A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 273 Save Me! Save Me!
Early April.
Xia Ruqing’s child was nearly three months old.
In a little while, her pregnancy would become conspicuous, and she would have no choice but to make it public.
Fortunately, announcing it after three months would provide an additional layer of protection.
It would have to be revealed sooner or later, after all.
That day, Xia Ruqing suddenly remembered something.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Honored Lady Lan. I heard she’s fallen ill. You and Xiao Zhu Zi should go and visit her!"
This person bore no ill will. Having made an acquaintance, it was only right to show some kindness.
Zi Su and Xiao Zhu Zi answered the call and took some gifts to Honored Lady Lan’s residence in the rear palace area.
Honored Lady Lan looked pale. She was propped up by the window, basking in the sunlight, her gaze hollow.
Molli was nowhere to be found.
Only Lianlian was in attendance by her side.
When Xiao Zhu Zi and Zi Su arrived, Honored Lady Lan’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she moved to greet them.
Lianlian abruptly stood up, using a forceful tone to say, "My lady should keep seated! This servant will suffice."
Honored Lady Lan seemed quite afraid of her and indeed did not come any closer.
Witnessing this scene, Zi Su felt there was something amiss.
However, she didn’t dwell on it and stepped forward to pay her respects.
"Greetings, Honored Lady Lan!"
Honored Lady Lan looked up, her eyes brimming with gratitude, as though she had grasped at the last straw, tears of joy welling up.
"Rise, please get up!"
"Thank you, Honored Lady Lan!"
After expressing their gratitude, they presented the gifts their master had sent.
"Our master heard Honored Lady Lan was unwell and sent us to check on you! Please accept these nourishing tonics!"
Before Honored Lady Lan even had a chance to speak, Lianlian stepped forward with a smile, eagerly accepting the gifts.
"Thank you, Xia Jieyu!"
Zi Su frowned, displeased.
This girl is too bold. How can she make decisions without waiting for her master to speak?
Looking at Honored Lady Lan again, it seems... she’s used to this sort of behavior. Even... frightened?
An Honored Lady afraid of a Second Class palace maid? That hardly seems likely!
Zi Su shook her head, pushing the thought aside.
Having delivered the items and exchanged a few pleasantries, Zi Su and Xiao Zhu Zi were about to take their leave.
Honored Lady Lan looked reluctant to see them go.
"Stay a bit longer... have a cup of tea before you go!"
"Lianlian, pour them some tea!" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Lianlian shot Honored Lady Lan several hidden glares, coldly chuckling to herself. Is this an attempt to send something out? A cry for help? Fine by me. I want you to ask for rescue!
Lianlian walked away.
Honored Lady Lan, as quickly as she could, tore a corner from her handkerchief and threw it to Zi Su.
Her eyes were filled with a plea for help.
"Save me! Save me!"
Zi Su was startled.
"Honored Lady Lan, what are you doing?"
Honored Lady Lan kept repeating, "Save me! Lianlian and Lady Xi are trying to harm me! Save me!"
All the while, she kept glancing toward the inner room, fearful that Lianlian might suddenly appear; if that happened, she would be done for.
Fortunately, Lianlian wasn’t fast with the tea.
Lianlian waited until Zi Su had accepted the piece of handkerchief before slowly emerging. Honored Lady Lan, still sitting there, acted as if nothing had happened.
Zi Su and Xiao Zhu Zi didn’t say much more. They didn’t drink the tea, chatted for a few more moments, and then excused themselves.
...
Back at Qingya Residence, Zi Su and Xiao Zhu Zi brought out the handkerchief with the torn corner.
They recounted what had happened.
Xia Ruqing casually toyed with the torn piece of handkerchief, a cold smirk playing on her lips.
I always knew Lady Xi wasn’t simple. But to think the first person she would target would be Honored Lady Lan, the very sister who treated her best!
She didn’t know how many true sisterly bonds existed in the Harem, but Honored Lady Lan had truly been impeccable in her treatment of Lady Xi.
That woman, Honored Lady Lan, was so kind-hearted and sincere, truly guileless!
