Chapter 247: Chapter 247

She didn’t speak or make any noise, as if she were dead.

Yes, as if she were dead.

She was like floating grass without a branch to cling to, drifting with the wind, fading with the rain.

On Jun Ning’s side, by the time she remembered the young beggar, it was already nighttime.

The entire National Guardian General Mansion was flooded, and General Qi Qin was leading people in scooping out the water. Although Jun Ning couldn’t do any physical work, she wasn’t idle. She sat on a very sturdy stool in the rain, rolling up her sleeves to cheer them on.

"Come on... come on..."

She kept shouting words of encouragement.

The household soldiers and house servants didn’t understand what the princess meant by her cheers, but seeing her shouting with such effort and enthusiasm gave them a lot of energy to work.

Jun Ning shouted all day until her throat was smoking.

Fortunately, her efforts were not in vain. Within the day, the group collectively managed to clear the rainwater from the courtyard.

During dinner, Mistress Qi saw her shouting all day and how tired she was, so she kept adding meat to her bowl, wanting her to eat more.

As Jun Ning was eating, she suddenly remembered the young beggar who had been following her closely recently.

The weather hadn’t been good these past two days, and she didn’t know how the beggar was doing.

Jun Ning put down her bowl and chopsticks and looked at Nanny Zhang standing behind her, "...Nanny Zhang, could you go and see if that young beggar is still at the gate?"

Nanny Zhang went to check and quickly returned with her report.

Her complexion wasn’t good, and when she returned to Jun Ning’s side, she didn’t immediately report the situation of the young beggar. She hesitated, and her expression looked troubled.

"Nanny Zhang..." Jun Ning called when she saw her standing silent for a long time.

"Ah?" Nanny Zhang snapped out of it, "Princess, what’s the matter?"

Jun Ning asked in return, "You tell me, what’s the matter?"

"Oh..." Nanny Zhang replied with a grave expression, "This old servant just went outside to look. That young beggar is still there, hasn’t left. And also... and also..."

Nanny Zhang mumbled, and after a long pause, failed to complete her sentence.

Jun Ning sensed something was wrong, "Could it be that something happened to the young beggar?"

Thinking of this, she lost her appetite.

She hurriedly stood up and rushed out towards the entrance of the National Guardian General Mansion.

Qi Qin and Mistress Qi, seeing Jun Ning abruptly getting up during a meal, were very worried about her and also put down their bowls and chopsticks to follow her.

When Jun Ning saw the young beggar sitting motionless by the wall, her face pale like a corpse, her heart sank.

How could this happen?

What’s wrong with her?

The thought almost made Jun Ning stumble and fall.

She couldn’t help but think, if she had agreed to take in the young beggar earlier, or hadn’t forgotten about her in such heavy rain and had sent someone to check her condition in time, wouldn’t she be now?

Her moment of hesitation led to such consequences.

That was a living, breathing human life!

Looking at the young beggar’s miserable state not far away, Jun Ning neither dared to step forward to check nor could she bear to leave. She stood there, biting her lip, full of self-blame.

In the end, it was Nanny Zhang who went up to check on the young beggar.

When she came out to check earlier, she had only glanced briefly, without a careful look.

Now, she trembled as she put her hand under the young beggar’s nose to check her breath. After checking, she said, "Thank goodness, thank goodness..."

A hint of a smile appeared on Nanny Zhang’s originally grim face, "Your Highness, stop blaming yourself. She’s still alive, alive, not dead..."

"Really?" Upon hearing Nanny Zhang’s words, Jun Ning was immediately revitalized, "Quick, quickly carry her into the mansion, and immediately call the Imperial Physician. Have the Imperial Physician come and take a look."

Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-tiered pagoda.

This was another good deed, a chance to clear karmic debt.

General Qi and Mistress Qi were happy to oblige and help.

Seeing the little girl so anxious, they comforted her while also assisting with many things she couldn’t do due to her young age.

Qiong Hua brought a cooling sour plum drink to visit Emperor Yongning, her face carrying a slight smile.

After entering with Xiao Lizi, she carefully took out the sour plum drink and handed it to Emperor Yongning, "Your Majesty, I heard from Xiao Lizi that you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately and are in poor spirits because of Yi Yi sneaking out of the palace."

"I specially made you some sour plum drink. Would you like to try it?"

Qiong Hua looked at Emperor Yongning with a heartache.

Feelings between people are mutual.

Over the past year, Emperor Yongning had been very kind to Qiong Hua and her two sons. Since she left the Cold Palace, he never mentioned the mistakes she made when she was young and ignorant. Moreover, he always looked out for her when others brought up her past.

Although Qiong Hua knew that His Majesty treated her well because of his love for their daughter, she couldn’t help but deepen her feelings for him due to his kindness.

"Alright, I’ll try it." Emperor Yongning pinched his aching brow, picked up the bowl of sour plum drink.

Qiong Hua watched with satisfaction as Emperor Yongning drank the entire bowl of sour plum drink.

"Xiao Lizi said Yi Yi recently sent an Imperial Physician to the National Guardian General Mansion," Emperor Yongning expressed his concern, "I wonder what happened there?"

He sighed heavily, "Had I known that I would grant her the discretion to leave the palace at will without informing me or you, I would never have given her such authority."

Qiong Hua turned and walked behind Emperor Yongning, massaging his temples to soothe his agitated mood. Using an exceptionally gentle tone, she said, "Your Majesty needn’t worry too much; Yi Yi will be fine. If something had happened to her, General Qi would have come to the palace to report it by now."

"That’s true," Emperor Yongning agreed with Qiong Hua.

Just then, Qiong Hua couldn’t help but gag.

Hearing the sound, Emperor Yongning turned to inquire, "What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?"

With shy eyes, Qiong Hua remained silent. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥

"Qiong Hua, could it be that you’re pregnant again?"

Emperor Yongning had many sons; seeing Qiong Hua’s reaction, how could he not guess the reason?

Qiong Hua nodded, "The Imperial Physician has already checked. Yes, I am with child again; it’s been two months now."

Emperor Yongning was overjoyed, "Good, good, good... Reward..."

"Xiao Lizi, immediately draft an edict to promote Princess Consort Hua to Imperial Concubine Hua."

Emperor Yongning finally had the chance to fulfill the promise he made in the past.

After finding his beloved daughter, he would honor her mother as a concubine or empress.

"In addition, summon Princess Anle to the palace immediately." It’s best to share such joy with the family.