The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 339 - The Third Prince Pushed Her

Upon hearing the news, Fang Yun stood up abruptly.

"What happened? How could she get hurt with so many people watching?"

"The Princess was running too fast, and we couldn't keep up..." the maid stammered.

"Your Highness! Please slow down!"

Ignoring the maid's words, Fang Yun lifted her skirt and hurried out.

Qingrong and Yanwei followed closely behind.

Seeing Fang Yun rise, Pei Yao's heart tightened. He immediately stood and followed her outside.

With her departure, no one else dared remain seated, especially Jin Pin, who loved children and worried about the First Prince. She quickly followed Pei Yao, even faster than the Empress.

Fortunately, the servants were already bringing the princes and princesses back. They met halfway.

Yuanhe carried the Second Princess, who was crying heavily, her left forehead bleeding and dirtying her hair and clothes.

"Mother... Mother..." the Second Princess sobbed louder upon seeing Fang Yun, coughing between cries.

Her daughter, recently saved from smallpox, was now injured again. Fang Yun's heart ached as she took the child and comforted her softly.

"Get the physician immediately!" Pei Yao commanded sternly.

Yuanhe responded, "We've already sent for Physician Zeng. He'll be here soon."

They returned to a side hall to wait for the physician.

Yang Fei, arriving late, saw the group returning.

Before she could ask, the nurse brought the Third Prince over.

"Mother, flower," the Third Prince said, holding a torn rose.

Yang Fei glanced at it with disdain, brushing it away with her handkerchief.

"Take him to wash up. What a mess."

Seeing the flower discarded, the Third Prince's eyes reddened, ready to cry.

But Yang Fei followed the group, leaving only the nurse to comfort him gently.

Meanwhile, Pei Yao had intended to carry the Second Princess, worried Fang Yun might struggle with her weight. Yet, despite her delicate appearance, Fang Yun carried the child steadily back to the side hall without stumbling.

After placing the child on a small couch, she staggered.

"Careful," Pei Yao steadied her. "The physician will arrive soon. Don't worry too much."

Fang Yun nodded, then turned to Yuanhe.

"What happened? So many of you were watching her!"

Rarely losing her temper, Fang Yun's anger was evident.

Yuanhe knelt, "Forgive me, Your Highness. The children were chasing butterflies and scattered. We couldn't keep up. They gathered at the rose garden, and suddenly, the Princess fell."

It was understandable.

Children, especially of noble birth, often didn't heed servants' warnings while playing. The servants couldn't chase them all the time.

"Maybe she slipped?" He Lingyi suggested.

The Empress frowned and turned to the First Prince.

"First Prince, you were playing with your sister. Did you see how she fell?"

Jin Pin brought her son forward. "The Empress is asking. Did you see?"

The First Prince looked at Jin Pin and the Empress, then shook his head.

"No, we were picking roses. The Second Princess picked a flower, then suddenly fell."

"So, she might have slipped. The rose garden is paved with pebbles, which can be slippery," Jin Pin said.

Fang Yun frowned but said nothing. With young children playing, no one suspected foul play.

Just then, a young girl's voice came from the crowd.

"I saw it. The Third Prince pushed Wan'er."

Everyone turned to see Lady Jingyi, holding Princess Consort Dun's hand.

Yang Fei immediately protested.

"The Third Prince is only two and a half. How could he push her? The Second Princess is a year older. You must have seen it wrong."

"I didn't see wrong!" Lady Jingyi insisted.

Princess Consort Dun frowned, looking at her daughter.

"Jingyi, did you really see? Don't lie."

Involving two imperial offspring and their respective consorts, known for their rivalry, was serious.

As Princess Consort Dun questioned her, Fang Yun's gaze also settled on Lady Jingyi.

Seeing the child's hesitation, Fang Yun approached her slowly and gently.

"Lady Jingyi, just tell us what you saw. Your Imperial Uncle and I won't blame you."

Fang Yun turned to Pei Yao, who softened his expression and nodded.

Encouraged, Lady Jingyi recounted what she had seen.

The children were playing hide and seek near the rose garden. After a bout of running, they decided to pick flowers to give to their mothers.

The Third Prince, being the youngest, couldn't reach the flowers. The Second Princess wasn't much better, so the six-year-old Lady Jingyi and the First Prince helped them.

The Second Princess, with her flower in hand, claimed hers was the prettiest and that her mother was the most beautiful.

The Third Prince asked for her flower, but she refused and walked away.

The Third Prince, following her, pushed her forcefully.

The Second Princess fell and hit her head on the flowerbed, resulting in her injury.

The First Prince, walking ahead, didn't see, but Lady Jingyi, walking alongside the Second Princess, did.

Lady Jingyi's clear recounting of events gave everyone a clear picture.

Yang Fei's face turned grim. She realized the flower her son had handed her was likely taken from the Second Princess.

Feeling irritated, Yang Fei stepped forward to apologize.

"Your Majesty, please forgive the Third Prince. He's too young to understand danger. He must have accidentally pushed the Second Princess while trying to hold onto her. He's only two and a half; he couldn't have meant any harm."