Chapter 363

Chapter 363 In the neighboring palace of Lady Lu, there was a newly arrived young eunuch who was Bai Yu's childhood sweetheart. Originally, the two had agreed that once Bai Yu turned twenty-five and left the palace, they would marry. Who would have thought that winter would come early this year? Bai Yu's hometown had suffered a disaster, and her parents had passed away. Her childhood sweetheart's parents had frozen to death, and by a twist of fate, he had undergone castration and entered the palace. When he finally saw Bai Yu and told her about the situation at home, the two embraced and wept bitterly. With her family struck by misfortune, her childhood sweetheart reappearing, and Bai Yu suddenly learning she could never leave the palace, it was inevitable that old feelings would reignite. Wu Baolin did not have many attendants around her, and her management was not particularly strict. Bai Yu could always find opportunities to secretly pass things to her childhood sweetheart—in other words, private exchanges of gifts. This time, luck was not on her side, and Wu Baolin caught her in the act. After hearing the story, Wu Baolin refused to forgive Bai Yu no matter what. She found it utterly disgusting and insisted on having Bai Yu sent to Fengyi Palace for punishment. Wu Baolin was emotionally agitated, and those around her could not persuade her otherwise. To save her own life, Bai Yu had no choice but to reveal something. "Does Mistress still remember Hong Yu?" Wu Baolin was startled, not expecting Bai Yu to bring up the palace maid who had been punished and sent out of the palace earlier. She said with displeasure, "Of course I remember. She was clumsy and actually broke an imperial gift, so she was sent off to Yeting. As for you, I thought you were a sensible and obedient one, but who would have thought you'd dare engage in private exchanges and ruin the reputation of my palace!" "Now it seems you're even more reckless than Hong Yu!" Bai Yu said tremblingly, "My Lady, Hong Yu is already dead. Not long after she was sent to Yeting, she suddenly fell ill and passed away." "But this servant went to see her—she didn't die of illness. She was poisoned to death!" Wu Baolin stood frozen in shock, her mind momentarily thrown into chaos. "You—do you know what you're saying?" "Hong Yu was just a palace maid who had committed a mistake. Who would bother poisoning her?!" Bai Yu's mind raced, and she blurted out, "It was Consort Zhaode!" Bai Yu cried out, "Consort Zhaode wanted to poison Hong Yu to silence her!" "Because she had originally instructed Hong Yu to put poison in Your Ladyship's food, causing the wound on your arm to never heal, and she even wanted to take the opportunity to harm the Imperial Heir in your womb!" Wu Baolin was so frightened she nearly collapsed to the ground. Her mind went blank, and she murmured, "Nonsense!" "What kind of person is Consort Zhaode? Why would she want to harm me?!" Bai Yu said, "Because Your Ladyship is pregnant. If you gave birth to a healthy prince, it would threaten the Fifth Prince's position!" Wu Baolin had been punished several times in succession by the Emperor and was already terrified out of her wits. Now hearing that Hong Yu had been poisoned to death, she had completely lost her composure. With her mind in a muddle, whatever Bai Yu said, she believed. Bai Yu said, "This servant used to share a room with Hong Yu, and I once secretly saw her pouring medicinal powder into Your Ladyship's meals. She didn't do it often—just every now and then, she'd pick a random dish or soup and sprinkle some powder in." "Not long after, Your Ladyship discovered that the wound on your hand not only failed to heal but grew worse and worse, eventually leaving a scar." "Before Hong Yu was sent to Yeting, she was very close with Fangcheng from Consort Zhaode's palace. She'd go to Consort Zhaode's palace every few days to chat and bring back some food. Many people knew about this—if Your Ladyship asks around, you'll find it to be true!" The more Bai Yu spoke, the more confident she became. "This servant originally wanted to report Hong Yu, but who would have thought that just a few days later, Hong Yu would be sent to Yeting for committing a mistake..." This palace maid, in order to save her own life, spouted such a tale without a shred of evidence, yet Wu Baolin, in her heated state of mind, actually believed every word of it. She was now nine months pregnant and could go into labor at any moment. Upon hearing that Consort Zhaode in the palace wanted to harm her, she was terrified and, without a second thought, brought her people to Fengyi Palace. "I beg the Empress to seek justice for this concubine!" The moment she entered Fengyi Palace, Wu Baolin clutched her belly and wept, "This concubine doesn't know how she offended Consort Zhaode, but Consort Zhaode wants to poison me!" The Empress had finally felt a bit better today, but the moment she heard Wu Baolin's wailing, her head began to buzz. When she then heard what Wu Baolin had to say, she fell into a strange silence. Everyone in Fengyi Palace stared intently at Wu Baolin, waiting for her to continue. Wu Baolin continued her tearful lament, "Empress, this concubine only learned today that it was Consort Zhaode who had someone put medicine in this concubine's meals, causing the wound on my hand to worsen severely—from a small scratch deteriorating into a large scar." "And to think this concubine wrongly blamed Lady Ye, believing she was the one secretly causing harm!" "Consort