Chapter 87: Ordered to Take One’s Own Life

Chapter 87: Ordered to Take One's Own Life

Cruel to others, even crueler to oneself.

Confessed?! How could this be!

Min Cairen gasped, her head snapping around in disbelief, her face contorted with shock.

She saw two palace maids from Zhuixia Palace being dragged in, weeping and wailing. One was Fen'er, a maid who served in her personal chambers, and the other was Rui'er, a maid who swept the courtyard.

Since her demotion, the number of servants in her palace had been drastically reduced, leaving only a few. Following the Emperor’s orders, except for the two she commonly used, the rest were replaced by the Imperial Household Department, and Rui'er was one of those sent at that time.

Indeed, a new servant with no spine, who quickly confessed under a few lashes, betraying her without a second thought.

Treacherous scum!

If Rui'er was like this, what about Fen'er? She had clearly ordered Fen'er to dispose of the Clear Brain Incense vial, so why was it still here? Fen'er had been with her for some time—how could she do such a thing!

Could Fen'er have betrayed her?

Min Cairen cursed loudly, "You vile traitors! After all I've done for you, this is how you repay me?"

Su Jiaojiao, pale and frail, her fair and delicate skin nearly translucent, looked at Min Cairen and softly spoke, "The servants haven't spoken yet, so why accuse them of betrayal? Could it be that you've done something shameful and fear being exposed?"

Min Cairen shot her a venomous glare, sneering, "I know I haven't done anything, so naturally, I'm furious that the servants would betray their master under torture. Don't try to trick me!"

Fen'er and Rui'er were dragged into the hall, crying and pleading, "Your Majesty, have mercy! Your Majesty, have mercy!"

Shen Huai gazed down at the maids, his tone icy, "Since you've confessed, tell us everything you know."

Rui'er, through sobs, said, "Your Majesty, I was only sent to Zhuixia Palace after Min Cairen's house arrest. I've always been sweeping outside the hall and have no affection for Min Cairen. What I say is the truth."

"From the moment I arrived at Zhuixia Palace, I've heard Min Cairen daily cursing Noble Consort Zhen, smashing porcelain and hurling vile insults, each word more venomous than the last, dripping with hatred. Although I didn't witness Min Cairen sewing the voodoo doll, one night when I went to the latrine with another maid, we saw Qiu Xin, Min Cairen's maid, sneaking to the backyard, doing something."

Reflecting on it now, she must have been burying the cursed object. Why else would she go out in the middle of the night! True, Min Cairen's curses against Noble Consort Zhen and Qiu Xin sneaking to the backyard are all true. Your Majesty can confirm this by interrogating others!"

Rui'er wept bitterly, bloodied, wiping her tears with her sleeve, "Please, Your Majesty, spare me..."

Min Cairen's face flushed with rage, her eyes burning with fury, wishing she could tear Rui'er's face apart.

After being demoted and confined to her quarters during the New Year's banquet, Min Cairen knew she had fallen into Su Jiaojiao's trap.

She had believed Su Jiaojiao's secret singing practice by Mirror Lake was to keep others from copying, but after the banquet, she realized this vile woman must have known the Emperor's intentions and cunningly lured her into singing, displeasing the Emperor.

Noble Consort Zhen had always been her adversary, and she had repeatedly failed under Noble Consort Zhen's schemes. How could she not resent such a vicious wretch?

True, she daily cursed Noble Consort Zhen within the palace walls, but she had never made any voodoo doll, let alone ordered Qiu Xin to do so.

If voodoo could kill, why wage wars or create poisons? Just curse and chant sutras daily, stabbing dolls.

Such foolish things, how could she stoop to that?

The Clear Brain Incense was already precious and rare, a few doses could drive her mad, why bother with such filthy things in her palace to disgust herself!

Min Cairen urgently refuted, "Your Majesty, under severe torture, servants might lie to save themselves. I absolutely did not make a voodoo doll to curse Noble Consort Zhen—there is no such thing! Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"

Noble Consort Mi frowned, pressing her temple, her beautiful face showing impatience, "Min Cairen has been in the palace for a long time; she knows well the severity of using voodoo to disrupt the harem. Whether she did it or not, she wouldn't admit it, or else she would be confirming her guilt."

"Moreover, Qiu Xin is Min Cairen's personal maid and her chief palace maid, who never lived in the backyard servants' quarters. Why would she sneak to the backyard in the middle of the night and be seen by two maids going to the latrine? These are all suspicious points—Min Cairen's explanation is too far-fetched."

