Those whose names were called all opened their eyes simultaneously.
The Queen had previously thought that the fat orange cat's illness was just a coincidence, but now she was certain that it was the result of someone else's scheme.
She just didn't know who that person was, and why they did what she had always wanted to do but couldn't.
It truly is a cycle of karma, and retribution is inevitable. So many concubines hated him, even Consort Hua.
The Empress looked at Consort Hua with a probing gaze, only to meet Consort Hua's eyes. Both women's eyes held a deep meaning, as if they had discovered a kindred spirit.
Could this have been done by the Empress/Consort Hua?
After a brief exchange, both women looked away. A subtle smile played on the Queen's lips. With so many people working together with her, how could she not succeed!
What the Empress could think of, An Lingrong and Zhen Huan could also discover.
An Lingrong had never liked the fat orange cat, and after learning about his tragic life, she loathed him even more.
My long-standing goal has been to change this predicament and live a different kind of life.
But before she can achieve everything she wants, the chubby orange can't die. The previous dynasty is implementing the land tax reform, and Nian Gengyao is waging war in the northwest.
In the Empress Dowager's heart, there was only the Fourteenth Prince, who was confined to the Shouhuang Palace, and Prince Dun was always eyeing him covetously.
If the eldest son were to die at this time, not only would the capital be plunged into bloodshed, but what good place would these concubines have to go?
An Lingrong's gaze was sharp. She wondered who was so impatient to do such a thing, without any regard for the consequences.
Zhen Huan knew she was truly taking the blame for someone else. If it weren't for the upbringing she received as a daughter of a prominent family...
She really wanted to unleash a torrent of abuse, spewing out every conceivable curse imaginable. She shouldn't find out who did it, or she'd retaliate tenfold.
Consort Cao frowned and pondered. It was one thing for Consort Cheng to suspect others, but why would she suspect Consort Hua?
Although Consort Hua was ruthless, her love for the Emperor was as deep as the sea. She couldn't even bear to see him in distress, let alone commit such a heinous act against him.
Besides, even the imperial physicians couldn't diagnose it, and the Empress Dowager couldn't find anything wrong. It was so flawless that she would believe it was done by the Empress in a madman, but Consort Cao wouldn't believe it was done by Consort Hua.
Consort Hua doesn't have that ability!
As for her, she would never lay a hand on the fat orange cat, even if it meant her death at his hands. It wasn't because she cared about the man, but because she cared about her daughter.
Wenyi is so young, and she is only a princess born to a nobleman. Her future is still unknown.
But it's much better for the father to be emperor than for the brother or uncle to be emperor.
If her life could bring Wenyi a lifetime of joy, then even in death she could rest in peace.
Shen Meizhuang pondered for a long time, feeling that no one resembled him, yet everyone seemed similar. Although, of all those present, only the Empress truly knew the Emperor's condition.
However, there have been many rumors circulating in the palace these past two days, with all sorts of things being said.
The most common rumor is that the emperor suddenly fell ill because the concubines sent him too much tonic soup.
The emperor was too weak to absorb the benefits after using it, so the empress dowager used the emperor's prayers for blessings as a pretext to punish the concubines in the harem.
If that's really the case, then the person behind it all...
Shen Meizhuang turned her probing gaze to Consort Jing.
For a moment, the Baohua Palace was filled with suspicious glances. The concubines looked at each other, trying to figure out who was behind it all.
Some people looked on with blank expressions as they watched the performance, as if they had something to say but didn't know where to start.
Seeing that everyone had opened their eyes, Sun Miaoqing, who had only been sitting down for a short while, was about to kneel back down.
Fortunately, everyone was focused on Buddhism and didn't notice her little trick. Otherwise, it would be so bad if everyone else was diligently praying while she was the only one slacking off.
*
After enduring seven days of chanting scriptures, Sun Miaoqing lay on the chaise longue, revealing her swollen, purplish-red knees, crying out in pain.
Linglan tenderly applied the ointment to Sun Miaoqing with cotton, being careful not to hurt her.
"Ouch, that hurts..."
Linglan said, "Your Highness, please bear with it. I've already been very gentle. Physician Lu said that the ointment must be spread out properly for it to be effective."
Sun Miaoqing said with a distressed expression, "I've never suffered like this before in my life! (◣д◢)!"
"I swear I will not rest until I avenge this!"
She accidentally aggravated her leg again, and Sun Miaoqing's face turned pale with pain.
Linglan advised, "Your Highness, you should heal your leg injury first. There are also ten volumes of the Diamond Sutra that need to be copied."
"The Empress Dowager didn't say when the offerings would be sent over, but she wanted the ladies to copy them as quickly as possible, working day and night."
“You haven’t touched a single word yet. If it’s sent too late, the Empress Dowager will have another reason to find fault.”
Sun Miaoqing's mood soured at the thought of the mother and son. After finally finishing applying the medicine, she had to copy over 50,000 characters, again with a brush.
At her pace, it will take at least half a month. I wonder if she'll still be able to hold chopsticks after writing these 50,000+ words...
(T＿T)/~~
"I was already annoyed, and now I can't get anyone to write it for me. This is just a disaster!"
Liuli came in to report, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Lu has arrived."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Bring him in."
Physician Lu followed Liuli in, head bowed.
"Your humble servant greets Consort Cheng. May Your Highness be well."
"Get up. What brings Physician Lu here at this hour?"
Physician Lu raised his head slightly, glanced at Liuli and Linglan beside him, and looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Seeing this, the two knew that there was something important to say, so they tactfully withdrew.
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