Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Perhaps due to their roles as protagonist and supporting character, Xie Run and Fang Yuan'er had slight differences in their understanding of the transmigrated book content. In Xie Run's "book," Consort Yun was only mentioned twice. Once was when she used Princess Ruyi to compete for favor with Fang Yuan'er. The second time was her miscarriage, which ultimately led to her death from massive hemorrhaging. But in the transmigration protagonist Fang Yuan'er's book, there was more content mentioning Consort Yun. Among it was mentioned that Consort Yun's current pregnancy was not very stable, with various reactions in the early stages—drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness... The original book's Fang Yuan'er had even cursed Consort Yun. She said it was retribution for Consort Yun using her daughter to compete for favor. But Consort Yun's reactions weren't particularly severe—ordinary pregnant women all experienced them, so no one thought much of it. Before Consort Yun's miscarriage, the mansion physician had already said that this pregnancy might be difficult to carry to term. So when Consort Yun began showing signs of miscarriage, everyone including herself was relatively accepting of it. The only thing no one expected was that this miscarriage would cause massive hemorrhaging, directly claiming her life. In this lifetime, many things differed from the plot in the book, causing Fang Yuan'er to have no time to care about such trivial matters. Now, thinking carefully, Fang Yuan'er vaguely felt she had grasped something. Her heart sank, and she said to Qiuxiang, "Send someone to ask Consort Yun—ask her whether she experienced any discomfort during her previous pregnancy?" Qiuxiang was slightly startled. "Just go and ask like that?" Consort Yun had already miscarried and nearly lost her life; no one in the mansion dared to casually bring up that pregnancy now. Fang Yuan'er's voice turned slightly cold. "I saved her life—what's wrong with going to ask a few questions? Could I possibly harm her?" Fang Yuan'er's physical condition was too poor, and with Xie Run's poisoning right before her eyes, she didn't have much time for roundabout methods. Qiuxiang was startled by this. "Does mistress suspect Consort Yun?" Fang Yuan'er shook her head. Darkness flashed before her eyes, and her thin frame seemed to sway unsteadily. She quickly grabbed Qiuxiang's hand. "Go ask! Quickly!" As she spoke, her stomach churned again, and she nearly vomited. Qiuxiang hurriedly said, "This servant will send someone right away!" Meanwhile, Fang Yuan'er rallied her spirits and said, "Remove all the incense from the room—move anything with a fragrance out to the courtyard..." As she was speaking, Fang Yuan'er turned, her gaze following the window to land on the nearby Xiachi Lake. A faint lotus fragrance drifted into her nostrils. It was like a flash of white light breaking through chaos, then transforming into a massive hammer that struck heavily against her heart. Fragrance. Water. Xie Run at Linxuan Pavilion had also fallen victim to someone's scheme in the same way. Fang Yuan'er stared fixedly at the lotus flowers on Xiachi Lake, speaking word by word, "Pull up all these lotus flowers—inspect every single one!" "And the water in the pond!" Qiuxiang was also stunned, her heart suddenly racing. She too had thought of how Concubine Xie had been poisoned. Qiuxiang hastily acknowledged, "Yes!" It was already the end of October now; by all rights, there shouldn't be lotus flowers. But the prince's mansion had a greenhouse, and this year it had been newly fitted with the glass that Fang Yuan'er had "invented," managing to cultivate lotus flowers even in winter. To curry favor with Fang Yuan'er, the greenhouse sent a fresh batch of lotus flowers to Xiachi Courtyard every three to five days. Since Xiachi Courtyard was right next to Guanyuechi, and Fang Yuan'er was someone who spent money like water. The rare lotus flowers that had just arrived were placed directly on Guanyuechi for her to admire. In winter, Guanyuechi was adorned with blooming lotus flowers, carrying a faint, fresh lotus fragrance—truly a spectacular and wondrous sight. The lotus flowers on the water were even replaced every two or three days. Such extravagant behavior had sparked countless discussions in the mansion's rear courtyard. Fang Yuan'er had never taken these discussions seriously. The Prince doted on her, the Princess Consort feared her, and she spent her own money—she could squander it however she pleased. She had never imagined it would nearly cost her her life! Soon, news came from Consort Yun's side. Qiuxiang frowned and said, "Consort Yun's previous pregnancy was stable—she didn't experience vomiting or drowsiness. She just didn't have much appetite." It really was different from the book! Fang Yuan'er had already concluded. In the book, Concubine Yun had been harmed by someone, which was why she experienced various symptoms in early pregnancy. In this lifetime, the one who had