As the evening approached, the light in the hall gradually dimmed.
Xiao Jingheng glanced at Zhang Imperial Physician, signaling him with his eyes.
Zhang Imperial Physician promptly stepped forward to take the teapot brought by Xiao Yinzi, carefully examining its contents.
After a while, he reported with a bow, "Your Majesty, in this Gardenia Sweet Dew, someone has added Xixin and Guiwei herbs, which have been distilled and purified multiple times, making their medicinal effects even stronger. Xixin is known for its warmth and dispelling of stagnant Qi, while Guiwei promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation. The combination of the two is indeed a potent weapon for causing a miscarriage..."
As he spoke, Ning Wanshuang and a group of concubines had hurriedly arrived.
Upon hearing Zhang Imperial Physician's words, Ning Wanshuang exclaimed, "Your Majesty, I remember that this Gardenia Sweet Dew was exclusively given to Consort Hui as a reward. How could such a mishap occur with something bestowed by the imperial court?"
Consort Ying also said, "The items presented before the Emperor surely wouldn't have such oversight. It must be the fault of the palace attendants responsible for delivering the meals."
Xiao Jingheng furrowed his brows, coldly remarking, "Investigate. Not only should we investigate the palace attendants responsible for delivering the meals, but also the maidservants in Zhaochun Palace!"
This would involve a lot of people in the ensuing investigation.
Chan Er, who served Consort Hui closely and never left her side in the inner chambers, heard that Consort Hui had a miscarriage due to the Gardenia Sweet Dew. She hurriedly ran to the Emperor, anxiously pleading, "Your Majesty! I am Chan Er, the servant who serves Consort Hui. Since Her Ladyship became pregnant, I have been extremely cautious when handling anything that comes into Zhaochun Palace. As for the food, I have triple-checked for poison and had the palace attendants responsible for tasting the meals do the same, ensuring that everything was safe before presenting it to Her Ladyship. I dare to guarantee that there was absolutely no problem with the Gardenia Sweet Dew..."
"Ah..." Zhang Imperial Physician sighed with worry, interrupting Chan Er's words. "Forgive this humble official for speaking out of turn. I have repeatedly reminded everyone that during Her Ladyship's pregnancy, everything that goes into her mouth must be inspected by me first.
The Xixin and Guiwei added to the Gardenia Sweet Dew are medicinal herbs used for treating illnesses, and they cannot be detected through a poison test. Moreover, what use is it to have the palace attendants who tasted the food assess these substances that promote Qi circulation and blood flow?"
"It's impossible!" Chan Er replied firmly. "Although Zhang Imperial Physician did not inspect it, I have a good understanding of medical principles. On the day the Gardenia Sweet Dew was presented to Consort Hui and Consort Shun, I also rechecked it and found nothing unusual at that time. But now, the problem lies within this pot of Gardenia Sweet Dew...
After it entered Zhaochun Palace, I have been solely responsible for storing it, with no possibility of anyone else coming into contact with it. If we are to say that someone else had contact with it, it would only be Consort Shun when she took off the lid today."
Consort Yao took a sharp breath upon hearing this. "Are you suggesting that Consort Shun tampered with it herself?"
"Consort Yao, please use your brain a little," Ning Wanshuang sneered and retorted, "Consort Hui and Consort Shun have no grievances or conflicts for a long time. Why would she use her firstborn's favor to conspire against Consort Hui?"
Xiao Jingheng raised his eyebrows and looked towards the side hall, his eyes filled with both pity and suspicion.
Consort Yun seized the opportunity and said, "If Consort Shun's pregnancy turns out to be false, what if it was a false pregnancy from the beginning?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Imperial Physician became angry and exclaimed, "Consort Yun's words have tarnished the reputation of Consort Shun and insulted my unwavering loyalty to serve the Emperor! I kneel before Emperor Xiao Jingheng and confess my shortcomings. I have failed to protect the lives of the two consorts and it is my negligence. I am at the Emperor's mercy for any punishment, but I must defend myself against Consort Yun's accusations. Consort Shun's miscarriage has indeed caused irreparable damage, and she has lost all hope of conceiving in this lifetime. If the Emperor doubts this, other physicians can be called upon to examine her together!"
