Chapter 20 The princess was nuzzling her cheek against his chest...

The emperor waved his hand dismissively: "I've been reviewing memorials all day and am a bit tired. I strolled here and was intrigued by this fragrance."

The head chef of the imperial kitchen quickly knelt down and replied, "Your Majesty, it was ordered by the Empress to be stewed with snow frog and lotus seeds. It uses jade snow frog, which can only be harvested once every five years."

The emperor nodded slightly.

"I've been reviewing memorials for a while now and I'm feeling quite hungry. In that case, I'll go to the Empress's palace and have some with her."

Zhan Xiao's plans were completely disrupted.

He held the princess and hid in a blind spot, minimizing his breathing.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two bodyguards following him like shadows, their breaths deep and steady, both clearly experts.

The princess must be sent back before the emperor arrives. Otherwise, once the emperor arrives at the Phoenix Palace, his guards will be everywhere, making it almost impossible to send the princess back quietly.

Just as he was pondering this, the person in his arms suddenly stirred.

Zhan Xiao froze instantly, clearly feeling the princess rubbing her cheek against his chest, her soft hair brushing against his chin, its fragrance intoxicating.

He immediately held his breath, raised his arm to support the princess's head, and held her even tighter in his arms, while his other hand swiftly pointed towards the sleeping spot on the back of her neck.

The soft, warm body in his arms trembled slightly, then fell completely still.

Fortunately, the two guards were focused on the emperor and did not notice the subtle movements in the corner.

The cook filled the soup on the stove into food boxes, and several palace maids, carrying the carved food boxes, respectfully followed the emperor's entourage out the door.

Zhan Xiao silently counted their footsteps, calculating the distance they had traveled. Then, embracing the princess, he darted out of the back window, his figure as swift as the winter wind, returning to the side hall of Fengyi Palace in an instant.

The person in his arms was still fast asleep, but her complexion was slightly rosier than before.

He gently placed the princess on the ground, allowing her to maintain the natural posture she had when she fainted.

...

As soon as the emperor arrived at the gate of the Phoenix Palace, he heard a panicked commotion coming from the direction of the side hall.

The chief eunuch Zhao Quan immediately stepped forward and shouted in a shrill voice, "His Majesty is here, who dares to make such a fuss!"

A young eunuch scrambled forward to report: "Your Majesty, it was...it was Instructor Yan, who taught the princess etiquette. She...she fell into the lotus pond."

The emperor frowned slightly: "Instructor Yan? What's she doing here?"

Zhao Quan quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress has instructed Instructor Yan to teach Princess Yuhe etiquette here."

The emperor said no more and walked straight toward the side hall.

The first thing that catches the eye is a group of palace servants frantically trying to pull Yan Sijiao out of the pond. Not far from this chaos, under the corridor, Jiang Fushi lies alone, pale-faced, unattended.

Zhao Quan immediately gasped, glancing at the emperor's expression: "This... these servants have truly gone too far! How dare they treat the princess with such disrespect!"

"Hurry up and help the princess up! Summon the imperial physician!"

The emperor remained silent, his cold gaze sweeping across the entire hall. Wherever his gaze fell, everyone held their breath and knelt down, not daring to move.

"Summon the Empress." The Emperor's voice was unreadable. "Bring another soft couch and settle the princess in a nearby warm pavilion. Summon the imperial physician to treat her."

"yes!"

At this moment, the Empress was enjoying the newly presented tea in the main hall.

A palace maid rushed in, her face filled with panic: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived in person. Please move to the side hall!"

The Empress's teacup trembled slightly as a bad premonition arose in her heart.

"His Majesty has arrived? Has he stated his purpose?"

The palace maid shook her head. "It was Eunuch Zhao Quan who came to deliver the message personally. I could tell from his expression... it was very serious."

The side hall... isn't that where Yuhe learned etiquette?

The Empress quickly tidied her appearance and led her palace attendants to greet them.

From afar, one could see the emperor standing with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, a group of people kneeling beside him. Yan Sijiao, soaked to the bone, lay sprawled on the ground like a dead pig, shivering uncontrollably.

Although she didn't know what had happened, the Empress quickly suppressed her alarm and put on a concerned expression as she stepped forward: "Why has Your Majesty come here so suddenly? What has happened?"

"Your Majesty, please see for yourself."

Following the Emperor's gaze, the Empress finally saw Jiang Fushi, surrounded by palace servants, lying pale on a soft couch. Her expression immediately changed, and she exclaimed, "Heavens! What happened? What's wrong with Yuhe?"

The emperor remained silent, observing coldly.

Zhao Quan stepped forward, bowed, and whispered, "Your Majesty, according to the palace servants, Her Highness the Princess fainted due to exhaustion, and it seems that Director Yan... punished her too severely."

The Empress covered her mouth in surprise, her face instantly filled with disbelief: "This, this, how could this be? I originally thought that although Yuhe has been back in the palace for many years, she has become unfamiliar with some of the rules, so I specially asked Instructor Yan to carefully instruct her."

