WBSGVS Chapter 190 V1

Nanny Dai knelt and begged for mercy. Qingli didn’t make a scene—she simply made her recite a Buddhist scripture.

“Kneel in front of my mother’s memorial tablet for half an hour and keep chanting this sutra. If my mother is satisfied, everything will be fine.”

How could Nanny Dai possibly refuse?

She immediately forced a smile. “Yes, thank you, Princess, for pleading on my behalf. May I ask, which sutra is this?”

“The Rebirth Sutra,” Qingli replied calmly.

Nanny Dai instantly fell silent. She walked to the memorial tablet, knelt respectfully, kowtowed three times, then clasped her hands and began softly reciting the sutra.

As she continued chanting, she felt a little more strength return to her limbs. Her brows relaxed, and her recitation became even more sincere.

Qingli glanced at the brazier nearby. Everything that needed to be burned had long since turned to ash, but the faint smell lingered in the air.

Nanny Dai’s weakness was caused by the drug Qingli had given her. The first dose was hidden under her fingernails; the second time, it was simpler—Qingli just added it to one of the dishes after she had finished eating. Nanny Dai and the others always ate their leftovers, so the drug took effect as planned.

Baizhu and Xiling had later touched the antidote during contact with Qingli, so they were fine. Nanny Dai, however, had not—and the drug took effect in the middle of the night.

It was a powerful drug that damaged muscle tissue in the limbs. The full effects lasted three hours, fading by dawn, but the lingering aftereffects included prolonged weakness, soreness, and bruising as if the muscles had been beaten.

In other words, the side effects were severe.

The scent now lingering in the room was from a calming incense. It helped clear the mind and, along with the placebo effect, made Nanny Dai feel a little stronger.

Qingli lowered her head and continued reading, silently mouthing complex spell incantations. As she listened to Nanny Dai chanting the Rebirth Sutra in the background, she idly wondered—was she gifted at putting on this ghostly, spiritual act?

She had told Nanny Dai to recite the sutra for an hour, but the old woman kept going for two. Only when it was almost mealtime did she finally get up and leave for the imperial kitchen.

Nanny Dai held a slightly higher status than Xiling and had some connections. This time, with the intention of currying favor, she managed to bring back dishes the original host hadn’t tasted since she was five—some meat, and even a bowl of fragrant mushroom soup.

Sima Yan’s eyes went wide. The little guy had never seen such luxurious food and stared without blinking.

Qingli, who had seen such things before, would normally be unfazed. But staying in character as the original host, she showed a hint of delight.

Seeing this, Nanny Dai breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, “Your Highnesses, I don’t have much authority, so this is the best I could manage for now. When I get another chance, I’ll bring more good food.”

Although she had compromised, she never once mentioned getting them out of the Cold Palace.

The Emperor had forgotten them. No one else would bring them up. Even if they hadn’t done anything wrong, without the Emperor’s permission, they’d remain confined in the palace. As long as they were out of sight, Nanny Dai wouldn’t be blamed by Consort Shu.

Qingli acted as if she didn’t notice the omission. She served a bowl of soup to Sima Yan, then turned to Nanny Dai and said, “Thank you, Nanny. But you should check on Xiling. I think something might be wrong with her.”

Nanny Dai’s heart skipped a beat. Between reciting the sutra and fetching food, she hadn’t returned to check on Xiling at all and had completely forgotten about her. Hearing this, she quickly nodded and rushed out.

She entered Xiling’s room and immediately saw her lying on the bed, her face flushed, lips cracked, and deeply asleep.

Nanny Dai’s expression changed. She reached out to feel her forehead—burning hot.

She was running a high fever.

But how had the princess known?

The thought popped into her head, but she quickly reasoned it out: if the princess could see Lady Bai’s spirit, then Lady Bai must have told her. After all, she and Xiling had shared a room the previous night.

Normally, Nanny Dai would have looked down on her for being weak. But now, of the three palace maids, only Baizhu had escaped punishment for not mistreating the young royals. Xiling and she had suffered plenty already. If Xiling died, Nanny Dai would be the only one left to bear the brunt.

Tightly pressing her lips together, she returned to the main hall, curtsied slightly, and reported, “Princess, Xiling was frightened last night and now has a high fever. She’s delirious. I would like to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to get her some medicine.”

Qingli smiled and nodded. “Go ahead. Oh, and bring me some medicine too. I need windchime grass, fufang vine…” She listed more than a dozen herbs.

Nanny Dai blinked in disbelief, and when Qingli finally stopped, she pulled a bitter face. “Your Highness, you’re putting me in a tough spot. I’m just a palace maid—how can I get all those?”

Qingli’s face darkened. “But my mother specifically said she wanted these. If you can’t get them, then what’s the point of keeping you around?”

Nanny Dai’s eye twitched. Now she understood—how could a princess who had never left the Cold Palace know the names of such specific herbs? Of course! Her mother’s spirit told her!

Did Lady Bai not even plan to reincarnate? Even as a ghost, she still clung to her children?

Having figured it out, Nanny Dai quickly smiled again. “Ah, it was my fault. I’ll do everything I can to get them.”

Qingli finally smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Nanny.”

It was as if the stern-faced girl from a moment ago had never existed.

Nanny Dai was rattled but said nothing. She nodded and left.

When she arrived at the Imperial Medical Bureau, she found a familiar apprentice and asked for the medicine. While she was at it, she inquired about the herbs Qingli had listed.

She was still suspicious—what if the ghostly nightmares were the work of this clever little girl? If so, she needed to be taught a lesson.

But the apprentice said, “These are all for nourishing the body and enriching the blood—nothing dangerous.”

Nanny Dai was disappointed.

So, it was a ghost after all?

Just the memory of that experience made her hair stand on end. She shivered, then quietly begged the apprentice for the herbs and left.

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