Consort Yun did not expect such a strong reaction from Zhang Imperial Physician and blushed in embarrassment. She weakly replied, "I did not mean it that way, Zhang Imperial Physician, please do not take offense."
Regardless of whether she meant it or not, such a significant incident in the palace could not be taken lightly. The physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau, led by Guo Imperial Physician, had already arrived and were waiting in the corridor.
Xiao Jingheng instructed them to carefully examine Consort Hui and Rongyue's pulses. However, both of them had already taken abortifacient drugs, so what more could be revealed from examining their pulses, apart from the signs of physical weakness and miscarriage?
However, Rongyue's health had indeed deteriorated.
After Guo Imperial Physician informed Xiao Jingheng of the examination results, his doubts about Consort Hui immediately dissipated.
He certainly did not believe that Rongyue would sacrifice her own ability to conceive to frame Consort Hui.
It was Consort Hui...
Just as Xiao Jingheng's suspicions shifted towards Consort Hui, Xiao Yinzi brought in a palace maid who served in the imperial court.
"Emperor, this person is the eunuch who was responsible for delivering the jasmine nectar to the Palace of Pure Auspice today."
The palace maid turned pale at the sight of the commotion.
Once Xiao Yinzi released his grip on her, she knelt on the ground and began speaking incoherently, "Please spare me, Emperor. I know nothing. I didn't do it..."
Xiao Yinzi asked her, "You just need to tell the Emperor everything you experienced today."
"The eunuch... When I was delivering the jasmine nectar to the Palace of Pure Auspice, I passed by the stargazing platform and bumped into a foreign official. I almost spilled the jasmine nectar, but he helped me and prevented a major mistake. However, I don't know if the contaminated substance that Consort Hui consumed was put there at that moment..."
"Foreign official?" Xiao Jingheng momentarily puzzled, and Jiang Deshun reminded him, "Your Majesty, today is the day when the Astronomical Bureau came to the palace for star observation and divination."
Xiao Jingheng then asked, "Do you remember what the person looked like?"
The palace maid nodded repeatedly, and Xiao Jingheng declared, "Take this eunuch to the Astronomical Bureau and have her identify him. We must quickly find out everyone who had contact with him today!"
As this matter concerned the imperial harem, Xiao Jingheng entrusted the investigation to Ning Wanshuang.
On the following day, when the consorts hurried to Yonghe Palace to pay respects to Ning Wanshuang,
Look at her weary expression and continuous yawning. It seems she hasn't slept a wink all night.
He Chang expressed his concern, "Empress Consort, you must be exhausted from dealing with the incident of the traitor poisoning."
Consort Yao also said, "It's truly pitiful for Consort Hui and Consort Shun. We still don't know whose wicked hand caused them such suffering, and they haven't regained consciousness until now..."
Consort Yun raised an eyebrow and looked at Ning Wanshuang, asking, "Have you found any clues, Empress Consort?"
Just then, a solemn announcement from the palace attendants outside interrupted the chatter of the consorts.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Everyone stood up and respectfully greeted the Emperor at the door. Xiao Jingheng entered with broad strides, motioning for everyone to be seated before taking his place next to Ning Wanshuang at the head of the table. He asked,
"What have you discovered that made you so anxious to see me?"
Ning Wanshuang replied with a hint of fear, "As the one in charge of the six palaces, if this matter had occurred within the harem, it would have been manageable for me to handle. But it involves important figures from the previous dynasty, and I dare not make decisions without Your Majesty's guidance."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng, puzzled, clapped his hands sharply toward the door and said,
"Kang Yubin, bring the person in."
[End of the chapter. I'll resume with two chapters tomorrow as I need to rest now.]
