Chapter 85: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Chapter 85: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Searching the Zhaixia Palace

"What?"

Shen Huai was sitting at his desk reading a memorial presented by the Directorate of Astronomy when he heard the news, and his expression immediately darkened.

He closed the memorial, stood up, and said coldly, "Let's go."

He had just received a report from the Directorate of Astronomy stating that Mars had recently been emitting a faint red light, indicating the emergence of rumors. The direction pointed towards the Ziwei Star and the Tianfu Star. The stars surrounding the Tianfu Star were dim, forming a suppressive force.

However, the red light from Mars was still relatively faint, suggesting that some rumors might arise in the court.

The Ziwei Star traditionally symbolizes the emperor, while the Tianfu Star points to the empress. The brightness of Mars indicates the emergence of rumors.

The dimness of the stars around the Tianfu Star suggests that the fortunes of the imperial consorts are unfavorable. According to the Directorate of Astronomy, it is highly likely that the Tianfu Star is suppressing the others, absorbing their energy to nourish itself.

Reflecting on this, Shen Huai recalled the recent turmoil in the imperial harem and grew even more suspicious.

This year, the harem has been extremely unsettled, with one incident after another. He had already been dissatisfied with the empress but had refrained from blaming her, considering the large number of people in the harem and the difficulty of managing it.

Could the celestial signs be indicating that the chaos in the harem is serving as nourishment for the Tianfu Star? If so, is this chaos also her doing?

Although the celestial signs suggest this, without concrete evidence, Shen Huai couldn't arbitrarily accuse the empress.

He had just been pondering whether the brightness of Mars, as indicated by the celestial signs, referred to rumors between the emperor and empress or if the rumors were related to one of them, when Noble Consort Zhen fell ill.

Is this a different implication or a result of the celestial signs?

In the Pixiang Palace, Su Jiaojiao and others heard of the emperor's arrival. Yu Ying immediately supported Su Jiaojiao, who rose from the bed with a pale face, looking as if she could barely stand, and bowed before Shen Huai.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Su Jiaojiao's face was pale, her lips colorless, and she looked as if she had suffered a serious illness in just two days, which infuriated Shen Huai.

"Rise, Yu Ying, quickly help your mistress sit down."

As soon as Shen Huai took his seat, the empress and Noble Consort Mi hurried in and bowed to the emperor.

Su Jiaojiao, feeling unwell, merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Seeing this, both women looked shocked and frowned, though their thoughts were different.

After sitting down, the empress spoke first with a pained expression, "Your Majesty, as soon as I heard about Noble Consort Zhen's incident, I rushed over. The messenger said she was poisoned. Has the imperial physician checked her pulse? What kind of poison is it? Is it serious?"

Although she was asking the emperor, he had just arrived and naturally couldn't know the details. Since Su Jiaojiao was unwell due to poisoning, her chief maid, Yu Ying, stepped forward, knelt in the hall, and kowtowed, saying, "My mistress was fine, but this morning she complained of dizziness. After summoning Imperial Physician Liu, we discovered she had been poisoned."

"My mistress thoroughly questioned the palace servants in the Pixiang Palace and concluded that Qiaoer, a maid from the Shangshi Bureau, is definitely involved. Your Majesty, please have Qiaoer brought here for strict interrogation. We will surely get to the bottom of this!"

The empress was about to ask how Noble Consort Zhen had deduced this when Shen Huai immediately ordered, "Go, bring Qiaoer here."

Hearing this, the empress's eyes flickered, and she fell silent.

Noble Consort Mi, standing beside her, coldly remarked, "Noble Consort Zhen has merely received a bit more of Your Majesty's favor and has repeatedly been entangled in these filthy affairs. It's truly a series of misfortunes. I wonder who is so vicious as to attempt murder before the New Year!"

After saying this, she glanced sideways at the empress, her disdain and disrespect evident.

Under normal circumstances, Shen Huai would not allow a consort to disrespect the empress in front of everyone. However, the report from the Directorate of Astronomy before coming to the Pixiang Palace had genuinely planted seeds of doubt and dissatisfaction in his heart.

Especially since he had just learned a few days ago that the Empress had used his mother's name to set a trap for Noble Consort Zhen, his dissatisfaction with her had grown even more. However, for the sake of appearances, he had been holding back and not acting on it.

Although he and the Empress had never shared much of a marital bond over the years, merely maintaining a polite and respectful relationship, he had never deprived her of anything, whether it was power or status. He had handed everything over to her and, considering her hard work, had tolerated her mismanagement of the harem.

Who would have thought that the Empress, instead of being grateful, had taken advantage of his trust in her and his leniency toward the harem, repeatedly acting in such a manner.

The Star of Heavenly Mansion shone brightly while the surrounding stars dimmed, and the matter of the Crown Prince had yet to be resolved.

