Consort De glared unwillingly at Hongru. The poisoned jujubes had clearly been intended for Kunning Palace—so how could they have ended up with her?
Hongru was too terrified to speak. She didn’t know either; she had only discovered it during the search. It was already too late to hide anything.
Consort De then looked at the young eunuch beside her. Both of them were pale, heads bowed, silent.
She understood clearly—this was not her doing.
Her guilt was about to be pinned.
Panic rising, Consort De turned to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, someone is surely framing me! How could I possibly poison Consort Rong? I have no grievances with her!”
As she spoke, her gaze drifted unconsciously toward Hua Shu.
“Your Majesty, the Empress has always had it out for Consort Rong… perhaps it’s only because I oversee the palace that—”
Before she could finish, Hua Shu, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.
She casually picked up a cup from the table and slammed it toward Consort De. The cup shattered into pieces, startling everyone.
“For a matter with undeniable evidence, you dare to deflect blame? You must be brainless, shameless through and through. You even dared to harm the heir—framing me is nothing to you. The Emperor entrusted you with palace authority as a favor, yet instead of gratitude, you abuse it. Ridiculous! Laughable.”
Hua Shu, silent until now, now struck with such force that her presence alone made people struggle to breathe.
Consort De’s eyes went blank. She was clearly paralyzed with shock.
Could the Empress be insane?
Hua Shu composed herself, performing a formal bow. “Your Majesty, Mother, I am fully aware of my past recklessness. I have endeavored to reform and have been careful, abstaining from palace affairs. But I cannot tolerate someone deliberately throwing dirt upon me. Whether it is the previous incident or this attempt on Consort Rong, I earnestly request Your Majesty and Mother to investigate fully, so that the guilty are punished and the innocent cleared.”
Her voice rose, carrying clearly throughout the hall.
Consort Hui knelt beside her, echoing the plea for a thorough investigation.
Chu Ze’s gaze rested on Hua Shu. Observing her earlier outburst, he now believed she had nothing to do with the crime. Seeing her earnest request, he nodded.
This matter had to be investigated and punished properly—any leniency would be disastrous.
“Take them into custody! Investigate them one by one. Any suspect in the palace shall not escape!”
“Yes!” General Song and Li Sheng hurriedly obeyed, taking Consort De and the others into custody.
Consort De’s body went limp with fear, her voice shrill as she screamed for mercy, chilling everyone present.
Empress Dowager Zhao’s gaze fell on Hua Shu, complex in emotion. It seemed that during the time she had been away from the palace, the Empress had suffered much. Otherwise, how could she have been forced into such a position?
“You may all leave now!” the Empress Dowager waved at the concubines behind her, who quickly bowed and withdrew.
Today had been a dramatic spectacle.
Empress Dowager Zhao turned to the Emperor with a sigh. “Your Majesty, do you really think the Phoenix Seal should be entrusted to these people? If given once, they will attempt again. I trust the Empress. Once this matter is fully resolved, return the Phoenix Seal to her. Maintaining peace in the palace is most important.”
The Emperor did not respond. Empress Dowager Zhao knew it was not the time for rebuke. She slowly stood and began to walk back.
Hua Shu stood straight, composed.
She knew these people would never behave, which was why she had already had someone closely watch them, setting the stage for Consort De to create a false appearance for her own schemes.
Unexpectedly, Consort De’s impatience led her to strike with a malicious hand, attempting a double gain—eliminating Consort Rong and framing the Empress in one move.
She had sought every advantage, yet was unaware of the approaching reckoning.
Of course, Hua Shu wanted more than just this—she demanded the Phoenix Seal be returned, and it must be without a stain, proving to all that the Empress was innocent.
She would not bear the blame for trivial matters; she would also make the Emperor feel remorseful.
Chu Ze stood. From the beginning, he had doubted the Empress—like anyone else might—but now, seeing her tear-filled eyes held steadfast, he hesitated.
“Your Majesty… you must have doubted me,” Hua Shu said, turning to face him. “You’ve glanced at me so often, even now. Does your heart still wonder if this was all my scheme?”
She stood sideways, meeting his gaze directly, her tearful eyes sparkling like stars.
“You need not answer. From your eyes, I see the truth: to you, I am all-powerful, capable of hiding anything.” She smiled wryly.
A faint guilt stirred in Chu Ze. He admitted he had harbored prejudice against the Empress.
Hua Shu’s face betrayed a hard-to-hide disappointment. She turned and left.
Riding back to Kunning Palace, she lifted her head slightly to the clear sky, shading her eyes with one hand, a faint smile on her lips.
In Zhao Kingdom, the old Emperor had been cunning and shrewd—but what of it? Everyone has weaknesses, especially those who stand high, clothed in silk and fed fine foods.
Conquering the heart is superior—victory without battle.
The palace had been turned upside down. The source of the poison was indeed traced to Consort De, who had abused her control of the palace for selfish purposes. The maids and eunuchs all confessed.
Earlier incidents were further revealed when an imperial physician admitted that Consort De, aiming for the crown prince’s position and her promotion to Noble Consort, had plotted against Consort Rong and framed the Empress.
Punishment was severe: Consort De was demoted to commoner, given poisoned wine, and her entire family exiled.
The matter was resolved, at least temporarily.
Half a month later, in Kunning Palace, the courtyard was filled with gold, silver, and jewels sent by the Emperor.
Li Sheng stood at the front, holding the Phoenix Seal with utmost respect.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor knows you were wronged, so he personally sent these. Please, Empress, advise the concubines and restore peace in the palace,” Li Sheng said.
Hua Shu sat casually, seemingly ignoring him, fiddling with the flowers on the table.
“The day the Emperor came personally to retrieve the Phoenix Seal… why doesn’t he come himself this time?” she asked, clipping the top flower with scissors.
Li Sheng twitched, quickly smiling, “Your Majesty, once the Emperor finishes his official duties, he will certainly visit you.”
Hua Shu glanced at Madam Wen beside her, who understood immediately and stepped forward to accept the Phoenix Seal.
“Li Sheng, thank you for your efforts. Your Majesty, please excuse the Empress’s recent melancholy,” Madam Wen said, placing the seal on the desk before leaving.
Hua Shu set down the scissors. Yun Xiu took the flowers to the window.
“Your Majesty, if you say this, the Emperor might be angry,” Yun Xiu whispered.
Li Sheng was the Emperor’s eyes and ears. Whatever the Empress said would likely be reported directly.
Now, after clearing her name in Kunning Palace, the Emperor’s gifts showed his regard for her.
Hua Shu smoothed the sleeve of her robe, smiling. “Yun Xiu, when you marry, don’t pamper your husband too much. Give your heart fully, and you may receive nothing in return.”
Yun Xiu blushed and promised she only wished to serve her mistress forever.