Please Call Me Your Highness (GL) - Chapter 22

“Careful,” Dong Xiaoning said as she saw Xiao Fu attempting to get out of bed. She rushed over to help her up.

“Am I really that delicate?” Xiao Fu smiled faintly as she leaned on Dong Xiaoning’s arm—a rare and genuinely sweet smile. No longer concealing her identity as a kunze, and with the subtle changes brought by pregnancy, she exuded an added charm.

Dong Xiaoning grinned foolishly in response. She found the situation somewhat comical, yet she also felt deeply content. Welcoming a new life with someone she loved truly gave her strength.

“What would you like to eat?”

“There’s nothing I particularly crave. I’ll eat whatever you’re eating.”

Xiao Fu spoke from the heart. Having endured many years of hardship, she was not picky about food.

Recalling Physician Han Congxian’s instructions, Dong Xiaoning gave orders for the kitchen to begin preparing a meal. At that moment, a servant from the Empress’s palace arrived, requesting the Crown Princess’s presence.

“I have a headache. I won’t go. If there’s something, Mother can simply send word.”

Dong Xiaoning refused outright. She was certain the Empress’s summons was about the events of the previous night. She had no desire to explain anything, nor did she care about the Empress’s opinion.

Xiao Fu, however, showed clear signs of worry. She was not Dong Xiaoning—she couldn’t afford to act so willfully. There were too many factors she needed to weigh.

“Don’t worry,” Dong Xiaoning reassured her, then instructed a palace maid to notify the East Palace tutor that she would be taking the day off. She often took days off, so one more would hardly matter.

“What? A headache?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, that is what the attendants from the East Palace reported.”

“Has the Imperial Physician visited? What did they say?”

“I inquired, and it’s said that Physician Han Congxian has been residing in the East Palace since last night. She is overseeing Her Highness’s health, but no further details have been shared.”

“You may go.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress massaged her temples, her expression fluctuating with uncertainty.

Observing her, Grand Lady Ming said, “Your Majesty, it must be that Xiao Fu is inciting Her Highness from the shadows, which is why the Crown Princess is acting like this—”

Now that Dong Xiaoning’s position as Crown Princess was confirmed, speaking ill of her was tantamount to sowing discord between mother and daughter—a dangerous offense. Grand Lady Ming knew better than to overstep and swiftly shifted her target, directing her criticism at Xiao Fu instead.

The Empress remained silent. Her relationship with Dong Xiaoning required careful handling. After much effort to ease tensions, the thought of another conflict was suffocating.

Sensing another opportunity, Grand Lady Ming pressed on, “Your Majesty, based on last night’s rumors, Xiao Fu’s sudden reappearance is likely tied to Prince Kangning. He has old ties with Chi Fan. If these people are involved, they’re likely after more than just clearing Chi Fan’s name.”

“Oh? Mother, what do you think their true aim is?” The Empress’s tone was light, but her eyes were sharp.

“Well,” Grand Lady Ming paused dramatically, “I’m just an old woman guessing. Now that the Crown Princess has been officially named, her consort has yet to be chosen. Given Her Highness’s temperament, His Majesty must be worried about her being isolated. Since she’s your own daughter, she is, in effect, a daughter of the Ming family. For the long term, it would be best to select a reliable consort for her as soon as possible.”

Her words nearly declared outright: Hurry up and make a Ming daughter the Crown Princess Consort. The Empress understood perfectly. She replied, “What you say makes sense. But there are many children in the Ming family. Mother, whom do you deem most suitable?”

“Of course, Zheyin’s younger sister—Zheyuan,” Grand Lady Ming responded without hesitation.

“But I recall, when Zheyin became Crown Princess Consort to Ruining, Yuzhi was quite displeased. Now, if Zheyuan becomes Xiaoning’s consort, wouldn’t that mean both Crown Princess Consorts come from Yuzhou’s daughters? Will Yuzhi agree to this?”

Ming Yuzhi was the heir to the Ming clan’s noble title and held sway over the ancestral estate. After Ming Yuzhou married Princess Anchang, they had lived in her estate, and their daughters had close royal ties—perhaps too close.

The Empress was clearly warning Grand Lady Ming not to make her favoritism too blatant. Surprisingly, Grand Lady Ming replied, “All for the Ming family’s sake—what could Yuzhi possibly object to? Besides, Zheyuan is a few years older than the Crown Princess, more mature and composed. She’d be perfect to temper Her Highness’s impulsiveness.”

“I doubt Xiaoning would agree to this.”

“You are her mother. In matters like this, if you say it is to be Zheyuan, can the Crown Princess refuse?”

A flattering smile appeared on Grand Lady Ming’s face, though it was tinged with a hint of domineering arrogance. It created the impression that Dong Xiaoning’s position rose and fell at her whim—untouchable at times, yet subordinate at others, with no room for dissent.

Perhaps Grand Lady Ming had failed to adjust her mindset, or perhaps this had always been her nature. Habits became second nature, and without awareness of fault, how could she change?

The Empress smirked coldly and suddenly said, “Two Empresses in succession from the Ming family—don’t you think that’s already far too ostentatious?”

Grand Lady Ming said sternly, “The Ming family has served loyally for generations. We are not like the Ji clan and their treacherous ilk. Your Majesty must not be swayed by idle gossip and begin to doubt your own kin.”

Her words were sharp, causing the lady-in-waiting beside the Empress to frown slightly.

