After taking the pulse, Zhang Lingzheng lifted his gaze and looked at her. Fengyu remained composed. Zhang Lingzheng knelt and said, "Your Majesty, Young Marquis's pulse is steady and strong; he is in excellent health and out of danger."
Fengyu froze for a moment, her suspended heart finally relaxing.
"Good! Reward him!" The emperor's face lit up with delight. Zhang Lingzheng and the staff of the Imperial Hospital expressed their gratitude with trembling reverence as they slowly withdrew.
The Empress, visibly relieved, struck a conciliatory tone, "It's good that the Young Marquis is unharmed. A mere false alarm. Third Prince, hurry and apologize to the Young Marquis."
Consort Xie furrowed her brows slightly, hesitating as if wanting to speak, the cold elegance on her face tinged with faint mockery.
The Third Prince gritted his teeth, unwillingly clasping his hands in apology. Before he could even utter his apology, Fengyu also rose and returned the gesture, leaving him momentarily stunned and staring at her in disbelief while still bent in his bow.
Fengyu, "?"
Is something wrong?
The Third Prince offered his bow as an apology; how could she dare remain seated to accept such a gesture? Could it be that Xie Xun had become so arrogant and unrestrained that he didn't even regard the Third Prince? The two stared at each other, wide-eyed, while the emperor, the empress, and Consort Xie all looked on in bafflement. Xie Xun was known for his pride and arrogance, his aura filled with hostility. The Third Prince was of similar age, and the two had always been at odds, never conceding to each other.
"Did you hit your head?" The Third Prince blurted out.
Fengyu also sensed that Xie Xun's usual persona was crumbling. She straightened up and sneered coldly, "I didn't die—are you feeling a little disappointed?"
The Third Prince, though mocked, showed no anger. This was indeed the familiar Xie Xun, yet somehow different. Still arrogant and indifferent, but there was a softness in his tone that made it impossible for the Third Prince to feel enraged.
"The two of you are of similar age; you must get along harmoniously. Be more patient and avoid damaging relations." Emperor Jianming, now in his prime, had once been Prince Xian. Having reigned for ten years, he exuded an aura of absolute authority.
The tension dissipated into nothingness, leaving an air of forced cheerfulness.
The Empress led the Crown Prince and the Third Prince back to Fengyi Palace. Once inside, she ordered the palace maids out in a cold voice. Mrs. Zhang poured hot tea and then led the maids out in a single file. Just as the palace doors closed, the Third Prince didn't even have the chance to voice his grievances before the Empress slapped him hard across the face. "Kneel!"
The Third Prince covered his cheek in terror, numbly dropping to his knees. The Crown Prince followed suit, kneeling as well. "Mother, calm your anger. Third Brother already understands his mistake—please don't let this upset you."
The Empress flicked her sleeves and sat down, lifting her teacup and gently blowing at the foam on its surface, saying nothing. The Third Prince's eyes reddened, and he asked aggrievedly, "Mother, why did you hit me? It was clearly Xie Xun who framed me. He fell himself—it wasn't me who pushed him."
The porcelain cup clicked lightly, producing a faint sound, as the Empress set it down and coldly stared at him. "I have warned you often not to compete with Xie Xun; yet, you dismissed my words as mere noise. Now you've nearly caused a great disaster, and you still refuse to repent."
The Third Prince abruptly stood, pointing toward the palace doors. "Why must I yield to Xie Xun? I am the Third Prince of the Yanyang Dynasty, the legitimate second son of you and Father Emperor. What is he compared to me? I want—"
The Empress swept her arm, sending the teacup shattering onto the floor. Scalding tea splashed onto the Third Prince's foot, causing him to retreat in panic, fear spreading across his face. The Empress roared, "Because he is the son of Xie Yuan! As long as Marquis Zhenbei Mansion stands, you will bow to him! Do you understand?"
The Third Prince, furious, let out a bitter laugh, a half-crazed look overtaking his features. "Hahaha! How laughable, utterly laughable! Mother, you are the Empress of a nation, yet you cower before Consort Xie, constantly deferring to her. You might as well hand over the Empress position to the Xie family!"
The Empress's expression darkened, her chest heaving violently. Her phoenix hairpin swayed chaotically due to her rage.
