Jing Yi remained silent for a long while without responding!

After a brief moment, seeing that Jing Yi still hadn’t answered her, Noble Consort Xiao grew somewhat anxious and nudged him with her sleeve.

She said, “Did you hear everything this consort mother just said?”

Jing Yi snapped back to his senses and nodded, “Your son understands. This year’s gift will definitely be chosen carefully and prudently.”

“Not only must it be chosen carefully and prudently, it must also be well-selected.”

“Yes!”

“Of course, this consort mother will also help you plan and sound out your father emperor’s preferences to see what he might like.”

“Thank you, consort mother.”

After a moment, Noble Consort Xiao let out a breath.

She muttered again, “I wonder what gift Jingrong will be sending this year?”

Jingrong had always been very low-key. The gifts he sent year after year were neither expensive nor shabby—just ordinary birthday presents.

But this year, Jingrong had begun investigating the “Linjing Case,” and by his side, there was now a clever Master Ji, so naturally he had begun to stand out!

Naturally, countless eyes in the court had also begun watching him closely.

This truly forced Noble Consort Xiao to be on guard!

This grand birthday celebration had undoubtedly become a competition among the imperial princes.

Who would win and who would lose—only time would tell!

Not long after Jing Yi left Zhangli Hall, Sanglan came running in, exclaiming loudly, “Your Ladyship, the Princess has fainted in her bedchamber.”

“What?”

“When Little Mei went in, the Princess was already collapsed on the floor.”

Noble Consort Xiao’s face instantly turned white. She first froze for a moment, then anxiously rushed toward Jing Xuan’s bedchamber.

She didn’t forget to order, “Quickly summon the Imperial Physician!”

The entire Zhangli Hall suddenly erupted into commotion.

At this moment, Jing Xuan lay unconscious on the bed with a large bump right in the center of her forehead—bruised purple-blue and with broken skin that was bleeding.

Noble Consort Xiao had just arrived when the Imperial Physician came as well.

After examining her, the Imperial Physician prostrated himself on the ground and said, “Although the Princess struck her head and fell unconscious, there is no serious harm. Once the bruising disperses, she will be fine. This humble physician will prescribe several doses of medicine. Just administer them to the Princess on schedule.”

Nothing serious!

Thank goodness it was nothing serious!

Noble Consort Xiao’s chest relaxed.

She waved her hand, dismissing the old Imperial Physician.

Noble Consort Xiao sat down at the bedside, looking at her poor daughter. She reached out to touch Jing Xuan’s thin face, saying with heartache, “My child, if something had happened to you, what would consort mother do?”

Her eyes turned red!

Sanglan said from the side, “Your Ladyship, the Imperial Physician already said the Princess is fine, Your Ladyship…”

Slap—

Before she could finish speaking, Noble Consort Xiao raised her hand and struck her across the face.

Her fingernails, painted with rouge, scratched Sanglan’s fair cheek as her hand swept across.

A red wound appeared!

Sanglan covered her face and dropped to her knees with a “thud.” All the servants in the room also knelt down.

“This servant knows her fault. Please spare this servant’s life, Your Ladyship!”

Noble Consort Xiao looked furious, pointing at everyone in the room, “You’re all a bunch of useless dog servants. Fortunately the Princess is fine, but if something had happened, this palace would have your heads.”

As it turned out, Noble Consort Xiao was merely making an example of Sanglan to intimidate the others!

“Please spare our lives, Your Ladyship.”

The servants all prostrated themselves, their bodies trembling, fearing that with one misstep, their heads would be separated from their bodies.

Noble Consort Xiao had been in a foul mood to begin with, and looking at these servants only made her more displeased.

Fortunately, Jing Xuan woke up!

She coughed several times, “Cough, cough, cough.”

When Jing Xuan opened her eyes, she saw her mother sitting at the bedside.

She murmured, “Consort mother?”

“Xuan’er, you’re awake? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” Her tone immediately became gentle.

“I’m fine.”

“You truly frightened consort mother to death.”

She moistened her dry lips, looking weak and frail.

