When Wanyi arrived at the tea room, she first asked the young palace maid Huanzhu how much tea she had prepared for Bumbutai.
"This servant has always strictly followed the method taught by Granny Sun to serve tea to the Empress Dowager, but I don't know what went wrong. It just kept getting wrong, and the more I tried to change it, the more chaotic it became." Huanzhu's eyes were already red, and she felt an indescribable grievance.
"Perhaps you didn't think of something, but the Empress Dowager is getting old and her palate is a bit weaker than before. Just add some tea leaves." Wanyi had noticed this when Consort Borjigit asked Bumbutai. Bumbutai's answer didn't say that if the tea was strong, then it was weak.
"Is that really the case?" Wanyi's words left Huanzhu completely bewildered. How could this be the master's fault?
"What else? Why don't you try it and see? Here, you two have a taste." Wanyi placed the two cups of tea she had prepared in front of Granny He and Huanzhu.
“Consort Suo Zhuolun, this is probably against the rules!” She had just heard Consort Suo Zhuolun discussing her master. She could have kept quiet and interrupted, but what did this mean? Was she trying to bribe her with a cup of tea?
"Granny He is overthinking it. You and Miss Huanzhu both know the Empress Dowager's tastes. Firstly, if anything is not right, you can tell me and I will adjust it. Secondly, it's a poison test. If you go to the Empress Dowager without testing the poison, you will also be responsible if something goes wrong!"
Wan Yi gestured to Granny He, who, under pressure from Wan Yi, had no choice but to drink it all in one gulp. She thought to herself that after Consort Suo Zhuolun left, she would complain about her to the Empress Dowager. Huan Zhu, who was standing to the side, was so frightened that she dared not breathe. Seeing that Granny He had drunk it, she, a nobody, should drink it too!
"Let's do it as usual, grab the tea, and go!" Wanyi mentally praised herself for her cleverness, having managed to win over both of them.
"Yes." Granny He and Huanzhu obediently carried the tea and followed behind Wanyi.
"By the way, if there is any news that is detrimental to me, tell me immediately." She did not trust Bumbutai and Borjigit Concubine, after all, neither of them were good people. As for the Empress Dowager, she was a person who did not care about anything, but she also had Wanyi's people by her side.
"Yes, we understand," the two replied in unison.
"Not bad, not too bland, not too strong, and leaves a pleasant aftertaste." Bumbutai couldn't help but praise it.
"I knew it! Sister Wanyi knows so many things, but she learned them all for the Emperor. We're just basking in the Emperor's glory, so let's be happy!" Consort Borjigit didn't like the pre-rain Longjing tea, but she thought it tasted better than the one the maid had just brewed. Besides, she wouldn't undermine Bumbutai.
"Sumala Gu, do I remember there's a set of jade hairpins in the storeroom? Let's take them back with Suozhuolun later!" Bumbutai said meaningfully to Sumala Gu beside her.
"Thank you for the Empress Dowager's gift."
"Uncle, Guozhen doesn't want it, Guozhen wants it too." Before Wanyi could get up, Consort Borjigit began to whine to Bumbutai.
"Alright, alright, I have everything, how about that ruby set?" Bumbutai was pestered by the concubine Borjigit and had no choice but to agree.
Meanwhile, after several months of seclusion, Consort Ma Jia had recovered her health quite well. However, for the sake of her child's health, she still had the imperial physician prescribe some tonics. She also walked around the room every day, and everything that entered the room, whether food or household items, had to be inspected by two female physicians before she dared to eat it.
"Baby, you're so good. In two more months, you'll be able to see your mother." Consort Ma Jia smiled happily, her maternal love making her appear even more gentle.
"The young prince dotes on you the most; you haven't had any symptoms at all throughout your pregnancy." Huan Die (formerly known as Si Yu, but changed her name because she resembled the head maid of Consort Li) also felt that her mistress was probably the most worry-free pregnant woman, with Consort Zhao and Consort Tong always taking care of her.
"By the way, is today's tonic ready? I was thinking of drinking it and resting for a while." It's always this time, but today it's a little later.
"This servant will go and ask, Your Highness, please wait a moment." Huan Die said and then left.
"What should we do? Time is almost up." Drunken Butterfly waited anxiously. She had just brought the young master's tonic to show to Physician Yun, but it was confiscated. She said there was something unusual about it, but she couldn't tell the ingredients. She was still looking at it.
"Jiu Die, what's going on? Is the nourishing meal for the young master ready?" Huan Die saw the anxious Jiu Die as soon as she entered.
"It seems something has been added to your nourishing meal, but we don't know what it is. Doctor Yun is still watching over it." Jiu Die was surprised that Huan Die had come looking for her.
"Let's tell the young master about this!" Huan Die was about to go back when Jiu Die stopped her. "Won't this frighten the young master?" It wouldn't be good if the young master got hurt.
"It's alright, it's up to you, Mistress, to decide. There are so many underhanded attacks these days. You've always wanted to cause some trouble, and this time it's so blatant. Perhaps it's an opportunity." Huan Die had also thought about it, which is why she decided to tell Consort Ma Jia.
Within an hour, all the imperial concubines had appeared at Zhongcui Palace, but Consort Wanyi and Consort Borjigit were not present.
"Imperial Physician, how is Consort Ma Jia? Is the imperial fetus safe?"
Consort Zhao said nervously. Consort Tong was equally nervous. Now was the time to compete for the empress's position. If Consort Ma Jia had an accident, their path to the empress's position would be much more difficult.
"Your Highness, Consort Zhao, Your Highness, Consort Tong, Consort Ma Jia was just frightened. She can take a few doses of medicine to prevent miscarriage, but she still needs to rest in bed."
Physician He's words put Consort Zhao and Consort Tong at ease. The concubines in the harem all noticed that Consort Zhao was more kind and approachable than before, and Consort Tong was no longer arrogant and domineering. She was also kind and gentle to the concubines who served her in bed.
"This tonic contains an abortifacient. Clearly, someone is trying to harm my mistress and the imperial fetus. I beg Consort Zhao and Consort Tong to do justice for my mistress!" Huan Die knelt down as she followed Consort Zhao out of the house. Just hearing her knees made one's knees ache. Tears streamed down her face as if they were free.
"How could this happen? Get up! I will never let the person who harmed Consort Ma Jia get away with this!" Consort Tong spoke first, taking the blame upon herself. As soon as Consort Tong spoke, the scene fell into a terrifying silence.
"Liang Jiugong, go investigate." Kangxi's voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be well!" Realizing what had happened, they all knelt down and bowed.
"No need for formalities. How is Consort Ma Jia?" Kangxi asked calmly, but he was somewhat nervous inside. After all, who wouldn't hope that their child is safe and sound?
"Your Majesty, Consort Ma Jia was merely frightened; the imperial fetus is unharmed," Consort Zhao, as the head of the consorts, stepped forward and reported.
"That's good." Kangxi was relieved.
To facilitate the trial, Emperor Kangxi ordered the main hall to be opened and several plates of ice placed inside, which immediately cooled the entire hall.
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