The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 288 - Seeking Confirmation

For those who recovered well, there were naturally also those who didn't.

In Qionghua Palace, when Ye Yun saw Yao Xiang, she was a little startled.

It wasn't for any other reason—Yao Xiang was terrifyingly thin. Her chin was unbearably sharp, her face had lost its flesh, and her eye sockets were slightly sunken.

Though her attire was still refined and beautiful, it was obvious at a glance that her health was poor.

What Ye Yun could notice, others naturally could too.

Especially since people were comparing her to Yao Xiang.

Today, Ye Yun was dressed in a honey-colored wide-sleeved flowing immortal gown that did not cinch the waist. After all, she had just given birth, and no matter how well her waist had recovered, it wasn't as slim as before. The gown was designed to emphasize her neck, giving her an elegant air.

Her hair was styled in a grand Chaoyun bun, adorned with a set of gold-threaded jewelry, and pinned with a ruby peacock hairpin that made her especially eye-catching.

During her confinement period, she had eaten well, and not seeing the sun for a month made her skin glow with a rosy fairness, like a peeled egg.

At first glance, she looked no different from a girl of sixteen or seventeen. But upon closer inspection, there was an added layer of softness and allure, making her even more charming than before.

In contrast, Yao Xiang was dressed in a pale purple crossed-collar robe with eight-panel skirts, and her hair was adorned with a set of short hairpins made of mutton-fat jade and pearls.

There was nothing wrong with her clothing and accessories; they were in the fresh and elegant style.

But when matched with Yao Xiang's emaciated frame and slightly yellowish skin, the overall effect was less than ideal.

"It seems that Fang Xiurong's health hasn't recovered well. She's lost a lot of weight compared to before. You really should have the imperial physician take good care of you," the Empress said with a concerned expression.

Yao Xiang's face darkened, yet she forced a smile, looking somewhat strange.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This concubine... This concubine had a difficult labor while giving birth to the princess and lost a lot of strength. I've been taking tonics, and I'm already feeling much better."

"That's good. You're still young, so you must take care of your body. Otherwise, you'll suffer for it later," the Empress replied.

She then turned her gaze to Ye Yun.

"Ming Xiuyi seems to have recovered quite well. It looks like our Fourth Prince is truly blessed. Just look at your complexion—it's even fairer and more radiant than before."

There was something deeper in those words.

If the Fourth Prince was blessed, then did that imply that the Third Princess wasn't, leading to Fang Xiurong's difficult labor and poor health?

Right from the start, the Empress's words carried barbs, making Ye Yun's eyes grow cold.

She smiled faintly, "Your Majesty overpraises me. Perhaps it's just my good fortune for surviving a near-death experience. That night when Zhao Chun Pavilion was disturbed by a snake, I was terrified. I don't dare wish for such fortune again in the future."

As she spoke, she stared directly into the Empress's eyes, not missing a single flicker.

The Empress looked at her for a moment, then after a while, slightly lowered her gaze and curled her lips.