First Phoenix Lady - Chapter 32

In the Xia Shi Courtyard, Nan Yan had just finished setting out the evening meal.

Shi Anxia lowered her head to rinse her mouth, washed her hands, and only then picked up her chopsticks to begin eating.

Nan Yan served the dishes as she spoke, “Today was truly delightful. I heard that after Concubine Wen returned, she coughed up several mouthfuls of blood. Serves her right! She was so cruel to beat Young Master Qi like that!”

At the end, she lowered her voice and asked, “Miss, do you think our Madam will accept Young Master Qi as her legitimate son?”

Shi Anxia glanced up at Nan Yan’s carefree expression. “What do you think?”

Nan Yan pondered for a moment, then began to analyze seriously, “Madam is kind-hearted. Seeing Young Master Qi’s injuries made her angry, and Young Master Qi even saved you, Miss. I think Madam will definitely accept Young Master Qi as her legitimate son. But if she does, it feels like Madam is getting the short end of the stick. No matter how you look at it, Concubine Wen comes out ahead.”

“Then tell me, is Young Master Xing better, or Young Master Qi?” Shi Anxia teased her.

Nan Yan looked troubled. How was she supposed to answer that?

Shi Anxia raised her brows. “Speak freely, I won’t hold it against you.”

Nan Yan gritted her teeth. “Then I’ll really say it! Young Master Xing has blocked Hong Que in the Firewood Shed several times. If Sister Dong Li hadn’t arrived in time, Hong Que might have ended up jumping into a well.”

At that moment, Hong Que happened to enter the room, carrying a box of charcoal to replenish the brazier.

Hearing this, her face flushed. “Sister Nan Yan, that’s all in the past. Don’t let Miss hear it and get upset. Besides, I’m perfectly fine now, aren’t I?”

Shi Anxia looked over at Hong Que.

The young girl was two years younger than herself, her features not yet fully matured, but already showing hints of sharpness.

Hong Que was beautiful, her skin fair as snow, with a pair of soft, deer-like eyes, a small cherry mouth, and a delicate, upturned nose.

In her previous life, Hong Que had entered Prince Jin’s manor as Shi Anxia’s Maid. Everyone thought Hong Que was obedient and easy to deceive, so they used her to plot against Shi Anxia.

Each time, Hong Que saw through their schemes, helping Shi Anxia avoid many dangers.

But later, Hong Que was forcibly taken by Prince Jin.

Hong Que worried both about Shi Anxia’s heartbreak and about being misunderstood as someone who climbed into her master’s bed. For a long time, she swallowed her pain alone.

Eventually, Shi Anxia learned the truth.

At that time, Shi Anxia still harbored some illusions about Your Highness Prince Jin, and indeed misunderstood Hong Que, treating her coldly, speaking harshly, and even driving her away.

Hong Que knelt outside her chambers, crying and begging for forgiveness.

Back then, Shi Anxia thought Hong Que was putting on a show for Prince Jin, especially since Prince Jin later freed Hong Que from servitude and raised her to the rank of Virtuous Consort.

Their relationship shifted from mistress and Maid to rivals for favor, making them the subject of ridicule and driving them further apart.

Though Shi Anxia was angry, she never deliberately made things difficult for Hong Que. Gradually, she realized that Prince Jin’s promises of eternal love were utterly unreliable.

After Prince Jin became Emperor Rongguang, a rift grew between him and Shi Anxia. In the most absurd turn, he conferred the title of Virtuous Consort upon Hong Que.

This was a direct slap in Shi Anxia’s face, and it put Hong Que, who had no powerful family backing, in a perilous position.

Only then did Shi Anxia understand how dark Prince Jin’s heart truly was-he depended on her, yet guarded against her, even targeted her.

Hong Que was the most pitiable of all, living cautiously in the harem, barely surviving.

When Shi Anxia was banished to the Cold Palace, it was Hong Que who secretly brought her food and warm clothes.

When Shi Anxia was drugged and nearly disgraced, it was Hong Que who rushed in, hid her under the bed, then stripped and climbed into the covers herself, leaving those who came to catch them utterly stunned.

