Cuiwei and Qin Momo listened in astonishment.
Qin Momo stammered, "So… so that means the man in black that night was a Hu tribesman?"
Li Yueyao nodded. "This indirectly supports Qian Lou's earlier speculation. If the man in black was indeed a Hu tribesman, then whether the Imperial Consort is truly Anping Bo's biological daughter becomes questionable."
"Qian Lou, investigate this first."
Qian Lou bowed respectfully. "Yes."
As the three were speaking, Sun Fu entered from outside. Seeing Qin Momo and Qian Lou present, he bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, the medicinal bath has been prepared."
Li Yueyao nodded. "Good. Have it brought to His Majesty's bedchamber. We will assist with the bath shortly."
"Yes," Sun Fu replied respectfully.
Yet he did not withdraw, remaining in place.
Seeing this, Li Yueyao sighed. "I will be staying in the palace for several days. During this time, Qin Momo and Qian Lou will serve here. When I leave the palace, I will take them with me. They will not interfere with your duties."
Upon hearing Li Yueyao's words, Sun Fu visibly relaxed, but then spoke up, "Your Highness, this servant… this servant has something to report."
"Speak."
"Earlier, while handling matters, this servant took a moment to reflect. Over the past two months, His Majesty has frequently accompanied the Imperial Consort to the imperial horse grounds."
"The imperial horse grounds? His Majesty is unwell, yet he still goes to the horse grounds with the Imperial Consort?" Li Yueyao said angrily.
"His Majesty's health is indeed poor. He only watches the Imperial Consort ride; he does not mount a horse himself," Sun Fu replied.
"How utterly unreasonable! His Majesty is unwell, yet he still indulges the Imperial Consort in such frivolity. Does the Empress not intervene?" Li Yueyao scolded.
"Her Majesty the Empress has advised His Majesty, but their relationship has been quite strained these past two years…"
Li Yueyao felt like rolling her eyes. This foolish nephew of hers—she truly wanted to slap some sense into him.
If her late father did not appear in her dreams tonight, so be it. But if he did, she would certainly report all these misdeeds in detail.
It would be most satisfying if her father and elder brother could give this foolish nephew a good thrashing.
In her seven years at Chunshan, Li Yueyao had never been as angered as she was in this single day back in the palace. Cuiwei quickly brought her a cup of water to help calm her down.
After a while, Li Yueyao spoke. "Let's go. Prepare His Majesty's medicinal bath."
Qin Momo followed Li Yueyao to the Emperor's bedchamber.
They found the Emperor still asleep, with the Empress sitting on a stool beside him, gazing at him blankly.
Li Yueyao stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings to the Empress."
"Aunt, we are family. There is no need for formalities," the Empress said softly.
After rising, Li Yueyao walked to the Emperor's side and gently shook him awake.
The Emperor opened his eyes and looked at Li Yueyao, momentarily dazed before remembering why his aunt was here.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling better?" Li Yueyao asked.
"Much better. The dizziness has subsided."
Hearing this, Li Yueyao said, "In that case, let us begin with acupuncture, followed by the medicinal bath. This will gradually expel the toxins from your body."
"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt."
Recalling all she had heard about the Emperor's actions throughout the day, Li Yueyao felt both pity for his misfortune and anger at his lack of resolve. She sighed deeply but said nothing.
She reached out to unfasten the Emperor's robes, and Cuiwei quickly handed her the acupuncture kit.
Under the Empress's watchful gaze, Li Yueyao began applying the needles to the Emperor.
Outside the bedchamber, Sun Fu shed his earlier respectful humility and looked down at Qian Lou with an air of superiority.
"Congratulations, Eunuch Qian, on once again gaining the favor of Her Highness the Grand Princess."
Upon hearing this, Qian Lou lowered his head and smiled gently. "As a humble person who has been in Yeting for many years, it is my honor that Her Highness still remembers me."
Sun Fu sneered coldly. "After all, this palace belongs to His Majesty. On the day Eunuch Qian leaves the palace with the Grand Princess, remember to notify me so I can see you off."
"You are too kind, Chief Steward Sun. I certainly will."
Qian Lou replied with a smile still on his face.
Inside the hall, Li Yueyao finished applying acupuncture to the Emperor. She inserted a needle into his Tanzhong acupoint, and from the puncture, a stream of black blood flowed out, accompanied by a foul, fishy odor.
