What nonsense about coming on the Empress's orders to drape a cloak over Concubine Mei? The Empress isn't clairvoyant; how could she know what she had done to Concubine Mei?
This was merely Consort Hui's excuse.
Consort Hui was pressuring her in the Empress's name. Wielding a feather duster as if it were a commander's flag!
Concubine Shu was furious. Since when did a mere Consort dare to oppose her?
Yet, no matter how angry she was, faced with the Phoenix Token held high by Qi Daiyu, even someone as proud as Concubine Shu had no choice but to bow in reverence.
The palace servants knelt even lower, prostrating themselves.
After performing the salute, Concubine Shu fixed her eyes on Qi Daiyu. "Consort Hui, although the Empress has granted you the Phoenix Token, you should think carefully about how you wield this authority."
The threat in her tone was unmistakable.
If Qi Daiyu embarrassed her today, she would undoubtedly earn Concubine Shu's lasting enmity.
Qi Daiyu felt a moment of trepidation but quickly steadied herself.
She had the Empress's backing.
"This concubine merely could not bear to see Concubine Mei, who serves His Majesty alongside us, forced to remain disheveled and become an object of ridicule." Qi Daiyu turned, holding the outer garment, walked up to Concubine Mei, bent down, and draped the cloak over her.
The dry fabric slightly alleviated the shivering caused by the damp cold. Concubine Mei's eyes, which had been dull as stagnant water, regained a faint glimmer. Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed Qi Daiyu's wrist, her long nails digging into the flesh. Qi Daiyu winced in pain, but saw Concubine Mei's lips moving as if she were saying something.
Yet it happened too suddenly. Before her mind could process it, she saw Concubine Mei suddenly rise and dash headlong towards a pillar of the Yifeng Pavilion.
"Ah!"
Zhaorong was standing close to that pillar. Startled by Concubine Mei's action, she stumbled backward and fell into the grass outside the pavilion.
Concubine Shu was also frightened. Hearing the dreadful thud, she closed her eyes and slumped weakly into Ming Cui's arms.
The scene fell silent for several seconds. Only when someone screamed did everyone snap back to reality.
Nie Zhiyu quickly issued orders: "Why are you still standing there? Go check on Concubine Mei!"
"Send for the imperial physician immediately!"
"Also, send someone to inform His Majesty and the Empress!"
Screams, sobs, and the sound of frantic movement created chaos all around.
Qi Daiyu stood rigidly in place, staring at the patch of bright red on the pillar. Her wrist still throbbed faintly, retaining the last trace of Concubine Mei's warmth.
Concubine Mei needed urgent care. The nearest place to the Yifeng Pavilion was the Ruizhu Palace, but Concubine Shu adamantly refused to have her taken there.
"She tried to kill herself right in front of me! Was she trying to scare me to death?" Her legs were still weak from the fright.
Ming Cui, calmer, reasoned, "The Eldest Prince is in the Ruizhu Palace. He is young and must not be frightened."
That was true.
"'Xuanhu Jing' and other palaces are nearby. Find one and move her there first."
Concubine Shu opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. Concubine Mei's current state was indeed horrifying.
Just as the imperial physician arrived, the Emperor and Empress also hurried over.
Jiang Yuan had just finished hearing the Empress's account of the incident at Wanfu Lake. The Empress had pleaded for leniency for Concubine Mei, and Jiang Yuan, remembering Concubine Mei's past service, was considering a measured punishment when news arrived of Concubine Mei's attempted suicide.
His expression darkened.
For a concubine to take her own life was a grave act of disrespect.
In Jiang Yuan's view, no matter the circumstances, Concubine Mei should never have committed such a foolish act.
Seeing the Emperor arrive, Concubine Shu said with red-rimmed eyes, "Your Majesty, your subject was terribly frightened just now..."
"Silence!" Unexpectedly, the displeased Jiang Yuan showed no intention of comforting her.
Concubine Shu paused and swallowed her tears.
The imperial physician soon emerged, shaking his head.
"Concubine Mei's breath is faint and failing. Not even a divine immortal could save her now. This humble subject has used acupuncture to sustain her life, but it will last for only a quarter of an hour at most."
