Chapter 332: An Aunt Who Came Out of Nowhere

The carriage had been meticulously modified. Every part of the carriage was made to be the most comfortable. The interior of the carriage was covered with thick cushions. The meticulously designed racks were filled with medicinal herbs, warming furnaces, and other necessities.

Shen Ninghua looked at Baili Junyi and noticed that he did not show any sign of discomfort. Only then did she let out a slight sigh of relief.

Bai Ruo carefully covered the two Little Masters with blankets and softly asked, “Miss, is His Highness alright?”

Shen Ninghua put a pillow under Baili Junyi’s neck, her brows slightly furrowed. “How can he be alright? No matter how comfortable the carriage is, we have to travel for a long distance.”

“I wonder why His Majesty is so anxious. Does His Majesty not know that His Highness is injured?”

Shen Ninghua did not make a sound, but there was a hint of seriousness in her eyes. Before they left the capital, they had made the necessary arrangements, so the capital should be calm and peaceful at this time. But it was hard to say if something happened beyond their expectations.

The Shadow Guards strictly followed Baili Qingcang’s orders. Although the Emperor ordered Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi to return to the capital immediately, he did not specify their return speed, so the guards turned a blind eye when Shen Ninghua ordered their carriage to slow down.

After all, Shen Ninghua was a princess, and Baili Junyi was His Majesty’s biological son. Although the guards were not afraid of death, they would not be stupid enough to offend such two influential people.

But after moving slowly for about eight or nine days, Baili Qingcang’s edict came again, asking Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi to return to the capital as soon as possible.

Shen Ninghua tightly gripped the silk handkerchief in her hand. Up until now, Baili Junyi showed no signs of waking up at all. In fact, due to the cold weather on the road and the insufficient heating system in the carriage, his wounds had not been able to heal properly. How could he endure the tenacious journey if they had to speed up now?

What exactly was going on? Why would Father Emperor do this? Could it be that something serious had happened in the capital?

Thinking like this, Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but grit her teeth in concern. If this went on, Baili Junyi’s condition would definitely not be any better. Since that was the case, she would use the best medicinal herbs to help Baili Junyi maintain his health for a few days. After they returned to the capital at the fastest speed, he would have his proper rest there.

A few months ago, they took almost six weeks to travel from the capital to Zhou City. This time, they saw the gate of the capital after traveling for only twenty days.

The sound of the hawker sellers shouting echoed the lively and busy streets of the capital. Even the air carried a scent of briskness. Big Boy and Baby Girl woke up and curiously approached the window of the carriage.

Shen Ninghua smiled and opened the curtain a little to let Baby Girl see the outside.

“Ah! Mother…” Baby Girl could call Shen Ninghua very clearly now, and she liked to ask Shen Ninghua to watch with her whenever she saw something interesting.

Shen Ninghua smiled lovingly as she touched Baby Girl’s little head. The latter’s hair was long enough to tie into a small braid. There was a sense of nostalgia in Shen Ninghua’s eyes as she looked at the familiar street outside. “I really didn’t expect that we would come back so soon.”

When they left the capital, she and Baili Junyi had discussed that they would return in a few years if Baili Qingcang was doing fine. Unexpectedly, in just a few months, they came back to the capital again.

The pedestrians outside looked at the carriage curiously as they saw a delicate girl poking her head out of the window. They had seen many adorable children, but they had never seen such an angel-like girl.

Baby Girl became more and more curious. Her pair of black gem-like eyes were round and sparkly, like a newborn kitten.

Shen Ninghua carried her back into the carriage. “Alright, be good. We will be home soon.”

The carriage was originally heading towards Prefectural Prince Yi’s residence, but before it could reach its destination, it was stopped by a eunuch from the imperial palace. “Greetings, Prefectural Prince Yi and Princess Zhaohua.”

Shen Ninghua furrowed her brows, and her voice carried a hint of coldness. “What is it?”

“His Majesty has an imperial decree. He asked Princess Zhaohua to enter the Palace to meet him immediately.”

“I’ve been on a long journey, and I have not dressed appropriately. Shouldn’t I go back to the mansion to wash up first before going to see Father Emperor?”

The eunuch smiled awkwardly. “Your Highness, I am only here to announce the decree. You also know that His Majesty has issued the decree, so…”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes darkened. “I understand. Bai Ruo, bring them back to the mansion first. When you transfer Baili Junyi, be careful. Do not touch his wound. Protect the two Little Masters. I will go into the Palace to take a look.”

Bai Ruo hurriedly nodded and said in a low voice, “Miss, take care.”

Shen Ninghua nodded and then left the carriage. She stepped on the soft sedan prepared by the eunuch and headed for the Palace. The soft sedan entered the Palace quietly and quickly. It did not stop all the way and was directly carried to Chunxi Palace.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”

Shen Ninghua got off the sedan and was slightly puzzled as she looked up at the signboard that read “Chunxi Palace”. “Wasn’t this palace empty all along? Is Father Emperor living here now?” No one had lived in Chunxi Palace ever since it was built. Previously, she had heard that this palace was actually built for her mother, Xia Jingyan. However, after the incident, her mother did not enter the Palace. Hence, this palace was kept empty.

