at Cining Palace was simple: a bowl of plain congee, four side dishes, and a plate of beef-filled steamed buns, which were the Grand Empress Dowager's favorite.
Mindful of Danqing's taste, the Grand Empress Dowager had specifically ordered sweet congee for her, but Danqing still found the meat buns more satisfying.
Her hands were small, and she couldn't hold the chopsticks steadily. Sumalagu intended to feed her, but seeing her simply drop the chopsticks and bury her face in a large bun held with both hands, she chuckled.
"She truly is Your Majesty's great-granddaughter, sharing your taste," Sumalagu said, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Even her way of eating is just like yours!"
The Grand Empress Dowager chided, "Nonsense! When have I ever eaten so messily? In my youth, I could finish a fist-sized bun in one bite!"
In the midst of her busy eating, Danqing cast an admiring glance at the Grand Empress Dowager, coaxing a smile from her.
After devouring two large meat buns, Danqing let out a satisfied burp and obediently extended her greasy little hands for Hemiao to wipe clean.
"After seeing the imperial physician, return to Yikun Palace to pack your things and inform your mother, so she doesn't worry," the Grand Empress Dowager instructed. "You can also help me bring some gifts to Consort Yi and your mother."
Danqing also felt she should personally explain things to Noble Lady Guo.
After all, she was the birth mother of this body, and no matter what, their relationship couldn't be severed. Danqing hoped Noble Lady Guo would be well.
When the imperial physician examined Danqing's pulse, he didn't say much, only mentioning the need for moderation in eating and caution against indigestion. Danqing pretended not to understand.
In the few months she had been here, she had come to understand a principle of child-rearing in this era: minor illnesses called for skipping one meal, major illnesses for skipping three—in short, it was better to be hungry than overfed.
Though she recognized this might be wisdom born of limited medical conditions in ancient times, Danqing still believed that eating well, dressing warmly, and sleeping soundly were the best choices for growing a healthy body.
She was still a child, one who needed ample nutrition to grow tall. She had no intention of going hungry.
The Grand Empress Dowager, too, only half-believed what the imperial physician said. She reminded Danqing to return early for roasted lamb at noon and watched as the child cheerfully set off.
Returning to Yikun Palace after two days, Danqing was no longer accompanied only by Hemiao as her personal maid. She now had four maids and four eunuchs in her entourage, making quite an impressive procession that truly befitted a princess.
Upon entering Yikun Palace, it was only proper to first pay respects to Consort Yi in the main hall.
Consort Yi was still reclining on the couch. Seeing Danqing dressed in brand-new clothes and full of vigor, her expression grew complex.
That day, she had deliberately let Danqing go out to find Kangxi, but she hadn't expected that while Kangxi was indeed drawn in, Danqing was taken away.
What followed was the Grand Empress Dowager's thinly veiled punishment disguised as a reward, and Kangxi ordering the punishment of all the servants in Yikun Palace. Now, seeing Danqing return with a large entourage of maids and eunuchs, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
She had already given up a son of her own to the Empress Dowager, and now even the Fourth Princess was being taken away. Did the Borjigit clan have to keep targeting Yikun Palace to raise children?!
Now, the child in her belly—the midwife had secretly told her it was a prince. Though she was happy, she feared it would be hard to keep him by her side to raise. She had thought that at least she would still have Fourth Princess for company, but now, she had lost her too.
If only she hadn’t been so impatient—why did she have to lure Kangxi over?
Now, it was too late for regrets.
“Danqing, from now on, listen well to the Grand Empress Dowager, understand?”
Consort Yi’s tears fell as she held Danqing’s hand, reluctant to let go. “When you have time, remember to come back and visit your aunt. I truly can’t bear to part with you—”
“Mistress, the Grand Empress Dowager favors Fourth Princess. This is a blessing for our Fourth Princess and the Guoluoluo clan.”
Seeing that things were taking a wrong turn, Liuyá quickly stepped forward to stop Consort Yi from continuing. “Fourth Princess is also going to show filial piety to the Grand Empress Dowager on your behalf. You’re pregnant now—you mustn’t cry.”
