She had been favored for quite some time, but her belly remained flat. Consort Chun, on the other hand, became pregnant with the emperor's child after only one instance of being favored. It would be understandable if she had malicious intentions out of jealousy.

Consort Tong, fearing trouble, entrusted the matter to Emperor Kangxi for a decision.

Emperor Kangxi only learned of the incident that evening. When Consort Chun had her accident in the afternoon, he was discussing state affairs with his ministers and had instructed them not to disturb her.

Just as Emperor Kangxi received the news, Consort Tong personally came to the Qianqing Palace to request an audience.

Emperor Kangxi did not refuse her request and met with her.

"Your Majesty, the little eunuch who bumped into Consort Chun insists that Consort Shu ordered him to do it. I think that Consort Shu is usually the least competitive, so I ask Your Majesty to make a decision."

The evidence was irrefutable. The eunuch insisted that it was Consort Shu who gave the order. Consort Tong knew that Consort Shu was favored by the emperor, but she was unsure of Consort Shu's true status in the emperor's eyes. Therefore, she pushed the matter to the emperor to decide for himself.

Ultimately, Consort Tong was also somewhat afraid. Last time, because of Consort Cheng's matter, Emperor Kangxi did not visit her palace for a long time. Although she wished Consort Shu would fall out of favor, she really did not dare to directly convict her in this matter.

"I didn't know interrogation had become so easy. Since we haven't gotten anything useful out of it, let's continue the interrogation."

These words clearly implied that the little eunuch's words were all lies and could not be taken seriously. Consort Tong was neither surprised nor surprised to hear this, but she felt very uncomfortable.

“Your Majesty, the little eunuch’s testimony is indeed full of doubts, but it involves Consort Shu. Consort Shu has not been punished at all, and it is hard to explain away Consort Chun, who is pregnant. For the sake of Consort Chun’s unborn child, I think we should first confine Consort Shu and clear her name after things become clear.”

Consort Tong's actions were not entirely unreasonable, but Emperor Kangxi knew perfectly well that Consort Chun's pregnancy was fake, that most of Youqing's people were his, and that he was aware of her every move. Consort Chun's matter had absolutely nothing to do with her.

Of course, unless Kangxi directly exposes Chun's fake pregnancy, if he wants to continue the investigation, confining Youqing is the best option, since it seems that the person behind this is targeting Youqing.

For some reason, Emperor Kangxi did not want to do so, so the confinement proposed by Consort Tong naturally came to nothing.

“I know Consort Shu’s character. This matter has nothing to do with her. I will investigate this matter.”

Upon hearing this, Consort Tong lowered her head, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, and said, "Your Majesty is right. Consort Shu is the kindest and gentlest of sisters, and I doubt she would harbor such harmful intentions."

Emperor Kangxi was annoyed by her insincere words and waved his hand, saying, "Go back now!"

Consort Tong then took her leave.

Back at Jingren Palace, she was furious: "His Majesty is so biased! I don't know what kind of spell His Majesty has cast on Consort Shu, but even after all this, His Majesty still firmly believes in Consort Shu."

"Why should Your Highness bother with a mere concubine? No matter what, her womb is ultimately useless, and she'll only ever be a concubine in this lifetime."

---Aside---

You guessed it was a false pregnancy correctly! But there's no reward, haha~