Without a word, she left, paying no mind to Princess Shengyue’s gaze.
A short distance away, Princess Shengyue could no longer contain herself. "Pah! What a lowly creature! To dare put on airs in front of me!"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger! Fortunately, Your Highness anticipated Ningde County Princess's nature and never intended to use her," Qian Jin quickly appeased.
This place was bustling with people, and if the princess's current demeanor were witnessed, it would surely lead to much gossip.
It would not benefit the princess, nor her.
"Yes, I truly wish to see her expression after things are done!" Princess Shengyue cackled sinisterly.
...
On Ningde County Princess’s way back to the Imperial Garden, Lu Qiao whispered, "County Princess, Princess Shengyue was truly exasperating just now."
"Princess Shengyue has always acted this way," Ningde County Princess said coldly.
This was also why Princess Shengyue had fallen into her current unfortunate circumstances.
Soon, the mistress and servant returned to the Imperial Garden.
Unlike Princess Shengyue's experience, Ningde County Princess was immediately surrounded by many people upon her arrival.
Ningde County Princess remembered Princess Shengyue's words: the Emperor was still selecting three more concubines for Jinyang. Thus, she subtly scanned her surroundings, taking in the many young ladies from various families in the capital, assessing them inwardly.
Based on their lineage, Ningde County Princess began to make her judgments.
Observing the young ladies, each dressed in vibrant attire, she knew their intentions.
They were all eyeing the position of concubine.
Yun Shu stood before a peony, admiring the beauty of the blooming flowers.
Indeed, the Empress Dowager had been right.
These peonies were well tended.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose ahead.
"Young Master Zhen! What is wrong?"
"Quick, find an imperial physician!"
"Quick!"
The people around Yun Shu, upon hearing the noise, moved towards the source of the commotion, and Yun Shu naturally followed.
Yun Shu knew what was happening with Young Master Zhen. He had taken her medicine, and she had also administered acupuncture. However, time had been short, he had been poisoned for too long, and his condition was poor, making him prone to relapse.
Still, his body seemed far too weak. Had he relapsed after only a few days?
Soon, a group arrived at the place where Young Master Zhen had fainted.
Many were women and could only watch from the side.
Ningde County Princess pushed through the crowd and hurried to Zhen Lin's side. Seeing Zhen Lin lying on the ground, his face pale, she knew the poison had recurred!
She immediately took out a bottle of medicine from her person, poured out a brown pill, and placed it into Zhen Lin's mouth.
Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. She then raised her head and said with utmost calmness, "Lu Qiao, find a palace attendant to look for an imperial physician. The Young Master should be fine after taking the medicine, but it is still necessary to have an imperial physician examine him."
"Yes, County Princess!"
Seeing Ningde County Princess act so decisively and calmly, everyone marveled, realizing this was where they fell short of Ningde County Princess!
Young Master Zhen's condition had been dire just moments ago, fainting without warning, and with no imperial physician present. It was fortunate that Ningde County Princess happened to have medicine with her.
It was just as many had said, the deep sibling bond between Young Master Zhen and Ningde County Princess.
Yun Shu glanced at Young Master Zhen unobtrusively. After taking Ningde County Princess's medicine, his breathing had clearly stabilized, and he appeared to be out of danger.
However, based on the medicinal scent she detected, the medicine Ningde County Princess had given Young Master Zhen had a rebound effect. It seemed to have temporarily pulled him out of danger, but it was like robbing Peter to pay Paul, preventing his condition from ever truly improving.
Of course, they likely knew this themselves.
Seeing this, everyone visibly relaxed.
Even if they weren't genuinely concerned for Young Master Zhen, they would put on a show.
After this display of feigned concern, the imperial physician also arrived.
After confirming that Young Master Zhen was out of danger, a palace attendant came over and announced, "The banquet has begun. Everyone may proceed."
As the words fell, the crowd dispersed, heading towards the banquet hall.
Just as Yun Shu turned to leave, Zhen Lin, who had fainted, had already woken up. Seeing Zhen Lin awake, Ningde County Princess said, "Brother, you've relapsed. When we return today, have Lin Qingluo give you acupuncture."
It would be an opportunity to see how long Lin Qingluo could evade them.
Yun Shu, overhearing Ningde County Princess's words, inwardly chuckled: The Pingyang Prince's estate truly did have a divine physician.
Zhen Lin, however, frowned. "How could I have relapsed again?"
Clearly, Qingluo had told him she was administering an ancestral elixir that could clear toxins. He had thought the poison was mostly gone, only to relapse again, indicating the poison within him was still severe.
Ningde County Princess smiled faintly. "As the divine physician said that day, Brother's poison was only partially cleared, and it would recur."
Zhen Lin stood up, but his head ached slightly. He suddenly recalled that after Lin Qingluo had given him medicine that day, he had woken up without a headache, feeling a sense of comfort instead.
The stark contrast between the two instances led him to say sternly, "When we return from the palace, have Qingluo perform acupuncture."
"Certainly," Ningde County Princess said with a smile. If Lin Qingluo could perform acupuncture, pigs could fly! She was eager to see how Lin Qingluo would wield her needles!
...
Soon, everyone was led to their seats by the palace attendants.
Madam Shangshu brought Yun Shu and Qin Lingyue to seats slightly towards the back.
With so many people, sitting there meant being completely submerged, almost impossible to identify without a close look.
After sitting down, Yun Shu picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip.
It was the imperial palace, after all; the tea was top-notch, its fragrance filling the air.
Yun Shu slowly savored the tea.
Once again, she heard the discussions from the people nearby.
"Why hasn't Prince Jin arrived yet! I wonder what Prince Jin looks like. Many people must not have seen him."
"Yes, it is Prince Jin's first appearance before everyone."
"I wonder who Prince Jin will choose as his concubine."
"It might be you..."
"Hush, don't speak carelessly. Prince Jin... We're sitting too far away; even the Prince might not see us, let alone choose me? Besides, I... I wouldn't dare to dream."
Despite saying she wouldn't dare to dream, she kept glancing around, hoping to see the legendary Prince Jin soon.
But this Prince Jin had yet to arrive.
Several princes had already arrived, and even some princesses had taken their seats.
Just as everyone was speculating about when Prince Jin would arrive, they heard a palace attendant's sharp cry: "His Majesty has arrived! Prince Jin has arrived!"
The Emperor had come!
Prince Jin had also arrived!
Prince Jin had arrived with the Emperor!
In an instant, many were strategizing and contemplating.
But more people turned their gazes forward.
Yun Shu's hand tightened around her teacup. After a brief pause, she set the cup down and raised her eyes to look.