Qi Daiyu was just about to have Shiliu take the eldest prince back when she heard the prince stop crying. Sniffling, he said, "That day, I heard Mother Consort and Consort An talking. Everyone in the palace is saying that Mother Consort conspired with Consort An to poison the Empress Mother. Consort Hui, is that true?"
"What did you say? You heard Consort Shu and Consort An talking?" Qi Daiyu was startled. "Your Highness, when was this? Do you remember what they said?"
"Yesterday... no, the day before! Consort An came to see Mother Consort. Mother Consort told me to go back to my own room. I was almost there when I remembered I hadn't taken the wooden horse carriage you gave me, Consort Hui, so I went back!" As a result, he saw the main hall's doors tightly shut. The eldest prince thought his mother consort and Consort An were sneaking treats behind his back again—this had happened before. He had brought pastries from his father back to Chengqian Palace, and his mother consort, after telling him not to eat too many, had been caught secretly eating them herself.
The prince thought, when Consort An comes visiting, she must have brought something, right? That's the custom for guests. Probably pastries. How awful of Mother Consort to eat them all by herself!
Determined to catch her this time and tease her properly, the eldest prince didn't enter immediately. Instead, he hid outside the door and eavesdropped for a while. He was still so small that the people inside didn't notice him at all.
However, the prince couldn't remember Consort Shu and Consort An's conversation very clearly. "I just heard Consort An scolding Mother Consort, and she threatened her!"
Qi Daiyu didn't believe it outright. Children have vivid imaginations. Sometimes, adult conversations are misinterpreted by children, and events can gain all sorts of fabricated details when retold by a child. This isn't necessarily lying; it's just that their cognitive and expressive abilities aren't fully developed.
Qi Daiyu knew well that when talking to children, one must avoid leading or suggestive questions. She patiently asked, "Consort An and Consort Shu were speaking very loudly? You felt they were arguing?"
"Yes! They were really fierce!"
"What did Consort An say when she argued?"
The eldest prince tried hard to recall. "Consort An said Mother Consort had no brains! She also mentioned me, saying I wouldn't become a prince, that Father would strip me of my title and make me a commoner!" He had been so angry hearing that! He would never be made a commoner by his father!
"Consort An also scolded Consort Ning! She said Consort Ning wouldn't let Mother Consort live, wouldn't let me live..." The prince suddenly covered his mouth. He remembered another sentence. He had heard his mother consort say, "The Empress must die, and Consort Ning cannot live either." Tears instantly welled up in his eyes. His mother consort really did harm the Empress Mother, wuwuwu.
Meanwhile, Qi Daiyu was left with nothing but shock. Consort Ning, Consort Ning! Consort Ning was indeed involved in this!
Consort Ning had pretended so well, even attempting suicide to prove her innocence. Qi Daiyu had almost believed Consort Ning was blameless!
At that moment, Lianwu, who was standing nearby, let out a soft "Oh!" She whispered, "Mistress, I just remembered. On the day of the Cuju tournament, when I went to the tea room, I think I saw Suihe and Juyi from Consort Ning's palace passing something between them. At the time, I didn't think much of it, assuming it was just something like tea leaves. But now that I think about it, it was strange. I called out to Juyi then, and she was startled. After that, she was unusually enthusiastic towards me, very different from her usual self!"
If it weren't for hearing the eldest prince mention Consort Ning now and suspecting Consort Ning's involvement in the Empress's poisoning, Lianwu would never have recalled this incident.
Consort Ning, Consort Shu, Juyi... Qi Daiyu thought back to the conflicting accounts from Consort Ning and Consort An these past few days. A thread seemed to connect in her mind.
She instructed Shiliu, "Take His Highness to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." Chengqian Palace was no longer safe for him, but the Empress Dowager would certainly not neglect the eldest prince.
Shiliu replied, "Yes."
Returning to Changchun Palace, Qi Daiyu had someone prepare hot water. She needed to sort out her thoughts. Strangely, even after witnessing such a bloody scene earlier, she had only felt nauseated at the time. Now that she was back, it was as if nothing had happened.