Yet the Empress only smiled. “If Chi Fan is exonerated, then Xiao Fu is no longer the daughter of a criminal. Moreover, she is with child—there is no reason she could not become the Crown Princess Consort.”

Grand Lady Ming grew anxious and immediately objected, “No, absolutely not! Your Majesty must think carefully!”

The Empress replied calmly, “If Xiao Fu safely delivers a daughter, and the royal line continues, I would have no reason to be displeased. Still, let us deliberate this matter further.”

Grand Lady Ming, noticing that the Empress seemed inclined to accept this outcome, refused to yield. She pressed on, “Your Majesty, please think this through. Outside of the Ming family, we cannot allow another clan to rise as the imperial in-laws.”

At this, the Empress’s eyes gleamed. “If Xiao Fu truly is Chi Fan’s descendant, and Chi Fan is indeed innocent, then Xiao Fu becoming Crown Princess Consort poses no issue. She is alone, with no family ties to create a new power base. Mother, it seems you have overlooked this fact.”

Grand Lady Ming was momentarily stunned, not expecting her proposal to be refuted so directly. Unwilling to give in, yet lacking new arguments to sway the now resolute Empress, she fell silent, her heart full of dissatisfaction.

Dong Xiaoning entered the imperial study and bowed before the Emperor.

“The matter has been investigated thoroughly,” the Emperor said with a calm tone. “Since Chi Fan was wrongfully accused, clear the name of the Chi family. Zheng Dayuan, you and Prince Kangning shall oversee this. Remember, those responsible for the false charges must be brought to justice.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s decree.”

Dong Xiaoning was overjoyed at that moment, but a strange feeling quickly crept over her. It was as if the Emperor cared little whether Chi Fan had truly been wronged. The act of clearing a name needed no real evidence—only the Emperor’s will.

Her joy faded almost instantly.

The Emperor turned to Dong Xiaoning. “Crown Princess, do you find this resolution acceptable?”

Asking for her opinion after issuing the order—how laughable. Dong Xiaoning was not naïve enough to be caught off guard. She replied, “Your Majesty is wise. I await the good news.”

The Emperor smiled. “I hear Xiao Fu’s pregnancy is progressing steadily. What are your plans?”

Dong Xiaoning replied without hesitation, “I intend to make Xiao Fu the Crown Princess Consort.”

The Emperor’s smile waned. “There are many kunze who desire that position, but there is only one seat. Xiao Fu is alone, with no allies or backing. By pushing her forward, what do you expect her fate to be?”

Dong Xiaoning’s heart clenched, recognizing the veiled threat in his words, but she did not waver. “I will protect her. Always. Unless I am dead.”

Her gaze hardened with determination as she spoke.

“Then settle the matter of Chi Fan’s exoneration first. We will revisit the Crown Princess Consort issue afterward.”

The Emperor’s words were final, seemingly unconcerned.

Dong Xiaoning sensed the air of conspiracy.

The capital grew colder by the day. Ming Zhexiu, still clad in thin garments, ran madly through the courtyard despite her lips turning purple and her body trembling from the cold.

This was the rear courtyard of Princess Anchang’s estate.

Ming Yuzhou came to visit her daughter and, seeing her in such a state, was overwhelmed with sorrow. She quickly ordered the servants to carry Zhexiu back inside.

That night, Ming Zhexiu developed a high fever.

Ming Yuzhou, only informed the next morning, rushed over with a physician. By then, Zhexiu’s consciousness was fading, but upon seeing her mother, she suddenly became lucid.

“Mother, I’m leaving now. These not-quite-twenty years have felt like a dream,” Zhexiu murmured, clutching her mother’s sleeve, her eyes glinting strangely.

“Don’t say such things!” Ming Yuzhou cried out in shock, heart aching as though wrenched apart. “Don’t worry. The family physician is here, and we can summon the imperial doctors. That skilled physician Han Congxian—we can ask her to come from the East Palace—”

“It’s useless,” Zhexiu interrupted, shaking her head. “This is my fate. No doctor can change that.”

Ming Yuzhou understood all too well. She wished to offer comfort, yet words failed her. Ever since Zhexiu had been nominated as a candidate for Crown Princess, the consequences had been predictable. Now, events had simply taken the worst possible turn.

The helplessness that welled from her heart became burning tears that streamed down Ming Yuzhou’s face. She wiped them away with her handkerchief but dared not cry aloud.

After Ming Zhexiu was attacked by assassins, Dong Xiaoning had returned to the capital under the escort of the Second Princess, Dong Yanning, and taken residence in Changyi Garden. The Emperor then publicly declared Dong Xiaoning as Crown Princess, ending the contest for succession.

The household of Princess Anchang was forced into self-preservation, none more so than Zhexiu. Among the Ming family, some had even advised her to take her own life. Ming Yuzhou, unwilling to lose her daughter but also unable to risk the family’s safety, had ultimately declared Zhexiu insane and confined her to the rear courtyard.

But now, Zhexiu had taken her life into her own hands.

“Mother, don’t cry. I only wish that, in my next life, I’ll be born into an ordinary family—no rivalries, no schemes. Just a peaceful life, living to a hundred.”

With those words, the light in Ming Zhexiu’s eyes flickered and vanished, like a candle extinguished by the wind. Her head tilted, lips slightly parted, her face turned toward the doorway.

It was only then that Princess Anchang finally arrived.

Cries echoed through the small courtyard, and the first snow of winter began to fall.