Page 426

The Empress had just walked up to the cradle when she saw the two beloved babies looking adorable. Her smile had not yet had time to bloom when she heard the unsettling news.

"How could they fall into the lake when everything was fine? What are those serving slaves there for?"

Even if Chang Fengyi had done something wrong, she was still the Empress’s own niece. How could she not worry if an accident befell her?

She wouldn’t know how to explain it to her brother either.

The Empress didn’t even take the time to hold her grandchildren. After speaking a few words with Shen Chuwei, she hurried to Suixin Pavilion.

When the Empress stepped into Suixin Pavilion, she saw that neither the environment nor the decoration was a third as nice as Xinlan Hall.

The living conditions naturally weren’t as comfortable as in Xinlan Hall.

Entering the inner room, the Empress saw the Imperial Doctors crowded around the bed, treating Chang Fengyi.

"How is Chang Fengyi?"

The Imperial Doctor carefully replied, "Empress, Chang Fengyi was submerged in water for too long. We are doing our best to save her."

Upon hearing this, the Empress felt weak in the knees. It was true that she had been angry due to Chang Fengyi’s actions before, and now she truly feared an accident had befallen her.

"Then save her quickly!"

"Yes, yes, yes," the Imperial Doctor hurried to join the rescue effort.

The Empress paced anxiously and glanced at Huai Xiang crying breathlessly on the side. She asked coldly, "How did you take care of Chang Fengyi? How did you let her fall into the lake?"

Huai Xiang wiped away tears, her voice choking, "Answering the Empress, the young mistress knew that the Empress likes sour fruits. Today, when we went out for a walk and passed by a mulberry tree, seeing that the mulberries were nearly ripe, she thought of the Empress’s fondness for them, so she tried to pick some.

That’s when she fell into the lake by accident. "

As Huai Xiang spoke, she broke down crying.

Moved by her words, the Empress looked at Chang Fengyi’s pale face with pity.

"That intent is enough. Such dangerous tasks should be left to the slaves."

Thanks to the efforts of the Imperial Doctors, Chang Fengyi was ultimately saved, but she was still very weak, her complexion deathly pale, devoid of any color.

The Empress was both angry and heartbroken, "You as well, why not let the slaves do such work? It’s most important to take good care of yourself."

Chang Fengyi spoke weakly, "Aunt, Lanlan just hasn’t seen my aunt in so long, and seeing the mulberries reminded me of how much you like them, so I didn’t wait for the slaves to pick them."

The Empress thought back to the time before Chang Fengyi entered the palace, how often she would miss her, insisting that her brother bring her into the palace to see herself.

If not for her misdeeds, she wouldn’t have been so disappointed in her.

"You rest well. Tomorrow, you will be moved back to Xinlan Hall."

After the Empress left, a subtle smile flickered in the depths of Chang Fengyi’s eyes.

The next day, Lady Chang entered the palace to visit her daughter, Chang Fengyi. Seeing her daughter had grown so thin, she felt an indescribable pain.

So as not to chill the heart of the old General Chang, Chang Fengyi’s rank was restored to Lady.

Lady Chang, looking at the familiar Xinlan Hall, had long ceased to care about living there. If she were to stay anywhere, it should be Hehuan Hall, becoming the Crown Princess.

But after thinking it through, she wasn’t in a hurry. Even if Shen Chuwei successfully became the Crown Princess, so what? Lady Chang had plenty of ways to bring her down and ensure she’d never turn the tables.

Her only goal now was to become the Crown Princess, the future Empress.

Lady Chang sipped her tea broodingly, her eyes brimming with schemes.

Concubine Xu, upon hearing the news, hurried to Hehuan Hall, waving her handkerchief impatiently. Seeing Shen Chuwei seated on the couch, she blurted out,

"This is killing me!"

Seeing the furious Concubine Xu, Shen Chuwei guessed someone must have upset her.

"What happened?"

"Chang Fengyi has been made a Lady again, and she has been moved back to Xinlan Hall. She offended, and yet her status was restored so easily; it’s letting her off too lightly," ranted Concubine Xu as she plopped onto the couch.

Shen Chuwei had always kept to herself, untroubled by outside affairs, living her days in comfort, eating and drinking without worries.

But upon hearing this news, even Shen Chuwei was somewhat surprised.

After her surprise, she came to an understanding.

Because Lady Chang was the Empress’s own niece, supported not just by the Empress but also by the old General Chang and his family.

Until a grave mistake was made, they had to consider the old General’s dignity.

"Lady Chang is really too cunning, deliberately falling into the lake and then claiming it was to pick mulberries for the Empress? Blaming the Empress for her own mistake?"

The more Concubine Xu spoke, the angrier she became, "The Empress softened her heart, and just like that, she let her move out."

"Lady Chang is the Empress’s own niece, it’s inevitable," Shen Chuwei said.

Concubine Xu retorted, "That’s exactly why I’m upset. She’s always acted so imperiously because of her family’s backing."