Remembering how she had nightmares for days after seeing palace maids being caned, Qi Daiyu mocked herself for having grown tougher.
While soaking in the bath, she reviewed the recordings from the past few days. During idle times before, she had watched many crime dramas, especially those focusing on micro-expressions and psychology, and had read related books. After all, in front of these consorts and concubines who could maintain perfect composure no matter what happened, only micro-expressions could offer a glimpse into their true thoughts and emotions.
Qi Daiyu was no expert, but she barely qualified as an amateur.
Too many bizarre and serious events had occurred recently, straining even the best composure. Qi Daiyu had indeed managed to discern quite a bit.
However, these observations could only corroborate her own suspicions; they couldn't serve as evidence.
After her bath, Putao came to report, "Xiangchun has something to tell you."
Xiangchun?
Qi Daiyu was taken aback. After Zhi Ma left the palace, Xiangchun had devoted herself to caring for Siyu. Had something happened to Siyu?
"Have her come in quickly!"
Upon entering the hall, Xiangchun first reassured Qi Daiyu, "It's not about the Third Princess. It's about Consort Ning..."
Others might not know, but Xiangchun was aware that Consort Ning was not the "aloof and refined" person the outside world believed her to be.
Her own mistress had said that Consort Ning was deep and ruthless, not to be provoked lightly.
But the incident a few days ago where Consort Hui was framed had left Xiangchun deeply conflicted. Consort Hui was kind and treated the Third Princess as her own. For the sake of the Third Princess, she couldn't just stand by and watch Consort Hui face disaster.
It was only upon hearing now that Consort Ning had attempted suicide to prove her innocence that Xiangchun finally resolved to speak. She had to tell Consort Hui about that matter, to ensure Consort Hui wouldn't be fooled by Consort Ning's facade!
"Previously, I and Consort Zhuang accidentally witnessed Consort Ning speaking with the Eldest Princess, Yeping..."
Xiangchun told Qi Daiyu everything she knew. "...Later, Consort Ning also sought out my mistress. Not many days after that, the incident of Zeng Qiming killing his wife occurred. My mistress even said it was all arranged by Consort Ning! Consort Hui, Consort Ning is absolutely not the genuine person you think she is. She is extremely skilled at disguise, meticulous in her schemes, and most adept at clearing her own suspicion and shifting all blame onto others!"
Carried away by emotion, Xiangchun also revealed the cause of death of that Lady Wu from the Eastern Palace.
But after saying so much, she saw Qi Daiyu remain silent, only her eyes turning red.
"Consort Hui?"
Qi Daiyu asked her directly, "Let me ask you this, and you need to think carefully. Was Consort Ning related to Sister Zhu's death?"
Given Consort Ning's character as described by Xiangchun, if Qin Sizhu had learned about Consort Ning's conversation with Yeping, would Consort Ning have let Qin Sizhu live?
If not, the time of Qin Sizhu's childbirth would have been the perfect opportunity.
Qi Daiyu thought of Ye Qiong's unusual behavior in the recordings and her actions on the day Qin Sizhu gave birth. A shocking and infuriating conjecture surfaced in her mind.
Xiang Chun was left speechless. She wanted to say that she had been in the delivery room that day and indeed nothing unexpected had happened; her mistress had suddenly suffered a postpartum hemorrhage. But seeing Hui Bin's expression, she became uncertain again. Yes, would Consort Ning really let her mistress go? With Consort Ning's cunning, couldn't she devise a method to deceive everyone?
Qi Daiyu saw that Xiang Chun was also unsure. "Return to Qixiang Palace immediately and carefully inspect everything Sister Zhu used in her lifetime, along with all her other belongings."
Then she stood up. "Yan He, accompany me to Kunning Palace!"
If Consort Ning was the murderer who caused Qin Suzhu's death, she absolutely would not let her off!
In Kunning Palace, the return of Chief Physician Xia had indeed brought the Empress hope for survival.
