Chapter 44 has become real.
"What!"
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
As everyone looked up in surprise, Consort Hua was the first to lose her composure—"You'd better watch out! If you deceive the Emperor, you'll be guilty of a serious crime!"
Lu Yingfeng looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Consort Hua was in a great hurry. Her shout almost reached before that of the Empress. Cao Qinmo's expression also changed, and she was clearly flustered. Obviously, this matter was beyond their expectations.
Cao Qin couldn't understand it. Everything had been arranged perfectly: the prescription from Jiang Cheng, the plum juice with Poria cocos, plus Liu Ben...
Yes, if Liu Ben had known all along that Consort Hui was really pregnant, why didn't he report it to them!
They naturally couldn't figure out where the problem lay. But Hongzhao, outside the window, knew perfectly well. After all, this "pulse cheating" cheat had saved his life before, so he knew best how to use it.
"Your humble servant dares not!" Jiang Shen kowtowed again and said earnestly, "I have examined countless pulses for pregnancy, and there is no way I could be wrong. All the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital can verify it."
I thought I was cornered, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better.
Shen Meizhuang's nerves, which she had been holding back, suddenly relaxed. The tears she had been holding back for so long finally streamed down her face. She excitedly tried to stand up—"Your Majesty, look! I am really pregnant. I have not had my period, nor have I faked a pregnancy to win Your Majesty's favor!"
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen looked at Meizhuang with delight. His previously gloomy face finally showed a hint of a smile, and his fluctuating and uncertain heart finally calmed down. He raised his hand to comfort her and said, "I know, I naturally trust Mei'er. Caiyue, quickly help your mistress."
Yixiu knew perfectly well who was behind this, and she naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to suppress Nian Shilan—"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has said so, so there must be no mistake. Consort Shen has suffered such a great injustice, Your Majesty must investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Yes, the Empress is right." The Emperor leaned back, pressed his brow, and said in a low voice, "What do you think we should do, Empress?"
Yixiu understood that the Emperor meant to hand over power to her. Her expression turned serious, and she sat up straighter before slowly speaking, "I believe that Fuling must be acting under someone's orders. She should be dragged to the Censorate for a thorough interrogation and made to reveal the person behind her actions. We should also do everything in our power to capture Liu Ben and bring him back alive. The matter of the imperial heir is of utmost importance and cannot be taken lightly."
The whole night had given Yinzhen a headache. Upon hearing this, he slammed his hand heavily on the table and said, "Do as the Empress says. Consort Hui has been wronged. Promote her to Consort Hui and hold the investiture ceremony upon her return to the palace."
As he spoke, he stood up and walked out. As he approached the door, he saw Zhen Huan on the outermost edge of the room. Her face was pale and she looked flustered, with tears glistening in her lowered eyes.
Yinzhen involuntarily frowned, his Adam's apple bobbing twice before he finally lowered his voice and ordered, "Order Zhang Mi, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, to look after Consort Wan. It's late and the dew is heavy; you may go back now."
After saying that, he didn't look back and strode out, his bright yellow figure gradually disappearing into the night.
He naturally knew that Zhen Huan had also been framed, but there was no evidence at the moment. This was a serious matter and could not be let go easily. His Wanwan was always intelligent and would surely understand his good intentions.
He naturally had a clue as to who the perpetrator was. But judging from today's events, it couldn't be Consort Qi; he knew her character best. Consort Qi didn't have the brains for such a grand scheme. Consort Xin certainly wouldn't do it either; she already had three children and had no need to do such things. Ying'er was the kindest of all, and the Empress had been virtuous for so many years. That left only one person...
——
After the Emperor left, Yixiu gave everyone a few more words of advice and then dismissed them.
Hua Fei, barely suppressing her impatience, listened to the Empress's words, then glared fiercely at Cao Qinmo with a venomous look that seemed capable of devouring a person. She stormed out first, leaving without looking back before the Empress could even leave.
Cao Qinmo was so startled by that glance that she froze on the spot, her face extremely ugly. She hesitated and dared not take a step to follow, knowing that she would be enraged again when she returned to the palace.
Thinking of Wenyi, who was still babbling in the side hall, she closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, bowed, and quickly followed her out.
Watching Zhen Huan being helped away silently, Consort Hui sat there with an empty expression, silently weeping. Lü Yingfeng shook her head, gave Cai Xing a few words of advice, and then turned and left with Xue Xin.
On the way back to Louyue Yunkai, the master and servant remained silent, only quickening their pace. Only after entering the house, when Xuexin turned around to bolt the door and light the candles, did the two of them breathe a sigh of relief.
"Say what you want to say." Lü Yingfeng was sweating from the walk, and when she got back to the house, she sat down in front of the ice basin and straightened her clothes.
Xuexin took a fan, moved a small stool, and sat down at Lü Yingfeng's feet. While gently fanning her, she asked, "Your Majesty, it's obvious that Consort Wan was wronged today. I think it's most likely Consort Hua's doing. You know, the Emperor usually dotes on Consort Wan... so why was she punished today?"
Lu Yingfeng felt the cool breeze on her face and squinted her eyes comfortably. "We can all see who instructed this. Can't the Emperor see it? Nian Gengyao is currently fighting fiercely on the front lines. Consort Hua is really fearless. Even if the Emperor is the ruler of the country, he can't do whatever he wants."
Xuexin didn't understand—"Then Consort Hua won't be punished for this?"
“Of course not.” Lü Yingfeng glanced at the serious-looking maid with amusement. “Why did His Majesty entrust this matter entirely to the Empress? The Empress and Consort Hua have always been at odds. How could the Empress easily let go of such a big handle delivered to her door? This time, Consort Hua will have to pay a price no matter what.”
As she spoke, her gaze gradually deepened—"If this matter were merely a simple squabble over favor, even if Consort Hua had caused a death like Xia Dongchun did, the Emperor wouldn't be so angry. And to say something I shouldn't have said..."
Lu Yingfeng paused, looked around and saw that the doors and windows were all closed tightly. She still cautiously lowered her head, covered her face with her fan, and said in a low voice, "Consort Hua has gone too far this time. She has been making a fool of the Emperor for months. How can the Emperor let her off so easily?"
Xuexin's eyes sparkled, as if she had learned something—"Your Majesty is so wise, you see through everything. Consort Hui has actually turned misfortune into blessing. She entered the palace less than a year ago and has already become a consort. Once she gives birth to the child, her life will be as comfortable as ours."
Seeing her naivety, Lü Yingfeng shook her head – “I don’t think so. Consort Hui looks dignified and composed, but I think she is actually impatient and proud. Today, she was treated so coldly by the Emperor. I’m afraid she won’t be able to get over it.”
Seeing Xuexin's half-understanding look, Lü Yingfeng suddenly felt that she had wasted her breath and gently tapped her forehead - "Go and check on You'er and Shu'er, they should be asleep by now, we should rest too."
——
Unlike the leisurely chatter between her and her servants, Consort Hua's Qingliang Palace was bustling with activity, as if it were New Year's Day.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