A palace maid then came out weeping. "Your Majesty, Empress, Concubine Mei has regained consciousness. She says... she has words she wishes to speak to the Empress."
"No!" Jiang Yuan refused, looking at the Empress. "You are with child. You must not be exposed to any harmful influence."
Setting aside taboos, Concubine Mei's current appearance alone was frightening enough. It wouldn't do for the Empress to be scared.
The Empress, however, said, "Your Majesty, your subject is not faint of heart. Concubine Mei once treated me with sincerity. Now that she is in such a state..." The Empress choked up slightly, "...your subject must hear her final words. Otherwise, my conscience would never be at peace."
"But what if she harms you..." Given Concubine Mei's deranged actions today, Jiang Yuan suspected she was capable of it.
"Your Majesty, if you are concerned, let Consort Hui accompany me inside. I will listen to Concubine Mei's words from behind a screen and will not approach her." She glanced at Qi Daiyu.
Qi Daiyu understood. "Your Majesty, rest assured. This concubine will definitely protect the Empress."
Seeing the Empress's insistence, Jiang Yuan reluctantly agreed.
Qi Daiyu accompanied the Empress into the room, habitually activating her recording ability.
She held the Empress's hand and found it somewhat cold, instinctively covering it with her own.
The Empress turned her head and gave her a faint smile.
A screen had already been placed before Concubine Mei's bed. With the screen blocking the view, the figure on the bed was only a vague silhouette.
"Is that... the Empress?" Concubine Mei's voice was weak.
The Empress: "It is I. Concubine Mei, why did you go to such extremes?"
Concubine Mei: "After being humiliated by Concubine Shu in such a manner, what face do I have left to live in this world? Better to die."
She had always been proud. How could she tolerate becoming a laughingstock for the entire palace? The mere thought of her body being seen by those eunuchs and maids, of being gossiped about behind her back, made Concubine Mei prefer death.
Hearing this, the Empress frowned. She had already learned of the details before coming.
She could guess why Concubine Shu had treated Concubine Mei that way. Besides seeking revenge for Zhaorong, it was also a way to humiliate her, the Empress.
After all, when you beat a dog, you must consider its master, and everyone knew Concubine Mei was her person.
Concubine Shu was truly despicable! Imagine if she had gone there herself and seen Concubine Mei drenched and kneeling... she likely would have been truly angered. Yet Concubine Shu would have argued based on evidence, and as Empress, she could not blatantly show favoritism against the facts.
Thinking of this, the Empress glanced at Qi Daiyu.
Consort Hui's firm action in draping the cloak over Concubine Mei had been excellent. There were things she, as Empress, could not do personally without appearing biased. But Consort Hui had done it for her, declaring the Empress's authority to all, demonstrating that even Concubine Shu must bow.
Qi Daiyu didn't notice the Empress's glance. She was reviewing the recording, trying again and again to discern what Concubine Mei had said at that moment.
In her previous life, there was a special needs student in her class. To understand the child's communication, she had learned a little basic lip-reading and sign language. But Concubine Mei had spoken very quickly, and she needed time to decipher it.
Bringing her thoughts back to Concubine Mei, the Empress said with exasperation, "You are still young. There would have been other chances to bear a child in the future. Why would you throw away your own prospects to push Consort Wei?"
Concubine Mei didn't answer that question. Instead, she asked, "Has Concubine Cao arrived?"
The Empress was taken aback. "All the concubines have been summoned."
Even those who received the news last should have arrived by now.
Behind the screen, the Empress seemed to see Concubine Mei smile.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Cao has been accompanying me through my grief over losing my child these past days. Our bond has grown deep. For my final request, I beg of you, after I am gone, to transfer Luhui, who has served me, to attend Concubine Cao."
"Luhui?" The Empress repeated the name, suddenly realizing that Luhui was not by Concubine Mei's side today.
"Luhui is loyal to me, and I wish to find her a good placement. Concubine Cao... Concubine Cao will treat her... well."
At the same time, Qi Daiyu finally understood what Concubine Mei had said earlier.
