Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 501 Intervening

"Miss Lin the Second".

The moment those words crossed my mind, a female voice rang out.

Lin Zhiqing looked up, smiled, and said, "Miss Bai."

Bai Ling nodded.

There was no further communication between the two.

Lin Zhiqing walked past her toward the palace gate. Just before leaving the palace, she turned around and looked at Bai Ling's back.

It's clearly the same person, but the familiarity we once shared can never be regained.

Her steps faltered for only a moment.

All good things must come to an end. Some relationships are best left unresolved; forcing them only makes things worse.

The path Lin Zhiqing is taking now is a bloody one, forged through giving up.

No one's comings and goings could sway her thoughts.

Even so, he would still sigh in his heart that their fate was too shallow.

Aside from this minor incident, Lin Zhiqing would go to the brothel and then visit Consort Xian every day thereafter.

The process of treating Consort Xian will take about an hour.

Sometimes, Consort Xian would have palace maids take Lin Zhiqing outside for a stroll.

But with this alone, Lin Zhiqing had no way of getting close to Consort Shu.

However, his movement within the palace was limited, and if he continued to wander around like this for a lifetime, he would never achieve his goal.

Therefore, Lin Zhiqing would also take the opportunity to propose changing the location of treatment when the time was right.

For example, go to the area near the Imperial Garden, or the area near the Jade Palace.

Lin Zhiqing's medical skills were indeed superb, so Consort Xian did not refuse these requests.

As the saying goes, "constant dripping wears away a stone," Lin Zhiqing's efforts were not in vain.

When she changed her treatment location to Qianli Pond, not far from Consort Shu's palace, she finally met the legendary Consort Shu.

"May Consort Shu be well." Lin Zhiqing hadn't even seen what the person looked like before she began to bow.

"Get up. Consort Xian has been causing quite a stir lately, but I wonder if it's been of any use?" Consort Shu's voice carried a hint of coldness.

Consort Xian smiled kindly: "Sister, people always have to think about themselves. As for the treatment's effectiveness, it's up to you to believe in it or not."

"Sister is so insightful," Consort Shu replied calmly.

From beginning to end, her gaze never fell on Lin Zhiqing.

Lin Zhiqing, however, observed Consort Shu discreetly.

Contrary to her expectations, Consort Shu's appearance was not exactly top-tier, but there was no trace of sorrow or resentment on her face.

If Lin Zhiqing hadn't known about the past of the Duke of Pei's mansion beforehand, she really wouldn't have been able to connect the nephew of the Imperial Academy Chancellor with Consort Shu.

As these thoughts crossed Lin Zhiqing's mind, various ideas flashed through her mind.

How exactly can she get in touch with Consort Shu?
He volunteered to treat Consort Shu's illness?!

This situation is consistent with my current identity and position.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing rehearsed in her mind. After Consort Xian and Consort Shu finished speaking, she was about to speak when she saw an uninvited guest.

"The Queen is here!"

A loud voice rang out, instantly interrupting Consort Xian and Consort Shu's conversation.

Lin Zhiqing closed his eyes. How could such a small pond, with its thousands of carp, possibly gather three of the most esteemed women in the imperial harem at the same time?
As the saying goes, three women make a drama, and Lin Zhiqing could sense a strange atmosphere among them.

However, she doesn't have the right to speak right now.

"Your Majesty the Empress." Consort Shu and Consort Xian bowed simultaneously.

"Rise," the Empress replied softly, then asked a few questions. Lin Zhiqing stood quietly to the side, without making a sound, but her ears were perked up.

A short while later, she realized something was wrong.

As the Empress spoke, her eyes kept glancing behind her, as if someone was following her.

Hmm... Lin Zhiqing looked at the servants behind the Empress and frowned slightly.

The Empress stood ramrod straight, her voice fluctuated in volume, and her eyes kept glancing behind her—all of which seemed rather strange.

What is she afraid of?
She is the Empress, the most honored woman in the palace.

That's strange, really strange.

Lin Zhiqing was puzzled, so she looked up at the Empress.

The nanny beside the Empress frowned slightly upon seeing this.

Before she could say anything, the Empress suddenly brought up Lin Zhiqing:
"I had heard before that Miss Lin had a remarkable skill in healing the sick and saving lives. I thought it was just a rumor, but now I see that it is indeed true."

"I have been feeling quite tired lately. I wonder if my sister, Consort Xian, would be so kind as to let Miss Lin come and visit me."

Consort Xian looked much more mature than the Empress, yet she could only be addressed as "younger sister."

Lin Zhiqing's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Consort Shu first.

But Consort Shu stood to the side, seemingly without any worldly desires, and didn't even glance at her.

what is this?
Instead of attracting the intended target audience, it attracted another big shot?
Unfortunately, Lin Zhiqing couldn't say a word here, so she had to suppress her distracting thoughts and wait for the Consort Xian to speak.

Before Consort Xian could speak, the old nanny beside the Empress spoke up:

"Your Majesty, your health is precious. How can you let Miss Lin see you? If you are not feeling well, I will send someone to the Imperial Hospital to fetch a physician."

Lin Zhiqing frowned inwardly at that tone.

She had met many servants, and most of them spoke very respectfully and held a lowly position.

However, this old woman did not have the respect of an ordinary servant in her speech; instead, she gave people an uncomfortable feeling.

Lin Zhiqing couldn't quite put her finger on what it felt like, but it was definitely not a good feeling.

After hearing what the nanny said, Consort Xian and Consort Shu did not speak.

Lin Zhiqing looked up at the Empress.

The Empress's eyebrows were downturned, and her lips were flat, forming a line.

This expression appeared for only a moment before disappearing.

The Empress curled the corners of her lips into a smile: "That's true. Then I won't take what others like."

Lin Zhiqing was very puzzled.

She could tell that the Empress's smile was stiff and wary.

Whom is she wary of?
Lin Zhiqing, the nanny, the imperial physician, and Consort Shu and Consort Xian.

Before Lin Zhiqing could observe further, the Empress looked at her and beckoned to her:
"I heard that Miss Lin will soon be married off to the Great Liang. I am very pleased. Come here and let me see her."

She spoke very quickly, her lips slightly pursed and her pupils dilated, as if she were somewhat expectant, afraid that Lin Zhiqing wouldn't come over.

How could Lin Zhiqing possibly refuse to go?
The Empress is the head of the harem; no one can surpass her.

Lin Zhiqing stepped forward slowly and performed a proper curtsy. The Empress observed her carefully for a moment, and a smile spread across her face.
"Indeed strikingly handsome. Every single person from the Marquis of Changning's household is exceptional."

"Miss Lin, you have traveled far from Daliang for the sake of Dasheng. You are a hero of Dasheng. I have a bracelet here, and I will give it to you today."

She handed the bracelet to Lin Zhiqing.

Consort Xian smiled and said, "Since it is Your Highness's good intention, Zhiqing, you should accept it."

Lin Zhiqing immediately said, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

As he spoke, he reached out to take the bracelet.

But the old woman stepped forward first, took the bracelet, and then spoke:
"Your Majesty, this bracelet is a bit old. I'll go and get a new one to avoid disgracing Miss Lin."