"Tao'er confessed everything. It has nothing to do with Huang Bai. It was all at the behest of Consort Jin Cong. She said that before entering the palace, it was Consort Jin Cong's family who came to her house. She didn't know she was going to do such a thing. She only thought she was to act as an informant. Her family received a lot of money. After entering the palace, it was Consort Jin Cong's people who came to her. She didn't dare to go to them."
"This time, it was Consort Jin's people who gave her the medicine and the note. She didn't know it was such a poison. But her family was in their hands, so she dared not disobey. However, because she was afraid, she made such a flawed plan, and His Majesty even caught her doing it."
"Where's the note?" Yan Nangui asked.
“She burned it. She burned the paper that wrapped the medicine too,” Yun Ji said.
"Go and summon Consort Jin Cong. Don't startle her," Yan Nan Gui said.
Consort Xiangxian sighed, "If this is true, Consort Jincong is truly ruthless. To poison a prince, what a crime that is!"
Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, and naturally, none of them were kind.
When Consort Jin heard that she had been invited, her heart skipped a beat.
Without daring to say a word, he put on thick clothes and came to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
As soon as someone spoke up, Consort Jin was shocked: "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
"The facts are undeniable, how dare you claim you're innocent?" Consort Xiangxian said calmly.
"Your Majesty, I know nothing about this! How could such a thing be? I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly! I must see Your Majesty!"
"I've arrived." Shu Chengfeng entered and sat down: "How dare you deny it?"
"Your Majesty, this is not true, I cannot admit it. Two years ago, I never sent anyone out of the palace. Even family members could investigate, and there is absolutely no such thing. I would rather die than admit to this. The Huo family's loyalty is as clear as day; how could they possibly poison a prince? I am innocent!"
"Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to do justice for the Sixth Prince." Consort Mei knelt down.
"Your Majesty, Consort Jin is truly wicked. I beg Your Majesty to punish her severely." Consort Yi also knelt down.
Many people have been demanding severe punishment.
Yan Nangui remained silent, so Shu Chengfeng looked at her and asked, "What did the Imperial Concubine say?"
"Under the severe torture, Tao'er is probably not lying. Yancheng has also sent people there, so let's wait a little longer."
"Well, although Consort Jincong has been identified, it's not concrete evidence. You're pregnant now, so you should focus on resting and recuperating," Shu Chengfeng said.
"Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly. Even if I am not pregnant, this cannot be left unexplained," said Consort Jincong.
That was said in a forceful tone, making it sound like someone who had been wronged.
However, regardless of the circumstances, those who served her still needed to be interrogated. But since they couldn't be certain, torture couldn't be used.
After everyone had left, His Majesty had to return home first.
Yan Nangui has also returned.
"Your Majesty, are you saying it's Consort Jincong?" Jiangxiang asked in confusion.
"I don't know if it's her or not. Yancheng is very close to Bailu Prefecture, so it wouldn't be difficult for the Huo family to do something. However, the Huo family is a powerful general; how many people can't they use? Why would they choose someone like Tao'er? They've been useless for so many years, and they only use her for this one thing?"
"Does Your Majesty mean that she was still wronged?"
“Yancheng is not far from Bailu Prefecture. But Yancheng is closer to Qu Prefecture,” Yan Nangui said.
"Does Your Majesty mean... Consort Wen?" Jiangxiang asked in surprise.
"After Consort Wen entered the palace, she gradually fell out of favor. First there was Consort Qu, and then Consort Mei. It wouldn't be unreasonable for her to target Consort Mei," Chanyi said.
"As for involving us, it's just because Huang Bai and Tao'er are from the same place, a coincidence?" Chanyi asked.
"I can't be sure, but I feel that if the Huo family had intervened, things wouldn't have turned out so badly. Besides, isn't it too early for Consort Jin to act now? Even if she wanted to poison a prince, wouldn't the First Prince, the Third Prince, or even the Fourth Prince be a greater threat than the Sixth Prince?" Yan Nangui asked.
"Your Majesty is right." The two maids nodded.
"Then why didn't you mention it?" Chanyi asked again.
"Why bring this up? As long as I didn't do it, what does it matter who did it? Jin Shi is still alive, and isn't it good that Consort Wen is still alive? I only need to know the truth. Why do I need the harem to be clean?" Yan Nangui sneered.
"All I want is for the people in the harem not to dare to touch me."
"But……"
"But someone tried to harm me, didn't they?" Yan Nangui smiled. "It doesn't matter. They tried to harm me but failed. They're the ones who regret it. From now on, she'll know what to do."
"Your Majesty, Consort Jin Cong has started her pregnancy," said the doorman.
Yan Nangui chuckled: "So this is causing premature birth? Seven months along, right? If she gives birth now, she should be able to survive, right?"
"Yes, it's been seven months. Shall we go and take a look?" Chanyi asked.
"Of course. Go and tell His Majesty."
Inside Guiyun Pavilion, Consort Jin was in excruciating pain. It was right after the New Year, and she had just finished making preparations here.
The delivery room wasn't even lit yet, so she had to give birth in her own bedroom.
The geese return from the south early because they live nearby.
By the time everyone arrived, it was almost noon, but His Majesty had not come. He only said that he had something to attend to and asked the Consort and the Virtuous Consort to take care of him.
The Empress Dowager did send someone.
Premature babies are probably easier to deliver; they are born just after noon.
He's like a kitten, too weak even to cry. But he's a prince.
After the nanny announced the good news, the imperial physician went to see her, but all he said was to let her rest for now and wait until she was full-term.
After the people had spoken about the rewards, they all went home.
Consort Jin was completely dazed at this moment, with a headache, stomachache, and heartache.
It's so lively and infuriating.
Since the Lunar New Year, nothing has gone smoothly.
Now, because of being falsely accused, the child on whom we had placed our hopes was not born at full term. Can a premature baby survive?
She was so angry that her vision blurred.
After having a belated lunch, Shuanzi came to report.
"How so?"
"This servant asked carefully, and although the imperial physician didn't dare to say it too clearly, the implication was... I'm afraid it's not the Seventh Prince."
"Can't they be raised to full term?" Yan Nangui asked.
"It's difficult. They say the belly is so thin you can see the internal organs. I'm afraid it won't be easy to raise," said Shuanzi.
"She was never favored by the emperor, so being able to get pregnant is a great blessing. Because of these things, she went into premature labor. If she can't save the Seventh Prince, I'm afraid she'll have no hope for the future," Yan Nangui said calmly.
"It's difficult. From what the imperial physician said, although the fifth prince is weak and the sixth prince was born prematurely, the fifth prince has managed to survive. Although he is destined to die due to his weak constitution and is unlikely to live a long life, he can still be raised. The sixth prince, although born prematurely and weak, can eat, drink, and run around. As long as he is raised to the age of ten, he will recover."
“But the Seventh Prince can’t rely on breast milk alone. I’ve seen that Consort Jin Cong has already instructed the wet nurses to give him tonics to help him strengthen his body, but… it’s not that easy to get tonics.” Shuanzi shook his head.
Yan Nangui nodded, understanding the situation.
The Huo family isn't destined for this.
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