The Child I Raised Has Been Reborn - Chapter 28.1

The Grand Princess’s movements were practiced and natural, as if she had performed this countless times before. Her actions carried a warmth and familiarity.

Mingshu’s head was foggy with pain. By the time she realized it, the warm hand had already been massaging her lower abdomen several times. She should have been in agony, but she felt nothing. Instead, a faint warmth spread through her.

Does it hurt?

No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s just warm.

Mingshu tried to pull away, but the hand pressed closer, its heat making her feel as if her entire body was being roasted by fire.

Qin Tangxi, focused on the poison in the girl’s body, didn’t notice her resistance. As she continued to massage, she spoke softly, “The tea you drank was poisoned. Fortunately, you only took a small sip, so the poisoning isn’t severe. Just drink a few doses of the antidote medicine, and you’ll be fine.”

The girl’s face was flushed crimson, her round little ears even redder. Frowning, unsure how to respond, she mumbled, “I know.”

A faint smile lingered on Qin Tangxi’s face as her gentle gaze fell on the girl’s blushing cheeks. Ah, so even this little one knows shame now.

Despite realizing the girl’s embarrassment, Qin Tangxi didn’t withdraw her hand. “Does it still hurt?” she asked calmly.

The young girl frowned, her hands tangled beneath the quilt, making her feel even hotter. She wanted to stop that hand, but she didn’t dare touch it. Just as she was hesitating, the hand finally released.

The burning sensation in her chest subsided. She tilted her head back slightly to look at the dignified woman. “Your Highness, have you found the culprit yet?”

“We’re searching,” Qin Tangxi replied, her gaze tinged with helplessness. She stood up to tuck the quilt around Mingshu. “Focus on your recovery. Don’t worry about what’s happening outside.”

Mingshu was dazed. The Grand Princess was still as gentle and thorough as ever. She watched the woman’s retreating figure, and her empty heart suddenly felt full.

After Qin Tangxi left the bedroom, Consort Dowager An arrived with Qin Jianhan.

The three of them went to the Warm Chamber to talk. After Ping’er served the tea, she stole a cautious glance at Consort Dowager An’s expression, praying she wouldn’t cause trouble for Her Highness.

The Warm Chamber was cozy, and even with the door open, the warmth from the hot tea in her hands radiated a comforting heat.

Consort Dowager An had never been one for subtlety. She spoke immediately after sitting down: “What happened at the River View Tower? Did Mingshu shield you?”

“Something like that,” Qin Tangxi replied coldly, her gaze lingering on Qin Jianhan. “Where did you come from?”

Qin Jianhan’s face paled at Qin Tangxi’s sharp words and stern expression.

Consort Dowager An frowned. “If you have questions, just ask. Why be so harsh?”

Qin Tangxi’s dark eyebrows remained rigid, showing no sign that she had heard Consort Dowager An. She leaned lazily back against the couch cushions and, as if remembering something, spoke slowly: “You’ve long since come of age. By all rights, you should be with the House Hu. Your uncle and grandmother are still alive; your marriage should follow their customs.”

These words clearly intended to expel Qin Jianhan from the Grand Princess’s Residence.

Consort Dowager An, shrewd as ever, sensed the tension and wisely kept silent.

Qin Jianhan’s face turned as pale as early autumn frost. She hastily rose from her seat and bowed deeply to the Grand Princess. “Aunt, I grew up in the Grand Princess’s Residence and have little connection with the House Hu. If I were to return directly, they—they would surely reject me.”

“Reject you? You’re a Commandery Princess granted that title by Your Majesty. Your status is prestigious. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of them? Qin Jianhan, I’ve been repaying your mother’s debt these past years, and as the saying goes, ‘If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it yourself.'” Qin Tangxi slowly set down her white porcelain teacup, her eyes reflecting the azure spring sky outside, gradually softening with a serene light.

Qin Jianhan felt sick to her stomach, her hatred and loathing for Zhao Lan reaching new depths. Forcing herself to shed two tears, she sobbed, “Aunt, are you still blaming me for Zhao Lan’s fate? She wanted to leave, and I couldn’t stop her. People are all the same—her guilt made her unwilling to stay in the Capital. If you truly cared about her…”

“Silence.”

Qin Tangxi slammed her hand on the table, her eyes blazing as she berated the girl before her. “I know better than you whether she lives or dies. If you have even a shred of conscience, tell me where she’s buried.”

