Chapter 265 Where's the medicine?
The palace maid who bumped into the eunuch immediately kowtowed and begged for forgiveness: "This servant is from Consort Zhaoyi's palace. The little princess suddenly had a stomachache and kept calling for His Majesty. Consort Zhaoyi ordered this servant to invite His Majesty to see the little princess. This servant was in such a hurry that I accidentally bumped into Eunuch Sun... This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die!"
When Qiu Heng heard from the eunuch that the incense burner had fallen into the auspicious vat, she knew that this was a plot by Consort Yu to destroy evidence.
Consort Wu was the one who actually worked with Consort Yu.
Indeed, Consort Wu was arrogant and domineering in front of her elder sister, Consort Qiu, but she dared not utter a sound in front of Consort Yu, let alone disobey her.
Consort Wu's daughter is the youngest princess in the palace, only four years old. When Emperor Jingping heard that his young daughter was ill and wanted to find her father, he couldn't help but look at Consort Yu: "My beloved consort—"
Consort Yu rarely showed such a considerate side: "Since the little princess is ill, Your Majesty should go and see her quickly. As for the palace maid who bumped into the eunuch—"
She glanced at Qiu Heng lightly, her eyes filled with undisguised pleasure: "It was only because she was worried about the little princess, it wasn't intentional, so let's let it go this time."
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness! Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness!"
"I'll come again tonight." Emperor Jingping squeezed Consort Yu's hand, then looked coldly at Qiu Heng. "Since there's some controversy surrounding Fang Rui's death, then lock Qiu Heng in the inner prison for now. As for the presiding judge's office—"
Emperor Jingping paused for a moment.
Logically, the first choice should be the Imperial City Guard, but now the Imperial City Guard is in charge of Xue Han, Qiu Heng's little lover, so this is not suitable.
Then there's the Court of Judicial Review, but Emperor Jingping wasn't too keen on handing it over to the Court of Judicial Review.
Fang Rui, now a palace maid, died in the Yu Chen Palace. If we just let the Dali Temple get involved, what if they discover something that damages the imperial family's reputation?
Since it involved the imperial palace, Emperor Jingping would avoid using the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice if possible.
Seemingly sensing Emperor Jingping's dilemma, Consort Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, why not hand it over to the Imperial City Guard and let Eunuch Xue handle the case?"
"this--"
“Your Majesty, Eunuch Xue is loyal to you, and I believe he will not show favoritism for his adopted son, Xue Han.”
Emperor Jingping was persuaded: "Alright, then let Xue Quan handle it."
Concerned for his young daughter, Emperor Jingping didn't glance at Qiu Heng again and strode away.
"Farewell to Your Majesty."
Consort Yu leaned down slightly and hooked Qiu Heng's chin with one hand: "Sixth Miss Qiu, oh, Princess Suiyun, why did you think so foolishly as to kill someone in my Yuchen Palace?"
Qiu Heng glanced at Consort Yu quietly.
Consort Yu tightened her grip on her chin: "What, you think you can get away with this? Qiu Heng, I'm very curious, where does your confidence come from?"
Qiu Heng pursed her lips tightly.
"Speak, are you mute?"
With a burning pain in her chin, Qiu Heng said, "It's not that I'm confident, but that I believe the innocent will clear themselves."
"The innocent will remain innocent?" Consort Yu laughed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Qiu Heng, I didn't expect you to be so naive. The innocent will remain innocent, pfft."
Qiu Heng lowered her eyes, too lazy to look at Consort Yu anymore.
She naturally didn't believe in the idea that the innocent would clear themselves. Now, all she could do was wait and see how things developed, hoping that Xue Han would find the key to breaking the deadlock at Taoran Tower.
If in the end they still cannot clear their names, then they will have no choice but to burn their bridges, kill Consort Yu, and flee far away.
It's just that such a promising situation was ruined by the wicked concubine, and I'm still unwilling to accept it. Xue Han, you must show some backbone.
"Take her away."
