For two consecutive days.
Mu Chenshuang arrived at Cining Palace on time every day to treat the Empress Dowager.
The person who had pulled the Empress Dowager back from the brink of death was Mu Chenshuang, not some so-called spiritual healer. This news spread like wildfire throughout the palace, and everyone was shocked and incredulous that Princess Weiyang possessed such remarkable medical skills, even surpassing the sect leader of the Divine Physician Sect.
The assassins who appeared in the palace on the day of the Imperial Noble Consort's birthday had been captured by Zhu Qin, but they all committed suicide on the day of the interrogation.
As for the person who plotted to harm the Empress Dowager, Feng Guche personally interrogated Feng Anxue because of her performance that day. However, Feng Anxue cried and denied it outright, saying that she would never risk her grandmother's life to frame Mu Chenshuang just because she was dissatisfied with Mu Chenshuang taking Fu Junheng away.
The emperor was naturally unwilling to believe that Feng Anxue would poison and frame his grandmother. Later, the Chengtianjian (Imperial Observatory) investigated a concubine in the harem, Consort Qing. Under interrogation by the Chengtianjian, she confessed truthfully.
She was originally a woman from the martial arts world. Her only brother was a subordinate of Lord Mu. In a battle a few years ago, her brother went out to scout the enemy first. Due to incorrect intelligence, he was surrounded by the enemy. Lord Mu could have sent troops to rescue him, but he abandoned him. Therefore, she endured humiliation for many years, just to find an opportunity to make Lord Mu's family pay the price. So she plotted against Mu Chenshuang.
When the emperor saw her confession, he was furious. After having his men review the military records, he found that the matter had indeed occurred. He explained that Marquis Mu had prioritized the overall situation, and that any delay at the time would have resulted in the annihilation of the entire army. Therefore, he could not abandon the soldiers for the sake of one person.
After Lord Mu returned to the capital, he requested that a title be bestowed upon his sister and that she be granted a reward. In the third year of that year, Consort Qing was selected to enter the palace through the imperial concubine selection and was granted the title of Consort. However, she had already secretly planned to take revenge on Lord Mu's family.
Feng Guche never expected that it would be such a minor nobleman, and immediately ordered his execution.
However, Qi Mingsen, who was involved in this matter, was demoted by the emperor for failing to properly guard the area.
Consort Rong was unwilling to accept this and wanted to plead for mercy, but she had already lost the emperor's favor. If she pleaded again, she would only be implicated. She could only swallow her anger and went to Ji Luoyan.
Although Ji Luoyan was just a businesswoman, Qi Mingsen was able to secure his position as commander of the Imperial Guard thanks in no small part to her advice and even financial support. Therefore, she naturally had connections with court officials.
"Luoyan, are you just going to stand by and watch your husband be demoted?" Consort Rong questioned. The emperor was already indifferent to her, and now that her brother had been demoted, she would only find it more difficult to move forward in the palace.
Ji Luoyan handed the beauty incense she had given to Consort Rong to a palace maid beside her and said calmly, "This matter has touched His Majesty's sore spot, and I am powerless to do anything about it. Demotion is too lenient. If something really happens to the Empress Dowager, Mingsen will probably only be demoted."
Hearing Ji Luoyan's nonchalant words, Consort Rong harbored resentment and said directly, "Luoyan, are you unhappy because Mingsen is getting close to the Grand Tutor's daughter?"
Although Ji Luoyan is brave, resourceful, a business prodigy, and has superb medical skills, she is ultimately just a common woman without a powerful background.
Grand Tutor's daughter, Wen Yao, had long been in love with Qi Mingsen, so she secretly tried to match them up. Wen Yao was lively, playful, and charming, which made Qi Mingsen fall for her after just a few encounters.
The Grand Tutor had a good impression of Qi Mingsen. If they were to form a marriage alliance, it would strengthen their respective power. Therefore, the Grand Tutor had long intended to betroth his youngest daughter to him. However, since she was the Grand Tutor's daughter, she could not be a concubine if she were to marry. Qi Mingsen made it clear that he could not divorce his wife.
He couldn't divorce his wife, but he also couldn't make Wen Yao a concubine; he could only have her as a secondary wife.
Ji Luoyan listened to Consort Rong's words without much emotion on her face. She remained as elegant and graceful as an orchid, with deep and clear eyes, as if nothing in this world could affect her emotions.
“I understand Consort Rong and Mingsen’s actions. After all, a strong alliance is the essence of officialdom. But as I just said, Mingsen has an inescapable responsibility for this matter.”
Ji Luoyan's attitude was quite firm.
Consort Rong stared at her with narrowed eyes. Although she knew the seriousness of the matter, how could she let it go that her brother had been demoted like this?
"If Your Highness has nothing else to say, I shall take my leave."
After saying this, Ji Luoyan gave a slight curtsy and turned to leave.
Consort Rong hurriedly said, "Luo Yan!"
Ji Luoyan stopped and turned to look at Consort Rong. "Is there anything else, Your Highness?"
Consort Rong said directly, "Luo Yan, I want to regain His Majesty's favor. You previously tacitly agreed to this."
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