"To publicly hit someone! It’s outrageous!" Sister Qing advised. "The pain of losing a son has been pent up for so long; it’s torturous! It’s good to let it out. Once it’s out, one can stand up again!" The Empress Dowager sneered coldly and said no more. When Xia Ruqing returned to Qingya Residence and entered the courtyard, she ordered Xiao Xizi to send Qiu Tong and Qiu Ye away and had the main gate closed. Her eyes were steely. "From now on, no matter what Honored Lady Xi sends or says, don’t use it, don’t trust it!" Xiao Xizi and Zi Yue looked at each other, bewildered. "My Lady, what has happened?" Xia Ruqing remembered that look and instantly got goosebumps. She shook her head. "It’s nothing. Just remember what I said." Xiao Xizi was puzzled but nodded anyway. Zi Yue was looking down, as if in thought, then suddenly she looked up. "My Lady, last winter, Dong Cha, who serves Honored Lady Xi, gave me a box of fragrance balm. I didn’t quite like the scent, so I never used it, but I still have it! I’ll go get it now!" Perhaps it was a woman’s intuition, but Zi Yue had never fully trusted Honored Lady Xi either. She always felt something was off. If they were naive when they first entered the palace, that would be one thing. But they had been in the palace for nearly three years now and had seen plenty of sordid affairs; to still be naive would be quite unreasonable! Whatever the case, it was better to be cautious. When the fragrance balm was brought to her, Xia Ruqing looked it over and said, "Keep it for now. If she sends anything else in the future, collect it all together, seal it up tightly, and never use it!" "Yes!" Zi Yue replied. After Noble Concubine Shih was taken back, her condition hadn’t improved much. She couldn’t stay still in bed and thrashed about desperately. Several Little Eunuchs were nearly unable to hold her down! Ying Yue was so anxious she cried, not even minding the swelling and pain on her face. The Imperial Physician arrived swiftly. After his diagnosis, he kept frowning. "How is she? How is our Noble Concubine Shih?" The Imperial Physician had not yet decided what to say. Sister Qing had also arrived. She was the Empress Dowager’s niece; how could she not care at all? Ying Yue performed a curtsy, finally having someone to rely on. "Sister, please come and take a look!" Sister Qing looked at Noble Concubine Shih, frowned, and then asked the Imperial Physician, "This is..." The Imperial Physician said, "Noble Concubine Shih has suffered a shock. Phlegm has clouded her mind, and her liver fire is excessive! Medication is necessary to expel the phlegm obstructing her heart. Only then can Noble Concubine Shih recover!" With every word he spoke, more sweat beaded on his forehead. Finally, he wiped his sweat. "As for the prescription, I still need to discuss it with several other Imperial Physicians. Please wait a moment, Sister Qing." He then instructed his attendant to summon the others. Sister Qing was somewhat anxious but still managed a faint smile and nodded. "Naturally." In truth, it wasn’t that this Imperial Physician was incapable of treating her, but Noble Concubine Shih’s illness was no small matter. If anything went wrong, he alone could not bear the responsibility! Before long, three other Imperial Physicians arrived. They were all Old Imperial Doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau, renowned for their excellent medical skills. Together, they came up with a prescription. Ying Yue hurriedly went to decoct the medicine. It took a full Shi Chen before it was ready. Everyone worked together to hold down Noble Concubine Shih, feeding her the medicine spoonful by spoonful. One of the Imperial Physicians also took out a row of silver needles from his medicine chest. He pricked the tips of Noble Concubine Shih’s ten fingers, squeezing out a few drops of dark blood. Only when the drops turned red did they stop. Noble Concubine Shih fainted. Everyone wiped their sweat. "She’ll be fine when she wakes up tomorrow morning." Ying Yue finally felt relieved. "Thank you, Imperial Physicians!" With that, she took out a purse and saw the Imperial Physicians out. Sister Qing also felt greatly relieved. She looked at the five finger marks on Ying Yue’s face and smiled. "Your master treats you this way; don’t you harbor any resentment in your heart?" Ying Yue hurriedly knelt and kowtowed. "This servant is of low status and little worth. If it makes Her Highness feel better, this servant is willing to endure anything!" Sister Qing nodded. "Good girl." Saying this, she patted Ying Yue’s shoulder and left. The lively palace soon fell silent. On the nearby desk, incense wafted gently from the small animal-shaped burner. The incense burning within was the Dream Sweet Fragrance sent by Consort Yun. Noble Concubine Shih awoke, feeling much improved. Her complexion was less pale, and her eyes were brighter and more spirited. The oppression in her heart had finally been released. Of course, the rift with the Empress was now irreparable. But it didn’t matter; she and the Empress were destined to be mortal enemies! Thinking this, Noble Concubine Shih heaved a long sigh. "Your Highness, breakfast is ready," Ying Yue announced as she entered, having arranged the meal. Noble Concubine Shih looked at her face and asked, "Does the slap I gave you yesterday still hurt?" Ying Yue quickly knelt. "In reply to Your Highness, it no longer hurts." Noble Concubine Shih glanced at her indifferently and said nothing more. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥 For breakfast, Noble Concubine Shih ate an unusually large amount. She ate some xiaolongbao and pan-fried dumplings, and even drank more than half a bowl of congee. Ying Yue was overjoyed. "Your Highness, you’ve eaten so well today!" Noble Concubine Shih sneered. "Some people are just hoping for me to die! Unfortunately for them, I won’t let them have their way! She thinks that just because there’s no evidence, no one can touch her? How naive! If I can figure it out, Cousin definitely can too! I hear... Cousin hasn’t visited Jiaofang Hall in a long time!" At this thought, a triumphant smirk touched Noble Concubine Shih’s lips. She walked to the window and exhaled deeply, expelling the stale air from her lungs. She felt clear-headed and sharp, as if reborn. She stared at the morning light on the horizon for a moment. Suddenly, she turned, her eyes reflecting the dawn, a new fighting spirit igniting within them. "I will avenge my Imperial Son! I will make her suffer! I will personally trample the Empress underfoot!" Ying Yue was somewhat frightened and dared not speak. However, Noble Concubine Shih had no intention of seeking her agreement. She walked to the chaise lounge and reclined. "Go! Prepare a bowl of bird’s nest soup with milk for me. After so long, it’s time I properly nourished my body!" "Yes, Your Highness." Ying Yue curtsied and withdrew. The farce had finally ended. Neither the Empress nor Noble Concubine Shih had gained any advantage. However, after that incident, Noble Concubine Shih seemed to have regained her spirits. No one dared to neglect her meals anymore. She consumed Ginseng and bird’s nest soup in abundance. When idle, she would leisurely stroll and bask in the sun. Her days were quite leisurely, and she was in no hurry to win back the Emperor’s favor. In less than half a month, the once resplendently beautiful Noble Concubine Shih seemed to have returned. One day, when Noble Concubine Shih went to pay her respects, Xia Ruqing was seated further back. Noble Concubine Shih was dressed in a dazzling, rose-red palace gown lavishly embroidered with hibiscus flowers. Her head was adorned with a full set of Gilded Ruby hair ornaments. The craftsmanship was exquisite, a breathtaking marvel, and undoubtedly priceless. Leaning on Ying Yue’s arm, she performed a cursory curtsy. "Greetings, Empress." The Empress’s expression was grim, but she still waved her hand. "Rise." "Thank you, Empress." With a slight curl of her red lips, Noble Concubine Shih turned gracefully and took her seat.