As soon as Consort Yu spoke, Qiu Heng was escorted to the inner prison by the eunuchs. Just as she stepped out of the gate of Yu Chen Palace, she saw Consort Qiu rushing towards her.
"Sixth Sister!" Qiu Meiren quickly arrived, her hair slightly disheveled from running. "What happened? Why are people saying you killed someone?"
"Sister, go back. Don't do anything unnecessary."
"I'll go and beg the Imperial Concubine—"
"Sister!" Qiu Heng emphasized, "It's no use pleading with the Imperial Concubine. If she notices you, it will only make things more difficult for me."
Qiu Meiren paused for a moment, then understood what Qiu Heng meant.
If Consort Yu were to use her safety to threaten Sixth Sister, Sixth Sister would be under even more pressure.
"I understand, I'll be going now."
Qiu Meiren wiped away her tears and was about to turn around when she heard a voice that sounded like a half-smile: "Qiu Meiren is here."
Qiu Meiren stiffened and slowly bowed down: "Greetings, Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine."
Consort Yu, her feet seemingly floating on lotus blossoms, stopped before Lady Qiu, her crimson skirt trailing behind her: "Lady Qiu, have you come here to plead for your sister?"
"I dare not. I only came to see her so that people would not say I have no brotherly affection." Qiu Meiren lowered her head, her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves. "If Your Majesty has no other instructions, I will take my leave."
Consort Yu looked down at Qiu Meiren for a moment, then curled her lips at Qiu Heng: "Then you may leave."
Qiu Meiren tried her best to control her expression as she left, until she was sure she wouldn't fall into Consort Yu's eyes. Then, her body went limp and she was supported by Zheng Yu.
"Be careful, beautiful lady."
"Zheng Yu, Sixth Sister will be alright, right?"
In a short time, Qiu Meiren considered sending messages to the Yongqing Marquis's residence, to the Prince of Kang's heir, and even to Princess Rongning, but when those clear, bright eyes flashed through her mind, her chaotic thoughts calmed down considerably.
Sixth Sister is right; she can't lose her composure and cause more trouble.
Zheng Yu felt heavy-hearted, but she had to calm herself down and comfort Qiu Meiren: "Sixth Miss is a blessed person, she will surely be alright."
In the Jade Palace, Consort Yu, though feeling confident of victory, was furious. A cold smile curved her lips: "That wretched maid Fang Rui is more trouble than she's worth."
Qiu Heng was already unconscious at that time. Instead of killing her directly, he framed her by threatening suicide. It was a pointless and superfluous act!
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The incense was scattered into the auspicious vat. Qiu Heng said that she was unconscious, so there is no evidence left. Fang Rui can only be the one who killed her. It's just a difference between dying today and dying after suffering in prison."
Consort Yu was pleased with the maid's words of comfort: "It is indeed a pity that she died so suddenly. It would be nice to keep such a little girl, who often becomes the center of attention in the capital, to amuse her for a few days."
After her dissatisfaction subsided, Consort Yu asked the eunuch who had gone out of the palace to buy roasted duck, "Have Chen Qi and the others returned?"
Having received an affirmative reply, Consort Yu picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Bring the roasted duck here."
Soon, the roasted duck, placed on a porcelain plate, was presented to Consort Yu.
Those who could serve in the Jade Palace knew that the Imperial Concubine preferred to enjoy roasted duck alone, and all the palace servants would bow and then leave.
Consort Yu picked up a small knife and expressionlessly cut the roasted duck.
The antidote is hidden inside the duck's belly, one dose per month, except for two doses in the twelfth lunar month, so the duck doesn't need to go in the first lunar month.
Now it's February, and there's a new antidote.
Thinking about all this, Consort Yu forcefully chopped off the duck's head and stabbed it several times.
It's disgusting, absolutely disgusting!
After venting her anger, Consort Yu used the tip of her knife to poke at the food inside the duck's belly, her expression gradually freezing.
Where's the medicine?
(End of this chapter)
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