Chapter 86: The Broken Doll

Chapter 86: The Broken Doll

A horrifying-looking doll.

After the order to search the palace was issued, Su Jiaojiao's long lashes fluttered slightly, as if she was somewhat relieved.

But no one saw the cold glint hidden in her eyes.

At this moment, Ling Yun entered from the side room, carrying a tray and saying, "Your Majesty, the medicine for Her Ladyship is ready."

Shen Huai acknowledged with a nod, and Ling Yun brought it over to Su Jiaojiao.

"Your Ladyship, it has cooled slightly and is now at the right temperature."

Just as Su Jiaojiao was about to drink the medicine, Shen Huai noticed her brows furrow slightly.

Perhaps the medicine tasted too bitter, so he naturally ordered, "Bring a piece of sugar for Noble Consort Zhen."

Ling Yun hesitated for a moment but quickly went to the side hall to fetch a piece of osmanthus sugar.

A gentle smile appeared on Su Jiaojiao's pale face. "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern."

She frowned as she downed the bowl of pitch-black medicine, then grabbed the osmanthus sugar from the small bowl and popped it into her mouth. After a while, the lingering bitterness in her mouth was finally replaced by sweetness.

Noble Consort Mi watched the Emperor dote on Su Jiaojiao, feeling a mix of bitterness and envy in her heart.

She knew she hadn't fully let go of her feelings for the Emperor, so seeing him lavish affection on another woman still made her feel a knot in her chest, stuck and uncomfortable.

Especially since the woman the Emperor was doting on was someone she had personally promoted.

But what could she do? She had already seen through the Emperor's fickleness and capriciousness during her miscarriage.

The Emperor had doted on her for three years, but even as the granddaughter of the Left Minister, she couldn't have him all to herself.

The Emperor was the Emperor. How could she have been so foolish to think she could have his heart all to herself?

Expectations inevitably lead to disappointment. She had hoped the Emperor would love only her, and naturally, she was disappointed and angry every day.

But now she had come to understand and accept it.

She finally realized that the Emperor would never stay with just one person, and the frustration she had been holding onto slowly faded away.

Noble Consort Mi knew she needed time to adjust, so she simply lowered her head to sip her tea, avoiding the sight that troubled her.

The Empress, ever observant, sipped her tea and casually remarked in a gentle tone, "Your Majesty's care for Noble Consort Zhen is truly her good fortune. I remember when Noble Consort Mi was not yet pregnant, Your Majesty doted on her in the same way. In the blink of an eye, years have passed, and Noble Consort Mi has also matured from being jealous and willful to becoming much more composed."

Hearing this, Noble Consort Mi's gloomy mood instantly vanished, replaced by displeasure. She narrowed her eyes and retorted sarcastically, "Your Majesty, the Empress, is mistaken."

"Your Majesty has always treated me well. How could Your Majesty make it sound as if I lost His Majesty's favor after becoming pregnant? One must grow with each passing year; otherwise, life would be wasted. Unlike some people who only grow in age but not in ability, unable to bear sons for His Majesty or share his burdens—that would truly be a wasted life."

Noble Consort Mi had always been arrogant and domineering, and her words were sharp and cutting, leaving no room for courtesy.

Although she didn't explicitly name the Empress, her words were clearly directed at her. In front of everyone, the Empress being casually criticized by a concubine was tantamount to disregarding her authority and trampling on her dignity.

The Empress's face couldn't help but turn pale, her fingers gripping the cup handle so tightly that they turned white, barely suppressing her dissatisfaction and anger.

Faced with Noble Consort Mi's overstepping remarks, the Emperor merely said indifferently, "Yin Shihuai, be quiet."

It is evident that His Majesty is lenient towards Noble Consort Mi.

The Empress knows that His Majesty remains suspicious of her due to the unresolved poisoning incident of the Crown Prince, and the fragments of the Jade pillow served as another warning.

Now that she is under suspicion and no longer favored by His Majesty, it is not advisable for her to step forward again.

As the Empress, she and His Majesty may not share romantic love, but they must have trust and respect to maintain their authority.

Once His Majesty becomes suspicious and impatient with her, she must find a way to win back some trust. The best choice is to lay low and let time erase the doubts.

The Empress simply remained calm, displaying a magnanimous demeanor of turning the other cheek, and said with a faint smile, "Noble Consort Mi is young and spirited, it's fine."

What an act! She must be seething with anger.

Noble Consort Mi slightly raised her delicate chin, glanced at her disdainfully, and then looked away.

Su Jiaojiao, sitting in the secondary seat, had taken her medicine and rested for a while before her weary expression improved slightly.

Not long after, a commotion of footsteps mixed with shrill protests from women could be heard approaching from the entrance of the hall.

"Let go! Who allowed you to manhandle me!"

"Let go!—"

Su Jiaojiao covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughed lightly, and quietly looked over.

Two tall and burly guards each held one of Min Cairen's arms, hauling her into Pixiang Hall, followed by a line of imperial guards, creating a grand scene.

The imperial guards were all powerful and muscular, their arms like iron hoops, gripping Min Cairen's arms painfully.

She, a refined and pampered lady, had never been treated so roughly before. Min Cairen stumbled and fell to the ground, crying out in pain, "Clumsy fools!"