struck hadn't harmed Lady Yun, but had instead targeted her and Xie Run. Another imperial physician was summoned. Fang Yuan'er directly had him inspect the lotus flowers and water. This physician had already made several trips to Xiachi Courtyard. He even suspected that Consort Fang might be suffering from delusions, given how she repeatedly felt someone was trying to harm her. He had inspected Xiachi Courtyard five times and found nothing wrong. Being called over again this time, he felt his old bones were about to fall apart. The physician sighed, comforting himself that he was just humoring this mistress to put her mind at ease. But the moment he smelled the lotus fragrance, he felt something was off. The physician said, "This lotus fragrance is rather strong." Qiuxiang said, "The greenhouse said it's a newly cultivated variety—its fragrance is especially fresh and rich in winter." Ordinary lotus flowers didn't have much fragrance. When the greenhouse first delivered the lotus flowers, Qiuxiang had also found the scent novel and had specifically asked about it. Upon learning it was a new variety, she observed it for a few days, and after seeing no problems, she didn't think much of it. Qiuxiang's heart was in her throat as she asked, "Is there something wrong with the lotus flowers?" The imperial physician also tested with a silver needle for poison, and after a long moment shook his head. "The lotus flowers are fine." Qiuxiang immediately said, "Then would you please examine this water, sir?" By now it was already evening. The physician who had gone to Linxuan Pavilion had returned to the palace long ago. This one had been newly summoned from the palace—he was the same physician who had always taken Fang Yuan'er's pulse during her pregnancy. Thus, he was not entirely familiar with the details of the poisoning at Linxuan Pavilion. When Qiuxiang asked him to test the water, the physician felt a strange sense of unease. "What kind of water is this?" "Water from Guanyuechi—it's also where the lotus flowers are planted." The physician's expression grew even more puzzled. Guanyuechi was a considerable distance from Xiachi Pavilion. Even if the water were poisoned, how could it harm Consort Fang in the courtyard? This Xiachi Court was truly on edge, seeing danger in every shadow. But as he leaned closer, the physician's nose twitched, and he sensed something amiss. "Why does this water have a fragrance?" Qiuxiang's heart suddenly raced. She leaned in to smell it as well. "This servant doesn't detect any fragrance..." The physician waved his hand. "My nose has always been keen. This water's scent is wrong—it's not the fragrance of lotus!" So saying, he dipped a silver needle into it. Drawing the needle out, the physician raised his eyes to examine it, and his expression changed instantly, fear rising to his face. "This water is poisoned! Deadly poison!" The faces of all the maidservants and matrons in Xiachi Court turned pale. Qiuxiang hastily asked, "What poison is it? Is my mistress unwell because she has been poisoned by this?" The physician was also shaken. "This poison is quite peculiar—I have never seen its like..." Qiuxiang interrupted him, "Sir, you may not know yet. Concubine Xie in our household was also poisoned. The same method—poison placed in water used to water flowers, seeping into the soil and releasing a fragrance, harming Concubine Xie without anyone realizing." The physician said, "My skills are insufficient. I fear I must consult with my colleagues." Qiuxiang nodded in agreement and immediately went inside to inform Fang Yuan'er. "Mistress, we've found it—the poison is in the water!" Qiuxiang said with hatred, "What a meticulous and vicious scheme!" "The lotus flowers sent from the flower nursery have a strong fragrance, which conveniently masks the scent in the water." "Although this poison is potent, once diluted in water its toxicity is likely weak—no effect on ordinary people, but someone in your condition, with child, cannot withstand it." Fang Yuan'er's face was pale, drained of all color. "Breathing in that lotus fragrance day after day, the poison seeps in little by little. Even if I were to die miserably in my bed one day, no one would ever discover the cause!" She should thank Xie Run for uncovering the truth on her end and giving her this warning. Otherwise, Fang Yuan'er would truly be done for! Fang Yuan'er gritted her teeth. "Go report this matter to the Prince and Princess Consort. And tie up all the maidservants who had any contact with the lotus flowers—I want them interrogated!" Guanyuechi was quite large in area. For the poison in the water to be potent enough to harm a person, it would have to be replenished regularly. Only the maidservants responsible for tending the lotus flowers could accomplish all this without drawing attention, silently and unseen. Her Xiachi Court had also produced a traitor! At this thought, a ruthless glint appeared in Fang Yuan'er's eyes. "Today, my Xiachi Court will see blood!" Otherwise, they would all think she was easy to bully!