“Chapter 0017: Must Not Falter”

"Chapter 0017: Must Not Falter"

"Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Jin De and Imperial Lady Wu are both pregnant. This item poses the greatest danger to them. Now that it has been found in Huabao Lin's possession, perhaps... Consort Jin De should have someone check her residence, and Imperial Lady Wu should do the same," suggested Lady Li.

Consort Jin De nodded, "Sister is right. Your Majesty, may I send someone to check my quarters?"

The Empress nodded, "Imperial Lady Wu, have your people search as well."

Huabao Lin looked up defiantly, realizing this was their true intention.

"So, it's not about harming the Emperor, but plotting against his heirs?"

Even understanding this, Huabao Lin found herself without a suitable response.

She didn't know what might be found at Consort Jin De's, but Imperial Lady Wu had just visited the Empress, likely ensuring some 'findings'.

Huabao Lin was furious; she had even warned Imperial Lady Wu earlier!

Sure enough, soon Imperial Lady Wu's people returned with a similar item found in her residing Furong Pavilion.

"How audacious, Huabao Lin. Barely a few months in the palace and already harboring such malicious intentions. I underestimated you," scoffed Lady Li.

The Empress looked at her, "Huabao Lin, do you have anything to say? Other matters might be overlooked, but plotting against the imperial heirs, I cannot tolerate."

"Your Majesty, I am wronged. I only knew that the box contained jasmine incense, not these substances. I don't know why it’s changed now. I have not plotted against the heirs, nor do I have any reason to harm Imperial Lady Wu's child," Huabao Lin pleaded, kneeling.

Huabao Lin knelt down as she spoke.

Regrettably, at this moment, no one spoke in her defense.

Her grandfather, Grand Tutor Hua, was the Emperor's respected teacher, praised countless times by His Majesty.

Her father was a prominent official in the current court.

In the harem, a noble-born consort was already disliked by many.

But no matter how formidable the consort was, she lacked the Emperor's favor.

"Unlike Huabao Lin, who has led the way since her arrival in the palace, causing concern."

"The Empress dared not contemplate what kind of woman Huabao Lin would become after bearing a prince."

"Her noble birth and the favor she enjoys make her ascension to higher ranks a matter of time."

"Although for some, advancing from the rank of Lin to a consort is a lifelong unattainable goal."

"For someone like Huabao Lin, however, it would be an easy feat."

"The Empress did not wish to witness such a day."

"Since Huabao Lin denies it, why not send her attendants to the Interior Punishment Bureau for a thorough interrogation? You yourself suspect Miaoyun, so a proper questioning is necessary," suggested the Noble Consort indifferently.

"Who ever comes out of the Interior Punishment Bureau?" retorted Huabao Lin angrily. "Now, the Empress doesn’t investigate the origin of the items from Hongze, nor does she have the royal physician check whether Imperial Lady Wu was indeed harmed by these items, yet she's determined my guilt?"

"The Empress coldly snorted, 'I certainly don’t need your reminders. Physician Li, examine Imperial Lady Wu.'"

"Physician Li, who had been silent until then, agreed and stepped forward."

"Imperial Lady Wu entered the room and had Physician Li check her pulse."

"After a short while, Physician Li reported, 'Replying to Your Majesty the Empress, Imperial Lady Wu has not used any inappropriate substances.'"

"Moreover, even if the incense was used, it wouldn’t matter unless it was used continuously and in large amounts. Otherwise, using it to cause a miscarriage would require considerable effort."

"Yun Li looked over to see the young Physician Li with his head bowed."

"She suddenly felt puzzled, wasn't Physician Li one of the Empress's people?"

The way this was phrased seemed almost considerate towards Hua Baolin.

"So, this substance is not likely to cause miscarriage? But its cooling fragrance, if used, would be easily detectable, right?" Song Jieyu asked.

"Indeed, as Jieyu said," Physician Li replied.

The Empress glanced at Song Jieyu and then at Physician Li, "Oh? So, according to Physician Li, this substance was not intended to cause Lady Wu's miscarriage? Could it be that, as a pregnant woman, she found some use for it?"

Physician Li was about to speak when suddenly Meng Chang arrived.

"I pay my respects to the Empress Mother and all the esteemed ladies," Meng Chang greeted.

"No need for formalities. Why are you here? Has the Emperor been informed?" the Empress inquired.

"Yes, His Majesty has issued a decree," Meng Chang replied.

The Empress hastily bowed to listen, and everyone else followed suit.

"His Majesty decrees that Miaoyun, the maid of Hua Baolin, be taken to the Inner Punishment Department for interrogation. Hua Baolin is to be confined until the matter is resolved. Lady Wu is confined for a month. This matter is to be handled by His Majesty; the Empress need not concern herself further."

After delivering the decree, Meng Chang asked, "Forgive me for the intrusion, Empress Mother. Shall I take them away now?"

The Empress nodded, "Since it's the Emperor's wish, proceed. I'm distressed that His Majesty had to intervene in harem affairs, which should be my responsibility."

"The Empress Mother and His Majesty are united as one. Who handles the matter is irrelevant. Rest assured, Empress Mother," Meng Chang said with a smile.

Throughout, Hua Baolin remained silent, allowing Meng Chang to take the accused away.

Lady Wu's confinement seemed peculiar.

At first glance, it seemed like an unjust misfortune.

But this matter isn't one to be pondered over lightly.

She returned to her confinement, her face pale.

As everyone dispersed, Yun Li also headed back.

In Yue'an Palace, Yun Li leaned on the carved window lattice, gazing outside, "This whole drama was quite spectacular."

Zhuyu brought her sour plum drink, and Zhifu wiped her hands with a damp cloth.

"Today's incident, regardless of the outcome, has certainly brought shame to Hua Baolin..." Zhifu commented.

"Better a Baolin lose face now than later, right? It’s good to remove a malignant tumor early. I was never keen on bringing in people from the outside. Are those from the family estate guaranteed to be safe? Not necessarily," Yun Li said.

"Baolin, you are wise indeed," Zhifu smiled.

After a few sips of the cool sour plum drink and rinsing her mouth, Yun Li said, "Hua Baolin won’t be in trouble. Given her background, the Emperor would be reluctant to let her be the first to fall."

Hua Baolin was brought into the palace for a significant purpose, so her downfall now would be inappropriate.

Having realized this, Yun Li quickly started to feel sleepy.

What else to do on a hot summer afternoon but nap?

Yun Li could see the situation clearly, but others might not.

However, differing standpoints lead to different thoughts.

In Fengyi Palace, the Empress frowned, "This matter was handled too hastily."

Now calm, the Empress was no longer in a hurry.

"But, Your Highness the Empress Mother, what about Miaoyun..." Songlu expressed her concerns.

"It's fine," the Empress waved her hand dismissively. If she couldn't handle such a matter, what good would she be as the Empress?

Even if Miaoyun was investigated, it wouldn't matter; she herself might not even know who had coerced her.

"Let's not delve deeper into this matter. The outcome will be clear soon enough. I was too impatient," the Empress took a deep breath.

"She's just a Baolin now, but as she gains favor or becomes pregnant, there will be many in the harem who envy her. Since her arrival, Consort Lan, Song Jieyu, and Lady Li have received less favor. Aren’t they anxious?"