Chapter Seventy-Six: The Legend of Zhen Huan, Nian Shilan 14
Nian Shilan quickly pulled Consort Tian away, and the scene was chaotic with screams all around. Clearly, the concubines and palace maids were frightened by the crazed Songzi.
After missing its target, Songzi lunged at Consort Min again. Nian Shilan gently kicked Songzi away first, then caught it and held it in her arms.
A wisp of spiritual energy emanated from her, soothing Songzi, who quickly calmed down and nuzzled against Nian Shilan's hand affectionately.
The Empress maintained an impeccable expression, though a glint of darkness flashed in her eyes as she praised, "Consort Hua truly lives up to her reputation as General Nian's sister; she possesses the grace and poise befitting a daughter of a military family."
"Does this cat belong to the Empress?" Nian Shilan scratched Songzi's chin, and Songzi purred contentedly.
"Yes, the cat was a tribute from Persia. The Emperor bestowed it upon the Third Prince, who, out of filial piety, gave it to Consort Qi, who then presented it to me."
The Empress said this in an attempt to shift suspicion to Consort Qi, since Consort Qi had a third prince.
The Third Prince was the eldest son, so he was bound to be wary of other concubines giving birth to princes, especially since both Consort Tian and Consort Min were of higher status than her.
"Your Majesty, I did not tamper with it! After the Third Prince gave it to me, I didn't even care for it for a day before presenting it to Her Majesty the Empress. It's been half a year already, it has nothing to do with me!"
Consort Qi was exceptionally timid. Hearing the Empress say this, she was afraid that the Emperor would suspect her and implicate the Third Prince, so she shifted the suspicion back to the Empress.
The Empress's smile faltered as the arrival of the imperial physician saved her. Consort Tian and Consort Min entered the palace to have the physician examine their pulses.
He was diagnosed with a fright, but the fetus was unharmed and a few doses of medicine to prevent miscarriage would cure him.
As soon as the imperial physician left, Nian Shilan brought the topic back to what had just been discussed.
"Cats are naturally irritable in spring. There are many concubines admiring the flowers today. Not to mention those who are afraid of cats, Consort Tian and Consort Min are pregnant. The Empress is so careless as to let Songzi wander around Jingren Palace."
With an impeccable smile, the Empress explained, "I had originally locked Songzi in the palace, but perhaps someone went in and forgot to close the door, allowing Songzi to escape."
Nian Shilan gave a mocking smile and pressed on, "Forget that excuse, I don't believe it at all. Songzi's madness is clearly abnormal."
Anyone with eyes could see that the attack was aimed at Consort Tian and Consort Min. If Consort Tian and Consort Min had anything in common, it was that they were both using face powder at the time.
"Oh dear!" Consort Li exclaimed in surprise, as if she had suddenly remembered something. "I remember now! It seems that it was Consort An who reminded the two of their smudged makeup. Consort An is really sharp-eyed."
Why didn't anyone mention that our makeup was smudged when we were admiring the flowers together? Besides, I remember that Consort Tian and Consort Min had just touched up their makeup.
"I overheard them bragging to Consort Xin and the others that His Majesty had specially ordered the Imperial Household Department to make it for them, and how could their makeup have run in less than a quarter of an hour?"
"Perhaps Consort An misread it, or perhaps Consort Tian and Consort Min missed something when touching up their makeup."
Consort Wan knew this explanation was far-fetched, but she felt that Consort An was the most cowardly and would not do such a thing as harming the imperial heir.
Consort Min did not believe Consort Wan's explanation, thinking that it must have been Consort An who harmed her, since the two of them were enemies.
So he pushed An Changzai down, and just then An Changzai's perfume box fell out of her sleeve.
Consort Xin squatted down, picked up the powder box, and smelled the familiar scent. She was a little puzzled. "Why does this scent smell so much like Consort Tian's powder?"
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