After Huo Qinghe returned to Yanliang Pavilion, bathed and washed up, it was already half an hour later before she was settled in.
At the same time, the Emperor was preparing to leave Chuxiu Palace.
Consort Ming, née Wang, had already woken up once, but the fall had frightened her greatly. As soon as she woke up, Consort Ming's tears never stopped. Whenever anyone appeared in front of her, she would burst into tears, and her voice was about to become hoarse from crying.
Pei Yuanhui, who had been listening to Jinyang's reply outside, entered the inner hall upon hearing the sound. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but little did they expect that the moment the Emperor appeared, Consort Ming would cry even harder.
In the end, it took the imperial physicians and female physicians taking turns to persuade Consort Ming to stop.
With Consort Ming acting this way, it was no longer appropriate for everyone to stay in the inner palace for long.
When Consort Zhuang, Consort Cheng, and Consort Ruan came out of the inner palace, none of them intended to speak; they were not the type to be quick to talk and blurt things out.
Even if they thought Consort Ming was being far too cowardly, they wouldn't say it out loud.
However, Consort Ming was timid to begin with...
When the new concubine entered the palace, she was only five months pregnant and she was unwilling to go out, saying that she was afraid of being bumped by others.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, she was finally persuaded by the imperial physician to move around more and go out. Fortunately, nothing bad happened, so she still came to the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet this time.
Who would have thought that something bad would actually happen tonight?
Finally, Consort Zhuang spoke up: "Fortunately, Consort Ming only suffered a miscarriage scare this time. Luckily, her maid was quick-witted. She rushed over to cushion her fall when she got out of the sedan chair. Consort Ming's scrapes on her hands are nothing serious, so we can rest assured now."
Consort Ruan hummed in agreement: "Looking at Consort Ming's belly, if she were to fall hard, I feel scared just thinking about it."
She had never given birth, so her fear at this moment was very genuine.
However, Consort Cheng, Lady Lin, seemed rather indifferent. She didn't seem inclined to speak, and when Consort Zhuang and Consort Ruan were talking, she glanced inside, clearly more concerned about the Emperor's movements.
However, Consort Zhuang and Consort Ruan did not say much.
After all, not everyone can be as lucky as Consort Ming.
Both fell, but Consort Ming only had a miscarriage and didn't bleed, while Consort Cheng suffered a miscarriage and lost her child.
It's already quite remarkable that Consort Cheng hasn't lost her composure today; this is still a sad event for her.
Consort Chi also came out of the inner palace a short while later. When she lifted the curtain to come out, she stirred up a gust of wind. Judging from her actions, it was clear that she was not in a good mood at the moment.
“Consort Ming has just woken up and doesn’t seem to be in good spirits. His Majesty wants us to go back first and not stay here any longer. Consort Ruan, you and Consort Ming are on good terms, so please spend more time with her and talk to her. She’s been quite frightened, and this won’t do her or the baby well.”
Consort Chi felt annoyed and had a terrible headache just thinking about how Lady Wang was crying inside.
Upon hearing this, Ruan Jieyu immediately curtsied and agreed.
Consort Cheng bowed and said, "Then I shall take my leave."
Consort Chi gave a perfunctory "hmm," though she still had to give the imperial physician a proper instruction.
Consort Cheng took a step outside, but after only two steps, Consort Zhuang suddenly called her back.
"Sister Cheng, please wait."
Consort Cheng, née Lin, paused in her steps, and remained silent for a moment. She turned her head slightly and asked, "What is it?"
Consort Ruan, who was standing nearby, noticed that Consort Cheng's tone was a bit off and curiously looked over to observe her.
Consort Zhuang bowed down and said, "Sister, you must be exhausted. How come you didn't even notice that your handkerchief fell?"
When she stood up again, she was holding a light blue silk handkerchief in her hand.
The handkerchief landed right where Consort Cheng had just been standing, so it must have been accidentally dropped by her.
Lin raised her hand and coughed lightly. She quickly stepped forward and took the handkerchief from Consort Zhuang's hand: "Thank you, Consort Zhuang."
Consort Zhuang glanced at Madam Lin suspiciously, then waved her hand, "It's getting late. I'll have someone escort you home first. Be careful what happens in the dark."
Lin didn't say anything more, but Consort Ruan thanked her from the side.
Because there were still memorials to be approved in Funing Palace, Pei Yuanhui left Chuxiu Palace after watching Consort Ming drink her medicine and fall asleep.
When he left Chuxiu Palace, Consort Chi and Consort Zhuang were also preparing to leave. The two exchanged a few pleasantries about raising children, but neither of them took the initiative to say anything to persuade the Emperor to stay. Judging from the Emperor's demeanor, they knew that he probably had something to attend to.
"How is Your Highness's investigation into today's events progressing?" After discussing the children, Consort Zhuang took the initiative to inquire about the day's events.
Chi Xiexiang smiled, but was actually quite impatient: "This matter was handled by Jin Yang, who is close to the Emperor. I heard that this matter has nothing to do with Consort Xu of the East Annex Hall. Who knows? As long as Consort Ming's pregnancy is fine, that's all that matters."
Since the Emperor's carriage had not yet left, they naturally dared not approach him. Consort Zhuang and Consort Chi had only a so-so relationship, so at this moment they could only say some unimportant things.
After tossing and turning for half the night, Pei Yuanhui was also a little sleepy.
Even the emperor gets tired and sleepy. As he left the Chuxiu Palace, he wearily pressed his temples.
He didn't have many children, which was quite few compared to the late emperor. The child that Consort Cheng miscarried was his first miscarriage. This time, Consort Ming's fall naturally reminded Pei Yuanhui of Consort Cheng's miscarriage a few months ago.
"Before Consort Ming and Consort Cao gave birth, the Imperial Hospital kept a close eye on them. They would check their pulse every three days to ensure their safety. The pulse records would be presented to me every half month. Two experienced nannies were also chosen to serve Consort Ming and Consort Cao at all times. Today's event is the last one."
He spoke as he walked out, where the imperial carriage was already waiting outside the Chuxiu Palace.
Before he could finish speaking, Pei Yuanhui was suddenly blinded by the light.
He was already in a bad mood, so this sudden glare naturally made Pei Yuanhui feel unhappy.
This is different from the light that Huo Qinghe's earrings shimmered when Pei Yuanhui first summoned her.
But not long ago, the Emperor was dazzled, and like Huo Qinghe, he quickly caught sight of the light source.
Pei Yuanhui said nothing, but glanced in that direction, and Jin Yang immediately ran in that direction.
Miao Xi, who was behind Jin Yang, hadn't even reacted yet.
A short while later, Jin Yang returned carrying the items in both hands.
"Your Majesty, I don't know who dropped this jewelry." Jin Yang raised his arm so that the Emperor could see it.
Miao Xi, who was standing nearby, finally got a moment of wisdom and raised the palace lantern in his hand so that he could see it more clearly.
Now the pearl pendant in Jin Yang's palm could be seen clearly.
The official's clear, black-and-white eyes were captivating; after a long while, only a cold sound was heard.
"check!"
Jin Yang dared not delay, clutching the pearl pendant tightly in his hands: "Yes, this servant will go and investigate immediately."
This is clearly the reason why Consort Ming fell tonight.
No wonder Jin Yang and his men searched the Chuxiu Palace thoroughly, practically turning it upside down, but found nothing.
So it turns out the troublemakers are outside.
To dare to harm the imperial heir is tantamount to courting death.
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