Chapter 204: New Year’s Day

The lump in Ji Yuxian’s throat bobbed. He held the girl by her chin and leaned forward to kiss her.

Outside the window, the seductive sounds of women giggling drifted in. The atmosphere of such a place only served to heighten the arousal and passion between a man and a woman.

Ji Yuxian held Su Jiu’s waist firmly in place as he laid her on the bed, his lips never once leaving hers. Their lips and tongues were caught in an entanglement that neither of them wanted to break free from.

The medication inside her mouth had already dissolved fully, leaving only the faint scent of peppermint behind. Mixed with the alcohol, the taste made for a heady temptation that latched on to his soul.

The man deepened his kiss, and his eyes grew heavy-lidded. He looked at her momentarily with eyes as dark as the galaxy with stars sparkling within. His gaze was fathomless.

Su Jiu was engulfed by the overwhelming passion in his eyes and couldn’t extricate herself even if she wanted to.

Sometime in the midst of their embrace, their clothes were removed and left to silently slip off the bed. Su Jiu suddenly took the man’s hand captive, and panted, “No!”

Lust rolled violently in Ji Yuxian’s eyes, but he knew he couldn’t continue. She had just suffered a relapse of her heart ailment, and her body wouldn’t be able to endure the strain of such intimate relations.

“Jiu’er!” the man moaned her name. His voice reverberated, caused Su Jiu’s heart to hammer in her chest.

Su Jiu moved back slightly and stroked the man’s brows in a soothing motion. “Ji Yuxian, why is your face so pale?” she asked.

The man was originally fair, but under the candlelight, there was no trace of color on his face, and his complexion was so white he almost looked translucent. His thin lips were colorless and white as snow, making him look cold and charming.

“I’m fine. I probably didn’t sleep well the past few nights because you weren’t around!” The man drew the bed curtains to block off the light and hugged Su Jiu tightly in his arms.

Su Jiu reached out to embrace him and realized that his body lacked its previous warmth. A furnace was burning in the room, and after their steamy exchange, Su Jiu’s forehead was covered in a layer of perspiration. Even so, Ji Yuxian’s body remained cold.

“Ji Yuxian,” Su Jiu called his name.

“Yeah?” The man’s voice was low and sultry.

“Nothing. I just felt like calling your name!” Su Jiu leaned into his embrace and looked up with a smile.

Ji Yuxian looked down at her, and when their eyes met, their expressions deepened. The man immediately leaned down and kissed her on the lips.

His kiss was very gentle, much like a feathery touch on her lips. But the reaction that surged through them was violent waves of the sea crashing onto the shore.

Su Jiu held on to him tightly as she whispered, “Ji Yuxian, it’s almost New Year’s. I might have to spend the next few days with my mother, won’t be able to go to Ji Manor. When I’m done, I’ll go to your side.”

This time around, she was never going to leave him!

“Darling, I wish so much to be able to see you every morning when I wake up!”

“Just a little while longer. Give me some time, I’ll be done soon!” Su Jiu said with her eyes closed.

“Jiu’er!” Ji Yuxian flipped himself over and pressed his body on top of hers. His black hair cascaded down his face and fanned around the green quilt like ink marks on a painting. He looked so elegant and serene that Su Jiu’s heart melted at that sight.

Su Jiu looked up at him and kissed his cool lips. “Husband,” she moaned.

Ji Yuxian’s lips broke out in a huge grin at that very moment. Leaning in to touch his forehead to hers, he felt himself melting into a puddle. Hearing her call him “husband” like that, he no longer had any regrets in life.

On the 28th day of that month, Nangong Bi suddenly craved almond crisps from the Guishun Bakery in the city, so Hu Dapao went out in the morning to get them.

As the New Year was fast approaching, the bakery was teeming with crowds upon opening, and by the time Hu Dapao entered, the store was out of almond crisps!

“You’re such a big store! How do you run your business if you allow yourselves to run out of almond crisps so quickly?” Hu Dapao’s personal guard, who had followed behind him, demanded angrily.

The shop assistant quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Sir. We made very few almond crisps this morning, and they were all sold out soon after we opened. We’ll be making another batch at noon. Why don’t you come back again then?”

“Our lady wants to eat them now! Hurry and make them!” the personal guard ordered.

“The kitchen is busy now! There’s no way we can produce them right now!” the shop assistant replied anxiously. Suddenly, he came up with an idea. “Qingyu Commercial House carries confectionary from Guishun Bakery! Why don’t the both of you check over there?”

