Chapter 6

Chapter 6

But there was far too little silver. After only three days of distributing porridge, there was no grain left to spare.

The refugees were full of complaints. Behind her back, they cursed the Empress Dowager for chasing fame and pretending at benevolence, saying she did not care whether the common people lived or died.

In the end, she was not the emperor’s birth mother. All she cared about was putting on a show while standing by and watching the people suffer.

The Empress Dowager had been left dangling by those nine thousand taels, unable to advance or retreat. In the end, she could only grit her teeth and donate several tens of thousands more.

Both the Empress Dowager and the Marquis’s Estate were forced to swallow the loss in silence.

Pei Pingjin was cursed out by the Empress Dowager until he was drenched in spittle.

Lu Qingshuang also claimed to be ill and hid inside the Marquis’s Estate, avoiding the storm of criticism raging across the capital.

Having won a sweeping victory, I turned around and sent eighty thousand taels to the Empress.

Through her hands, it was used to purchase military supplies and provisions, then delivered to the border.

As Nanny combed my hair, she said indignantly,

“What status does she have, and what status does Your Highness have? Even stooping to argue with her is already giving her far too much face.”

“Some blasted ‘cousin’? She’s nothing but the illegitimate daughter the Marquis’s Wife’s brother sired outside. That one in the palace raised her up and brought her into the capital, turning her into a weapon to force Your Highness and the Prince Consort into the same bed!”

“Being Empress Dowager still isn’t enough for her? In my opinion, she’s courting death!”

Nanny was impatient by nature and had a fiery temper.

When it came to matters involving me, she was always a little too anxious.

I looked at her face in the mirror, lined now with deep grooves, and my heart could not help but soften.

“You’re already so old, yet you still don’t know how to rein in that temper of yours. So rash and irritable. If something happens to you, this princess will have to trouble herself with caring for you in your old age.”

Nanny rolled her eyes.

“My bones are still sturdy.”

Then her voice grew quieter.

“I’m still waiting for Huaishang to come marry Your Highness in a grand bridal sedan carried by eight men.”

The moment she said that, the faint trace of a smile on my face in the mirror slowly faded.

Out of habit, I clasped my empty wrist, only to realize with a start that he and the jade were both long gone.

The old one had passed away. Fortunately, Ling Yun and Nanny had always remained by my side.

Until one month ago.

I was taking a midday rest in the study.

Pei Pingjin brought Lu Qingshuang with him as they barged into the Princess’s Residence in a frantic rush.

It turned out that Lu Qingshuang’s maid had been poisoned.

I possessed the only Resurrection Pill in the capital.

They claimed they had come to borrow the pill, yet they could not even wait to be announced. They rushed straight into the rear courtyard.

Nanny already disliked the two of them, and she was afraid they would disturb my sleep.

So she personally stepped forward to stop them, angrily rebuking Pei Pingjin,

“The Prince Consort is at least the Heir of the Marquis’s Estate. Have you forgotten even the most basic courtesy and rules of conduct? It seems last month’s lesson was not enough to teach the heir what it means for a subject to be respectful and obedient!”

The moment her words fell,

Lu Qingshuang suddenly charged forward without warning and shoved Nanny hard into the lotus pond at the side.

The lotus pond was mainly for viewing and was paved with all kinds of cobblestones.

Nanny fell in. Her temple struck a stone, and blood poured out at once.

The servants scrambled in a panic to pull her out, but Lu Qingshuang planted her hands on her hips, pouted, and scolded,

“A mere old hag of a servant dares borrow another’s power and put on airs before the Prince Consort?”

“Even if that fall doesn’t kill her, it should take half her life. Let her learn a proper lesson and know who the true master of this residence is.”

Pei Pingjin chided her fondly,

“You, honestly. You still haven’t learned to rein in that temper of yours.”

“No more mischief next time.”

As his words fell, Pei Pingjin’s gaze met mine, sharp with icy killing intent…