Chapter 192 - Delicious Fat Rabbits and Chickens!

Empress Zhao Huiying was letting a palace maid dye her nails with nail polish. But when she heard that the Crown Prince was punished to copy books, her fingers suddenly twitched.

As a result, Zhao Huiying’s fingers were painted red. The palace maid who was holding a piece of cotton cloth trembled and hurriedly knelt on the ground and apologized, “I am guilty. Please spare me, Your Majesty.”

Zhao Huiying raised her fingers and saw the red color on them. A layer of coldness suddenly appeared in her eyes. She coldly instructed Fangxue aside, “Take her away!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The palace maid trembled in fear, her face pale. She knew that no maids taken away by Aunt Fangxue would ever be able to come back again. “Your Majesty, please spare me. I did not do this on purpose.”

The Empress frowned slightly and Fangxue’s expression turned fierce. She kicked the palace maid in the chest and sent her flying to the door. The two nurses guarding the door went forward to cover the palace maid’s mouth and pulled her away with ease.

Only then did Zhao Huiying relax her eyebrows. “Go and tell the Crown Prince that he must wait as planned, and must not take any action at this time!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The moment Shen Ninghua returned to the Princess’ Mansion, Bai Ruo’s expression changed when she saw Shen Ninghua’s face and the gauze on her body. She suddenly turned to look at Qing Que and said, “Qing Que, what happened? Why is Miss injured? Didn’t I tell you that you must be careful?”

Shen Ninghua smiled and said, “I’m fine. Those are just minor surface wounds. Don’t worry. Qing Que is also injured. You shouldn’t be too severe with her.”

Bai Ruo coldly snorted and held Shen Ninghua’s arm. “Miss, come in quickly. Let me take a look at your wounds.”

“I’m really fine. I’m a doctor myself, and I know my injuries best.”

Bai Ruo still insisted on changing the dressing and medicine for Shen Ninghua. When she saw the wound on her shoulder, her expression became even gloomier. Seeing that expression, Hong Ling was so scared that she took two steps back. She muttered in her heart, “Although Sister Bai Ruo is not as skillful as the others in fighting, she is the most dignified one. Is it because she often follows Miss?”

As soon as Shen Ninghua finished tidying her clothes, Xia Jingqiu rushed over with Yang Yingxue.

“Ninghua, I heard that you were injured, I’m worried to death. Is your injury serious?”

“Auntie, elder cousin, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.” Shen Ninghua looked at the two of them. When she found that their expressions weren’t good, she immediately understood in her heart.

Xia Jingqiu had always hoped Yang Yingxue to marry the Second Prince. Although the two of them hadn’t made much progress, Yang Yingxue bore the Second Prince in mind. She frequently embroidered purses and so on for him. Seeing that she kept them carefully to herself, Shen Ninghua didn’t interfere. Now that the news of the Second Prince’s injury had spread, the two of them definitely couldn’t sit still.

Yang Yingxue gently bit her lips and looked at Shen Ninghua uneasily. “Younger cousin, I heard that you were injured in order to save His Majesty. Were you seriously wounded?”

“Nothing, thanks for your concern, elder cousin.”

“…It’s good that you’re fine. I also heard that the Second Prince was injured too. Is his injury serious? Do I need to go and see him?”

Shen Ninghua’s expression paused slightly.

Yang Yingxue also seemed to realize that what she had said was inappropriate. She hurriedly added, “I have no other intentions. I just thought that last time I was seriously ill, the Second Prince came to see me. This time, I should pay a visit to him in return.”

Shen Ninghua remained silent for a short while. “I understand what you are thinking about. But I don’t think the Second Prince wants to be disturbed now. He is seriously injured. It’s better for him to rest quietly to recuperate. You’d better wait until someone else goes to visit him.”

“Yes, you think more thoroughly than me.” Yang Yingxue grabbed the handkerchief in her hand and replied in a low voice.

Xia Jingqiu opened her mouth at this time and asked cautiously, “Ninghua, I have a question. If it was convenient for you to answer it, let me know. Otherwise, just take it like I didn’t say anything. Don’t take it seriously.”

