Chapter 39 Gao Xiyue
"Does Consort Wan know about Hongli's affairs?"
Feng Ruozhao stood up abruptly, staring intently at Zhen Huan.
Noticing An Lingrong's and Shen Meizhuang's expressions, Zhen Huan realized she might have said something inappropriate and felt somewhat annoyed. However, there was no one else in the hall. After Shen Meizhuang's false pregnancy incident, true friendship had been revealed in times of trouble, and she trusted An Lingrong even more.
So Zhen Huan hesitated for a moment before confessing, "I don't know much, but yesterday I happened to be accompanying the Emperor when I saw Eunuch Su preparing to give the Fourth Prince a reward. He said the Emperor thought the Fourth Prince had done well in his studies, but my maid Jinxi accidentally discovered that Eunuch Su was actually giving him Jade Dew Blood-Activating Ointment..."
"Jade Dew Blood-Activating Ointment..."
Feng Ruozhao slumped back into her seat, startling the three of them. "Your Highness, Consort Jing!"
Feng Ruozhao waved her hand, but couldn't help but shed tears.
An Lingrong, who was standing to the side, perked up her ears and tensed up as soon as she heard the words "Fourth Prince". Seeing Consort Jing's behavior, she felt uneasy and asked in a low voice, "Sister Wan, what is this Jade Dew Blood-Activating Ointment used for?"
Shen Meizhuang had some guesses and couldn't help but look at Zhen Huan.
Zhen Huan explained softly, "I heard Jinxi say that Jade Dew Blood-Activating Ointment is a holy product for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis."
“Indeed,” Feng Ruozhao’s voice was a little hoarse, “That plaster is precious. The Imperial Hospital used a lot of medicinal herbs to make it, and there were only three boxes in total. The Emperor bestowed such a plaster upon my Hongli. How much suffering has he endured…”
Feng Ruozhao's sorrow also affected the others. Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but tear up and said through gritted teeth, "The Nian family is truly hateful."
An Lingrong struggled to control her anger, feigning ignorance as she asked, "This concubine noticed that Consort Hua treated the Fourth Prince quite well... how come..."
Zhen Huan shook her head with a grim expression. "It's not Consort Hua, it's Nian Gengyao. Yesterday, before Eunuch Su left, he specifically reminded me that General Nian was very disrespectful to the Fourth Prince when he came, so the Emperor was displeased."
"Today, when Eunuch Su came to deliver the imperial decree, he let slip that the Fourth Prince was unable to come to Xianfu Palace to pay his respects for the next two days. I sensed something was wrong and pressed him for details. Only then did Eunuch Su say that Nian Gengyao had not only been disrespectful but had also injured the Fourth Prince's arm. The Emperor could not allow this matter to be publicized, so he ordered the Fourth Prince to stay in the courtyard to recuperate."
Shen Meizhuang added bitterly, and when combined with Zhen Huan's words, everyone knew what had happened.
Feng Ruozhao covered her face and wept bitterly, while Zhen Huan also looked distressed. They were not satisfied with the Emperor's attitude of "pacifying the matter."
An Lingrong was trembling with anger, her nails digging into her flesh. She feigned panic and said, "The Fourth Prince is a prince..."
"The Nian siblings are arrogant and have never taken the concubines and imperial heirs seriously. If you ask me, they might even disregard the Emperor..."
"Sister Mei!" Seeing that Shen Meizhuang was becoming more and more presumptuous, Zhen Huan quickly interrupted her.
Shen Meizhuang realized she had spoken out of turn, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but she couldn't expel the pent-up frustration in her heart.
Seeing that the three were in low spirits, Zhen Huan boldly advised, "This servant has gained power and is above his master. I think the Emperor will not be able to tolerate it for long. One day, the Emperor will surely get rid of Nian Shi."
Feng Ruozhao gradually calmed down and wiped away her tears. "I'm sorry for making you three sisters laugh. Consort Wan is right. His Majesty must have a plan. For Hongli's sake, we should endure for now. I'll wait and see what happens to the Nian family!"
“That’s right. The Emperor can’t tolerate the Nian siblings’ arrogance forever.” Shen Meizhuang nodded in agreement.
Composing himself, Feng Ruozhao forced a smile: "I won't keep the three of you from catching up. I'm worried about Hongli's situation, so I'm going to summon someone from his side to ask him about it."
"Then we concubines will not disturb Your Majesty any longer."
The three women bowed in unison and said, "This concubine takes her leave."
"Go."
