She did not know that the Emperor Xuanwu had already learned of the discord between Jiang Xinyue and her elder sister.
It was on the day he demoted Jiang Yutong to a Court Lady that he overheard Jiang Xinyue say she had developed genuine feelings for him.
What grudge could there be?
It was simply that Jiang Yutong envied her younger sister Jiang Xinyue for winning the Emperor's affection, and demanded that Jiang Xinyue play the villain again, transferring that affection to her. When Jiang Xinyue refused, Jiang Yutong resented it and sought revenge.
However, as her wicked nature was exposed to the Emperor Xuanwu, and she was banished to the Palace of Exile, realizing she had no chance of redemption in this life, she tried to frighten Jiang Xinyue with threats of suicide.
Such a person was utterly malicious, and Consort Zhen suffered innocently.
With such an extreme elder sister, one could only imagine the torment Jiang Xinyue endured back home.
The Emperor Xuanwu's tender feelings for Jiang Xinyue were now undisguised.
He clasped his hands tightly behind his back, and instructed Xi Que and Shuang Jiang, "Take good care of your mistress. I have matters to attend to, but I will return later to see her. Wang Dequan, accompany me to the Imperial Hospital to fetch medicine. Ensure the physicians treat her with utmost care."
What did he mean by utmost care?
Naturally, he wanted the physicians to treat Consort Zhen meticulously, leaving no lingering ailments.
Consort Jiang did not get a chance to speak before the Emperor left to apply medicine to Jiang Xinyue's eyes.
She could only instruct, "Take good care of Consort Zhen."
And then hurried after the Emperor Xuanwu.
The main gate of Xihuo Palace closed, and Xi Que heaved a sigh of relief, "My lady, the Emperor has departed."
The supposedly gravely ill Jiang Xinyue lying in bed opened her eyes, showing no sign of sickness at all as she sat up and used a small bronze mirror to examine her face.
Hmm...
This sickly makeup was applied well, it should garner more of the Emperor's compassion.
Especially since she had just offended Concubine Chu, and now this incident occurred, anyone would suspect Concubine Chu was behind it.
"Why would the elder lady attempt suicide?"
Xi Que muttered, "She was so arrogant, boasting of becoming the Empress back in the manor. It's only been two months since she entered the palace, how could she resort to such an act?"
If news reached the manor, the Lady would surely raise a storm!
"Don't dwell on what you can't understand, it has nothing to do with us."
Jiang Xinyue combed her long hair, "The Emperor will handle it."
Even the original soul had no feelings for Jiang Yutong, let alone this imposter.
In the Yangxin Palace—
The Emperor Xuanwu massaged his brow, "Summon the Empress Zhu from the Yikun Palace to investigate the attempted suicide of Court Lady Jiang. Also...Consort Zhen is timid, she cannot remain in Xihuo Palace any longer. Have the Empress select a better palace for her residence."
Upon receiving the Emperor's decree, Empress Zhu immediately brought century-old ginseng to visit Jiang Xinyue in Xihuo Palace, accompanied by Consort Liang and Consort De.
Jiang Xinyue, leaning weakly against the bed, was refusing the bitter medicine prescribed by the physicians when Empress Zhu and the others arrived.
She tried to rise but lacked the strength, collapsing back onto the bed.
Empress Zhu helped her sit up again, concern evident in her eyes, "You are unwell, there is no need for such formalities. Are you feeling better?"
Jiang Xinyue obediently coughed and her eyes welled with tears, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your humble servant is much better."
She did not look better at all!
"I just commented on your timidity, and you proved me right by letting a deceased person frighten you so."
The outspoken Consort Liang remarked, "You've fallen into that vile woman's trap. She aimed to terrify you to death with her own demise. You must not indulge her malicious intent."
Jiang Xinyue forced a bitter smile, "Consort Liang speaks wisely. Your humble servant will recover soon."
The bitter medicine she had refused earlier, she now picked up and drank in one gulp after Consort Liang's words, grimacing.
Finally, she asked Xi Que for a candied fruit to eat.
The gentle Consort De smiled, "No need to blame her for being frightened, she is only fifteen, still a young child! Her way of taking medicine reminds me of the second princess."
The second princess was nine years old, six years younger than Jiang Xinyue.
Consort Liang's expression softened as she thought of her own eldest princess, "Do not worry, the Emperor has made all the arrangements for you. Once you recover, you will move to a new palace."
Empress Zhu nodded, "I have selected three palaces for you - Jingren Palace, Hexi Palace, and Shunan Palace. Jingren Palace is close to my Yikun Palace, so if anything happens, you can seek my aid swiftly. Shunan Palace is under Consort Liang's charge, and I see you get along well. However, it is up to you to decide. Hexi Palace was chosen by the Emperor himself, being closest to the Chengqian Palace."
Empress Zhu was testing her.
Jiang Xinyue blushed, regaining some color in her face.
She fidgeted shyly, "Your Majesty and Consort Liang have been so kind to your humble servant. Jingren Palace and Shunan Palace are both excellent options. But...but your humble servant wishes to be closer to the Emperor. Please do not take offense, Your Majesty! I will surely visit you often at the Yikun Palace to keep you company."
"You've said all there is to say, how could I take offense?"
Empress Zhu laughed lightly, "Very well, I understand your intention. We shall not disturb your rest any longer. Recover swiftly so you can move to your new residence."
Jiang Xinyue nodded vigorously.
After seeing off Empress Zhu and the others, Xi Que scratched her head, "My lady, you rejected the Empress's suggestion, will she not..."
"She will not."
Jiang Xinyue caressed the century-old ginseng, "Store this in the repository. Inform the kitchen to prepare century ginseng soup for me in the coming days."
"The Empress truly bears no ill will?"
Consort Liang followed behind Empress Zhu, "We shielded her so, yet she remains ungrateful."
Empress Zhu touched the finger guard on her hand, "If she had chosen Jingren Palace or Shunan Palace, then we would need to be wary of her."
Consort Liang did not understand, "Why do you say so, Your Majesty?"
Empress Zhu pretended to straighten Consort Liang's collar as she whispered in her ear, "If she chose you or me, it would prove she is adept at concealing her true intentions and harbors grand ambitions. Such a person, even ten of you could not defeat her. However, she chose Hexi Palace without a second thought, revealing her straightforward nature devoid of scheming - easy to control."
What woman in this palace would not wish to be closer to the Emperor?
It was the right choice for an innocent person like Consort Zhen to choose the Hexi Palace.
Playing mind games day in and day out with a group of women and a man would be quite taxing on the brain.
After Empress Zhu left, Jiang Xinyue fell asleep.
This led to Concubine Li and Consort Jiang being refused entry when they came to see her.
The Empress Dowager had decreed that no one but the Emperor was permitted to disturb Consort Zhen's rest and recovery.