With that thought, Xia Ruqing tossed the piece of handkerchief aside and sighed.
I had warned her!
I told her never to trust sisterhood in the Harem, never to trust anyone. But alas, at that time, she just wouldn’t listen!
She sighed again.
What good would it do to seek help now?
I’m pregnant; I absolutely cannot get involved in her mess!
Lady Xi is too venomous.
The incense she casually made almost claimed Noble Concubine Shih’s life back then.
At this thought, Xia Ruqing immediately washed her hands.
She said to Zi Su, "Burn that piece of handkerchief! Just pretend... we never received it!"
Zi Su was somewhat startled.
"My lady, you won’t save her?"
Xia Ruqing rubbed her temples.
"Let me think about it!"
She owed Honored Lady Lan nothing; why should she save her? She has her own child to think of! She absolutely must not take even the slightest risk!
...
Lianlian knew that Honored Lady Lan had managed to send out the message.
She had been eagerly anticipating Xia Jieyu coming to see for herself.
But unexpectedly, an Imperial Physician arrived instead.
Xiao Xizi had led him there.
"Our mistress saw that Honored Lady Lan was seriously ill and specially sent for the Imperial Physician to examine her!"
After speaking, he cast a meaningful glance at Lianlian.
Lianlian’s face turned pale. She froze momentarily, then quickly knelt and kowtowed, feigning gratitude.
With tears and snot streaming down her face, she cried out her thanks, "Thank you, Xia Jieyu! Thank you, Xia Jieyu! Our mistress finally has a chance to be saved!"
Xiao Xizi gave a faint smile but ignored her, instead directing the Imperial Physician into the room.
"Please examine Honored Lady Lan’s pulse carefully!"
Honored Lady Lan was still asleep. The sudden intrusion of so many people, including an Imperial Physician intent on taking her pulse, startled her awake.
She looked up and caught Lianlian’s fiercely angry gaze.
Lianlian’s look was threatening.
The message in Lianlian’s eyes was clear: Honored Lady Lan should refuse.
Her body was clearly poisoned. If it were discovered, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Therefore, the Imperial Physician must not be allowed to take her pulse.
Honored Lady Lan was torn.
Her nightmarish experiences had made her completely submissive to Lianlian’s commands.
When the Imperial Physician moved forward to take her pulse, she snatched her hand back as if scalded.
"No... I don’t want you to!"
Xiao Xizi looked at her coldly and coaxed, "Our mistress is merely showing concern. Honored Lady Lan, you are so ill, and the Imperial Physician is already here. You should let him examine you!"
Honored Lady Lan, as if possessed, suffered from a splitting headache and continually shook her head.
"No! No!"
Her episode began.
Since the previous night, Lianlian hadn’t given her any Calming Incense.
She couldn’t bear it any longer.
An excruciating discomfort wracked her body, making her want to cry. Tears welled up. It felt as if thousands of ants were crawling through her bones.
It felt as though her chest was stuffed with cotton. Tears streamed down her face as she gasped for air.
She felt like she was about to die from the agony. She clasped her head and wept bitterly.
"My lady, what’s wrong with you?" Lianlian stepped forward to ask.
When Honored Lady Lan saw it was Lianlian, she looked startled and immediately pushed her away.
"No! Don’t! I don’t want you near me!"
The room descended into chaos.
Xiao Xizi instructed the attendants, "Go and restrain Honored Lady Lan! Imperial Physician, please proceed with your examination!"
The Imperial Physician nodded and was about to step forward.
Suddenly, Lianlian knelt.
"Eunuch Xi, Imperial Physician, our mistress suffers from an old ailment! She has fits like this whenever she’s agitated!"
"I beg you, please don’t agitate our mistress right now!"
Honored Lady Lan, in unbearable pain, shoved Lianlian away.
Her expression grew fierce. She tore at the clothes on her chest, her face turning a purplish-red as she struggled for breath.
"Save... save me..."
Just as the Imperial Physician was about to take her pulse, Lianlian surged forward, shouting loudly.
