Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Seeing the maid being beaten like this, Ma Xiuxiu anxiously pulled her to her side and said, "Hua Nu, what's wrong with you? How did you become like this? Who bullied you?"

Hua Nu lowered her head, tears streaming down her face, but she never answered Ma Xiuxiu's question. Seeing her like this, Ma Xiuxiu became anxious and her voice became louder unconsciously: "Hua Nu, what's wrong with you? Tell me quickly! It's just the two of us now. If you don't tell me something, then I'll be like a deaf person, not knowing anything!"

Hua Nu looked up at Ma Xiuxiu's anxious expression, feeling sorry for her. She hesitated whether to tell her the truth. Finally, Hua Nu decided to confess everything, "Your Majesty, when it was almost time for lunch today, I went to get lunch, but the maids in the imperial kitchen made things difficult for me, saying there was no food. But I clearly saw a lot of food on the table and on the stove, but they said it was reserved for other ladies in the palace. As a discarded concubine, you are not entitled to enjoy this food."

Ma Xiuxiu's eyes widened after hearing this, and she clenched her fists in anger. "This is simply bullying! Am I not a human being? Even if Emperor Qian is furious, he can't let me starve to death!"

Hua Nu nodded and agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty. That's what I told her at the time. I argued that that didn't mean you couldn't go without food. Even though Emperor Qian was angry, he didn't stop you from eating."

A glint of tears flashed in Ma Xiuxiu's eyes, but she tried hard to hold back the tears and said firmly, "I know this is all my fault. If I hadn't been so impulsive at the time, maybe things wouldn't be like this now. But they can't do this to me!"

Ma Xiuxiu's eyes flashed with hatred. She bit her lip tightly, a surge of anger and unyielding in her heart. He was already like this, and there were still people trying to trample him into the mud. If they didn't want him to live a peaceful life, then no one would do it! She secretly made up her mind and would never give in to the tricks of fate so easily.

Hua Nu looked at Ma Xiuxiu's eyes and knew that her emotions had achieved the effect she wanted. She stammered, "Your Majesty, on my way back, I heard... I heard two palace maids whispering beside the rockery in the Imperial Garden..."

Ma Xiuxiu interrupted impatiently, "Hurry up and tell me, what did you hear? It's already like this, is there any worse news?" Her voice was filled with a hint of anxiety and uneasiness.

Hua Nu lowered her head and whispered, "The two palace maids were talking about Empress Kun. They said she'd been feeling unwell recently and had been seeking treatment from the imperial physician, but with little success. They also said Emperor Qianxin's attitude towards Empress Kun had changed, and he no longer seemed to dote on her as much as before."

Ma Xiuxiu widened her eyes and asked in surprise: "When did this happen? Why didn't I know about it?" She felt a chill rising up her spine. This news meant that the power structure in the palace might be changing, and she was kept in the dark.

Hua Nu replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, I overheard these things, and I don't know the specifics. But what is certain is that the situation in the palace is becoming increasingly complicated, and we need to be careful in our response."

Ma Xiuxiu took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil. She understood that to survive in the palace, she not only had to face various conspiracies and intrigues, but also had to constantly monitor the changes in power. Only by remaining vigilant could she protect herself and her family.

Hua Nu lowered her head and looked at Ma Xiuxiu nervously. She seemed to have something to say, but was hesitant. Ma Xiuxiu frowned impatiently and urged, "Anything else? Hurry up and say it!"

Hua Nu took a deep breath and finally mustered up the courage to speak: "My Lady, regarding the tiger performance, someone actually deliberately tampered with it, causing the tiger to become angry."

Ma Xiuxiu's eyes widened after hearing this and she asked in surprise, "Who did this?"

Hua Nu lowered her voice and answered mysteriously, "I learned this by chance from a conversation between two palace maids. It's said that this matter might be related to Concubine Qiao."

Ma Xiuxiu's face changed and she said with gritted teeth: "This bitch actually dared to do something behind my back!" She clenched her fists, her heart filled with anger and dissatisfaction.

Ma Xiuxiu secretly swore in her heart that since I am not doing well, you should not think about it either. Ma Xiuxiu and Hua Nu did not say more after talking about this. After the suppuration operation, Ma Xiuxiu washed and lay down to rest.

A month later, a major event occurred in the palace—Qiao Xinran's second son suddenly developed a high fever that wouldn't go away. Several imperial physicians came to treat him, but none could pinpoint the cause, leaving them helpless to watch as the second prince's fever continued to rage. This frightened Emperor Qian, so enraged, that he beat several of the doctors and ordered them to find a cure for the second prince within two days, or face execution.

For a time, the entire palace was shrouded in tension and fear. The imperial physicians researched day and night, poring over ancient texts and trying various treatments, but they could never find an effective solution. Meanwhile, the Second Prince's condition worsened, and his body grew weaker.

