Clothing Steward Xie gulped and whispered weakly, "Cotton... cotton padding."
"You put cotton padding in your clothes because you knew in advance that someone would put white phosphorus powder inside?"
Clothing Steward Xie's eyes were unfocused, filled with fear and terror. She shook her head, tears falling continuously: "I don't know... I don't know anything..."
"Uh..."
Suddenly, a "whoosh" sound came from the air, followed by Clothing Steward Xie's pained expression as blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
"Thud!"
As she fell face-first to the ground, everyone saw a long arrow lodged in her back.
"Concubine!"
Xi Que and Shuang Jiang were frightened and quickly moved to shield her: "There's an assassin! Protect the Concubine!"
Jiang Xinyue's quarters were deep inside, invisible from the outside. She watched as Clothing Steward Xie coughed up blood and collapsed in a pool of blood, supporting herself to write something with her finger underneath her body.
The guards of Hexi Palace had been caught off guard. As soon as Xi Que called out, they drew their swords and gave chase.
Someone, fearing Clothing Steward Xie would expose them, had sent an assassin to silence her.
Jiang Xinyue pushed Xi Que and Shuang Jiang aside, walked down in a few steps, and used her foot to flip Clothing Steward Xie over.
Under her clothes, there was an unfinished character written in blood, but before anyone could see it clearly, it was already obscured by the spreading blood.
"Concubine..."
Xi Que wanted to say something but was stopped by Jiang Xinyue's raised hand. She spoke with a cold face: "Take Clothing Steward Xie's body to the Investigative Bureau."
Everyone was confused as to why Consort Xian wanted to send Clothing Steward Xie's body to the Investigative Bureau, but Xi Que, Jiang Chuan, and a few others knew.
The Concubine was warning the Investigative Bureau.
They had spent four or five days without results, or perhaps they had found results but, due to someone's hint, didn't inform her.
Moreover, she was indirectly telling the Emperor that no matter who he wanted to protect, she wouldn't spare anyone who tried to harm her child.
In Yikun Palace—
Wang Dequan placed the phoenix seal and golden book, symbols of the Empress's authority, in a silk-covered gift box: "Empress, this servant will take his leave now."
The Empress sat on the edge of the bed. The cool morning breeze made her feel a chill, so she wrapped her cloak tighter around herself. However, her frame was so thin that the cloak hung loosely, seemingly providing little warmth.
She closed her eyes briefly: "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Wang."
"I wouldn't dare..."
Wang Dequan sighed wistfully, wanting to say some words of comfort, but felt it wasn't his place as a eunuch to do so.
He didn't pity the Empress, but rather marveled at the vicissitudes of life.
In the palace, falling out of favor and regaining favor could happen in an instant. He wouldn't step on any concubine who had fallen from grace, nor would he flatter those in favor.
When someone was down on their luck, it was better to build goodwill than to make enemies.
As soon as Wang Dequan left, Fen Yun came out carrying the Fifth Prince, looking at her mistress with concern: "Concubine, why... This clearly wasn't your doing, why did you take the blame? Now that you and the Emperor are estranged, what will become of you?"
"If I didn't take the blame, I would be the next Consort Li."
Overnight, the Empress seemed to have aged considerably, with two fine lines appearing at the corners of her eyes: "Although I didn't order the phosphorus powder to be put in, it was done by the Zhu family to eliminate threats for me. The Emperor has long been dissatisfied that the people of Chang'an only know the Zhu family and not the imperial family. If I didn't take the blame for the Zhu family, they would disappear from this world tomorrow."
She laughed self-mockingly: "Fen Yun, have you ever seen a concubine whose family was wiped out survive in the palace?"
When Consort Li was in favor, she was only a Noble Consort, yet she already attracted so much jealousy. After she was demoted, those people frantically bullied and humiliated her, making her life worse than death.
She was the Empress. If the Zhu family fell, how could those who envied her possibly spare her?
"Consort Xian, our Empress said she's not receiving visitors. You can't go in."
The maid's voice of protest grew closer, indicating she had failed to stop the visitor.
"Creak~"
The tightly closed door was pushed open, and Jiang Xinyue entered with measured steps: "This concubine pays respects to the Empress."
The Empress spoke coldly: "What are you doing here? Have you come to laugh at me?"
Jiang Xinyue sighed, with a look of utter despair: "How could I? This concubine is the biggest joke in the palace, how dare I laugh at the Empress?"
"You've already received the phoenix seal and golden book. Why do you still speak so sarcastically? Jiang Xinyue, don't push your luck too far."
"Doesn't the Empress know?" Jiang Xinyue looked puzzled: "This concubine only received the phoenix seal. The Emperor said long ago that Consort De would keep the golden book, and palace affairs would be managed jointly by this concubine and Consort De. This concubine is young and inexperienced, and I imagine the others wouldn't submit to my management. So this concubine won't manage anything; all palace matters will still be handled by Consort De. This concubine won't do such a thankless job."
Her meaning was clear: the phoenix seal would eventually be returned to the Empress. She wouldn't do this exhausting and thankless job, lest she be mocked later for wielding borrowed authority.
She was also indirectly proving to the Empress that she had no designs on the position of Empress, so there was no need for such hostility towards her.
The Empress looked at her scrutinizingly: "Now that the Emperor dotes on you so deeply and listens to everything you say, haven't you thought about replacing me and becoming the mistress of the harem?"
"Become the mistress of the harem, and then what?"
She looked with pure, innocent eyes: "Isn't having the Emperor enough for this concubine?"
The Empress was first stunned, then couldn't help but laugh and cry.
Was it because of youth that she was so fearless, thinking that having the Emperor's favor was better than being Empress?
"What's so good about being Empress?"
Jiang Xinyue complained as if confiding in a close sister, seemingly sympathizing with her: "The Empress has to attend morning and evening court every day, not even able to sleep in. When going out, a large group of people follow behind, telling you what you can't do and what's not appropriate. They constantly remind you that you're the Empress, that you must be cautious in words and actions, must be dignified and elegant... must manage the harem for the Emperor, can't be jealous... can't throw tantrums... There are too many 'can'ts', Empress. Compared to being such a mistress of the harem, this concubine would rather have the Emperor's love and be a carefree, favored consort who doesn't have to pretend to be strong."
Being Empress without the Emperor's understanding and love is just being a high-ranking female official who receives a monthly salary.
Everything must be centered on the Emperor and the big picture, but what about oneself?
If the price of being Empress is losing oneself, Jiang Xinyue would rather be a favored consort who can act coquettishly and throw small tantrums with the Emperor.
The Empress looked at the sincerity emanating from her very core and couldn't help but believe that she was speaking from her heart.
She truly didn't want to be Empress.