Her eyes involuntarily reddened, and feeling aggrieved, she called out, “Consort mother.”

Noble Consort Xiao’s heart softened completely as she grasped Jing Xuan’s cold hands.

“Is there something you’d like to eat? Tell consort mother, and consort mother will have the Imperial Kitchen prepare it.”

She shook her head!

“I know consort mother had my best interests at heart, which is why you had Sister Yu take my place. Fortunately this matter has already been abandoned; otherwise, your daughter would have felt uneasy for the rest of her life.”

As she spoke, she began to cry.

Noble Consort Xiao truly couldn’t bring herself to be angry and sighed, “Alright, alright. The matter has already passed—don’t mention it again. These past days, consort mother locked you in your bedchamber. That was consort mother’s fault.”

“Then consort mother, can you promise me one thing?”

“Tell me!”

“Since Sister Yu doesn’t need to marry off to Qujiang for the alliance, can consort mother speak to father emperor and let Sister Yu leave the palace? I know she doesn’t like it here at all.”

Her tone carried pleading!

Noble Consort Xiao’s heart tightened once more.

If Jing Xuan knew that she planned to marry Kong Yu to the Crown Prince, meaning she would spend her entire life in the palace, she would probably die of grief.

So—

She lied!

She said, “Alright, consort mother promises you. I will definitely petition your father emperor to let her leave the palace.”

“Really?”

Jing Xuan’s eyes lit up.

Noble Consort Xiao nodded slightly and smiled gently. Turning her head, she looked at the servants still kneeling on the ground and said, “All of you may rise.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

“Go notify the Imperial Kitchen to prepare several dishes the Princess likes, and make some appetizing pastries as well.”

“Yes!”

Two palace maids immediately went to carry out the orders.

Jing Xuan sat up from the bed, her face pale but smiling with joy.

Kong Yu didn’t have to take her place and go to Qujiang, and could even leave the palace.

The enormous stone in her heart finally settled.

Before long, the Imperial Kitchen sent over some pastries, and Kong Yu arrived as well.

Upon hearing that Jing Xuan had struck her head, she had hurried over from Zhaoshan Hall.

Noble Consort Xiao took Kong Yu’s hand, looking affectionate, and said, “Huiwen, you’ve suffered in your heart during this time as well. But fortunately it has all passed. Look at Xuan’er—she never lets this palace have peace of mind. You should come keep her company more often. You’re close in age and can talk together.”

Her tone was as sweet as could be.

Kong Yu simply smiled faintly and nodded.

Noble Consort Xiao patted the back of her hand, exchanged a few more words with Jing Xuan, then left.

The servants in the room all let out long breaths of relief.

Jing Xuan got down from the bed and pulled Kong Yu to sit on the cushioned seats.

“Sister Yu, do you still resent me?”

“Silly girl, I already told you this matter has nothing to do with you.”

“But…”

Kong Yu interrupted her.

“Enough, let’s not mention it anymore.”

Jing Xuan’s eyes lowered, then she raised her head and said, “Oh, Sister Yu, just now consort mother already promised me that she’ll petition father emperor to let you leave the palace and return home.”

This should have been a matter worth celebrating, yet Kong Yu didn’t become excited.

She simply responded with a soft “Mm.”

“What’s wrong? Sister Yu, don’t you want to leave the palace?” Jing Xuan asked in confusion.

Of course she wanted to leave the palace—she couldn’t wait to leave right now.

It was just that—

She was still clear about what kind of person Noble Consort Xiao was.

To just let her leave the palace like this?

Even a fool wouldn’t believe it!

However, Kong Yu didn’t want Jing Xuan to blame herself, so she smiled gently, “Being able to leave the palace would naturally be good.”

“Sister Yu, don’t worry. Since consort mother promised me, she will definitely keep her word.”

She looked completely trusting!

In a much better mood, she picked up a pastry and popped it into her mouth!

Having been locked in her bedchamber these past days with no appetite, now that the stone in her heart had settled, naturally her appetite was excellent.

She ate with great relish.

Not noticing at all Kong Yu’s increasingly somber expression.