Chapter 1
Chapter 1
A baby’s wails suddenly rang through the lavish palace.
“Why is he crying again?!”
The woman reclining on an ornate chaise looked thoroughly irritated. Rubbing her forehead, she ordered, “Where is the wet nurse? Hurry and quiet the Fourth Prince. All that noise is giving me a headache.”
The young wet nurse knelt and replied, “Your Ladyship, this servant is incapable. The little prince simply won’t stop crying. Nothing I do can soothe him.”
“Useless!” The Noble Consort snatched up the teacup beside her and hurled it at the wet nurse’s head.
Blood trickled down the wet nurse’s forehead. No one in Huaqing Palace dared utter a word.
A eunuch rushed in from outside, looking anxious. “Your Ladyship, His Majesty is almost here.”
The Noble Consort sat up from the chaise and allowed her attendants to fix her hair and makeup.
Yet the baby’s wailing continued in her ears.
“That racket is unbearable! Make him stop!”
The Noble Consort was growing agitated. The last time, the child had cried incessantly, and His Majesty had left Huaqing Palace after only a short stay.
This time, she had to keep His Majesty here no matter what.
That was when I stepped forward.
“Your Ladyship, this servant can try.”
The Noble Consort’s gaze fell on me, and her brows furrowed. “Who are you?”
“This servant is Qingzhi.” I dropped to my knees and kowtowed. “Before I entered the palace, my mother served as a wet nurse for a wealthy household. I helped her care for the children, so I have some experience soothing babies. Perhaps I can ease Your Ladyship’s burden.”
The Noble Consort studied me for a moment before turning to give an order. “Take her to him.”
The wet nurse kneeling on the floor froze briefly, then answered, “Yes, Your Ladyship.”
On the way to the side hall, the wet nurse gave me nothing but sour looks.
“Her Ladyship the Noble Consort has a terrible temper. If you fail to satisfy her, you probably won’t even be able to remain in Huaqing Hall!
“Young people really do love showing off…”
…
The Noble Consort’s name was Xu Ling’er. She was Chancellor Xu’s youngest daughter and a breathtaking beauty. Even before entering the palace, she had been hailed as the most beautiful woman in the capital.
After Noble Consort Xu entered the palace, she alone enjoyed the Emperor’s favor. At the height of her popularity, even the Empress had to yield before her.
But flowers never bloomed for a hundred days in the depths of the imperial palace. As one group of young beauties after another entered the harem, everyone began saying that Noble Consort Xu’s days of glory were likely over.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, Noble Consort Xu became pregnant.
Pregnancy did not diminish her beauty. Instead, her figure grew fuller and even more alluring.
The Emperor doted on the Noble Consort, showering her with a constant supply of tonics and gifts.
Ten months later, Noble Consort Xu gave birth to a son. The Emperor was overjoyed, and the Xu Family became the toast of the capital. Having gained status through her son, the Noble Consort grew more pampered and willful than ever.
When we reached the side hall, the wet nurse walked over to an exquisitely crafted little bed adorned with gold and jade. Bending down, she lifted the wailing baby into her arms.
She handed him to me. “Be careful. The Fourth Prince is far too precious for anything to happen to him.”
I reached out and took him.
Looking down at the child, I softly murmured a few words.
His cries gradually subsided, and he opened his eyes wide to stare at me.
The wet nurse was utterly astonished. “You really can do it?”