As the most skilled physician in the Imperial Hospital, Chief Physician Xia had seen and heard more than others. Regarding the poison from Qilan leaf pollen, his opinion was: "I do indeed know of a medicine that can counteract the poison of Qilan leaf pollen. However, that medicine is extremely potent. Given Her Majesty the Empress's current physical condition, she absolutely cannot withstand it. Even if we try other methods to nourish her body, at most, she can only hold on for a few more years."
Jiang Yuan, having received the news, hurried over and heard the Empress say, "Administer the medicine to me."
She smiled faintly. "To live a few more years would be a gain for me."
Jiang Yuan's gaze was deep and heavy; he did not speak.
By the time Qi Daiyu arrived at Kunning Palace, the Empress had already taken the medicine, and her complexion looked much better than before. The Qilan leaf pollen had poisoned the Empress, yet due to its peculiar properties, it also rejuvenated her skin. All the wrinkles on the Empress's face had vanished; her skin was fair and radiant, almost poreless.
The Empress was not unattractive to begin with, and this transformation elevated her beauty further. Combined with the noble, dignified aura cultivated over years, she was dazzling to behold, yet also inspired a sense of awe that made one hesitant to look directly.
Upon entering, Qi Daiyu was stunned for a long moment before she remembered to perform the proper greeting.
"You've come." The Empress leaned against the bedpost and smiled at Qi Daiyu. Before Qi Daiyu could speak, she said, "It's about Consort Ning, isn't it?"
Qi Daiyu was startled. "Your Majesty, you know?"
She hadn't known before, but these past few days had been enough for the Empress to investigate some matters. Combined with the recent commotion and a woman's unique intuition, the Empress was now basically certain that the one who truly wanted to harm her was Consort Ning. As for Consort Shu, she was likely a pawn who had been deceived.
The Empress sighed softly. "It was I who sent someone to invite the Empress Dowager."
Only then did Qi Daiyu understand why the Emperor ceased his investigation after the Empress Dowager spoke a few words to him.
Qi Daiyu was puzzled. "Why?" If the Empress Dowager had arrived just a little later, perhaps Consort Ning would have been exposed!
The Empress said gravely, "Because I am the Empress. Regardless of what the Emperor may think in his heart, to outsiders, it would appear that the Emperor slaughtered palace servants over internal strife among consorts. I cannot stand by and watch the Emperor bear the reputation of being 'cruel' and 'indiscriminate in killing.'"
"But His Majesty might not care about such things!"
"I care!" The Empress was very solemn. "The Emperor and I are one as husband and wife. I must consider what the Emperor has not considered and worry about what the Emperor has not worried about."
Qi Daiyu could not fully comprehend the Empress's mindset. Did the Empress love the Emperor that much? She didn't think this stemmed from love.
"Moreover, what if we did uncover it was Consort Ning?" The Empress lowered her voice. "The Qilan leaves belonged to Consort An. The servant Axi who stole the pollen was Consort Shu's person. The one who poisoned me was Ju Yi. At most, Consort Ning would only bear the charge of instigation. She has likely already prepared her retreat, saying she merely spoke a few careless jokes to Consort Shu who then took them seriously. Given that, what can we do to Consort Ning?"
Qi Daiyu said, "But the Emperor, the Emperor would..."
As long as the Emperor was determined and insisted on executing Consort Ning, it could be done!
A hint of pity appeared in the Empress's eyes, as if pitying Qi Daiyu's naivety. "Silly girl, without concrete evidence, the Emperor will not kill Consort Ning. There is still Grand Secretary Yang at court."
The Emperor may not care about a mere Consort Ning, but he cares greatly about a Grand Secretary.
Qi Daiyu was unwilling to accept this reasoning. Consort Ning was suspected of causing Qin Suzhu's death and had targeted the Empress. To watch such a person continue to live with a clean reputation was something she could not bear.
