Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

Consort Xi's expression showed slight displeasure, and her tone carried a hint of reproach, "Sister Consort Li, didn't you see that the Lady of Jiaxing Marquis is still kneeling?"

Consort Li then turned her gaze to Jiang Huaiyu, feigning surprise, and said, "Oh dear, I was so careless that I didn't even notice that Madam was still kneeling. It's all thanks to Consort Xi's reminder. Madam, please get up quickly. If you kneel down again, Consort Xi will probably blame me."

Jiang Huaiyu slowly rose and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness. You flatter me. Consort Xi is kind and gentle; how could she possibly punish someone?"

Consort Li rolled her eyes dismissively, a cold smile playing on her lips, and asked, "What brings Consort Xi and the Lady of Jiaxing to my Shuiyun Pavilion in such a grand manner?"

Consort Xi glanced at Jiang Huaiyu and nodded slightly, signaling her to explain her purpose.

Jiang Huaiyu understood her meaning and respectfully reported: "Your Highness, my son has unfortunately been injured and has broken his leg. I have heard that Your Highness has a magical medicine called White Jade Broken Leg Ointment, which can restore a broken leg to its original state. Therefore, I have come here to humbly request Your Highness to bestow it upon him."

Consort Li frowned slightly, her tone revealing a hint of disdain, "A broken leg can be treated with time. The White Jade Broken Leg Ointment is extremely rare and priceless. Does a mere illegitimate son of a marquis dare to dream of using such a treasure?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu understood that Consort Li was clearly aware of what the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion had done.

Faced with Consort Li's contemptuous attitude towards the Marquis's son, Jiang Huaiyu did not show any anger. Instead, she maintained a respectful tone and said, "My son will be going to the imperial examination in a month or so to show his skills. I hope to use the 'Broken Heart Ointment' to speed up his recovery so that he can participate in the examination in a wheelchair."

Consort Li replied casually, "What's wrong with a one-month delay? It's not too late to wait another three years. It's not a matter of life and death, nor is it a matter of missing out forever."

Even though Jiang Huaiyu was gentle by nature, she could not bear the repeated humiliations from Consort Li, and anger rose in her heart. However, for the sake of her son Fenghui, she forced a smile and insisted, "My son has exhausted all his efforts to achieve success in the imperial examination. I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant him the Ointment for the Rejuvenation of Broken Heart."

Consort Li glanced sideways at Jiang Huaiyu sitting on the soft stool and said in a light tone, "The other day, I asked Master Tianhui to tell my fortune. The master said that my luck is not good. If someone can pray for me under the scorching sun, it may be able to dispel the bad luck."

Jiang Huaiyu knew that Consort Li was deliberately making things difficult for him, but as someone else's servant, he had no choice but to submit. As long as he could obtain the White Jade Broken Heart Ointment for Feng Hui and help him pass the exam smoothly, he would not hesitate to suffer any humiliation.

"If Your Majesty would be so kind as to bestow upon me the White Jade Bone-Mending Ointment, I am willing to pray for Your Majesty under the scorching sun and help you ward off misfortune."

Consort Li smiled slightly and turned her gaze to the window. It was noon, and the sun was blazing.

"Then I'll trouble you, Madam Hou. Let's begin immediately."

Jiang Huaiyu rose respectfully and bowed deeply, saying, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's mercy."

At this moment, Consort Xi reached out and took Jiang Huaiyu's arm as she was about to leave. Turning to Consort Li, she asked with a sharp tone, "Sister, just how bad luck do you speak of that requires the Lady of the Marquis of Jiaxing to kneel and pray? Do you know that the Marquis of Jiaxing is loyal to defending the border and bravely fighting the enemy? His reputation is far beyond what your Marquis of Jing'an's family can match. Now, the Marquis of Jing'an's family has not produced any capable generals for two generations, and the next generation may face the crisis of being demoted. Yet you remain so arrogant, sister. I wonder where your confidence comes from?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Li's chest heaved rapidly, and her breathing became slightly heavy. "How can you blame me for this act of praying for blessings? It was clearly her own initiative, yet you try to shift the blame onto me? If Your Highness truly pities Lady Hou, you may personally pray for her. I have no objection."

