Chapter 68: Scratched Face
Lan Wu was startled by the palace maid’s cry, her hand trembling slightly. When she turned and saw Consort Rou’s current appearance, she froze for a moment before quickly composing herself. Suppressing the laughter that threatened to spill out, she blinked and feigned complete ignorance. Releasing Chu Mingheng’s hand, she joined the others in adopting an expression of shock and fear.
She hid behind Chu Mingheng, peeking out with half her body, one hand clutching his robe and the other covering her lips. A hint of triumphant relief flickered in her eyes.
It was no wonder everyone was horrified—Consort Rou’s face was truly a dreadful sight.
Originally, she had possessed a gentle and elegant appearance, soft and refined, as if even her words were spoken lightly. But now, her lips were swollen, and the area beneath them, along with the left half of her face, had puffed up. Large, bean-sized red rashes dotted her skin, seemingly having appeared some time ago. Scratches from her nails clawing at her cheeks were also visible.
Earlier, when everyone had stepped out of the main hall to watch the fireworks outside, the dim surroundings had concealed the changes on her face. Only upon returning to the hall did it become clear, leading everyone to assume she had been poisoned or contracted some contagious disease.
The imperial concubines all stepped back, looking at Consort Rou with strange and slightly disgusted expressions.
Consort Rou also realized something was wrong. She had been feeling an itch on her face earlier and had scratched it a few times, assuming it was just insect bites and thinking nothing more of it. But the palace maid’s scream threw her into a panic.
She covered her face with her hands and hastily retreated, only to bump into the low table behind her. With a startled cry, she fell onto the tabletop, her dress stained and disheveled.
Once she fell, she made no sound, as if she had fainted.
The palace maids around her hurriedly helped her up, shielding her face while anxiously calling out to her.
Watching this scene from behind Chu Mingheng, Lan Wu finally felt a sense of vindication.
She knew all too well that Consort Rou was intolerant to Anluo Fruit. In her previous life, this fruit hadn’t been served at her birthday banquet, but afterward, the Inner Court Administration had distributed it to all the palaces, which led to problems.
Consort Rou’s palace urgently summoned an Imperial Physician, who diagnosed her intolerance to the fruit and advised her never to eat it again.
Unfortunately, in her previous life, Lan Wu hadn’t seen Consort Rou’s condition firsthand—she had secluded herself in her palace for a month to recuperate before showing her face again. Now, seeing Consort Rou’s appearance, Lan Wu understood why she hadn’t dared to appear in public.
In this life, Lan Wu had Zhang Mu quietly arrange things in the Yushan Fang early on. She wasn’t foolish enough to directly instruct the kitchen to serve the fruit at the birthday banquet. Instead, she dropped a few subtle hints, and the kitchen took the initiative. Partly to curry favor, and partly because these fruits would eventually be distributed to the various palaces anyway—it was better to know sooner who liked them and who didn’t.
Chu Mingheng also saw Consort Rou’s face and ordered someone to summon an Imperial Physician while having Consort Rou carried to a side hall.
The palace maids cleaned up the mess in the hall, while the imperial concubines whispered among themselves, speculating about what had happened to Consort Rou.
Poisoning seemed unlikely, as this banquet had been ordered by His Majesty and organized by the Inner Court Administration. With such a grand occasion held in Empress Dowager Jingwen’s Kongshan Garden, who would dare to openly poison someone?
But if it wasn’t poisoning, then what could it be?
Rong Shuyi’s gaze swept inch by inch over the items the palace servants were tidying, as if pondering something. Her eyes slowly surveyed the people around her, finally lingering faintly on Lan Wu for a moment before she lowered her head again, convinced it couldn’t be Lan Wu.
His Majesty had specifically instructed Zhu Xia to tell her not to let Zhen Shuyi come into contact with unclean methods. Since His Majesty watched over Zhen Shuyi so closely, how could he allow her to harm others?
Perhaps it was just an accident.
Lan Wu hid behind the crowd, watching as Consort Rou was escorted away. Only then did she step forward, covering her face, and looked up at Chu Mingheng. Her bright, sparkling eyes held a trace of unhappy anger, but she restrained herself.
She remained silent, and Chu Mingheng did not look at her. His expression was somber, his profile illuminated by the palace lanterns still imposing and handsome. Yet, with a slight downward glance, the cold words he uttered made everyone’s hearts leap into their throats.
“Someone, check everything Consort Rou just used, including that plate of Anluo Fruit. Send it to the Imperial Physician.”
In principle, anything presented from other regions, whether edible or not, would first be handed over to the Imperial Medical Academy for inspection. Only after confirming it was safe would it be delivered to the nobles. The Imperial Medical Academy’s duty was to determine whether these items could cause physical discomfort and, if so, whether they could still be used in the future.
Since the Anluo Fruit had been presented on such an occasion, it should have been safe. Yet, if this incident truly stemmed from the fruit, then the responsibility would lie with Yushan Fang for being overly eager and serving fruit that had not been thoroughly inspected to the nobles.
Lan Wu followed Chu Mingheng to the main seat above. She sat more properly, lowering her head to avoid looking at the people below.
The palace servants questioned all the imperial concubines present before reporting to the emperor—aside from Consort Rou, no one else who had eaten the fruit experienced any issues.
Lan Wu sat very close to Chu Mingheng. Although she had mentally prepared herself for his anger, seeing his cold, detached demeanor and thoughtful expression still made her swallow nervously.
Consort Rou might not amount to much, but this gathering had been prepared by Chu Mingheng. If he discovered she had dared to scheme under his orders and caused such a commotion, even she would face severe punishment.
No, he wouldn’t find out. This was Consort Rou’s first time eating Anluo Fruit. No one knew she couldn’t tolerate it. Without evidence, Chu Mingheng would never trace it back to her.
Thinking this, Lan Wu gradually calmed down.
Just then, Chu Mingheng suddenly turned his head and gave her a deep, lingering look.
Lan Wu clenched her hands, meeting his gaze in confusion.
“Your Majesty… why are you looking at this concubine…?”
Chu Mingheng’s eyes were dark and intense. When he focused on someone while concealing his emotions, it was no wonder they said the emperor’s heart was inscrutable. At least now, Lan Wu had no idea what he was thinking.
When faced with the unknown, Lan Wu felt uncertain.
“You were angry earlier,” Chu Mingheng asked softly.
Lan Wu was taken aback for a moment before nodding emphatically. As if momentarily confused, she forgot about the other imperial concubines present below and said indignantly, “Your Majesty’s birthday banquet for this concubine has been completely disrupted…”
Logically, she should indeed be angry—not being angry would be the real problem. She had just remembered to put on a show, and fortunately, it came naturally. Now, hearing Chu Mingheng ask this, she could still manage a response.
Chu Mingheng reached out and gently touched her face. Her cheeks were soft, and his touch was light. His gaze, fixed on Lan Wu, felt almost tangible, his voice low and soothing: “It’s alright. I will have someone investigate thoroughly, and I will not let the troublemakers…”
His eyes hardened, his tone turning dangerous as he slowly uttered the final words:
“…get away with it.”