Chapter 52: Morning Meal.

Chapter 52: Morning Meal.

Lady Sun’s announcement echoed in the hall, stunning the consorts seated there. Wasn't Lady Sun always close with Min Jieyu, almost like sisters?

Curiosity was evident on everyone’s faces, eager to hear more.

Unfortunately, the Empress didn't give them the chance.

As soon as Lady Sun spoke, the Empress realized something was amiss. Just yesterday, she had been pondering the peculiarities of Cining Palace's situation and its relation to Yaohua Palace. And now, Lady Sun was accusing Min Jieyu, who had close ties with Cining Palace?

Since the Emperor had strictly forbidden all palaces from inquiring about the Shenxing Division, whatever this matter was, it likely wasn't something to be discussed openly. Lady Sun's accusation must involve some secret!

The Empress interrupted Lady Sun with a light cough, picked up her teacup, and said with a faint smile, "I am tired. All sisters may leave, except Lady Sun."

"As you wish, Your Highness," the consorts replied respectfully, their voices tinged with a hint of regret.

Consort He rose from her armchair and walked out, passing the kneeling Concubine Sun without seeming to notice the terrifying visage beneath her veil, and cheerfully exclaimed, "Concubine Sun, your sword dance was splendid. I really enjoyed it. You must visit me someday!"

Without waiting for a response from Concubine Sun, she continued on her way, laughing to herself.

Soon, only the Empress, Concubine Sun, and the two palace maids, Chunyan and Huamei, remained in the main hall of Mingluan Palace. The Empress descended from her phoenix throne, her long, embroidered, red trailing gown flowing behind her.

Approaching Concubine Sun, she looked down and said, "Concubine Sun, if you have something to say, speak now."

"Yes," replied Concubine Sun, her face calm. Her gaze fell on the golden phoenix feathers on the hem of the Empress's gown as she slowly declared, "I must accuse Consort Min of burning paper offerings, incensing, and secretly worshipping spirits and deities in the Changchun Palace!"

Burning paper offerings, incensing, and secret worships?

This was far from what the Empress had expected.

Indeed, private worships were strictly forbidden in the palace. But for Concubine Sun to come all the way to the Fengyi Palace, dragging her injured leg, just to accuse someone of this?

Every Qingming Festival and during the New Year, countless eunuchs and palace maids secretly performed such rituals for their families. Usually, as long as there was bribery, the overseers would turn a blind eye.

Although Consort Min had fallen out of favor due to the miscarriage of Consort Liu, she was still pregnant and protected by the Empress Dowager. Even if she was guilty of private worship, at most she would receive a mild punishment as a stern warning.

With this accusation, Concubine Sun wouldn't be able to shake Consort Min's foundation. Instead, she might put herself in danger, especially considering that it was she who sent Doctor Qiu, saving Concubine Sun's life last time.

No, the Empress thought, her mind shifting as she stared at Concubine Sun's slightly drooping eyelids. Choosing this moment right after the incident in Yaohua Palace to make the accusation must have some connection; it couldn't be as simple as private worship.

The Empress sat down on a chair beside Concubine Sun, her tone softening, "Is what you say true, Concubine Sun? Spreading rumors can lead to a beating."

"Your Highness has shown great kindness to me. What I have said is entirely true; I dare not deceive," Concubine Sun kowtowed.

Meeting the Empress's gaze, she added, "I am friends with Consort Min and once inadvertently saw the paper money in the Hanzhang Palace. If Your Highness does not believe me, you may send someone to search the palace."

"A palace search?" The Empress repeated softly, looking intently at Concubine Sun, then said, "I understand. Your leg is still injured, Concubine Sun. You should return to Xiu Xia Xuan to rest as soon as possible."

As she spoke, she turned and instructed Chunyan, "Go to the storeroom and bring the box of Snow Face Cream for Concubine Sun. Then call for a sedan chair to carry her back to Chonghua Palace."