Hu Dapao frowned. He knew that Qingyu Commercial House sold confectionary from Guishun Bakery, but he didn’t want to go there.

“Forget it. Let’s go back!”

Hu Dapao barked his command and turned to leave when he saw a young maidservant walk over and hand him a bag carefully. “General Hu,” she said, “the Crown Princess Consort just happened to buy some almond crisps and would like to give them to you!”

Hu Dapao looked over and saw Yu Long standing in a secluded spot behind the door, looking back at him with a smile on her face.

Hu Dapao took the crisps from the girl and walked over. Flinging the bag forcefully on the table in front of her, he said, “Bi’er would rather go a lifetime without eating almond crisps than to take any from you!”

“The Crown Princess Consort meant well! What is with this attitude of yours, General Hu?” Hong Xiu demanded angrily.

“Hong Xiu, stand down!” Yu Long ordered. The expression on her dignified and elegant face did not waver as she said with a smile, “I heard that Lady Hu suffered a miscarriage. I wanted to visit her, but she seems to harbor some misunderstandings and misconceptions towards me. I was afraid that my presence might anger her, so I didn’t dare to show up!”

“Thank you for your good intentions!” Hu Dapao scoffed sarcastically and turned to leave.

“General Hu!” Yu Long called out and took a step forward. Softly, she asked, “Why do you bear such deep animosity towards me? Think about it, General Hu. When have I ever done anything against Lady Hu? The one who is truly responsible for hurting Lady Hu is Su Jiu! If not for Su Jiu’s reckless behavior in offending the official for the sake of a prostitute, Lady Hu would never have been hurt, and you would never have lost your child.”

Hu Dapao’s face darkened, and he retorted coldly, “Crown Princess Consort, there’s no need for you to stir up strife between us. Chief didn’t do it on purpose. It was just a coincidence!”

“I’m just stating the facts. Are you telling me those same thoughts never crossed your mind, General Hu?” Yu Long’s eyes sharpened as she focused on him, seemingly able to look into this heart.

Hu Dapao’s face turned pale, and he strode away without another word.

Hong Xiu’s eyes shifted and she quickly chased up to him, shoving the bag of almond crisps into Hu Dapao’s hands.

“It’s hard to buy almond crisps during the festive season. Please bring this back for your wife, General!”

“I don’t need that!” Hu Dapao pushed it away.

The two individuals were outside Guishun Bakery, caught in the tussle when a carriage suddenly stopped beside them. Su Jiu alighted from the carriage and looked from Hu Dapao to Yu Long behind him, and her expression darkened.

Hu Dapao was taken aback for a moment, suddenly at a loss as to how he should react.

Hong Xiu quickly took the opportunity to shove the crisps into Hu Dapao’s hands and said, “General, please take them. The Crown Princess Consort bought them especially for Lady Hu!”

Su Jiu stared daggers at Hong Xiu before her picturesque brows arched up coldly. “Dapao, I knew you were in a bad mood lately and didn’t take any offense no matter what you did. But I never thought that you would betray me by joining forces with Yu Long!”

“I did not!” Hu Dapao rushed to say.

“Why are you even bothering to deny it?”

With a fling of her sleeves, Su Jiu whacked the bag of crisps out of Hu Dapao’s hands.

Reeling from the blow, Hu Dapao stumbled a few steps back.

Without giving him a chance to explain himself, Su Jiu shot him an icy glance before turning to return to the carriage. She left quickly.

Hu Dapao stood there in a daze for a long while without moving.

Yu Long walked over with a sneer on her face. “General Hu, you’re a third-rank general of the imperial court with more than a thousand soldiers under your command. Yet Su Jiu still talks down to you and treats you with such disrespect. That is unacceptable! Does she still think that you’re her subordinate in the Dragon Conqueror Gang?”

Hu Dapao’s expression turned ugly and his brows knitted together. He threw Yu Long a glace and strode off.

Hong Xiu watched as Hu Dapao left hurriedly and gloated, “The Dragon Conqueror Gang is about to disband soon!”

Yu Long smiled. “It’s still too soon for that, but it’s just a matter of time now!”

Qiao An was simply a civil court official and bore no threat to her. The important piece in the puzzle was Hu Dapao, who held military authority. Yu Long couldn’t wait to see how long Su Jiu could keep up that arrogance of hers once Hu Dapao was no longer on her side.

On New Year’s Eve, Qingxin Tavern was closed for business, and the members of the Dragon Conqueror Gang got together to celebrate the new year together.

However, despite waiting from the afternoon till night, Hu Dapao never showed up.