Danqing felt Consort Yi’s hand trembling slightly as she held hers, knowing she was genuinely distressed and not putting on an act. Her heart softened.
Regardless of whether Consort Yi had ever thought of using her to compete for favor, she had already been exceptionally kind to her.
Over the past few months, Consort Yi had called her over daily to keep her company, giving her plenty of food and gifts. It was only because of Noble Lady Guo that they had to maintain some distance, preventing them from truly growing close.
“Auntie, don’t cry, or my little brother will be upset,”
Danqing reverted to her usual childish demeanor in front of Consort Yi, reaching out to wipe away her tears. “Danqing will come back often to visit you and Mother.”
Consort Yi’s emotions came quickly but were also easily restrained. With tears in her eyes, she stroked Danqing’s cheek, took a deep breath to hold back her tears, and forced a smile.
“Good, then it’s settled. Whoever goes back on their word is a puppy,”
Consort Yi deliberately made a funny face, making Danqing giggle, before saying, “Go see your mother now. Yesterday, when she heard you were sick, she couldn’t sleep well all night.”
Danqing obediently agreed, though she didn’t believe it at all.
If Noble Lady Guo were the kind of mother who would worry so much about her, she wouldn’t have had to fight her own battles.
If Noble Lady Guo truly hadn’t slept well, it was probably because she hadn’t gotten something good for her upcoming delivery and was too angry to sleep.
Sure enough, before she even entered the Rear Hall, she heard Noble Lady Guo throwing a tantrum inside.
“We’re both about to give birth. Why does she get to use the Side Hall in the front courtyard as a delivery room, while I have to give birth in the side hall to the east? That place is small and damp—how can it be suitable for postpartum recovery?”
“Then where does Mother want to give birth?”
Danqing had everyone wait outside and walked in herself. “Consort Yi holds the rank of Consort, while Mother is only a Noble Lady. Do you really intend to compete with her?”
Noble Lady Guo truly hadn’t slept well, with dark circles under her eyes. She snapped at Danqing, “I know she’s noble. Then why do you still call me Mother? Go be her daughter instead!”
Danqing clenched her fists, telling herself to stay calm.
If she truly had a choice, she wouldn’t want to be her daughter and endure her disdain. But unfortunately, neither of them had a choice.
If Noble Lady Guo weren’t her biological mother, why would she have to come back and suffer this treatment?
“Mother, just say where you want to give birth. As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll go and plead for it on your behalf, alright?”
Danqing said patiently.
Noble Lady Guo rolled her eyes, no longer in a hurry, and softened her tone: "I don’t need you to plead on my behalf—I’m not someone who lacks understanding of what’s proper. It’s just that the side hall on the east side has never been lived in, and the windows are blocked, making it truly cold, damp, and unsuitable for childbirth. I was thinking of giving birth in the side hall on the west side instead. After all, both are part of the Rear Hall, so it shouldn’t be considered overstepping, right?"
Danqing clenched her teeth as she looked at Noble Lady Guo, suddenly understanding why she had caused such a scene today.
It turned out that Noble Lady Guo wasn’t jealous of Consort Yi or trying to compete with her—she had her eyes on Danqing’s room and was planning to drive her out!
"Mother should know that if there’s still a place for me in Yikun Palace, I can come back from time to time to stay for a few days and keep you company. But if you don’t even leave a room for me, I’ll have no reason to return in the future."
Danqing’s eyes reddened, and she fought back tears, refusing to let them fall.
In truth, Noble Lady Guo wasn’t without options. The side hall on the east side wasn’t as uninhabitable as she claimed.
Danqing had been born there herself, and the windows had been blocked back then because her mother feared catching a draft during her postpartum confinement.
Moreover, even if she didn’t use the east side hall, there was also a warm chamber in the Rear Hall. With a screen set up for privacy, it could easily serve as a birthing room.
Yet, Noble Lady Guo insisted on having her own small room.
This wasn’t about being picky about a birthing room—it was about eagerly driving her out, never wanting her to return!