The Empress saw through her thoughts. "Rest assured, I naturally will not let Consort Ning off. But as I have told you before, patience in small matters prevents great plans from being ruined. Temporary forbearance is for a more effective blow against the enemy. Consort Ning gambled with her life this time, but His Majesty is not foolish. The doubts from this incident will surely plant seeds of suspicion in His Majesty's heart. In the future, we will have many opportunities."
What she didn't say was that she had already begun preparing her counterattack.
Some struggles extend beyond the harem.
Qi Daiyu remained silent for a moment but still held to her belief: never give the enemy a chance to catch their breath.
"Empress, if I can deal with Consort Ning, would you allow me to try?"
The Empress raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You have thought of a method?"
Qi Daiyu: "I'm not sure if it will work, but I wish to try."
The Empress suddenly smiled. "Very well. Since you have a method, go and try. At worst, I will cover for you. After all, I still have a few years left to live; I will certainly be able to protect you."
Qi Daiyu's eyes lit up. "Then may I truly proceed?"
"Mm. If you require anything, Mei Yi and the others will assist you."
Having received her answer, Qi Daiyu hurriedly left. Mei Yi brought in the warmed medicine. "Your Majesty, are you truly at ease letting Hui Bin confront Consort Ning like this?"
She always felt that with Hui Bin's kind and gentle nature, she would be no match for Consort Ning.
Only then did a trace of weariness appear on the Empress's face. "Mei Yi, Chief Physician Xia says I have only a few years left to live." At least three, at most seven. Her life would reach its end in that span.
Mei Yi's eyes reddened.
"But, my Lingyi and Sheng'er are still so young. I must make arrangements for them. In this harem, the one I trust most now is Hui Bin." Even the Emperor, she could no longer trust. Though the Emperor probably no longer trusted her either.
"But Hui Bin is kind-hearted and soft-natured, hardly capable of handling such affairs. I must teach her properly while I am still alive. This confrontation with Consort Ning is an excellent opportunity. If she can handle Consort Ning on her own, it will prove I have not misjudged her. If she cannot, at least it will show her the extent to which conflicts among consorts can go."
From the Empress's perspective, Qi Daiyu's background was known, providing a solid foundation of trust. Her character was upright and kind. Most crucially, the Empress knew Qi Daiyu had no desire to bear children. Qi Daiyu had been preventing pregnancy, and after Consort Zhuang's death, she developed a shadow over childbirth. Thus, Qi Daiyu had only the Third Princess by her side.
Such a person was the only one the Empress could entrust with confidence.
After finishing the medicine, the Empress's mouth was filled with bitterness. She had at most seven years left. In these seven years, she had far too much to do.
"Enough, I shall help her after all. Regarding that Xiao Xiang from the Palace of Severe Punishment, has her family background been investigated?"
Meiyi replied, "It has been investigated." The Palace Rectifier of the Palace Affairs Office was one of their people; it was not difficult to look into a maid's household registration.
"That Xiao Xiang's family lives in Lang County nearby. Both her parents are alive and well. She has an elder brother and two younger sisters." However, both younger sisters had been sent to work as maidservants in wealthy households.
The Empress Dowager said, "Send someone to her family. Cut off one of her brother's fingers and deliver it to the Palace of Severe Punishment."
Meiyi bowed her head. "As you command."
The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze. The Emperor's method of using execution to stop evil was not wrong, but that did not mean there were no other ways.
Consort Ning wanted her life. As for Consort Ning's own life, she preferred to take it herself.
However, thinking of Qi Daiyu's eager and enthusiastic demeanor, a flicker of amusement passed through the Empress Dowager's eyes. If that girl proved capable, she might as well let her have it.
In the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Consort Ning had narrowly escaped death. The imperial physician said the sword thrust had penetrated deep into her vitals; had it gone slightly higher, it might have pierced her heart.
It was this slight difference that had saved her life.
During her unconsciousness, Consort Ning had awakened briefly from the pain. In that brief moment, she was certain she had survived.
The corner of her pale lips curved slightly.
See, even heaven was on her side.