Upon hearing this, Consort Xi's expression changed drastically, and she flew into a rage, shouting, "Insolence!"

Consort Xi had the powerful family of the General Who Conquers the West as her backing, and the family's influence was at its zenith. Her elder brother was a general, and her two nephews had repeatedly distinguished themselves in the army, both holding high ranks. Naturally, she had no fear of the declining Marquis of Jing'an's mansion.

"Consort Li, I advise you to be more restrained in your actions. The imperial army has just returned to the capital, and the Emperor has not yet rewarded those who have contributed. No one can guess the Emperor's intentions or what honors he will bestow upon the Marquis of Jiaxing. If you do not restrain yourself, you may end up reaping the consequences."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li looked at Consort Xi with unwavering determination and without fear, saying, "Consort Xi, you should take better care of yourself. No matter what the Emperor bestows upon me, it cannot shake my noble status as the mother of a prince."

Consort Li had two children, Prince Rui and Princess Yu Rong, while Consort Xi only had one princess. Therefore, Consort Li, who had a prince, felt that her status was higher than that of Consort Xi.

Consort Xi sneered and retorted, "What use is giving birth to a prince? The Noble Consort also gave birth to a prince. Is her status less noble than yours?"

Rumors are rampant in the palace, with the Prince of Duan, born to Consort Chao, being the most likely candidate to be made crown prince. This is not only because Consort Chao holds the highest rank, but also because her maternal family—the most powerful ducal family in Western Wei—is extremely influential. Her elder brother, the Duke of Dingguo, is the current prime minister, making her family the most powerful in Western Wei, far surpassing the influence of Consort Li.

Upon hearing this, Consort Li no longer dared to be arrogant.

At this moment, Jiang Huaiyu gently tugged at Consort Xi's sleeve, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Xi. I am here to pray for Consort Li, and I only ask that you grant my son the precious White Jade Bone-Mending Ointment. I humbly beg Your Majesty to have mercy and grant this wish."

Amidst the intricate power struggles of the palace, Consort Xi had no choice but to deal with Consort Li's刁难 (difficulties/difficulties). The crucial item was in Consort Li's hands, and Consort Xi could not openly seize it, so she could only let Jiang Huaiyu temporarily bear this unfair injustice.

"Sigh, let her kneel for a while. I don't think Consort Li's misfortunes will continue," Consort Xi said helplessly.

Consort Li gave a disdainful snort, "That treasure belongs to my palace. Whether I hand it over or not is entirely up to my mood."

Jiang Huaiyu was worried that if Consort Xi continued to argue with Consort Li, Consort Li might change her mind, and the hope she had just glimpsed would vanish. She gently shook her head at Consort Xi, signaling her not to argue anymore.

Seeing this, Consort Xi understood Jiang Huaiyu's thoughts. "Then, I will take my leave. Consort Li, you should think it over carefully. The Marquis of Jiaxing's importance in His Majesty's heart should not be underestimated."

Consort Li replied with a cold laugh, "Thank you for the reminder, Consort Xi."

After Consort Xi left, Consort Li said to Jiang Huaiyu with a cold look in her eyes, "Then, Lady of Jiaxing, please perform your kneeling ceremony."

Jiang Huaiyu bowed and then knelt in the courtyard of Shuiyun Pavilion. The sun was blazing, but thankfully it was autumn and the weather was not yet hot. She endured the pain in her knees while encouraging herself, for all the hardships were worthwhile for Feng Hui.

Consort Xi sent a personal maid to bring water to Jiang Huaiyu, but the maid was stopped by an old nanny in Consort Li's palace, who argued that drinking water would be a sign of insincerity. Jiang Huaiyu could only gratefully refuse, enduring the scorching sun without drinking a drop of water.