Princess Changle could not maintain her composure.

This was her first Lantern Festival since returning to the capital. She still remembered previous Lantern Festivals when she would ascend the Xuande Tower to view the lanterns, standing beside her royal father, the one he paid most attention to.

But now, standing here, her father the Emperor didn’t spare her even a single glance, only embracing the pregnant Noble Consort Xiao, chatting and laughing with her.

Inside, Princess Changle’s emotions surged like stormy waves, yet her face remained perfectly calm.

Under the night sky, lamplight danced in her eyes, making those pupils appear even darker and colder.

Suddenly, jubilation erupted outside Xuande Tower.

Brilliant fireworks bloomed in midair, illuminating the ink-black night sky and drawing countless upturned faces to admire them.

Emperor Yong’an nodded with satisfaction and asked Noble Consort Xiao, “My beloved consort, how do you find this year’s Lantern Festival fireworks compared to last year?”

Noble Consort Xiao gazed up at the fireworks scattering into points of light across the night sky and smiled, “Even more beautiful than last year.”

Just as she spoke, another boom sounded, and fireworks bloomed in the air like peonies.

Afterward, countless fiery meteors shot skyward, bursting into various shapes. Outside the tower, cheers rose like a tide, the atmosphere fervent.

Atop Xuande Tower, everyone’s enthusiasm for viewing the lanterns and fireworks was equally high, especially the several fortunate consorts who had accompanied them to view the lanterns—this was their first time leaving the deep palace to breathe fresh air since entering the palace before the New Year.

Listening to the consorts’ chirping laughter, Emperor Yong’an’s long-suppressed mood finally relaxed somewhat.

However, Noble Consort Xiao suddenly felt something was amiss.

It was as if something was crawling on her cloak, making her inexplicably shudder.

Yet inside Xuande Tower it was warm as spring.

What was happening?

This thought flashed through Noble Consort Xiao’s mind, and she instinctively looked down.

Both inside and outside the tower were bright as day. With one glance, she saw a patterned snake on her trailing brocade cloak, flicking its tongue as it struggled to climb upward.

Noble Consort Xiao’s thoughts froze for an instant, then she screamed, “Ahhh—”

This scream startled the patterned snake that was working so hard to climb. The snake opened its mouth, baring its fangs as it lunged upward a section.

Noble Consort Xiao was so terrified she retreated repeatedly, falling awkwardly to the ground before anyone could react.

“Ahhh—” Screams immediately rose one after another.

Several consorts trembled in fear, huddling together in a group.

Emperor Yong’an’s face turned deathly pale. He moved to help Noble Consort Xiao while shouting, “Someone come quickly!”

The imperial guards standing not far away rushed forward. One sharp-eyed guard spotted the patterned snake writhing on Noble Consort Xiao’s body and immediately shouted, “Your Majesty, step back!”

Hearing this shout, Emperor Yong’an instinctively retreated.

That guard struck with lightning speed, seizing the snake’s vital point and lifting it up.

Only then did Emperor Yong’an clearly see that the culprit that had caused Noble Consort Xiao to fall was actually a patterned snake. His expression changed dramatically.

The several consorts, seeing the tongue-flicking patterned snake in the guard’s hand, were even more terrified, their lovely faces losing all color as tears streamed down continuously.

Noble Consort Xiao, lying on the ground, felt severe pain in her abdomen and called out with difficulty, “Your, Your Majesty—”

Only then did Emperor Yong’an return to his senses. He hurriedly bent down to help Noble Consort Xiao himself. “My beloved consort, how are you?”

Under the lamplight, Noble Consort Xiao’s face was pale as snow, already in such pain that tears fell. “Your Majesty, this concubine’s stomach hurts terribly…”

Emperor Yong’an’s expression changed abruptly as he commanded sternly, “Quickly carry the Noble Consort back to the palace and summon the imperial physicians!”

Soon several palace servants came forward, carefully lifting and carrying Noble Consort Xiao.

Emperor Yong’an coldly ordered, “Seal off Xuande Tower. Everyone who entered Xuande Tower is to be brought to the palace!”