Once Concubine Sun and her maid had disappeared from Fengyi Palace, the Empress glanced at the water clock in the corner and asked, "Today isn’t a day off. Has His Majesty finished the court session?"

"Not yet," replied Xiachan. "I heard that today’s court session is discussing the autumn hunt, so it might take a while longer."

Ever since the unfortunate incident at the autumn hunt in Pingcheng with Prince Yuanhui, Emperor Qianning had never returned there, nor had any shortsighted official dared to mention it. However, this being the first year of Emperor Jianzhao's reign, tradition dictated an autumn hunt in Pingcheng to capture deer.

"The autumn hunt..." The Empress pondered for a moment, then ordered, "Go wait outside Taiji Hall. As soon as His Majesty finishes the court session, invite him to Fengyi Palace and tell him I have important matters to report."

In Changchun Palace, Hanzhang Hall.

Dongqing entered the warm chamber carrying a red lacquered, carved food box. Seeing Du Ruo wiping off the nail polish made from the juice of the phoenix flower from Consort Min's nails with a silk handkerchief, she knew her mistress was in a decent mood. Pausing briefly to adjust her expression, she approached and said, "Mistress, please have something to eat."

Hanzhang Hall was under house arrest, guarded by imperial soldiers, and the palace servants inside couldn’t leave. Daily meals were delivered by the Imperial Kitchen to the entrance of Hanzhang Hall, where Dongqing personally fetched them.

Fortunately, the Imperial Kitchen dared not be negligent, providing not only three meals a day but also various snacks suitable for pregnancy.

Since the miscarriage of Consort Liu, Consort Min had been in a gloomy mood, especially since the Emperor, her cousin, hadn’t stepped into Hanzhang Hall since then, deepening her sorrow.

However, being pregnant and comforted by loyal maidservants, she knew she wasn't in a hopeless situation and still had a chance to turn things around. She quickly adjusted her mood and focused on nurturing her unborn child.

At that moment, Consort Min watched Dongqing open the food box and bring out dish after dish. She signaled Du Ruo to dry her hands and sat down at the table.

Just as she sat down, she smelled the fishy odor of the morning's fish soup and began to retch, covering her mouth.

"Mistress!"

The two maids panicked, patting her back and offering water, eventually calming Consort Min with a sour date.

Annoyed, Dongqing called a young maid to remove the fish soup and complained, "I’ve already told Manager Zhang of the Imperial Kitchen not to send carp soup. You can’t stand the smell, Mistress. Why do they still send it?"

Consort Min's brows twitched slightly, and she suddenly asked, "Dongqing, who from the Imperial Kitchen delivers the food? Is it still the same person as before?"

Dongqing hesitated, recalling, "Manager Zhang personally delivered last night's dinner at the hour of Shen, but it seems someone else brought this morning's meal?"

"Seems?" Consort Min's voice rose slightly.

"Yes," Dongqing's face paled as she remembered. "This morning, when I went to fetch the breakfast at the entrance of Hanzhang Hall, it was the guard outside who handed me the food box, not someone from the Imperial Kitchen."

Looking down at the table, she voiced her suspicion with alarm, "Mistress, could it be that this breakfast was sent by someone intending to harm your unborn child?!"

Saying this, she hurried to fetch a silver needle.

Consort Min didn’t stop her but stared thoughtfully at the food on the table.

Moments later, Dongqing tested each dish with the silver needle, which remained shiny and unchanged. Both maids, Dongqing and Du Ruo, breathed a sigh of relief, but Consort Min’s frown deepened.

Carp soup, crystal rice cakes, date paste cake... the ornate food box lined with reed-patterned silver satin...

Her pregnancy was still early; the fish soup was one thing, but it was unusual to receive two types of glutinous rice desserts that are hard to digest for breakfast...

Suddenly, a realization dawned on Consort Min, her gaze sharpening as she muttered under her breath, "Ci... Ning... danger..."