Qiao An sent someone to call him, but the servant returned with the message that General Hu wasn’t coming because Lady Hu wasn’t feeling well.

Ah Shu hurled the wine cup in his hands when he heard that.

Su Jiu remained calm and got up to pour liquor for both Qiao An and Ah Shu.

Out of five members of the Dragon Conqueror Gang, only the three of them remained now!

They had previously agreed that regardless of where they went, they would always spend the new year together. But that promise had long been forgotten.

In the past, when there hadn’t been enough to eat, none of them ever thought of leaving. But now that food and clothing were plenty, they were all drifting further and further apart.

The businesses under the Dragon Conqueror Gang were growing day by day, and so were the number of people under them. Unfortunately, the five of them were dwindling quickly.

“Drink up!” Su Jiu said with a smile and downed the contents in her cup in one gulp.

Qiao An tried to stop her. “Chief, you haven’t recovered fully. You mustn’t drink!”

“Am I not even allowed to drink anymore?” Su Jiu asked with her head down as she gripped the cup tightly. Her whisper carried indescribable sorrow in it.

Qiao An’s heart clenched, and he lowered his hand.

Ah Shu suddenly stood up with a huff. “I’m going to look for Hu Dapao and ask him what he means by this! Does he even consider himself a member of the Dragon Conqueror Gang anymore?”

“Stop right there!” Su Jiu ordered. “Don’t go. Stay and drink with me!”

Ah Shu remained rooted to the spot. His expression darkened and he sighed heavily before sitting back down on his chair.

Because it was New Year’s Eve, all the servers in the tavern had been given some money and allowed to return home. Only the father-and-daughter duo, Li Tai and Li Xin, remained in the tavern.

Li Xin served the three of them their food and poured them their liquor throughout the entire night. She kept Su Jiu’s glass consistently topped up and was solicitous in her service that night.

The three individuals drank in silence from evening into the wee hours of the morning. When they were all drunk, they slumped forward on the table, the empty wine jars on the floor a testament to how much they have indulged.

When Ji Yuxian came in, the pungent fumes of liquor assaulted his nose immediately. With a frown, he headed up the stairs.

Upon seeing the young lady almost sprawled on the ground, Ji Yuxian was filled with fury and heartache at the same time. Eventually, he went over and scooped her up in his arms with an exasperated sigh.

“Send Qiao An and Ah Shu back as well!” Ji Yuxian turned and instructed Li Tai before carrying Su Jiu out.

“Ji Yuxian,” Su Jiu mumbled as she snuggled into his embrace with her eyes closed.

“Yes?” The hangover medication had already been prepared beforehand and was ready in the carriage. Ji Yuxian fed it to her bit by bit.

“Happy New Year!” Su Jiu suddenly said with a close-eyed grin.

Ji Yuxian chuckled as emotion blossomed in his chest. He held the girl tightly in his arms as he watched the fireworks outside the window.

“Happy New Year!” he replied in a low voice.

In the meantime, inside Lord Yun Nan’s Manor…

New Year’s Eve was supposed to be a day for the whole family to come together. Lord and Lady Yun Nan sat at the dining table, looking at the scrumptious spread before them. But there wasn’t an ounce of celebration in the air.

This was their second New Year’s Eve dinner in Shengjing City. They never imagined that they would stay here for so long.

Presently, Xia Huan had refused to return to Diannan City, and Yu Long wasn’t secure in her position as Crown Princess yet. Moreover, the coronation for the new Emperor was slated to take place at the beginning of the coming spring. Hence, their return to Diannan City had been delayed time and time again.

At that moment, a servant entered and said respectfully, “My Lord, My Lady, the crown prince said he won’t be coming, and asked that you begin your meal without him!”

“What an unfilial son!” Xia Cang slammed his teacup against the table and hollered, “It’s bad enough that he’s kept his elders waiting at the table! Now he’s saying he won’t even come? Who on earth is he throwing his tantrums at?”

“Who are you to get angry? This is Huan’er’s first New Year’s Eve with us. You’ll have to give him time to accept it! Isn’t it all your fault in the first place that we’re like strangers to Huan’er?” Lady Yun Nan wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Upon seeing his wife upset, Xia Cang calmed down immediately. “Oh, alright! It was all my fault. I was the one who did him wrong! I’ll go over personally to invite him over. Will that do?”

With that, Xia Cang got up.

His wife reached out to stop him. “Forget it. Knowing your temper, you’re more likely to start fighting with him when you meet. I’ll go instead!”

Lady Yun Nan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and walked out.

A servant held a lantern and led the way.

