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As she thought of this, Cai Xia hesitated again. Seeing Huang Zude approaching closer, a scheme formed in her mind.

She tousled her hair and pursed her lips slightly to make them appear even more brightly colored, and she pulled at her neckline to make it a bit looser.

As she walked, her posture became more graceful, and she kept glancing sideways at Huang Zude getting closer.

When he was close enough, she timely pretended to sprain her ankle and fell over deliberately.

Among the palace maids, she was quite attractive, which initially did not earn her the favor of the Consort. Had it not been for her clever handling of affairs and her continual demonstrations of loyalty, the Consort would not have trusted her as much.

She had calculated it just right; a misstep would allow her to fall right into Doctor Huang’s arms.

When she was caught, she would thank him profusely, initiating a connection, and sparking conversation.

Later, she would probe him subtly. If he was not discreet, that would be perfect; she could find out exactly what was going on with the person in Canglan Court.

If he was discreet, she need not worry. She could continue to use the guise of thanking him to express her gratitude, confident that, with her charm, she could eventually make him serve their Huaqing Palace.

However, humans often plan in vain. As she fell, Doctor Huang suddenly stopped, as if deliberately.

Too caught up in her act, she lost her balance, stumbled a few times, and from a feigned fall came a real one. She fell hard on the ground, genuinely sprained her ankle, and furthermore, grazed her knee on a small rock that seemed to embed itself into her flesh, bringing tears of pain to her eyes.

After she fell, Doctor Huang started walking again but changed direction, deliberately avoiding her.

Left there, she was in so much pain she could barely speak.

Seeing him about to walk away, she endured the pain and cried out, "Oh, my foot seems to be sprained! Passing Imperial Physician brother, could you please take a look at it for me?"

The tears from her pain made her seem all the more pitiful and delicate.

She was confident that if Doctor Huang turned around and saw her like this, he would undoubtedly pity her.

Yet, Doctor Huang, whether blind or indifferent, did not glance at her from start to finish. Hearing her voice, he did not even turn back but simply said, "For sprains and injuries, seek Imperial Doctor Li, he specializes in those." And with that, he walked away.

Cai Xia watched incredulously as he walked away.

Was it not said that a physician harbors the benevolence of a parent? This man was an imperial physician after all. She had fallen right in front of him, injured her foot; one would expect him at least to maintain his reputation by coming over to check and offer some courteous words.

But he disregarded her completely, as if she were invisible, without fearing that she could slander his character, ruin him!

If an imperial physician had a bad reputation, who in the future would trust him or seek his medical assistance!

It was infuriating!

This man must feel secure, backed by that person from Canglan Court, daring to disregard people from their Huaqing Palace, utterly infuriating!

Cai Xia’s face turned red with anger, her lips trembling. She spat viciously in the direction Huang Zude had gone and cursed fiercely.

With a heart as dark and cruel as his face, he better not fall into her hands in the future. If he did, she would make sure he suffered the consequences of offending her, leaving him with deep regrets!

With her heart filled with resentment, Cai Xia struggled to stand up.

She decided that when she returned, she would tell the Consort that Doctor Huang had been bribed by someone from Canglan Court, advising the Consort to be extraordinarily cautious.

She believed that with the Consort’s cunning, this man would not meet a good end.

Thinking of this, Cai Xia felt slightly better and limped toward the Imperial Pharmacy; she still had duties to perform.

In the Side Hall of Canglan Court.

Having returned from his bath, the Emperor saw his Little Concubine asleep on the dressing table.

He shook his head helplessly, having told her to sleep early. However, she refused, insisting on waiting for him, really leaving him at a loss.

After the Imperial Physician had treated her, she mentioned feeling unwell after seeing the winter melon soup, so he specially instructed that the winter melon soup should no longer be served.

He also ordered that new food be prepared to fill her stomach, worrying that she had overexerted herself today and was unbearably sleepy, so he urged her to rest after her bath.

But his Little Concubine did not listen, and stubbornly fell asleep while waiting for him, which made him feel both warm-hearted and distressed.

The Emperor walked over, lifted her horizontally, carried her to the bed, settled her down, and covered her with the blanket.

This commotion wasn’t minor, yet his Little Concubine showed no sign of waking, indicating just how exhausted she was.

Her cheeks had red marks from resting on the dressing table, and the Emperor reached over and pinched them.

Looking at her cute sleeping face, her breathing gentle and lips slightly parted, she seemed to be sleeping sweetly.

The Emperor leaned down, unable to resist kissing her, kissing her brow, her cheeks, and her lips.

His hand touched something that poked him.

Confused, the Emperor searched and finally discovered that his Little Concubine was wearing four or five bracelets and hand-chains he had rewarded her with today, hidden under the sleeve of her inner garment, which he hadn’t noticed before.

The Emperor found it amusing; his Nannan really was a little treasure-lover, probably playing with and trying on all the bracelets and hand-chains while waiting with nothing else to do.

He took the bracelets and hand-chains off one by one, admiring her delicate, jade-like arms and wrists. The Emperor could not help but marvel that his Little Concubine was beautifully made in every way.

Look at that mutton-fat jade-like delicate smooth skin, extremely pleasurable to touch, her arms slender and delicate, not filling his broad palm, with fingertips sharp as bamboo shoots, each topped with small, cute, and tender nails, soft with a pearlescent sheen.

The Emperor pinched them again, unable to let go, and looking at the bracelets and hand-chains beside him, he was moved to put them back on her.

After comparing, he realized he had chosen well, each suited his Little Concubine perfectly, flattering her beautiful wrists.

The Emperor played with them for a while, feeling completely satisfied, then took the jewelry off again, placed them properly, tucked her in, and left the Side Hall.

Today she had been out all day and upon seeing him, she only spoke of things that made her happy, leaving out everything else.

He needed to know everything that had happened today, especially in Huaqing Palace, and how those people had mistreated her.

While Xiao Linzi was recounting this, Nanny Qi, having heard the news, hurried over to listen alongside the Emperor.

She had wanted to ask earlier but seeing the young girl joyful, she didn’t have the heart to dampen her spirits, so she waited until now to listen with the Emperor.

After Xiao Linzi finished speaking, Nanny Qi sneered repeatedly, "What a Noble Consort Xue, seemingly magnanimous but actually harboring malice, skillfully inciting trouble and using others to do her dirty work, stirring up anger and sowing discord.

Emperor, this is the Noble Consort you appointed to oversee the harem, her scheming is indeed extraordinary, huh. "

She had seen through Xue Wanjun long ago, skilled at winning hearts for her own use. And for those she couldn’t use or saw as threats, she wished she could eliminate them immediately.

Observing the typical small banquet, the manipulative intent couldn’t escape her notice, the seemingly caring words of Xue Wanjun pushed the young girl into the eye of the storm, and she could guarantee that nearly everyone in the harem now saw the young girl as a thorn in their side.