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“I see. However, this child’s resilience is remarkable. With her assistance, Chang Le will have an easier time in the future,” Xuan Feiran remarked upon hearing Su Yu’s words.
Feeling reassured by Su Yu’s statement, Xuan Feiran’s worries eased.
Chang Le was still a child, and he didn’t want to burden her with too much responsibility.
Seeing Chang Le either studying or on her way to study every day left him feeling uneasy.
It was indeed beneficial that Xuan Mengjie could help alleviate some of Chang Le’s burdens.
Since Xuan Mengjie began studying with Su Yu, she seemed like a completely different person. Those who knew her before wouldn’t recognize her now.
The once shy and insecure Third Princess now exuded beauty and confidence.
Initially, when Xuan Mengya heard that Xuan Mengjie was going to study with Su Yu, she called her foolish for engaging in such an unrewarding task.
Even if she excelled, she wouldn’t receive recognition from the Emperor, as his heart was solely focused on the Crown Princess.
Upon learning that Xuan Feiran often visited Xuan Mengjie and observed her studies, Xuan Mengya couldn’t help but feel jealous.
Bursting into Xuan Mengjie’s room, she found her practicing the zither.
In just a few days, Xuan Mengjie’s zither skills had undergone a remarkable transformation. How was this possible?
Her zither skills were not that exceptional before.
Just in a matter of days?
Seeing Xuan Mengjie’s earnest expression, Xuan Mengya was consumed by jealousy. She seemed to understand why her mother had mentioned that learning from Su Yu could lead to great progress.
It appeared to be true now.
Even this foolish Xuan Mengjie had undergone a remarkable transformation.
Seing Xuan Mengjie as she walked by, Xuan Mengya frowned at the interruption in her room.
“Second Princess, what brings you here to see me?” Xuan Mengjie inquired, looking confidently at the unwelcome visitor.
Xuan Mengya, observing Xuan Mengjie’s composed demeanor, found her expression quite displeasing. The previous Xuan Mengjie would never have dared to speak to her in such a manner.
Seems like being favored by Su Yu has given her the courage to do so.
“I want you to tell Su Yu that you will no longer continue your studies,” Xuan Mengya stated bluntly, seeing nothing wrong with her demand, her tone lacking courtesy.
In the past, Xuan Mengjie would have likely agreed out of fear, but now she no longer feared Xuan Mengya.
“I won’t tell Uncle Su Yu that. If you want to, tell him yourself,” Xuan Mengjie replied earnestly, looking directly at Xuan Mengya.
She used to believe the rumors about Su Yu being terrifying, but now she knew they were all baseless gossip.
Although Su Yu was strict when teaching them, he was actually a pleasant person to be around on regular days.
Sometimes, Su Yu would even bring them delicious treats.
Among all the treats, Xuan Mengjie loved the strawberries Su Yu brought the most.
The sweet and sour taste was incredibly delicious.
Xuan Mengya never expected Xuan Mengjie to defy her so boldly.
“It seems you’ve forgotten how it feels to be punished,” Xuan Mengya threatened, reaching for a whip to discipline Xuan Mengjie.
Seeing Xuan Mengya brandishing the whip, Xuan Mengjie felt a twinge of fear, but recalling her recent learning experiences, she stood tall and faced Xuan Mengya, saying, “I won’t fear you anymore.”
This was the first time Xuan Mengya felt so embarrassed in front of Xuan Mengjie.
Xuang Mengya raised her hand to strike Xuan Mengjie.
Despite Xuang Mengjie’s recent learning, combined with help from those around Xuan Mengya, Xuan Mengjie was left with bruises not long after.
Despite the pain, Xuan Mengjie held back her tears.
“Lai Fu, I beg you to go to the Emperor and ask him to save the Third Princess,” pleaded Xuan Mengjie’s palace maid, kneeling and bowing repeatedly.
Observing the kneeling maid, Lai Fu inquired in surprise, “Isn’t it rest time today? What happened to the Third Princess?”
“The Second Princess went to the Third Princess, and she’s hurting her. The Princess is already injured,” the maid explained urgently.
“What? How can this happen? I’ll go inform the Emperor immediately,” Lai Fu stated, turning to leave.
In the study room, Su Yu was discussing matters with Xuan Feiran when Lai Fu entered, causing some astonishment, “Why are you here?”
“The maid from the Third Princess’s side came. She said the Second Princess barged into the Third Princess’s room and harmed her, with the Third Princess’s guards assisting,” Lai Fu quickly relayed the information.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Feiran’s expression darkened, “Such audacity. Xiao Yu, let’s go and see. I want to see how bold Concubine Xian’s daughter truly is.”
“Agreed.”
When the two arrived, Concubine Li and Concubine Xian were already present.
Concubine Xian, leveraging her status from her natal family, was rather unkind to Concubine Li, even threatening her not to report these incidents to the Emperor.
“Don’t think that just because this child is studying with Prince Yu, you are superior. Dealing with you, Concubine Li, is as simple as lifting a finger.” After all, Concubine Li’s natal family was only of fourth-rank official status. She had no grounds to challenge her.
The guards at the door trembled continuously, afraid even to meet Xuan Feiran’s gaze.
Why had the Emperor suddenly arrived?
Hearing Concubine Xian’s words now, they dreaded what the Emperor might do next.
The Consort had been too careless; now that Concubine Li and her daughter had caught the Emperor’s attention, it was only a matter of time before their secret was exposed.
“Concubine Xian, even if your natal family is influential, this matter isn’t over for us.” Seeing his daughter barely clinging to life after being beaten, Concubine Li harbored resentment. How could someone be so cruel to a child?
“Do you dare, Concubine Li?”
“She may not dare, but I do.” Xuan Feiran, with a cold expression, walked in, his gaze icy as he looked at Concubine Xian.
Upon seeing Xuan Feiran, Concubine Xian was so frightened that she immediately knelt down, “Your Majesty, the humble one greets the Emperor.”
Ignoring Concubine Xian, Xuan Feiran turned to Concubine Li and inquired, “How is Jie’er?”
“Pleading for Your Majesty’s intervention for the Third Princess. Today, the child was practicing the zither in her room when the Second Princess entered. After an altercation, the Second Princess physically harmed Jie’er. Not only that, she had her guards also lay hands on Jie’er. Now, Jie’er is covered in welts.” As Concubine Li spoke, her heart brimmed with resentment at the sight of her daughter’s injuries.
It was all the fault of Concubine Xian and her daughter.
“I will go and see.”
Accompanied by Xuan Feiran and Su Yu, Concubine Li led the way to the inner chamber to check on Xuan Mengjie.
Just yesterday, she was healthy and lively, but today she lay pale and motionless on the bed. Her lifeless appearance concerned Xuan Feiran, who turned to Su Yu and asked, “Xiao Yu, can you call for Wan Gu to come and check on Jie’er?”
“Alright.”
Half an hour later, Wan Gu arrived with a medicine chest. After checking the child’s pulse, he furrowed his brow and lifted the sleeves to examine the welts on the arms.
There were so many welts on both arms alone; Wan Gu couldn’t bear to think of how many more might be on the child’s body.
“Physically, there are no major issues. However, there are too many welts on her body. As a man, it’s not appropriate for me to apply ointment to the Third Princess. I’ll leave some ointment here, prescribe some medication for internal and external use. In about half a month, the wounds should heal. Once the welts have healed, apply some scar removal ointment for another two months.”