The Grand Princess’s imposing presence was so overwhelming that no one dared meet her gaze. Even Consort Dowager An, who was accustomed to her daughter’s subservience, was slightly startled, though she tactfully remained silent. The Zhao Lan whom Qin Jianhan spoke of was clearly the person Ping’er had mentioned, the one the Grand Princess favored.

Could she truly be gone?

After listening to the exchange, Consort Dowager An finally rose to mediate. “Tangxi, you raised her and taught her yourself. Judge her goodness or wickedness as you will, but remember this: if you can’t protect the one you love, ask yourself first before blaming others. Yet also remember this: the Grand Princess’s Residence will not harbor true villains.”

Her few, weighty words chilled the atmosphere in the Warm Chamber. Qin Jianhan, failing to grasp the deeper meaning, took it as support for her position and hastily agreed. “Aunt, Zhao Lan brought this upon herself. The case of the Duke of Xinguo’s Residence is as settled as a nail driven into iron—it cannot be overturned.”

Consort Dowager An glanced at Qin Jianhan with mild disdain before turning her attention to Qin Tangxi, pressing a hand to her forehead in exasperation.

As foolish as I expected.

Qin Tangxi shot her a cold glare and strode away without sparing a glance for the woman crumpled on the floor.

The tea in Consort Dowager An’s cup had gone cold. She summoned a maid to replace it before calmly addressing Qin Jianhan: “I hear you’re betrothed to the Palace Attendant’s family but refuse to marry there. If you behave properly, I can arrange for your marriage to be annulled. You can marry whomever you please.”

Qin Jianhan shuddered, looking at Consort Dowager An in disbelief. “Consort Dowager, what do you mean?”

“I don’t care how Zhao Lan died. Just tell me where she’s buried, and the rest is up to you.”

“You… you…” Qin Jianhan stammered, her palms growing white from the force of her own grip. Her aunt would unquestionably obey Consort Dowager An’s orders, but what if the consort was deceiving her?

The young girl hesitated, her eyes flickering between hope and fear. She wanted to agree, yet dreaded being tricked. In short, she wanted to eat hot tofu, but feared burning her mouth.

Consort Dowager An smiled faintly and offered a casual piece of advice: “Your aunt is deeply devoted to Zhao Lan. You can use this against her, but it’s your only leverage. Once you’ve used it, your connection to the Grand Princess’s Residence will be severed. Weigh the consequences carefully.”

A few simple words pierced Qin Jianhan’s heart, and she fell silent.

At that moment, a maid arrived with fresh tea. Consort Dowager An picked up the teacup, blew on it, and said, “Whether you want to break off the engagement and marry the person you love, or remain in the Grand Princess’s Residence and endure your aunt’s disdain, it’s your choice. But this is your only chance. Next time, I won’t bother to interfere.”

“Consort Dowager, I promise I’ll do as you say,” Qin Jianhan replied, her resolve wavering.

Consort Dowager An smiled with satisfaction. “I’ve heard you have a good relationship with His Majesty. Do you wish to become an Imperial Consort? Or, with your aunt’s help, even the Empress position is possible. However, the Empress Dowager and the Marquis of Rongchang might not agree. An Imperial Consort position, however, is feasible.”

Her few words laid out the situation clearly: It’s not that I won’t help you become Empress, but the obstacles are insurmountable.

Qin Jianhan’s expression softened, her heart racing with excitement. After quickly considering the matter, she replied, “Jianhan dares not aspire to the position of Empress.”

Consort Dowager An lowered her gaze. “Very well. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the palace and inquire the Empress Dowager’s intentions.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Qin Jianhan bowed deeply. “Thank you, Consort Dowager.”

Consort Dowager An set down her teacup. Thank me? Just don’t cry later.

As the sun slowly set, the light dimmed, and lamps were lit in the corridors.

A maid brought a freshly brewed medicine to the bedroom. Mingshu lay in a hazy sleep, still weakened by lingering illness. Her face remained pale and lifeless under the lamplight.

The Grand Princess, seated by the window, rose and instructed the maid to place the medicine on the table. She leaned over and gently patted Mingshu. “Mingshu, Mingshu.”

After calling her name four or five times with no response, she had no choice but to ask the maid to take the medicine away and return it when Mingshu woke.

Papers cluttered the desk. As Qin Tangxi reached for them, she looked up to see her mother approaching.

