The Emperor's appearance was far too sudden. Consort Ning had no time to react before she was seized. Dizzy and vision blurring, she only heard the Emperor's cold laugh.
"Guards! Hear my decree. Consort Ning harbors a vicious heart unworthy of her rank. She is stripped of her position and title and is to be sent to the Discipline Office for interrogation!"
The next second, she fainted.
Even so, Jiang Yuan did not change his mind. Quan Fuhai immediately waved his hand, ordering people to take Consort Ning away. At this point, no one cared that Consort Ning was still injured—everyone knew that after uttering such treasonous words, Consort Ning was finished!
After Consort Ning was taken away, the atmosphere grew somewhat quiet. Qi Daiyu's hand was still held by Jiang Yuan, and it hurt a little.
"Your Majesty?" she said softly, only to see Jiang Yuan look at her with sharp eyes.
Qi Daiyu's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained normal, even showing a trace of grievance. She lifted her arm. "My hand... it hurts..."
She knew what Jiang Yuan suspected. Her timing in suddenly inviting him to Yikun Palace, coinciding perfectly with Consort Ning exposing her own crime of poisoning the Empress, and Consort Ning's obviously abnormal state just now—it would be strange if Jiang Yuan didn't suspect she had played a part in it.
But Qi Daiyu was not worried about her own situation.
Firstly, her reason for coming to Yikun Palace was perfectly reasonable. The persona of being "simple and kind-hearted," though not deliberately crafted by Qi Daiyu, had somehow been firmly established early on and was deeply rooted in the minds of the Emperor and Empress. As a "kind-hearted" person, her concern for Consort Ning was not out of place.
Secondly, the drone should have already flown back to Changchun Palace by now. Once she returned, she would discard it into the "phone recycle bin" for destruction. Even if the Emperor turned the palace upside down, he would never find evidence of her "playing ghostly tricks." Moreover, she had been in Changchun Palace all day and had only now come to Yikun Palace with the Emperor, having had no contact with Consort Ning. Even if Little Cheng and Putao's movements were discovered, the two of them did not know the specifics of what Qi Daiyu had done.
Finally, she still had the Empress as a fallback. If Little Cheng and Putao were truly discovered, Her Majesty the Empress would certainly save them.
And Jiang Yuan did indeed harbor brief suspicions towards Qi Daiyu, but these doubts quickly dissipated.
It wasn't entirely due to trusting Qi Daiyu's kindness. In Jiang Yuan's view, with her level of cunning, she simply couldn't compare to Consort Ning. How could she possibly design such a scheme?
Jiang Yuan privately suspected that this matter was more likely the work of the Empress, with Qi Daiyu merely following the Empress's orders to lure him there.
Seeing Qi Daiyu's aggrieved expression, Jiang Yuan loosened his grip slightly but did not let go of her hand. "I will escort you back first."
True to his earlier words, once he found the person who poisoned the Empress, Jiang Yuan showed no mercy. The very next morning during court, as Yang Heng stepped forward and bowed, ready to speak, Jiang Yuan said, "What is it? Does Grand Secretary Yang intend to uphold justice at the expense of his kin once more?"
Yang Heng's face instantly turned pale.
"A father's failure to teach is his fault. As a father, you raised such a vicious woman. Yang Heng, are you fit for the position of Chief Grand Secretary? With such family conduct, such character, you still wish to be a teacher to all scholars? If all scholars learned from you, how much loyalty and integrity would remain in this court?"
These words were too damning. Yang Heng fell to his knees with a thud, sweat pouring down his forehead. Members of the Yang faction looked at each other, not one daring to step forward and plead for him.
Jiang Yuan declared, "Yang Heng, you are a malignant tumor!"
This final verdict utterly ended Yang Heng's political career. That very day, after court adjourned, news spread from the Yang residence that Yang Heng had suffered a stroke. The next day, Yang Heng petitioned to resign from his official post and retire to his hometown.
In the rear palace, at Kunning Palace, Qi Daiyu helped the Empress slowly walk to the couch and sit down.
