Chapter 0039: Patchouli

Chapter 0039: Patchouli

Zhifu placed the pastries on the table.

Ruyi and Songzhu went over to look and sniffed: "It smells of medicine. What kind of pastry is this? Looks like date paste cake, right?"

"Empress, I am... I am so angry. Ever since my family visited that day, the Noble Consort has been... like having a fit. Every day it’s either gifts or food. I didn't say anything. It’s a big sister’s care, I can't refuse, but why would she put medicine in the pastries? I don’t understand medicine, I don't know what this is. Please, Empress, stand up for me," Yunli pleaded.

"Go, call a physician," the Empress commanded.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Yunli quickly said.

"Rise, I will investigate this matter for you. But we must remember the Noble Consort is still the Noble Consort, and we cannot wrong her unjustly," the Empress said.

"Yes, I understand. Your Highness is magnanimous. Recently, I heard throughout the palace that Your Highness requested the Emperor not to bestow further rewards upon the Xie family. I felt that Your Highness is truly virtuous and good. Therefore, I trust Your Highness will help me," Yunli said with a smile.

The Empress also smiled, "It's good that you trust me. Come, have some tea."

Yunli sat down with a beaming smile and began to drink tea.

Shortly after, a physician arrived.

The physician, a man in his forties or fifties with a goatee, first paid his respects to the Empress.

"Doctor Zhu, please, no formalities," the Empress said with a smile. "Come, take a look at these pastries."

Doctor Zhu complied and began his examination.

He first smelled the pastry, then pinched a piece to inspect the crumbs, and tasted a bit.

"Your Highness, these pastries are date and yam cakes. However, there indeed seems to be something unusual added to them."

"Oh? What is it?" the Empress inquired.

"Your Highness, I am uncertain. Is there a practice in the Imperial Kitchen or other palace kitchens of using medicinal ingredients in pastries for cooling purposes?" Doctor Zhu asked.

The Empress was momentarily taken aback, then looked towards Ruyi.

"In response to Doctor Zhu, there is no such practice. For summer heat relief, the Imperial Kitchen prepares herbal tea, but it's not for everyone to drink, as herbal teas are cooling in nature and most ladies of the harem avoid it. It's usually the maids serving the masters who drink it. Besides, any medicinal meals are reported to the Bureau of Imperial Cuisine and then made with herbs provided by the Imperial Medical Institute. There are precise records of how much of each ingredient is used," Ruyi explained.

"I see. This pastry contains patchouli, angelica dahurica, atractylodes, tangerine peel, and pinellia. Especially patchouli, which is the most abundant," Doctor Zhu said.

"This sounds familiar to me," the Empress furrowed her brows.

"Your Highness, these herbs are commonly used for summer heat relief," Doctor Zhu explained.

"Oh? What would happen if someone who is not suffering from heatstroke consumes these herbs?" the Empress asked.

"If taken excessively, these herbs can cause dizziness, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Patchouli, in particular, should not be used in large amounts. For pregnant women, it can affect the fetus. If a woman not yet pregnant consumes it, it could also have an impact," Doctor Zhu replied.

"So that's how it is!" Yunli stood up, clenching her teeth.

"Summon the Noble Consort here," the Empress said with a frown. "Doctor Zhu, you may leave. Ruyi, reward Doctor Zhu."

Doctor Zhu, not inquiring further, quickly left.

Actually, it was just a pill used for heatstroke.

Swallowing a handful... at most would cause diarrhea.

Eating it every day wouldn't do much harm, unless consumed over an extended period.

But he was the Imperial Physician; he knew too well what the women of the harem wanted to hear.

His visit wouldn’t be to tell the Empress that these things were harmless and she could eat them without worry, would it?

But he wasn't lying. Excessive consumption does cause nausea and vomiting. What medicine doesn't cause such symptoms if taken in excess? How much is too much? Patchouli indeed affects pregnant women, but how much is harmful? Since it affects pregnancy, could it also affect the ability to conceive? It's all about the dosage.

After Doctor Zhu left, Yunli knelt down: "Your Highness, I beg you to stand up for me. I... I am not even pregnant, what is the Noble Consort implying..."

The Empress was momentarily at a loss for words.

She didn't believe the Noble Consort was that foolish, so it must be a setup by someone else. But who?

Regardless of who it was, she would seize this opportunity.

The Noble Consort had been harping on Consort Jinde's miscarriage, and now with this opportunity presented, the Empress wouldn't let it go.

The Empress told her to rise: "Don't worry, I will definitely give you an explanation."

It wasn't long before the Noble Consort arrived.

She felt something was amiss upon hearing that Yunli was there, and her suspicion was confirmed upon arrival.

After Ruyi explained the situation, Yunli angrily said: "What does the Noble Consort mean? I'm not even pregnant yet and she's already harming me? Such a vicious heart! Your Highness, this must be thoroughly investigated. Is she capable of harming others too?"

The Noble Consort was furious like never before: "Qi Yunli! You're slandering me! When did I ever harm you? I sent you pastries, and you use them to frame me? How dare you!"

"Noble Consort, who's being presumptuous? This is the Phoenix Palace. Are you not taking me seriously anymore?" the Empress also retorted angrily.

"I wouldn't dare. It's just that Your Highness is biased. I am the Noble Consort in public, and Qi Xiaoyi's sister in private. Why would I poison her? This situation is indeed strange, and Your Highness should investigate thoroughly, not just accuse me."

"The pastries were sent by your maid Dongxue, not from the kitchen. They were made in your own small kitchen. The entire process was handled by your people. How could there be a mistake? Am I framing myself by poisoning myself?" Yunli fumed.

"I'm just a Xiaoyi, where would I get so much patchouli?"

"You!"

"Alright, since Dongxue's name has been mentioned, bring her here so I can question her properly," the Empress commanded.

The Noble Consort was furious but had no choice but to summon the maid.

She was genuinely enraged this time, almost losing her composure.

Yunli was aggressively pursuing the matter, unafraid of offending the Noble Consort as she was the victim.

The Empress simply watched without intervening.

When Dongxue was brought in, she was terrified: "I personally delivered it. I saw two portions prepared in the small kitchen; one for the Noble Consort herself, and one sent to Le An Palace. Although I met people on the way, no one came close. I really don’t know anything about this."

"Unwilling to confess? Take her out and give her twenty lashes," the Empress said calmly.

Regardless of innocence or guilt, her punishment wasn’t just for the Noble Consort’s maid, it was a slap to the Noble Consort’s face.

The Noble Consort protested, "The matter is still unclear, and you wish to extract a confession by torture, Your Highness?"

"What do you mean by a forced confession? Can't the Empress even punish a maid?" Yunli scoffed.

"Shut up! A mere Xiaoyi, you’re seeking death," the Noble Consort glared fiercely.

"Your Highness, if things are not clear today, you cannot touch my people. Please summon the Emperor. I am a first-rank Noble Consort, not someone to be trifled with. Your Highness, please don't be so hasty," the Noble Consort said sternly.

Her words were forceful.