A food spoilage incident brought this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet to an abrupt end.

When Xiuning returned to Qixiang Palace, she was still somewhat dazed.

"Spring Rain, tell me, has such a thing ever happened at a grand banquet in the imperial palace?"

That's outrageous! What banquet ends without something else going on, like food spoiling? This is truly an unexpected and strange occurrence.

"My lord, do you think this matter will get out?"

Chunyu felt that the party was bound to end, and the dishes served were inedible. If she insisted on continuing the banquet, it wouldn't be right to let everyone just sit there and watch the singing and dancing.

However, Chunyu silently complained to herself that it was a bit hasty.

"It will definitely get out of control. With so many people, if each person says just one thing, the situation will get out of control."

Although Kangxi and others did not lose their temper at the banquet today, and even though they spoke calmly, their anger was no less than before.

"The Empress's newly acquired power in the palace will likely have to be handed over again."

Even if she doesn't hand it over, the Empress will have no face to continue ruling. The low-level mistakes made at this banquet were too big. Who would have thought that someone would cause trouble with the food?

"Hahahaha, this is exactly the effect I wanted. The Empress has always been very proud of herself, and she certainly wouldn't be wary of this aspect."

This gave Consort Shu an opportunity. As a modern person, Consort Shu knew all too well the dangers of food spoilage, and this hot season was the perfect time for her.

Inside the Yongshou Palace, Consort Shu lay on the bed, laughing heartily.

Hearing the news that Cuizhi brought back, it was as if the pent-up frustration in her heart had finally been released, and Consort Shu was overjoyed.

The Empress plotted against her, causing her to lose her child and ruin her health. Now she's only getting a small revenge; the real show is yet to come.

The expression on her face unconsciously turned ferocious. Consort Shu herself was unaware of it, but Cui Zhi, who was serving her, saw it clearly.

Feeling a lingering fear, Cuizhi took two steps back and brought the prepared medicine to her mistress, saying cautiously, "Your Majesty, the medicine has cooled down; it's time for you to take it."

Recently, the master's mood has become unpredictable. As his personal maid, Cuizhi is scolded almost every day. One can only imagine how the other palace servants in Yongshou Palace live.

"I won't drink it. Take it out and throw it away for me!"

Consort Shu frowned, as if she had thought of something, and a look of disgust appeared on her face.

"I've said it before, why take medicine if you're not sick?" Besides, who knows what harmful substances were added to this medicine, otherwise why would she have miscarried? It's all the Empress's conspiracy.

Her mindset became extreme, and Consort Shu became obsessed with the idea that her current situation was all caused by the Empress, and that as the mistress of Yongshou Palace, no one was restraining her words and actions.

Cuizhi saw this and was anxious, but her master wouldn't listen to her.

Thinking back to the two times she had tried to persuade her master to drink his medicine, only to have the medicine thrown on the ground, Cuizhi sighed and could only take the medicine to the door and hand it to the maid in charge.

"Remember not to throw it away, just keep it simmering in the small kitchen, and bring it up when the master wants to drink it."

After Cuizhi finished speaking earnestly, she looked even more haggard.

“Sister Cuizhi, our Empress’s medicine always runs out quickly. If this continues, we’re afraid we’ll have to go to the Imperial Hospital for a new prescription.”

The young palace maid muttered something under her breath, her eyes filled with worry.

They were always going to the Imperial Hospital, and these servants were never really sure what to do with it.

Moreover, as the imperial medical institution, the Imperial Medical Academy has always been one of the places with the most disputes.

The young palace maid was always on tenterhooks whenever she went there, afraid that she might accidentally fall into a trap, not only harming her master but also causing herself to suffer.

Cuizhi understood the little palace maid's concerns, but since her mistress had an unpredictable temper, the medicine basically spilled all over the ground before it even reached her mouth.

"It won't be long. The master is recovering well recently. You can bring two more palace servants with you when you go to get the medicine."

But you must keep a close eye on these medicinal herbs you bring back. Your master's health is always the top priority. Without your master, you know what will become of us servants, right?

As soon as Cuizhi finished speaking, the little palace maid involuntarily shrank back, clearly realizing something and feeling terrified.

"Don't worry, Sister Cuizhi, I will keep a close eye on things."

"Yes, go ahead. Master can't run out of medicine."

After watching the young palace maid leave, Cuizhi breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and returned to her room with a smile to continue serving Consort Shu.

...

The fact that the food had spoiled could not be kept secret from the previous dynasty and the common people.

The news spread through unknown channels, and soon various conspiracy theories arose one after another.

Even more so, this matter can be linked to the anti-Qing and restoration of the Ming dynasty.

After all, this was the early Qing Dynasty. Most of the anti-Qing and pro-Ming forces remained, and the Jiangnan region would frequently stage rebellions. The Qing Dynasty was plagued by internal power struggles and the need to maintain stability on the borders, making it seem less balanced and peaceful than in the later period.

Kunning Palace

"Your Majesty, this servant has come to retrieve the palace accounts on the orders of the Empress Dowager."

Sumalagu, accompanied by two palace maids, appeared before Heshelifangyi once again.

Unlike last time, the situation is reversed now.

Hesheli Fangyi was annoyed, but she still smiled calmly and turned to look at Tan Yun beside her, "Go and bring the accounts over."

Tan Yun responded with a "yes," and a moment later, a thick stack of accounts was handed to the two maids behind Su Mala Gu.

Having finished her business, Sumalagu had no reason to stay and simply took her leave.

Only Hesheli Fangyi's people remained in the main hall. Tanyun and Granny Li looked up at their mistress with trepidation, neither daring to speak.

"What, nothing to say?"

Hesheli Fangyi turned around, her gaze filled with anger.

The Empress Dowager is going too far; how could she act like this today?

They came in with great fanfare to take away her power in the palace. To put it bluntly, it was all because they wanted to take advantage of her misfortune during the banquet.

At this moment, Consort Hesheli Fangyi completely forgot that her palace power was merely handed over by the Empress Dowager, and when the time came (Consort Shu lost her child), the Empress Dowager would naturally take it back.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has found an opportunity, and we cannot refuse."

Li Mama was also outspoken. In the current situation, Kunning Palace was in the wrong, and even the Emperor had not come for several days, all of which were signs of dissatisfaction with the banquet.

Hesheli Fangyi was annoyed. "But the previous arrangements haven't been completed yet. Now that the Empress Dowager has made this move, I'm afraid everything will be in chaos."

She had initially planned it based on holidays, but who knew that the power in the palace wouldn't be secured so quickly.

"Find out who did it?"

Rubbing her temples, Hesheli Fangyi felt frustrated and had nowhere to vent her anger.