To avoid hurting Ning Wanshuang's feelings, Zhao Hua hurriedly changed the subject.
Seeing a large red coral in the inner chamber, she said,
"This large red coral is so beautiful. I remember it was given by Zhu Yin several years ago as a birthday gift for the Emperor, right?"
Ning Wanshuang glanced at it disdainfully and said indifferently, "He said I liked the color red, so he sent it to me. But I don't care for things from Zhu Yin at all."
As she spoke, she laughed mockingly and raised her eyebrows at Zhao Hua, "Do you still remember when Father led the troops to attack Zhu Yin? The Qi troops marched in and conquered Zhu Yin in just over a month even though they resisted desperately to the end. In the end, Father publicly humiliated their old emperor before they submitted to Great Qi. How could I appreciate gifts from such a defeated enemy, no matter how precious they are?"
Even now, when Ning Wanshuang mentioned her father and brothers, she was still arrogantly proud.
Zhao Hua listened quietly, but suddenly sensed something amiss.
"Zhu Yin... Sister, do you still remember Prince Qi? He was in charge of conquering Zhu Yin, but that war dragged on for three years without capturing Zhu Yin. Later when General Ning led the troops, he took Zhu Yin by storm with lightning speed."
Ning Wanshuang did not understand the implication behind Zhao Hua's words. She just nodded slightly smugly,
"Of course. Who in the entire Qi Dynasty could match Father's valor?"
While General Ning was adept in military strategy and battle, Prince Qi had comparable military power, yet he campaigned against the small border country Zhu Yin for three years without capturing it. This was rather questionable.
Moreover, Xiao Jingheng had reprimanded Prince Qi over this matter and confiscated all his military power.
Now Prince Qi remained idle in the capital without any real power, not much different from a carefree prince.
As for that Chun Lan...
She was of humble birth, so why did people see her coming and going from Prince Qi's estate? What connection could a lowly maidservant have with Prince Qi?
Besides, Chun Lan had only served Consort Hui for a few months. How could she be so loyal to Consort Hui?
These messy threads were intricately interwoven into a knot.
Zhao Hua faintly sensed there might be some intricate connection between Prince Qi, Zhu Yin, and Consort Hui. But she could not figure out what that connection was for now.
"Thinking about what?"
Ning Wanshuang's voice interrupted Zhao Hua's thoughts. She came back to her senses and smiled shaking her head,
"Nothing."
"Since it's nothing, come with me to the small kitchen to prepare lunch," said Ning Wanshuang, smiling eagerly. "I know Ruo Xin is coming today, so I had all her favorite dishes prepared early this morning."
Zhao Hua also smiled and agreed, temporarily setting aside her unresolved ponderings to follow Ning Wanshuang to the small kitchen.
About half an hour later, after Zhao Hua had put the shrimp dumplings into the steamer, she suddenly heard noises coming from the courtyard.
She and Ning Wanshuang looked out and saw several children returning. They quickly washed their hands and went out to greet them.
But when they met, they saw Ruo Xin's eyes were red. She had obviously just cried.
Before Zhao Hua could ask her what was wrong, Ruo Xin ran into Ning Wanshuang's arms and cried grievously,
"Mother... *sobs*"
Seeing the child like this, Ning Wanshuang's eyes were also full of distress. But she still reflexively glanced at Zhao Hua first.
Then she put her hand on Ruo Xin's little shoulder, clearly wanting to send the child into Zhao Hua's arms.
But Zhao Hua did not stand on ceremony. She patted Ning Wanshuang's hand and stopped her movement. Then she squatted beside Ruo Xin, gently stroking her bangs, and carefully asked,
"What's wrong, Ruo Xin?"
Ruo Xin wiped her tears aggrievedly, pouting at Zhao Hua, "*sobs*... Mother, it hurts..."
As she raised her tender little hand to wipe away tears, Zhao Hua immediately noticed the scald on the back of her hand.
Spots of red blisters connected into one piece. The most severe places even oozed liquid.
It broke Zhao Hua's heart to see this. She gently held Ruo Xin's wrist, blowing air onto the wound.
Standing to the side, Yun Shan lowered her head, also full of self-blame. "Your Ladyship, it was this slave's fault for not protecting the little master well..."
Ning Wanshuang was angry at first. "What happened?"
Holding back tears, Yun Shan said, "When the little masters went to see the Third Prince, Consort Hui was feeding the Third Prince medicine. The Third Prince refused to take medicine and threw a tantrum, knocking over the small stove boiling the medicine. The hot coals spilled out and scalded the little master..."
Anxiously, Ning Wanshuang said, "Why haven't you gone to summon the Imperial Physician yet?"
Yun Shan said, "Xiao Fu has already gone."
Although Ruo Xin’s crying was weak, when it entered Zhao Hua’s ears, it was like needles piercing her heart, which ached along with it.
Although the burn area on the child was not large or serious, the stinging pain after the blisters formed was difficult for even adults to endure, let alone a three-year-old child.
Zhao Hua's eyes were half distressed and half resentful.
At this time, Jin Yue also ran to Ning Wanshuang and held her hand, saying,
"Mother, I'll never go see Third Brother again. He is so bad. Seeing Sister Ruo Xin crying from being scalded, he actually said she deserved it..."
Hearing this, Ning Wanshuang's irritable temper could no longer hold back.
She strode out of Yonghe Palace without a word.
Anyone could see that she was going to make trouble for Consort Hui.
Afraid that she would cause chaos in her impulse, Zhao Hua hurriedly left Ruo Xin in Yun Shan's care and rushed to catch up.
As the two entered Zhaochun Palace, they saw Consort Hui walking out from the inner chamber.
She also looked guilty and quickly said,
"I was just about to go to Elder Sister's palace to apologize. Chengjing really doesn't know any better. I have already scolded him. He also knows now that he..."
"Since you don't teach your son, I will teach you how to discipline your son!"
Ning Wanshuang ignored whatever Consort Hui said and raised her hand to hit her.
But Consort Hui suddenly said, "Esteemed Concubine, please think thrice. In the past, no matter how you hit me, I could bear it. But now, you must not hit me."
She took a step back, protecting her lower abdomen with her left hand, and said in a low voice, "Because this concubine is already one month pregnant."
Hearing this, Zhao Hua's eyebrows couldn't help but furrow slightly. In her heart she was even more puzzled.
She knew Xiao Jingheng did not like Consort Hui and only used her as a pawn. Besides, Consort Hui had passed childbearing age and was nearing 30 years old. How could she conceive so frequently?
*slap*
While Zhao Hua was feeling suspicious, she suddenly heard a crisp sound.
She then saw Ning Wanshuang's slap make a clean smack on Consort Hui's cheek.
Blood appeared from the corner of Consort Hui's mouth. Clutching her red hot cheek, she stared at Ning Wanshuang with wide eyes,
"Esteemed Concubine, you..."
*slap*
Not letting her reply, Ning Wanshuang immediately delivered another loud slap.
She glared at Consort Hui and mocked ruthlessly,
"What if you're pregnant? Are you going to give birth from your mouth in the future? Or is Chengjing your vomit, which is why he doesn't teach but misleads, unable to spit ivory from his dog mouth?"
