When Shen Tangning discovered that Consort Rou was using incense, she immediately sensed something was wrong.
A pregnant woman is bound to be extra careful about what she eats, wears, and lives in, especially in a place like the imperial harem where people are devoured without a trace.
Even though Consort Rou was naive, the nanny around her would always remind her.
As everything that followed came together, a thought unconsciously popped into her mind—
Consort Rou's pregnancy was fake, so sooner or later she would have to find a way to get rid of this "child" without anyone knowing.
So when she learned about the oleander incident, she noticed something was amiss but did not make a fuss.
Physician Zhang may have also felt something was wrong, but given the circumstances at the time, with Job's tears tea and musk and oleander, there was no guarantee that something unexpected might happen, so he dared not speak rashly.
Consort Rou had abandoned her delicate demeanor at some point, and looked at her with a playful gaze: "You know such a big secret, aren't you afraid I'll silence you?"
Shen Tangning said calmly, "I helped Your Majesty cover it up, how could Your Majesty repay kindness with enmity?"
Just as Consort Rou's lips curled up slightly, she continued, "Moreover, before I came, I had already informed Her Majesty the Empress through my maid. If anything were to happen to me, Her Majesty would inevitably be implicated as well. Her Majesty is a wise woman and would not do anything foolish."
Consort Rou: "..."
Her gaze lingered on that beautiful face with a complex expression, and she wondered to herself:
She looks so gentle, quiet, and harmless, how come she's so cunning?
She curled her lip, feigning a threat: "Then you'd better keep your secret to yourself, otherwise even outside the palace, I have plenty of ways to deal with you!"
Despite the threat, Shen Tangning did not sense any killing intent from the other party. She smiled slightly and said, "I don't like to meddle in other people's business, Your Majesty. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
"Halt." Consort Rou's voice was languid, showing no trace of the weakness she had just experienced after her miscarriage. "Did I say you could leave?"
Looking up at her, Shen Tangning didn't speak, but saw the other party raise her lips as if she were gloating: "I have already sent someone to inform His Majesty that Young Madam Chi will stay in the palace for one night."
Her expression remained unchanged; she merely glanced at the other person indifferently: "Is this a form of imprisonment?"
Consort Rou smiled enigmatically: "I'm helping you, so don't be ungrateful."
Help her?
Shen Tangning frowned, at a loss for what to do. She also had a strange feeling that today's events would not end easily, and that staying overnight in the palace might be a good thing.
"May I ask my maid to go back and deliver a message?"
Consort Rou did not refuse.
Shen Tangning gave Xueqing many instructions, which made the latter look worried. She lowered her voice and said, "Miss, is the palace really that dangerous? Why don't you come back with me?"
She patted Xueqing's shoulder, her expression reassuring: "I was just being prepared. Remember what I said?"
Xue Qing pursed her lips and nodded, her brows and eyes looking somewhat heavy.
"Go on, or the palace gates will be locked."
She dared not delay and hurriedly left the palace.
...
Before she got married, Shen Tangning had experience staying overnight in the palace. Her aunt would occasionally let her stay in Kunning Palace.
The palace that Consort Rou prepared for her was exquisite in every way, with all the necessary items, and she was even provided with a change of clothes. The palace servants who served her were also very respectful, and there was no indication that they intended to make things difficult for her at all.
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