She had said: "Concubine Cao, harmed me."
Qi Daiyu's eyes widened.
"Concubine Mei? Concubine Mei?" The Empress, hearing Concubine Mei's voice growing fainter, called out urgently.
But no further sound came from behind the screen.
Qi Daiyu took a deep breath, mustered her courage, walked around the screen, and soon returned, shaking her head at the Empress.
The Empress furrowed her brows and closed her eyes. After a long while, she regained some semblance of calm. "Consort Hui, what do you think Concubine Mei meant by her final words?" Why suddenly want to transfer Luhui to Concubine Cao?
Qi Daiyu hesitated for a moment. "Your Majesty, before she struck the pillar, Concubine Mei said one thing to me. She said Concubine Cao was the one who harmed her."
The Empress's gaze sharpened. "Is that true? Is there any proof?"
Qi Daiyu shook her head. "There is no proof. She said it and then immediately threw herself against the pillar. I only think that Concubine Mei must have had her suspicions to say such a thing. As for Luhui, I fear Concubine Mei must have some plan."
She thought of Suo'er, who was still with the Qi family.
Previously, she had never found the right opportunity to tell the Empress about this matter. Now seemed like a chance.
Without too much hesitation, Qi Daiyu said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, do you still remember that maid Suo'er who used to serve Concubine Mei?"
"Suo'er?" The Empress thought for a moment. "I recall she was expelled from the palace."
"That Suo'er is now at my family's home..." Qi Daiyu laid out the entire story of Suo'er, only altering the narrative regarding her family's deliberate actions.
She claimed it was all a coincidence: Qi Caishang accidentally encountered Suo'er, who was barely alive after being attacked, and rescued her. He accidentally discovered she was a palace maid and, filled with fear, informed Qi Daiyu. Qi Daiyu, sensing something amiss, instructed her family to keep Suo'er safe.
Naturally, this account had its holes. After all, how was it so coincidental that a member of the Qi family happened upon Suo'er?
But it was still better than saying Qi Daiyu had noticed something suspicious and had Qi Caishang deliberately wait for Suo'er to leave the palace. The latter would be hard to explain—how did Qi Daiyu sense the problem?—and would also leave evidence that the Qi family was spying on palace affairs.
As expected, upon hearing Qi Daiyu's explanation, the Empress did not explicitly state whether she believed it or not, only looked at her for a few extra seconds.
Then she said, "You suspect Concubine Mei's miscarriage is related to Concubine Shu?"
Qi Daiyu: "Originally, that was my guess. But Concubine Mei's words have made me uncertain now."
Was it Concubine Shu, or was it Concubine Cao?
A dark glint flashed in the Empress's eyes. "Could it not be both of them?"
Qi Daiyu was startled. She suddenly remembered the secret interaction between Consort An and Concubine Cao during the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
So, both Concubine Shu and Concubine Cao were involved in Concubine Mei's miscarriage?
Moreover, judging by their ranks, it was highly likely that Concubine Shu was the mastermind, and Concubine Cao was the one who carried out the deed.
Then, what did Concubine Mei intend by transferring Luhui to Concubine Cao now? Did she discover something?
They had been inside for quite some time. Outside, the Emperor, worried about the Empress, sent someone to urge them.
The Empress stood up. "Let's not rush to expose this matter just yet. First, we shall see what Concubine Mei intended to do. Second, Concubine Shu enjoys the Emperor's favor, and the Yuan Family is powerful. Even if we expose it now, it would not deal a blow to Concubine Shu. It is better to bide our time."
Even if it were proven that Concubine Shu caused Concubine Mei's miscarriage, what then?
Now that Concubine Mei had taken her own life, her image in the Emperor's heart was extremely poor. The Emperor might not necessarily seek justice for her. Even if he punished Concubine Shu, it would likely be a mere slap on the wrist.
To kill a snake, one must strike its head. The Empress did not act without certainty. What she wanted was a single, decisive strike.
Qi Daiyu nodded. That was what she thought as well.
Once outside, the Empress's eyes were already brimming with tears. "Concubine Mei... has passed."
