Chapter 179 The Death of Fang Jiayi and Chun
"After many days of overcast skies, the sun has finally come out, making it a perfect time to go out for a walk."
"Yes, yes, I came out with you."
Shen Meizhuang sighed, knowing that Lingrong had deliberately dragged her out to stroll in the garden to prevent her from getting stuck on her thoughts. But she really wasn't that confused; she was upset that someone had caused trouble at Moyaqi's full moon celebration and really wanted to find that person. But she also knew that it wouldn't be something that could be done in a short time.
She had truly come to terms with it and wasn't sulking anymore, but Ling Rong just wouldn't believe her. Watching Ling Rong dragging her along, babbling on and on, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but sigh, what a sweet trouble.
"ah!"
A piercing scream ripped through the sky, and a panicked palace maid stumbled out from behind the artificial hill. Upon seeing Shen Meizhuang and her entourage, she immediately collapsed to the ground.
"What's the matter that you're so panicked?"
Startled by the sudden scream, An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang supported each other, with their servants immediately shielding them. The sudden appearance of the young palace maid further heightened their vigilance.
Upon hearing Shen Meizhuang's question, the little palace maid trembled as she raised her head, her face deathly pale and her eyes red-rimmed: "There are dead people in the lake... there are dead people in the lake!"
These words shocked everyone. An Lingrong's first reaction was that someone had tricked them into seeing this scene on purpose.
"Sister, this matter should be handled by the patrolling guards."
“Lingrong is right. We will wait here. Caiyue, go and inform the patrolling guards.”
Shen Meizhuang understood An Lingrong's meaning and ordered Caiyue to find someone. The group stayed where they were and did not approach the lake. The screaming palace maid was also watched and not allowed to move.
"What's going on?"
A familiar voice came from behind. Everyone turned around and were surprised to find that it was Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, who was leading a group of guards.
"This concubine greets Consort Hua."
"Get up. Consort Hui and Noble Lady Zhuang seem to have the leisure to wander around and run into all sorts of things," Nian Shilan said as she walked slowly over, holding Songzhi's hand. She treated every concubine in the harem equally, but she couldn't resist teasing each one. "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
Having long been accustomed to Consort Hua's attitude, Shen Meizhuang didn't say much: "Your Majesty, we concubines are uneasy and have not yet gone to check. We only heard from this little palace maid that we have first invited the guards."
"Tsk," Nian Shilan rolled her eyes dismissively. "Useless. You palace maid over there, lead the way for me. I'm going to take a look."
Nian Shilan wasn't worried about any schemes or plots. She used her strength to overcome all obstacles, leading a large group of people and directing the palace maids as they hurried towards the lake.
Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong exchanged a careful glance, then followed Nian Shilan hand in hand.
"Right, right there..."
Following the trembling arms of the young palace maid, everyone noticed the body faintly visible beside the dense water plants. A sense of horror stemming from death instantly washed over them, and a chill ran down their spines.
"Someone, pull it up."
At Nian Shilan's command, several guards stepped forward, carefully parted the water plants, and slowly carried a female corpse to the shore.
"Ah!" An Lingrong cried out urgently, then immediately covered her mouth in realization.
“Lingrong…”
"Does Consort Zhuang know her?" Before Shen Meizhuang could ask any questions, Nian Shilan, who had also heard An Lingrong's exclamation, immediately turned her sharp gaze to An Lingrong.
Startled by Nian Shilan's gaze, An Lingrong, supported by Shen Meizhuang, barely managed to suppress her fear and stammered, "Your Majesty, this concubine... this concubine looks like... like Consort Fang Jia."
"Fang Jia is here?" Nian Shilan looked confused, clearly not remembering who this person was.
Songzhi, who was standing nearby, quickly whispered in her ear, "Fang Jiayichun, who lives in Yanxi Palace, was the one who was too young to serve the emperor before."
Nian Shilan suddenly realized that Songzhi's words reminded her: "Could Consort Zhuang have confirmed it?"
"This dress does indeed look like the one that Consort Fang likes the most. As for the others, I dare not say for sure." An Lingrong hesitated and shook her head. In fact, she was already seventy percent sure in her heart, but she didn't want to say it.
"That's difficult. Go up and try to figure out what she looks like!"
"Your Majesty!"
"What, does Consort Hui have a problem with this?"
An Lingrong gripped Shen Meizhuang's arm tightly, shaking her head to stop her from speaking. Shen Meizhuang, however, couldn't bear to see her suffer and insisted on retorting, "Your Highness, the corpse is so gruesome. Lingrong is too timid to..."
"Why not! Fang Jia lived in the same palace as her, and she is also suspected of harming someone. Is she refusing to identify the body because she is guilty and afraid!"
Nian Shilan didn't care what they thought. She sternly rebuked them, saying that Shen Meizhuang had no right to object. She was determined to make An Lingrong identify the body today.
"Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang has always been with me, how could she have harmed Consort Fang?"
"Alright, I don't have time to watch your sisterly affection. If you're not convinced, then come forward with her to identify her!"
"Your Highness Consort Hua, I'll go. Sister Mei and Consort Fang aren't familiar with each other, so there's no need for her to go." Seeing that Consort Hua was clearly about to get angry, An Lingrong quickly stepped forward and agreed.
“Lingrong…” Shen Meizhuang was moved when she saw An Lingrong standing up to protect her despite her fear. She made up her mind immediately: “Lingrong, I’ll go with you.”
"Sister Mei..."
"No need to say anything more, we're sisters, we'll share joys and sorrows."
Seeing that the two were almost holding hands and gazing at each other with tears in their eyes, Nian Shilan rolled her eyes in annoyance: "I'm asking you to identify the body, not asking you to die, what's with all the fuss—"
The two choked on their words, no longer wanting to argue with Consort Hua. Supporting each other, they carefully walked towards the corpse.
Upon seeing that pale, swollen face, even though they were prepared, the two were still so frightened that they couldn't help but turn around and vomit, retreating repeatedly.
An Lingrong suppressed her fear and tried hard not to recall the scene just now, and replied tremblingly, "Your Majesty, it was Consort Fang Jia."
...
The death of a concubine in the imperial palace is not a major event, but it's not insignificant either. In the past, during the reign of the late emperor, the death of one or two concubines in the harem was not considered a big deal. However, Fang Jiayi Chun was indeed the first concubine to die after Yinzhen ascended the throne.
Even though she was of low rank and had never served the emperor, this matter was not so easily forgotten. Due to the busy affairs of the court, Yinzhen entrusted the investigation to Yixiu.
The matter was easy to investigate. It was no secret that Fang Jiayi and Chun Ai were always running around outside. Every day, she would wander around like a street urchin, trying to bump into the Emperor.
According to her personal maid, unable to obtain any information about the Emperor, Fang Jiayi had no choice but to take the initiative and create various possible scenarios for a chance encounter, hoping for that "what if".
Therefore, smelling flowers in the flower bushes, chasing butterflies on the hillside, and playing in the lake are all her usual tricks. This time was no different. Fang Jiayi Chun used the same trick again, playing in the lake and deliberately sending away the palace maids to emphasize her "innocent and naive" side.
Although I couldn't understand what she was thinking, the result was obvious: she got everyone away, and if she accidentally fell into the water, she wouldn't be able to find anyone to call for help.
After extensive investigation, Yixiu confirmed that the palace maid was not lying and that no one else was involved at the scene. Ultimately, Fang Jiayi's drowning was ruled an accident.
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