The eunuch smiled. “Your Highness, you will know when you go in and take a look.”

Shen Ninghua frowned. “Is Father Emperor inside?”

“Yes, His Majesty is inside.”

There were maids standing on both sides of the palace, with a few maids walking out of the palace. Presumably, it was not a trap that had been designed beforehand. What was going on?

Shen Ninghua walked to the door, and two maids blocked her way. “Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will go in and report.”

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“Okay.”

Soon, the maid came out. “Your Highness, please come in. His Majesty and Her Grace are waiting for you.”

Her Grace? Shen Ninghua was befuddled. When did a consort appear in Chunxi Palace?

When she entered the hall, she heard Baili Qingcang’s voice, “Xin’er, don’t worry. Your health is more important. Ninghua has already come in. Sit down first. Sit down.”

Shen Ninghua frowned slightly. In her eyes, Baili Qingcang had always been dignified, and he would not lose his composure no matter how angry he was. This was the first time she had heard such a soft and even slightly flattering voice from him.

“Greetings, Father Emperor.”

Seeing Shen Ninghua, Baili Qingcang was extremely happy, “Ninghua, quickly get up and come over to see who this is.”

Hearing this, Shen Ninghua stood up. When she saw the person sitting next to Baili Qingcang, she immediately froze on the spot.

It was an extremely beautiful woman. She was dressed in Noble Concubine’s palace attire and sat upright beside Baili Qingcang, looking as graceful as a swan. What shocked Shen Ninghua the most was the woman’s face, which resembled her face more or less. What was going on? No one survived in her family except for her aunt, Xia Jingqiu. Who was this woman?

“Ninghua, you are Ninghua…” The woman seemed particularly excited. As soon as she opened her mouth, there was a watery light in her eyes. She held a handkerchief in her hand and panted slightly.

“Xin’er, calm down. The imperial doctor said that you’re too weak now. You must calm down.”

The woman reached out and held Baili Qingcang’s hand. Tears rolled down her face. “Your Majesty, I was just too happy. I finally saw Ninghua.”

Shen Ninghua was irritated, and her mind was a mess at the moment. “Father Emperor, what’s going on?”

Baili Qingcang looked at the woman beside him longingly. Only after she calmed down did he explain, “Ninghua, she is your aunt, Xia Jingxin. She is your mother’s younger sister.”

“Aunt?”

Xia Jingxin sized up Shen Ninghua with a loving look in her eyes. “I really didn’t expect to see my elder sister’s daughter. Ninghua, I am your aunt.”

“Why have I never heard any news about you before?”

Xia Jingxin looked a little sorrowful. “I was unconscious before. I heard from the servants that when I was very young, I was sent away by your grandfather, my father, to seek medical treatment. I didn’t expect that I would wake up a while ago. I came to see you immediately.”

Shen Ninghua studied Xia Jingxin carefully. No matter how she looked at her, she felt a strong sense of incongruity. “You have never seen me before. How can you think of me when you wake up?”

Xia Jingxin was taken aback, and she became more and more flustered. “How do I remember? I… I…” As she spoke, she clasped her chest and slowly fell down.

“Xin’er, don’t worry. Xin’er… Doctor! Someone, summon the imperial doctor.”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes slightly. This so-called aunt was indeed weak. Just as Shen Ninghua was about to go forward and check her pulse, an imperial doctor quickly walk in and come forward to read Xia Jingxin’s pulse.

Shen Ninghua was familiar with everyone in the Academy of Imperial Physicians, but she had never seen this imperial doctor before. He was a complete stranger.

After the imperial doctor checked Xia Jingxin, he did not prescribe medicine. Instead, he took out a piece of talisman paper and chanted something in his mouth. After chanting for a while, he lit up the talisman paper, tossed it into a glass of water, and passed the water to the maid to feed Xia Jingxin.

Shen Ninghua frowned. Was this treatment? This was simply a child’s play!

Before she could speak, Xia Jingxin, who was on the bed, slowly opened her eyes. “Your Majesty, what’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing. Xin’er, take a good rest. I’ll ask Ninghua to leave first.” Baili Qingcang’s voice became softer and softer, as if he was afraid of scaring Xia Jingxin.

Xia Jingxin nodded slightly and lay on the bed with a pale face. She nodded ever so slightly as if moving her muscles had taken a lot of physical effort. It was extremely unbearable to look at her.

Shen Ninghua frowned and asked the doubt in her heart out loud, “Father Emperor, why did you call us back so urgently? Do you have any instructions?”

“Huh?” Baili Qingcang frowned. “Ninghua, I asked you to come back to see your aunt. Are you unhappy?”

“I don’t dare to. I am very happy to be able to see my aunt.”

Xia Jingxin smiled gently at Shen Ninghua. “I am also very happy to see you, Ninghua.”

Hearing her say this, Baili Qingcang smiled slightly, and his expression softened a lot. “Ninghua, you may leave.”

Shen Ninghua clenched her fists tightly as she turned around and walked out. When she reached the door, she suddenly turned her head to look at the inner room. Then, she saw Baili Qingcang, who was full of tenderness and attachment, tucking Xia Jingxin in.

Xia Jingxin? Aunt? What was going on?

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