The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 149 & 150 - Palace Alliances

Bai Pin glanced at Baizhi, looking pleased with her, as if she were a promising student.

Baizhi noticed Bai Pin's approving gaze and quickly pointed to the blooming osmanthus flowers in an attempt to curry favor. "Look, my lady, those osmanthus flowers are truly beautiful. If we transplant a few trees to our palace, you could enjoy them from the comfort of your hall."

Bai Pin laughed, casting a satisfied glance at Yuebai. "You have a sharp eye. Go have the servants from the greenhouse take care of it."

"Yes, my lady!"

The two of them enjoyed admiring the flowers together, but back in the grove, as soon as Bai Pin walked away, Ming Changzai and Pei'er both collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down their faces.

"My lady, are you alright?" Pei'er asked.

Ming Changzai, crying, shook her head, then nodded after a moment. "My knee hurts terribly, and I think this branch injured my leg here," she said, pointing to the other side of her leg.

Pei'er glanced around. Although no one was nearby, it wasn't appropriate to lift her mistress's dress in broad daylight in the garden. She steadied Ming Changzai and said, "My lady, let's hurry back. I'll tend to your injuries there."

"Yes, let's go."

Ming Changzai dried her tears and limped back toward her courtyard. Oddly, although they usually encountered palace servants along the way, today there was no one in sight.

As they neared her door, someone suddenly emerged from the shadows, startling both Ming Changzai and Pei'er.

"Ye Guiren? What are you doing here?" Ming Changzai asked.

"I was worried you might be in trouble, so I came to check on you."

Though Ye Guiren's words sounded caring, Ming Changzai felt little gratitude. If Ye Guiren truly cared, she wouldn't have let Bai Pin take her away so easily. Why show up now pretending to be kind?

Ye Guiren wasn't foolish and could see what Ming Changzai was thinking. She sighed and explained, "Compared to you, I am even more isolated in the palace. So, I didn't dare confront Bai Pin."

She spoke the truth, with not a hint of pretense, which made Ming Changzai suddenly understand her predicament.

After some thought, she decided not to make an enemy of Ye Guiren. "Thank you, Sister Ye. Your concern is deeply appreciated," she replied.

The name Han Zhi, her given name, was something Ming Changzai hadn't shared with anyone since entering the palace. Telling it to Ye Guiren now was her way of extending goodwill.

Ye Guiren understood the gesture and, smiling, took Ming Changzai's other arm to help support her. "I brought some medicine. It may not be valuable, but it's quite effective. I'll apply it for you."

Seeking a physician might draw unwanted attention to the incident, and her own quarters only had red ointment for minor scrapes. For bruises and joint injuries, it wouldn't be sufficient. So, Ye Guiren's medicine was timely.

Back in the main room, Ming Changzai sat down on a round stool. Pei'er quickly fetched hot water, while Ye Guiren gently rolled up Ming Changzai's pant leg to examine her injury.

The sight shocked her—Ming Changzai's kneecap was severely swollen, with a large bruise where Bai Pin had kicked her. Bai Pin had certainly aimed for a sensitive spot; with this injury, Ming Changzai wouldn't be able to dance for at least two months. Dancing had been her means of gaining favor, and this incident could derail that path entirely.