Consort Dowager An had spent the past few days familiarizing herself with the Grand Princess’s Residence. Seeing the light still on in the bedroom, she had unconsciously walked in. Ping’er, too afraid to stop her, hid behind the Consort Dowager and winked at her Highness.

Qin Tangxi set down the documents and helped her mother sit down. “What brings you here?”

“I’m curious as to why you’ve settled her in your own bedroom. Just a few days ago, I heard you still pined for Zhao Lan. Now you’ve turned your affections to this young girl?” Consort Dowager An’s gaze fell on the screen before the couch.

The bright voice startled the sleeper awake. Mingshu opened her eyes, still dazed, and heard the Grand Princess’s voice.

“She simply showed me kindness,” Qin Tangxi replied.

Consort Dowager An glanced at her. “When did you become so sentimental? Given your position, simply buying her freedom would suffice. Why bother personally taking care of her?”

“If I redeem her, her parents will undoubtedly come to take her away. She has clearly stated that she doesn’t wish to return home.”

The Grand Princess’s voice was cold and devoid of warmth. Hearing this, Mingshu shrank deeper into her blankets.

“These are your own affairs, and I have no desire to interfere. I don’t understand court politics, but when standing on the precipice, one must act decisively. I am nearing my end and have few years left. Since you’ve already begun this path, see it through. Otherwise, you’ll squander your reputation and end up ruined.”

“Mother, I would never depose the Emperor and declare myself.”

Mingshu strained to listen. The mother-daughter conversation was strangely cryptic, difficult to decipher.

Outside the screen, Consort Dowager An’s expression visibly hardened. Her hand clenched into a fist within her sleeve, suppressing the urge to strike. “That is your own concern,” she said. “The Empress Dowager has spoken much to me about this. Regency is a thankless task. If you should let go, then do so. The Young Emperor has a volatile temper. If you provoke him, even after your death, he’ll exhume your corpse and whip it.”

Whip her corpse… Mingshu shuddered.

Qin Tangxi remained impassive, her back straight, her skirt pooling gracefully on the floor. She stood tall behind the screen, her demeanor icy and detached.

Her response made Consort Dowager An look up in exasperation. Stubborn was true, and doesn’t understand a word was even truer. Seething with anger, she slammed her hand against the table beside her. “Qin Tangxi.”

Qin Tangxi raised her eyes. “Mother, lower your voice.”

Mingshu was still asleep in the room.

Hearing such an absurd remark, Consort Dowager An swallowed her retort. After ten years, her temperament has grown even stranger. No wonder the little girl I raised could fall for someone else.

If I were her, I wouldn’t want this goddess either.

“I’ll return to the temple in a few days. Take care of yourself.”

“Mother, returning to the capital isn’t easy. Why not stay a little longer?”

“No need. Staying with you won’t do me any good.” Consort Dowager An rose and left the bedroom.

Mingshu smiled from beneath her covers. The Consort Dowager is angry. Your Highness truly doesn’t understand her feelings.

After a while, the sounds outside faded. She cautiously peeked out. The shadow behind the screen was gone. As she pulled her quilt down, she suddenly saw a figure.

“Eavesdropping?” Qin Tangxi gazed down at the mischievous girl, her voice stern yet devoid of reproach. Instead, she sent a waiting maid outside to fetch medicine.

Feeling guilty, Mingshu earnestly explained, “The Consort Dowager is leaving because you didn’t comfort her. She’s doing it all for your own good.”

Qin Tangxi remained unmoved. “How do you know all this so clearly?”

Mingshu perked up, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed at the noblewoman before her. She began analyzing the situation carefully. “Visiting you late at night means she’s thinking of you. Your cold words are hurting her heart. You should speak kindly to her.”

“Does your stomach still hurt?” Qin Tangxi lowered her gaze, poking Mingshu’s fair little face. “Just listen to the adults’ matters.”

Mingshu obediently closed her mouth. Perhaps Consort Dowager An has hurt Your Highness’s heart, making Your Highness so cold towards her. After a moment’s thought, she earnestly told her: “There’s no lasting resentment between mothers and daughters.”

Mingshu’s quick wit caught Qin Tangxi’s attention. “Mingshu,” she said, “do you know what happens to talkative children?”

These words sounded familiar. Mingshu hesitated, then replied uncertainly: “They have to face the wall and reflect on their mistakes?”

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