Yonghe Palace
Since the death of her youngest son, Yongjing, Consort Xian's health has been fluctuating.
The previous series of births may have had an impact, but the most obvious effect was after Yongjing's untimely death.
Due to her health condition, Consort Xian was unable to care for her two children. She had no choice but to place one child in the Prince's Residence and entrust the other to the more reliable Consort Yu, even though she paid a considerable price for it.
"Cough cough cough, as long as they can live well, everything I've done is worth it."
Lying in bed, Consort Xian was in excruciating pain. She covered her face with a handkerchief and, before she could even utter a few words, she turned her head and coughed incessantly.
Seeing this, Cui Rui, who was taking care of Consort Xian, felt extremely distressed and brought her tea and water and helped her catch her breath.
Unfortunately, it didn't improve the situation much; Consort Xian still coughed, almost uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty, please rest and take care of your health. Only with your presence can the princes and princesses live well in the harem and be free from being controlled and bullied."
Without her biological mother by her side to take care of her, what good could Consort Yu's kindness to the princess do?
Moreover, Consort Yu has her own son, and who knows, she might eventually push the princess out to benefit their lineage for the sake of her son's future.
There's also Prince Yongqi, who lives alone in the Prince's Residence. He can't eat or sleep well, and I heard he's even fallen ill.
Also, fearing that her master would not be able to focus on his recovery after hearing this, Cui Rui did not say anything and could only keep it a secret for the time being.
But this is not a long-term solution. What will happen when the master finds out?
Cui Rui was extremely worried; she had even more troubles than Consort Xian.
"Cough cough cough, I know my body well," Consort Xian was immersed in her own emotions, easily becoming sentimental, especially since Yongjing was such a good child, taking away most of Consort Xian's energy from birth.
In the end, Yongjing was not saved. Consort Xian felt that with Yongjing's departure, even her spirit and energy disappeared.
It cannot be denied that Consort Xian had a motherly heart for her other two children, but it was not enough compared to Yongjing.
The most ridiculous thing is that Yongjing is younger than the previous two children.
"Your Majesty"
Cui Rui called out, but before she could continue speaking, she heard a noise coming from the doorway.
Cui Rui was taken aback, then got up and first tidied up the bedding for Consort Xian before hurriedly leaving.
Standing outside the door was a young, unfamiliar palace maid. Upon seeing Cui Rui come out, she quickly approached her and called her "sister" in a flattering manner.
Cui Rui: ...
"Who are you?"
Cui Rui has been busy taking care of Consort Xian lately and hasn't been paying much attention to the Yonghe Palace.
So when an unfamiliar palace maid suddenly appeared, she was a little confused.
The young palace maid quickly introduced herself, inadvertently revealing her true identity from the outside world.
Oh, so it's a spy recently sent in by the Hui-fa-na-la clan.
"Why are you back at this time instead of properly serving at Yikun Palace?"
Yikun Palace is the territory of the Imperial Noble Consort. She is powerful and not an ordinary person can easily get by.
The young palace maid looked nervous, glanced around, and whispered, "Sister, I heard some news, so I rushed back to tell you."
News? What news?
Cui Rui immediately pulled the little palace maid to a corner, "Is it about our Empress?" Otherwise, the little palace maid wouldn't have run back.
The young palace maid nodded and quickly told Cui Rui about the commotion that Xia He had deliberately created.
Cui Rui: ...
Cui Rui stared blankly at the little palace maid, then realized that she had to explain this to her master.
If the emperor were to choose someone to raise the child, wouldn't all the efforts the master had made before have been in vain?
No, no, handing the princess over to Consort Yu wouldn't be too much of a blow.
If the prince were to hand over Yongqi, the prince's son, to someone else, it would be like tearing out the master's heart, and the master would have no motivation to continue.
"You did a good job, I understand," Cui Rui said, calming herself down before slipping some silver to the maid and sending her away.
He stood at the door for a while, then finally pushed the door open and went into the hall, looking conflicted.
"Cui Rui, what happened?"
Consort Xian's heart skipped a beat when she saw Cui Rui's face change instantly after she went out, and her cough worsened.
Unable to resist pursing her lips, Cui Rui first advised her mistress to calm down, and then carefully told her mistress the bad news brought by the palace maid.
Consort Xian: ...?!
“How can Your Majesty do this? Yongqi is old enough to live in the Princes’ Residence on his own; he doesn’t need anyone to take care of him.”
The coughing was deafening. Seeing her mistress's agitated state, Cui Rui sighed inwardly, knowing that this would happen if she told her.
However, it must be said that the consequences of Prince Yongqi falling into the hands of others were something a lowly servant like her could not possibly bear.
"Your Majesty, this matter has not yet occurred; we can plan it slowly."
It hasn't really happened yet, so Master, there's no need to be too anxious lest your mood be affected and your physical problems worsen.
"It's too late."
Consort Xian's attitude remained pessimistic, and Cui Rui's attempts to persuade her were to no avail.
Seeing this, Cui Rui simply stopped talking. Since she knew no one would listen to her anyway, she might as well just do as her master wanted.
Cui Rui did not try to persuade her, and quietly listened to what Consort Xian had to say.
Consort Xian's method was exactly the same as what Chen Yuwei and Xia He complained about: she announced her recovery in advance and brought Yongqi, who was staying in the Prince's Residence, back to Yonghe Palace, without giving the Emperor a chance to speak.
In other words, she was sacrificing her own physical strength to save her son.
Cui Rui: ...
Well, that's how it is; our masters always like to do things this way, constantly sacrificing themselves.
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