Ever since the Emperor arrived, she had already woken.
But her body ached, and she felt too weary to respond, so she simply feigned sleep.
She could feel the Emperor’s attention focused entirely on her.
Whether he came deliberately to check on her, or because of her earlier order for all the palace concubines to copy the palace rules, she did not know.
Either way, she had no energy to care.
Last night, she had overindulged, and this morning her menstruation began—a double blow that left her unable to straighten her back.
When Madame Wen entered, her face beamed. Today was enjoyable indeed.
Watching those usually arrogant concubines get their comeuppance was immensely satisfying.
Still, Madame Wen remained concerned. “Your Highness, I will keep a careful eye on Consort Rong. But just now, I saw her personal maid Song Shi come to request the Emperor. Might Consort Rong complain or slander you?”
Earlier, seeing the Emperor leave Kunning Palace, the ladies of Caiyun Hall seemed to have followed the scent, requesting the Emperor’s visit.
Hua Shu turned onto her side. “Even if she doesn’t request it, the Emperor will go see her. As for the rest… it depends on her own ability.”
Consort Rong had climbed to her current position not solely because of the Emperor’s favor—she was clever as well.
Besides, she had recently lost her child, and the Emperor naturally felt pity for her. He would not wrong her.
Hua Shu understood clearly: for men, especially the Emperor, a beautiful woman with no family background, who loved him wholeheartedly, was meant to be pampered.
Indulged without any restraint.
Speaking of which, another matter came to her mind. “Let Consort Hui come in.”
At Caiyun Hall.
When Chu Ze arrived at Caiyun Hall, the faint scent of medicine reached him. Parting the beaded curtains, he saw Consort Rong in a thin undergarment, curled up with her knees to her chest.
She looked up, and upon seeing the Emperor, she ran barefoot toward him, forgetting her shoes.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!” she cried, her voice trembling.
Chu Ze reached out to steady her frail body, feeling a deep pity for her weakness.
Tears fell freely as she clung to him, seeking security in the warm, familiar embrace, breathing in the fragrance of dragon incense from the Emperor.
But mingled with it was another subtle scent—not his, but that of a woman.
Consort Rong bit her lip, realizing it must be the Empress’s scent.
A pang of sorrow spread within her. She wanted no one else to share this, yet there was nothing she could do.
Now, she could only hold the Emperor’s heart firmly.
“Your Majesty, our child is gone,” she said, trembling, tears unending.
Chu Ze sighed, patting her shoulder. He too felt pain at the loss of an heir.
After crying, she released him slightly, lifting her head. “Then I shall care for my body well. Could Your Majesty spend more time with me? I’ve been thinking of the past, when I could be with you every moment.”
Those days had been the most precious memories between them.
Whenever she mentioned them, the Emperor always indulged her wishes.
Now was no different. He patted her shoulder, soothing her. “Rest well. I will visit often. Think of nothing else.”
Consort Rong smiled with satisfaction. “Your Majesty, today, please stay here and dine with me.”
Chu Ze agreed.
The lunch prepared was meant to nourish Consort Rong, with two small bowls of warm milk.
As Chu Ze looked at the milk, a thought seemed to strike him, and he grew momentarily lost in it.
Consort Rong, perceptive, noticed his gaze and lifted the bowl, a faint ripple in her eyes.
“Your Majesty, ancient texts say that warm milk is good for the body. Lately, my appetite has been poor, yet I dare not waste such fine ingredients. Drinking it has greatly eased my discomfort.”
She deliberately mentioned this, contrasting herself with the Empress’s extravagance.
“Would Your Majesty like to try?”
“I do not like it. You are weak; drink more for your health,” Chu Ze said, not pursuing the matter further, and began his own meal.
Eunuch Li arranged the dishes, thinking: earlier, the Emperor had mentioned sending milk to the Empress. Now, with Consort Rong bringing it up, would the Emperor still hold to that intention?
Inside Kunning Palace.
“Your Highness, Consort Hui is here,” Madame Wen reported.
Hua Shu, seated on a small couch, gestured for her to be brought in.
Consort Hui entered and bowed respectfully.
“Sit, no need for formalities.” Hua Shu, still uncomfortable, leaned back with a small pillow arranged by Madame Wen, finding some relief.
Consort Hui sat beside her, noticing her unwell appearance, and offered her concern.
“I am fine. I called you today to discuss the matter of Consort De,” Hua Shu said.
Although the issue with Consort De had concluded, many questions remained.
Hearing this, Consort Hui hesitated before speaking. “Your Highness, I also feel this matter was not so simple.”
Although Consort De brought misfortune upon herself, and they had their roles in pushing events, the situation had developed too rapidly.
It was only afterward that many inconsistencies became apparent.
Hua Shu pursed her lips, signaling her to continue.
“Your Highness, Consort De’s schemes were intricate. She not only succeeded but managed to pin the blame on Kunning Palace. If we hadn’t foreseen her movements, replaced the poison, and induced her maid to panic and flee, how could we have caught her red-handed? Yet that eunuch who silenced her, and the maid with the mole above her brow—these coincidences seem too perfect.”
The poison had been moved, yet if the eunuch had been arranged by Consort De, why was he caught so slowly, fully confirming her guilt?
“Arsenic, though in small amounts, would have been noticed by Consort Rong, cautious as she is, especially being pregnant. Most puzzling is that the Imperial Physician, Zhang, whom Consort Rong trusted implicitly, confessed to being bribed by Consort De. Why would he do so? If Consort Rong gave birth to an heir, wouldn’t it have benefited him? This matter is strange. Consort De is imprisoned, yet Zhang the Imperial Physician added previous incidents to her charge, a redundant act that cost him his life. Recently, all of Consort De’s personal attendants have been executed.”
Hua Shu’s eyes showed a hint of approval. Consort Hui was sharper than she had imagined.
“Clearly, someone wanted to conclude this case quickly, and also settle prior grievances against me. Consort De couldn’t escape, so everything was pinned on her,” Hua Shu explained.
This perhaps also explained why the Imperial Physician testified.
She had already suspected someone was plotting behind the scenes, investigating in secret, but to avoid alerting the culprit, she had yet to uncover the full truth.
Consort Hui, seeing the Empress’s comprehension, relaxed slightly.
The Empress’s steadiness was the greatest support for her.
“Only someone in high position could boldly scheme against Consort De, Consort Rong, and me alike.”