“Auntie, please speak.”

“I heard that the Second Prince was injured in the cheeks this time. Is that true?”

Shen Ninghua smiled slightly. “It was said to be the case, but I’m not sure what exactly happened. However, the Second Prince has been in the army for a long time and is open-minded. Even if his face is injured, he won’t take it to heart.”

Xia Jingqiu’s expression was extremely unnatural. After quite a while, she said, “Yes, it doesn’t matter.” How could it not matter? If his cheeks were injured, it almost meant that he would no longer be qualified for the throne!

Bai Ruo saw the two off and carefully supported Shen Ninghua to rest on the soft couch. “Miss, Lady Xia has always wanted Miss Yang to marry the Second Prince, but now I’m afraid she’s going to be disappointed.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and said, “Elder cousin is much more sensible now than before. If she can see through the situation this time, she may be able to marry a good husband and live a peaceful and comfortable life in the future.”

“Miss Yang usually has high expectations for herself. I’m afraid that ordinary men are…”

As the two of them were talking, Hong Ling quickly ran in. “Miss, Master Chu sent someone to deliver a message, which said that the Crown Prince was punished by His Majesty to copy books, and even the Third Prince and Fourth Prince were grounded.”

Shen Ninghua’s expression changed. “It seems that His Majesty is going to thoroughly investigate the Imperial Guards. When the Crown Prince and other princes are confined to their respective mansions, it will be more convenient for Chu Junyi to carry out the investigation.”

Bai Ruo and the others stood aside and carefully looked at Shen Ninghua’s expression.

“Hong Ling, observe the reactions of all sides, especially those of the Zhao and Lin families. The Zhao family is the home of the Crown Prince’s maternal grandfather while the Lin family is the home of the maternal grandfather of the Third and Fourth Princes. If the two families intervene, it will be very difficult for His Majesty to clean up the Imperial Guards. Since this is the first time we test our strength, we must do it well. We absolutely cannot do things sloppily!”

“Yes, Miss. Don’t worry, I will closely monitor the movements of the two families.”

“Good.”

Things were as exactly as what Shen Ninghua had expected. Once the Crown Prince and other princes were punished, the aristocratic families outside started to move. The memorials speaking up for the Crown Prince alone had occupied the whole table. When Baili Qingcang finished reading one of them, he suddenly pushed the rest to the ground.

“I just punished the Crown Prince to copy books. I didn’t expect that it would become a mistake inspiring the wrath of the public. The ministers jointly submitted a petition and the imperial censors cited examples to support their claims. Can’t I punish the Crown Prince?”

The chief eunuch knelt on the ground and carefully picked up all the memorials. “Your Majesty, take care of your health. Don’t get angry.”

“Humph.” Baili Qingcang coldly snorted. He stood up and walked to the bedside. Looking at the gloomy sky outside, he felt heavily oppressed in his chest. For a moment, his expression became somewhat bad.

The chief eunuch hurriedly took out a bottle from the jade box in his hand. “Your Majesty, Princess Zhaohua previously offered those pills and said that you can take one when you feel unwell. You have been too tired and worried recently, so it’s better to take one.”

Baili Qingcang received the bottle. When he opened the lid, he smelled an odor of calming medicinal fragrance. His expression relaxed. “Ninghua is a good-hearted daughter. If it weren’t for her, I would probably be unable to return safely. In that case, the court might have been in a mess!”

Rubbing the bottle in his hand, Baili Qingcang was lost in thought. Since Jingyan passed away, there had been no one who could go through thick and thin together with him. He became a truly lonely person.

After taking out a pill and swallowing it, Baili Qingcang felt much better. “Summon the Princess Zhaohua to enter the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” One eunuch said and was about to deliver the oral edict, but Baili Qingcang stopped him.

“Wait, Ninghua is injured. She must have difficulty entering the imperial palace at this time. Forget it. I feel depressed in the palace, so I will go out to relax by paying a visit to her mansion. Take some guards with me, and don’t make a fuss.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Although Baili Qingcang ordered to leave the imperial palace quietly, it was finally known by the Empress, the Crown Prince, and other well-informed officials. For a moment, they were confused.

