Chapter 136 The Road to Ascension (2)

Chapter 136 The Road to Ascension (2)

How did Lady Wei's child die?

The Imperial Physician desperately tried to dissuade her, but Concubine Chen insisted on seeing the deceased infant.

The child's tiny hands and feet were already formed; it was similar to a full-term baby.

He Lanting felt waves of dizziness. She felt that this child should have lived. As the child grew, despite not being born from her own womb, everyone would know she was his mother. This child would respect her and love her.

She had thought about many ways to raise the child and how to provide him with the best education when he grew up, shaping him into a prince favored by Emperor Chengde.

This little prince was to be her support in her later years, her reliance when her beauty faded. But now, all of that has turned to dust.

"My lady, please moderate your grief." Chen Zhong came forward and took the child away, preventing Concubine Chen from grieving too much.

He Lanting let Chen Zhong take the child. Leaning back in her chair, she rubbed her temples with her index finger and asked, eyes closed, "How did Lady Wei meet with an accident?"

Lady Wei met with an accident while feeding the fish.

Lady Wei had a habit of feeding fish, believing her unborn child might like fish. Moreover, she especially enjoyed eating fish heads and fish eyes.

Concubine Chen had once commended this habit. Back when she was pregnant, she had also loved eating fish. It was believed that those who enjoyed eating fish were intelligent, and indeed, her own child was very intelligent.

Today, Lady Wei saw golden ripples on the water’s surface, which she took as a good omen. She intended to feed the golden fish in the lake, but unexpectedly, she fell into the water.

A stone happened to be in the water, and it violently struck Lady Wei's abdomen. What should have been a minor incident turned into a tragedy, as the child was stillborn.

He Lanting asked Chen Zhong again, "Has anyone checked the lakeside?"

Chen Zhong's response was that it had been checked, but nothing had been found for the time being.

"Investigate thoroughly to see if anyone has tampered with anything, and keep an eye on the Imperial Garden over the next few days," He Lanting instructed.

After ensuring everything inside was settled, He Lanting went to see Lady Wei again.

The smell of blood had been completely cleared by the ventilation, and a faint orange incense now burned in the room.

He Lanting was momentarily lost in thought, finding the faint citrus scent quite soothing.

"Imperial Concubine," tears streamed down Wei Mei's cheeks like rolling pearls.

"Was I deliberately targeted? The golden fish—was it someone who deliberately put golden fish in the lake, knowing I had a habit of feeding the fish, just to harm me?"

"My child, why was my child born lifeless? If he were still alive, I would gladly give my life."

Wei Mei felt anger and sorrow. While she spoke of her child, her mind was on her family.

Her father was rather traditional and had only married her mother, refusing to take any concubines. Her elder brother was not a good student and was somewhat reserved, but he fulfilled his duties as an elder brother. Her younger sister…

Her family was gone, and those responsible for their deaths were supported by Wei Wuhou, who in turn was backed by Imperial Consort Chen.

Wei Mei wished that both He Lanting and the current Emperor were dead. Yet, at that moment, she only looked at He Lanting with tear-filled eyes, pleading for her help.

"I will investigate," Concubine Chen assured her. "Do you remember anything unusual today?"

Wei Mei recounted what she had done that day, and just as He Lanting was about to leave, she spoke hesitantly.

If she could bear one child, she could bear another. Wei Mei hoped that after she had recovered her health, she could alleviate Concubine Chen’s worries.

He Lanting patted Wei Mei's hand. "There's no rush with that. You should focus on recovering first."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness!" Wei Mei said hurriedly. "I will follow your instructions in all matters."

He Lanting left with her entourage, and as she departed, she saw someone propping their arm by the window, still watching her.

Wei Mei stared intently at her, causing He Lanting to shiver.

Perhaps winter had arrived silently, and the cold wind made her feel chilly, raising goosebumps on her skin.

·

For several days, He Lanting investigated the incident of Wei Mei falling into the water. Eventually, her investigation led to Consort Hui in the palace.

Consort Hui was also pregnant, and her brother was a high-ranking military officer. Did she think that just because she carried a child, she could covet a position that she shouldn't?

He Lanting had considered Wei Mei’s child as her own. Since this child was gone, she would make Consort Hui’s child serve as a burial companion for the infant.

Coincidentally, the baby Hui Pin miscarried was a male infant.

Hui Pin, seeing that the child in her womb was gone, shook uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Concubine Chen.

"You will suffer for this. You will suffer for this!"

Concubine Chen never put these curses to mind, scoffing, "Then use those eyes to see what retribution I will receive!"

Only after everything was settled did Concubine He Lanting learn that the Crown Prince had been leaving the palace every day for the past month to study with Grand Tutor Mi.

Though it was called studying, Grand Tutor Mi had actually set up several gatherings, involving high-ranking officials of the fourth rank or higher and retired elder statesmen. Zhao Jiaze had visited all these people.

The Crown Prince, already the heir apparent, had now formed connections with court officials. Wouldn't that mean he was securely established as Crown Prince?

Xie Yuan sensed something amiss and sent his pregnant wife, Lin Baozhen, to inform Concubine He Lanting.

Concubine He Lanting's fingers tightened, and she remained silent for a while, while Lin Baozhen, yawning, seemed bored.

During her last pregnancy, the baby in her womb made her very uncomfortable, causing her to feel uneasy all over. This time, she felt constantly sleepy.

After she became pregnant again, her husband, Xie Yuan, was nice to her again.

Lin Baozhen enjoyed being doted on, and with this pregnancy being pain-free, she suddenly felt there was no need to compare herself to Lin Yingxue. Her own life was quite good.

Initially, Lin Baozhen had been quite resentful about her younger half-sister Lin Yingxue. Perhaps due to the pregnancy causing her to be lazy, the desire to outshine Lin Yingxue had diminished significantly.

Having momentarily recovered from her intense jealousy, Lin Baozhen could now view Crown Prince Zhao Jiaze objectively. As the legitimate son of the central palace, with the Empress still alive, it was needless to mention that the military officers supported the Crown Prince. Among the civil officials, although there were many factions, Zhao Jiaze had at least Pei Jin, Old Master Jian, and now, adding to that, Grand Tutor Mi...

With everyone paving the way for the Crown Prince, even with that prophetic dream, Lin Baozhen didn't think Concubine Chen could support the Third Prince's ascension to the throne.

Concubine Chen noticed Lin Baozhen's yawn and said, "Did you not rest well last night, Madam?"

Xie Yuan, to avoid upsetting Concubine Chen, hadn't told her about Lin Baozhen's pregnancy, but at this moment, Lin Baozhen, being quite straightforward, said, "Ever since I became pregnant, I've always felt sleepy, no matter how much I sleep."

Hearing Lin Baozhen's words, Concubine He Lanting felt a lump in her heart. Having learned what she needed to know, she wanted to send Lin Baozhen away.

Lin Baozhen left Concubine Chen's residence and, at that moment, encountered Lin Yingxue, who was draped in a white fox fur cloak.