"She hasn’t received any favor along the way, nor has she harbored any ulterior motives. She has been quite well-behaved!" Noble Concubine Shih narrowed her eyes. Could it be... her fainting was merely a coincidence? But... how frail must one’s body be to faint from just a few slaps! Consort Yun thought for a moment but didn’t know what to say. Noble Concubine Shih’s stomach was very uncomfortable. She frowned, clutching her stomach, and said impatiently, "Although... I did hit her! But these two people are still useful. Keep a good eye on them, guide them properly! Their ultimate usefulness, however, depends on you!" Consort Yun was somewhat perplexed. "What do you mean, Your Highness?" Noble Concubine Shih sneered. "Although they are afraid of me, they should trust you very much. Whatever you say, they will probably listen! They are all Honored Ladies; why not let them fight amongst themselves!" Noble Concubine Shih changed her posture, still clutching her stomach. "Previously, to harm my child, the Empress found such a useless thing as Honored Lady Hu! Using others to do her dirty work—that move was played quite beautifully! We can do the same!" Consort Yun had a sudden realization. "You are right, Your Highness! They have had interactions with Lady Xia! In the palace, what true sisterhood is there? There are only unchanging interests!" When Consort Yun said this, a flash of cold light crossed the depths of her eyes! "Even the deepest affections can’t withstand instigation, let alone... those who aren’t particularly close!" Noble Concubine Shih, seeing that Consort Yun had caught on, also curled her lips high in a smile. "As for whether Honored Lady Xi is truly naive or pretending to be, it has nothing to do with me! Let them fight to their heart’s content!" No matter who defeated whom, she would be the one watching the spectacular show from the sidelines! "I’m entrusting this matter to you!" Consort Yun gave a sinister smile. "Yes, Your Highness!" From Shuixin Pavilion across Taiye Pool, Xia Ruqing, who was walking her cat, had seen everything that happened that morning. The sun gradually grew stronger, and she returned to Qingya Residence. Zi Yue brought over some cool tea, and Xia Ruqing drank a bowl comfortably. Then, seemingly lost in thought, she said, "Zi Yue, do you think Honored Lady Xi did it intentionally? Honored Lady Xi was positioned perfectly to see the direction the Emperor would come from! The moment she fainted, the Emperor emerged. Tell me... do you think she really didn’t see him? Or... did she truly not see him, and it was just a coincidence?" Zi Yue frowned in thought for quite some time but couldn’t figure it out. "Master, it was too far away, so this servant couldn’t see clearly. However, in all the time we’ve been out, we indeed haven’t seen Honored Lady Xi harbor any improper intentions! It should... be a coincidence, I guess! If she were truly that scheming, she wouldn’t have remained so quiet for so long! Besides, one can’t hide their true nature so perfectly, can they? Flaws would eventually show!" Follow current novels on novel·fiɾe·net Xia Ruqing furrowed her brows in thought for quite a while and then nodded. "What you say... makes sense!" Having said that, she waved her hand dismissively. "Let’s not dwell on it; it’s all just troublesome nonsense! Not worth our time. Come on! Let’s see if Xiao Xizi has brought back the vegetable seeds! We’ll get the garden sorted this afternoon!" "Yes!" Zi Yue responded cheerfully. Meanwhile, after Honored Lady Xi was carried back, Li Shengan had an Imperial Physician summoned. After a thorough diagnosis, the Imperial Physician, as customary, prescribed a medicinal formula and provided an ointment. "Although it’s only a superficial injury, since it’s on her face, she must be extra careful. She should try not to let the wound get wet and avoid eating spicy or stimulating food!" After giving his instructions, the Imperial Physician picked up his medicine box and departed. Honored Lady Xi had only the palace maid Dong Cha carefully attending to her. After taking her medicine and having ointment applied, Honored Lady Xi gradually woke up, mumbling hazily, "Dong Cha... Dong Cha... The rabbit, did you bring it back..." Dong Cha responded cautiously, "My lady, the rabbit is fine; you need not worry!" Only then did Honored Lady Xi feel relieved. However, she was very sad and started sobbing softly. Dong Cha didn’t know how to comfort her. Being slapped in public was hard enough for anyone to accept, even a palace maid. Just at this moment, someone from outside announced, "Consort Yun has arrived!" Dong Cha hurriedly got up to greet her. Honored Lady Xi struggled to get up as well, but Consort Yun, who had already entered, stepped forward and gently pressed her back down. "Dear sister, you’re injured ; please lie down!" When Honored Lady Xi opened her eyes and saw it was Consort Yun, her tears immediately began to fall. "Elder Sister Yun!" Consort Yun quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears while comforting her. "Don’t cry..." She said, then added, "The Noble Consort is aware of your grievances and has specially sent me to offer you an apology..." Honored Lady Xi was nursing her grievance and, hearing these words, was stunned. "Ah?" She did not understand and asked with wide eyes, "An apology?" Consort Yun nodded. Then she spoke at length, the gist of which was: Noble Concubine Shih had no choice but to hit you. If the Empress were to find out you are on good terms with us, she would certainly not let you off! The Noble Consort did this out of necessity; she was protecting you! Honored Lady Xi was somewhat skeptical. "Is... is that really true?" Seeing her disbelief, Consort Yun took a small bottle out from her bosom. "Otherwise? Look, what is this?" However, Honored Lady Xi did not recognize it and shook her head. Consort Yun had no choice but to explain, "This is the Ice Muscle Jade Snow Bruise Salve, a tribute from the Western Regions. It’s remarkably effective for external injuries. It’s so rare that only three bottles exist in total! The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Noble Consort each received one. Even I don’t possess one!" Honored Lady Xi was somewhat surprised. "Such a precious thing... I... I shouldn’t use it. The Imperial Physician has already given me some ointment..." Consort Yun stuffed it into her hands. "We all live in the same palace. We are sisters! If you refuse it, wouldn’t that be letting down the Noble Consort’s kind intentions!" Honored Lady Xi thought about it and agreed. "Well... alright then! Thank you, Noble Consort!" Only then did Consort Yun appear pleased. "That’s more like it!" After delivering the salve, Consort Yun stayed a while longer and talked with Honored Lady Xi. As they chatted, the conversation turned to Xia Ruqing. Consort Yun sighed. "Sigh... Lady Xia is so favored; even I dare not offend her. I truly envy you for having such a good sister! By the way, since she’s so favored, why hasn’t she put in a good word for you with the Emperor?" Honored Lady Xi was quite embarrassed by the question and could only say, "Lady Xia and I... we aren’t really..." We aren’t that close. Inside the palace, everyone calls each other sisters as a courtesy, but who really takes it to heart! Besides, Lady Xia has never actually called me sister. "She... is polite to everyone!" Hearing this, Consort Yun said with a touch of tartness, "Sigh, of course, she looks down on us! Just look, when we accompanied the Emperor on his outing, she was completely focused on him, not sparing us even a single glance!"