Watching the three figures depart, Feng Ruozhao's smile faded, and her previously indifferent attitude began to change. For Hongli's sake, she should also fight for herself.
Although she wasn't favored by the emperor, the three sisters Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, and An Lingrong seemed quite agreeable and treated Hongli well. More importantly, they shared a common enemy, allowing her to be won over to Hongli's side…
Not enough, still not enough. Feng Ruozhao frowned, regretting that her family background was not prominent and that she had no one to help Hongli.
...
After resting for three days, Hongli, as usual, came to pay his respects to Feng Ruozhao.
"Hongli greets his mother."
"Get up quickly," Feng Ruozhao said with concern as she helped Hongli up, looking at his face. "You've lost weight."
Hongli chuckled and looked affectionately at Feng Ruozhao: "Only Mother thinks I've lost weight. These past few days, Mother has sent over so many good things, I've only been eating more than I should have. How could I have lost weight?"
"It needs to be properly nourished; it's still too thin."
They were both intelligent people. Hongli didn't mention it, and Feng Ruozhao didn't say anything either, but their heartache was genuine. After Lianxin was summoned again, Lianxin finally described Hongli's condition to her under her persistent questioning: his shoulder was swollen and red, and he couldn't even write. How could it not be serious?
However, for the sake of the emperor's plans, Hongli could only endure this grievance and could not say anything. At this moment, Feng Ruozhao even began to resent the emperor.
Such thoughts couldn't be discussed openly, and Feng Ruozhao didn't want to bring them up again, lest Hongli recall unpleasant experiences.
So she changed the subject and started talking about other things.
“I see that in your courtyard, besides Granny Qin, there is only one maid, Lianxin, who serves you. Lianxin is still young, and there are always things she can’t do well. I’m thinking of assigning someone else to serve you.”
Before Hongli could refuse, Feng Ruozhao called out to the inner room, "Xiyue, come out here."
A beautiful and graceful young girl slowly walked out, like a thin mist and light clouds. She bowed respectfully to the two of them, her voice as melodious as a nightingale's song: "This servant, Gao Xiyue, greets Consort Jing and Fourth Prince."
"Good child, get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Feng Ruozhao looked at her gently, waved her hand to summon her to her side, and said to Hongli, "Xiyue is a child from my mother's close family. She is very polite. With her taking care of you, I can rest assured."
From the moment Feng Ruozhao called out that name, Hongli raised an eyebrow with interest. When Gao Xiyue came out and saw her familiar face, Hongli felt even more amused. Had the childhood sweetheart role been recast?
"Your mother has gone to great lengths for Hongli. I will certainly not refuse your kindness."
"Alright, alright." Seeing that Hongli agreed without hesitation, Feng Ruozhao was even happier, happy for her son's trust. She looked at Gao Xiyue with even more tenderness, "Xiyue, I'm entrusting the Fourth Prince to your care. You must take good care of him."
Gao Xiyue quietly looked up and glanced at the Fourth Prince, who was as dazzling as a gentle breeze and a bright moon. She blushed instantly and nodded shyly, "Yes, this servant will definitely take good care of the Fourth Prince."
“Xiyue is the most reliable, I trust you,” Feng Ruozhao patted Gao Xiyue’s hand and continued, “Go back and pack your things first, and leave with Hongli later.”
"Yes, this servant will take her leave."
Gao Xiyue obediently withdrew.
There was no one else in the hall. Feng Ruozhao explained to Hongli, "My family is not prominent, so I can't offer you any assistance..."
“Mother,” Hongli interrupted him, “to have your care is the greatest blessing for me.”
Feng Ruozhao felt a warmth in her heart, but it was precisely because Hongli was filial that she wanted to give him the best.
"Don't worry, let me finish. Gao Xiyue's father, Gao Bin, is quite talented in water management. However, because of his birth as a Han Bannerman, he was also selected to serve in the palace. Gao Bin doted on his daughter and had some connections with my mother's family, so he asked me for help."
"Although the Gao family is a bannerman family, their offspring are all quite capable. Since most of them are civil officials, they won't arouse your father's suspicion. So your mother had the idea of placing Gao Xiyue by your side. Of course, if Gao Bin hadn't agreed, Xiyue wouldn't be here today."
Feng Ruozhao looked at Hongli gently, "In the future... no matter what, give Gao Xiyue a good place to go, and the Gao family will naturally continue to help you."
"Thank you, Mother, for your planning."
"You and my son, if not for you, then for whom?"
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