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Since that day in the Return to the Palace, she had not stepped out of Jingxian Palace even once, not because she was under house arrest, but because Xia Ziqian, as her imperial physician, was always in the palace attending to her.
Therefore, in Mu Junqi's eyes, everything seemed so blissful; not only was there no sign of Mo Xiao Li, but she could also spend every day with the person she loved most.
That day, Xia Ziqian arrived at Jingxian Palace as usual. As soon as he walked in, he saw Mu Junqi already seated in the hall. He hurried to kneel and pay his respects, but was interrupted by Mu Junqi: “Lord Xia, you are still so formal. Now you are the savior of This Palace, so you can forgo all formalities when you come to Jingxian Palace.”
Xia Ziqian slightly bowed and respectfully yet awkwardly said, “I thank Your Majesty for your kindness, but now that our statuses are different, how can I lose my manners in this palace?”
Mu Junqi gazed adoringly at every move of Xia Ziqian. Even a simple gesture of greeting seemed so captivating to her. His scent filled her senses, and her cheeks involuntarily flushed as she lowered her head slightly to hide her embarrassment.
Beside them, Mur furrowed his brows. If anyone else saw this scene, everyone would be in trouble because it was evident to anyone that the Empress was infatuated with Xia Ziqian.
At that moment, outside the hall, the Chief Eunuch of Jingxian Palace, Zhang Deli, respectfully announced from outside, “Your Majesty, Consort Qian has arrived.”
Everyone inside was taken aback; they did not expect Consort Qian to come to Jingxian Palace at this time. Although they wanted to send someone to turn her away, she was the most favored consort in the harem. So they said, “Let her in.”
As soon as they spoke, they saw Xia Ziqian standing respectfully aside with a medicine box in hand. Shortly after, Consort Qian entered with Pear. She wore a peach-red palace outfit with a white cloak draped over it and held a Heater in her sleeve. Her expression could hardly conceal her smugness.
Upon seeing Xia Ziqian, she paused for a moment but then smiled seductively. “Consort pays respects to the Empress. May Your Majesty have eternal blessings and peace.” Without waiting for a response from Mu Junqi, she stood up directly.
Mu Junqi couldn’t be bothered to engage with her and waited for her to speak first. “Your Majesty, I came today to see you. Why this expression? Do you think I am disturbing your good fortune?” Consort Qian said with a smile while subtly glancing at Xia Ziqian.
“You are overthinking it; it’s just that I am unwell these days in This Palace, so I am a bit lethargic. You should not think too much about it lest you bring trouble upon yourself,” Mu Junqi replied lightly, but each word served as a warning to Consort Qian.
Consort Qian suddenly became angry and rushed in front of Mu Junqi. Mur hurriedly stepped in to block her, but Consort Qian laughed and said to Pear behind her, "Pear, doesn’t this look like a loyal dog protecting its master?" She laughed even more, her laughter shaking her whole body.
Mu Junqi could no longer hold back. She pushed Mur aside and stood up, looking at Consort Qian with a hint of aggression as she stepped closer, saying with a half-smile, "It seems that Sister Consort Qian still hasn't recognized her own status. Should I do something to help you remember who the true master of this palace is?"
Consort Qian clearly did not expect Mu Junqi to react this way, and her expression became somewhat flustered. However, having been in the palace for several years, she quickly composed herself and said softly, "Empress, isn’t this a bit too serious? I was just joking. Besides, she is just a maid; is it really necessary to go this far?"
Mu Junqi looked up at Consort Qian, her eyes filled with more ferocity. "It seems that if I don’t teach you a lesson today, you won’t learn what humility means in this palace!" She then shouted towards the Palace Exterior, "Come here! Drag Pear out and give her fifty slaps and twenty strokes!"
After she spoke, everyone looked at Mu Junqi in shock, clearly not expecting her to act this way. Initially, she did not want to do this in the palace, but in this place where the weak are preyed upon by the strong, if she didn’t show some ruthlessness, everyone would oppress her. So today was merely a warning.
Mur tugged at Mu Junqi’s sleeve and whispered, "Your Highness, Consort Qian is the Emperor's most favored consort. If the Emperor takes offense, no one can bear the consequences."
"What’s there to fear? As the head of the harem, does This Palace need to report teaching a lowly maid a lesson to the Emperor?" Mu Junqi replied coldly.
Consort Qian initially thought that Mu Junqi was just trying to scare her, but now she realized that it was indeed a challenge. At this moment, she could no longer contain her anger and shouted furiously, "Empress! If you dare touch Pear today, you will pay the price!"
Mu Junqi smiled and said, "I would like to see what methods Sister Consort Qian has." Saying this, she yelled at the Chief Eunuch of Jingxian Palace outside the hall, "Why aren’t you dragging her out yet? Do you all want to defy This Palace?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Chief Eunuch Zhang entered with several young eunuchs and grabbed Pear’s arm to drag her outside. Pear cried out desperately to Consort Qian for help, "Your Highness! Save Pear! Save Pear..." Before she could finish speaking, she was pulled out by the eunuchs.
Consort Qian strode up to Mu Junqi and glared at her angrily. "Empress! We shall see about this!" With that, she stormed out of the room. Soon after, they heard Pear's heart-wrenching cries echoing throughout Jingxian Palace.
At that moment, Mu Junqi remained unfazed and turned to Xia Ziqian with a gentle smile saying, "I hope Lord Xia doesn’t find this amusing."
Xia Ziqian humbly said, "I have seen nothing, Your Highness. Your health has improved significantly, and with a few more doses of medicine, you will be fully recovered."
Upon hearing this, Mu Junqi felt a faint sadness. Just the thought that she would no longer be able to look at him so freely made her heart feel empty.
She sighed softly and said, "Lord Xia, you have worked hard during this time. If it weren't for you, I don't know how many times I would have been in danger."
Xia Ziqian politely bowed again and then smiled respectfully, saying, "It is my duty to care for Your Highness; you need not worry about it."
"Not just this time, but also... the time we first met," Mu Junqi said before lowering her head, unable to look at him.
However, Xia Ziqian remained composed and said, "Your Highness, times have changed. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Mu Junqi looked up in disappointment; she could read nothing on his face. With a helpless smile, she murmured, "Even if today didn't happen, would you still fall in love with me?" After a light laugh, she continued, "Never mind, you may go. If anything arises, I will send someone to find you."
With that, Xia Ziqian performed his farewell and turned to leave without hesitation. Even the faint scent of herbs in the room could not fill Mu Junqi's heart that felt lost.
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