Four palace lanterns graced the corners of the chamber, and all the servants were kept outside. Xia Huan sat cross-legged alone in the room, concentrating intently on peeling melon seeds.

His hands were slender and clean, and his knuckles were distinct. He picked up a melon seed and held it between his fingers. Then, with a light press, the melon skin separated, and the full and tender melon seed popped out.

He carefully wiped each seed clean before placing them inside the blue and white porcelain jar beside him.

The jar was already half-filled with melon seeds.

On the table beside him sat a bottle of wine and five wine cups, all filled to the brim with liquor. The liquor was clear, and the rich aroma wafted through the room.

He was very conscientious in his task, his eyes focused intently on his hands without blinking.

When Lady Yun Nan entered and saw the lone figure of Xia Huan sitting by the light, her heart ached inexplicably for him.

“Huan’er!” the woman called out gently.

“What can I do for you?” Xia Huan did not raise his head and continued concentrating on the task at hand.

“Huan’er, it’s New Year’s Eve tonight. We should be eating together as a family. Your father is waiting for you. Let’s go and join him!” Lady Yun Nan cajoled gently as she stroked Xia Huan’s arm.

“I won’t be joining you. Please go ahead without me,” Xia Huan replied his mother emotionlessly, and continued filling his jar with peeled melon seeds.

“Why are you peeling so many melon seeds? If you like them, just get the servants to peel them for you,” Lady Yun Nan said as she removed the jar, intending to put it aside.

“Don’t touch it!” Xia Huan suddenly hollered.

Lady Yun Nan froze for a moment before replacing the jar in its original position.

“Their hands are dirty. I’d rather do it myself!” Xia Huan explained softly, a gloomy expression clouding his handsome countenance.

“Alright!” Lady Yun Nan acquiesced. “Shall we have dinner now?”

Xia Huan shook his head resolutely. “I’m not going. Go ahead without me!”

“Huan’er!” Lady Yun Nan frowned as she stared at him.

Xia Huan’s hands suddenly paused, and out of the blue, he asked, “Mother, if you had to choose between the Yun Nan household and me, what would your choice be?”

Lady Yun Nan was stunned. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing much. I’m just asking!” Xia Huan replied offhandedly.

“Huan’er!” Lady Yun Nan crouched down beside him, her eyes full of love as she said, “Although you weren’t by my side for 12 years, there is no mother who wouldn’t love their child unconditionally. To me, you’re more important than anything!”

Xia Huan’s brows moved imperceptibly and he looked up with a faint smile. “Alright. I got it!”

“Do you really not want to come with me?” Lady Yun Nan asked again.

“Yeah. I’m sorry, Mother. I want to be alone for a while,” Xia Huan replied.

“Alright. I won’t disturb you. Don’t spend too long sitting here. Have an early rest!”

“I will!”

Lady Yun Nan stepped out gracefully and closed the door behind her. Before going, she instructed the servants not to enter and interrupt him.

The next day was the first day of the Lunar New Year. As dawn broke, Su Jiu was awakened by the deafening sound of firecrackers that thundered throughout the city. She rubbed her head groggily.

Light rays streamed through the bed canopy weakly, and she realized that Ji Yuxian was no longer in bed.

She had been spending a lot of time in Ji Manor over the past few days. For her sake, Ji Yuxian had changed his habit of rising before dawn and frequently stayed in bed with her until the sun was high in the sky.

This was the first time he wasn’t present when she awakened.

Su Jiu had gotten drunk again last night, and she patted her head in exasperation. She put on her clothes, intending to return to the Su residence right away.

When she opened the door, she found Jin Feng standing right outside. Upon seeing her emerge, he greeted, “I see you’re awake, Young Mistress. Breakfast has been prepared and is ready for you in the dining room next door. Please go over!”

The morning fog had not yet dispersed, and white mist lingered between the pavilions and corridors. The scent of the morning dew mixed with the fumes of the firecrackers heralded the arrival of the new year.

Su Jiu shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’m going home now. Where is Ji Yuxian?”

Jin Feng paused for a moment before replying, “Young Master has some urgent matters to tend to, and is in his study at the moment.”

“I see. I won’t disturb him if that’s the case. Please let him know that I’ll be going back first,” Su Jiu said.

“Yes, Young Mistress!” Jin Feng replied with his head bowed.

He watched as the young woman’s silhouette disappeared into the distance until it was finally hidden by the fog before he headed back to the study.

Just as he reached the entrance, the door suddenly creaked open, and Old Gu stretched his back as he came out. Fatigue was etched in his face as he said plainly, “He’s fine now! Follow my prescription and feed him that medication for the next two days.”