Zhaode probably holds a grudge against this concubine for revealing my pregnancy to protect myself back then, so she deliberately harmed me this way. Or perhaps she's worried that if this concubine gives birth to a prince, it would threaten the Fifth Prince's position..." "Enough!" Seeing Wu Baolin growing more and more inappropriate in her speech, the Empress could not help but coldly rebuke her. "Do you have any evidence for what you're saying?" Wu Baolin quickly said, "Yes, yes! Bai Yu from my palace can bear witness!" With that, Wu Baolin recounted what had happened that day and had Bai Yu repeat everything she had seen. The Empress's expression was cold, her gaze at Wu Baolin tinged with impatience and disgust. "You say Hongyu was poisoned to death—where's your evidence?!" "You claim Consort Zhaode harmed you—besides Baiyu's words, do you have any other proof?" "Baiyu is someone from your own palace. How can you prove she wasn't incited by you?" "Just because of a few words from a palace maid, you come making a scene at Fengyi Palace. If you've falsely accused Consort Zhaode, are you prepared to atone with that head of yours stuffed full of straw?!" The more the Empress spoke, the angrier she grew, making no effort to hide her contempt for Wu Baolin. She had once shown a bit of cleverness, but now she'd lost her senses entirely—rushing to Fengyi Palace with not a shred of evidence, shouting that Consort Zhaode had harmed her. She had no sense of proportion whatsoever! Other women with child would be only too glad to quietly hide away and tend to their pregnancies. But she stirred up trouble every few days, as if afraid her pregnancy was going too smoothly. Wu Baolin, subjected to the Empress's blistering reprimand, burst into tears, utterly aggrieved. Her mind could only hold onto the Empress's words: "Baiyu is someone from your own palace. How can you prove she wasn't incited by you?" She sobbed, "I am wronged! How would I dare incite Baiyu to falsely accuse someone?!" "It was Baiyu who let it slip because she feared punishment!" "Even with ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare oppose Consort Zhaode!" The Empress listened to her go on for a long while—only repeating that she hadn't incited Baiyu, offering no explanation for anything else—and felt a throbbing headache coming on. The Empress couldn't be bothered with more words. "Someone come!" Immediately, two stern-faced palace maids stepped forward. The Empress said coldly, "First, send Baiyu to the Department of Punishments for interrogation. Have Lord Jing question her personally!" "Once she has signed her confession, we'll discuss the rest." Then she added, "Wu Baolin is overthinking things in her pregnancy and speaking incoherently. Take her to the side hall and summon the imperial physician to treat and calm her." One decree after another was issued, and both Wu Baolin and Baiyu were led away. The Empress continued, "First, have the news reported to the Emperor, then send word to Consort Zhaode and Consort Wen." The Empress pondered for a moment: "Tell Consort Zhaode not to come for now. In such a delicate situation, she'd find it hard to explain herself. If evidence emerges, I'll send someone to summon her." "Also have Consort Wen come to Fengyi Palace—I have matters to instruct her on." With all the arrangements made, Fengyi Palace finally fell quiet. The Emperor happened to be free that day, visiting the Third Princess at Ritualist Hui's palace. When he heard the news relayed from the Empress, the smile on his face faded, replaced by an indescribably deep and cold expression. Ritualist Hui, who was holding the Third Princess, felt a start of alarm. Fearing the princess might be frightened, she quickly had someone take her away. Ritualist Hui said, "Your Majesty, this matter has long since passed. For Wu Baolin to suddenly bring it up—there must be more to it." The Emperor glanced at Ritualist Hui, his gaze excessively dark and heavy. Ritualist Hui's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly added, "I'm not speaking up for Wu Baolin. I believe that given Consort Zhaode's character, she would never do such a thing." Perhaps feeling her words were dry and unconvincing, Ritualist Hui curved her lips into a faint smile: "I simply think everything Wu Baolin said is full of holes." "Consort Zhaode has the Emperor's favor and the Fifth Prince besides—why would she be so foolish as to harm her?" The Emperor remained silent, and Ritualist Hui dared not say anything more. She had assumed the Emperor would go to Fengyi Palace to handle the matter, but instead he sat quietly in her courtyard, unnaturally still. Over on her side, Xie Run received the news and was only briefly surprised. Over the years, she had developed a habit of practicing calligraphy—every two days, she would spend an hour at it. At this moment, Xie Run was practicing her calligraphy. Xie Run said, "As for who did this—the Emperor and Empress likely have a good idea. For it to suddenly erupt like this, it can't be pinned on me, but it might stir up other trouble." "The Empress not letting me go also shows she knows this can't be traced back to me." Dantao ground the ink stick, speaking in a gentle, soft voice: "I'm afraid Wu Baolin won't accept it and still thinks she's been wronged. She doesn't realize she's been used as a pawn." "As for this Baiyu—whose person she is, who can say." This business Wu Baolin stirred up—anyone with half a brain wouldn't have done it. First, she was nine months pregnant; even