Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 43

"Where's Her Majesty?" Xiu Xin asked as she entered Qiwu Palace. She seemed to be in a hurry.

"In the Buddhist Prayer Room," answered a servant.

Hearing that, Xiu Xin nodded and went straight to the prayer room. A thread of smoke coiled around the room. The Empress knelt in front of a shrine as she mumbled sutras with her eyes closed.

Footsteps broke the silence of the room. But the Empress did not move, and continued tapping the Temple Block*.

(*TN: The temple block is a percussion instrument which is used in religious ceremonies.).

"Your Majesty, Princess Hui Guo returned to her Palace. " blurted Xiu Xin.

At the news, the Empress missed a beat and the Block trembled off-tune. A heartbeat later, the Temple Block hummed again, rhythmically. "Didn't she leave for treatment? Why has she returned now? "

"I followed a eunuch from Qingxin Palace. Then I saw Qin Meng on a stretcher," continued Xiu Xin. "Later, I heard that Prince Jing had her legs broken for being a trespasser."

A thump echoed off the walls before the Temple Block went silent. After a long pause, the Empress asked, "What? He broke her legs? "

"That is correct, Your Majesty. The servants at Qingxin Palace said so," answered Xiu Xin.

"Damn it!" In her rage, the Empress threw the wooden mallet to the ground. Then she jumped up, and fulminated. "Get to the bottom of this incident! It took me so many years to arrange these things. How can my efforts be in vain?"

Xiu Xin nodded and left hurriedly.

Silence returned to the room. After a few minutes, the Empress thought aloud. "I have nothing against you, but you always spoil my plans. I won't tolerate you anymore."

At the Qingxin Palace, Imperial Physicians were busy in the maid's room. Yun Shang paced anxiously in the courtyard where Qin Meng lived. Seeing a physician came out, she asked him, "How are her legs?"

"I'm afraid they won't heal completely. Her bones are broken in too many places." The Imperial Physician shook his head and sighed. "We tried our best to set her bones. Perhaps she will walk after several months. I cannot be sure. Even if she does, your maid will always have a limp. Sadly, she will not be able to carry out her previous duties nor take long walks."

"It's my fault taking her to his mansion. Please try your best, doctor."

"Of course I will," nodded the Imperial Physician.

Yun Shang walked past the physician and entered Qin Meng's room. The maid was unconscious. Yun Shang frowned at the massive bloodstain on her bed. She must be in a lot of pain, the Princess thought.

Yun Shang stood by the bed and looked at the maid for a long time before returning to the main hall.