“I will!” Hearing the gravity in Doctor Gu’s tone, Jin Feng’s worries were not allayed, and he asked quietly, “Young Master has suffered a relapse three times this month. Is he…”

Doctor Gu nodded his head somberly. “The Half Moon Devourer poison is very potent. It is the most poisonous of all. Furthermore, its effects go further than those of a simple poison. I’ve been suppressing the toxicity in his body for so many years. But the relapses over the past two months have been unusually severe. This is not a good sign.”

He paused for a moment before turning to look at Jin Feng. “Has there been any trace of the antidote yet?”

Jin Feng frowned deeply. “We’re doing our best to speed up the search for it!”

“Alright. Hurry up!” Doctor Gu remarked lightly.

Jin Feng trembled uncontrollably, and slowly clenched his fists.

After sending Doctor Gu off, Jin Feng walked back into the study.

Behind the screen, Ji Yuxian had just gotten up. His hair was loosely tied behind his back, and he leaned weakly against the cushions. His lips were colorless but that did nothing to detract from his beauty.

Ji Yuxian covered his mouth with his fist and coughed a few times.

Slowly, with his white embroidered handkerchief, he wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.

Jin Feng poured a cup of hot tea and held it out to him.

Ji Yuxian’s almond-shaped eyes were dark as ink as he asked in a calm, soft voice, “Where’s my wife?”

“The Young Mistress has returned to the Su Residence!”

Jin Feng hesitated for second and asked, “Should we notify her of your illness, Eldest Young Master?”

The man leaned back on the couch. Although his complexion was poor, the elegance and nobility of his demeanor remained. His eyes blinked a few times before he shook his head and replied, “Don’t tell her anything. If she knows of it, it will become a burden to her.”

“But…” Jin Feng’s brows furrowed together as his sentence trailed off. He really hoped that Su Jiu would find out and spend more time with his young master.

Ji Yuxian gave him with a knowing gaze. “Do as I have said. Do not make your own decisions!”

“Yes, Eldest Young Master!” Jin Feng replied.

With that, Jin Feng suddenly added, “I will definitely find the antidote in time!”

The look in Ji Yuxian’s eyes deepened. When he heard the sound of fireworks coming from outside, he turned his head to look. The fireworks were reflected faintly in his eyes, making his illness look even more prominent.

After a long while, he suddenly said quietly, “Should there come a day when I’m no longer around, my wife will be the head of the Ji Family. You must help her to manage the household. Don’t let her get bullied or taken advantage of.”

“I will!” A slight tremble could be detected in Jin Feng’s voice.

Today, the palace was alive with festivities. Early in the morning, before the sky was even bright, the ministers and officials were already waiting outside the palace gates. When the gates were finally opened, they wished Emperor Zhao Ping a prosperous new year in unison. Following that, Emperor Zhao Ping led them in the ceremonial New Year sacrifice and blessings.

The ritual was held on the Heavenly Dais—an elevated platform that was situated to the north of the Zhenggan Hall. The platform was a hundred feet high, and there were exactly 66 steps on each side. The structure was crafted out of white marble from Zhongshan and surrounding it were 48 pillars carved with images of dragons flanked by two men, towering and rising towards the sky.

Lan Zhihui had entered the palace today as well and followed one step behind Xiao Lie.

The weather was chilly. Xiao Lie removed his cloak and wrapped it around the young woman’s body. In a gentle tone, he asked, “You had to wake up early this morning. Are you feeling alright?”

Lan Zhihui looked up at him and smiled warmly. “The baby and I are both fine!”

Imperial Concubine Rong emerged from the cluster of people and walked over. With a smile, she said, “Zhihui, you’re pregnant. You didn’t have to come.”

Lan Zhihui smiled charmingly in response and said, “Thank you for your concern, Mother. I will take good care of the royal grandchild!”

The ritual hadn’t begun yet, and Imperial Concubine Rong and many of the other esteemed ladies of the court had gathered around Lan Zhihui, conversing with her and showing their concern.

Hong Xiu followed behind Yu Long and shot Lan Zhihui a hateful look before griping, “What a joke it is that the lowly b*tch is allowed to take part in the New Year Ceremony as well!”

Yu Long looked at her sternly and said, “There are people around. Watch your tongue!”

Hong Xiu lowered her voice, “I can’t bear to see you treated this way, Crown Princess Consort. You’re supposed to be the main consort! Why is she hogging the limelight?”

The cold morning mist made Yu Long’s face seem even paler than usual. She maintained a dignified expression on her face, but beneath her long sleeves, her nails were digging painfully into her palms.

