Chapter 320 Zhu Zhenzhen Reaps What She Sows

Lianye's words made Madam Zhu blush with embarrassment. She was only trying to secure the best interests for her daughter, which was why she hadn't prioritized her daughter's well-being.

Lianye had served the Crown Princess during her postpartum confinement for over a month, so she naturally knew what details to pay attention to and what to say at this time.

Jiang Fenghua said to Lianye, "Madam Zhu has also given birth to children, how could she not understand this? Why do you, a little maid, have to be so talkative? I told you to deliver the quilt, so just deliver the quilt. Now get out of here."

I'll just add a comment to her: "Madam Zhu is also a mother; how could she not understand what it truly means to care for her child?" The Zhu family's concern for only the imperial heir is utterly despicable.

"Yes, I only wanted to care for Consort Zhu because I saw that she was dressed so lightly. I know I was wrong." After saying that, she politely stepped aside.

The master and servant's back-and-forth banter made Madam Zhu look bad.

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Fenghua bowed to Xie Shang and explained, "Your Majesty, I do indeed have the imperial physicians treat the ladies' bodies every day with mild and nourishing medicinal meals. This matter can be questioned by the serving nannies and the imperial physicians. I also have the nannies record the ladies' menstrual cycles every month. This matter can be thoroughly investigated. If anyone is found to have falsified information, I will certainly not let them off lightly."

Xie Shang knew it had nothing to do with Jiang Fenghua. She had done enough for the sake of the imperial heir. Madam Zhu's words just now clearly implied that the Crown Princess wanted to harm the child in Zhu Zhenzhen's womb.

He said in a deep voice, "If the Crown Princess doesn't investigate thoroughly, I will investigate thoroughly to find out who is harming the imperial heir."

At this moment, Imperial Censor Zhu hurriedly said, "The Crown Princess is so considerate of the ladies. Perhaps it was just an accident. We should see what the imperial physician has to say."

All that was left was for Physician Mei to hand Zhu Zhenzhen a bowl of medicine. "Please drink it while it's hot, Your Highness. Your pregnancy isn't very far along, there's nothing seriously wrong, you'll be fine soon."

Zhu Zhenzhen stared at the dark medicine, feeling only bitterness. Every time she drank medicine, her mother had to coax her. Now, in front of the Crown Prince, she felt even more vulnerable.

Imperial Censor Zhu asked Physician Mei, "How did the young lady miscarry? Physician Mei, have you been able to find anything?"

Imperial Physician Mei understood what Imperial Censor Zhu meant; he was afraid that someone might plot against the young master.

Physician Mei said earnestly, "My preliminary diagnosis is that the miscarriage was caused by the young lady's excessive exertion while dancing."

Before Imperial Censor Zhu could ask any more questions, Physician Mei said directly, "Please wait outside the palace, Your Highness, Your Highness, and Lord Zhu! The most important thing now is to treat the young master."

No matter how weak Zhu Zhenzhen was, she couldn't possibly let the Crown Prince stay with her. In the end, only Madam Zhu stayed in the side hall. They were all heartbroken, but since the child was gone, they had no choice but to acknowledge it.

Outside the palace, Xie Shang sent someone to summon all the servants who served Zhu Zhenzhen, determined to get to the bottom of the matter in front of Imperial Censor Zhu and Madam Zhu.

Imperial Censor Zhu also wanted to find out who was trying to harm his daughter. He was suspicious that a child could be lost so easily just from dancing.

Soon, all the servants from Yuling Palace arrived, along with Granny Wang and the servants from the East Palace who were mainly responsible for the daily meals of the young ladies.

After Xie Shang finished his questioning, Granny Wang presented the record book, which contained a clear and detailed record of each day's meals, and even who handed over the meals to whom.

At this moment, Granny Wang was truly grateful that the Crown Princess had reminded her to have everyone in the palace sign the document; otherwise, she would have been accused of plotting against the young mistress and the imperial heir, and the matter would have been difficult to explain.

Imperial Censor Zhu flipped through the records and thought to himself: "They are so detailed. A palace maid would not be so meticulous and cautious. It must have been instructed by the Crown Princess."

Every concubine's food comes from the imperial kitchen, so there's no way there could be any problems. Even when it's delivered to Zhenzhen, it's served by her trusted maids.

On the surface, Imperial Censor Zhu could not see any problem, so where did the problem lie?

