Rongyue looked hesitant. She had no intention of getting involved in this matter, but Li, constantly nudging her with her elbow, left her no choice but to reluctantly say, "This method is indeed the Warming Palace method that the imperial physician told Sister Li about. And Sister Li only had the mugwort wine heated in the warmer at the herbalist's yesterday."
Li hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, you heard it! I really didn't mean to!"
With Rongyue's testimony, most of the suspicion intentionally cast on Li was dispelled. Moreover, as a low-ranking concubine in the palace, she wouldn't dare to openly engage in such actions on Princess Song Zhao's big day.
If she really did so, wouldn't it be tantamount to seeking death?
Seeing that Xiao Jingheng didn't show any intention to blame Li, Song Zhao smiled warmly at Li and said, "Li, it was an unintentional mistake. The palace and the Empress Dowager won't hold it against you. Please don't be so formal, get up."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"
At this moment, with the herbalist who administered the mugwort wine taken away, Song Zhao's complexion visibly eased. She turned to the Empress Dowager and asked, "Empress Dowager, are you feeling better now?"
The Empress Dowager's discomfort had also alleviated somewhat, but her expression carried a hint of deepening doubt.
It was because she suddenly remembered that when she fainted in the Plum Garden that day, almost dropping Cheng Yu, the symptoms were strikingly similar to what happened today.
After a brief silence, the Empress Dowager nodded slightly at Song Zhao and then her expression turned solemn. She said in a serious tone, "My condition is better now, but I recall another matter. When I was praying in the Plum Garden that day, I almost dropped Cheng Yu because I experienced the same symptoms as today. It seems that what happened that day may not have been a simple accident."
The Empress Dowager's words served as a catalyst, and the consorts immediately began discussing in hushed voices.
Consort Yun said, "Empress Dowager, did you also smell the wine that day? But the Plum Garden is outdoors, and it was cold in winter. The only one who could have emitted a scent was the herbalist."
Consort Yao recalled for a moment and added, "I remember on that day, during the plum-viewing event, the herbalists serving the consorts were personally prepared by Empress Dowager. Only..."
She paused for a moment and unintentionally glanced at the Empress, "Only the Empress's warmer seemed to have been prepared in advance."
With Consort Yao's casual remark, the finger of blame was directly pointed at the Empress.
However, to everyone's surprise, the Empress didn't even attempt to defend herself. Instead, she immediately knelt down and paid her respects to Xiao Jingheng and the Empress Dowager, wearing a remorseful expression. She said, "I was wrong... I suffered from premature birth and postpartum hemorrhage, which caused damage to my palace body. Therefore, I have also been using the Warming Palace method that Li used. The mugwort wine I had in my warmer during the plum-viewing event was the same. Upon hearing Judge Guo's words just now, I realized that the Empress Dowager's sudden fainting may have been caused by the mugwort wine in my warmer. Fortunately, Consort Guifei timely saved Cheng Yu, averting a grave mistake. Otherwise, if the Crown Prince were harmed in any way, it would have been entirely my fault."
She expressed deep remorse and regretted her past actions, lowering herself even further.
"I am guilty, Your Majesty. I plead for your punishment," she said.
Empress Song Zhao appeared before Emperor Zhao with a pitiful and sincere demeanor, causing him to think:
This woman's scheming is truly impressive.
Empress Song Zhao had painstakingly set up a grand scheme. She knew that the Empress Dowager was still suffering from a lingering illness and taking medication. So, she obtained a prescription for Ma Huang Bifeng Powder from the imperial physician and had Rongyue fetch Ai Ye Wine to soothe the coldness in Concubine Li's body.
On the day of the enthronement ceremony, the Empress Dowager was certain to attend. At that time, both the Empress Dowager and Empress Song Zhao would faint, undoubtedly bringing up the incident in Meiyuan Garden. The soup maid on that day was prepared by Empress Song Zhao herself, making her the prime suspect.
If the Empress thought that without evidence, she could deny the matter, then suspicions, especially from Xiao Jingheng, would only grow stronger.
Sometimes, even without conclusive evidence, once doubts arise in the mind of a ruler, they can deliver a fatal blow to the other party.
But why did the Empress readily admit it?
And she could quickly devise a plausible reason to request Xiao Jingheng's punishment?
However, what punishment could Xiao Jingheng impose on her now?
The incident with the Ai Ye Wine just now could be forgiven as an unintentional mistake.
Similarly, the Empress could also claim it as an unintentional mistake. Moreover, considering her status, no one would continue to hold onto the matter.
As expected,
As soon as the Empress admitted her "guilt," Xiao Jingheng raised his hand and allowed her to rise.
"You did not have ill intentions. You may rise," he said.
The Empress Dowager clearly wanted to get to the bottom of this matter,
but Xiao Jingheng's attitude was evident, making it difficult for the Empress Dowager to say anything further.
Once the Empress Dowager and Empress Song Zhao fully recovered their spirits, no one mentioned the matter again. Instead, they discussed the cities and counties they would visit during the southern tour next year.
Later, when it was almost time, Xiao Jingheng still had matters to attend to from the previous dynasty, so he allowed everyone to disperse.
At this moment, the Empress spoke kindly to Song Zhao:
"Consort Yi is now responsible for assisting with the affairs of the six palaces. There are some areas that require attention. I also wish to discuss them with you. Are you available?"
Song Zhao smiled, "Empress, if you are willing to teach this humble servant, I would be delighted."
She had been smiling,
However, as soon as everyone dispersed, her smile froze in an instant, and her gaze became cold.
The Empress also wore a stern expression as she walked up to her, saying coldly,
"Consort Yi, I underestimated you."
At this point, everyone knew who was whom. They all understood each other's intentions perfectly.
In this deserted place, there was no need to continue with the superficial pretenses.
Song Zhao also sneered, "Empress, you possess great wisdom. How would this humble servant dare to show off before you?"
"You naturally wouldn't dare," the Empress said, looking down at her with raised eyebrows, her words carrying a sense of provocation.
"I am a phoenix flying high in the sky, while you, at best, are merely a peacock. Even she can barely match my honor. And you? Hmph, you are nothing more than a hen."
She suddenly reached out and grabbed Song Zhao's chin, her eyebrows raised, and she sarcastically said,
"With the power of poultry, do you dare to compare yourself to the Empress? Don't you think...?"
Before the Empress could finish her triumphant words, she was startled by Song Zhao's sudden movement as she stood up.
Song Zhao had always had a tall and slender figure, so it was not noticeable when she usually bowed and kneeled before the Empress. But now, she stood tall, easily towering half a head above the Empress.
At this moment, Song Zhao's beautiful face was filled with indifference and disdain. Her presence was no less imposing than the Empress herself.
"Poultry may be insignificant, but there was once a time when I raised a few chickens in my family's backyard. They were usually timid and would hide whenever a servant passed by. But one day, when a hawk swooped down, trying to catch the chicks sheltered in their nest, guess what happened, Your Majesty?"
As she spoke, Song Zhao suddenly revealed a stern expression, raising her voice and stepping closer to the Empress.
"The mother hen, the one with the least courage, suddenly fluffed up her feathers and fought fiercely to protect her offspring. She was so ferocious that she even pecked the hawk and made it flee in panic!"
When Song Zhao emphasized the words "flee in panic," she displayed an impressive aura, almost as if she were shouting.
The Empress was startled and frozen in place, with no way to retreat. She stumbled upon the corner of a table and nearly fell.
At that moment, Song Zhao quickly reached out to support her.
Then, with a hint of contempt in the corner of her eye, she smiled coldly and said,
"You should pay attention to the path beneath your feet first, Your Majesty."
