Yinzhen wasn't exactly generous to Jiayue, after all, she wasn't favored, and with the Imperial Concubine also pregnant, he neglected her. Looking at Jiayue, he thought about how she was carrying his child, and how he seemed to have almost forgotten about her.
Thinking of this, Yinzhen felt a little embarrassed, which was rare for him.
He never thought this matter had much to do with Jia Yue; the evidence was gathered too quickly, and the actions were too hasty.
The reason I called her over because she was pregnant was simply because I didn't value her.
It was highly insulting that Yinzhen and the Empress would search the palace, especially since they both knew this was the case.
The Empress looked at Yinzhen: "What does Your Majesty mean?"
"This matter has nothing to do with Consort Jing."
Jia Yue's complexion improved considerably, and she immediately said, "Your Majesty and Empress thank you for upholding justice for me. Since I became pregnant, I have asked the imperial physicians about many things pregnant women should pay attention to. Logically speaking, even if I fell, I wouldn't have miscarried before the imperial physicians arrived. Perhaps I remembered it wrong."
After saying that, Jia Yue immediately lowered her head.
Her words immediately gave the Emperor and Empress a new perspective.
Yinzhen glanced at her, somewhat surprised. He didn't have much of an impression of Jiayue. Anyone who could enter his harem as a concubine must be quite beautiful. However, since his mind was on Lady Nian, he realized that Jiayue seemed to have some intelligence that he didn't know about.
A clever woman is always more pleasing than a foolish one.
"Su Peisheng, summon several imperial physicians to examine the Consort's pulse. Send someone to escort Consort Jing back to Chuxiu Palace and find an imperial physician to examine her. Also, have Wang Hai and his family beaten to death."
Su Peisheng: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Yinzhen then looked at Jiayue: "Go back and rest well during your pregnancy. I will visit you and the baby when I have time."
Jia Yue paused slightly, then said softly, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Back at Chuxiu Palace, Jia Yue's back was damp. Although she longed for the spring breeze, the oppressive aura of the ancient emperors truly made her feel the majesty of a ruler.
In modern times, she could remain calm and composed when facing high-ranking officials because she knew that the law would protect her as much as possible. But it was different in ancient times. She had no sympathy for the Wang brothers because they framed her and they had indeed harmed people. However, she truly felt the meaning of the ancient emperor's power of life and death.
"Baochun, I would like to drink some hot water."
"Your Highness, please wait a moment, this servant will go and bring it to you right away."
Soon, Bao Chun brought over a cup of hot water. She drank the hot water and took the opportunity to drink a couple of sips of the spiritual spring water, which made her feel much better.
Knowing that the imperial physician would be coming soon, she said, "Help me lie down for a while, I'm feeling a little unwell."
Bao Chun hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"
"My stomach is upset. Let's wait for the imperial physician to arrive!"
Bao Chun looked worried: "This servant will help you inside."
Jia Yue went to bed and lay there for a while. She took the opportunity to give herself two acupuncture needles. The imperial physician came over, took her pulse, and finally concluded that she had a threatened miscarriage and needed to rest. This was not surprising at all.
That night, Jia Yue drank the spiritual spring water again and slept very peacefully.
The next day, Yinzhen's compensation arrived, delivered personally by Su Peisheng.
Among the items were one thousand taels of silver, one hundred taels of gold, a number of jewelry pieces, a number of decorative items such as vases and screens, a considerable amount of fabric, tonics such as bird's nest and donkey-hide gelatin, and precious medicinal herbs. What surprised her most was that they had arranged a small kitchen for her.
Nowadays, not many people in the imperial harem have their own small kitchens; the Empress, Consort Nian, and Consort Qi are among them.
However, I heard that she has one, and Consort Xi has one too.
It wouldn't look good if she had all the concubines but Consort Xi didn't.
After seeing off the eunuchs from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Jia Yue asked, "Is there any progress on Consort Nian's situation?"
"I've only heard that two imperial physicians have died. I'm not capable of finding out the specifics."
"It's not that you're incompetent. The Emperor wants to keep things from you, so naturally you won't find out anything. Just wait and see who the Emperor has been neglecting lately."
"This servant will send someone to keep an eye on them."
"There's no need to assign someone to keep an eye on this matter; the Emperor's messages will always get through."
"Your Majesty is right."
"Since His Majesty has given a lot of money, and you have all worked hard these days, each of you will receive a month's salary as a reward. Tell those below that if they are loyal, I will not treat them unfairly; if they are not loyal, they will suffer the same fate as Wang Hai."
"If anyone is in trouble, tell me. I will help if I can. If anyone discovers anything amiss with their companion, report it privately. If the report is verified, I will reward them. If it is a false accusation, I will punish them severely."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bao Chun followed Jia Yue's instructions and made the arrangements. Bao Xia, who was assigned by the Imperial Household Department, served her. She was quite attentive.
Two days later, Jia Yue heard that Consort Qi had behaved improperly in front of the Emperor, received a reprimand from the Emperor, and was confined to her quarters for three months.
After listening, Jia Yue frowned. It seemed that no concrete evidence had been found. Otherwise, given Consort Nian's favor with the emperor, Consort Qi's punishment would have been too lenient.
However, it was clear that Consort Qi had been discovered for doing something that displeased Yinzhen.
Jia Yue breathed a sigh of relief. The reason she reminded the imperial physician that there was a problem was simply because she was afraid that Consort Nian would take her anger out on her when she came to her senses. She needed to find a scapegoat for Consort Nian. Now it seemed that with Consort Qi taking the blame, she didn't need to worry too much.
Consort Nian is very different from Consort Hua in popular modern works. She has a ladylike face, is delicate, has poor health, and has a kind of sickly beauty.
She wasn't exactly vicious, but she was somewhat jealous. However, she wouldn't go too far; she wouldn't, and couldn't, directly persecute the concubines.
She was undoubtedly the most favored concubine, and Jia Yue didn't want to cross her.
Now, she can finally focus on her pregnancy.
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