"Who knew she would be so reckless!"

As she spoke, the Empress's eyes reddened, and she picked up a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes: "In the end, it is all my fault. It was my oversight that caused Yuhe to suffer such injustice."

After the imperial physicians treated him, Yan Sijiao slowly regained consciousness. In his dazed state, he saw the Emperor and Empress in front of him and was so frightened that he quickly struggled to get up and kneel down.

The Empress sternly rebuked, "Director Yan! I trusted you, but I never expected you to dare to disobey me and treat the princess so harshly! What is your punishment?"

Yan Sijiao's face turned ashen, and his whole body trembled like a leaf.

Having spent so many years in the palace, she knew exactly who these nobles would use as a pawn the moment they frowned. By now, what didn't she understand?

Knowing he had been abandoned, Yan Sijiao gave a bitter laugh to himself, having no more hope. He could only kowtow repeatedly, pleading, "This old servant...this old servant deserves to die! This old servant was confused for a moment, please, Your Majesty and Your Majesty, have mercy!"

The Empress turned to the Emperor, her eyes brimming with tears: "Your Majesty, it was my oversight that led me to employ such a wicked servant, which caused Yuhe to suffer such a terrible fate. I... I am truly ashamed."

The emperor's gaze was cold.

“All palace servants present today who have neglected their duties shall be punished with twenty strokes of the cane and expelled from the palace.”

"As for Instructor Yan..."

Upon hearing this, Yan Sijiao felt as if he had heard a death knell. He immediately crawled on his knees to the Empress and grabbed her skirt tightly.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please save this old servant! This old servant has been following your orders..."

Before she could finish speaking, Granny Sun suddenly appeared out of nowhere, covered Yan Sijiao's mouth, and yanked her away roughly.

"How dare you, a wicked servant, spout nonsense and slander the Empress before His Majesty!"

The Empress immediately knelt down, her tone resolute: "Your Majesty, you are wise enough to see that such a treacherous and wicked servant is not to be allowed to live any longer. I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely in order to uphold the rules of the palace!"

The Emperor glanced at the Empress and said calmly, "Yan Sijiao mistreated the Princess and falsely accused the Emperor; his crimes are unforgivable. Drag him away and have him beaten to death."

Granny Sun darted forward and abruptly stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth, sternly shouting, "Shut up! You dare to spout nonsense even when you're about to die!"

Yan Sijiao let out a desperate "woof" sound from his throat. As he was dragged across the ground, his resentful eyes remained fixed on the Empress until he disappeared at the end of the palace wall.

The Empress lowered her eyes, her shoulders trembling slightly, as if she were very aggrieved.

"Since the Empress has admitted her oversight, I will punish her slightly as a warning." The Emperor slowly said, "From today onwards, the Empress shall remain in the palace for a month to reflect on her actions and shall not leave without my summons."

"Yuhe was frightened and fell ill, so she was sent back to the princess's residence to recuperate."

The empress nearly ground her teeth to powder, her head bowed.

"Your Majesty, I...accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude."

...

When Yuhe woke up, it was already dark.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I was met with Rongrong's worried face.

"Your Highness!" She was overjoyed, and Zisu and Qingdai immediately rushed over.

Jiang Fushi blinked, somewhat unaware of the situation.

Wasn't she learning etiquette in the side hall of Fengyi Palace? Why is she lying in bed?

"What are you doing here?" Jiang Fushi sat up and glanced at the surrounding furnishings. "Where is this?"

Rongrong quickly helped her up, her voice filled with anxiety: "Your Highness, you're still weak, please lie down."

"This is the warm pavilion of Fengyi Palace. We servants have been granted special permission by His Majesty to enter the palace to escort you back to your residence for rest and recuperation," Qingdai said.

"Pick me up?" Jiang Fushi subconsciously raised her hand, only to find that the back of her hand felt cool and had been carefully coated with a layer of ointment.

Qingdai fetched a brocade cloak and draped it over her shoulders: "People in the palace said you fainted in a side hall of Fengyi Palace. The imperial physician examined you and prescribed a remedy."

Jiang Fushi was startled, and her memories gradually returned.

She remembered now; her last memory was seeing Granny Sun and Instructor Yan leave, and then, exhausted, she lost consciousness.

Rongrong recounted the events of the emperor's arrival, the drowning of Instructor Yan, and the empress's confinement to her quarters in the simplest terms.

Qingdai added from the side, her tone tinged with a hint of satisfaction: "That wicked servant Yan Sijiao, who tormented you, has already been ordered by His Majesty to be beaten to death."

Jiang Fushi was quite surprised.

So many things happened in the short time she was unconscious?

"Your Highness, please have some soup to warm yourself up." Qingdai brought over a bowl of warm yam porridge. "Dinner is already being prepared, please have some to tide you over."

Jiang Fushi accepted it as instructed and took small sips.

It leaves a refreshing sweet taste in your mouth, unlike the taste of yam.

What's going on?

Did you feed me?

Qingdai shook her head: "You've been in a deep sleep the whole time, and haven't eaten or drunk anything."

