The imperial physician knelt down in fear and trepidation.

Consort Que, Consort Hui, and the others were still shaken. They stared intently at the imperial physician and the spices on the tray, wondering to themselves what kind of incense it was that was so overpowering.

Just now, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the imperial physician lost his mind after only smelling it.

It's unimaginable how much damage such incense would do to the Emperor's health if he went to Consort Ji's palace and she had the palace servants burn it.

No wonder the Emperor suddenly showed such favor to Consort Ji.

Xu Lejin looked at the imperial physician with a serious expression.

With lowered head and bowed, the imperial physician knelt respectfully on the ground, carefully choosing his words, and said in a respectful voice, "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort, and all Your Highnesses, this is a highly potent aphrodisiac incense. It has the effect of bewitching the mind. If used for a long time..."

Xu Lejin frowned deeply.

Consort Que and Consort Duan lowered their heads in deep thought, while Consort Hui pressed on, "What will happen if it's used long-term?"

"Your Majesty, long-term use can lead to addiction, making it difficult to quit."

The imperial physician steeled himself and spoke in a low voice.

The concubines in the harem all looked surprised, staring at Consort Ji in shock and astonishment. Several of the concubines who were on good terms with Consort Ji were filled with lingering fear, afraid that they might be implicated if they were not careful.

Heaven knows, seeing that Consort Ji was favored, they were all eager to curry favor with her.

After a cup of tea

Xu Lejin stared at Consort Ji with a serious expression and said coldly, "Consort Ji, now that the evidence is overwhelming, what else do you have to say?"

"His Majesty is of inestimable health. You harmed His Majesty's body with aphrodisiac incense and practiced witchcraft in the palace. What is your punishment?"

"Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort..."

Consort Ji raised her head and gave a sorrowful smile. "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort, I did indeed practice witchcraft, cursing Your Highness and all the other consorts."

"I used aphrodisiac incense to seduce Your Majesty."

After a pause, Consort Ji continued, "This concubine confesses without reservation, but Your Highness, how much can you do to this concubine?"

"I am currently pregnant with the emperor's child; the imperial heir is of utmost importance."

After speaking, Consort Ji looked arrogant, supporting her waist and showing off her still-unprecedented belly.

Xu Lejin paused for a moment, exchanged a glance with Consort Que, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Imperial Physician, take Consort Ji's pulse. I want to see if Consort Ji is truly pregnant."

"yes,"

The imperial physician respectfully agreed and knelt down to take Consort Ji's pulse.

Consort Duan sighed softly and lowered her head, remaining silent.

Consort Hui's eyes darted around as she looked at Xu Lejin and Consort Que. "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort, Your Highness, even though Consort Ji is pregnant, harming His Majesty's health and practicing witchcraft..."

“To punish both crimes together is a serious offense, and even the extermination of nine generations of one’s family would not be too much.”

Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin said in a deep voice, "I naturally know this, but if Consort Ji is indeed pregnant, the imperial heir is of utmost importance, and I must report this to the Emperor so that he can make a decision on this matter."

"Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort..."

Consort Hui exclaimed in surprise, clearly not wanting Consort Ji to escape this calamity.

After a short while, large beads of sweat dripped from the imperial physician's forehead, his face grave. "Your Highness, and all Your Highnesses, Consort Ji is indeed pregnant, and has been pregnant for a month and a half."

"、、"

Xu Lejin was stunned, looking at Consort Ji with a complicated expression.

No wonder Consort Ji acted so recklessly; it turns out she already knew Yu Xi was pregnant. That's why she confessed to the witchcraft and aphrodisiac incense today.

Things have become a bit tricky.

A moment later, Xu Lejin exchanged a glance with Consort Que and coldly ordered, "Guards, take Consort Ji back to Xianfu Palace. Without the Emperor's and my orders, Consort Ji is not to step out of Xianfu Palace."

After a pause, Xu Lejin continued speaking.

"No one other than the Emperor is allowed to visit Consort Ji."

Several palace maids stepped forward. Consort Ji hesitated for a moment, then quickly stepped aside, looked up at Xu Lejin, and said in a deep voice, "I am carrying the emperor's child, how dare you touch me?"

"Consort Ji, you..."

Xu Lejin looked at Consort Ji with anger and a complicated expression.

Consort Ji, her face full of arrogance, raised her voice and said, "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort, my death is not a pity, but the imperial heir in my womb and the crime of plotting to harm the imperial heir are not something Your Highness can bear."

Xu Lejin: "..."

Inside Yikun Palace, all was silent.

At this time

A sharp voice came from outside the hall: "If the Imperial Noble Consort cannot bear the crime of plotting to harm the imperial heir, can I?"

Consort Ji was stunned, a look of lingering fear flashing across her face.

Xu Lejin and the others were stunned for a moment, then hurriedly rose to greet Kangxi. Kangxi, with a stern face, ordered the concubines to rise, then glared angrily at Consort Ji and said coldly, "Witchcraft, aphrodisiacs, and disrespect for the Imperial Noble Consort!"

"Consort Ji, do you know your crime?"

Consort Ji panicked and immediately knelt down, saying in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I, I know my crime."

Xu Lejin shook her head, thinking to herself, "If I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?"

Consort Ji had been arrogant before, but out of consideration for the unborn child in Consort Ji's womb and the child's innocence, she intended to spare her for a while. She never expected Consort Ji...

Consort Ji was bewitched and threatened her with the imperial heir.

Now that the Emperor has arrived, Consort Ji is likely doomed...

With her head bowed and kneeling on the ground, Consort Ji raised her head and spoke with trepidation, "Your Majesty, I know my crime. Please, Your Majesty, consider the unborn child in my womb and forgive me this time."

"Oh,"

Kangxi sneered, his face darkening, and said, "Witchcraft and sorcery, aphrodisiacs, and insubordination—how can I forgive you?"

"The mere accusation of witchcraft is enough for me to exterminate your entire clan."

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