"Consort Ning has confessed to all her actions," Qi Daiyu said happily.
After being taken to the Discipline Office and regaining consciousness, Consort Ning also realized she had been tricked. She tried to resist, quickly claiming that someone was practicing witchcraft in the palace, that she had been manipulated into saying those things, and that someone was trying to frame her.
But the most suspicious person, Consort An, was already under control and couldn't possibly have acted against her. Moreover, Consort Ning couldn't explain the many details in her confession that only she herself should have known.
After Consort Ning entered the Discipline Office, that maid, Xiao Xiang, admitted that Consort Ning had once given her a dose of poison, ordering her to feed it to Consort Shu. Consort Shu's "suicide by hanging" was a result of her staging the scene.
Soon after, a palace maid temporarily assigned by the Imperial Household Department to serve at Yikun Palace came forward voluntarily. She stated that she had heard movement in the main hall and went to investigate, only to see a faint, eerie blue light glowing in Consort Ning's bedchamber. Consort Ning was also saying things like "younger sister" and "I'm sorry," as if she had encountered a ghost. The scene was too frightening, and she ran away in terror.
Thus, various rumors began to spread throughout the palace. Some said Consort Ning had killed many people, and now their ghosts had come for her; others said Consort Ning had killed her own younger sister and was being haunted by a vengeful spirit, driving her mad.
Tales of ghosts and spirits always stir people's hearts. Everywhere, it was said that Consort Ning was injured and thus weak in yang energy, making her vulnerable to possession by vengeful spirits.
Indeed, Qi Daiyu hadn't expected that the palace staff would spontaneously provide a plausible explanation for this inexplicable event!
After Consort Ning's personal maid, Suihe, was taken to the Discipline Office, she initially wanted to expose how Putao had tricked her. However, upon hearing that Consort Ning had been driven mad by the haunting of Yang Luoniang's spirit, she lost all hope and confessed everything.
When Yang Heng also resigned from office, Consort Ning seemed to finally realize there was no room left for maneuver and admitted to her crimes.
Qi Daiyu said, "Your Majesty, regarding that Xiao Xiang... you applied pressure behind the scenes, didn't you?"
She suspected the Empress had also fueled the recent rumors circulating in the palace.
The Empress gave Qi Daiyu an appreciative look. "I couldn't leave you to fight alone." Naturally, she had to help clean things up thoroughly.
The Empress had done even more than Qi Daiyu imagined. She had someone cut off one of Xiao Xiang's brother's fingers and present it to Xiao Xiang. Under the terror of her family facing death, Xiao Xiang confessed everything. It was the Empress who told her to hold back initially, waiting for the outcome of Qi Daiyu's plan.
As for Suihe, her ability to hear about Consort Ning's situation in the Discipline Office was also due to the Empress's covert instructions.
And those rumors in the palace about Consort Ning seeing ghosts? Indeed, the Empress had a hand in them.
Thinking of Consort Ning's obviously abnormal self-exposure, the Empress looked at Qi Daiyu with a profound gaze. Naturally, she had many questions in her heart, but she asked none of them.
This left Qi Daiyu, who had prepared a set of explanations in advance, somewhat at a loss. She took the initiative, asking, "Your Majesty, is there nothing you wish to ask me?"
The Empress shook her head. "I only need to know that you did very well. That is enough."
When you doubt someone, don't use them; when you use someone, don't doubt them. The Empress did not need to know what methods Qi Daiyu had employed. In fact, she should be pleased that Qi Daiyu possessed such means. It proved she had not misjudged the person; Qi Daiyu was not incapable. She had the ability to protect herself and to strike back.
"This matter is settled, but the palace still needs to function. However, my health is not what it used to be, and I can no longer manage everything personally as before. You and Consort He will have to assist me more."
Qi Daiyu's face fell into a pained expression, but the Empress ignored her attempt at coquetry. "Consort Hui, you are the one I trust most in this palace."
Seeing the Empress speak so earnestly, Qi Daiyu also set aside her playful demeanor and replied seriously, "I understand, Your Majesty."
