Zhao Junyao had directly issued a gag order regarding the Little Prince’s condition. Any palace Servant who dared to discuss it was to be clubbed to death on the spot. But news , much like the wind slipping over walls, could never be truly suppressed. Xia Ruqing learned the news before she even had her evening meal. "A condition of five softnesses?" The ancients indeed had a way with words, to describe cerebral palsy so delicately, Xia Ruqing thought. Xiao Xizi continued, "They say he won’t even take milk from the Wetnurse Nanny, nor does he cry. When Imperial Doctor Zhang tested him with a pellet drum, he didn’t react to the sound at all!" Zi Yue added, "I heard he didn’t cry when he was born. At first, everyone thought he was just weak from being premature, but it turned out to be this illness..." Xiao Xizi followed up, "When the Emperor heard, he only instructed that the Noble Consort be well cared for and gave no other orders..." Zi Yue asked in shock, "Ah? Then... will he be treated?" Before Xiao Xizi could reply, Xia Ruqing stated directly, "They’ll treat him, of course, they’ll treat him! He’s a Prince, after all..." It’s just that it can’t be cured, she mused. Cerebral palsy has no cure. Whether the Noble Consort had brought this upon herself or it was due to inbreeding, the fact remained: Noble Concubine Shih had failed to protect her child. "The Empress Dowager... if she finds out..." Zi Yue trailed off. Xiao Xizi quickly said, "When your servant was returning just now, I happened to see Imperial Doctor Zhang carrying his medical chest towards Ningshou Palace..." Xia Ruqing chuckled softly and sighed. "Alright, it’s none of our concern. Since the Emperor has forbidden any discussion, don’t mention it again. Pretend you don’t know!" Zi Yue and Xiao Xizi both assented. News reached the Empress even faster; she knew before her noon meal, almost at the same time! Her face a mask of shock, she dismissed the Palace Attendant who delivered the news. Inwardly, she felt a profound sense of relief. Even if she hadn’t fallen, the child wouldn’t have been healthy! she thought. Perhaps now the Emperor wouldn’t keep dwelling on that incident. These past few days, she had felt as if she were being roasted over a fire. Acting was wrong, staying still was also wrong; she hadn’t known what to do. The Empress scoffed. "It’s just her rotten luck. After going through so much to finally conceive, she ends up with a paralyzed child!" Sister Ji stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, do you wish to go and see them?" The Empress laughed. "Go? Of course, I shall go!" She continued with a smile, "Not only will we go, but we’ll also pretend... we know nothing at all! The Emperor forbade discussion, so naturally, I know nothing, she thought. Tomorrow is the Little Prince’s third-day washing ceremony. This afternoon, I must have a good discussion with the Noble Consort!" With that, the Empress settled into her high seat, taking a contented sip of tea. "Someone, tell the Imperial Kitchen to prepare an excellent spread for the noon meal! Today... my appetite is good!" Sister Ji responded joyfully, "Yes!" The Noble Consort’s child is paralyzed! This means Her Majesty the Empress has another chance! After her noon meal and a nap, the Empress was in excellent spirits. "Yu Lan, bring out a new autumn outfit. Pick something festive. The Noble Consort has been blessed with a son, and I must go congratulate her!" Yu Lan selected a silver-red Phoenix Palace Attire of carved silk, densely embroidered with various phoenix motifs in gold thread. Over this, she draped a silver-colored silk longcoat. This fabric was woven from the finest Heavenly Silkworm Silk, intertwined with extremely delicate silver threads. It was further embroidered with intricate and dense floral medallions using transparent water-thread. The material was exceedingly precious; only a few bolts existed in the entire Harem. Yu Lan then assisted the Empress in donning the newly made Phoenix Crown and Accessories, originally prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. "These are all part of a set. We’ll forgo the smaller Phoenix Hairpins for now; the main Phoenix Crown will suffice." It wasn’t a banquet, after all; wearing only the main Phoenix Crown is enough! Yu Lan stood behind the Empress. Using a horn comb, she meticulously styled the Empress’s hair, then gently placed the dazzling Phoenix Crown, studded with various gemstones, upon Her Majesty’s head, securing it with a few fine hairpins. For origınal chapters go to 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱 Yu Lan smiled. "Your Majesty, your complexion is radiant today!" The Empress examined her reflection from left to right, touched her face, and was quite satisfied. "’A joyous event lifts the spirits.’ That saying... is indeed true!" The Empress sneered again. "Tell me, who is to blame for birthing such a child? By the way, what’s the Emperor’s attitude?" Sister Ji stepped forward and said, "What other attitude could there be? I heard... the Emperor left immediately, merely instructing that the Noble Consort be cared for. He didn’t even mention the Little Prince!" The Empress laughed lightly. "It’s fortunate the Emperor is enlightened and didn’t consider this... creature... an ill omen! If this were among commoners, in those superstitious families, if the firstborn son turned out to be an imbecile, even the principal wife could be divorced, and her family wouldn’t dare utter a peep!" Suddenly, Sister Ji had a thought and asked, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should..." Spread rumors? she hinted. The Empress’s expression changed, and she immediately cut her off. "Sister Ji, you’re muddled. This isn’t just about the Noble Consort’s misfortune; this is a scandal for the Royal Family!" Sister Ji had a sudden realization. "Your servant deserves death!" The Empress said, "We still haven’t cleared ourselves of suspicion regarding her fall. The most important thing now is... to remain still and observe!" The Empress then instructed, "Sister Ji, it matters less elsewhere, but within Jiaofang Hall, absolutely no one is to discuss this privately! This matter... whoever touches it will meet with misfortune! We will act as if we know nothing!" Sister Ji’s expression instantly turned grave. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I cannot guarantee other things, but this I can certainly manage!" The Empress smiled. "That’s good!" Dressed in grand attire, the Empress, accompanied by Yu Lan, Yu Fu, and several second-rank Palace Maids and eunuchs, proceeded majestically to Xifu Palace. Noble Concubine Shih, who had fainted that morning, had only just regained consciousness in the afternoon. When the Empress entered, she was still so dazed she didn’t even know to offer courtesies. Ying Yue, terrified, knelt on the floor. "Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress!" "What’s happened to your mistress? Tomorrow is the Little Prince’s third-day washing ceremony! I have already made all the arrangements! Are you lacking anything here...?" Upon hearing the words "Little Prince," Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes flickered with a faint light, and she seemed to regain a sliver of clarity. Ying Yue glanced back at her mistress, bit her lip, and finally said reluctantly, "Your Majesty, our mistress’s premature birth has severely sapped her vitality, and the Little Prince is also very frail. Tomorrow’s third-day washing ceremony..." It probably can’t be held, she thought despairingly. The Empress, feigning ignorance, continued, "The third-day washing ceremony doesn’t require much effort! I have already arranged for it to be held here in Xifu Palace... No matter how frail he is, he’ll get better with care. He is, after all, the Emperor’s Crown Prince. How could we possibly..." Before the Empress could finish, a porcelain bowl came flying towards her from a distance. "Your Majesty, be careful!" Yu Lan stepped forward, shielding the Empress. SMASH! The porcelain bowl struck Yu Lan on the forehead.