Xiuzhu did not take her anger to heart, lifting her chin as she said, “This slap is to teach you how to speak like a human being, lest you open your mouth and spew the words of beasts, wasting such a decent appearance.”

Jixiang had a forthright nature and could not swallow this insult. She was about to rush forward to settle the score for that slap when Ruyi firmly held her back. “Forget it, don’t stoop to her level.” Seeing that Jixiang wouldn’t listen, she lowered her voice and said, “After we resolve the Princess’s matter, it won’t be too late to settle accounts with her slowly.”

Hearing these words, Jixiang finally quieted down, though her eyes remained fixed on Xiuzhu. The latter was not to be outdone and glared back at her, saying to Zhangsun Shi, “Miss, please listen to this servant’s advice – Yang Consort must not be spared!”

Zhangsun Shi also felt that Xiuzhu had gone too far just now, and her tone involuntarily turned cold by several degrees. “I have my own judgment in this matter. You need not say more!” With that, she urged Duan Zhihong to lead his men away.

Watching Yunyi and the others leave the sleeping quarters, Xiuzhu stomped her feet in anxiety and blurted out, “Miss, how… how can you be so confused!”

Zhangsun Shi caressed that face no larger than a date, her voice as cold and clear as fresh snow. “If the child was truly harmed by Yang Consort, I will certainly not spare her, but you…” She raised her equally cold eyes. “Xiuzhu, do you truly believe Yang Consort killed the child, or is this merely your long-held prejudice against her?”

For some reason, in that instant, Xiuzhu dared not meet her gaze directly. After suppressing this inexplicable emotion, she felt both wronged and sad, saying in a hoarse voice, “In the end, Miss would rather believe Yang Consort than trust this servant.”

“I don’t distrust you, but rather…” But rather what? Zhangsun Shi herself could not say, her heart in great turmoil.

Xiuzhu, disappointed and resentful, said, “Fine, fine. Consider this servant’s efforts as those of a petty villain. From now on, Miss can believe whoever she wishes. This servant will be deaf and blind, saying nothing and managing nothing!” With that, she turned to leave, walking all the way to outside the hall before stopping.

Standing on the steps, listening to the chirping of summer insects, Xiuzhu felt increasingly wronged the more she thought about it. She couldn’t help but crouch down and cry. She truly hadn’t expected that at such a time, Miss would still not believe her words. More than ten years of master-servant affection could not compare to half a year of friendship with Yang Consort – this truly broke her heart.

She secretly vowed that if Miss did not execute Yang Consort this time, she would never again concern herself with Miss’s affairs. Otherwise, she would leave the Prince of Qin’s mansion. After all, Ding Yang had said he would marry her as his wife, and she could focus on supporting her husband and raising children in the future, better than suffering such grievances here.

The night gradually faded as the mao hour approached, and dawn broke clear and bright. Xiuzhu sat silently before the bronze mirror, her reflection showing red, swollen eyes with dark circles beneath them from staying awake all night.

“Sister Xiuzhu, are you inside?” Wenlan’s voice came from outside. Xiuzhu replied in a hoarse voice, “What is it?”

Hearing her voice, Wenlan pushed the door open and entered, saying, “The Princess Consort asked me to call Sister Xiuzhu over.”

Without hesitation, Xiuzhu refused, “I won’t go.” Just thinking about last night’s events made her heart ache terribly, and she didn’t want to see Zhangsun Shi.

Wenlan gently persuaded, “It’s already been a whole night. Sister Xiuzhu, haven’t you calmed down yet?” She had been there last night too, so naturally knew what had happened.

Xiuzhu stubbornly said, “Don’t worry about whether I’ve calmed down or not. In any case, I won’t go. Just go back and report truthfully.”

Wenlan sighed and crouched down, saying, “Does Sister Xiuzhu plan to never associate with the Princess Consort again?” Seeing her silence, she continued persuading, “I can see that Sister Xiuzhu and the Princess Consort share deep feelings. Why make each other unhappy over a moment of stubbornness?”

Her words made Xiuzhu’s eyes redden slightly as she choked out, “I’m not the one causing trouble – it’s Miss who doesn’t trust me. Since that’s the case, there’s no point in my staying here.”

Seeing the hint of departure in her words, Wenlan was greatly alarmed and quickly said, “Please don’t! If you leave, the Princess Consort will surely be heartbroken.”

In truth, Xiuzhu was equally reluctant in her heart, but every time she thought of Zhangsun Shi’s attitude, she felt disheartened. She had wholeheartedly considered her mistress’s interests, only to be met with Zhangsun Shi’s suspicion.

“Sister Xiuzhu…” Before Wenlan could continue, Xiuzhu had already said, “I don’t want to discuss this now. You should go.”

Wenlan hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “I know Sister Xiuzhu feels wronged, but the Princess Consort has just lost her child and is already very sad. We servants should be more understanding. If there are any grievances, we can discuss them after this period passes. Don’t you think so, Sister Xiuzhu?”

“Are you lecturing me?” Faced with Xiuzhu’s words, Wenlan stuck out her pink tongue tip. “How would I dare lecture Sister Xiuzhu? It’s just…” She rolled her eyes and smiled lightly, “I’m just helping to sort through this matter.”

“You’re always the most meddlesome!” Xiuzhu pinched Wenlan’s cheek, but after Wenlan’s lengthy explanation, the anger that had been stuck in her chest had mostly dissipated.

Wenlan giggled and shook Xiuzhu’s arm, saying, “So can Sister Xiuzhu come with me to see the Princess Consort now?”

“No!” Xiuzhu’s answer made Wenlan freeze, not expecting that after all she had said, Xiuzhu still couldn’t let go of her resentment. Just as she was feeling troubled, she heard Xiuzhu’s voice again, “At least wait until I’ve washed and dressed before going to see Miss.”

Upon hearing this, Wenlan immediately turned from worry to joy, repeatedly saying, “I’ll go fetch water right away.”

“This girl.” Watching Wenlan’s hurried departure, Xiuzhu chuckled softly and picked up her comb to carefully style her waist-length hair.

After washing and dressing, she went with Wenlan to Laiyi Hall. Zhangsun Shi was already up, standing quietly by the window, letting the morning breeze blow against her face.

Though she had decided not to concern herself with Zhangsun Shi’s affairs anymore, seeing this scene, Xiuzhu couldn’t help but walk over and close the window. “Miss just had a miscarriage yesterday and shouldn’t be exposed to wind, lest it leave lasting ailments.”

Zhangsun Shi turned around, the dark circles under her eyes even more pronounced than Xiuzhu’s, clearly having stayed awake all night as well. She pulled at the corners of her mouth, saying, “I want to see the child off one last time. Come with me.”

Xiuzhu nodded silently, walked over to pick up the small swaddling bundle from the bed, and accompanied Zhangsun Shi outside. A carriage was already waiting at the mansion’s entrance.

The child was to be buried in a place in the city with mountains behind and water in front. According to the geomancer, this location with both mountains and water was an excellent burial site.

During the burial, Zhangsun Shi insisted on not letting others handle it. She personally placed the child in the small coffin, personally dug the grave, and personally buried the earth. After completing all this, Zhangsun Shi’s hands had developed several blood blisters that hurt at the slightest touch.

Xiuzhu watched with heartache, taking out a handkerchief to bandage her hands while saying, “Such rough work should be left to us servants. Why do it yourself? Look, your hands are covered in wounds. Remember to apply medicine when we return, and don’t let them get wet – it would be troublesome if they became infected.”