Chapter 0016: The Trap

Chapter 0016: The Trap

"Playing dumb, yet others still seek your friendship? Isn't that scheming? Pah."

Zhu Yu laughed, "Then just be careful, there's no harm in that. They surely wouldn't dare to harm you."

"It's hard to say. What do you think about someone with not the brightest mind, but a decent background, and somewhat favored like Baolin? Wouldn't she be useful?" Yun Li said with a sly smile.

"Ah? What do you mean?" Zhu Yu asked in surprise.

"I don't know, I'm just saying. But when trouble comes, it'll find a way to hide. There are already two pregnant women in the harem, it would be abnormal if nothing happened. Maybe they'll start with me, the fool?" Yun Li speculated.

"Then they are going to be disappointed," Zhi Fu suddenly said.

Yun Li laughed heartily, "Let's wait and see, we'll just watch."

Inside Yining Xuan, Zhang Baolin sat in her room, tossing a stack of written scriptures into the fire pit.

She watched the flames lick the paper, the summer heat making the fire pit unbearably hot, but she didn’t move away.

Only after the papers had completely burned did she wipe the tears from her face.

The tears were so many, her chin was dampened.

The palace maid Xunhua silently moved the fire pit away and extinguished it, asking no questions.

Baolin merely mentioned that she needed to burn some poorly written old writings, and Xunhua obediently moved the fire pit.

When she returned, Zhang Baolin had already reapplied her makeup, leaving no trace of her previous tears.

"Tell me, whose side is Liu Yuni on?"

"I can't tell at the moment... I am incompetent," Xunhua replied.

"It doesn't matter," Zhang Baolin waved her hand dismissively. "What does she want to do? Have Qie Baolin do something for her? Or is she planning to use Qie Baolin for some purpose?"

"Currently in the harem, it's all about Consort Jin De's pregnancy and Wu Yuni's pregnancy," said Xunhua.

"If she's plotting against Qie Baolin, then I'll have to help Qie Baolin," declared Zhang Baolin.

Xunhua, puzzled, still acknowledged the statement.

The schemes of the harem arrived swiftly.

However, the issue did not arise from Yun Li's side, but rather from Hua Baolin.

Among the newcomers, Hua Baolin was the most favored, the first to be promoted and the first to serve in the emperor's chamber.

He Jinglei visited Cuiwei Palace for two consecutive days, specifically requesting her service.

Meng Baolin, who lived with her, didn't get involved at all.

After serving for two consecutive days, rumors spread in the palace that Hua Baolin had used a special incense, which made men seek her out upon smelling it.

The Empress swiftly punished those spreading these rumors, declaring gossip a crime, but Hua Baolin still had to prove her innocence.

The Empress, acting quickly, led a group to Cuiwei Palace.

She sat in the main hall, with everyone else present.

"Both Hua Baolin and Meng Baolin are here, let's conduct a search. The Emperor's well-being is paramount. Hua Baolin, rest assured, let your attendants accompany us. Noble Consort, Consort De, send your people too, to prevent any foul play and to avoid any unjust accusations against her."

Yun Li, standing with the crowd on the corridor, thought to herself that this was a well-prepared move.

Although Hua Baolin was nervous, she did not resist; at this point, what good would resistance do?

The attendants of the Empress, the Noble Consort, Consort De, along with two senior matrons from the Internal Affairs Department, joined the search.

Regardless of whether anything was found or not, Hua Baolin had already lost face in this ordeal.

Unfortunately, as a mere Baolin, she was of low influence and could not stop the Empress from conducting the search.

She just stood there, biting her lip, standing straight and firm in the corridor.

Soon, the search party emerged, having conducted their search respectfully without causing a mess.

"Your Majesty the Empress, all the incense is here, and we have inspected it. There's nothing of that sort. We will examine it once more under sunlight," said Xiang Mama, one of the Empress’s attendants.

The others echoed her statement.

Although nothing incriminating was found, Hua Baolin did not feel relieved. She knew that this was a trap from the start; the Empress wouldn't make such a grand display for nothing. If it all ended without incident, where would that leave the Empress's dignity?

Hua Baolin's maid shook her head at her, indicating that nothing was amiss.

Several maids and eunuchs gathered to discuss and were sure that there was nothing unusual.

But suddenly, the matron from the Internal Affairs Department exclaimed.

"Did Matron You see something wrong?" Consort Jin De asked.

"I'm dull, but this incense... it smells somewhat familiar," Matron You said, holding a small box of green tower incense in her hand.

Hua Baolin frowned; it was just ordinary jasmine incense.

Before the matrons could confirm anything, Hua Baolin's maid, Miaoyun, turned pale.

This pallor did not escape the notice of the others.

"Isn't that maid Hua Baolin's personal attendant? What's the matter with her?" Ye Xiuyi suddenly asked.

All eyes turned to her, and Miaoyun, frightened, knelt down: "I have done nothing wrong..."

Hua Baolin's heart skipped a beat; Miaoyun was brought into the palace from her family home.

Miaoyu and Miaoyun were both...

"At this moment, Miaoyu was also visibly shocked. She was astonished that Miaoyun would incriminate herself so readily. What had she done?"

"Yun Li slightly raised her eyebrows, thinking that this Huabao Lin was indeed an eyesore. Someone had either bribed or coerced her people from her maternal home..."

"Tsk."

"Go, summon a royal physician to identify this," said the Empress, glancing at Huabao Lin before speaking.

"Huabao Lin stood there, completely unwilling to speak."

"She knew it was a trap but was determined to see what it was exactly."

"Now, it seemed they were no longer accusing her of using something to bewitch His Majesty."

"Then what was it?"

"Soon, a royal physician arrived, paid his respects, and went to examine the incense."

"After briefly smelling it and grinding a piece, he seriously inspected it and said, 'Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, my medical knowledge is limited, but I know this incense is harmful to pregnant women. It contains a large amount of cooling substances. When burned, its scent should be refreshing, suitable for summer use. However, it cannot be used by pregnant women or those with a weak constitution.'"

"What would happen if a pregnant woman used it?" asked Consort Jin De, anxiously.

"Replying to Consort Jin De, if a pregnant woman used it, especially in early pregnancy, it could likely lead to fetal instability and even miscarriage."

"Oh, Huabao Lin, how could you use such a thing?" Meng Bao Lin exclaimed in surprise. "Even if you're not pregnant, it's inappropriate, right? We women must avoid such cooling substances at all costs. Why... why would you use this?"

"Sister Meng, what you say implies that it might not have been Huabao Lin who used it herself," said Xu Bao Lin.

"Your Majesty the Empress, the original contents of this box were jasmine incense, not any cooling substances. I had no idea how it turned into this. Miaoyun, why are you acting this way? Even if I'm proven innocent today, you won't escape death. Your entire family is still with the Hua family. How dare you do such a thing?" Huabao Lin said through gritted teeth.

"Huabao Lin, are you threatening her?" asked Lan Consort lazily.

"Sister Hua, now that things have come to this point, it's better to speak frankly. Her Majesty the Empress is merciful and might not punish you severely. However, it's wrong to blame your subordinates for your own troubles," said Lady Li.

"Huabao Lin, to recognize and correct your mistakes is the greatest of virtues," added the Noble Consort, indifferently.