After dinner, Youqing couldn't help but wonder who had done it. She thought and thought and realized that anyone could have done it. The drugging method was sophisticated. If it weren't for the system, she probably wouldn't even know why her fair skin had turned yellow!
That's a brilliant tactic.
It was indeed a clever tactic. Ever since Youqing became favored, she had been very particular about the food she ate. Chengying was always the one who went to the kitchen to get her meals. She had some tricks up her sleeve when it came to food, and Chengying hadn't even noticed them. That was a clever tactic indeed.
At the same time, after Kangxi ordered an investigation, he was shocked upon careful consideration. Chengying was someone he had sent, and he knew her capabilities perfectly well. Even things that Chengying hadn't discovered, Youqing had found out.
Emperor Kangxi became increasingly certain that his Consort Shu was extraordinary.
He was a shrewd strategist and patient man. After assuming power, he firmly held the reins of the court and the harem. There were very few things or people that could make him tolerate.
The Empress Dowager of Cining Palace was one, and now there's Consort Shu of Jiangxue Pavilion. Thinking about it, he smiled. Life was boring, so this was fine. He wanted to see if there were any gods, ghosts, or Buddhas in the world.
"Consort Shu has suffered. Liang Jiugong, go to my private treasury and find some jewelry for women to use and send it to her."
"yes"
Youqing pretended not to know anything about the drugging incident, because she knew that those who needed to know would find out.
Emperor Kangxi secretly sent people to investigate, but in the end, a eunuch in the kitchen died for no reason, and the investigation could not be continued.
This greatly displeased Emperor Kangxi. He couldn't even find the mastermind behind something that had been ingested; the person behind it was truly capable.
Wouldn't that mean that one day someone could drug someone and do it without anyone noticing?
Cheng Ying said, "Your Highness, His Majesty just sent over a few sets of jewelry. Would you like to take a look?"
Youqing shook her head: "Store it away, we'll talk about it when we need it."
"yes"
After setting the jewelry aside, Cheng Ying asked, "My lady, what dish is served today...?"
Before she finished speaking, Youqing understood what she meant.
"It just doesn't look right to me, and it doesn't suit my taste."
Chengying naturally didn't believe this, but he didn't ask any further questions, as he wouldn't get any answers anyway.
Life at Jiangxuexuan was generally peaceful, but others couldn't bear to see her continue to live such a peaceful life. This villainous person was just an appetizer.
The residence of Consort Cheng; lately, Consort Cheng has been experiencing many misfortunes.
"My lady, that person from Jiangxue Pavilion is really bullying people because of his favor. How can this dish be inedible? In September, the dish has a sour smell. It's deliberately disgusting."
Consort Cheng was also furious. She had made arrangements for the kitchen, but the food delivered was still the same. If this continued, she was afraid she would starve to death.
"Alright, pick out some edible food. We can't really go hungry."
The maid looked distressed: "Where can I find such a good one?"
As she spoke, she couldn't help but complain, "Although what Qiu Hong did was not right, it was her own selfishness, not something you, Your Highness, did on purpose. She has now been sent back to the Imperial Household Department, and she probably won't get a good life for the rest of her life. I didn't expect Consort Shu to be so unreasonable and even more outrageous. I have never seen such a petty person."
Consort Cheng drank the still-edible white porridge in silence. What could she say? Qiu Hong's actions were not ordered by her, but Qiu Hong was her person. An eye for an eye, and besides, it was uncertain whose orders the kitchen had received!
However, this situation definitely cannot continue.
Looking at her increasingly gaunt face in the mirror, Consort Cheng applied some white powder to her face, changed into a plain-colored dress that didn't flatter her complexion, and went to the residence of Imperial Noble Consort Tong in Jingren Palace with a sickly appearance.
"Your Majesty, you must do justice for me!"
Consort Tong frowned, looking at Consort Cheng's mournful face, and said with displeasure, "Can't you talk things out properly? Stop crying, get up and sit down to talk." After saying that, she ordered someone to bring her a stool.
Consort Cheng helped herself up with the help of her maid, and then sat down.
"What happened? Could it be that the Seventh Prince has been wronged?"
Consort Cheng was just a consort, so naturally she wasn't qualified to raise a young prince. The seventh prince she gave birth to was raised by Consort Jing in the main palace, while she lived in a side palace. Consort Jing treated her fairly well and didn't prevent the mother and son from seeing each other on a regular basis.
Consort Cheng shook her head: "Your Highness Consort Jing treats the Seventh Prince with utmost care, but it is I who have failed you. I don't know who I offended, but the food sent to me these days has been so bad that it is inedible. I am foolish and I beg Your Highness to do me a favor."
Consort Tong frowned deeply: "I am now in charge of palace affairs. Are you implying that I have treated you badly and that others have mistreated you?"
As he spoke, his gaze toward Consort Cheng sharpened.
Consort Cheng shook her head in alarm: "That's not what I meant. I'm just afraid that some villains might interfere and cause Your Majesty to suffer injustice. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty."
Imperial Noble Consort Tong's gaze softened considerably: "Is someone interfering? Has Consort Cheng made enemies with anyone?"
Consort Cheng hesitated for a moment, then seemed to muster great courage to say, "I am timid and usually avoid trouble and grudges. If we are talking about grudges, I once had a maid who took it upon herself to make things difficult for Consort Shu's maid, but I have already apologized and that maid has been sent back to the Imperial Household Department. Apart from that, there is no one else."
Consort Tong frowned again.
"You mean Consort Shu deliberately made things difficult for you, secretly having the kitchen send you spoiled food?"
Consort Cheng became frightened again: "Without evidence, I dare not make any rash statements. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
The implication was that Consort Shu was deliberately making things difficult, but she didn't say it outright, leaving herself an escape route. Consort Cheng was quite clever.
Consort Tong looked at Consort Cheng with sharp eyes: "Since there is no evidence, I naturally dare not make any rash statements. Consort Shu is His Majesty's favorite, so I don't think she would use such despicable means. I know about the problem with your food, and I will send someone to the kitchen to investigate later."
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