The auspicious hour soon arrived. Surrounded by his courtiers, Emperor Zhao Ping held Empress Dowager Xiao’s hand as they walked over and made their way up the Heavenly Dais.

All the subjects prostrated to the ground and called out repeatedly for the Emperor to be blessed with long life.

Upon the dais, the Ministry of Rites had arranged the offering table for the Emperor to offer the wine and sacrifices. He sprinkled rainwater gathered from the previous year, a prayer for good weather in the coming year.

Behind him were the Empress and Imperial Concubine Rong, followed by Crown Prince Xiao Lie, Prince Yu, Lord Yun Nan, and other notable subjects.

Yu Long and Lan Zhihui stood behind Xiao Lie regally, looking forward to taking part in the prayers with the rest of the procession.

When the ceremony was over, Emperor Zhao Ping helped Empress Dowager Xiao down the platform, and the rest of his subjects followed behind him.

The court ladies and concubines were at the end of the line, and all of them made their way down the steps carefully.

By the time Lan Zhihui and Yu Long were about a dozen steps or so away from the ground, Emperor Zhao Ping and Empress Dowager Xiao had already left the ceremonial area.

The sun was high in the sky, shining harshly on the ground below.

Lan Zhihui suddenly reached out to rub her forehead and stretched her other hand to hold onto Yu Long’s arm. “Crown Princess Consort,” she called out, “I’m not feeling well. Please help me!”

“We’re in the middle of a procession! Stop behaving inappropriately!” Yu Long admonished as she flung her hand away.

“Ah!”

Lan Zhihui’s tried in vain to grab her for support as her body lost its balance, and she fell down the stage. With a piercing cry, she tumbled down the stairs violently.

Lan Zhihui’s maidservant screamed and turned white, leaping down the stairs after her mistress.

“My Lady!”

The crowd gasped in shock, and color drained from Yu Long’s face as she stood in a daze, unsure of how to react.

Xiao Lie had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Lan Zhihui. When he heard the maidservant’s cry, he turned around. His expression changed and he hurried over to cradle Lan Zhihui in his arms.

“Your Highness! Save our child!” Lan Zhihui’s face was ashen, and beads of perspiration rolled off her forehead as she grabbed on to Xiao Lie’s arm tightly.

The maidservant knelt on the floor and cried, “Your Highness, it was the Crown Princess Consort who pushed Secondary Consort Lan down!”

Xiao Lie looked up forcefully and glared at Yu Long in disgust.

Yu Long had already made her way down by then. She panicked when she saw the state that Lan Zhihui was in and shook her head vehemently. “I…I did not!”

The other officials had already left with premises with Emperor Zhao Ping, and only the ladies of the court remained. When they noticed blood pooling beneath Lan Zhihui’s skirt, they exclaimed, “Your Highness! Secondary Consort Lan is in trouble! Summon the Imperial Physicians!”

“Your Highness, save our child!” Lan Zhihui cried in panic.

Xiao Lie scooped her up in his arms and hurried over to the Imperial Medical Hall.

Everyone’s eyes fell on the terrified Yu Long, and they began whispering amongst themselves.

“She must have pushed her because she was bitter about the fact that Secondary Consort Lan had conceived the Crown Prince’s child first!”

“She’s so vicious! How could she attack her at such a time?”

“I heard that there are many foreign tribes in Diannan city, and they are well-versed in all these sinister schemes!”

…

Hong Xiu was infuriated and stepped forward to holler, “What on earth are you talking about?”

The crowd dispersed immediately.

Yu Long’s face darkened considerably, and she rushed over to the Imperial Medical Hall as well.

The Imperial Medical Hall was situated in the outer palace, and Imperial Concubine Rong was waiting there anxiously. As it was the first day of the New Year, she had kept the news from Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Zhao Ping momentarily in the hopes that Lan Zhihui and the child would both emerge unscathed.

Yu Long rushed in and asked anxiously, “Mother, how is Sister doing?”

Imperial Concubine Rong whirled around and glared at her coldly. “Yu Long, even if you dislike Lan Zhihui, the child she was carrying still belongs to Lie’er! How could you be so vicious?”

Yu Long fell to her knees. “Mother! I’ve been maligned!”

“Fine. Let me ask you this, how did Lan Zhihui suddenly take a tumble out of the blue? Are you telling me she intentionally harmed herself and her child?” Imperial Concubine Rong demanded sharply.