Qiao Xinran was distraught and stayed by the Second Prince's side all day, tears streaming down her face. She prayed to God to keep her child safe. At the same time, she was furious at the incompetent imperial doctors, believing they had betrayed her trust.

Two days passed, and the imperial physicians still hadn't found a cure for the Second Prince. Furious, the former emperor ordered all the doctors imprisoned, preparing for execution the next day. Just then, a young imperial physician stepped forward and offered to give it a try. He explained that he had encountered similar cases among the common people and had successfully cured them. While the method was risky, it might just save the Second Prince's life.

After hearing this, Qiao Xinran agreed to the doctor's advice without hesitation. After some effort, they finally found the herbal medicine to treat the Second Prince. After taking the medicine, the Second Prince's temperature gradually dropped and his spirits slowly recovered. In the end, the Second Prince recovered. Qiao Xinran was ecstatic and burst into tears of gratitude to the young doctor. But just when the Second Prince's condition was improving, the red beans appeared on his body again. After the young doctor and the old doctors in the Imperial Hospital, they confirmed that the Second Prince also had smallpox.

When Qiao Xinran heard this, a thunderbolt struck his heart. He thought, is this retribution for having designed the eldest prince to get smallpox? Now his son has also been infected. Is this really retribution for himself? Quietly, Xinran regained his composure. This is definitely not retribution. Someone must be plotting against him.

However, the crisis did not end there. Qiao Xinran began to suspect that someone had deliberately framed the Second Prince, so she secretly launched an investigation. At the same time, she also realized that the struggle in the palace was far more complicated than she had imagined, and she must always remain vigilant...

Qiao Xinran was secretly investigating the Second Prince's illness. Wang Yuyan was overjoyed at the news. Was this retribution? If he hadn't secretly brought the virus to the palace, implicating his eldest son, how could it have fallen on his own son? This pain would never reach her, she couldn't feel it. Let him experience the despair and pain she had felt these days.

Wang Yuyan was shocked to learn that the Emperor Qian had gone to visit the Second Prince without hesitation after learning of his illness. She couldn't help but wonder: Could Wang Yuyan risk everything for Qiao Xinran and her precious son? And what of her Dahuang'er? For so long, the Emperor Qian hadn't even visited once, and even after Dahuang'er recovered, he hadn't shown the slightest concern. Such indifference chilled Wang Yuyan's heart. She asked herself: If the Emperor Qian treated them and their son this way, why should she care about him? If he wanted to visit someone else, then so be it. The thought filled Wang Yuyan with sadness and disappointment.

Emperor Qian watched Qiao Xinran wholeheartedly care for the Second Prince. Her face was haggard and exhausted, and he couldn't help but feel pity for her. He quietly came to where Qiao Xinran was resting, gently stroked her face, and softly comforted her, "Don't be too anxious or worried. The First Prince also had smallpox, but isn't he safe now?"

Don't worry, I have invited all the imperial doctors who cured the eldest prince. They will do their best to cure the prince's illness." After hearing this, Qiao Xinran burst into tears and threw herself into the arms of Emperor Qian, sobbing, "Your Majesty, our prince is so pitiful. He has contracted such a terrible disease at such a young age. Do you think he has suffered too much and is not blessed with this?"

"When Emperor Qian heard this, he immediately became furious and shouted, "Our second prince is the most blessed! Don't worry, after he recovers from his illness, he will definitely become the most noble prince in the world except me!" Qiao Xinran was secretly delighted when she heard this. Could it be that the emperor wanted to make the second prince the crown prince? No, she needed a definite answer. So, she looked at Emperor Qian with tears in her eyes and asked with a sob, "Your Majesty, do you mean..."

Emperor Qian looked at Qiao Xinran's cautious expression and immediately felt the urge to tease her. He deliberately put on a stern face and said, "That's what you think. Do you think our prince is unworthy?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xinran didn't show it on her face, but she was already beaming with joy. She knew full well what it would mean for her son to become the Crown Prince; it would bring them endless glory and power. However, she remained calm and feigned a retort, "But... the prince isn't the wife's son either, and our family is weak, unable to compare to the other princes. How... how can he be worthy of the position of Crown Prince?"

There was a hint of worry in her words, as if she was genuinely uneasy about her son's status. But in reality, she was filled with joy and anticipation, because she knew that once her son ascended to the throne of Crown Prince, their family would possess supreme power and status.

Emperor Qian smiled slightly, as if seeing through Qiao Xinran's disguise. He said softly, "It's okay. I will consider these issues."

Qiao Xinran nodded slightly in gratitude. She knew the Emperor Qian meant to reassure her that everything was under his control. Though she appeared modest and cautious, she was actually already plotting how to capitalize on this opportunity to further consolidate her position.