the slightest mishap could harm both mother and child. The incident of her injury had already passed several months. Exposing it a day earlier or later made no difference to anyone else, but it made a great difference to her. She could have simply pretended not to know, endured until she gave birth, and then—with a child to back her and the Emperor's pity on her side—raised the matter then. That would have been far better than making a huge scene now. Second, even if Xie Run truly had done it, she still shouldn't have made such a fuss. She was merely a Baolin—did she really think she could openly spar with one of the four Fei? By pushing things to this point, she was forcing Xie Run into opposition with her—digging a pit for herself. Such a self-defeating, profitless move—why hadn't the people around Wu Baolin talked her out of it, instead letting her make a scene? How could there not be something sinister behind it? Especially Baiyu—she'd merely been caught in an illicit affair, and yet she dragged out a death and Consort Zhaode from it. With not a shred of evidence, she dared to make wild accusations with empty words. How could an ordinary palace maid have such audacity? Xie Run said, "There are holes everywhere in this matter. I just wonder what the person behind it wants to accomplish." "What benefit is there in provoking Wu Baolin to oppose me?" Dantao said, "Niangniang, perhaps the one in the shadows isn't targeting only you, but also the Fifth Prince?" "If this matter causes harm to the child in Wu Baolin's womb, I fear the Emperor may also grow distant from you because of it." "There aren't many healthy Imperial Heirs in the harem, especially princes. Now that there are finally a few pregnancies, if something happens one after another, leaving only the Fifth Prince, the Emperor will inevitably start to think too much." Xie Run rarely showed worry between her brows. "This is also what has been troubling me lately." "I wish with all my heart that Hua Zhaorong, Wu Baolin, and Concubine Yang were all pregnant with princes and would give birth soon, so that Taotao wouldn't stand out so much." Xie Run actually suspected that she and Taotao had drawn too much attention in the harem, which was why trouble had come to them out of nowhere. Dantao had served Xie Run for so long that she naturally believed Xie Run's words. Dantao said, "Niangniang has no intention of harming others, but there's no stopping those who harbor jealousy. Even if you said this outright, no one would believe you, Niangniang. Instead, they'd think you were deliberately playing the good person because you have the Fifth Prince in your hands." Xie Run said nothing. After setting down her final brushstroke, she said, "Send someone to Fengyi Palace to listen in and see how this matter is being investigated." The Empress had only told Xie Run not to get involved in the trouble, not that she forbade people from Zhaohua Palace to inquire about the situation. Dantao said, "Fangcheng happened to leave the palace today to deliver something to the Eldest Miss on your behalf. She probably won't be able to return for a while. Does Niangniang wish to send someone to summon her back?" Xie Run said, "No need for now." "Fangcheng will definitely return before the palace gates are locked. Baiyu probably won't yield any answers for a while anyway. If I summon her back in a hurry, it will only make Eldest Sister worry about me." The Emperor and Empress already had a good sense of this matter. Xie Run felt she didn't even need to appear herself. Xie Run had someone put away the brush and ink, then went to wash her hands at the side. She looked up and saw herself in the mirror, and a thought suddenly struck her. "Oh no, I'm afraid this matter isn't just directed at me." Xiaoshu was standing nearby, ready to hand over a handkerchief. Upon hearing this, she said, "Niangniang, what did you say?!" Xie Run casually wiped her hands. "Never mind. Send someone to call Fangcheng back. I need to question her properly." After a pause, she added, "Just say that Taotao suddenly started crying and wants her to come play. Don't mention any of this to frighten her." "It's not a big matter to begin with. Don't end up giving our own people a scare." Dantao said, "Yes." Xiaoshu was quick-witted. Seeing Xie Run stand before the mirror and gaze at herself for a moment, she suddenly realized, "Niangniang is thinking of Consort Sun?!" "Consort Sun was like Wu Baolin back then—her injury wasn't originally too severe. But after applying the medicine, not only did the wound fail to heal, it worsened and spread day by day, until her face was ruined." "Wu Baolin only has a small scar left on her body, but Consort Sun had her face completely destroyed because of it. If this matter blows up and drags her in as well, I'm afraid it won't settle down for a long time." As one of Xie Run's people, Xiaoshu was naturally most worried that Consort Sun, like Wu Baolin, would stubbornly believe Xie Run had harmed her and insist on opposing Xie Run. If things continued this way, their Niangniang would truly become the object of resentment from all Six Palaces. Xie Run lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment before saying, "Yes, and no." "I did think of Consort Sun. If she listens to Wu Baolin and comes out to make a scene, the Emperor and Empress will likely have to produce the truth." This matter had nothing to do with Xie Run to begin with, so of course she wasn't afraid. What she was thinking about was the real culprit.