Jiang Fushi clicked her tongue in confusion.

The taste is like the lingering sweetness of lotus seeds...

That's so strange, how could her mouth taste sweet?

She tried hard to recall, but her memory was blurry. She felt half-asleep, as if someone was holding her the whole time.

How could that be? This is the palace. Who would dare touch her?

But she clearly hadn't eaten anything, so where did the lotus seed flavor come from?

Was I hallucinating from hunger?

He let out a long sigh of relief.

Then the matter of today was brought up again.

The empress originally intended to discipline her by teaching her etiquette, but instead ended up being accused of being harsh on the princess.

Things took a turn for the worse than she had anticipated.

Dinner was served quickly.

Granny Sun also arrived at the same time.

With a smile on her face, she said, "Your Highness Princess Yuhe, Her Majesty the Empress is unwell, but she is always thinking of you and has specially instructed this old servant to come and visit you."

Jiang Fushi stared at her coldly without answering.

Yan Sijiao was beaten to death, but the instigator was still standing there.

Granny Sun continued, "Her Majesty the Empress is deeply saddened by what happened today. Her Majesty meant well, hoping that Instructor Yan would properly teach His Highness the rules, but who would have thought that she would dare to disobey and be so harsh."

"I'm sorry to have troubled Your Highness."

Jiang Fushi covered her lips with her sleeve, her voice weak and soft: "Your subject understands Your Majesty's intentions. When Granny Lao replies, please convey your gratitude to Your Majesty on my behalf."

Granny Sun stepped forward and gestured for the palace servants to place a soup at the front: "Her Majesty always keeps His Highness in mind, so she specially ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare this nourishing soup. His Highness should eat it while it's hot to calm his mind."

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you, Mother..."

Jiang Fushi sneered inwardly.

The Empress is truly putting on a convincing act, first sending Yan Sijiao to take the blame, and now she's playing the role of a loving mother in front of her. This hypocritical behavior is utterly disgusting.

Granny Sun personally served the dishes with a spoon. Jiang Fushi glanced at her and took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands, but her hand slipped and the handkerchief fell to Granny Sun's feet.

Unsuspecting, Granny Sun bent down to pick up the handkerchief, returned it with a smile, and then, using the excuse that she needed to return to the palace to report, bowed and left.

Back to Fengyi Palace.

The Empress's face was ashen. Marquis Yuyao, who was standing to the side, asked when Granny Sun returned, "How is that wretched child?"

"She does look weak; she can barely speak properly," Granny Sun replied.

"What a blunder! Why would His Majesty suddenly come to visit?" the Empress spat angrily.

"That Instructor Yan is useless; he doesn't know the consequences of his actions. If Yuhe hadn't fainted on the spot, His Majesty wouldn't have been alarmed, and so much trouble would have ensued."

The Empress grew angrier as she spoke, for His Majesty had actually ordered Yuhe to be confined to her quarters and reflect on her actions in front of everyone.

Over the years, His Majesty's attitude towards Yuhe has always been lukewarm. Why is he so interested in her this time?

Could it be that he was thinking of the young and deceased Consort Hui?

"Mother." Yu Yao frowned, her voice tinged with grievance.

"Please calm down." She obediently massaged the Empress's legs: "No matter what, Yuhe is still Father's flesh and blood. She fainted on the ground and no one cared, but the palace servants all went to save Yan Sijiao. Such mistreatment of the imperial heir will surely anger Father. Confining Mother to the palace is just a small punishment for outsiders."

That's definitely true...

The Empress stroked Yu Yao's hand and sighed, "Yao'er is intelligent."

“If it weren’t for Yuhe’s interference, you would be the only legitimate princess in the Sheng Kingdom. It is because your mother is useless that you have suffered such injustice.”

"Mother..." Yu Yao said fiercely, "Your subject believes that minor skirmishes will ultimately not be able to harm Yu He fundamentally."

"Either do it at all, or do it thoroughly."

"This will ensure that Yuhe has no chance of turning things around."

The Empress paused, pondered for a moment, and realized that what Yu Yao said made sense, but she did not have a perfect solution at the moment.

"Your Majesty, let's discuss this further later. Please have some snow frog and lotus seed soup first. The imperial kitchen has been carefully stewing it all day long." Granny Sun presented the stewing pot.

The queen took a sip.

Why does it taste so bland?

She glanced at the soup in the stew pot again; the color was clearer than usual. Just as she was about to ask, she was horrified to discover that a patch of red, swollen sores had appeared on the side of Granny Sun's face.

Granny Sun's eyes were glazed over. She hurriedly touched her face and felt a tingling, itchy, and stinging sensation. When she looked closely, she saw that the back of her hand was covered with red rashes, and waves of numbness went straight to her bones.

She cried out in horror, "What... what happened? Everything was fine just now!"

As he was speaking, the numbness spread rapidly, and even the root of his tongue began to stiffen.

Granny Sun fell to her knees with a thud, slurring her words, "Your Majesty, save me! This old servant's body... it... it... it won't obey me!"