Chapter 6: Changing One's Tune-Depois de renascer, ela não reconhece ninguém, toda a família vai para o crematório(Xiao Lin voltou para casa para jantar.)

“Girl, why are you still addressing me as Empress Dowager? You should call me your imperial grandmother. I’ve already summoned the court physician; how could the medicine you brought yourself compare to the refined remedies from the palace? The physician must take a proper look—don’t let any scars remain.”

Recalling last night’s palace banquet, when Wen Qiao had gone out for a walk, the demeanor of Wen Zehan and Wen Qi lingered in her mind, especially Wen Qi, who, after dancing a segment unseen by those seated above, had thrown a childish tantrum beneath the surface.

If it truly wasn’t deliberate, Wen Qiao was no stranger to medicine. Judging by yesterday’s events, her skills were no less than those of the imperial medical staff; how could she not recognize something amiss in the medicine?

Thinking it over, she had just returned to the Marquis’s residence — perhaps to spare her sister sorrow, or maybe Wen Qi had bullied her into applying the medicine.

Even if not so, mixing up medicine meant to heal wounds was tantamount to causing harm.

At this thought, the Empress Dowager’s displeasure toward Wen Qi deepened.

Wen Qiao observed these subtle shifts and quietly curled the corner of her lips.

“Yes, Imperial Grandmother, your granddaughter understands. If such a thing happens again, I will certainly report everything to you without concealment. By the way, Imperial Grandmother, I hurried over here this morning and haven’t eaten yet. Have you had your early meal?”

Though she had only recently been acknowledged back at the Marquis’s residence, Wen Qiao could see the Empress Dowager’s genuine affection for her, and naturally, her words bore a tender closeness.

Meals for noble ladies of the harem were strictly scheduled, and at this hour, the Empress Dowager certainly had not eaten yet. Wen Qiao had rushed over in haste.

After all, mealtime was the best moment to foster closeness; she would not miss any opportunity. If bringing down the Marquis’s household or the Crown Prince was possible, she was willing to do whatever it took.

“You’re just thinking there’s good food here, so you’ve come running, haven’t you? Girl, I almost thought you missed me!”

With just a few words, Wen Qiao coaxed the Empress Dowager into hearty laughter.

As for the two palace maids standing awkwardly on the floor, the Empress Dowager’s improved mood made her more lenient, and she waved them away.

Besides, this matter had little to do with the two maids.

The court physician was quick on his feet; before the early meal even arrived at Cining Palace, he had already come.

“The Emperor has arrived!”

With the shrill voice of a eunuch, a figure in bright yellow hurried swiftly into the sight of the two generations of women.

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“Your humble servant pays respects to His Majesty.”

Xiao Zheng waved his hand and then focused his gaze on Wen Qiao’s arm.

“Why has the Emperor come so early today? It’s a rare day off; shouldn’t he rest more?”

The Empress Dowager’s voice softened. Xiao Zheng twirled the ring on his thumb and said, “It’s been a while since I paid respects to Mother, and knowing that Qiao is here with you, I thought I’d come see her.”

“Seems to me you just wanted to see Qiao, right?”

The Empress Dowager teased, and the Emperor rarely let his emotions show on his face.

“Mother, you know me too well. Of course, I also wanted to see you. Chief Physician Xu, what happened to Qiao’s arm?”

“Your Majesty, she just returned to the Marquis’s residence and is still unfamiliar with the surroundings. She fell while playing in the courtyard, but it’s nothing serious.”

Since the bandages were changed last night and the injury no longer looked severe, the Emperor asked Chief Physician Xu to change the dressing and have a closer look.

When the bandages were removed from Wen Qiao’s arm, the pain made the Empress Dowager wince deeply.

The wound was deep, and the surrounding skin was reddened, likely from the medicine applied. Even though Wen Qiao had rubbed it off, it had still remained on the skin for some time.

When Princess Changle was unmarried, any bruises or falls would make her cry for a long time—she was very delicate. How could the Empress Dowager bear to see Changle’s own daughter suffer so?

“What exactly happened here?”

Xiao Zheng’s voice was low and displeased.

“Emperor, don’t be too harsh on Qiao; she’s timid. I’ll explain more to you later.”

The Emperor and Empress Dowager shared a close mother-and-son bond; he listened to her words and, not wanting to be so authoritarian at court, nodded reluctantly without pressing further.

“When you bring the medicine back to the Marquis’s residence, I’ll have Chief Physician Xu visit in a few days to check on you. If you don’t take the medicine properly and I find out, I’ll be quite upset.”

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“Imperial Grandmother, rest assured. The medicine you gave your granddaughter, she keeps it by her bedside every day and would never let your kindness go to waste. The first thing I do each morning is apply it!”

“Ha! You still dare to tease me, girl. Emperor, look at this!”

The atmosphere in Cining Palace was warm and harmonious.

Palace servants brought in the early meal in single file. Since the Emperor was present, the Empress Dowager ordered extra bowls and chopsticks.

She disliked having others serve her meals, so Wen Qiao, quick-witted, continuously fed the Empress Dowager, who laughed joyfully. That morning, the Empress Dowager’s fondness for Wen Qiao deepened; she was reluctant to send her back to the Marquis’s residence.

After breakfast, with much reluctance, Wen Qiao boarded a palace sedan chair and was carried back to the Marquis’s residence.

Such favor and display were rare in the capital.

If not for her status as imperial kin, such extravagance would surely have drawn criticism.

The bustling crowd on the street was lively. Wen Qiao had not appeared outside since returning to the capital, so the people did not know she was a daughter of the Marquis’s household. They assumed she was some county lord or imperial relative newly arrived.

Though commoners were unaware, even a county lord would not dare to parade through the streets carried by eight sedan bearers.

Wen Congqing had long heard the news from the palace. Initially, he had no intention of intervening, but since palace officials had come, failing to greet them at the gate would seem disrespectful to his daughter.

Now that this girl had caught the attention of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, if he acted improperly, the Emperor might give him trouble. He decided to wait until she returned home before instructing his servants to discipline her. A country girl like her would surely not dare complain to the palace nobles.

Thinking of his deceased wife, he felt no remorse, only growing resentment toward this daughter.

Had he not needed to rely on Princess Changle’s favor to secure his position, he would never have married such a stubborn and unreasonable woman, which resulted in his concubine Lan’er serving outside the palace for several years, sparking gossip among neighbors until Princess Changle’s death finally allowed Lan’er to be officially recognized.

Lan’er was the former concubine, mother of Wen Zehan, who was elevated a few years after Princess Changle’s passing. She and Wen Congqing were childhood sweethearts.