Chapter 66: Blood in Front of the Palace

Chapter 66: Blood in Front of the Palace

Scapegoat

(Note: This title suggests a character being unjustly blamed for events, setting the tone for the chapter.)

In the icy snow, the arriving woman still wore an aqua-green palace gown. Her skin was fair, and her appearance was as serene and luminous as the moon, standing out even more solitary and ethereal amidst the faintly blooming red plum grove.

Her attendant, Yuling, said in surprise, "This path is used not only by the palace concubines but also by the Palace Command and some outside officials to reach the Tai Chi Hall. Counting them, there are quite a few people. Though this purple bamboo wolf hair brush is precious, now that you are a concubine, it’s improper to openly search for its owner."

Beauty Zhong looked down at the precious brush in her hand and said softly, "Since it’s so valuable, I can’t simply leave it here. If some palace servant picks it up and sells it for money, it would tarnish the brush’s elegance."

Yuling advised, "Madam has always treasured the four treasures of the study. Why not keep this brush for now? Whoever it’s given to, it’ll stir up trouble. It’s better for you to keep it first, and if fate permits, we’ll return it to its rightful owner."

The brush in her hand, though made of bamboo, had a texture as clear as jade, gleaming a deep purple in the sunlight, and felt slightly cool to the touch.

Beauty Zhong remembered that the book said the purple bamboo wolf hair brush was extremely rare, not only because the suitable purple bamboo was hard to find, but also because of the exquisite craftsmanship—truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

A tad heavier, and it’d feel unwieldy; a tad lighter, and it’d feel too light. A good wolf hair brush, when dipped in ink, writes as smoothly as floating clouds and flowing water.

She held it in her hand and carefully felt it; the texture and shape were perfect, but it felt slightly heavier. Although it did not affect writing, the minor flaw still left Beauty Zhong somewhat regretful.

Perhaps because most users of the purple bamboo wolf hair brush were men, the weight was designed according to men's habits. Women’s hands are lighter, so it feels slightly heavier to them.

The tiny brush now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Beauty Zhong looked at it for a while, then nodded, "Let’s keep it for now."

"Let’s return to the Moonlight Hall."

Word of the Crown Prince’s plight quickly spread through the palaces.

The only prince in the harem had an accident, and that night it implicated the most favored Consort Zhen, nearly harmed by a schemer. The palace concubines, though fearful and cautious, were also secretly inquiring.

Yong'an Palace, Tongxin Hall.

Concubine Lian was meticulously inspecting a delicate apricot-pink dance gown. Seeing Lvwan come in, she asked indifferently, "How is it?"

Lvwan came in quickly and said in a low voice, "A full day and night have passed, yet there’s been no progress. His Majesty erupted in fury in the Tai Chi Hall and sent people to investigate again."

Concubine Lian’s expression was calm, as if it had nothing to do with her, and she sneered, "These women in my cousin’s harem may not be favored, but they are all troublesome. The Crown Prince’s poisoning has brought joy to many. It’s absurd, as if without the Crown Prince, they could produce a prince themselves."

With a slight smile, Lvwan lowered her head and said, "The Crown Prince being poisoned must be the most painful for Noble Consort Wang. It’s said that she was mean and arrogant when she was in the Crown Prince’s residence, and she was lucky to give birth to the Crown Prince as soon as she entered the palace, looking down on everyone. The concubines she’s bullied in the palace are too numerous to count. Everyone is waiting to see her downfall. I don’t know who has such good skills to do it, even His Majesty can’t find out."

Her slender, pale hand lifted the dance gown, carefully examining the details and stitching, and said lightly, "It doesn’t matter how people in the palace fight, as long as the fire doesn’t burn to me, I’ll just watch the tigers fight. What use do these unrelated women have besides competing with me for His Majesty’s attention?"

Then, she suddenly thought of something and asked, "Has anything been found out about Consort Zhen’s matter?"

Lvwan bowed and said, "It’s only known that last night, a maid from Consort Zhen’s palace intended to bring aphrodisiacs to the Pxiang Hall to frame Consort Zhen. It’s said that it was an unspeakable aphrodisiac. When they were taking the person to the training place, before they arrived, the person committed suicide, the clue was broken, and it could only be left at that."

"Aphrodisiacs?" Concubine Lian sneered, "It’s probably arranged by Consort Zhen herself, then used the Crown Prince’s poisoning to gain His Majesty’s sympathy. Everyone says Consort Zhen is favored, she’s just relying on her face to pretend to be weak and make His Majesty feel sorry for her. His Majesty has seen all kinds of beauties, why is she different? Without aphrodisiacs, how could she hook His Majesty, really a cheap bitch."

Seeing that her mistress was getting angry when mentioning Consort Zhen, Lvwan didn’t dare to say more and quickly advised, "What you said makes sense, His Majesty has never cared for any woman, why would he treat Consort Zhen differently for no reason, she must have used some tricks. The relationship between you and His Majesty is truly one in a million."

"Probably His Majesty now only pities you and still treats you as a younger sister, that’s why..." Lvwan paused, then quickly said, "At the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, you will surely capture His Majesty’s attention."

Speaking of His Majesty and the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, Concubine Lian’s eyes became soft and hopeful.

She must seize the opportunity to tie her cousin’s heart to her.

