Don't let her get away!

Little Bandit Jiang stood with her hands on her hips amid the resentful gazes of Anqin Hall's palace maids, who dared not voice their anger, and surveyed the fruits of her labor with satisfaction.

Each of the palace maids who had accompanied Eunuch Changshun had been loaded up with a couple of exquisite objects.

Unaware of what was going on, the maids all worried that the little princess's reckless behavior would offend the noble consort. They exchanged glances, their faces troubled.

They had heard this consort had quite a temper...

Jiang Yingcheng's eyes darted toward the inner chamber as she pondered how to get inside and plunder it some more, completely oblivious to everyone's varied expressions.

Then a faintly reproachful voice rang out.

"Your Highness, these were all gifts from the other noble consorts. If you simply let the little princess take them away, I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain..."

The maids who had come with Jiang Yingcheng looked embarrassed, while those serving in Anqin Hall looked indignant. The three people who knew the truth, however, had no idea how to explain the situation before them.

Surely they couldn't say that this soft, rosy little dumpling knew every one of Noble Consort Rou's plans and was actively helping Noble Consort Qing eliminate the dangers around her?

Jiang Yingcheng snapped out of her thoughts, looking dazed.

[Ah...]

She lowered her head in embarrassment, twisting her fingers together.

[Did Chengcheng make them dislike her?]

Noble Consort Qing glanced at the maid who had just spoken and was about to reprimand her when that familiar inner voice sounded in her ears again.

[Really?]

Noble Consort Qing paused.

There was unmistakable delight in that inner voice.

Had something good happened?

She was a little curious.

[She's unhappy that I'm taking all these things away because Noble Consort Rou sent her here?]

[It really isn't because I took too much and upset them?]

The little one's inner voice was still tirelessly asking whoever was on the other end to confirm whether she had annoyed anyone, but Noble Consort Qing could no longer spare it any attention.

She stared at Xueqing before her in disbelief, her teeth clenched tight.

Xueqing had served her ever since she entered the palace. Out of affection for their long history together, she had always treated Xueqing generously. In the end, even the person she trusted most was a spy sent by Noble Consort Rou?!

Had the peace and comfort she thought she enjoyed existed only because she had been kept in the dark all along?!

Noble Consort Qing raised her trembling hand, ready to slap Xueqing-

[Ah!]

Perhaps because the little one was so excited, this thought rang out especially loudly.

Noble Consort Qing froze and hastily lowered her arm.

[System Bro, you're so clever!]

[Having Pretty Aunties use her to pass false information to Noble Consort Rou is such a great idea!]

[But how can I warn Pretty Aunties that there's something wrong with this maid?]

Jiang Yingcheng's adorable, round little face was so troubled that Noble Consort Qing's mood lightened a little at the sight.

It also gave her a new idea.

That was right.

Since Noble Consort Rou had acted heartlessly first, she had every right to strike back!

Completely unaware that her true allegiance had been exposed, Xueqing continued to feign concern for Noble Consort Qing. Her face full of worry, she went on, "Your Highness, these things..."

Smack!

This time, Noble Consort Qing did not let Xueqing finish.

Noble Consort Qing's expression was icy, and her voice seemed coated in frost. "Since when does a mere palace maid get to tell me what to do?"

Xueqing's eyes filled with horror. Without even stopping to cover the cheek that burned from Noble Consort Qing's slap, her body reacted before her mind did, and she dropped to her knees. "Please quell your anger, Your Highness. I was only worried that your friendship with Noble Consort Rou might be-"

"Silence!" Noble Consort Qing raised her voice and snapped again. "Attendants-"

[Ooh, ooh, ooh, Pretty Aunties are going to punish this maid!]

[I hope Aunties won't just slap her palms this time!]

[This maid is so wicked!]

[She knows exactly what these things do, but she still reminds Aunties to wear the sachet every single day!]

[Later, when Noble Consort Rou tells Imperial Father that Aunties mistreated the other consorts, this maid is the one who testifies that Aunties really did all those things. That's what finally leads to Aunties dying of illness in the Cold Palace!]

[Go, Aunties! Don't let her get away!]

Jiang Yingcheng clenched both fists and looked toward Noble Consort Qing with sparkling eyes.

Noble Consort Qing, however, had gone rigid where she stood, her body trembling uncontrollably.

How dare she-how dare they try to destroy her life like this!

At that moment, Noble Consort Qing wanted nothing more than to have this woman torn apart by five horses, but the reason she still retained made her rein herself in at the last instant.

The little one's thoughts were right. She could still use Xueqing to deal Noble Consort Rou a crushing blow.

But today, she could first vent some of her own anger-and the little one's, too!

Noble Consort Qing squeezed her eyes shut and continued her interrupted command in a hoarse voice. "Attendants, drag her out and give her twenty heavy strokes of the paddle!"

Xueqing looked up in shock. Only after staring at her for a moment did she begin kowtowing frantically and begging for mercy. The eunuchs who gathered around her covered her mouth and roughly dragged her away.

Noble Consort Qing's fists remained tightly clenched, and waves of dull pain pulsed through her chest.

Her heart was filled with hatred.

Had Xueqing looked at her that way because she couldn't believe someone as gentle as her would make such a decision?

But why hadn't Xueqing stopped to consider who had given the servants in this hall the confidence to believe she would never punish them so severely?

She had always treated everyone with kindness, only to nurture a traitor like this!

Fortunately...

Fortunately, she had learned the truth before it was too late.

Suddenly, she felt something soft touch her hand.

Noble Consort Qing lowered her head and saw that the little dumpling had somehow come running up to her. The instant their eyes met, the little girl flashed her a bright, lively smile.

Her eyes stung, and she nearly burst into tears on the spot.

Countless times, she had imagined what her future child might look like. Only when she met this little one today had that dream taken on a definite shape.

Small and soft, with round eyes and a smile full of warmth.

But now, she no longer knew whether she would ever have the chance to bear a child of her own.

Noble Consort Qing forced down the piercing pain in her heart, slowly crouched, and raised a hand to stroke the little one's head.

Her voice was very soft, still carrying a lingering tremor. "Thank you..."

Jiang Yingcheng rose onto her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Noble Consort Qing's neck, and rubbed her little hair bun against her cheek. "Don't be angry anymore, Aunties~" she said in her sweet, childish voice.

[Once Chengcheng saves up enough merit points, I'll exchange them for medicine to heal Aunties' body. It works super well!]

Noble Consort Qing's breath caught.

Spices, saffron, hyssop.

She had heard of these things long ago. They were all commonly used in the imperial harem to cause infertility. If someone was exposed to them for too long, even the imperial physicians would be helpless.

But so much of what the little one had demonstrated today defied ordinary explanation. Perhaps the medicine she spoke of really could heal her body!

Noble Consort Qing slowly rested her hand on Jiang Yingcheng's back, and at last, great drops of tears spilled down her face.