Chapter 61: Sacrificial Pawn

Chapter 61: Sacrificial Pawn

Fengyi Palace.

As the residence of the empresses of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Fengyi Palace is situated on the central axis of the entire harem, featuring the highest-grade double-eaved Wudian style roof, with a five-ridged and four-sloped structure, where the front and rear slopes converge to form the central ridge.

The palace, usually grand and majestic, maintained its grandeur, but the atmosphere inside was as heavy as ice.

In the courtyard of Mingluan Hall, numerous palace servants knelt down. Jiang Hui walked past the kneeling servants, only to be stopped by Sheng An, who was outside the main hall's curtain.

"Noble Consort, what brings you here?"

"Eunuch Sheng, please announce my arrival. I need to see His Majesty and the Empress about an urgent matter."

Sheng An, aware that the Noble Consort must be here concerning the Crown Prince's incident, quickly lifted the curtain and went inside. Shortly after, he returned, bowing and inviting Jiang Hui inside.

Jiang Hui signaled to Okra and Wan Song, who followed her, to wait outside, and she quietly stepped into the room.

The scent of calming incense was faint, and the Emperor sat in the main seat, his expression slightly stern. Beside him stood the Empress, looking rigid.

Jiang Hui's gaze swiftly passed over the folds at the knee of the Empress's rouge-red moonlight skirt, quickly moving away as she stepped forward to pay her respects.

Xiao Sheng helped Jiang Hui up, asking in a low voice, "Why have you come, Noble Consort?"

Jiang Hui, straightening up with the Emperor's assistance, directly stated, "Your Majesty, regarding Nian'er's situation, the true mastermind behind the scenes may be someone else."

A flash of surprise appeared in the Empress's eyes, not expecting Jiang Hui to speak on her behalf.

Xiao Sheng's expression remained calm, as if he had anticipated this outcome.

"Why do you say so?"

If Qingfeng was waiting in Yao Hua Palace to report to her about the handwriting of the secret letters, then Anjing surely must have sent someone to report to the Emperor, and there might even be news from Doctor Qiu at the Dali Temple.

Seeing Xiao Sheng's demeanor, Jiang Hui knew he had his suspicions.

She lowered her eyelids, softly speaking, "Your Majesty, I just visited Zhao Ruyun in Changmen Palace. Observing her behavior, she does not seem like a person secretly passing messages. I believe the Empress is not involved in this matter."

Hearing this, Xiao Sheng slightly nodded, then turned to the Empress, "What do you think, Empress?"

The Empress bowed her head, "Your Majesty, with recurring issues in the palace, as the Empress, I have failed to fulfill my duties in overseeing the harem. I am guilty of negligence and am willing to accept your punishment."

"The Empress should indeed reflect on how to better manage the harem," Xiao Sheng didn't let her off easily despite her admission of fault. He sternly added, "I do not wish to see such incidents again."

The Empress nodded in response.

Jiang Hui didn't offer any words of comfort. Her son, now seen as a 'medicine jar' by everyone, had already done her part by explaining to the Empress in Fengyi Palace. Any more words would seem insincere.

Xiao Sheng glanced at the silent Jiang Hui, then suddenly said, "With the Empress overwhelmed by numerous duties, let the Noble Consort assist in managing the harem affairs."

Jiang Hui thought to herself, 'as expected', and slightly raised her eyes in a somewhat surprised expression towards Xiao Sheng.

The Empress hesitated for a moment, then squeezed out a smile, softly saying, "Yes. The Noble Consort may assist in managing the Imperial Kitchen. What does Your Majesty think?"

She was clearly reluctant to share control over departments like Gongye Si and Neishi Si.

Hearing this, Xiao Sheng nodded slightly, "Let it be done this way."

He then took Jiang Hui's hand and together they went to Yaohua Palace to visit Nian'er.

After the Emperor and the Noble Consort's departure, the Empress’s personal maids hurriedly got up from the ground and entered the inner chamber.

Chunyan helped the Empress sit on the soft chair, while Xiachan brought her hot tea.

"My lady, you had nothing to do with the Crown Prince’s matter. How could His Majesty do this?!" Chunyan, seeing her mistress's haggard appearance, expressed her discontent.

The Empress took a sip of tea, regaining her composure, and said helplessly, "Even if I didn't do it, I have access to the medical records, and indeed, I sent people to Zhao Shuren's place, and even regarding the Crown Prince..."