When leaving the main hall, Qi Daiyu saw the Eldest Princess practicing archery in the courtyard. The arrows had specially made wooden heads, and the target was hung on a tree not far away. Though she was a beginner, the Eldest Princess's posture was already quite proper.
The Second Prince sat primly on a stone stool, counting the hits for his elder sister.
Noticing Qi Daiyu's exit, the Eldest Princess put down her bow. "Consort Hui!"
Qi Daiyu took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from the princess's forehead, then examined her hands. The Eldest Princess's hands were not delicate; old calluses from learning the guzheng remained, and new blisters had formed from gripping the bow. "After you finish practicing, come to the Changchun Palace. I'll lance those blisters and apply some ointment to prevent scars later."
The Eldest Princess's eyes sparkled. "Consort Hui, you support me practicing archery?"
Qi Daiyu smiled. "Of course. Did someone say something to you?"
The Eldest Princess replied, "When the Empress Dowager came to see Mother Empress, she saw me practicing. She said I'm a princess, that I can live well without enduring the hardship of archery practice, and that learning such things easily leads to injuring oneself."
Qi Daiyu asked, "But do you want to learn?"
"I do!" She wanted to very much. "I want to be like Mother Empress, riding horses and shooting arrows! Mother Empress agreed to let me practice too. These wooden arrowheads were specially made for me on her orders."
"Not only do I want to learn archery, I also want to learn spear techniques, to learn martial arts!" The Eldest Princess's expression darkened. "Consort Hui, if I learn these, will no one be able to hurt Mother Empress then? You said before that to avoid being bullied, one must first stand strong oneself."
Her thinking was simple: once she mastered martial arts, anyone who dared harm the Empress would get a beating from her! Once those people were afraid of being beaten by her, they wouldn't dare harm the Empress or her brother anymore. After all, she was a princess; she could beat up anyone!
Qi Daiyu didn't answer the princess's question directly, only encouraged her: "Since you want to learn, then learn! But learning these things will be truly arduous. You must have the perseverance to persist." She sighed inwardly; it seemed the Empress's poisoning had greatly affected the Eldest Princess.
"I will!" the Eldest Princess declared firmly. "I will definitely persevere!"
"Persevere!" the Second Prince chimed in.
His earnest little manner made both Qi Daiyu and the Eldest Princess laugh simultaneously.
After laughing, the Eldest Princess again looked troubled. "Oh, Consort Hui, if you have time, could you accompany me to see Second Sister?"
Qi Daiyu was taken aback.
Consort Ning's plot against the Empress had been brought to light, but the Emperor showed no intention of leniency towards Consort An either. Puying had confessed to some of Consort An's past misdeeds, and Consort An was now under house arrest in the Yanxi Palace, forbidden even visits from the Second Princess.
The Eldest Princess and the Second Princess had always been on good terms. Previously, when the Eldest Princess believed Consort An had poisoned the Empress, she couldn't help but resent the Second Princess. But now that the truth was out, the Eldest Princess felt the Second Princess was pitiable. Especially after overhearing palace servants whispering that Consort An might be executed—if that happened, Second Sister would be heartbroken!
"Eldest Princess, don't worry just yet. Perhaps things aren't as bad as they seem."
As Qi Daiyu had roughly guessed, in Jiang Yuan's heart, he might not care deeply for any consort, but he would not disregard his own children. Therefore, he always showed an extra measure of indulgence towards the mothers of his children.
Although the Second Princess was not particularly favored, she was, after all, Jiang Yuan's daughter, and still very young. If Consort An were disposed of, the Second Princess would undoubtedly be devastated. Thus, Consort An, under house arrest in Yanxi Palace, received an imperial decree: confined to Yanxi Palace until the Second Princess's marriage.
In other words, Consort An's life now had a countdown, but this outcome was the greatest mercy she could receive. She understood perfectly well, however, that this mercy was not for her, but for the Second Princess.