Shi Anxia was saved, but Hong Que was killed by the Emperor’s wrath, her body destroyed beyond recognition.

Later, Shi Anxia wiped out those who had framed her, but she could never bring Hong Que back.

She would always remember Hong Que crying and saying, “Miss, Hong Que truly never betrayed you.”
…

Shi Anxia stared blankly at Hong Que, then suddenly smiled softly and beckoned to her, “Come here!”

Hong Que added more charcoal to the brazier, washed her hands, and then walked over. “Miss, did you call for your maid?”

Shi Anxia stuffed the hand warmer in her arms into Hong Que’s hands. “Your hands are all red from the cold. Warm them up.”

Hong Que smiled. “I’m not cold, Miss. You should hold it and keep warm, don’t let yourself catch a chill.” As she spoke, she was about to step back.

She was a second-class maid, responsible for chores inside the room, and couldn’t stand here idly.

Shi Anxia looked up and asked Nan Yan, “Where’s Bei Hui? Hasn’t Hong Que been promoted to a first-class maid yet?”

Before Bei Hui arrived, her voice came first. She lifted the curtain and entered, covered in wind and snow. “Miss, I plan to make all the adjustments after the New Year.”

Shi Anxia nodded, not wanting to disrupt Bei Hui’s arrangements, and said, “Hong Que, if you ever feel wronged, talk to your sisters like Bei Hui. Don’t keep everything bottled up inside.”

Hong Que nodded, smiling brightly. “I understand, Miss. I don’t feel wronged. I have enough to eat, warm clothes to wear-what is there to feel wronged about?”

Shi Anxia looked at her deeply for a moment, then a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She reached out and gently rubbed Hong Que’s head.

Hong Que was so happy she almost floated away. She felt that the way her Miss looked at her… was simply too loving.

Just as she reached the main gate, she saw Old Madam Shi coming into the courtyard, so she ran back to report.

Shi Anxia hurriedly got up to greet her. “Granddaughter pays her respects to Grandmother.”

“Good child,” Old Madam Shi reached out and took her hand. “Look at you, dressed so thinly. Don’t let yourself catch a chill.”

“Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. Have you had supper yet?”

At this question, Old Madam Shi realized she was a bit hungry. “Not yet. I’ll come and have a meal with you.”

Shi Anxia helped Old Madam Shi into the room, added a few more soft cushions, and then invited her to sit. “Please make do with what I have, Grandmother. I was just about to start eating myself.”

Old Madam Shi saw how thoughtful and sensible her granddaughter was. Her heart, which had been so weary, suddenly felt soothed.

The grandmother and granddaughter enjoyed their supper together, chatting idly.

As they were about to finish, Old Madam Shi seemed to remember something and asked casually, “Xia, how did your uncle find you back then?”

Shi Anxia replied calmly, “When I got lost, I was still young and didn’t remember my own name. I only remembered three words: Tang Chujun. I was afraid I’d forget them over time, so wherever I went, I told people my name was Tang Chujun…”

When she was eight, she was sold to an Acrobatic Troupe.

The Old Troupe Leader treated her well. Seeing that she was tall and had outstanding looks, he had people teach her skills.

She was quick to learn and willing to endure hardship, so she soon became a leading performer in the Acrobatic Troupe.

But the Old Troupe Leader’s son, Jiang Biao, was no good. He was in his thirties, idle, addicted to gambling, and extremely lecherous.

Several older sisters in the troupe had already suffered at his hands. At that time, Shi Anxia had just turned twelve-she was still a child.

Yet Jiang Biao already saw her as his possession, often touching her and speaking obscenely.

At that time, Bei Hui was also in the Acrobatic Troupe and always protected her, clashing with Jiang Biao several times.

Jiang Biao became ruthless, got his own father drunk, and then dragged Bei Hui into a room to commit his crime.

The other sisters in the troupe, afraid of trouble, all hid in their own rooms, pretending not to know. Only Shi Anxia remained calm, chose a handy knife from the Acrobatic Troupe’s kitchen, broke down the door, and together with Bei Hui, killed Jiang Biao.

Afterwards, the two of them dragged Jiang Biao’s body to the back mountain and buried it…