But at that time in the palace, Murong Yunxi had no intention of harming her. She just had people drive her out of the palace. There was no reason for Wei Dongling to try to kill her after regaining her identity.
After all, although they were both princesses, Wei Dongling, a motherless child, could never compare with Murong Yunxi. Murong Yunxi's mother was the champion of the palace intrigue. How could she even take Wei Dongling seriously?
Wei Dongling asked, "What did the emperor say about this?"
Min Fang replied respectfully, "The emperor was extremely angry. He said that as the Seventh Princess had a previous incident, he rewarded her with ten heavy blows from the cane, fined her one year's salary, and this time confined her for three months."
"Previous incident?"
Min Fang answered, "During the midsummer, the prince entered the palace to have a private meeting with the emperor. No one knew what was said, but it made the emperor furious and he confined the Seventh Princess for one month. At that time, the Seventh Princess cried, made a scene, and even threatened to hang herself. It was the empress dowager who personally went to comfort her for a long time before she calmed down."
Wei Dongling suddenly remembered that on the midsummer night, the Seventh Princess didn't return to the palace until midnight and drugged Shangguan Yun with an aphrodisiac by the Moon - setting Lake.
It was also that night that Qi Jinxuan threw the gold hairpin she had given to Wei Dongling into the lake, drawing a clear line with her and declaring that their friendship was over.
Alas, Miss Qi was really stubborn. She truly did what she said.
Wei Dongling couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The other night when she climbed over the wall with Cheng Hao to learn kung fu against her will, she saw that the high wall near the Green - Water Lake was covered with trumpet creeper. The leaves were gradually withering. Maybe next year when it was in bloom, this creeper would be as full of flowers as the one in the inner courtyard of General Qi's mansion.
Seeing the Fifth Princess sigh, Min Fang thought she was depressed about being poisoned for no reason. She quickly knelt down and said guiltily, "Your Highness, it's all because this servant misjudged people and brought Qiao Yue to Yaoguang Pavilion, which made Your Highness suffer so much! If it weren't for the golden pill bestowed by the empress dowager today, you might not have woken up. Please punish this servant!" Min Fang cried pitifully and kept kowtowing to admit her mistake.
Wei Dongling waved her hand and said, "Alas, what's the big deal? How was Qiao Yue punished?" Sister has seen all kinds of storms. This kind of thing is just a small scene. She should be calm!
Min Fang sobbed softly, "She has been beaten to death with a cane." Because of her own misjudgment, she was also fined six months' salary.
Looking at Min Fang's pitiful appearance, Wei Dongling waved her hand and said, "Go back and sleep! Your eyes are swollen from staying up late."
Min Fang shook her head vigorously with red eyes and said, "This servant is not sleepy."
Wei Dongling got up and stretched her arms. She waved to Min Fang and said, "That pill is really wonderful. This princess only feels extremely energetic! I'm going to take a stroll in the yard. As for you, this princess punishes you to go back to bed and reflect! Don't follow me."
Min Fang was stunned. Reflect in bed? Wouldn't she fall asleep?
Before she could come to her senses, she saw the princess put on her clothes and go out. Min Fang said anxiously, "Your Highness, you can't go out!" If something like an assassination happened again, all the servants in Yaoguang Pavilion would lose their heads!
Wei Dongling looked back and glared at her unhappily. Min Fang was so scared that she quickly shut up and walked away dejectedly. In the yard, the guard named Cheng Hao brought back by the Fifth Princess was waiting there. There were also two little eunuchs on duty. It should be okay, right? Min Fang walked back to her room to rest, looking back every few steps.
It was inappropriate to enter the princess's boudoir at midnight in front of other servants, so Cheng Hao had been sitting in the corridor waiting for Wei Dongling to come out. Seeing her push the door open, Cheng Hao quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Are you okay?"
In the afternoon, seeing Wei Dongling fall into a coma for so long after taking that so - called golden pill, Cheng Hao was extremely anxious. In front of all the servants, he didn't dare to step forward out of propriety. He could only wait outside.
The crescent moon in the sky cast a hazy light in the yard. Wei Dongling glanced at Cheng Hao and said with a soft smile, "I'm fine. Sorry to have worried you."
Cheng Hao asked softly, "Will that golden pill have any other side effects? After all, all drugs have some toxicity."
Wei Dongling shook her head and said, "I don't know. But I think it's probably some rare medicine for strengthening the body. There are no other adverse reactions for now."
Only then did Cheng Hao feel relieved.
Wei Dongling sat on the edge of the corridor and said to Cheng Hao, "There's something strange about today's incident. Although the Seventh Princess is domineering and willful, she's not the kind of person who would try to kill someone. I have a faint feeling that something is wrong. The person behind this doesn't seem to be her."
Cheng Hao said, "Shall this subordinate go and investigate?"
Wei Dongling shook her head and sighed, "The palace is heavily guarded. It's not suitable for you to go out and arouse suspicion. I don't need to guess to know who is so eager for me to die."
At the family banquet on the day she returned to the palace, the dog beside Concubine Xue pounced on her as soon as it saw her. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and pretended to cry and act pitiful, winning a lot of sympathetic looks. With the emperor's protection, she barely managed to avoid danger.
Judging from Concubine Xue's reluctant look when she came to offer a toast, Wei Dongling knew that she must have cursed her countless times behind her back. Concubine Xue probably blamed her entirely for the deposed crown prince's downfall.
Alas, she thought she was really unlucky.
Early the next morning, Wei Dongling hurried to pay respects to the emperor and Noble Consort Rong. Then she went to the empress dowager to express her gratitude sincerely, acting as if she was extremely convinced and almost prostrating herself on the ground.
The empress dowager looked extremely kind. She stroked Wei Dongling's little hand and sighed, "If a single pill can ensure the safety of this palace's dear granddaughter, it must be the blessing of the Bodhisattva!"
If Wei Dongling hadn't seen the empress dowager's disgusted look before, she would have thought that she was an extremely kind - hearted and benevolent old person.
However, she wasn't. Even though the empress dowager was willing to part with that pill for her, although Wei Dongling expressed her gratitude on the surface, she still couldn't get close to her in her heart.
After leaving Cining Palace, she took two maids and went straight to Concubine Shu's place. Concubine Shu had rushed over when she pretended to be poisoned and even suggested that the empress dowager bestow the pill. It was only reasonable for her to go and thank her.
But unexpectedly, she was turned away. Concubine Shu's personal maid came to reply that her mistress was not feeling well today and was not suitable to receive guests. She would visit the Fifth Princess when she felt better.
Seeing the maid's cold and guarded look, Wei Dongling didn't say much. Just as she was about to turn around and go back, Concubine Zhao from the front hall stopped her. She happily pulled Wei Dongling's hand and invited her into the room for tea.
Wei Dongling held the delicate teacup and sighed. As expected, she was the emperor's favorite concubine. Even the teacups were inlaid with gold and jade. But she said with a smile, "Concubine Zhao, this tea is really wonderful! It lingers on the lips and teeth, leaving a sweet aftertaste!"
With a golden cup and jade teacup, how could it not leave a sweet aftertaste?
Concubine Zhao laughed coquettishly, "Although my tea is not as good as your milk tea, this tea leaves are extremely rare. They are a tribute from Xiliang. There are only three cans in the entire harem!" One can for the empress dowager, one for Noble Consort Rong, and the remaining one was obtained by her after pestering the emperor! She usually didn't even dare to drink it.
What? Could Xiliang produce such good tea?