Recently, Noble Lady Jiang's ostentatious behavior had raised Zheng Qingling's vigilance to the highest level. She was almost certain: this woman will never keep this child.
The way this woman flaunted herself was truly astonishing. Ever since she managed to divert the emperor last time, Noble Lady Jiang's confidence had swelled to the point of even stealing favor from higher-ranked consorts.
And because Xiao Qianming worried about the child in her belly, she usually succeeded. For a while, Noble Lady Jiang was at the height of her glory.
But to Zheng Qingling, this was reckless, as if she didn't care about the life or death of the child. Zheng Qingling reminded herself to never get dragged in as a scapegoat.
So, for the next month, she was extra cautious. Wherever Noble Lady Jiang went, Zheng Qingling deliberately avoided.
For example, when Noble Lady Jiang liked to admire the lakeside in the Imperial Garden, Zheng Qingling simply never went there the whole day. During greetings, she always lingered quietly at the very end of the line.
Sometimes, though, what one fears most is what happens.
That day during greetings, everyone as usual sneaked glances at Noble Lady Jiang's now-protruding belly.
Most of the women's looks were subtle, but Noble Lady Wu—who had previously miscarried—stared so hotly it seemed she might bore through the other woman's stomach.
Being stared at made Noble Lady Jiang uneasy. She immediately snapped:
"Noble Lady Wu, do not look at the imperial prince in my belly with such a ghastly gaze. If anything happens to this heir, you could never bear the responsibility."
Noble Lady Wu's heart ached at the ruthless words. She had only been reminded of her own poor child she had never even met.
Seeing Noble Lady Jiang's domineering manner, even the Noble Consort did not dare say anything. After all, the child in her womb was like an imperial talisman.
But in the shadows, certain women masked their scorn and venom behind polite expressions, glancing at Noble Lady Jiang's arrogant face.
Watching quietly from the side, Zheng Qingling could only shake her head. This Noble Lady Jiang was making herself the enemy of the entire harem. She wouldn't be arrogant for long.
After greetings ended, Zheng Qingling, as usual, was walking last—only to notice that in front of her stood Noble Lady Jiang. Alarm bells went off in her mind.
She wanted to stop immediately, but suddenly, someone behind shoved her hard. About to fall against Noble Lady Jiang, Zheng Qingling twisted her body and rolled aside, crashing into the grass.
At the same time, she used her ability to scan the surroundings and identified the culprit: an unfamiliar young eunuch. He fled swiftly, soon out of her detection range.
Everyone else was startled by the sudden commotion. To their eyes, Zheng Qingling had simply tripped and fallen strangely on her own.
Especially Noble Lady Jiang, who was shocked for a moment, then ridiculed when she saw Zheng Qingling sprawled awkwardly:
"To think that Changzai Rou is already so dim-eyed at such a young age, falling flat just from walking."
With that, she left proudly.
Zheng Qingling said nothing, only clutching the tender grass shoots beneath her fingers. She kept warning herself inwardly: Don't quarrel with a fool. This Noble Lady Jiang is already a target. She won't be able to prance around for much longer…
Even so, this unwarranted disaster left her depressed. If not for her refusal to harm a pregnant woman, with all of Noble Lady Jiang's brainless words, Zheng Qingling would have long gifted her a nightmare.
Supported by Chunxiu, she managed to get up, intending to return to Apricot Blossom Pavilion and treat her sprained ankle.
But just then, cries erupted nearby:
"Terrible, terrible! Noble Lady Wu has gone mad—she pushed Noble Lady Jiang down…"
Zheng Qingling instantly activated her ability, scanning the scene: Noble Lady Jiang had been knocked to the ground by Noble Lady Wu. One lay wailing on the floor, the other laughing maniacally.
Noble Lady Wu kept muttering:
"That's my child. What's wrong with a mother looking at her own baby? How dare that wicked woman stop me—she deserves hell…"
Things happened too fast. The hidden guards had no time to intervene. By the time servants pulled away the deranged Noble Lady Wu, Noble Lady Jiang was unconscious, with blood trickling beneath her.
Zheng Qingling only swept her ability once before pulling back, sighing at the cruelty behind it all.
Earlier, someone had tried to use her as a scapegoat through a borrowed knife. Now, they could even manipulate events so that Noble Lady Wu went mad at the perfect moment.
Zheng Qingling never believed Noble Lady Wu had simply gone insane on her own. The opponent's calculations and ruthlessness made her shiver even under the sunlight.
Because of the incident, Zheng Qingling could not return to her residence. She had to follow the others to the side hall of the Noble Consort's palace.
Noble Lady Jiang's condition was urgent, so the servants rushed her to the side hall of Liangyi Palace.
The emperor was still in court, so the Noble Consort quickly sent for the imperial physicians.
Hearing that the imperial heir was in danger, the Imperial Medical Bureau dared not send just one physician. Instead, four came together.
Each took her pulse with grave expressions, then all shook their heads. The fetus no longer had any breath of life—they were powerless.
When Xiao Qianming arrived, he saw this scene and immediately roared:
"You must save Noble Lady Jiang's child, no matter the means, do you understand?"
Terrified, the four physicians broke into a cold sweat and knelt.
"Please, Your Majesty, do not be angry. It is not that we did not try. The imperial heir already has no breath of life—we are helpless!"
All four kowtowed, fearing the emperor's wrath could end their lives in an instant.
But Xiao Qianming had already heard reports on the way. He knew the situation was dire and did not press them further, only ordering them to prescribe medicine for Noble Lady Jiang.
"Where is that madwoman?" he demanded coldly.
The Noble Consort had no choice but to step forward.
"Your Majesty, I have already confined her in the side hall, awaiting your judgment."
When Noble Lady Wu was brought forth, she still muttered:
"That's my child, no one can stop me…"
Seeing her like this, Xiao Qianming's fury surged. He kicked her hard and barked:
"Vile woman! How did the Wu family raise you—"
But no matter what insults he hurled, Noble Lady Wu only remained dull and vacant.
Soon after, Noble Lady Jiang, learning the truth, dragged her frail, miscarrying body out to cry hoarsely:
"Your Majesty, you must execute this wretch, and exterminate her family as well—do not let them off!"
Looking at the shrieking woman before him, Xiao Qianming only felt weary. He knew full well of her behavior these past weeks. The child was gone—was it truly not at all her fault?
In the end, recalling Noble Lady Wu's own miscarriage, the emperor only demoted her to a commoner and sent her to the Cold Palace. Her father, Minister Wu, was demoted to a distant county magistrate.
Noble Lady Jiang was, of course, dissatisfied with this outcome. But when she met the emperor's icy gaze, she dared not utter another word.
In her heart, however, she swore: she would make sure to torment that wretched woman in the Cold Palace—she would never let her live comfortably.
From then on, all the women of the harem grew extremely cautious, terrified of touching the emperor's sensitive heart by mistake.