Seeing this, the Emperor felt even worse. Even without knowledge of medicine, he knew he had been poisoned.
"Aunt, have you found out how this poison was administered?" the Emperor asked.
"The person who administered it was extremely cautious. We have not yet uncovered any leads," Li Yueyao replied.
She then added, "Sun Fu is useless—he didn’t even know you were poisoned. I’ve brought Qian Lou over and tasked him with investigating."
The Emperor was surprised. "Qian Lou? Hmm, he is indeed well-suited for this task."
"I am unfamiliar with the palace situation, so I have summoned Aunt Qin to serve," Li Yueyao continued.
"Aunt Qin?" the Emperor asked in surprise.
"Yes, Aunt Qin cared for your mother, the Empress Dowager, and your grandmother. How could you have sent her to the Laundry Bureau as a lowly servant?"
"Aunt, you don’t understand. Aunt Qin, she…" the Emperor began to explain.
"Hmm, I heard. She caused the Imperial Consort to miscarry, which is why you exiled her."
The Emperor fell silent.
Li Yueyao continued, "She has suffered greatly these years in the Laundry Bureau. We must still consider the dignity of your mother and grandmother.
Let her stay with me for two days. Once the matter is clarified, we can decide what to do. What do you think?"
After speaking, Li Yueyao tugged lightly at the Emperor’s sleeve and glanced meaningfully at the Empress. Seeing this, the Emperor said:
"Very well, let it be as you say."
He then looked at the Empress and said, "You have worked hard today, Empress. Go and rest. My aunt is here with me."
The Empress hesitated for a moment, glanced at the Emperor’s pale face, then bowed and withdrew.
Li Yueyao quickly stood up and bowed. "Farewell, Empress."
After the Empress left, the Emperor said unhappily, "Why must you be so deferential to her?"
Li Yueyao replied lightly, "You are my nephew, and she is the Empress. That is the difference between you."
She then changed the subject. "With so much happening today, why haven’t we seen the Imperial Consort?"
Hearing Li Yueyao mention the Imperial Consort, the Emperor smiled warmly.
"The Imperial Consort has been unwell lately, so I did not bring her to Tai Temple.
Earlier, the Empress mentioned she had come, but I was unconscious, so the Empress sent her back."
Li Yueyao noticed that whenever the Emperor mentioned the Imperial Consort, his face lit up, as if his spirits had lifted slightly.
She couldn’t help but feel the urge to slap him.
"Aunt, the Empress has left. What have you found out? You can tell me now."
Hearing this, Li Yueyao slowly helped the Emperor sit up.
"The person is deeply hidden. We haven’t yet uncovered their trail. Be patient—Qian Lou will report by tomorrow at the latest."
"However, I have something to ask you. What exactly happened between you and Consort Xian?" Li Yueyao inquired.
Upon hearing Li Yueyao mention Consort Xian, the Emperor’s expression turned sour.
"Consort Xian is filled with jealousy and even dares to interfere in state affairs. I haven't deposed her solely out of respect for the Grand Tutor and the Right Chancellor."
"Filled with jealousy? Interfering in state affairs? Emperor, are you referring to Consort Xian?" Li Yueyao exclaimed in surprise.
"Hmph, I merely favored the Imperial Consort a bit more when she first entered the palace, and Consort Xian became dissatisfied, repeatedly urging me not to visit the Imperial Consort.
The Empress didn't say anything, yet she truly thought herself important, even admonishing me."
Li Yueyao felt a pang in her heart, as if she needed to take a fast-acting heart relief pill.
After calming herself for a moment, she pressed the Emperor with a stern expression: "Then why the interference in state affairs?"
"This matter actually isn't her fault. After Zhao Qing's husband passed away, her temperament changed drastically. I hoped she would be happier.
So I allowed her to occasionally participate in state affairs, but I didn't let her attend court sessions—just helping me handle memorials and such.
Yet Consort Xian also came forth to complain incessantly. I was truly overwhelmed by the disturbance and reprimanded her.
Who knew she would sulk with me, never visiting me again thereafter. I said if she had the nerve, she shouldn't come for her entire life.
And so she remained in Yong'an Palace for five years without leaving. It truly infuriates me."