Chapter 31: Blessing or Curse?

Chang Yuniang had been applying the Jade Beauty Cream for two days. She observed herself closely in the bronze mirror, discovering that her previously dull complexion had not only become radiant but was also graced with a faint, healthy flush. Even the blemishes near her cheekbones had truly faded significantly. This sudden transformation put her in high spirits, and she decided to take a stroll in the courtyard. After all, everyone had been whispering behind her back these past few days, calling her dark and ugly. She was deeply resentful; she was over seven months pregnant, was it not natural to darken or look less appealing? Although she was not a peerless beauty like Lady Chen, she had been quite the charmer before.

The sun was pleasant, and the paths were filled with the fragrance of flowers. Chang Yuniang walked through the gardens of Cloud Dream Pavilion in a joyful mood. Suddenly, a swarm of bees came buzzing toward her. The bees seemed as if they had been instructed, flying directly at her.

"Heaven help me!" The maids shrieked and scattered, and she covered her face to shield herself, but the bees swarmed her hands and head, stinging relentlessly.

"Help! Help me..." Chang Yuniang shrieked hysterically. Perhaps everyone was too terrified by the sudden chaos, for no one moved to protect her. Stung several times on her hands, she wailed and flailed her arms, trying to drive the hateful bees away. Yet, more bees arrived; the moment she moved her arms, several more stung her face viciously. The bees were incredibly fast, and unable to dodge them in time, she was stung all over her head and face, her screams of pain piercing the air. Only then did the maids and matrons come to their senses, working together to drive the bees away and carry her back to her bedchamber.

Chang Yuniang’s face was swollen almost beyond recognition. Fortunately, the estate physician confirmed the fetus was unharmed, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. While checking her pulse, the physician’s expression shifted several times. After much hesitation, he decided to report to the Empress Dowager, stating that he had discovered residual toxins in Lady Chang’s body—a discovery that might not have been made had it not been for the bee attack.

The Empress Dowager’s brows knit together upon hearing this. Knowing the gravity of the situation, she immediately ordered the physician to keep it secret and to do everything in his power to treat her. Meanwhile, she began to quietly calculate who could have poisoned her. When Zhao Shenxing heard the news, his expression turned grave.

He had heard from the physician that the Jade Beauty Cream contained honey, and Chang Yuniang’s stings were concentrated on her face and head. Could it truly be Chen Qinghe’s doing? Zhao Shenxing could hardly believe it. "Mother, what do you think?"

The Empress Dowager’s gaze was dark as she spoke slowly, "Though Lady Chang is prone to competing for favor, to poison her is far too ruthless. Setting aside the origin of the toxin, I will not tolerate any attempt on a royal heir. The child in her womb must not suffer the slightest harm."

Zhao Shenxing pondered for a moment and nodded. "Then we shall follow your wishes, Mother. I will order my most skilled men to investigate in secret and simultaneously increase security for Lady Chang and all the courtyards to ensure no further mishaps occur."

In Cloud Dream Pavilion, Chang Yuniang endured the swelling and pain to say to the visiting Chen Qinghe, "Sister, look at this disgraceful state I am in. I fear even the Prince will be frightened by me!"

*More than disgraceful, she looks more terrifying than a ghost!* Chen Qinghe thought, wondering if the Prince would have nightmares if he ever grew intimate with her again. Despite these thoughts, her gentle gaze remained as warm as ever.

"Yuniang, do not say such things. Cloud Dream Pavilion is full of flowers; bees are expected. Fortunately, the child is safe—that is the greatest mercy in this misfortune. Sister, you must not go out again. Just rest and recover for these few days."

"Hehe, it is truly touching to have a sister so concerned for me." Chang Yuniang gripped her bedsheets tightly, a flash of unseen sharpness in her eyes.

The smile on Chen Qinghe’s face faltered slightly. "Sister, do you mean... that I am not sincere?"

Chang Yuniang’s face, swollen like a steamed bun, squeezed her red, puffy eyes into mere slits. She looked grotesque and hideous. "The physician said there was the scent of honey in the Jade Beauty Cream. Whether you are sincere or not, Sister, you know in your heart."

Chen Qinghe’s expression changed instantly. "The Jade Beauty Cream is something I have used since childhood. As for the honey, I truly had no idea. This cream was requested by you, Sister; how could I dare to harm you in front of the Prince?" As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face. "I acted out of kindness and caused only harm. Had I known this would happen, I would never have given it to you, and I would not have to endure such slander..."

Even if it contained honey, one could not deny the cream’s effectiveness in beautifying and removing blemishes. Looking at her weeping like a pear blossom in the rain, Chang Yuniang suddenly felt a surge of irritation. *Could it be that the cream wasn't the cause?* If she insisted on this accusation and was unable to request the cream in the future, it would be a loss.

"Alright, alright, Sister, stop crying. I only said there was honey in the cream; I did not mean to blame you."

Chen Qinghe wiped her tears, turning her sobs into a smile. "As long as you do not blame me, I am relieved. It is getting late, and I should return. Rest well and try not to overthink things."

As soon as she turned away, Chen Qinghe pursed her pink lips into a triumphant smile. Only half a box of the cream remained, and she had personally gone to request it—was she truly innocent of any tampering? Watching Chen Qinghe’s departing back, Chang Yuniang suddenly felt uncertain.

Xiao Yunjie was currently in charge of the household affairs, and with such an incident occurring, she could not sit idly by. After visiting Chang Yuniang, she said coldly, "Focus on protecting your pregnancy. As for those who are restless, I will find a way to deal with them."

Chang Yuniang lay on her bed, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. Her heart was a jumble of emotions; she could not tell if this was an unexpected disaster or a deliberate act. Although her face had been ruined by the bees, she was at least comforted by the fact that Zhao Shenxing and the Empress Dowager continued to send people to check on her.

Inside Tingyu Pavilion, Chen Qinghe whispered to her maid, Qingting. "Miss, did you really not..." Qingting hesitated, clearly wary of the rumors circulating in the estate.

"I am the one who gave her the cream. If I had truly done such a thing, would I not be lifting a rock only to drop it on my own feet?" Chen Qinghe shook her head with a sigh.

As the sun set, Zhao Shenxing and Chen Qinghe walked hand in hand through the courtyard. "Qinghe, who do you think has the audacity to poison Yuniang?" Zhao Shenxing asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with exhaustion.

Chen Qinghe stopped and looked up at the distant clouds. "The day she asked for the cream, you saw it yourself, Prince. Qingting gave her the half-box I had not finished. Do you mean... that there was a problem with the cream?"

If it wasn't the cream, why would the bees have targeted her alone? That was exactly what Zhao Shenxing was thinking, but seeing how understanding Qinghe appeared, he could only squeeze her hand. "Do not misunderstand. I only thought it was a coincidence; I did not mean it that way."

Chen Qinghe smiled like a flower. As long as there was no evidence, no one could blame her!

In Xiao Yunjie’s chamber, a mysterious figure in black slipped inside and whispered a few words to her. In the study, the candlelight flickered. For once, Zhao Shenxing had not stayed in the rear courtyards; he was staring at an album of paintings when, suddenly, the sound of light footsteps approached.

"Prince, I have a matter I wish to discuss with you in private."

Zhao Shenxing looked up to see Xiao Yunjie approaching gracefully, the warmth in her eyes unlike anything he had seen before.