CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 149: HAREM SUPPORT

Bai Pin glanced at Bai Zhi, her expression quite like that of a teacher who sees potential in a student.

Bai Zhi naturally noticed Bai Pin’s appreciative gaze, and she pointed to the blooming Golden Osmanthus, speaking ingratiatingly.

"My lady, look, the Golden Osmanthus is blooming beautifully. If we transplant a few back to our palace, you’ll have something to enjoy in the hall."

Bai Pin laughed proudly and glanced at Yue Bai, "You girl are indeed clever, let the servants in the greenhouse handle it."

"Yes, my lady!"

Their master-servant pair was admiring the flowers so enthusiastically, but meanwhile in the woods, once Bai Pin had walked away, Ming Changzai and her maid collapsed to the ground, both shedding tears.

"My lady, are you alright?"

Ming Changzai cried while shaking her head, then nodded a moment later.

"My knee hurts badly, and this branch seems to have jabbed me here."

She pointed to the other leg.

Pei’er looked around; though no one was nearby, it was inappropriate to lift the dress in broad daylight in the park.

So she stepped forward to support her, and calmly said.

"My lady, let’s return quickly, and I’ll check your injuries when we’re back."

"Yes, let’s go."

Ming Changzai wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and limped back toward her courtyard.

Strangely enough, they usually encountered palace maids and eunuchs along the way.

Today, not a single person was seen.

Just as they were about to reach the door, someone suddenly jumped out from the shadows of the corner.

Startling both her and Pei’er.

"Consort Ye? What are you doing here?"

"I was worried something might happen to you, so I came to check."

Though the words were expressed with concern, Ming Changzai felt little moved.

If she was really worried, she wouldn’t have let Bai Pin easily take her away earlier.

Coming here now to act as a good person.

Consort Ye wasn’t foolish; she clearly understood Ming Changzai’s thoughts.

So she sighed and said.

"Compared to you, I am more adrift and helpless in the palace, so I dare not defy Bai Pin."

She spoke honestly, not a single false word.

Such candor suddenly allowed Ming Changzai to understand her.

Thinking it over, it wasn’t advisable to make enemies.

"Sister Ye, for you to check on me now, Han Zhi is very grateful."

Han Zhi is Ming Changzai’s maiden name.

Since entering the palace, she hadn’t mentioned it to anyone.

Sharing it with Consort Ye now was, in a way, a gesture of goodwill.

Consort Ye naturally understood, so she smiled and helped her with the other hand, saying.

"I brought some ointment for injuries. Though it’s not expensive, it works well; I’ll apply it to you later!"

If she sought the Imperial Physician now, the matter might escalate.

But her courtyard only had some ointment for scrapes, unlikely to help with such injuries.

So, what Consort Ye brought was timely.

They strolled back to the main room, where Ming Changzai finally sat on a round stool.

Pei’er hurried to bring hot water, while Consort Ye carefully checked beneath her pants.

She didn’t realize until she saw it—the kneecap was already swollen high.

The very spot Bai Pin had kicked hard was now bruised purple.

Bai Pin really knew where to aim for maximum harm.

For at least two months, Ming Changzai wouldn’t be able to dance again, lest the knee injury recur.

It had severed her path to gaining favor through dance.

"This blood-activating, bruise-dispersing ointment is what I’ve often used; applying it for a few days will vastly improve it."

As she spoke, Consort Ye picked up a black jar.

Using a bamboo stick, she scooped the light red ointment and gently applied it thickly onto Ming Changzai’s knee.

The refreshing coolness immediately spread throughout her body, dispelling the burning sensation in an instant.

After applying the ointment, she wrapped a bandage around it.

Pei’er watched her skillfully bandage the wound and did not offer assistance.

Once everything was done, she handed Consort Ye a warm towel for cleaning her hands.

Then gratefully said.

"Thank you, Consort Ye, for your help. Without you, our lady would have been bullied terribly."

She was initially timid and fearful.

Since entering the palace, she quietly followed her lady, going unnoticed.

Today, she finally saw the palace’s terrifying side.

For a moment, she felt immense fear.

If Bai Pin were more ruthless, would they not have been killed?

The more she thought, the more anxious and disturbed she felt.

Ming Changzai felt no less so.

The reason she dared such danger earlier was desperation.

If that hairpin had truly scarred her face, would the Emperor stand up for her?

She had no confidence!

"How did you escape?"

Consort Ye, seeing their distressed appearances, asked curiously.

"I threatened Bai Pin with my face, saying if it was ruined, she would be in trouble when the Emperor held her accountable."

"And Bai Pin just let you go?"

Consort Ye seemed genuinely surprised, finding it hard to believe it was typical of Bai Pin.

Ming Changzai noticed this too, swallowed, and asked.

"Sister Ye, is there something wrong?"

Consort Ye pondered for a moment and replied.

"She was likely waiting for you to say that. If you really reported to the imperial court, the unlucky one might not be you; after all, with only you two present, your word doesn’t necessarily outweigh hers."

Ming Changzai’s sweat began to seep again.

"Really?"

"From what I know of her, it’s likely so."

Ming Changzai never imagined her last-minute idea was precisely the trap laid by others.

Initially thinking about making a show in front of the Emperor!

Now feeling a shiver of fear, thoroughly frightened.

Her mind revisited the Xu Family’s great expectations for her, causing her to involuntarily tremble.

Consort Ye assumed she feared Bai Pin’s revenge.

So she comforted her.

"If you want to survive peacefully in the harem, you should learn some self-preservation, such as not standing out..."

The words carried implications, which Ming Changzai naturally understood.

But now, caught in a dilemma, she couldn’t just pretend to be sick when the Emperor sent for her, could she?

In that case, revenge for Empress Xu would be even more distant!

She hid these thoughts within, feeling utterly torn.

Consort Ye, seeing her like this, decided not to elaborate further.

Some advice helps when given once, but overdone, it changes.

So she changed the subject and said.

"Okay, you’ve had a tiring day. Rest well, and I’ll visit you another day."

Upon Consort Ye’s words, Ming Changzai nodded.

This time, her gratitude was far more genuine than before.

"Thanks for your advice, Sister Ye. I hope you continue to guide me as you did today in the future."

"Relax, life in this palace—it can be difficult, but it can also be manageable. Look, haven’t I managed here for many years too?"

The tone sounded calm, but upon closer inspection, it carried much helplessness.