She paused, sighed, and asked, "How is Doctor Qiu now?"

"He is still in Dali Temple. My lady, should we send a message to the master?" Chunyan whispered.

The Empress's father was a middle-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites and had a close private relationship with Sun Zhengze, the head of Dali Temple.

"No need," the Empress shook her head slightly, "Just now, both Dali Temple and An Jing sent messages to His Majesty. Although I didn’t hear them myself, His Majesty raised the issue only to put it down lightly. It seems my involvement is no longer a concern."

Chunyan sighed in relief, but Xiachan wondered, "Who is trying to frame you? My lady, could this be the Noble Consort’s ploy?"

"A feigned injury plot?" The Empress frowned, pondering for a moment before shaking her head, "The Crown Prince is the Noble Consort's precious child. The commotion in Yao Hua Palace yesterday didn't seem like an act."

Her expression slightly unnatural, she continued, "Moreover, the Noble Consort did come to speak a few words on my behalf just now. I owe her thanks for that."

Chunyan and Xiachan exchanged glances, the latter murmuring, "Then who could it be?"

"Yes," the Empress replied, her expression grave, "Who could it be?"

Just as Jiang Hui and the Emperor returned to Yao Hua Palace, Anjing and Qingfeng hurriedly arrived to report that one of Zhang the eunuch's apprentices had committed suicide.

"What happened?" Xiao Sheng's face darkened.

At the interrogation by the Imperial Justice Office, the key was to prevent deliberate suicides. Even under severe torture, care was taken not to cause death. How could they let someone commit suicide?

Bowing, Anjing reported, "Your Majesty, earlier I had separately interrogated Zhang Licheng. He mentioned that the handwriting in the third letter was slightly different, so I immediately re-interrogated his two apprentices Chengjiu and Chengyuan."

"Chengyuan still claimed ignorance about the secret letters, but Chengjiu, realizing we had found the discrepancy in the letters, bit into a poison capsule hidden in his tooth and committed suicide. I failed in my duty, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Poison hidden in a tooth? This was premeditated; the person behind the scenes had such influence?

Jiang Hui's brow furrowed slightly, her thoughts racing, as if grasping at something significant.

The Emperor also seemed to have reached a similar conclusion, his eyes flickering indecipherably. He said to Jiang Hui, "Hui'er, you go back and rest first. I have some matters to investigate."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jiang Hui bowed and watched as the royal carriage departed.

Qingfeng then said, "My Lady, I failed in my duty. You specifically instructed me to keep an eye on those two apprentices, yet still..."

Jiang Hui raised her hand to stop Qingfeng’s apology, "He was a sworn man, it's not your fault."

She slowly walked into the warm pavilion of Qiong Hua Hall and sat diagonally on the Noble Consort's couch, lost in thought, with her flowing dress trailing beside the couch.

"My Lady?" Autumn gently called out.

"Hmm?" Jiang Hui looked up.

"Do we need to make further arrangements with Doctor Lin?" Autumn inquired.

Doctor Lin assumed that Jiang Hui no longer had the Xuepo Sini Supplemental Soup, hence believed that the Crown Prince would require long-term medication and care.

However, Jiang Hui still had some of the remaining soup, and if the Crown Prince were to take it, with Doctor Lin's medical expertise, wouldn't he detect the difference?

The Crown Prince, being the only son of the Emperor and born of the Noble Consort, was already in the spotlight. Given the hidden forces targeting the Emperor's heirs, it might be wise to use this opportunity to feign weakness and illness, letting others believe he was indeed frail and difficult to cure.

This situation was different from the time at Pulo Temple, where Jiang Hui pretended to be ill with a secret medicine given by Master Jingyuan and Doctor Liu's cover-up, successfully deceiving the Emperor and Doctor Li.

However, this time, convincing Doctor Lin to keep a secret was another matter.

The crime of deceiving the Emperor was not something everyone was willing to bear.

"Is Doctor Lin still in the Eastern Auxiliary Hall?" Jiang Hui asked.

"Yes," Autumn nodded. "He came early this morning to treat the young master in Yao Hua Palace. Due to the young master's frailty, Doctor Lin hasn't dared to leave."

"Ask him to wait in the floral hall, I will join him shortly."