Concubine Lian’s gaze moved away from the dance gown, and she turned to sit on the main seat, asking, "Has Zhu Baolin been behaving recently?" Lvwan glanced in the direction of the Painting Bamboo Pavilion, "She has had two miscarriages, which displeased His Majesty. Recently, she has been resting in the Painting Bamboo Pavilion and hasn’t gone out. I took a look through the window, her complexion seems fine, but her spirit is a bit listless."

Though she is said to be resting for her pregnancy, His Majesty does not allow her to go out freely, nor does he allow others to visit her. What difference does it make from being under house arrest? Even with a precious child in her womb, she still suffers everywhere.

Zhu Baolin is merely a woman of modest origins with plain looks, and Concubine Lian looks down on her entirely. However, she has repeatedly used her pregnancy to get close to His Majesty, disregarding Concubine Lian's position, which still fills her with deep disgust.

She must secure His Majesty's favor before Zhu Baolin gives birth.

Three days later.

Before the Taiji Hall, Shen Huai sat on the main seat, coldly gazing down at the bloodied maid kneeling before him, his eyes icy and dark.

On either side of him sat the Empress, Noble Consort Mi, and Noble Consort Wang, each with different expressions as they looked at the kneeling maid.

The guard who escorted the maid knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, after days of interrogation in the disciplinary chamber, we finally got her to confess. She admitted to poisoning the Crown Prince."

The maid kneeling in the hall was so severely tortured she was barely recognizable, covered in blood, with cuts all over her body, several places mutilated and bloody. One eye was swollen nearly shut, its sight uncertain.

Upon recognizing who it was, Noble Consort Wang gasped in shock.

"Biyi?!" Noble Consort Wang glared at her with red eyes, gripping the armrest in anger.

Biyi had long been the maid tasked with preparing the Crown Prince's medicine, an old servant who had been with her since entering the palace, known for her steady and reliable work, even praised by Zhi Tong for her diligence. Who could have guessed she was a traitor!

Upon discovering the betrayal by a trusted servant, Noble Consort Wang wished she could rush forward and slap her right then.

But with His Majesty present and in the Taiji Hall, no matter how furious she was, Noble Consort Wang dared not vent her anger at this moment. She could only clench her teeth, draw a few deep breaths, and will herself to calm down.

Shen Huai coldly glanced at Noble Consort Wang, his chin slightly raised, exuding an intimidating aura without anger: "Are you the maid who intended to harm the Crown Prince?"

His icy voice reverberated through the grand Taiji Hall, the imperial majesty intimidating Biyi to the core.

She panicked, the pain in her limbs momentarily dulled by terror, and said, "It was all my doing, no one instructed me!!!"

Biyi had suffered brutal torture for days and was now somewhat disoriented, like a startled bird facing His Majesty's questioning.

The Empress's brow creased faintly, and she said softly, "Just answer His Majesty's questions. If that's the case, there must be someone behind you."

With that, she cast a meaningful glance at Biyi, her eyes hinting subtly.

Seeing the Empress's gaze, Biyi's eyes briefly sharpened, and she looked at His Majesty, crying out in a shrill voice, "Noble Consort Wang is vicious and tyrannical toward her servants. I have nursed resentment for years, biding my time, and finally found the opportunity to act. I take full responsibility for my actions; I have no regrets!"

Her claim seemed plausible at first but crumbled under scrutiny.

Noble Consort Mi coldly frowned and said, "If you despised Noble Consort Wang so deeply, you should have struck at her directly. The Crown Prince is just a child, what use is it to harm him? Besides, you are just a mere maid, how did you obtain the poison?"

These two questions hit the core, and Biyi was momentarily flustered.

Mentioning Noble Consort Wang, Biyi's eyes immediately turned sharp, and she retorted, "Killing her outright would have been too merciful, I wanted her to suffer daily by the Crown Prince's side! I know my crimes are heinous; no need for Your Majesty to dirty his hands!"

With that, she lunged directly at His Majesty.

The guards beside her instinctively drew their swords to block, but Biyi unhesitatingly drew her own sword and slit her throat, blood spraying across the Taiji Hall.

Shen Huai's face instantly turned extremely dark.

One after another, they all act as if they are ready to die, as if he can't control them!

"Guards! Investigate all the maids who have had close contact with her! Attempting to harm the Crown Prince, deceiving the Emperor, take all her associates to the dungeon, and execute them in seven days!"

Several guards immediately entered the hall and dragged Biyi's corpse away, while Cai Shan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the front hall is defiled; do not let it sully the imperial presence!"

The Empress also looked at him with concern, appearing every bit the devoted wife, and said softly, "Your Majesty, you have been toiling day and night. Please go to the rear hall to rest and take care of your health. The nation cannot afford to be without its ruler, not even for a day."

Shen Huai did not respond, only coldly stating, "All of you, leave."

The Empress and Noble Consort Mi were taken aback. Seeing the Emperor's stern expression, they had no choice but to bow and leave the Taiji Hall.

He gazed out of the hall, his expression dark and brooding. "Declare publicly that the case is closed. Have the Palace Command investigate in secret."

"Yes," Cai Shan bowed in acknowledgment, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, the palace servants from Pixiang Hall came earlier, saying that Consort Zhen requests an audience. Does Your Majesty wish to see her?"