Even if the cheap father wanted to deal with Lady Zhou, he hoped she could hold on until the Sixth Prince''s full month celebration. Otherwise, it would be unlucky and not good for the Sixth Prince''s reputation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lady Ruan stopped smiling and, seeing only Xique in the room, whispered in her ear: "She was actually about to die a few days ago, but your father said the Sixth Prince was about to be born, so he had the doctor use ginseng to keep her alive! It''s just a matter of time now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was impossible not to wish for Lady Zhou''s death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lady Zhou was not a kind and generous mistress of the household.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lady Ruan was famous for her beauty. When Jiang Yankun took her as his favored concubine, she could enter the family genealogy after paying respects to the main wife with tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A favored concubine was different from a concubine or a lowly concubine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But when Lady Zhou saw her beauty, she adamantly refused and forced Lady Ruan to sign a contract of servitude. Though called a favored concubine, signing such a contract made her a lowly concubine. Lady Zhou held her contract and could beat her to death or sell her at any time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Back then, Jiang Yankun''s official career was difficult, and the Zhou family pressured him. Even though he was unwilling, he was forced to have no choice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
From then on, Lady Zhou targeted her in various ways.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The suffering she endured at Lady Zhou''s hands over these ten-plus years could not be fully described in three days and nights.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her methods of tormenting people were truly extremely vicious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On Jiang Xinyue''s ninth birthday, Jiang Yankun gave her a fine piece of jade. But when Jiang Yutong saw it, she insisted on taking it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When the matter reached Lady Zhou, she punished Jiang Xinyue without listening to exnations, beating her until she was covered in injuries. Not only that, but she also made her personally remove the jade from her waist and give it to Jiang Yutong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the time, Lady Ruan cried and begged Lady Zhou not to beat her, but Lady Zhou was unmoved. Lady Ruan could only throw herself onto Jiang Xinyue''s back, using her body to protect her daughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue had always been stubborn, preferring to shatter like jade rather than remain whole like tile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing Lady Ruan being beaten, she finally begged for forgiveness and admitted her mistake. When Lady Zhou ordered the servants to stop, Jiang Xinyue''s face had been whipped with a thorn branch, leaving a very severe-looking red mark.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As she unfastened that piece of jade from her body, Jiang Yutong even mocked her for not knowing her ce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was this taunt that angered Jiang Xinyue. She smashed the jade to pieces on the ground and then ran out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The little girl''s explosive power was extremely strong. Even though Lady Zhou called for people to catch her, they couldn''t.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It happened that Jiang Yankun was returning from the government office. Jiang Xinyue fell directly at the feet of Jiang Yankun, who was about to enter the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Many merchants at the Jiang family gate watched this little girl who had suddenly rushed out. She deliberately raised her head, letting everyone see the wounds on her face, and cried out loudly: "Father! Father... I beg you to go save Concubine Ruan! Just because my sister took a fancy to the jade pendant you gave me, and I was unwilling to give it to her, Mother... she wants to beat me and Concubine Ruan to death!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The little girl was born beautiful and charming. Although she was still young, she had already grown into a graceful beauty, stunningly gorgeous.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The mistress of this household was so heartless that she wanted to beat the little girl to death over a jade pendant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Look at thatrge mark on her face from being beaten. It was clear she intended to ruin the little girl''s beauty!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That time, not only did Jiang Yankun have an argument with Lady Zhou, but rumors also began to spread outside that Lady Zhou was harsh and intolerant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It could be said that if Jiang Xinyue hadn''t been clever from a young age, Lady Ruan wouldn''t have survived until now.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The mountain that had been pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe, was about to fall. How could Lady Ruan not look forward to it happening quickly?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But her husband was right. It couldn''t happen before the Sixth Prince''s full month celebration, because Lady Zhou was still nominally the Sixth Prince''s maternal grandmother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"We must make sure she holds on past the full month celebration. We can''t leave any openings for those with ulterior motives."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lady Ruan nodded repeatedly: "I''ll tell your father when I go back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"How did Brother Ze and the others do in the provincial examinations? Yan Sister will be fourteen after the new year. Is it time to arrange her marriage?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He remembered that his cheap father had set up a family school and brought several talented youths from the n to the capital to focus on preparing for the examinations.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lady Ruan answered her questions one by one: "Brother Ze almost passed the provincial exam, but your eldest brother was far from passing. Lady Zhou was so angry about this that she fell ill, which is why her condition became so serious. Your father said the next imperial examination won''t be for another three years. Brother Ze has be a disciple of the master of Songshan Academy and has gone to Songshan to study. As for your cousins, they''re a bit older. I often hear your father telling them that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. I guess after the Sixth Prince''s full month celebration is over, they''ll all go out to travel and study."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue nodded after listening: "Don''t forget to remind them to be cautious when they''re out. Don''t believe in pie-in-the-sky good fortune; it might not be pie but a trap. If they implicate me, I won''t show any mercy. I''m saying this inly now, so don''t me me for being cold-heartedter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lady Ruan took all her words to heart: "I''ll ry this to your father when I return."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The mother and daughter talked in hushed tones for quite a while. When Jiang Xinyue started feeling drowsy, Lady Ruan tucked her in: "Rest well. The Emperor has invited me to stay for several days to keep youpany. We''ll have plenty of time together."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was indeed difficult for mother and daughter to meet while in the pce, and they had endless things to talk about. But having just given birth, her body was at its weakest, and Lady Ruan didn''t want to tire her out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue nodded and fell into a deep sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Imperial Physician, is my mistress alright?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jingren Pce was brightly lit, with several Imperial Physicians gathered around Consort Rong''s bed, treating the necrotic flesh below her left shoulder.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Consort Rong, please bear with it. This subject needs to scrape off the necrotic flesh. It might be a bit painful."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Rong gritted her teeth: "Go ahead and scrape!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor stood at the doorway, not entering for a long time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lianqiao watched Consort Rong anxiously, feeling dissatisfied. She wiped her tears and said: "Your Highness, you took an arrow for the Emperor and suffered such a serious injury, yet he only gave you the title of Consort without even holding an investiture ceremony. For so long, apart from the Empress, no one in the harem hase to see you. Now that Consort Xian has given birth to a son, she''s stealing all the limelight. The Emperor only has eyes for her. How could he forget that you were willing to give up your life for him?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Enough!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Rong''s face was pale as she tried not to look at her wound: "My taking an arrow for the Emperor was just an instinctive action. It wasn''t deliberately done to make the Emperor grateful to me. Consort Xian is the one the Emperor favors. Why should I belittle myself byparing with her? I don''t have such great ambitions. I''m content to live peacefully in the pce."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"But..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"If you continue to gossip like this, I won''t be able to keep you here."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lianqiao''s eyes reddened: "Please forgive me, Your Highness. I won''t dare to do it again."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor turned his head and asked Wang Dequan: "Wasn''t there a grand investiture ceremony when Consort Rong was given her title?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Wang Dequan thought for a moment and said: "At that time, the Ye family had staged a pce coup. Your Majesty and the Empress were busy clearing out spies in the pce. When things calmed down a bit, Consort Xian was pushed down by Consort Yu. I suppose the Internal Affairs Department was too busy and forgot about it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, she was the consort who had taken an arrow for him, and also his cousin. The Xuanwu Emperor ordered: "Convey my imperial decree. Once Consort Rong''s wound has healed, hold a grand investiture ceremony for her in Taihe Hall."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0