Chapter 77: Investigating What
For five consecutive days, Chu Mingheng did not visit the rear palace. Occasionally, when he found some free time, he would come to Yilan Hall for lunch.
The imperial concubines were gnashing their teeth in frustration, feeling as though they were all utterly insignificant in the palace, not even worthy of a glance from His Majesty, who only had eyes for Zhen Shuyi.
However, Lan Wu’s move to the main hall was overshadowed by Consort Rou and court affairs, so it wasn’t much discussed.
As a Shuyi, she shouldn’t have moved into the main hall in the first place, but His Majesty’s favor toward her was nothing new. No one dared to criticize her openly, and recently, the imperial concubines had been keeping to themselves. Even if they felt sour inside, they had to pretend not to know.
In Yifang Hall, Consort Shu was nursing a headache, massaging her temples in secret, thinking to herself that His Majesty really knew how to make trouble for her.
Lady Lifei had always seemed too foolish to accomplish anything significant, yet His Majesty had assigned her to assist in managing affairs. Consort Shu had nearly gotten a handle on all matters in the rear palace, but as soon as Lady Lifei arrived, she stirred everything into chaos.
She couldn’t tell whether Lady Lifei was doing it on purpose or simply by accident.
“Your Ladyship, the day before yesterday, a servant from Lady Lifei’s side came to inquire about matters in our palace,” Yunqing entered the hall and whispered into Consort Shu’s ear.
Consort Shu didn’t open her eyes, only furrowing her brows impatiently. “What did she ask?”
“Nothing much, really. She was just asking what Your Ladyship has been busy with lately.”
Consort Shu sneered, “She must be impatient to seize power from me. With that wooden head of hers, what could she possibly accomplish?”
“Your Ladyship is right,” Yunqing bowed her head and stood to the side.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Consort Shu suddenly asked, “Any news from the Imperial Medical Academy?”
Yunqing shook her head. “Your Ladyship, Imperial Physician Zeng said that Xu Tai Yi is a cautious man and never shows medical records to outsiders. He tried twice but nearly got caught and couldn’t find anything.”
“A miscarriage medical record, of all things. Hiding it for no reason is suspicious.” What could be the trickery behind this?
Consort Shu slowly opened her eyes and instructed Yunqing, “Next time someone from Lady Lifei’s palace sneaks around asking, have them say that I’ve been busy with matters at the Imperial Medical Academy.”
“The Imperial Medical Academy?” Lady Lifei repeated, puzzled. “What could possibly be happening at the Imperial Medical Academy?”
Yu Mei speculated, “Perhaps it’s about Consort Rou’s affairs?”
Lady Lifei scoffed, “Would she be that kind-hearted? More likely, she’s thinking of how to ruin that woman Consort Rou’s face.”
Lady Lifei dared to say such things, but the servants below would never dare to respond.
Yu Mei kept her eyes downcast, pretending to be deaf to these words.
But Lady Lifei suddenly slammed the table, her temper flaring. “His Majesty assigned me to manage the six palaces alongside her, and what does she do? She makes all sorts of excuses, saying she’s not busy, not busy at all, and won’t let me ask about anything. Even those damned servants below are the same—they only know Consort Shu’s name. Whenever I ask anything, they just keep repeating ‘Consort Shu’!”
“What a bunch of damned servants! Sooner or later, I’ll have every one of them beaten fifty times—”
Yu Mei felt rather helpless. Seeing Lady Lifei in this state, she feared she might make herself ill. At the very least, she reached out to soothe Lady Lifei’s anger, advising her:
“Your Ladyship, even if those people aren’t directly following Lady Shufei, they’ve been with Consort Rou for a long time. You’re new here, and it’s quite possible Lady Shufei has already warned them not to cooperate with you. That’s why those wretched servants dared to speak nonsense to you.”
“But Your Ladyship, His Majesty has finally given you this excellent opportunity to handle palace affairs. You must seize it firmly.”
