"Good child, you've almost moved this palace to tears," the Empress said.
All her anger had vanished by now.
The Empress rose to her feet and personally helped Yun Xi sit beside her. Her fingers painted with red nail polish gently caressed Yun Xi's fair cheek, her eyes full of tenderness.
"You're so filial and sensible. If this palace were to refuse, it would seem heartless. Rest assured. This palace will send Imperial Physician Zhang tomorrow. Your grandmother's illness won't be delayed."
Yun Xi wasn't surprised by the Empress's sudden change.
The Empress had always wanted to befriend the Su family. How could she let go of such a chance to show kindness to them?
Fortunately, the Su family was a royal merchant family. Making friends with the Empress wasn't a bad thing.
Yun Xi broke into a smile. With her red lips and white teeth, delicate eyebrows, even the Empress, renowned for her beauty, was momentarily dazzled.
In terms of appearance, Yun Xi seemed to possess all the virtues of a woman. Her black hair, slender waist, and skin like congealed fat...
If she claimed to be the second most beautiful woman in the capital, no one would dare claim to be the first.
More importantly, she had a prominent family background and substantial wealth!
It was precisely because of her value that the Empress would overlook her frailty and try to find a solid backer for the Crown Prince!
The Empress smiled. Intending to reward Yun Xi, she held her hand affectionately.
"These two are small matters. This palace can grant you one more wish."
Yun Xi's eyes flickered. She understood the hidden meaning in the Empress's words.
She glanced at Yu Zhu's expectant look, then met the Empress's tender eyes. After a moment's hesitation, she said,
"Yun Xi has a maid who was punished for stealing. Out of dissatisfaction, she slandered my name and was locked up by my father for punishment... Yun Xi is short of servants. I beg Your Highness to be kind enough to give Yun Xi a helper. If it could be the water - fetching maid who serves as a messenger, it would be perfect."
Everyone was caught off guard. They never expected Yun Xi to plead for a maid.
The Empress pursed her lips, her eyes showing appreciation.
"Granted. For the archery competition this afternoon, come and sit beside this palace to amuse me."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
After the mistress and maid left, Lv Xin served tea with a smile.
"Your Highness isn't angry anymore?"
For Yun Xi's matter, the usually patient Empress had smashed three plates this morning.
When she saw Yun Xi come in on her own, Lv Xin had been secretly worried. Unexpectedly, things turned out so well.
"Angry! How could I not be? This girl is young but very smart. Even if she can't be the Crown Princess, she's still useful. But the Crown Prince is always idle, traveling around the world. He didn't even come to this hunting. It really makes this palace worry!"
If it weren't for the mother - son pair in the Western Palace eyeing the position covetously, would she have to cherish a sickly girl like a treasure?
Her son could marry any woman he wanted!
In Yun Xi's tent.
Looking at the water - fetching maid who was lying in bed, weak after taking the medicine, Yu Zhu felt a headache coming on.
"Miss, are you being silly? You had a great opportunity, but you used it to exchange for a maid?"
That was the relic of the virtuous Master Chengde and ten thousand taels of gold!
She knew Miss couldn't bear it, but this was a matter of life and death. Couldn't she be a bit more selfish?
Seeing Yu Zhu angry, Yun Xi grabbed her hand and acted coquettishly.
"She was implicated because of me. Besides, I'm not at a loss! When she wakes up, I'll surely make her tell me all the delicious food in the palace. Even if I can't eat them, I can still enjoy the thought of them!"
Yu Zhu rubbed her forehead.
Almost all the best chefs in the Liuguo Kingdom had been sent by the Su family to the Prime Minister's mansion. Who would believe she was so naive?
"Hehe, I have my own difficulties," Yun Xi said with an embarrassed smile.
The women in the harem were all in the center of power. None of them was easy to deal with. Their political schemes and intelligence were beyond ordinary people.
The Empress was a meticulous and capable woman. Since she could sit firmly as the head of the six palaces, her ambition must be great.
Yun Xi could only add to her glory, but she must never owe her a favor. Otherwise, it would be her father and the entire Su family who would suffer!
How could this be simply a matter of her own selfish desire?
"What about the ten thousand taels of gold?" Yu Zhu asked with a bitter face.
Now that Madam Jiang was in charge of the family, and Miss had made a big promise. It seemed she had to write a letter to the ancestors of the Su family quickly.
"There must be a way. There's still the archery competition later," Yun Xi said, patting Yu Zhu on the shoulder.
"Can we not go?"
Just thinking of Jiang Qing, Yu Zhu felt a faint fear.
"Not go? That aunt - nephew pair will eat me alive!" Yun Xi took out a hairpin and handed it to Yu Zhu. "Help me put it on."
She was also scared, but it was useless!
After being reborn, she had made up her mind: Even if Madam Jiang wanted to eat her, she would break all her teeth!
Yu Zhu sighed and helped Yun Xi put on the hairpin. But when she saw the pattern clearly, she was surprised.
"Wasn't this hairpin snatched by the Second Miss?"
"You remembered wrong," Yun Xi said, blinking and smiling. But Yu Zhu looked confused.
Back then, grandfather had someone make two hairpins. Yun Ni thought hers was too rustic, so she forced Miss to exchange with her. Miss silently agreed, and Yu Zhu had been angry for a long time.
How could Miss say she remembered wrong?
"Let's go. Don't think about it anymore," Yun Xi said, pushing Yu Zhu out of the tent. If she tried to explain, the sun would set.
The red maple leaves were like fire, and the falling petals were in riotous profusion. In the arena, some people were already practicing archery, and the surrounding seats were almost full.
As soon as Yun Xi entered the arena, she was blocked. A tall figure instantly blocked most of the sky above her.
That familiar overbearing aura. Looking up, wasn't it that despicable man - Qi Rong!
"I have a proposal. Do you want to hear it?"
His cold voice, arrogant look, and half - smile made Yun Xi almost crazy.
But Yun Xi was a gentle lady of a noble family. She couldn't lose her dignity in public. So, she smiled sweetly.
"Who are you?"
Are we very familiar?
Even if this young lady is naturally beautiful, not just any toad can block her way!
Qi Rong's eyes darkened. He turned around and left.
"Hey! I was just joking. Don't be so petty!"
Yun Xi took two steps at a time and quickly caught up.
"I'd like to hear your proposal in detail."
Qi Rong stopped and looked down at her.
"Who's petty?"
Yun Xi gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and forced out a smile.
"I am! It's me!"
Since she was at his mercy, she had to endure humiliation and be flexible for now!
Qi Rong's gaze fell on her smiling lips. After staring for a long time, he nodded.
"Um."
Yun Xi's lips twitched. The next second, she almost turned into an angry Buddha! She quickly recited the mantra of purity a few times.
"For the archery competition later, you go on stage with me, and I won't say a word about last night's incident."