Lan Zhihui’s maidservant fell to her knees as well, and between sobs, she said, “I was beside them and saw everything clearly! It was the Crown Princess Consort who pushed Secondary Consort Lan!”

“No! That is not what happened!” Yu Long shook her head in panic. “At that moment, Secondary Consort Lan suddenly grabbed my hand. I’m a martial artist and acted out of instinct…”

“So, you pushed her down? Didn’t you know that she was pregnant? Didn’t you know that you were both on the stairs?” Imperial Concubine Rong’s anger was palpable.

Yu Long had no excuse for her behavior, and she kept her head bowed. In a strained voice, she said, “Mother, I’ve really been maligned!”

“Crown Princess Consort, regardless of how much you hate Secondary Consort Lan for monopolizing the Crown Prince’s affection, you should never have become so vicious! Not only are you jeopardizing the unborn child’s life, but you are also hurting the Secondary Consort as well,” Lan Zhihui’s maidservant wailed aloud.

Upon hearing that, Imperial Concubine Rong’s expression turned ugly.

“My lady, the Crown Princess Consort never intended to push Secondary Consort Lan down! Everything was an accident! It was Secondary Consort Lan who deliberately grabbed the Crown Princess Consort!” Hong Xiu got to her knees and tried to explain between tears.

“Deliberately?” Imperial Concubine Rong scoffed. “Are you meaning to say that Secondary Consort Lan deliberately tumbled down the stairs and harmed her own child?”

“That’s not what I meant!” Hong Xiu quickly shook her head in terror.

Imperial Concubine Rong’s eyes sharpened as they fell on Yu Long. “Yu Long,” she said, “your actions time and time again have been a huge disappointment! Given how narrow-minded and cruel you are, I’m seriously beginning to wonder if you’re suitable for the role of Crown Princess Consort!”

Yu Long trembled on the ground, and in a strained voice, replied, “Mother, nothing I say will be able to exonerate me. But I have really been maligned this time!”

“Let’s see what the Imperial Physician has to say before we decide if you’ve really been maligned or not!” the maidservant said as she wiped her tears.

Lady Yun Nan suddenly came rushing in, and when she saw Yu Long kneeling on the ground, she asked, “What’s going on?”

“That question is best directed at Yu Long!” Imperial Concubine Rong replied gravely.

“Long’er, what happened?” Lady Yun Nan asked anxiously.

Yu Long threw herself into her mother’s arms and wailed, “Mother, I really didn’t do it!”

Yu Long had always possessed the temperament of a boy and was very headstrong. Witnessing this weak side of her, her mother patted her on the shoulder and comforted her, ‘Don’t cry. What happened? As long as you’re innocent, your father will definitely demand justice for you!”

Imperial Concubine Rong threw Lady Yun Nan a dirty look when she heard that.

“When we were descending from the Heavenly Dais just now, Sister Lan suddenly grabbed my hand. I’m trained in martial arts and instinctively pulled my hand back. Unexpectedly, that caused Sister to tumble down the stairs. Mother, I really didn’t do it on purpose!” Yu Long’s face was streaked with tears as she grabbed her mother’s robe desperately.

“Are you afraid that Heaven will strike you dead for lying through your teeth? I saw it clearly with my own eyes! You even pushed the Secondary Consort! How else would the Secondary Consort have tumbled down the stairs?” the maidservant demanded with righteous indignation, her eyes bloodshot as she knelt on the ground with her back straight.

Yu Long turned around and pinned her with a murderous glare. “Do you dare to swear on what you just said?”

“If what I said is anything but the truth, I will die a horrible death!” the maidservant declared without hesitation, her hand raised in the gesture of an oath.

Imperial Concubine Rong looked at Lady Yun Nan. “Say no more,” she stated. “Let wait for Lie’er to come out!”

“Yes, my lady!” Lady Yun Nan lowered her head.

An hour later, the Imperial Physician emerged together with Xiao Lie. Both their expressions were somber.

Bloodstains covered the Imperial Physician’s hands as he bowed to Imperial Concubine Rong and said, “I did my best. Secondary Consort Lan’s life was saved, however, the child in her womb…”

“How is the child?” Imperial Concubine Rong asked anxiously.

“Secondary Consort Lan suffered a miscarriage!” the Imperial Physician reported.

Imperial Concubine Rong’s face fell immediately, and her complexion turned pale.

Although this was merely the child of a secondary consort, it was nevertheless Xiao Lie’s first child and her first grandchild. The child was gone, just like that.

Previously, the Emperor had been elated to find out that Lan Zhihui had conceived. What was she supposed to tell him now?