Half a month later, the Palace Discipline Office transported a batch of corpses out of the palace. Yang Minzhen's body was among them, bloodied and indistinguishable from the others. These corpses would be taken to the mass burial grounds. To have no one claim one's body, no grave nor tomb, was considered one of the most miserable ends for common people of that time. One wonders if Yang Minzhen ever imagined such an outcome when she committed those acts.
As for those palace servants who were truly innocent, they were expelled from the palace.
With a number of servants gone, the Imperial Household Department petitioned for a minor selection. The Empress entrusted this matter to Qi Daiyu to handle.
By the time the minor selection was completed and the new servants were sent to the Southern Mountain Villa for training, it was already mid-August.
Outside, autumn rain fell steadily, while inside the Changchun Palace, days passed peacefully.
Siyu nestled in Qi Daiyu's arms as the two worked on pottery together.
A few days earlier, Qi Daiyu had told Siyu the story of "Chenxiang Rescues His Mother." Unexpectedly, Siyu became fascinated by the Howling Celestial Dog and expressed a desire to raise a puppy. She said it on a whim, but the servants below had to run their legs off. To find a dog with good looks and a gentle temperament required careful selection and training before it could be presented.
To amuse her, they were now attempting to make a clay puppy.
Shiliu returned from outside the palace, stamped her feet, and shook off the rainwater. "Mistress, Lady Ye has gone into labor!"
Qi Daiyu was startled, calculating the time. "...It's not time yet, is it?"
It was only the eighth month.
Shiliu said, "I reckon she was still frightened by what happened before."
Qi Daiyu pressed her lips together. Childbirth was a serious matter, and a premature birth even more so. She ought to go and see.
She coaxed Siyu, "I'll leave the puppy's legs to you. I'm going out for a while. I'm sure you'll have it finished by the time I return?"
Siyu declared, "Of course! I'm super capable!"
After giving Siyu a kiss on the forehead, Qi Daiyu washed her hands, changed her clothes, and went to the Qixiang Palace.
She was slightly delayed, and by the time she arrived, most people were already there, though the Emperor had not yet come.
Qi Daiyu walked directly towards Nie Zhiyu and Consort Li Zhao Yi.
Nie Zhiyu gave her a slight smile; both their eyes held a trace of helplessness and concern.
Regarding that matter with Ye Qiong, Qi Daiyu had not kept it from Nie Zhiyu. To her surprise, Nie Zhiyu said, "Actually, I had guessed some of it, but I didn't dare think too deeply. Schemes and deceit are commonplace in the rear palace. It's too difficult to find genuine friendship; maintaining surface harmony is already hard enough. I am relieved she turned back from the brink and didn't truly harm Sister Consort Zhuang. Otherwise, it would have truly betrayed our years of camaraderie. From now on... let's just interact normally."
This was Nie Zhiyu's attitude, and Qi Daiyu herself felt quite conflicted, unsure of how to deal with Ye Qiong. To pretend nothing had happened was something she couldn't do. Yet to truly treat her as a stranger, she couldn't harden her heart enough, after all, they had gotten along so pleasantly over the past three or four years.
And so, they remained in this awkward state.
From the delivery room came Ye Qiong's cries of pain, such miserable sounds that reminded Qi Daiyu of the day Qin Suzhu gave birth to Siyu.
A chill slowly crept up from her spine, and Qi Daiyu felt cold all over.
Fortunately, although Ye Qiong had a premature birth, the delivery was quick. The midwife came out to announce the happy news, "Consort Ye has given birth to a young prince!"
That chill instantly vanished.
Hearing the little one's cries, Qi Daiyu suddenly smiled.
Forget it, judge by actions, not intentions. There's still a long road ahead.
When she left Qixiang Palace, the rain had stopped, and the sky was a clear, washed azure.
Qi Daiyu paused to admire the view for a moment and took a photo.
As soon as she entered Changchun Palace, she heard Siyu talking to herself, "This is the left front leg, this is the left hind leg, Tiantian, you have legs now!"
Qi Daiyu's face relaxed into a smile. She pressed the post button and called out loudly, "Siyu, I'm back!"
[The rain has stopped. jpg]