Shen Huai had only been suspicious before, but now he was even more convinced that these incidents might very well have been orchestrated by the Empress.

Without even glancing at the Empress, he coldly said, "Where is Imperial Physician Liu?"

Yu Ying, not daring to rise, replied, "Imperial Physician Liu is currently in the side hall preparing a detoxification prescription for the mistress and will be here shortly."

As soon as she finished speaking, the slender and pale figure of Imperial Physician Liu appeared through the curtains.

He didn't look well either; his gait, though seemingly steady at first glance, was slightly unsteady upon closer inspection, as if he was struggling to maintain his composure. After bowing to everyone, Imperial Physician Liu said with a lowered head, "Your Majesty, the poison that Noble Consort Zhen has ingested is extremely potent. If not discovered in time, it could have been fatal. Fortunately, it was detected early, and the toxin was not absorbed too much. I myself accidentally inhaled it while examining suspicious items for the mistress, which is why I appear pale. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Hearing this, Shen Huai frowned deeply and gestured for the palace servants to bring a seat, saying in a deep voice, "Grant him a seat."

Imperial Physician Liu thanked the Emperor and sat on a low stool to the side, continuing with downcast eyes, "Based on my experience, the poison the mistress ingested is Clear Brain Incense, which originates from the Western Regions. At first glance, Clear Brain Incense seems to have auxiliary effects, but in reality, it is one of the rare poisons of the Western Regions. One of the ingredients used to make this incense is extremely precious and not something ordinary people can access. Clear Brain Incense is a transparent paste, and even a small piece emits a strong fragrance. If exposed to air for too long, it gradually loses its potency. Therefore, in the first few days after being extracted, it is at its most toxic."

Noble Consort Mi, her brows tightly knit, said, "First, the Crown Prince was poisoned, and now there's this Clear Brain Incense. The harem's concubines truly have endless tricks up their sleeves. I've never even heard of such a thing."

Hearing Noble Consort Mi's words, the Empress remained calm and said, "With so many concubines in the harem, it's inevitable that some have ill intentions. Since Noble Consort Mi now holds the authority to assist in managing the harem, she should work with me to find ways to eliminate such jealous and malicious habits."

"Jealous and malicious habits?" Noble Consort Mi turned to the Empress, her beautiful face sneering, "How does the Empress know this is about jealousy? Such a vicious poison is a serious crime of harming a palace concubine and disregarding palace rules! In the Empress's words, it sounds so trivial. Could it be that this matter is also connected to the Empress?"

In front of the Emperor, Noble Consort Mi spoke so recklessly, throwing accusations at the Empress. The Empress's calm demeanor shifted slightly, and she coldly said, "Noble Consort Mi, you must remember that I am the Empress. How can you be so insolent in front of the Emperor?"

Noble Consort Mi glanced at the Emperor's expression and knew when to stop. She leisurely adjusted the phoenix hairpin on her head, not taking the Empress's warning seriously.

Shen Huai, his head aching from the noise, grew increasingly grim. He stared at the direction of the hall's entrance for a while before saying to Yu Ying below, "What was it that poisoned your mistress? Bring it up and let me see."

Yu Ying hurriedly said, "That vile thing is too toxic and should not be brought too close to Your Majesty, lest it harm the imperial body. When Qiaoer is brought in and confronted, Your Majesty can see it then."

A quarter of an hour later, two imperial guards escorted Qiaoer into the hall. Her knees gave way, and she fell to the ground with a thud, her face pale with fear.

She instinctively glanced at the Empress before kowtowing in the direction of the Emperor, crying out in panic, "Your Majesty, this servant knows nothing! Please, Your Majesty, be just!"

Seeing Qiaoer arrive, Yu Ye stepped forward and knelt in the middle of the hall, saying, "Your Majesty, it was Qiaoer who gave me a plain sachet two days ago, claiming it would have a calming effect on the mistress. Imperial Physician Liu also found Clear Brain Incense in this sachet."

"Qiaoer had been trying to befriend me for some time, and many in the Shangshi Bureau know about this. Your Majesty can send someone to investigate!"

Qiaoer was shocked to see Yu Ye pointing the finger at her, her eyes wide with surprise.

How could this be! Yu Ye had clearly believed her words and given the sachet to Noble Consort Zhen. No matter what, Noble Consort Zhen should have punished Yu Ye and had her await judgment as well. How could it be Yu Ye who was now accusing her?

While Qiaoer was still in shock, Yu Ye spoke again with hatred, "I first met Qiaoer last summer. When we first met, I thought she was straightforward and very caring toward me, so I often chatted with her. Two days ago, she gave me a plain sachet containing dried flowers she had dried, saying it had a calming effect. I didn't suspect anything and took it back for the mistress to use. The mistress also said it was good after smelling it, and I was overjoyed. Who would have thought that the next day, the mistress began to feel dizzy. Coincidentally, Imperial Physician Liu came today to check her pulse, and the mistress happened to take out the sachet, which Imperial Physician Liu saw, and that's how the problem was discovered."

