Chapter 332 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Gao Xiyue 22

After becoming a princess, she became part of the Fujin faction and didn't receive much favor. When the emperor ascended the throne, she was granted the title of Noble Lady with the help of the empress.

Therefore, all the concubines in the harem thought that her pregnancy would be raised by the Empress.

Consort Yi was initially reluctant, but under the persuasion of her family, she eventually agreed, since being raised by the Empress would elevate her status significantly.

This time, Consort Yi did not encounter a snake in Jingyang Palace. After all, if something happened in Jingyang Palace, Consort Yi would definitely be taken to Changchun Palace by the Empress.

Consort Yi's unborn child died in the womb. After the imperial physician induced the delivery of the imperial fetus, it was discovered that Consort Yi had been poisoned by mercury. The toxin was absorbed by the fetus, causing the unborn child to die in the womb.

The Emperor ordered the Empress and Gao Xiyue to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Changchun Palace —

All the concubines, including Consort Mei who was confined to Yonghe Palace and Consort Yi who was supposed to be pregnant, gathered here. Two imperial physicians stood in the center of the hall, and the atmosphere was unusually solemn.

The Empress spoke with a grave expression: "Your Majesty, Consort Yi's unborn child died in the womb due to mercury poisoning."

Subsequently, the Empress had Suwen present the charcoal ash to the Emperor for his perusal. The Emperor did not notice anything amiss, so the Empress then had Suwen present the charcoal ash to the imperial physician for examination.

The imperial physician examined the wound and reported, "Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress, these are all traces of cinnabar burned."

Another imperial physician explained, "Cinnabar contains mercury."

The Empress looked at the Emperor and said, "These are just minor matters. Consort Yi's unborn child is seriously poisoned and there are obvious signs of mercury ingestion."

Wan asked in confusion, "But how can you eat mercury out of thin air?"

The Queen replied, "The problem must lie in the diet."

The head eunuch in Changchun Palace mentioned that Consort Mei and Consort Yi both had a fondness for fish and shrimp during their pregnancies. He then showed the fish food to the two imperial physicians, who found that it indeed contained cinnabar.

Consort Mei rose and knelt on the ground, weeping as she pleaded, "Your Majesty, I am eight months pregnant. Why have I been so cruelly plotted against? I beg Your Majesty to do justice!"

Consort Yi was still very weak. Leaning back in her chair, she asked the Empress, holding back her tears.

"Since Your Majesty has investigated so thoroughly, please tell me who... is trying to harm my child!"

The Empress calmly said, "It's not just you; I also want to know if there are such insidious people in the harem."

"When I summoned you to Changchun Palace again, I had already ordered people to search all your chambers. I expect to hear back soon."

Gao Xiyue glanced at Jia Guiren, who had arranged everything and was waiting to see what would happen next.

She wasn't worried at all about being implicated, but unfortunately, things didn't go as she expected. Whoever made the move would have to bear the consequences.

Noble Lady Nara is in a much better state now, having been released from confinement. However, the Emperor only visits her once a month for a meal and then leaves, showing her the dignity befitting a concubine.

This was partly due to the fact that Consort Nara had been humiliated by a eunuch, since the events of that day had spread throughout the palace.

If she were framed and sent to the Cold Palace, the Emperor would definitely feel guilty towards her, which would not do.

When Su Yin entered the palace with the cinnabar and said that it was found in Zhen Shu's room in Qi Xiang Palace, Consort Jia completely lost her initial composure.

“…In Zhenshu’s room, I not only found cinnabar, but also some medical books and herbs, so Zhenshu is very likely a female physician.”

"Not only that, this servant also found the correspondence between Consort Jia and Prince Yu. Inside... let Your Majesty read it himself."