A fleeting expression of resentment flashed in Consort Hui's eyes. She clenched her teeth, but instead of erupting in anger, she unexpectedly slapped herself across the face.
The force she used was no lighter than Ning Wanshuang's. As her palm landed on her already flushed cheek, it visibly swelled.
Feeling that one slap was not enough, she followed it with several harsher ones in succession.
This left Ning Wanshuang and Zhao Hua bewildered.
"What kind of despicable behavior is this? Consort Hui, you've truly opened my eyes," Consort Hui sobbed. "You're right to reprimand me. It's all because I failed to teach my son properly."
Wiping away her tears, she turned and shouted into the hall, "Chengjing! Look at what you've done to your younger sister Ruoxin! If I don't punish you severely today, who knows what mischievous acts you'll commit in the future!"
She walked swiftly towards her inner chamber, all the way to Chengjing's bedside, and abruptly pulled him up, poised to strike.
The child was terrified and burst into loud sobs. Consort Hui, her voice choked with sorrow, said, "Your unruly behavior will make Empress Chen and Empress Yi think it's your birth mother who taught you this! Watch how I discipline you harshly today!"
It was rare for her to reveal such a fierce side in front of others. She seemed truly helpless when dealing with her own son's lack of discipline.
But Ning Wanshuang and Zhao Hua were not fools.
Seeing Consort Hui's act, they couldn't be bothered to intervene and simply watched quietly from the sidelines.
Ning Wanshuang lazily brushed her temples, adding fuel to the fire. "Don't just scold him. When a child behaves mischievously, he needs to be disciplined. As the saying goes, a filial child is raised under the rod. It's not an unfounded statement. What? Are you reluctant? Shall I assist you?"
Ning Wanshuang eagerly awaited the spectacle. Consort Hui had pushed herself into a corner with this act. She had no way out.
She had no choice but to forcefully strike Chengjing's palms. While hitting him, she cried out, "I told you to behave! I told you to stop being unruly!"
She didn't hold back, and the slaps resounded crisply.
After Ning Wanshuang and Zhao Hua watched for quite some time, they yawned in impatience. "Enough already. Take your time teaching him. If you can't manage, you can always come to Yonghe Palace and ask for my advice. I have rulers and leather whips ready for you to use."
With that, they walked away without a backward glance.
Once the onlookers dispersed, Consort Hui finally released her tightly clenched grip on Chengjing's wrist.
Chengjing had cried so much that his voice turned hoarse. "Wuwuwu, Mother never used to be like this. Wuwuwu..."
Deep down, Consort Hui still harbored some maternal love for him.
However, now that she had noticed signs of a possible change, and seeing Chengjing's continued unruly behavior and unhealed condition, her patience gradually wore thin.
She shot him a cold glance and said in a chilling tone, "When will this leg of yours be able to walk? Only then will I treat you well!"
As she spoke, she tugged at Chengjing's arm, her menacing demeanor on full display. "Get up! Keep practicing!"
Chengjing, terrified of her, struggled to free himself from Consort Hui's grasp. But his legs lacked strength, and he fell heavily to the ground.
For an instant, Consort Hui felt a twinge of compassion. She had intended to help him up, but...
Zhao Hua couldn't believe her eyes as she watched Chengjing, her own son, crawling on the ground like a spineless creature. He struggled to reach the iron box beside the bed and began rummaging through it.
This sight infuriated Consort Hui, and she couldn't contain her anger. "How did I end up with such a pathetic son like you?" she exclaimed. "You might as well be a coward for the rest of your life!"
*
Meanwhile, Ruo Xin had been sent back to Chang Le Palace and was being treated in her own chambers. Zhang Imperial Physician carefully examined Ruo Xin's injuries and had to puncture the blisters on her hand to drain the fluid inside.
Ruo Xin cried out in pain, and Zhao Hua's eyes welled up with tears. Once Zhang Imperial Physician finished treating Ruo Xin, Zhao Hua hurriedly comforted her daughter and personally put her to sleep.
After the little one fell asleep, Zhao Hua anxiously asked Zhang Imperial Physician, "Will Ruo Xin be scarred?"
Zhang Imperial Physician reassured her, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Young children heal quickly, and with proper medication, the wounds will soon recover."
Hearing this, Zhao Hua felt slightly relieved. She gently stroked Ruo Xin's forehead and asked, "Is it true that Consort Hui is pregnant?"
Zhang Imperial Physician sighed and replied, "There is no doubt about it. On that day, both Guo Yuanpan and I examined Consort Hui's pulse. She is indeed pregnant and nearing full term."
As they spoke, Xiao Fuzi had already fetched the records from the attendants' quarters.
Zhao Hua carefully reviewed the records and noticed that in the past month, Xiao Jingheng had spent only one night in Consort Hui's palace. Coincidentally, it was the night when Chengjing showed slight signs of improvement according to the hospital report.
A wave of nausea swept over Zhao Hua, and she abruptly threw the records aside. "She's a heartless mother," she exclaimed. "Her own son is paralyzed in bed, yet she still finds a way to crawl into the dragon bed. It's utterly disgusting!"
Yun Shan quickly brought some calming incense for Zhao Hua, hoping to ease her discomfort.
Taking a moment to compose herself, Zhao Hua asked Zhang Imperial Physician, "Has her son made any progress lately?"
Zhang Imperial Physician replied, "After the acupuncture treatment, there won't be any improvements other than reduced leg pain. But Consort Hui is pressuring him relentlessly. The Third Prince, in order to avoid her, seeks refuge in dim and narrow places every day."
Lowering his voice, he added, "I've overheard the palace maids in Zhaochun Palace gossiping. They say that sometimes the Third Prince sleeps in the wardrobe or an iron trunk overnight, perhaps because he's already frightened by Consort Hui."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hua suddenly had a realization. She said, "Thank you for your efforts, Zhang Imperial Physician. Please continue to treat him."
Zhang Imperial Physician bowed and replied meaningfully, "I will do my best to treat the Third Prince and not disappoint Your Majesty."
After he left, Zhao Hua instructed Yun Shan to bring her the program list that the concubines had presented to her in the past few days.
Next month would mark Xiao Jingheng's thirtieth birthday, and in celebration of this joyous occasion, the concubines had prepared various congratulatory performances, hoping to capture Xiao Jingheng's attention and affection.
Consort Hui was also deeply involved in this matter, and the name of the performance she had prepared was called "Kirin Offering Auspiciousness."
Zhao Hua asked Xiao Fuzi, "Did you find out what this 'Kirin Offering Auspiciousness' is all about from the Mechanical Wonders Workshop?"
Xiao Fuzi said, "It's not something that can be considered prestigious. It's just a folk performance, a trick. Take a large iron ball filled with a dough made of borax and flour. Shape the dough into a Qilin, resembling a mythical beast.
Then, place the iron ball on top of a large oil pot. Once it's opened, the Qilin-shaped borax dough inside will fall into the pot and expand, transforming into various forms, as if a Qilin is walking and presenting auspiciousness in the oil pot, appearing lifelike."
"Consort Hui really put in effort to please the Emperor."
Zhao Hua sneered disdainfully, but then she quietly observed the burn mark on Ruo Xin's hand, and a deep sense of resentment welled up in her heart.
Her child, carefully nurtured by her and Sister Wan, was someone she couldn't bear to see even a slight injury on.
As such a precious pearl in her palm, why should she let others trample on it for no reason?
The more Zhao Hua thought about it, the angrier she became.
Suddenly, her eyes darkened, and through gritted teeth, she said,
"Then let that Qilin offer its auspiciousness to the Emperor."
