Previously, Yan Nangui had reminded her that there was something wrong with the tonic, and although she knew about it, she didn't say anything.
Since there was no evidence, there was nothing I could do but refuse to drink it.
But today's events involve the Empress, meaning someone is plotting against her. This is truly gratifying.
"Perhaps someone is plotting against the Empress, but Consort Chenhui is right, the Empress wants my child." Consort Wan sneered, "She can't have children herself, so she's so vicious, she deserves it!"
Sang Jieyu nodded and sighed, "It's good that you're alright. From now on, we'll protect the Sixth Princess together."
The two sisters smiled at each other, both relieved.
At least for now, everything is fine, and no one will specifically target a little princess.
Inside Zhaochun Palace, Yan Nangui ate quite a bit for dinner, and Shu Chengfeng was accompanying her for a stroll in the courtyard.
"I've only been pregnant for less than three months, why are you so nervous?"
“Eating too much to aid digestion won’t conflict with your pregnancy. Take care,” Shu Chengfeng said.
Yan Nangui shook her head: "Consort Wan was in danger today; it was terrifying to watch. I didn't care much about these things before because I wasn't thinking about giving birth. But now that I think about it... it's really not easy to give birth in the harem. Consort Jing's pregnancy was also very strange. It's said that the twins were both small and premature because the mother wasn't getting enough nutrition. I even consulted Physician Huang about it last time."
"As Physician Huang said, because of different constitutions, they grow differently. But how can there be such a big difference among babies in the same belly? I saw the Fifth Prince being carried out a few days ago. He's already three years old, but he looks so small. The Fourth Princess is very lively."
"What do you want to say?" Shu Chengfeng saw right through her.
"I think something's not right. It can only be said that Consort Jing took supplements during her pregnancy. And it just so happens that the Fourth Princess is the one who grows fast, while the Fifth Prince is not. That's why the twins are more than twice the size of each other."
“Your Majesty, think about it. Consort Mei gave birth prematurely at seven months, but wasn’t her belly quite large then? If it had progressed normally to ten months, wouldn’t it have been difficult to deliver? And Consort Wan today, it’s hard to say who did what today. I don’t have the ability to see through it. But wasn’t her belly also unusually large?”
Shu Chengfeng frowned: "Just tell me directly."
“How much more direct could you be? These are all I can think of. There are rules in the palace that if there is a difficult childbirth, the imperial heir must be held first. In the event of a difficult childbirth, the mother can be disregarded, and only the fetus is needed.” Yan Nangui glanced at Shu Chengfeng a few times, then walked over and sat next to him: “And the children in the palace cannot be left unattended.”
Shu Chengfeng frowned: "Do you know what you're talking about?"
“His Majesty is His Majesty, busy with countless affairs of state, and it’s impossible for him to keep an eye on every single child. I know that, but even if he did, human nature is complex, and it’s not necessarily possible to keep a close watch on them. And not everyone who serves His Majesty is selfless.”
"The Empress Dowager has already reached the pinnacle of wealth and power, yet she still desires a child with Ye family blood to be the crown prince. What about anyone else?"
"Human desires are endless."
"Human desires are endless, what about you?" Shu Chengfeng pinched her cheek.
"Me too. Before I had children, I only hoped to live a comfortable life. Now that I'm pregnant, haven't I asked you to treat my child the same as other children? Maybe I'll even ask for the position of crown prince in the future. I've never told you that I have no desires."
"But I'll ask you directly for what I want. If you give it to me, I'll be happy; if you don't, I'll just throw a tantrum and that's it. Have you ever seen me harm anyone over the years?"
Shu Chengfeng sighed and put his arm around her: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, I know everything."
"It's just a sigh. I've never liked to meddle in these kinds of things. As long as you don't come here to bother me, that's fine."
These words made Shu Chengfeng smile. Yes, it's best not to provoke her.
She didn't care about the Empress's past.
She would be the first to support anything that was detrimental to the Empress.
Now, the Empress has only annoyed her once, and she's already fed up with it.
This woman's heart is so easily broken.
Showing me all sorts of goodwill is fine, but if you hurt me even once, it won't work.
Thinking of this, he asked curiously, "I remember that the Huo family used to love coming here? But I haven't seen them here lately?"
"It seems so. I didn't pay attention. If you want to see her, go see her. Why are you asking me?" Yan Nangui snorted.
Shu Chengfeng just smiled, thinking to himself, "As expected."
This Huo family must have somehow offended her.
I reckon it's not a big problem, so I just won't be coming.
The two of them went to bed early that night. His Majesty had to attend the morning court session the next day, so the matter of the midwife was scheduled for the morning.
In the morning, Shu Chengfeng summoned all the women of the harem and inquired about this matter in the Empress's palace.
Yun brought the midwife in, clearly she had suffered a lot, but she still said the same thing.
They only said that the Empress had controlled her son and forced her.
"Her Majesty the Empress instructed me to keep only the child; there is no need for Consort Wan."
She glared hatefully at the Empress above her: "You are so cruel! You forced me to do this simply to keep the child from its mother and save Consort Cai's child! You poisonous woman!"
Now that things had come to this, she knew she was going to die. Therefore, she angrily cursed the Empress.
Yun hurriedly stuffed a rag into her mouth.
The empress rose and knelt down, and everyone else followed suit.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent! I did not do it, I am innocent! Please, Your Majesty, investigate!" The Empress kowtowed in terror.
Shu Chengfeng remained silent for a long time.
"Your Majesty, the certification outside..." Yun Ji called out.
"You may all return home. You need not pay your respects for the next few days; just stay in your own palaces," said Shu Chengfeng.
Consort Jing took the lead in rising and said, "This concubine takes her leave."
Just then, a palace attendant rushed in and knelt down: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Peiyue... Peiyue has committed suicide."
The Empress was stunned, then seemed to collapse completely: "Why...why would he commit suicide?"
That's when everyone left.
Consort Ning turned around and looked back with concern, her eyes full of worry.
But many more people were genuinely pleased.
Who is Pei Yue? She is a maidservant that the Empress brought from her maiden home to the Crown Prince's residence, and then from the Crown Prince's residence to the palace.
She is now a first-class palace maid in Fengxiang Palace.
Such a person, alone, committed suicide at this critical juncture.
How could the Empress not be afraid?
Yunji led people to see, and indeed, he had committed suicide. He hanged himself.
The witness outside the door was none other than Lady Wang, Ning's mother, who had accompanied her on her dowry.
The Empress was completely outmaneuvered.
Even with eight mouths, it would be impossible to explain clearly in a short time.
How could the Empress have imagined that Pei Yue had been a spy for so many years?
Now that she's dead, there's no way to prove anything.
The Empress's mind was completely muddled; she couldn't understand what was going on at all.
But now that things had come to this, she knew things were in grave danger.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