Consort Li glanced at her sideways. “I am well aware. There’s no need for you to remind me.”
Yu Mei bowed her head respectfully, not daring to meet her eyes, and said softly, “I beg your forgiveness, Your Ladyship.”
“Since Lady Shufei is busy with matters concerning the Imperial Medical Academy, I naturally should lend a hand.”
“Tomorrow, go to the Imperial Medical Academy and summon the imperial physician in charge of Consort Rou’s health. I wish to question him.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship.”
The next day, Imperial Physician Wu entered Consort Li’s Jinghua Palace.
Though it was called questioning, Consort Li merely offered a few words of concern before quickly shifting the topic.
Imperial Physician Wu was an old physician in the palace and answered flawlessly. No matter how Consort Li probed, he skillfully steered the conversation back.
Consort Li had someone secretly slip him silver, hoping to inquire about what Lady Shufei was busy with at the Imperial Medical Academy. She thought she wouldn’t get an answer, but to her surprise, Imperial Physician Wu hesitated.
Consort Li’s eyes lit up, and she had someone slip another cloth pouch into Imperial Physician Wu’s hand.
“After all, His Majesty has decreed that I assist Lady Shufei. It makes no sense for her to handle everything alone without letting me do anything.”
“Don’t you agree, Imperial Physician Wu?”
Imperial Physician Wu quietly accepted the two pouches, cupped his hands toward Consort Li, and said, “Actually, it’s nothing major. It’s just that Lady Shufei is particularly concerned about Lady Rong Shuyi’s health, so she has sent people to the Imperial Medical Academy several times to inquire with Imperial Physician Xu.”
A shadow flickered in Consort Li’s eyes, but she showed nothing.
She nodded and asked Imperial Physician Wu again, “Lady Rong Shuyi’s miscarriage has indeed harmed her health, so extra care is warranted. Are you acquainted with that Imperial Physician Xu?”
Imperial Physician Wu immediately shook his head. “Imperial Physician Xu has always kept to himself. If anyone is familiar with him, it might be Imperial Physician Deng. I heard they’ve even shared drinks together.”
Hearing this, Consort Li was satisfied and ordered someone to escort Imperial Physician Wu out.
Once he was gone, the pleasant expression on her face vanished instantly.
Lady Rong Shuyi?
Was Lady Shufei investigating Lady Rong Shuyi’s miscarriage?
What was there to investigate? Wasn’t it just a miscarriage?
Unless it wasn’t…?
Consort Li suddenly stood up, supporting herself against the nearby table, unable to hide the shock on her face.
It couldn’t be, could it? How could Lady Rong Shuyi have such nerve?
Just to frame Zhen Jieyu, who was merely a Jieyu at the time?
“Your Ladyship?” Yu Mei entered the hall to replace the tea and was startled by Consort Li’s reaction, calling out to her.
Consort Li snapped back to her senses, saw her, and sat back down in her chair. After the initial shock, uncontrollable excitement took over.
No wonder Lady Shufei hadn’t told her—she was secretly investigating such a matter.
However, since she was still investigating, it meant there were no results yet.
If she could uncover the truth first and report it to His Majesty, wouldn’t that also be a recognition of her abilities?
With so many matters big and small in the palace, Lady Shufei couldn’t manage them all. Perhaps it was time for her to take charge.
If the investigation proved it true, she could simply deal with Lady Rong Shuyi as well. Among the newly entered imperial concubines, she was the most aloof—let’s see if she could remain so aloof then.
What a pity that no evidence could be found against that little wretch Lan Wu. If it had been Lan Wu who miscarried, she would have truly laughed out loud.
Thinking of this, Consort Li felt regret once more. That little wretch Lan Wu had moved into Yilan Hall—such a vast palace, allowing her to run wild all alone inside. Wouldn’t she become a local tyrant? If only someone could be placed there to compete for her favor…
A figure surfaced in her mind, and Consort Li fell silent.