Chapter Sixteen: The Emperor Is Very Angry

“Danger! Danger! Danger!” Jiang Daiyin fled the Hall of Mental Cultivation, her face full of terror.

“Fulinhai, fetch the imperial physician at once,” Feng Yu commanded, feeling as if he had lost his mind. He had never experienced such a lapse in judgment before.

Just now, he had nearly lost control—it was utterly baffling.

“Your Majesty, did you perhaps consume something?” Imperial Physician Zhang asked, his expression inscrutable after examining the situation.

Feng Yu paused. “I just drank the tea the Empress sent.”

Hearing this, Zhang brought the teacup to his nose, sniffed it carefully, then poured a bit into his palm and tasted it. He shook his head.

“Your Majesty, have you eaten anything else?”

“What is happening to me?” Feng Yu’s expression darkened as realization dawned.

“Your Majesty, you have been drugged, though the effect is mild and not immediately obvious,” the physician said hesitantly. Who would dare poison the emperor, especially in the Hall of Mental Cultivation? Such an act threatened the very foundation of the realm.

“Impudent!” Feng Yu slammed his fist on the table, clearly enraged.

Physician Zhang knelt silently, not daring to utter a word.

Meanwhile, walking along the palace path, Consort Xin felt an inexplicable unease.

“Xiangyun, hide this in the Empress’s chambers,” she instructed. That way, even if His Majesty sensed something amiss, she would have an excuse.

Her actions were a desperate gamble; she hadn’t expected the emperor to be so sensitive. Ironically, this benefitted the Empress.

Feng Yu glanced at the remnants on the ground. “Could the tea be the problem?”

Zhang picked up the residue, touched it with his finger, tasted it, and suddenly looked puzzled.

“Your Majesty, there is indeed an additive in this Eight Treasures tea, but I cannot quite identify what it is.”

“Hmph, how audacious!” Feng Yu pursed his lips. He could not understand why these women, who already possessed everything, never seemed to learn contentment.

Not only did he have to devote himself entirely to affairs of state, but he also had to contend with these ladies using every trick to vie for his favor.

“Summon everyone to Huayin Hall,” he ordered.

Fulinhai, observing the emperor’s expression, knew he was furious. For Consort Xin to resort to such a vile scheme—if it harmed the dragon’s health, she would surely pay with her life.

“Your Highness, you were impressive today! I thought you might endure quietly as before,” Xia Mo said sincerely. She felt the consort had grown stronger since her illness but wondered why she no longer sought the emperor’s favor. It troubled her.

Though the consort was unable to bear children due to an injury years ago, placing all her hopes on the Tenth Prince was unwise.

After all, he was not her biological son. Xia Mo resolved to find ways to support her mistress.

“They have nearly taken liberties with us; if we still endured, wouldn’t everyone trample us in the future?” Jiang Daiyin reclined in her sedan chair, looking relaxed.

Thankfully, they had transportation; otherwise, the long walk back would have been exhausting.

“You’re right, Your Highness,” Xia Mo agreed.

The palace path was long and oppressive, with towering walls enclosing them. Yet Jiang Daiyin found comfort in her own thoughts.

“I never had the chance to stroll through the Forbidden City before. Now I realize the ancestors truly had exquisite taste!”

Suddenly, a child’s cry pierced the air, sending a chill through their hearts.

“Who’s crying?” Jiang Daiyin instinctively gripped the armrest, recalling whether the original mistress had done anything grievous.

After pondering, she found that aside from mistreating the Tenth Prince, no other children had been harmed, and she relaxed.

Soon, a little girl emerged, sobbing quietly. She was delicately beautiful and clever-looking, her red-rimmed eyes and nose resembling a frightened little white rabbit.

“Yao’er pays respects to the Imperial Consort,” she said.

“Your Highness, this is the Sixth Princess,” Xia Mo explained.

She was the daughter of the Noble Consort’s twins, far more endearing than the consort herself.

Compared to the plump Seventh Prince, Feng Lingyao was slender but clearly a beauty in the making.

“Why are you crying here, Yao’er?”

Humans are visual creatures; who could resist such an adorable little bundle? Jiang Daiyin felt her heart soften completely.

She longed to pinch the rosy, bun-like cheeks.

“My mother dislikes me; she only loves my brother,” the girl whimpered. It seemed Noble Consort Wei was angered by Feng Linye and took it out on her daughter.

“Would you like to go to the palace to eat something delicious with the Imperial Consort?” Jiang Daiyin coaxed gently.

“But mother...” Feng Lingyao hesitated, pouting, torn between desire and fear.

“I will send someone to inform your mother. Don’t worry!”

“There are many delicious pastries and milk tea in the Imperial Consort’s chambers!” Jiang Daiyin smiled patiently, while Xia Mo watched, thinking her mistress seemed quite the villain.

“Wow! Yao’er has never tasted milk tea before!” the princess exclaimed, jumping joyfully.

Jiang Daiyin stepped down from the sedan chair and took the girl’s hand as they returned to Fengyi Palace together.

“Mother, I have finished my lessons early today. May I go out to play?” Feng Wuchen approached, clutching a stack of books, his face alight with excitement.

He stopped short upon seeing Feng Lingyao.

“This is your sixth sister,” Jiang Daiyin introduced.

Feng Lingyao blinked her big, watery eyes, her mouth slightly open in surprise.

“You’re the Tenth Brother?” she asked.

Was this the same Tenth Brother who had once been worse off than a beggar? His appearance had changed dramatically.

“Hello, Sixth Sister,” Feng Wuchen bowed with grace.

“All right, put your things down and let Dongqing accompany you outside. I’ll take your sister to tour our palace,” Jiang Daiyin said kindly.

“Thank you, Mother,” Feng Wuchen beamed and ran off.

Feng Lingyao was still stunned. She had always heard that the Empress was fierce, often punishing the Tenth Prince harshly.

Yet now, the Empress seemed far less frightening than the rumors suggested.

“Chunyu, bring some pastries and milk tea from our chambers for the Sixth Princess to try.”

“Yes,” Chunyu replied, frowning. The Sixth Princess was Noble Consort’s daughter—what was the Empress up to?

Feng Lingyao sat obediently in her pretty dress, like a delicate figurine.

When Chunyu brought the treats, her eyes sparkled as she stared eagerly at the bowls.

“Eat quickly!” Jiang Daiyin’s heart melted; the girl was simply too adorable.

She wished she could steal the child away from the Noble Consort.

Feng Lingyao took a sip of the milk tea and exclaimed in delight.

“It’s delicious! I’ve never tasted anything so wonderful.”

“You can come to the Imperial Consort’s chambers often. There are many tasty treats waiting for you!” Jiang Daiyin reached out and pinched the chubby cheeks.

“Really?” Feng Lingyao set down the bowl, a “milk mustache” adorning her mouth, utterly charming.

“Of course. You’re welcome anytime.”

Just then, Xia Mo hurried in.

“Your Highness, Consort Xin is in trouble. The Emperor has summoned all palace consorts to Huayin Hall.”