"Every word I've said is true. I beg Your Majesty to be just!"

Before the Emperor could speak, Noble Consort Mi spoke first, sneering lightly, "Yu Ye, who serves Noble Consort Zhen, has always been foolish and naive. It's only because Noble Consort Zhen couldn't bear to dismiss her that she kept her by her side. And now, she's fallen right into the trap."

Though Noble Consort Mi's tone was cold and seemingly mocking, upon closer listening, it was clear she was emphasizing Yu Ye's simple-mindedness and susceptibility to being deceived, ensuring the Emperor believed the authenticity of the matter and preventing anyone from suggesting it was all staged.

Su Jiaojiao, being clever, understood her meaning and weakly spoke up, saying softly, "Yu Ye is indeed simple-minded, but she has served me for many years and has no ill intentions. That's why I wanted to give her a chance to redeem herself by pointing out Qiaoer."

As she spoke, Su Jiaojiao suddenly closed her eyes and held her forehead, her complexion worsening.

The Empress observed their interaction with a cold gaze, but her tone was gentle yet stern: "Qiaoer, is what Yu Ye said true?"

Qiaoer's eyes shifted nervously, and she kowtowed several times, loudly proclaiming her innocence: "Your Majesty, please be discerning! Empress, please be discerning! I was once close with Yu Ye, but I never gave her any sachet, nor did I ever dry flowers inside it. This accusation is based solely on Yu Ye's word, and I am truly wronged!"

Yu Ying scoffed and retorted, "What, could it be that the Noble Consort poisoned herself to frame a mere maid like you? If you don't confess, His Majesty will have you dragged off to be interrogated and tortured. By then, you'll have to speak whether you want to or not!"

She turned and kowtowed to the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. After the Noble Consort's promotion at the banquet, she's drawn much resentment. Qiaoer is just a maid; how could she obtain such a rare poison from the Western Regions? There must be someone behind her, pulling the strings. Please, Your Majesty, interrogate Qiaoer!"

Shen Huai fixed his gaze on the kneeling Qiaoer and said in a deep voice, "Who is behind you? If you come clean, I might spare your life."

Hearing this, Qiaoer's previously resolute attitude wavered for a moment.

When she committed this act, she was prepared to die, but now that the matter was exposed, the Noble Consort's promises would surely go unfulfilled. If she could save her life...

Seeing Qiaoer hesitate, Yu Ye immediately said, "Your Majesty, please see, this is the light pink brocade pouch that Qiaoer gave me."

A light pink brocade pouch?

How could this be what I gave her?

Qiaoer instinctively tried to deny any involvement and blurted out, "What I gave you was clearly gray-blue..."

Before she could finish, Qiaoer suddenly realized she had fallen into Yu Ye's trap. Under everyone's scrutiny, her face turned pale. Desperate, she stammered, "I said nothing! I said nothing!"

Having already gotten what she needed, Yu Ye's tense expression relaxed slightly as she said, "Your Majesty, Qiaoer has just admitted to giving me the sachet. Please be discerning."

At this point, Su Jiaojiao, who had been silent, weakly said, "To keep Qiaoer from stubbornly denying, I resorted to this strategy. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Su Jiaojiao was the victim, and Shen Huai only felt pity for her. He softened his tone and said, "Given the circumstances, I naturally won't blame you."

With that, he turned to Qiaoer in the hall and said coldly, "Guards, take Qiaoer away and interrogate her thoroughly. Make sure to find out who is behind her. If she refuses to speak, interrogate everyone close to her. We will surely uncover some clues."

"Yes!"

Qiaoer immediately cried out, "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!"

After she was dragged away, Noble Consort Mi glanced over and said, "Nowadays, even the lowliest dare to trample on Noble Consort Zhen. Your Majesty should also search Qiaoer's residence to see if there are any correspondences. Maids are most concerned about their families outside the palace. Just tell her that if she tells the truth, her family will be safe, but if she hides anything, her entire family will be implicated. She won't dare to lie."

Shen Huai glanced at her and nodded faintly, "Do as Noble Consort Mi says."

Shortly after Qiaoer was taken away, the guards sent to investigate returned and reported, "Your Majesty, a maid who shared a room with Qiaoer in the Shangshi Bureau said she had seen Qiaoer meet privately with Qiu Xin from Zhuixia Palace several times."

Qiu Xin was Min Cairen's personal maid, and Shen Huai knew this.

Meeting Qiu Xin was equivalent to meeting Min Cairen.

Min Cairen had just angered him by singing at the family banquet and was placed under house arrest. Now, she was using such a vicious method to harm Su Jiaojiao.

Shen Huai's patience with Min Cairen had run out. He said in a deep voice, "Bring Min Cairen here and search Zhuixia Palace."