Chapter 34: Let’s See
Chu Mingheng’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he slightly raised his hand, signaling her to rise. His tone was neither warm nor cold as he asked, “Didn’t the Imperial Physician say you must avoid drafts? Why have you come out?”
Consort Shu was helped to her feet and lowered her head as she replied, “Your Majesty, I heard that you were investigating the incident at Xu Garden that day.”
“Since I was the one in charge of organizing the banquet that day, and Sister Zhen nearly came to harm, I bear responsibility as well. That is why I have come uninvited. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
For now, Consort Shu’s words were reasonable and well-founded.
Lan Wu listened nearby, clicking her tongue in realization.
So that was it. She had wondered why Consort Shu had suddenly claimed to be ill. It turned out she had anticipated what Lady Liu had done and deliberately fallen ill at this time, making it difficult to hold her accountable.
Chu Mingheng gave a slight nod. “Grant Consort Shu a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The palace attendants brought a chair and placed it to the right, below the emperor’s seat. By now, Lan Wu had already taken her place beside Chu Mingheng, in her original seat.
This position was close to Chu Mingheng and also placed her in a higher seat. If Lan Wu had been more modest, she would have long since ordered the chair to be moved lower, at least below Consort Shu’s seat.
But she refused.
When she looked up, she met Consort Shu’s gaze.
Consort Shu managed to maintain a smile as she looked at Lan Wu and said softly to the emperor, “Sister Zhen truly is a beauty of unparalleled grace. Your Majesty dotes on her so much.” So much that she was practically stepping on her head.
“Is that so?” Chu Mingheng drawled slowly, turning his gaze to Lan Wu as well.
Lan Wu had been sitting calmly, but with two pairs of eyes now fixed on her, she grew somewhat nervous. If Chu Mingheng were to reprimand her for her lack of decorum and order her to move, she would truly lose face.
“Who told you to sit there?” Chu Mingheng’s voice was low, his eyes dark as ink as he spoke. He leaned back slightly in his chair, his long, strong, and well-defined fingers tapping idly on the armrest.
Before Consort Shu could even begin to mock, she heard Chu Mingheng’s voice, carrying an overwhelming sense of authority, as if deliberately restrained yet impossible to disobey.
“Come here.” Chu Mingheng ordered Lan Wu to return to her proper seat.
Lan Wu’s eyes lit up. She glanced at Consort Shu first before shyly returning to Chu Mingheng’s side.
“Your Majesty is so good to me,” she whispered softly into his ear, her voice tinged with a coquettish laugh.
She had known Chu Mingheng wouldn’t embarrass her in front of others.
This intimate display caused Consort Shu’s smile to vanish completely. She lowered her head to look at Lady Liu, who was still kneeling on the floor.
If it weren’t for this fool, she wouldn’t have had to come here.
Lady Liu’s matter had yet to be clarified. The powder was still laid out on the table, and the palace maid and Lady Liu each told conflicting stories, with Lady Liu insisting she knew nothing about it.
“Your Majesty, what has Lady Liu done to cause such a misunderstanding?” Consort Shu gently covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief, as if shielding herself from the draft. Her tone was filled with confusion and bewilderment, as though she couldn’t fathom the reason.
A misunderstanding?
Lan Wu glanced at the items on the table and muttered softly, “What misunderstanding could there be? The evidence is right here.”
Though her voice was quiet, there was no one else around, and everyone could hear her clearly.
“Outrageous.” Chu Mingheng rebuked, his words directed at Lan Wu, while simultaneously reaching out to pull up the hood of her cloak, covering most of her face.
Consort Shu watched the emperor’s action of reprimanding with his words but shielding her in reality, momentarily dazed, unsure where to direct her attention.
Lan Wu, her face obscured, struggled to tilt her head to look at Chu Mingheng, her voice muffled as it emerged: “This concubine knows her mistake.”
“But this thing came from Tingfeng Pavilion, and this person was sneaking around. Lady Liu claims she knows nothing—who would believe that?”
She shook her head: “This concubine certainly doesn’t believe it.”
“Since she refuses to confess, let’s see for ourselves.” Chu Mingheng had plenty of patience, ordering the palace maids to make Lady Liu ingest the packet of medicinal powder.
After consuming it, one would gradually lose strength, feel feverish and parched, and eventually fall unconscious.
Whether it was the same drug or not would become clear once she took it, eliminating the need to trouble the Imperial Physician.
Consort Shu was momentarily stunned. No matter what, Lady Liu was still an imperial concubine. If she were to disgrace herself here, it would also tarnish His Majesty’s reputation. How could His Majesty issue such an order?
Not only Consort Shu, but Lady Liu herself was terrified, kneeling and pleading for mercy: “Your Majesty, spare me—this concubine is truly wronged! I… I truly knew nothing of this matter!”
As she spoke, she hurriedly knelt before Consort Shu, weeping and sobbing: “Your Highness, Your Highness, save me—”
Lan Wu had just been reprimanded by Chu Mingheng and now remained silent. Even if asked to speak, she would only utter sarcastic remarks that would infuriate them. If they fainted from anger, the interrogation would have to be postponed to another day.
Consort Shu looked at Lady Liu’s pitiful state, feeling conflicted, almost gritting her teeth—she knew all too well the effects of that drug. Wasn’t it because of that very drug that that little wretch Lan Wu had climbed into the imperial bed?
She truly did not want to help this fool Lady Liu, yet she also wished to spare her life, as she had been so useful in the past and had assisted her with many tasks.
Before Consort Shu could speak up to plead for Lady Liu, the palace maids had already mixed the drug into water and were approaching Lady Liu step by step.
Luo Yun called two strong palace maids to restrain her, one hand gripping Lady Liu’s cheek to force her mouth open, the other lifting the cup to pour the liquid down her throat.
“Your Maj…” Consort Shu opened her mouth to speak but abruptly caught sight of the emperor’s merciless eyes, his gaze as cold as ice sweeping over Lady Liu on the ground. In that instant, she seemed to understand something.
That gaze shifted to her, a casual glance that served as both a warning and a threat.
Consort Shu quickly lowered her eyes, seeing Lady Liu, disheveled from struggling after being forced to drink a cup of water. The decision was made in an instant. She clenched her hands tightly and did not look at the other woman again.
The drug took effect quickly, especially since Lady Liu had consumed so much. Soon, her face flushed red, and she breathed with difficulty.
Seeing her in this state, there was nothing left to question.
Chu Mingheng did not even allow Lady Liu a chance to utter a word of defense. As for the reason behind Lady Liu’s actions, he understood all too well.
“By imperial decree: Lady Liu, for her unruly conduct, repeated violations of palace rules, and utter disregard for propriety, is demoted to Cairen and granted the privilege of taking her own life.”
By now, night had fully fallen. The chill in the wind was not enough to make one shrink back in fear, but these words sent a shiver through everyone standing in the breeze.
As the emperor rose from his seat, Lan Wu also stood up, following closely behind him.
Lady Liu was clearly no longer in her right mind; perhaps she hadn’t even heard the imperial decree sentencing her to death moments earlier. She did not bow to express gratitude for the emperor’s grace, but she was already forced down to kowtow.
“Let her sober up properly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Luo Yun responded.
As he passed in front of Consort Shu, Chu Mingheng paused briefly. Watching her bow respectfully, he spoke indifferently, “Since you are unwell, focus on recuperating. It would be best not to involve yourself in such matters again.”
Consort Shu was stunned by these words and could only respond respectfully with a “Yes.”
As the shadow before her disappeared, she lifted her head and watched as Chu Mingheng walked away, with Lan Wu following closely behind.