Xie Shubing stood at an elevated position, turning his body slightly. He narrowed his deep, phoenix-like eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade as it swept over the woman standing “obediently” in her black shenyi. He had to admit:
[Concubine Yi of the Fu clan is indeed beautiful!]
Merely standing there, she was a peerless beauty, proud and world-tilting. In terms of appearance alone, none of the consorts or concubines present could compare to the exquisite structure of her features.
Although it was a great coincidence that Concubine Yi had been present both times a princess met with an accident, she was, after all, only the concubine-born daughter of the Duke of Jingwei!
He, the Emperor, was no fool. Xie Shubing believed his control over the imperial palace was absolute. During the selection of the palace ladies, the detailed background, temperament, and history of every candidate had been laid out on his imperial desk for the attendant eunuchs to read aloud. No one knew the origins and dispositions of each concubine better than he did.
Since her childhood in the Duke’s manor, Concubine Yi had never received the fatherly love of Fu Shipu, and her legal mother was the harsh woman of the Qi clan. Where would she have found the means to orchestrate the drowning of two princesses, Tonghuan and Tongyi, one after the other within just a single day of entering the palace?
If she truly possessed such ability, how could she have lived like such a “pitiful little thing” back at the Duke’s manor?
This incident was clearly the work of the veteran consorts!
[Hmph, do they really think I am so easily fooled!]
At this thought, Xie Shubing’s cold gaze subtly swept over Empress Dowager Que and Noble Consort Qi.
While the Emperor was observing Concubine Yi with “profound meaning,” the other concubines—both new and old—simultaneously directed “murderous” glares toward her position. Each of them clutched their delicate handkerchiefs tightly; though they were dying of hatred inside, none dared to show it on their faces.
Among the crowd, Lady Jing’s eyes held the most resentment!
When she noticed the Emperor “affectionately” observing Concubine Yi, Noble Consort Qi’s heart also tightened. She lowered her eyelids with hidden malice, innocently downplaying her own presence.
Seeing this, Lady Jin’s face flushed with anger. After glaring at Concubine Yi with annoyance, she turned a pitiful, aggrieved gaze toward her cousin, the Emperor. Unfortunately, her cousin completely failed to receive her “wronged” signals.
After Lin Pingzhi left to fulfill the decree and Empress Dowager Que finished her brief exchange with the Emperor, she had already entered the inner hall to check on the Second Princess. The Emperor, however, remained standing solemnly in the main hall.
He did not speak. Under the heavy pressure of his imperial aura, even Lady Jin, who considered herself the closest to the Emperor, did not dare to utter a word.
Fu Lingxi continued to shrink back honestly. Based on her two previous experiences of peeking and failing to see the Emperor’s face, she concluded that he was very tall and imposing. If she wanted to truly see his face, she would have to boldly lift her head.
To this, Fu Lingxi complained in her heart:
[Psh… dog Emperor. He probably looks like a black bear; he’s not even worth a glance!]
The Emperor did not go into the inner hall to check on the Second Princess. Instead, he stared toward the palace gates, his gaze deep as it swept across the faces of every concubine as if he were evaluating something.
After about two tea-breaks, Lin Pingzhi returned with four young eunuchs. The eunuchs were carrying two corpses into the hall.
The two female corpses had clearly died from drowning. Their bodies were bloated, pale, and eerily white.
“Ah!” “Hiss—”
Abruptly seeing the gruesome state of the corpses, several of the more timid concubines were startled. They huddled together, clutching their personal maids.
Among them, the first cry of distress—fitting for the occasion—came from Concubine Yi!
As a noble lady raised in a secluded manor, being frightened by her first sight of a corpse was the “normal” reaction. To this end, Fu Lingxi feigned a deathly pale face, her body trembling as she leaned against Suran. She pressed her entire weight onto the maid, her small frame shivering with hunched shoulders, making her look even more frail and weak.
Suran, a first-class palace maid raised in the palace since childhood, was naturally not frightened by the corpses. Instead, she performed her role perfectly, supporting her master and stroking her back to silently comfort her, ensuring she wouldn’t make a complete fool of herself in front of everyone.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant discovered two female corpses in the bulrushes on the eastern side of Yilian Lake.”
Lin Pingzhi knelt steadily and reported in a loud voice, “After investigation, they have been identified as second-class maids serving Her Highness Tongyi, named Xia Zhi and Xia Qian. They were two of the many maids who jumped into the lake to save Her Highness after she fell in.”
“I see. Were there any other discoveries?”
