“Whether someone intends to harm Consort Shu will be known once the Imperial Physician emerges.”
Xie Chen swept his gaze across the faces of Zhong Fei, the oppressive force falling upon them like a tangible weight.
“Let’s hope it isn’t as I suspect.”
Zhong Fei trembled under his stare, each shrinking back, not daring to speak.
As time passed, the solemn atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense, reaching a point that made everyone’s hearts pound with fear.
A voice broke the icy stalemate.
“She’s awake! The Imperial Concubine is awake!”
Tanwu, Consort Shu (Jiang)’s Gongbi, knelt before the Imperial Presence and reported excitedly.
No joy showed on Xie Chen’s face; his expression remained stern as he strode toward Qindian.
Empress Cui and the Six Palace Consorts followed him into the bedchamber.
The room was filled with the bitter scent of medicine.
Consort Shu (Jiang) lay pale and weak on the couch, a Gongbi feeding her medicine, while two Imperial Physicians knelt before the couch, discussing something with bowed heads.
Upon seeing the Emperor, Consort Shu (Jiang)’s eyes reddened instantly, and she called out, “Your Majesty.”
Xie Chen sat by the couch. “I am here.”
He took the porcelain bowl and personally fed Consort Shu (Jiang) the medicine.
Though Consort Shu (Jiang)’s Qindian was spacious, with over a dozen masters entering, there weren’t enough armchairs to accommodate everyone. The servants had to bring in embroidered stools.
Each Imperial Concubine took one, while the Gongbi stood behind their respective mistresses.
Once seated, the Imperial Harem watched as the Emperor spoon-fed medicine to Consort Shu (Jiang).
The Emperor, who had just spoken coldly to them, was now treating another woman with such tenderness.
The scene was inevitably painful and glaring to behold.
Some Imperial Concubines turned away, unwilling to watch.
Pei Tingyue didn’t look either, not out of sadness, but because her low rank had her squeezed into a small corner. When she lifted her head, all she saw were the backs of others’ heads—she couldn’t witness the tender scene even if she wanted to.
After Xie Chen finished feeding the medicine, he turned to the two physicians still in discussion. “Have you reached a diagnosis? Why did Consort Shu faint so suddenly when she was perfectly fine?”
The two physicians exchanged a glance, then Xia Yuanpan stepped forward to reply. “Your Majesty, after extensive consultation with Doctor Hu, we have reached a diagnosis.”
Xie Chen placed the empty bowl on the small table beside the couch. The clink made everyone in the room tremble. He said gravely, “Speak.”
Xia Yuanpan said, “After careful observation and examination, I detected traces of Wu Tou in the Imperial Concubine’s system. Wu Tou, also known as aconite, has analgesic properties, but for a woman with child, it is a weapon that harms the fetus.”
“Fortunately, it was discovered in time. The dose of Wu Tou that entered the Imperial Concubine’s body was small, not enough to cause a miscarriage. A few more doses of the pregnancy-preserving medicine I prescribed will help her recover.”
These words fell like a massive boulder from the sky, striking heavily upon the hearts of Zhong Fei.
No one expected the Emperor’s words to come true.
Someone had actually poisoned Consort Shu (Jiang)!
Zhong Fei exchanged glances, remaining silent in response.
The first to react was Consort Shu (Jiang).
“What did you say?!” Consort Shu (Jiang) exclaimed in shock, struggling to sit up. “You’re saying I was poisoned? How is that possible! Every aspect of my diet and daily life is overseen by Imperial Physicians. How could anyone bypass them to poison me?”
“Consort Shu, don’t be so agitated. Be careful not to disturb the fetus. Lie down first, and we’ll discuss this,” Empress Cui soothed Consort Shu (Jiang), then turned her gaze to Xia Yuanpan. “Was this poison administered today or earlier?”
“Not today. Judging by the pulse, Your Highness has been poisoned for several days, and you must have been in daily contact with the source of the poison,” Xia Yuanpan replied.
“Then why wasn’t it detected by the imperial physicians before?” Empress Cui pressed step by step.