Noble Consort Mi's argument was convincing, and even Min Cairen herself was anxious, pondering how to clear her name.

She had absolutely never instructed Qiu Xin to place the voodoo doll, but one night, Qiu Xin did indeed go around to the backyard and met Qiaoer through the back door.

But she had to firmly deny any involvement, otherwise, it would confirm the charge of colluding with Qiaoer to harm Noble Consort Zhen with Clear Brain Incense.

How could she clear her name?!

Min Cairen stared at the voodoo doll on the tray held by the eunuch and suddenly seemed to notice something, hurriedly shouting: "I have been under house arrest for a long time, all fabric supplies are fixed, there might be flaws in the fabric used here, and the stitching. Your Majesty knows my embroidery is the finest in the palace; you can verify this!"

Shen Huai gazed at Min Cairen for a while before saying: "Check."

The palace nanny immediately stepped forward to take the doll to the side hall for a detailed examination, and soon returned to report: "Your Majesty, the fabric used is indeed suitable for the rank of Min Cairen, but the stitching is sloppy and crude, the simplest sewing method."

At this moment, Su Jiaojiao looked at Min Cairen, seemingly heartbroken, and chuckled self-deprecatingly: "If it was intended to harm someone, it would naturally be sewn with malice. How could it use the embroidery skills Min Cairen is good at? I am aware you have always harbored dislike towards me, but I never thought you would be so determined to put me to death."

"You yourself never mentioned where Qiu Xin went that night, and the palace servants say they hear you cursing me every day, Min Cairen, do you still dare to deny it?"

After speaking, Su Jiaojiao shed tears again, as if unable to bear further argument, turned her head away, and dabbed her tears with a handkerchief.

The Empress, who had not spoken until now, finally said: "Your Majesty, since this is the case, summon Qiu Xin and the palace servant who saw Qiu Xin going to the backyard that night with Rui'er to confront each other."

Shen Huai hummed in agreement, and two more palace servants were brought into the hall.

Qiu Xin, beaten and covered in blood, cried out as soon as she entered the hall, tears streaming down her face: "My mistress absolutely did not make any voodoo doll, please Your Majesty do not be misled by the villain's poisonous scheme, do not wrong my mistress..."

The hall was now nearly packed with kneeling palace servants, each appearing disheveled, forming a dense crowd that felt suffocating.

Shen Huai gazed down upon the assembled crowd, unconsciously tapping the armrest with his index finger, and asked in a deep voice: "Since you say Min Cairen did not make the voodoo doll, what evidence do you have? What were you doing that night when you were caught?"

That night...

Qiu Xin remembered, that night she went to the back door to meet Qiaoer, gave her the Clear Brain Incense, and conveyed her mistress's instructions.

It was late at night; how could she have been so careless, just stepping out and being seen by the palace servant going to the toilet?

If she didn't admit it, and there was no evidence to show it wasn't her who placed it, the charge of the voodoo doll would fall on her and her mistress. But if she admitted it, the poison of the Clear Brain Incense might not be kept secret.

Qiaoer was likely unreliable, what to do?

Qiu Xin instinctively looked at Min Cairen, seeking help.

She didn't know how to answer, stammering: "I... I that night just..."

Just as Qiu Xin couldn't answer, Cai Shan came in from outside, saying: "Your Majesty, as soon as Qiaoer heard from the nannies that her family was involved, she immediately confessed that Min Cairen had long instructed her to contact Yu Ye, the maid beside Noble Consort Zhen, in order to one day use Yu Ye to frame Noble Consort Zhen. She also said that the Clear Brain Incense this time was given to her by Qiu Xin beside Min Cairen late one night, she confessed everything, seems to have spilled it all."

Seeing this, Fen'er, who had been silent below, also hurriedly said: "The remaining Clear Brain Incense was in the green jade bottle. Min Cairen told me to find a chance to take it out and throw it away, but the guards were always on duty at the door, and there was no chance to go out."

"After the strict security in Zui Xia Palace, people inside couldn't go out, and couldn't find familiar people to help. I feared reprimand from Cairen, so I had to hide the things first, falsely claiming they had been thrown away. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness. I was coerced by Min Cairen in Zui Xia Palace; I really had no choice!"

