“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!”

Pei Jian hurried over.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

The Emperor waved his hand. “I’m fine.”

Pei Jian glanced around.

The eerie, cold aura had completely disappeared, and Baocen Palace seemed even cleaner than before.

But just moments ago, when he looked from afar, the situation appeared even worse than last time.

How did it suddenly clear up?

The Emperor’s gaze fell on Pei Jian’s foot.

“Minister Pei, what happened to you?”

Pei Jian immediately withdrew his foot.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was in such a hurry just now.” He had lost his composure in the imperial presence.

The Emperor did not reprimand him.

He pointed at the young girl sitting at the table. “The one you are looking for is her.”

Jiang Yuanxi slid down from her stool.

“I can save him.”

She picked up a brush and looked around.

Seeing this, Jun Mocheng immediately tore off a piece of his robe that had a missing corner and handed it to her.

[What are you giving me this torn robe for? I need high-quality talisman paper and cinnabar.]

The Emperor immediately ordered, “Fetch cinnabar and talisman paper.”

Jun Mocheng: Did I just rip my robe for nothing?

The palace servants quickly returned with the materials.

Pei Jian rushed forward, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the brush in Jiang Yuanxi’s hand.

Steady as ever, she completed the talisman in one stroke.

Pei Jian was left speechless in shock upon seeing the talisman.

Once the ink had dried, Jiang Yuanxi handed the talisman to Consort Xian.

“All done!”

[A body of extreme yin must be suppressed with a talisman of extreme yang.]

Consort Xian accepted it gratefully but hesitated. “Yuanxi, will Lin’er recover just by using this?”

Jiang Yuanxi nodded.

[He’ll live to be at least ninety without a problem.]

However, as she looked at the person lying on the bed, she thought:

[Actually, he could live even longer. It just depends on whether he wants to or not.]

With the situation resolved, the Emperor ordered Jiang Yuanxi to be taken to the harem.

Meanwhile, Madam Chen was chatting happily with the imperial consorts.

Chen Xinwan looked outside and muttered in confusion, “There were thunderclouds just now, but the sky has cleared again.”

The consorts remained silent.

They had heard the Fourth Prince had returned.

Such disturbances… could it be because of him?

Consort Yu’s eyes twinkled. “Why is Consort Xian not here today?”

Consort Chen sighed, waving her silk handkerchief.

“What else could it be? I heard the Fourth Prince was among those rescued from the kidnappers. He’s half-dead—who knows if he can even be saved?”

The Empress shot her a warning look. “Consort Chen, watch your words.”

Only then did Consort Chen realize there were outsiders present. If word spread, it wouldn’t be good.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It was my mistake.”

Chen Xinwan smiled lightly, pretending not to have heard.

The Empress looked worried, but after a servant whispered a few words in her ear, she smiled again.

Sensing the change in mood, Consort Yu quickly shifted the topic. “Madam Jiang, you have four sons and one daughter, all outstanding. Who in Shengjing doesn’t envy you for having such a clever girl?”

Chen Xinwan replied, “Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. But it is the princes and princesses who are truly exceptional.”

Just then, Jiang Yuanxi ran inside.

Her twin buns on top of her head bounced, and she smiled like a crescent moon.

The imperial consorts couldn’t resist the urge to pinch her cheeks.

“Greetings, Your Majesty, and esteemed consorts.”

The Empress looked at her, feeling a surge of affection.

Before she could react, Consort Yu had already stepped forward and picked Jiang Yuanxi up.

“Yuanxi, check for me—can I still bear children?”

Since giving birth to the First Prince, Consort Yu had been unable to conceive again.

Though her son was already grown, she still wished for another child.

Everyone in Shengjing knew about Princess Xihe’s abilities.

Rumors claimed that if she worked her magic, even a male donkey could give birth.

Jiang Yuanxi glanced at the beautiful lady in front of her.

“No more,” she said, spreading her hands.

[Your fate allows for only one son, but you will have a carefree life, surrounded by grandchildren.]

Instead of disappointment, Consort Yu was delighted.

Her son would be happy, healthy, and free from burdens—what more could she ask for?

“No wonder His Majesty likes Yuanxi. I like her too.” Consort Yu removed a jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Jiang Yuanxi’s hands.

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes lit up.

[I made a profit! Auntie gave me money! I wonder how much this is worth.]

The others chuckled.

Seeing this, the Empress didn’t bother maintaining her composed demeanor.

She had the nanny bring Jiang Yuanxi over. “Yuanxi, what do you think of me?”

The Empress was anxious.

Since giving birth to the Crown Prince, she had not conceived again.

Though her son was already the heir, she still longed for a daughter—someone as adorable as Yuanxi.

Jiang Yuanxi looked up.

“You can have three more.”

The Empress laughed heartily. “Ah, I have always wished for a daughter as lovely as you!”

The other consorts smiled, though with hidden envy.

Consort Yu, however, sincerely congratulated her. “Three more—Your Majesty is truly blessed. One of them must be a daughter. Your wish will come true.”

Consort Chen scoffed, “Daughters are not as valuable as sons. Why bother having one?”

Seeing the Empress so happy, Jiang Yuanxi couldn’t bear to disappoint her.

[Ah, such a pity! Auntie’s three children will all be sons—three little troublemakers.]

[I’d better not tell her. She’ll be sad.]

The Empress’s smile froze.

Chen Xinwan and Consort Yu quietly sipped their tea, pretending not to have heard.

Consort Chen rolled her eyes. Sons are only useful if they achieve something.

Chen Xinwan thought to herself: Next time, I should avoid bringing my daughter to the palace.

Hearing these thoughts is too overwhelming!

The Empress removed her golden phoenix hairpin and placed it in Jiang Yuanxi’s small hands.

“Do you like it, Yuanxi?”

Since she couldn’t have a daughter, Yuanxi would be like one to her.

“I like it!”

[Gold! Such pretty gold!]

Chen Xinwan almost lost her composure upon seeing the hairpin.

That was a phoenix hairpin!

Only the Empress was allowed to wear it.

Yet, she had gifted it to Yuanxi.

Chen Xinwan immediately knelt. “Your Majesty, I thank you on Yuanxi’s behalf.”

The Empress smiled and shook her head.

Everyone longed for such favor, yet only Yuanxi treated the hairpin like an ordinary gold ornament.

Consort Yu was envious, but she knew the phoenix hairpin was beyond her reach.

She nudged Consort Chen. “Yuanxi read our fortunes. Perhaps she should check yours. You might still bear another prince.”

Jiang Yuanxi, still nestled in the Empress’s lap, didn’t even look up.

“Impossible. She can’t have children anymore.”

Consort Chen was furious.

“What nonsense! I am in perfect health!”

Jiang Yuanxi pouted.

[This auntie is so fierce. But she really can’t have any more kids.]

Nearby, Consort An glanced at Consort Chen without a word.

The Empress’s expression darkened. “Enough. As a mother, you should focus on Yuner’s marriage instead.”

Consort Chen held her tongue, but she shot Chen Xinwan a sharp glare.

Chen Xinwan looked away awkwardly.

My dear daughter, are you trying to make enemies for me?

After a short while, she took Jiang Yuanxi and left the palace.

She knew why the Emperor had summoned Yuanxi, but since it was a royal secret, it was best not to ask.