Xie Shang said coldly, "If I find out that someone deliberately plotted to harm Liangdi, you'll all be in big trouble..."

At this moment, Xia He, a palace maid from Yuling Palace, knelt on the ground and reported, "Actually, Your Highness has not eaten the medicinal meals sent by Granny Wang during this period."

Upon hearing her explanation, Xie Shang asked, "What happened?"

Xia He continued, "This servant saw it was Consort Liang's personal maid, Mei Xiang, eating. It's happened several times now. Consort Liang said she's preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and is worried that eating too much nutrition will make her gain weight and affect her dancing. Even Your Highness hasn't been eating much lately... Your Highness practices dancing every day, and..."

Xia He didn't dare to say anything. After all, she was a servant of Yuling Palace. But now that Zhu Liangdi had miscarried, such a big thing was going to be blamed on them, so they certainly wouldn't take the blame. After all, they had been serving their mistress wholeheartedly and never dared to slack off.

Another palace maid, Xia Chan, also said, "Whenever the Imperial Physician Wang comes to take her pulse, the mistress asks Mei Xiang to take her place. I guess it's because the mistress hasn't been taking any medicinal food lately and is afraid the Imperial Physician Wang will find out, so she asks Mei Xiang to extend her arm to take her pulse."

They saw these things quietly. They might not notice them once or twice, but if it happened repeatedly, they would eventually find out.

Jiang Fenghua found it unbelievable. Zhu Zhenzhen had gone to such lengths to seduce Xie Shang, but in the end, she had ruined herself. This had nothing to do with her! She had indeed tried her best to help the ladies get pregnant as soon as possible. After all, if they didn't have children, there would be plenty of women who would make Xie Shang sleep with them and have children in the future. She couldn't be jealous of them all, nor did she need to be.

After hearing this, Imperial Censor Zhu didn't even need to call Meixiang out for questioning, because it was indeed like his daughter's style.

He quickly said, "I didn't expect Zhenzhen to be so reckless."

Almost wronged, Jiang Fenghua did not back down an inch and said in a deep voice, "We should invite Madam Zhu out to hear the truth. If she really thinks that the Crown Prince has some dirty tricks up his sleeve, I'm afraid my grievances will not be cleared up even if I appeal to the Censor."

Censor Zhu felt ashamed. He really didn't know how to respond to this. The duty of a censor is to supervise the government and even investigate crimes committed by imperial relatives. However, Zhenzhen harmed the imperial heir because of dancing. Fortunately, she only wanted to dance well and had no other intentions.

Xie Shang's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Madam Zhu is unaware of the inside story. The Crown Princess will handle the affairs of the palace. Please rest assured, Madam Zhu." These words seemed to imply that the Zhu family did not trust him, the Crown Prince.

Imperial Censor Zhu had always intended to align himself with the Crown Prince, so how could he not be at ease, and how could he dare not be at ease?

"When I return, I will urge my wife to be careful with her words and actions. I beg Your Highness not to stoop to the level of a lowly woman."

Jiang Fenghua smiled slightly, "Your Majesty is indeed being a bit presumptuous. I only want what's best for the Crown Prince, for His Highness, and for the imperial heirs. I believe Consort Zhu feels the same way." The implication was that it was none of her business and that no one else should bother her.

She had to force Madam Zhu to come out and admit her mistake, otherwise she would really be considered easy to bully.

At this moment, Madam Zhu came out and said, "This humble woman was impolite. I will be more careful with my words and actions in the future." Hearing the interrogation outside, Zhenzhen had already told her the truth, so any further investigation would be Zhenzhen's fault.

Jiang Fenghua stood coldly to the side, "I think Granny Wang would never make such a mistake. After all, Granny Wang is an old servant who served the Empress and was sent to the East Palace to manage it. If Granny Wang is wronged, I will not be able to explain it to the Empress Dowager. What do you say, Madam Zhu?"

Madam Zhu quickly said, "It is I who have wronged Granny Wang. I spoke without asking clearly. I am sorry..."

Granny Wang was always cautious and meticulous in her work. The young mistress had done such a thing, and she had miscarried right under her nose. Granny Wang didn't know how to explain it to the Empress.

She bowed respectfully to Jiang Fenghua and said, "This servant must report this matter to Her Majesty the Empress. I shall take my leave now."

Go!

Seeing Granny Wang leave, Madam Zhu became even more anxious. What if the Empress blamed her?

Could the Crown Princess plead for Zhenzhen?