At that moment, the Emperor indeed noticed Bai Ying, who was being pulled to his side by the Imperial Concubine.
"This is..." The emperor's voice was authoritative without being angry, but it softened slightly at the end.
The imperial concubine immediately stepped forward, her pearl hairpin swaying gently with her movements, reflecting a hazy glow in the candlelight.
"Your Majesty, this Miss Xia possesses extraordinary medical skills; it was her silver needle technique that saved Yun'er."
She recounted in detail how Bai Ying diagnosed the Third Prince's illness and how she skillfully treated him with acupuncture. When she reached the most dangerous parts, her phoenix eyes welled up with tears, and her lips trembled slightly: "If it weren't for Miss Xia's composure in that critical moment, Yun'er..."
The surprise in the emperor's eyes gradually turned into undisguised admiration.
He carefully examined the seemingly delicate woman before him. Her features were exquisite, yet she possessed an air of dignified composure. Her simple white dress further accentuated her ethereal气质.
With such grace and poise, how could she possibly resemble the rumored good-for-nothing adopted daughter of the Xia family?
Standing beside the dragon throne, Pei Qingfeng's gaze was even more intense. This prince, who was always known for his coldness and aloofness, had lost his usual composure and was staring intently at Bai Ying. His eyes, which were usually frosty, were now like ice melting away, flashing with a startlingly fiery light.
"Absurd!" Xia Yuwei screamed hysterically in her heart, her carefully manicured nails digging deep into her palms, drawing blood, but she was completely unaware.
She had seen that look in the eyes of countless princes and noblemen—the look a man gives when he's fallen for a woman! She had painstakingly cultivated her relationship for years, expending countless efforts to gain even a sliver of favor from him, and now this vile woman, Xia Qingdai, had no right to...
Just as she was consumed by jealousy, the imperial concubine suddenly changed the subject:
"But Minister Xia just now..." She sighed, then described in vivid detail how Xia Mingde publicly severed ties with Bai Ying.
As she spoke, the Imperial Concubine deliberately glanced at Xia Mingde, who was kneeling on the ground, her eyes filled with mockery.
Xia Mingde felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and his kneeling body trembled uncontrollably.
He could feel the emperor's gaze piercing him like a sharp sword, and the stares of the others around him felt like needles sticking out of his back.
"Well done, Minister Xia!" The emperor sneered, his dragon sleeves fluttering even without wind, revealing his imperial rage. "I never knew you were so bad at judging people! You can even abandon your own daughter in public; how can I entrust the important positions of the Six Ministries to you?"
Xia Mingde's forehead touched the ground, cold sweat soaking through his heavy court robes. He opened his mouth to explain, but found his throat too dry to utter a sound. Yes, he had indeed been eager to sever ties with Xia Qingdai just now; everyone had witnessed his resolute manner...
"Effective immediately, Xia Mingde is demoted to a fifth-rank official and his salary is reduced by three years."
The Emperor's words were law, final and decisive. Turning to Bai Ying, his stern face softened instantly, like a gentle spring breeze: "Miss Xia's medical skills are superb, and she has rendered meritorious service in saving the prince. Since Xia Mingde refuses to acknowledge you, I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Princess Qingping,' granting you a princess's residence and ten thousand taels of gold."
The emperor's gaze swept across the crowd in the hall like lightning, his voice suddenly turning stern, "Let's see who dares to bully you again!"
This sudden reward caused an uproar in the hall.
Xia Yuwei felt dizzy and almost collapsed.
Princess?
Xia Qingdai, who was raised like a village girl since childhood, suddenly became a princess who was even more noble than her.
The title she had painstakingly worked for for many years but failed to obtain was now easily taken away by Xia Qingdai.
She doesn't deserve her!
Bai Ying calmly expressed her gratitude, displaying the demeanor of a great lady in every gesture.
Just moments ago, the instant she placed Wang Miaomiao's soul fragment into the Soul-Nourishing Stone, a long-buried memory flooded her mind like a tidal wave—
The wind was biting cold at the bottom of the cliff. Xia Qingdai, on the verge of death, begged Wang Miaomiao, blood gushing from the corner of her mouth. She said that she could give her identity, just so that Wang Miaomiao could help her get justice.
However, Wang Miaomiao herself was in dire straits at that time. She could only desperately preserve her plea in the last vestige of her soul, hoping that she could be discovered by herself.
After Xia Qingdai died, the Xia family had no intention of finding her.
She made a huge fool of herself at that time, and the Xia family actually abandoned her because they thought she was a disgrace.
It was Xiao Tao who went through countless hardships to find Bai Ying, who had transformed into Xia Qingdai.
If Xiao Tao hadn't carried her around so openly that the Xia family had no choice but to accept this "disgraceful" daughter, Xia Qingdai probably wouldn't even have had anyone to collect her body.
Bai Ying's fingertips unconsciously caressed the Soul-Nourishing Stone in her sleeve, the warm touch of the jade pulling her back to reality.
She looked up at the Xia family members and suddenly felt incredibly ironic—how many unspeakable thoughts were hidden beneath these sanctimonious faces?
At this moment, Bai Ying truly wished that the real Xia Qingdai could see this scene; how wonderful that would be...
"Don't worry," Bai Ying murmured to herself, "I will definitely get justice for you."
Xia Mingde clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.
A surge of overwhelming rage welled up within him. This wretched child possessed such abilities and hadn't even told him, causing him such a huge loss! If only he had known… if only he had known…
When he gets back, he'll teach this wretched child a lesson!
Unexpectedly, at that moment, Bai Ying gracefully bowed to the Emperor:
"Your Majesty, please understand. I have something to tell you," she said in a cold voice, "I am not Lord Xia's adopted daughter, but his own flesh and blood."
These words struck Xia Mingde like a thunderbolt, making him tremble and nearly collapse to the ground.
The hall fell silent instantly; everyone held their breath.
The emperor could hardly believe his ears.
The emperor frowned, his majestic face filled with disbelief.
The fact that Xia Mingde adopted the orphan girl was known throughout the entire royal city.
But now, this so-called "adopted daughter" claims to be of the Xia family bloodline?
No wonder he found it strange at the time; even if it's an adopted daughter, you shouldn't adopt someone so old...
If she is his biological daughter, why doesn't he acknowledge her and treat her that way?
The Emperor looked at Xia Mingde with a probing gaze.
Could it be that Xia Qingdai is the child of Xia Mingde and his mistress?
Unexpectedly, Bai Ying said, "This humble woman is the direct offspring of Lord Xia and his principal wife. However, because the midwife was bribed, she was switched with the daughter of a farmer in the suburbs..."
With each word she spoke, Xia Yuwei's face paled a little more.
The usually delicate and charming Miss Xia was now ashen-faced and trembling like a leaf.
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