His Majesty hadn’t attended the court these past few days. He suddenly left the imperial palace and went to Princess Ninghua’s mansion today. This was not normal from whichever perspective.

Shen Ninghua was resting when she heard Bai Ruo’s report. She quickly got up and changed her clothes to receive Baili Qingcang.

“Greetings, Father Emperor.”

“As you were. How are you feeling now?”

“Father Emperor, thanks to Doctor Chen’s help, I’m fine now. Why didn’t you summon me to the imperial palace when you wanted to see me?”

“You got injured to save me. I should come to see you. Besides, I feel depressed in the palace.” Baili Qingcang’s eyebrows showed a trace of tiredness. He looked very tired.

Shen Ninghua turned around and gave some instructions to Bai Ruo. Then, she turned to Baili Qingcang and said, “Father Emperor, the scenery in my mansion is very exquisite. How about I taking you to the courtyard to relax?”

“Hmm? Your courtyard?”

“That’s right. Follow me to take a look. After watching it, I guarantee that your mood will improve.”

Baili Qingcang was intrigued by her words. “Alright, I’ll go along with you.”

The courtyard was indeed well-trimmed. It looked exceptionally elegant with orderly placed scenic spots and pavilions. However, Shen Ninghua did not stop her step at all. Instead, she led Baili Qingcang towards the backyard.

When they crossed a corridor, an open space appeared in front of them. A few fat rabbits and chickens were running on the open ground. There were also green seedlings growing on the ground.

Baili Qingcang was surprised. “Is this your backyard?” The dignified princess raised fat rabbits and chickens in her yard?

“Yes.” Shen Ninghua looked at the green seedlings with a smile on her lips. “Back then, when I was recuperating in the country villa, Mother didn’t like me. So she naturally wouldn’t give me much monthly allowance. At that time, I needed to buy medicinal ingredients to recuperate my body and maintain my livelihood in the country villa. So I planted a lot of vegetables in the courtyard. I didn’t expect that these vegetables would be of great help later on. Up until now, although I don’t have to worry about my livelihood, I still made this land. Every time I’m in a bad mood, I will come over to take a look. ”

Baili Qingcang’s status was noble. Even though he was not favored in the past when he was still a royal prince, he had never been to the fields. There were even people who carefully smoothed the ground everywhere he went. When had he ever been so down-to-earth?

Just as he was in a daze, he heard two slightly childish voices.

It was precisely Shen Xuanlin and Yun Chuan who came to do their routine practice every day.

The two lads carried two buckets and carefully poured water on the vegetable roots.

Shen Xuanlin looked at the green vegetables and said proudly, “eldest sister said that she would pick vegetables and cook for me in a few days!”

Yun Chuan, who was feeding the fat rabbits aside, curled his lips and said, “What’s there to be proud of? The princess even said that she would cook a rabbit for me to eat!”

“Eldest sister said it’s good to eat more vegetables.”

“The princess said rabbit is delicious.”

“Nonsense, eldest sister likes me most, so she won’t help you.”

“The princess treats me very well too. You can’t bully me just because you’re the princess’ younger brother.”

“I’m not bullying people by relying on eldest sister’s power. I’m going to protect her in the future!”

The two youths quarreled endlessly. In the end, they actually started to fight with each other. They carefully avoided the vegetables on the ground and did not dare to hurt the fat rabbits and chickens. However, their movements were extremely well maneuvered. Their fists were fierce, making them appear exceptionally imposing.

Baili Qingcang laughed when he heard the conversation between the two of them. When he saw their movements, the appreciation in his eyes became even more obvious. “They’ve got a lot of potentials.”

“Please spare me, Father Emperor. I just thought about bringing Father Emperor over to take a look and relax. I forgot that it was just the time for the two of them to do their routine practice.”

“No problem. My mood is indeed much better. How about this: Today, I will have dinner with you. Bring the two youths over. The vegetables they planted and the fat rabbits and chickens will be the dishes.”