Shen Huai glared icily at Min Cairen in the hall, saying nothing.

Min Cairen knelt upright to greet His Majesty, weeping, "I do not know what I have done wrong to displease Your Majesty so much that you would order such a thorough search of my palace! Is someone secretly harming me?"

She naturally knew what today's events were about; she just hated that the Clear Brain Incense had failed to poison Noble Consort Zhen, letting her slip away again!

Fortunately, she had made thorough preparations when she instructed Qiaoer to act, ordering the remaining Clear Brain Incense to be secretly thrown into the pond and telling Qiaoer to never reveal the mastermind, even if it meant death.

Even if it was discovered and brought before His Majesty, she was confident she could talk her way out.

After her cries, Min Cairen, feigning innocence, wept and bowed her head, saying, "Your Majesty, I have served you since my time in the Prince's residence, even if I have no merit, I have toil. I am innocent... please investigate!"

Min Cairen was an old hand from the Prince's residence, who had once followed Noble Consort Wang in throwing her authority around, with eyes on the top of her head.

Noble Consort Mi disliked the haughty and spiteful attitude of Noble Consort Wang and Min Cairen the most, relying on their seniority and the Crown Prince under Noble Consort Wang, which was simply annoying. Now that she had offended His Majesty and attempted to harm a palace consort, yet still pretended to be innocent, it made her sick.

Noble Consort Mi frowned, saying with utmost disgust, "Why are you crying and shouting before His Majesty? You're giving me a headache."

As she spoke, Cai Shan personally led people in from outside, bowed to His Majesty, and with a hesitant and solemn expression, said, "Your Majesty, these are two items found in the Zuixia Palace, please examine them."

"But..." Shen Huai snapped coldly, "But what?"

Cai Shan said, "They are too vile for Your Majesty's eyes."

Hearing this, Min Cairen, kneeling in the hall, frowned and raised her head, asking, "What kind of filthy items?"

As she was still suspicious, the two young eunuchs behind Cai Shan, holding trays, respectfully approached and removed the silk covering.

On one tray lay a celadon jade bottle, and on the other, a ragged cloth doll. At first glance, the celadon jade bottle seemed unremarkable, but the cloth doll was indeed a vile object.

The doll, about the size of two spread hands, was stitched together from tattered scraps of cloth, stained with what appeared to be blood or mud, dark and red, and pierced with needles. It seemed to reek of a foul stench even from a distance, making anyone who saw it fearful.

Noble Consort Mi took one look at it and immediately covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her complexion turning pale. "What is this cursed thing!"

Cai Shan explained, "It's a cursed talisman. I was startled when I first saw it. The eunuch who found it said there are characters inscribed on the doll, resembling..."

Shen Huai's gaze was sharp as a blade, his voice deep. "Resembling what?"

"Resembling Noble Consort Zhen's birth characters."

Witchcraft is an extremely sinister and malicious practice, strictly forbidden in the imperial harem.

Noble Consort Zhen had recently been promoted to the position of Noble Consort and elevated to the status of a palace mistress, while Min Cairen had repeatedly displeased the Emperor, demoted from Chongyi to the rank of Cairen and confined to the Zui Xia Palace, naturally seething with resentment.

Although Min Cairen had always openly disliked Noble Consort Zhen, no one expected her to stoop to such vile methods, using this dark art to curse Noble Consort Zhen.

Seeing the Emperor's face darkened as if he could tear someone apart, Cai Shan cautiously added, "Inside the celadon jade bottle is the Clear Brain Incense."

Min Cairen's eyes widened in shock, and she cried out, "Your Majesty, please be fair! These things could never be mine. I have never seen any cursed doll, nor do I know anything about Clear Brain Incense. I have been wronged!"

Shen Huai's brows furrowed tightly, and he scolded, "How dare you! Noble Consort Zhen's position was granted by me, and she was personally promoted by me. How much hatred do you hold for her to resort to such vicious means! These items were discovered in your palace, and you still dare to deny it!"

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anger, and asked, "Have the palace servants of Zui Xia Palace been detained?"

"Go! Interrogate each one."

Su Jiaojiao, seated in the honored seat, glanced at the doll on the tray, and the last trace of color drained from her cheeks. Her eyes were filled with unease and fear as she stared at the doll, her body trembling slightly.

Ling Xiao, sitting beside her, looked at her with concern and whispered, "Your Highness, don't be afraid. This vile thing has been exposed and will soon be burned to ashes. Then I will accompany you to the Buddhist hall to chant sutras and purify yourself. Everything will be fine."

Su Jiaojiao nodded blankly, as if in a daze, and when she blinked, two clear tears fell.

The moment her tears fell, Shen Huai happened to see it.

He knew he favored Noble Consort Zhen, but he never expected it would provoke such jealousy in Min Cairen.

Poisoning was not enough; she even resorted to witchcraft in the palace to defile the harem, making it unbearable for him.

Outside the hall, the sounds of painful cries and the striking of boards rose and fell, the wails of palace maids and eunuchs echoing from afar, sending chills down one's spine.

Not long after, a guard entered and reported, "Your Majesty, two maids from Zui Xia Palace have confessed."

Shen Huai's dark eyes were cold, and his gaze at Min Cairen was devoid of any emotion. "Bring them in."