Chapter 12 The Empress Dowager's Scheme to Poison

The Empress Dowager had always wanted to find an opportunity, just like she had eliminated the late Emperor's favorite concubine, to get rid of Su Luoxue discreetly. But... in the time that followed...

Yuwen Che's favor towards Su Luoxue did not diminish with the passage of time; on the contrary, it seemed to become a daily occurrence, permeating every corner of palace life. Its depth and the level of its affection far exceeded the scope of a "favored concubine" in the previous dynasty, reaching a level that was astonishing and even frightened the Empress Dowager.

He practically moved the entire political center to Guanju Palace. It was no longer the traditional "summoning" of the emperor, but rather, after court each day, he would naturally return to Guanju Palace like an ordinary husband returning home. He didn't just stay there at night; he regarded it as his shared "home" with Su Luoxue.

The Hall of Reflection on Politics? It seemed to have become merely a decoration. Yuwen Che directly ordered a spacious, bright, and heavily guarded study to be set up in the Guanju Palace, where he moved his daily memorials, frequently used books, and even the jade seal symbolizing supreme imperial power. Every day, memorials destined for the Hall of Reflection on Politics were directly forwarded to the Guanju Palace by eunuchs. His Majesty the Emperor handled state affairs right next to the Imperial Concubine Chen's palace.

His companionship with Su Luoxue was meticulous, almost inseparable.

During the day, if he wasn't busy with state affairs, he would hold Su Luoxue's hand and stroll through the exquisite gardens of Guanju Palace. He would personally push her on the swing, watching her happily rely on him; he would accompany her to fly kites, the kite string soaring high as if it also held the young emperor's rare relaxed mood; he would even dismiss his attendants and play chess and drink tea with her alone, or listen to her play not-so-skilled but uniquely interesting zither pieces.

At night, regardless of whether Su Luoxue was available to serve him in bed, Yuwen Che would always stay at Guanju Palace. Even if Su Luoxue was menstruating and feeling unwell, he would never move to another place, but would still stay overnight, simply holding her as they fell asleep. When she curled up due to abdominal pain, he would gently massage her lower abdomen with his warm palms, his movements clumsy but full of patience.

What shocked everyone in the palace the most was that once, when Su Luoxue was particularly unwell during her period and had a poor appetite, Yuwen Che did something unprecedented and probably never to be repeated—he changed out of his dragon robe, put on ordinary clothes, and went straight to the small kitchen in Guanju Palace!

When the imperial chefs and palace servants saw His Majesty the Emperor roll up his sleeves, personally select fresh fish, and clumsily yet earnestly learn how to make fish soup, they were all terrified and knelt on the ground. Yuwen Che, however, paid no attention, focusing only on the pot of fish soup that was gradually turning white, as if he were completing an extremely important military and national task.

When that bowl of fish soup, perhaps not the most delicious, but brimming with heartfelt sentiment, was placed before Su Luoxue, she was moved to tears. When the news spread, the entire palace and even the court were stunned into silence. The emperor of a nation, personally preparing soup for his concubine? This was utterly absurd! Utterly ridiculous!

Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager looked at the latest official records presented by Qin Mama. They clearly showed that since Consort Chen entered the palace, Yuwen Che had stayed overnight at Guanju Palace every night. Coupled with the details constantly reaching her ears about how the Emperor was "neglecting his duties" and "lowering himself" to accompany Consort Chen, the Empress Dowager's expression grew increasingly grim.

Finally, when she heard the news that the emperor had personally cooked fish soup for Su Luoxue, her pent-up anger completely erupted.

"Foolish! Absurd!" The Empress Dowager slammed the official historical record to the ground, her chest heaving violently. "For the ruler of a nation to engage in such a domestic affair is utterly disgraceful! This is the greatest shame since the founding of our Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Her fingers trembled with rage: "What kind of bewitching potion has that vixen given Che'er?! He's been with her day and night, showering her with favors, and now he doesn't even care about the dignity of the court or the decorum of an emperor?! What does he take Guanju Palace for? Where does he place his empire?!"

Granny Qin quickly stepped forward to soothe the Empress Dowager, whispering, "Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty may just be indulging in a passing fancy..."

"Just a passing fancy?" The Empress Dowager sneered, her eyes sharp as knives. "It's been almost two months! Look at this, is there even the slightest sign of it waning? He's trying to focus the attention of the entire harem, and even the court, on that Su woman! He's afraid people won't know how much he dotes on her!"

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She knew that anger alone wouldn't help. Her son was determined this time, and he wouldn't listen to ordinary advice. That Su Luoxue was no longer just a favored concubine; she had almost become an "exception" for Yuwen Che, a soft spot that made him break all principles and rules.

In the Empress Dowager's view, this weakness was extremely dangerous. It posed a threat not only to the balance of power within the harem but also to the stability of imperial authority.

"This can't go on any longer," the Empress Dowager murmured, a resolute glint in her eyes. "We have to find a way... We have to make her understand that this harem is not a place where a merchant's daughter can do whatever she wants. The Emperor's favor is not something she can enjoy alone."

She needed a storm, a storm big enough to wake the emperor and make Su Luoxue realize her place. And this storm could perhaps begin with those who had long been unable to suppress their resentment. Perhaps it was time to make a move on the Empress's Shen family. And that… seemingly indifferent to worldly affairs, yet bearing the crown prince's eldest son, Consort De.

