Chapter 811: Pull Yourself Together

"Your Highness, please pull yourself together, I beg you!"

Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes were filled with tears, her heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, trying hard not to let the tears fall.

After quite a while, she finally opened her eyes.

But the sorrow that had been there was gone.

Instead, they were filled with hatred, determination, and cruelty.

"The medicine?"

The two words were uttered through gritted teeth, firm and unwavering.

Ying Qiu was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted, her face filled with joy.

"Yes, yes, I’ll go heat it up for you immediately!"

After speaking, she quickly got up from the ground and hurried out.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the medicine was heated.

Noble Concubine Shih resolutely picked up the bowl and drank it all in one go.

"Serve the meal? I want to dine!"

"Yes! I’ll go right away!" Ying Qiu’s voice trembled with excitement.

In no time at all.

A sumptuous breakfast was laid out.

Though fallen from favor, she was still a noble consort, holding the power over the Six Palaces, and still no one dared to neglect her.

Noble Concubine Shih was very satisfied.

She ate some thin pancakes, drank some porridge, and ate two pigeon eggs before putting down the chopsticks.

Ying Qiu smiled and said.

"You ate more than usual today! It makes me so happy to see that!"

"Soon enough, you’ll be completely recovered!"

Noble Concubine Shih sneered coldly.

"I will recover, indeed. Some people can’t wait for me to die, but I insist on living well!"

As she spoke, she asked again.

"Bring anything that’s good for the body, bring it all up!"

Ying Qiu advised her.

"Eat slowly, Your Highness, don’t rush! It’s not good to overeat!"

"But, when I went to fetch the meal, I saw the Imperial Kitchen had some fresh cow’s milk, it smelled delicious!"

"The chef said they’re going to make cheese, would you like to try it?"

Cheese might be too much, let’s consider it a dessert after the meal!

Noble Concubine Shih glanced at her askance.

"Why aren’t you fetching it already!"

"Yes!"

Ying Qiu smiled as she bowed, then quickly left.

Noble Concubine Shih leaned on the chair, beginning to rest with her eyes closed.

Thinking of the Emperor’s heartlessness last night, her heart ached again, but...

’Cousin, since you are so heartless to Wanxin because of that woman, Wanxin has no choice but to act ruthlessly!’

’Wanxin must get rid of that woman!’

’Even if at worst, she will drag someone down with her in death!’

’Otherwise, how could I face Ying Yue, how could I face my child’s spirit in heaven!’

’You forced me every step of the way, don’t blame me!’

She knew this was a road of no return, success or failure, it was death either way.

Yet she still chose to walk down it.

Without her cousin’s favor, what was the point of living?

She deserved to die, but that woman deserved to die just as much, didn’t she?!

"Your Highness!"

Ying Qiu came in from outside, indeed holding a bowl of hot cheese.

"Freshly made, please try!"

Noble Concubine Shih opened her eyes, detecting the aroma, she smiled.

She took a taste and nodded, her expression filled with surprise and delight.

"It’s indeed very good!"

Ying Qiu also smiled beside her.

"If you like it, I will have them make it every day!"

Noble Concubine Shih pursed her lips, said nothing, just quietly ate the cheese.

After some time, she finally set the bowl down, picked up a handkerchief and gently pressed her lips.

Suddenly, she spoke faintly.

"Ying Qiu, where should we begin?"

Ying Qiu’s expression was inscrutable.

After thinking for a moment, she leaned in and spoke.

"Your Highness..."

Whatever she said caused Noble Concubine Shih’s smile to grow even brighter.

"Good! That’s a good idea!"

...

March ninth was the Third Princess’s birthday.

The Third Princess was the offspring of the late Consort Shih Pin and had always been raised in the Empress Dowager’s palace.

She was now three years old.

On the sixth, Noble Concubine Shih went to Ningshou Palace to pay a visit.

Firstly, to discuss the Third Princess’s birthday feast.

Secondly, with her own purposes in mind.

The Empress Dowager treated her with the usual aloofness, having no high hopes for her.

No favor, no advantageous position.

Holding the power over the Six Palaces could be taken away any day.

She really didn’t want to waste any effort on her.

Therefore, she was busy looking at the girls in the Capital City lately.

This year, the selection of Fine Ladies was inevitable, having already picked a few who were now in their rooms.

Their looks and temperament were exceedingly intelligent.

Just waiting for the day of the grand selection.

Even if only one was chosen, she would have an ally.

No longer having to face the Noble Consort as a dull knife, playing music to a cow.

However, Noble Concubine Shih still held the palace power.

If there was a grand selection, the list must pass through her hands.

So now, she couldn’t tear faces with her.

So... The Empress Dowager had to have a secret discussion with Noble Concubine Shih.

The Third Princess’s birthday feast, needless to say, must be hosted, and hosted with dignity.

As for other matters...

After listening, the Empress Dowager frowned.

"Are you sure?"

"This is a dire offense!"

Noble Concubine Shih smiled.

"Mother, you’re exaggerating, it’s just some wine, how can it be a dire offense?"

"You’ve always known my heart for the Emperor!"

"As you’ve said, to catch a lion cub, one must enter the lion’s lair!"

"In that case, going into the lion’s den once for the lion cub is no harm, is it?"

The Empress Dowager’s gaze flickered, she slowly spoke.

"I feel like, you’ve changed from before?"

It was just known that a few days ago, the Emperor had dinner with her in her palace.

The next day, she was ill again.

Those days she was busy looking over the Fine Ladies and didn’t pay attention.

Now it seemed, the Emperor must have said something to her.

Noble Concubine Shih only shook her head with a smile.

"Changing or not, this is the Harem!"

"Having fallen badly once in a pit, can’t I learn a lesson?"

"Mother, will you help me or not?!"

The Empress Dowager was a bit conflicted.

Thinking: Is the blockhead I was about to give up on finally coming to her senses?

Actually, she couldn’t really pinpoint what was different.

But something indeed was, she now knew how to use her brain.

She appeared less foolish.

After thinking it through, the Empress Dowager finally nodded and smiled.

"You and I are aunt and niece, your willingness to improve makes me happy, naturally, I won’t stand by idly!"

Noble Concubine Shih’s smile grew brighter.

"You are truly my good aunt!"

"Previously, it was Wanxin’s ignorance that always angered you, now it seems, I was completely wrong!"

"Aunt, Wanxin apologizes to you!"

"Get up quickly!"

The Empress Dowager’s smile became even more benevolent.

Actually, this was not bad.

Her enlightenment was the best outcome.

Firstly, she and the Emperor had affection, secondly, she was a Noble Consort, holding palace power, all ready-made.

Otherwise, the newly entered young girls, even if their temperament was well-found, the Emperor might not like them, starting from scratch.

Much more effort.

This was much better.

Thinking this, the Empress Dowager’s smile became a bit more genuine.

The two of them, aunt and niece, chatted and laughed, sharing dinner together.

It wasn’t until the palace gates were about to be locked that Noble Concubine Shih reluctantly left.

...

Watching Noble Concubine Shih leave, the Empress Dowager’s face turned somber.

"The Harem, indeed!"

Sister Qing, at her side, advised.

"Noble Consort’s deep affection for the Emperor, why not facilitate it?!"

"Firstly, helping her, secondly, it’s helping ourselves too!"