Xie Shubing frowned as he looked at Lin Pingzhi. He even stepped closer to the two corpses to personally inspect their condition. He knit his brows and pursed his lips, his expression darkening as he trailed off.
However, before the Emperor could finish, a flurry of footsteps came from the inner hall, and a person came running out in a hurry.
“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”
Just as Lin Pingzhi finished his report, a head eunuch rushed out from the hall, kneeling and kowtowing with a face full of joy. He reported with great excitement, “Great news! Protected by Your Majesty’s boundless fortune, Her Highness Tongyi has regained consciousness!”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty—”
Upon hearing this, all the consorts and concubines knelt in unison to offer their congratulations.
At this moment, Noble Consort Qi’s voice was the loudest and most cheerful: “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Majesty’s vast blessings ensure the flourishing of the Shangyi lineage.”
“Rise.”
Hearing this, Xie Shubing arched an eyebrow and gave Noble Consort Qi an extra glance. A flash of cold mockery crossed his eyes. He turned the jade ring on his thumb and gave a low-voiced command: “Lin Pingzhi, since Tongyi is unharmed, go and bury them. Consider it an act of merit for Tongyi’s wellbeing.”
After giving the order to Lin Pingzhi with a somber face, the Emperor strode into the inner hall.
There was no Empress in the central palace, and the two Empress Dowagers generally stayed out of affairs. According to the unwritten rules of the harem, regardless of whether these two maids truly died saving someone or were murdered, the fact that people were dead meant the matter was officially settled on the surface for the time being. As for how the Emperor would investigate behind the scenes, that would be up to his imperial judgment!
Noble Consort Qi had no authority to interfere.
Lin Pingzhi had been by the Emperor’s side for nearly five years and could more or less discern the true intentions hidden behind the Emperor’s minor behaviors. Hearing the Emperor’s slightly annoyed tone as he left, he didn’t panic at all as he responded, “Understood.”
In fact, Lin Pingzhi was secretly quite pleased. He replied with even greater respect, “Your servant will see to it immediately.”
The Emperor seemed to be letting it go, but in reality, he was completely dissatisfied with this result! Naturally, they would be buried—but only after the truth was uncovered! His Majesty was not someone who could be fooled at will.
Once the Emperor entered the inner hall, the concubines did not dare to move. They remained standing where they were, looking at one another in silence.
After a short while, Sheng Shizan came out and announced, “An imperial message: Your Majesty notes your sincerity, but you are all dismissed.”
“We obey the imperial will.”
Immediately, the concubines let out a breath of relief and returned to their respective palaces.
Only Lady Jing, seeing the Emperor enter the inner hall and waiting for a while only to hear Noble Concubine Zhen’s sharp, joyful cries of relief from within, snapped her handkerchief down fiercely. With a cold snort, she led her maids away in frustration.
As for Concubine Yi, she was naturally among the first group of people to leave Chuxiu Palace.
Lady of Grace Wan and Consort of Virtue Liang appeared as close as sisters, leaving hand-in-hand. Noble Concubine Rou did not appear at all.
The last person with a rank higher than Fu Lingxi’s was Noble Concubine Zhen.
At that moment, Noble Concubine Zhen was in the inner hall, looking incredibly fragile and attempting to throw herself into the Emperor’s arms. To her surprise, the Emperor stepped aside, nearly causing her to stumble and fall flat on her face!
“Ah… Your Majesty—”
“Noble Concubine Zhen, do not lose your manners before the Emperor!” Empress Dowager Que twitched the corner of her mouth and reprimanded her sternly. As the former primary wife of the late Emperor, she naturally couldn’t stand the seductive antics of a concubine.
“Yes, your servant knows her fault! Please blame your servant; I was simply too worried about my child—”
Fortunately, it wasn’t the first time Noble Concubine Zhen knew that the Emperor disliked being touched. She awkwardly apologized to Empress Dowager Que and, with a look of sadness, trailed behind the Emperor to the daybed to check on the Second Princess.
Fu Lingxi had sharp ears. Before leaving the main hall of Chuxiu Palace, she happened to hear those muffled shouts and reprimands from the inner hall.
[Tsk tsk, it seems this Noble Concubine Zhen isn’t exactly a favored one either.]
[It’s just a pity for the Second Princess. She’s barely a three-year-old child, yet she’s been reduced to a tool for palace intrigue!]
…
On the other side, as soon as Lady Jing returned to her bedchamber, she angrily smashed the jade bracelet on her wrist and hissed in rage:
“Go! Keep a close eye on Chuxiu Palace for me. See where His Majesty goes in the end!”