The Empress Dowager's gaze returned to the red historical record on the ground, her eyes cold and profound. It was time to stir up some waves in this harem.

Yuwen Che protected Su Luoxue very well, making it difficult for outsiders to interfere, let alone harm her. The Empress Dowager knew her son's methods well and understood that a direct confrontation was not the best approach. Therefore, she chose a seemingly gentle, but actually more insidious, opportunity.

That day, Yuwen Che went to the morning court as usual. Not long after he left, Qin, the nanny from Cining Palace, came to Guanju Palace with a smile and conveyed the Empress Dowager's decree, saying that the Empress Dowager had nothing to do and would like to invite Consort Chen to have a chat.

Although Su Luoxue was somewhat surprised, she dared not be negligent. Yuwen Che had warned her that people in the palace were unpredictable, but he hadn't said much about the Empress Dowager, only instructing her to maintain respect. Su Luoxue thought to herself that the Empress Dowager was His Majesty's birth mother, and she should be filial to her. After carefully dressing herself, she took Fuling to Cining Palace.

Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager, abandoning her usual stern or aloof demeanor, appeared remarkably kind and approachable. She held Su Luoxue's hand, chatting casually, asking if she was settling in well in the palace, her concern evident in her words. She even bestowed upon Su Luoxue a golden phoenix hairpin, a symbol of good fortune, which she herself often wore, and personally adorned it for her, expressing her hope that Su Luoxue would soon bear children for the royal family.

Su Luoxue was flattered and her guard against the Empress Dowager lessened considerably. "Your Majesty, I thank you greatly."

After chatting for a while, the Empress Dowager casually mentioned, "Alas, as people get older, they always think about the younger generation. Hao'er had a cough a couple of days ago, and I had the kitchen prepare some pear soup to soothe his lungs. I was just thinking of sending it to him. Why don't you accompany me, Consort Chen, to see Hao'er? It would be a good opportunity for you to get to know the children in the palace better."

“Yes,” Su Luoxue readily agreed. However, just as the group was about to depart, the Empress Dowager stood up, then suddenly swayed, clutching her forehead. Her face turned pale, and she nearly fell.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Su Luoxue and Granny Qin exclaimed at the same time, and quickly supported her on either side.

The Empress Dowager leaned against Qin Mama for a while before waving her hand and saying weakly, "It's nothing, it's nothing... It's an old ailment, just a temporary dizziness. But... I'm afraid I won't be able to send this pear soup over..." She looked at the still warm bowl of pear soup on the table with regret on her face.

Seeing her like this, Su Luoxue felt sorry for her, but then she thought that it was just a soup, which the Empress Dowager had personally ordered to be made for her grandson. What could be wrong with that? Although she remembered Yuwen Che's words not to give Yuwen Hao food casually, this was a gift from the Empress Dowager, and it was personally handed over by Consort De. There should be no problem, right?

So she took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is unwell and should rest well. If Your Majesty is at ease, I am willing to deliver the pear soup to the Crown Prince on your behalf."

A fleeting, almost imperceptible glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, but a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Good child, then you'll have to trouble yourself. Consort De is a sensible person; she'll be happy to have you there."

Su Luoxue, without suspecting anything, carefully took the exquisite soup bowl containing pear soup from the palace maid, and with Fuling in tow, took her leave and headed to the palace where Consort De resided.

Along the way, Fuling whispered, "Miss, the Empress Dowager is so kind to you."

Su Luoxue nodded, feeling a warmth in her heart, completely unaware that she was walking step by step into a carefully designed trap.

Upon arriving at Consort De's palace, Consort De was quite surprised and flattered to see that it was Noble Consort Chen who had come in person. She now only had the desire to curry favor with Su Luoxue and harbored absolutely no hostility towards her, so she quickly and warmly welcomed Su Luoxue inside. "Sister Luoxue, come in quickly."

Su Luoxue said she was just passing by to see the Crown Prince, and handed the soup bowl to the maid next to Consort De, saying with a smile, "I heard that the Crown Prince had a cough a few days ago. This is freshly made pear soup, which is perfect for moisturizing the lungs."

Consort De, unsuspecting, thought that Consort Chen might simply like Hao'er, and was even more delighted. She quickly had a maid bring out a small bowl. Yuwen Hao happened to be in the hall and, seeing the sweet pear soup, clamored to have some.

Consort De thought that since it was sent by Consort Chen and was just ordinary soup to nourish the lungs, she didn't think much of it and personally fed her son a few sips.

However, Yuwen Hao had only taken two or three sips when he suddenly frowned, threw down his toy, clutched his stomach, and cried out, "Mother...it hurts...Hao'er's stomach hurts so much..."

Before Consort De could react, Yuwen Hao suddenly coughed, and then a mouthful of dark red blood spurted from his mouth, splashing onto Consort De's clothes!

"Hao'er!!!" Consort De's scream instantly shattered the tranquility of the palace. Looking at her son in her arms, whose face had turned ashen and who was now curled up in pain, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her soul almost leaving her body!

Standing to the side, Su Luoxue was utterly stunned by the sudden turn of events and the glaring blood. The handkerchief in her hand fell to the ground, her face deathly pale. "Fuling..."

The hall immediately descended into chaos.