Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 1017 - 1019: The Enthronement of the Prince (4)

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In the General’s Mansion

Li Ruizhu was lying on the couch, weak and pale. The head maid Chun Xiao approached her softly and whispered, "Miss, the medicine is ready. Please get up and drink it while it’s hot, for it won’t be effective once it cools down..."

Li Ruizhu slowly opened her eyes, glanced at the cautious Chun Xiao, then turned over, showing her back to her.

Chun Xiao dared not urge her further. She could only stand by the couch with the medicine for a while, but seeing that her mistress was indifferent, she reluctantly left.

Just as she stepped outside, she ran into Madame Du, who was coming to visit. Startled, Chun Xiao froze and timidly called out, "Madam!"

Madame Du looked at the medicine bowl in Chun Xiao’s hand and asked displeasedly, "Is the miss still refusing to take her medicine?"

"Yes," Chun Xiao replied in a barely audible voice, almost bowing her head to her chest.

"Useless creature, you can’t even persuade your master. What use are you?"

Madame Du scolded with full authority, and a head maid beside her immediately stepped forward, took the medicine bowl from Chun Xiao’s hands, and another maid approached, grabbing Chun Xiao by the arm and pulling her away.

Chun Xiao stood stiff, remaining silent as the maid dragged her out.

Experience had taught her that the madam was in a bad mood and wanted to vent her anger on her. If she obediently endured the punishment, she could return to her duties afterward. However, if she cried out and begged for mercy, she could expect a severe beating, potentially fatal if her cries were enough to disturb the madam or the miss. At best, she might be beaten and sold off; at worst, she might be beaten to death.

Therefore, she clenched her mouth shut and allowed herself to be dragged out pale-faced to be punished...

After dealing with Chun Xiao and venting some of her frustration, Madame Du walked into her daughter’s room quietly, approached Li Ruizhu’s couch, and sat down, saying softly, "My child, do you feel any better today? Why haven’t you taken your medicine yet?"

Li Ruizhu, hearing her mother, turned her frail body around and smiled weakly, "Mother has been concerned; it’s my failure as a daughter....."

"Look at you, being so formal with your own mother?" Madame Du gently tidied her daughter’s disheveled hair, saying sorrowfully, "My child, you’ve lost more weight from this illness. It breaks my heart to see. Please get up and take your medicine."

Li Ruizhu did not move. She lowered her eyelids and pursed her dry lips, murmuring, "Mother, has there been any news from Aunt?"

Upon mentioning Consort Li Shu, Madame Du sighed and said, "Alas! It’s no use. I sent someone for information yesterday. That little bitch somehow convinced both the Emperor and the Empress that she is the Phoenix Star destined by heaven. Now, they all but wish for her to become the Crown Princess. How can your aunt dare to speak ill of her in front of the Empress now? Just the other day, she was slightly critical of her during a greeting, and the Empress punished her with a day of fasting and ordered her to copy the Diamond Sutra. Who in the entire palace dares to speak against that bitch now?"

Li Ruizhu heard this and gave a mournful smile, then said softly, "It seems I have lost, after all. She will marry Yi..."

As she spoke, glistening tear beads rolled from her eyes, falling one by one. First, with small sobs, then escalating into uncontrollable weeping.

Seeing her daughter sobbing convulsively, Madame Du was immensely distressed. She wiped her daughter’s tears with a handkerchief while comforting and cursing, "It’s all that slut’s fault, seducing His Highness and causing you such sorrow. Zhu’er, rest assured, your father and I will not let her have her way. We won’t let her marry the Crown Prince, nor will we let her off easily!"