Xia Yuanpan cupped his hands and said, “I have just questioned Doctor Hu in detail. A few days ago, the toxin in Consort Shu’s body was minimal, and the pulse only showed signs of blocked qi and blood stasis, with no indication of poisoning. Doctor Hu assumed it was due to excessive worry and prescribed a remedy. This also demonstrates the sophistication of the poisoner—using a minuscule dose that is difficult to detect, attempting to deceive the imperial physicians. If not for Consort Shu’s sudden fainting and my thorough examination as the chief physician, an ordinary imperial physician would not have discovered it anytime soon. If Your Highness continues to be exposed to this poison, by the time something feels wrong, the pregnancy will certainly be lost.”
Consort Shu (Jiang) looked horrified upon hearing this and murmured in disbelief, “Who on earth wants to harm me…”
“Good, good, good!” Xie Chen uttered three “good” words in a row, revealing his fury.
He closed his eyes briefly and said sternly, “Investigate this thoroughly for me!”
Xia Yuanpan said, “Your Majesty, please allow me to inspect everything related to Consort Shu’s daily life—clothing, food, lodging, and activities.”
“Go ahead and investigate!”
Xia Yuanpan and Doctor Hu began their work, meticulously examining everything from clothing and incense to jewelry and accessories.
When Pei Tingyue spotted the Nanzhu Zānzi among the pile of jewelry, her eyelid twitched.
It was the congratulatory gift she had given to Consort Shu.
However, she quickly reassured herself—when she presented the hairpin, she had it inspected by an imperial physician right in front of Consort Shu (Jiang). There was no way it could be problematic.
She then recalled the situation in her own palace.
Ever since Consort Shu became pregnant, she had been extremely cautious, fearing any implication. She inspected her palace daily to ensure no incriminating items had been planted.
Just before leaving today, she had conducted another check.
The matter of Consort Shu’s poisoning should not involve her, Pei Tingyue thought to herself, quietly letting out a sigh of relief.
Before long, Xia Yuanpan and Doctor Hu finished their inspection—none of the items showed any issues.
Empress Cui frowned, “Why wasn’t the food inspected?”
Xia Yuanpan explained, “Your Majesty may not be aware, but Wu Tou is extremely toxic. Even in small amounts, prolonged skin contact can cause a miscarriage. If ingested, a single meal would be enough to induce a miscarriage in Consort Shu within days. Therefore, I did not inspect the food.”
“I see,” Empress Cui understood. “Since these items are fine, how did Consort Shu get poisoned then?”
“This…”
Xia Yuanpan and Doctor Hu conducted another inspection.
Still, nothing was found.
The two knelt on the ground to plead for punishment.
Xie Chen simply said, “Continue investigating. Nothing in this world is foolproof—there must be a flaw somewhere.”
Xia Yuanpan took a deep breath, “I have an impertinent request.”
Xie Chen’s dark eyes were icy, “Speak.”
“Please have Consort Shu’s palace maid select all the items she has used recently for my detailed inspection.”
Xie Chen ordered Tanwu, who was standing nearby, “You go.”
Tanwu quickly gathered the items. Finally, as if remembering something, she took out the Dongzhu Zānzi from the jewelry box.
“This Nanzhu Zānzi was a congratulatory gift from Consort Pei to our lady. Our lady likes this hairpin and has been wearing it frequently lately.”
Hearing this, the people in the hall glanced subtly at Pei Tingyue, and even Xie Chen’s gaze fell upon her, though it quickly shifted away.
Pei Tingyue remained expressionless, but her heart trembled slightly.
Empress Cui coughed lightly and instructed, “First examine this hairpin, so we may clear Consort Pei’s name.”
Doctor Hu picked up the Nanzhu Zānzi and inspected it once more before replying respectfully, “When Consort Pei presented the hairpin, I already examined it once and found no issues. Today, after repeated inspections, I still detected nothing wrong.”
After speaking, he handed the hairpin to Xia Yuanpan.
Xia Yuanpan also found nothing unusual initially and was about to report his findings when his gaze suddenly sharpened, fixed intently on the Nanzhu Zānzi.
“What is it?”
Seeing his prolonged silence, Empress Cui urged him.
As if confirming something, Xia Yuanpan forcefully twisted and detached the pearl flower ornament. Holding the now-bare golden hairpin with its exposed hollow cavity, he slowly poured out a white powder under the watchful eyes of everyone in the hall.
He exclaimed in shock,
“This… this is Wu Tou powder!”