Xiao Lie’s expression was thunderous as he walked over to Yu Long, and kicked her hard on her shoulder. Incensed, he said, “You evil woman! You wouldn’t even let an unborn child off!”

Yu Long clutched her shoulder as she fell to the ground. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she replied, “I swear to God, I’ve been wrongly accused!”

Lady Yun Nan quickly shielded her daughter with her own body and looked up at Xiao Lie. “Your Highness, let’s talk this out properly, please! Regardless of what happened, Long’er is still a woman after all!”

Lan Zhihui’s maidservant began wailing out loud. “If anything had happened to Secondary Consort Lan, it would have been two lives lost at once!”

Xiao Lie declared coldly, “I’m finally witnessing for myself today that such an evil woman can exist in this world!”

Yu Long closed her eyes and couldn’t stop trembling.

“There’s nothing more that needs to be said!” Xiao Lie’s countenance was ominous as he stared down at Yu Long. “You will move back to Lord Yun Nan Manor today! I will send the divorce documents over at once!”

Yu Long looked up abruptly. “No, I don’t want a divorce! I did nothing wrong!”

Xiao Lie did not bother to spare her a glance before storming out.

“Mother!” Yu Long prostrated herself before Imperial Concubine Rong and repeatedly knocked her forehead on the ground. “I’m really innocent!”

Lady Yun Nan held Yu Long in her arms, her heart aching for her daughter as she pleaded, “Imperial Concubine Rong, this incident hasn’t even been investigated. This treatment is not fair to Yu Long at all! When the Crown Prince requested to marry Yu Long, Lord Yun Nan agreed immediately for the sake of Daliang Country! How can you just send Yu Long back now?”

Imperial Concubine Rong sighed in exhaustion. “It’s natural that Lie’er is angry now. He has just lost his child. You should take Yu Long back to Lord Yun Nan Manor first. We’ll discuss this again at a later time.”

With that, she left the mother and daughter on their own and turned to go to Lan Zhihui.

Yu Long remained kneeling on the floor, her heart slowly turning to ice.

Lan Zhihui was still unconscious when Xiao Lie brought her back to Crown Prince Manor. In the meantime, Yu Long returned to Lord Yun Nan Manor.

After the ceremony, Emperor Zhao Ping was keeping Empress Dowager Xiao company in Fushou Palace when Xiao Lie entered and reported the incident to both of them.

Emperor Zhao Ping flew into a rage. “Yu Long really pushed Secondary Consort Lan down the Heavenly Dais?”

Empress Dowager Xiao’s face sank. She shook her head as she said, “Today’s ceremony was of utmost importance. All the officials and their wives were in attendance. No matter how much Yu Long hated Secondary Consort Lan, she should never have made her move at such a time!”

Xiao Lie knelt on one knee. “Royal Grandmother, my child is now gone! At that moment, Zhihui and Yu Long were both on elevated ground. If Zhihui had died from that fall, she would never be able to speak up for herself, and others would assume that she had fallen because of an accident. Fortunately, Heaven is kind, and Zhihui is still alive!”

Empress Dowager Xiao frowned and didn’t say another word.

Emperor Zhao Ping slammed the table. “Yu Long’s actions are an absolute disappointment! Given how vicious she is, how is she fit to be the Crown Princess Consort and the future Empress?”

“I can’t forgive her either. The divorce documents have already been written. I am awaiting your permission, Imperial Father!” Xiao Lie said with a bow of his head.

Emperor Zhao Ping’s brows knitted together. He turned to look at Empress Dowager Xiao.

“Lie’er,” Empress Dowager Xiao said, “I know you’re feeling upset now. But you cannot make an enemy out of Lord Yun Nan yet. We’ll have to handle this carefully!”

Although Diannan City did not pose a threat to Daliang Country, the prestige and power of the Yun Nan household had been deeply ingrained since their founding, and the citizens of Diannan would not submit easily to Daliang.

The Yun Nan Family ruled Diannan, a city that was easily defended and difficult to attack. Victory had to be obtained in one fell swoop. Otherwise, the resulting war and rebellion would be endless, shaking the foundations of the Daliang’s prosperity.

The time was not yet ripe for them to conquer Diannan.

Xiao Lie calmed himself down and in a low voice, he said, “Indeed. I will continue to endure for the sake of Daliang Country!”

“I know you’re a sensible kid. Comfort Secondary Consort Lan well, and make sure she recovers properly!” Empress Dowager Xiao said.

“I understand!”

“Even so, I will not allow the person who has harmed my grandchild to get away scot-free!” Emperor Zhao Ping scoffed.