Dear readers,
Thank you for your patience. I deeply appreciate your support for my book — it truly means the world to me. I would be so grateful if you could leave a comment, a review, or even gift a power stone!
Soon, Yulan came out, with Lánxīn following closely behind her. She walked towards Emperor Xiang Longwei and Empress Qing and respectfully bowed.
"Your Majesty, this servant has checked — there is no such scar on Mei Guiren's servant, Lánxīn," Yulan reported.
"Alright," the emperor said. "Then we shall wait for Yurou to come first."
Just then, Imperial Physician Li emerged from the room and approached the emperor and empress. He bowed deeply.
"Your Majesties," he said, "Yang Guiren's pregnancy can still be saved, so long as she is properly cared for. But if an incident like this happens again, it could cost her the child. Everything she eats must be carefully checked. I will write a list of things she must avoid."
"You have done well, Imperial Physician Li. You shall be rewarded," Emperor Xiang Longwei said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It is the duty of this servant," Imperial Physician Li said before bowing once more and taking his leave.
Soon after, Yurou arrived. She stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesties, this servant has checked both of Mei Guiren's maids. Neither of them bears a scar at the back of their necks."
Upon hearing this, Sùqín was shocked.
"Your Majesty, perhaps I saw wrong," Sùqín stammered, "but this servant is certain it was Mei Guiren who ordered me."
Mei Liang turned to Sùqín, her voice cold. "And how can you be so sure that I was the one who gave the order? Have you considered that someone might have used my name to deceive you?
And exactly how did I order you to harm Yang Cairen's child?" Mei Liang questioned sharply. "And why would you obey? Yang Cairen was ranked higher than I was. Had you remained loyal to her, wouldn't you have gained more?"
Sùqín finally bowed her head low and confessed, "Your Majesty, it was not just the money that made me agree. Mei Guiren threatened me. She caught me having an affair with a palace guard and threatened to report it to the empress if I refused her orders."
In the palace, it was strictly forbidden for a maidservant and a guard to have a relationship.
"And who was this palace guard you were involved with?" Mei Liang pressed.
"It was Shen An, a guard from Wen Fei Palace," Sùqín whispered.
Upon hearing her palace's name mentioned, Wen Fei immediately stepped forward. She knelt before the emperor and empress.
"Your Majesties, this concubine truly did not know that a guard from my palace was having an affair with Yang Cairen's maid."
The emperor's gaze softened slightly. "Zhen knows you best, Wen Fei. You are straightforward. Had you discovered this, you would surely have reported it to the empress.
Hui Guifei couldn't help but grit her teeth in frustration.
Wen Fei... She was the daughter of the emperor's teacher back when his majesty was still a lowly prince. And he is also the Minister Of Rite.
At that time, the emperor had been out of favor with the previous ruler. It was Wen Fei's father who helped him ascend the throne — the man who made him what he was today.
If Xian Guifei was the most favored among the consorts now, then Wen Fei was the one the emperor trusted the most in the entire harem.
Hearing the emperor's words, Wen Fei finally rose from the floor. She bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust," before stepping aside.
Soon, Shen An, the palace guard, was summoned.
When he heard the summons, he turned pale.
Standing in front of the emperor, and seeing Sùqín disheveled, her clothes stained with blood, the guard's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. There was only one thought in his mind: Their affair had been exposed.
Trembling slightly, he bowed low and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress. May you live ten thousand years in peace." Then he greeted the imperial concubines present.
The empress's eyes were cold as she turned to Shen An.
"Sùqín, the maidservant of Yang Cairen, has confessed that you two were having an affair within the palace. Is this true?" Empress Qing asked, her voice sharp.
"Yes, Your Majesty... it is true. Please forgive this humble servant," Shen An said, his voice quivering.
The empress didn't let him catch his breath. "And did you also know she attempted to harm the child of her mistress?" she asked, her tone even colder.
Shen An's body stiffened.
He looked up in horror.
Harming an imperial heir — how could Sùqín dare?!
"Your Majesty, I swear I knew nothing of that!" Shen An hurriedly said. "But... about half a month ago, Sùqín told me she was given leave. During that time, she somehow obtained a quantity of Szechuan Lovage Root. When I asked her about it, she said it was for personal use... but..." Shen An hesitated, then added nervously, "That herb is extremely expensive. I don't believe she could afford it."
The empress's expression darkened.
"You said she was given leave?" Empress Qing questioned sharply.
Shen An nodded. "That is what she told this servant, Your Majesty."
Empress Qing's gaze swept coldly over Yang Cairen's remaining maidservants.
"Was Sùqín given leave this past month?" she asked.
The maids dropped to their knees at once.
"Reporting to Your Majesty," one said, trembling, "Sùqín never left the palace. There is no record of any leave."
Empress Qing's expression darkened.
"So she lied," she said coldly. "She never left, yet she received Szechuan Lovage Root."
The emperor's eyes turned frosty, the hall falling into heavy silence.
"Continue the investigation," Emperor Xiang Longwei commanded. "Find the real culprit."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Empress Qing replied sharply.
So Sùqín had lied!
Sùqín, who had been kneeling on the floor, suddenly let out a desperate scream.
She lunged toward Shen An, her fingers clawing at him in madness.
"How could you betray me?!" she shrieked. "I did everything for you!"
Chaos broke out.
Several eunuchs rushed forward, grabbing Sùqín and pinning her down.
"Take her outside," Empress Qing commanded coldly. "Beat her until she confesses who instructed her!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The eunuchs dragged Sùqín out of the hall, her screams echoing behind her.
The empress's face was grim as she turned to Yurou and Yulan.
"Search Mei Guiren's palace thoroughly. Look for any traces of Szechuan Lovage Root."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" they answered swiftly.
Just as the two were about to leave, Mei Liang stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty," Mei Liang said calmly, "I believe it would be wise to search everyone's palace. If the true culprit catches wind of this, they might destroy the evidence before we find it."
Although Empress Qing didn't want to entertain Mei Liang's suggestion, with the emperor present, she had no choice.
"Very well," she said curtly.
The search began.
Before long, Yurou and Yulan returned — each carrying a cloth bag heavy with Szechuan Lovage Root flowers.
"Your Majesty, we have found the Szechuan Lovage Root, but it wasn't in Mei Guiren's palace," Yurou said, kneeling.
The hall fell into a heavy silence.
The empress and imperial concubines face turned grim.
If not Mei Guiren...
Then who?