"Third Brother, shut up!" The Crown Prince rose, grabbing the Third Prince, whose eyes were now red with tears. He didn't dare look at the Empress's expression. The Third Prince, still defiant, tried to speak further but was forcibly restrained. The Crown Prince said, "Mother, the Third Brother is upset and speaking out of turn. Please don't take it to heart. I will take him back and ensure he is properly disciplined."
Dragging and restraining his stubborn brother, the Crown Prince took him out. The Empress remained stationary, unmoving. Autumn winds blew through the palace doors, lifting the hem of her ornate gown. The gold-threaded embroidery of phoenix patterns swayed gently, the breeze stinging her eyes, leaving them a flushed red.
After marrying Emperor Jianming, she lived in Ningzhou for a time in passionate harmony, bearing two sons and a daughter. Though the household included concubines, they respected and reverently treated her. But then came internal rebellion within the dynasty—all of the former emperor's sons perished in the chaos, and Xie Yuan helped Emperor Jianming ascend the throne. She became the Empress.
The unexpected mantle of Empress fell upon her shoulders, filling her with excitement and joy. Yet, for the sake of consolidating imperial power and controlling the Xie family, ensuring their unwavering loyalty, Xie Yuan's legitimate daughter, Xie Junhua, entered the palace. Young and strikingly beautiful, she instantly captivated her husband, reigning supreme in the harem.
She wanted to assert herself gracefully in front of Xie Junhua, exuding the dignity of an Empress. Yet, with Marquis Zhenbei Mansion standing behind Xie Junhua, Emperor Jianming once said to her, "Empress, she is young and naive. Whatever offenses there may be, be more tolerant."
With just those words, she had never once displayed even half the authority of an Empress before Xie Junhua.
One wave of turmoil set tension ablaze between the Xie family and the royal household. The Emperor would not hesitate to abandon her sons if it meant preserving stability. The Empress's heart was gripped by anguish. Her son's fiery words further shredded the facade of harmony, trampling her dignity underfoot. The Empress was consumed by despair, her newfound hatred boiling within as she clutched a corner of the rosewood table.
As long as Marquis Zhenbei Mansion stood, the days of humiliation would never end!
"What ascends must surely fall. Let us see who will laugh last!"
Consort Xie wanted to bring Fengyu back to Fanghua Palace for a proper examination, but Fengyu adamantly refused to linger in the palace. The longer she stayed, the likelier she was to reveal weaknesses. Consort Xie escorted Fengyu out of the palace.
Feiying led a team of imperial guards stationed imposingly at the palace gates. Mounted on tall horses, their commanding presence instilled a palpable sense of pressure. The Forbidden Army guarding the palace gates feared that they might suddenly unsheathe their blades to storm the palace. Feiying, the captain of Xie Xun's personal guards, had swiftly left the palace under Consort Xie's orders following the incident at the Imperial Garden.
Upon seeing Feiying, Fengyu's face lit up with joy. Consort Xie, unhurried, remarked, "Zhixu, after today's events, the tension between the royal family and Marquis Zhenbei Mansion has become undeniable. The imperial clan will not let this go easily. You must exercise caution going forward. Until Father returns victorious from the battlefield, avoid trouble at all costs."
Fengyu was overcome with guilt—if not for her soul transmigrating into Xie Xun, he would not have fallen unconscious, setting off this chain of misunderstandings. "Sister, I understand. From now on, I will speak and act carefully and not bring trouble upon the Marquis Mansion."
Consort Xie suddenly paused, staring at him in surprise. Fengyu inwardly panicked—could it be that Xie Xun had been so insolent that he never heeded his sister's words?
"You're rather obedient today."
Fengyu smiled sweetly, but Consort Xie's gaze grew increasingly peculiar as she observed him. Fearful of arousing suspicion, Fengyu softly added, "Sister, you needn't worry about me. It's you, living in the deep palace, who must be more careful."
"I can protect myself. You don't need to worry; just take care of yourself." Consort Xie replied with a faint smile. "They wouldn't dare touch me."
"Does the Emperor treat you well?" Fengyu asked, recalling the rumors, feeling a sudden pang of pity for her.