After this Fen'er finished speaking, Su Jiaojiao was somewhat surprised, glancing at her subtly.

With both testimonial and physical evidence at hand, this matter was effectively closed, with nothing left to investigate.

Shen Huai's icy stare at Min Cairen sent shivers down her spine, cold sweat continuously breaking out on her back.

Min Cairen foresaw the fate awaiting her, suddenly turned pale with fright, and cried out: "Your Majesty, have mercy on me, it wasn't me, it wasn't me, I didn't curse Noble Consort Zhen, please Your Majesty consider my years of service to you, spare me this once!"

"How dare you still deny it!" Shen Huai sternly rebuked, slamming the armrest heavily, saying: "At this moment, you still want to quibble before me!"

"Summon the guards!"

Shen Huai stared at Min Cairen, speaking each word with a heavy tone: "Min Cairen has plotted against a palace consort, defied palace regulations, used witchcraft to corrupt the harem, deceived His Majesty, and is guilty beyond forgiveness. From today, she is stripped of her title and reduced to a commoner. Considering her years of service to me, she is permitted to commit suicide."

"Take her away."

The sharp arrogance in Min Cairen's eyes dimmed completely, and she collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by despair.

"It's not me... it's not me..."

The guards at the door immediately entered and dragged the commoner Liu from the hall, and the tension in the hall finally eased.

The matter is settled, the evidence is irrefutable, and Min Cairen's fate is sealed.

When Cai Shan reported earlier, the Empress had been listening with rapt attention, knowing that it was all about Min Cairen, and she quietly set aside the heavy burden in her heart.

The Empress glanced at Min Cairen and indifferently withdrew her gaze.

She softly said to the Emperor: "Min Cairen is of a vicious nature and deserves death. Noble Consort Zhen has suffered such persecution for no reason; Your Majesty should offer her proper consolation. Such a grave incident should serve as a stern warning to all palace consorts to abide by their duties and not harbor any malice."

"But I wonder, how does Your Majesty intend to handle the remaining palace servants?"

Shen Huai glanced at the Empress and coldly said: "The Empress has been indisposed of late and need not concern herself with the affairs of the harem. Rest well within the palace and focus on your recovery. These matters may be temporarily entrusted to Noble Consort Mi."

After speaking, Shen Huai rose with a grim expression and strode out of Pixiang Hall.

Noble Consort Mi glanced at the kneeling palace servants and said: "Qiaoer and Qiu Xin are to be executed by beating and thrown into the mass grave. All servants who attended to the commoner Liu are to be relegated to the Yeting for menial tasks."

She looked at Rui'er and others, speaking unhurriedly: "I recall that you are newly assigned servants from the Internal Service Bureau. Since you haven't been there long and have exposed the commoner Liu's crimes, I am not one to blur the lines between right and wrong. You will be sent back to the Internal Service Bureau, have your injuries treated by the imperial physician, and then await reassignment."

Rui'er and others tearfully thanked Noble Consort Mi and gradually left Pixiang Hall.

After this incident, the hall of Pixiang Hall was in utter disarray, with the once luxurious carpet now stained with blood, a nauseating sight.

Noble Consort Mi glanced at it with disgust and said: "Incinerate the witchcraft doll and the green jade bottle within the Buddhist hall and recite sutras for three days to cleanse the ill fortune."

"I recall, when Noble Consort Zhen was granted the title of Noble Consort, it was thought that there was no need to move her until after the New Year. But now that such an incident has occurred, and today is the seventh day, the court's holiday will end tomorrow, so let the Internal Service Bureau immediately arrange for Noble Consort Zhen to move. Noble Consort Zhen has endured great suffering today, and Pixiang Hall is no longer a suitable residence for her."

Yu Ling stepped forward to support Noble Consort Mi's wrist, helping her to stand, and leisurely said: "Yu Ling, later take some calming and evil-dispelling items from the treasury to reward Noble Consort Zhen."

"Yes."

Su Jiaojiao quickly stood up and bowed, her sweet voice weak but sincere: "Your servant thanks Noble Consort Mi for the reward."

Noble Consort Mi did not give her a glance, nor did she say anything to the Empress, only straightened her back, slightly raised her chin, and looked towards the outside of the palace, step by step walking out of Pixiang Hall.

Seeing Noble Consort Mi's spirited appearance, the Empress's expression was quite calm, only deep in her eyes, there was a trace of coldness that was hard to detect.