“Father Emperor—” Princess Changle seemed to just then awaken from her shock, her face pale as she walked over.

Emperor Yong’an had no time for much else and said hurriedly, “Changle, you should return to your residence first.”

Having said this, without waiting for Princess Changle’s response, he strode quickly after Noble Consort Xiao.

Outside Xuande Tower, the dazzling fireworks continued to bloom. Many people still didn’t know what heart-stopping events had occurred inside the tower, much less what storms would arise after this night.

Inside Xuande Tower, the lanterns still blazed brightly, but the atmosphere had long since turned cold as ice.

Princess Changle descended Xuande Tower step by step and headed toward the Princess’s residence.

The atmosphere in the palace was oppressive, suffocating.

Emperor Yong’an waited outside, listening to the anguished cries coming from within the room, his expression growing increasingly grim.

Noble Consort Xiao was only seven months pregnant. With such an accident occurring, the outlook was dire—

Emperor Yong’an dared not continue that train of thought. At this moment, he had no mind for investigation either, pacing back and forth, waiting only for news of Noble Consort Xiao’s condition.

Aside from the palace maids going in and out, everyone kept their heads lowered, not daring to breathe loudly.

If something happened to Noble Consort Xiao, when the Emperor raged, these people of lowly status would likely all be buried with her.

Bodhisattva protect us, the Noble Consort must not come to harm!

Perhaps the Bodhisattva heard the prayers of countless people. Late in the night, the tightly closed door finally opened, and a midwife emerged.

“How is she?” Emperor Yong’an asked urgently.

The midwife quickly said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Noble Consort has given birth to a little princess.”

The instant he heard “little princess,” a feeling of disappointment surged up uncontrollably. Emperor Yong’an paused before recovering. “How are the Noble Consort and the little princess?”

The midwife kept her head deeply bowed, saying tremulously, “The imperial physicians are currently stopping the Noble Consort’s bleeding. The little princess—”

The midwife couldn’t quite continue about the little princess’s condition.

A seven-month premature infant—how well could she possibly be? That she had breath upon birth was already extremely fortunate.

“Exactly how is she?”

Under Emperor Yong’an’s stern questioning, the midwife said tremblingly, “The little princess is currently doing well. The imperial physicians are conducting further examination of the little princess…”

Emperor Yong’an stared at the door, falling into silence.

At his age, he had witnessed all manner of storms, but matters concerning his offspring were the only thing he couldn’t control his reaction to.

However, having calmed down, how could he not have a clear idea of what condition this child he had so anticipated would be in?

That she could survive was already heaven’s blessing.

Emperor Yong’an paced several steps. Knowing that entering now would only add to the chaos, he clasped his hands behind his back and went to the front hall, ordering Zhou Shan with an iron-blue face, “Bring everyone who entered Xuande Tower today and could get close to the Noble Consort!”

In such cold weather, for a snake to climb onto Noble Consort Xiao’s cloak—to call it an accident would be preposterous!

Just thinking about such a vicious incident occurring on what should have been a relaxing day, Emperor Yong’an wished he could issue an edict to tear everything apart.

Soon, several consorts were brought before Emperor Yong’an.

Though Xuande Tower had layers upon layers of guards inside and out, those who could truly get close to Noble Consort Xiao were only these few consorts, and Princess Changle.

Emperor Yong’an focused his attention on those who could approach Noble Consort Xiao for a very simple reason: those without the qualification to get close, even if they released a snake, how could they guarantee it would identify the correct target?

His cold gaze swept across the lovely faces of these beauties one by one, then Emperor Yong’an looked toward the guard holding the patterned snake.

“Is this snake poisonous?”

The guard quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this is a small grass snake, with no real toxicity.”

No toxicity.

Emperor Yong’an furrowed his brow, becoming even more certain of his earlier suspicion: the target was definitely Noble Consort Xiao without question!

A non-venomous snake’s greatest use was to frighten people, and the consequences of Noble Consort Xiao being frightened need not be elaborated.