Yu He helped the Empress to stand up, and Su Jiaojiao only glanced at her before bowing her knees and softly saying: "Your servant respectfully sees off the Empress."

The Empress pulled up a smile that did not reach her eyes, supported by Yu He, and slowly walked down to Noble Consort Zhen: "Noble Consort Zhen must take good care of your health; our days are still long."

Su Jiaojiao only deepened the soft smile on her lips and respectfully said: "With the Empress's concern, your servant will surely be strong and healthy. I also hope that Your Majesty takes good care of your health, as there will be much for Your Majesty to attend to in the palace in the future."

After everyone had left, Su Jiaojiao wearily collapsed into a chair.

"My Lady!"

Yu Ying anxiously approached, saying: "How are you feeling now, my Lady? We originally said to use makeup to make do, but in the end, you had to smell that Clear Brain Incense again, it must have hurt your body so much! If it weren't for the detoxifying medicine you drank after the Emperor arrived, I would have been truly afraid."

Su Jiaojiao held her head for a moment before softly saying, "It's not serious. I was only poisoned briefly and took the medicine in time, so I'm fine. The Empress and His Majesty are both very sharp; they must know exactly what I said and did. Even if I used makeup to cover up, some expressions would still reveal flaws. I wanted Min Cairen dead, so being harsh on myself is necessary."

"With the incident involving Liu Shuren, Rui'er will likely be watched closely these next few days. Noble Consort Mi has already sent an Imperial Physician to treat her. Once the situation calms down, we'll send her some tonics and delicate fabrics."

Yu Ying brought over a cup of clear tea and whispered, "Yes, Rui'er has always been grateful for your kindness and is very reliable. You can rest assured. I saw how steady she was today; she seems trustworthy. However, I didn't expect that Fen'er failed to destroy the green jade bottle, giving us more leverage. I truly didn't anticipate that."

Su Jiaojiao said indifferently, "The witchcraft setup was just a safety net. Now, with the right timing, location, and people, the green jade bottle incident coincided perfectly, making today's events go so smoothly. Otherwise, it might have dragged on."

"I remember instructing Rui'er to monitor Min Cairen's movements before having her place the witchcraft doll. She is meticulous and cautious, catching Qiu Xin's mistake and framing her for the witchcraft. She played a crucial role in this matter. Loyalty is rare in the palace, so we must cherish those who are. You handmaidens are my most trusted ones, and these matters must be handled properly."

Yu Ying and Yu Ye responded in unison, and Su Jiaojiao took a sip of tea.

Looking back, today's events had little to do with the Empress.

Many palace servants were involved, but none revealed any other related information; it all came from Min Cairen.

Min Cairen was clearly in Noble Consort Wang's camp, and His Majesty knew it.

Given that, why did His Majesty strip the Empress of her authority today, telling her to recover?

Regarding the incidents involving the Crown Prince and Consort Lian, His Majesty was already suspicious of the Empress, but without proof, he wouldn't act against her.

Forcing the Empress to rest and giving Noble Consort Mi control of the palace is a clear warning.

But what led His Majesty to take such action?

Su Jiaojiao paused, then suddenly said, "Yu Ying, quietly check if anything big has happened in court recently."

Today is the seventh day, and tomorrow marks the end of the holiday, when His Majesty will resume court sessions.

On the day she was granted the title of Noble Consort Gui, she had already anticipated that there would be rumors related to her, so she had sent a message to Su Chang, instructing him to handle the matter.

Six days later, had Su Chang fixed it and, knowing her feud with the Empress, done more?

Su Chang holds a high position and has recently gained His Majesty's favor due to affairs concerning commoners. With numerous followers, he is a significant figure in the court.

If he acted, she might finally get some peace.

The Empress is an extremely cautious person. With His Majesty stripping her of her authority at this time, she will undoubtedly refrain from acting in the short term, choosing instead to lay low, dispel His Majesty's suspicions, and be extra cautious of her and Noble Consort Mi's faction.

Su Jiaojiao smiled coldly.

The Empress's plans are likely even more ambitious.

Zhu Baolin's child is due in a few days. If it's a prince, she can rightfully take him in to raise.

Not only would she gain another prince, but she could also cultivate a bond with him from a young age, using him for her own purposes when she fails to produce an heir. This would also help her dispel His Majesty's suspicions during this period. How perfect.

Unfortunately, she is destined to miscalculate with Zhu Baolin.