Chapter 137:

Fang Wanshi naturally did not expect her thoughts to be discovered so soon.

She especially did not expect Concubine Shen not to keep silent, but instead to send her a bowl of seafood porridge as a gift.

She naturally knew that the mixture of the two ingredients was toxic—not deadly, but difficult to remove in a short time. Moreover, it could easily lead to skin sores.

Tao’er watched Fang Wanshi’s expression shifting unpredictably, saying nothing and merely staring at her coldly.

Fang Wanshi chose her specifically to carry out her plans, likely because of her seemingly careless demeanor.

In reality, though Tao’er appeared careless, she was not. Seeing Fang Wanshi like this, she felt deep disgust.

After a long while, Fang Ci lifted her head: “This concubine wishes to see Her Imperial Highness the Noble Consort.”

Tao’er curled her lips slightly, half-smiling.

“The Noble Consort is busy preparing for her departure from the palace and has no time to see you. Does Concubine Fang find the porridge Her Highness gifted unsavory?”

Fang Ci bit her lip.

“I wish to see the Empress Dowager. Surely you, Miss Tao, cannot stop me from doing that?”

Seeing her like this, it was clear that she wanted to openly confront them. Tao’er’s expression turned colder.

“Then, Concubine Fang, please proceed.” Tao’er was unafraid of her.

Fang Ci raised her chin arrogantly: “How dare you! You are but a lowly palace maid; who gave you the audacity to speak to me this way? Could it be that your mistress has raised you to behave thus?”

At this moment, Fang Ci revealed her true nature.

“This servant dares not. I am merely following Her Highness’s orders. Since Concubine Fang wishes to see the Empress Dowager, how could I possibly stop you? If I did, I would truly be overstepping my bounds.” Tao’er replied calmly and respectfully.

In truth, Tao’er’s demeanor exceeded Fang Ci’s expectations.

In her view, Tao’er from Qing’an Palace was the easiest target, but now she realized she had underestimated her.

“Fine, since you say so, I shall go to Huici Palace to request an audience with the Empress Dowager. Even though the Noble Consort holds high rank and great power, she cannot force me to do anything. Letting a mere servant insult me like this—there are still rules within the palace.”

Fang Ci gave a signal to her maid, who quietly slipped away.

Tao’er naturally noticed but pretended not to know.

It remained to be seen which powerful figure she had summoned.

Indeed, Fang Ci arrived at the Empress Dowager’s quarters.

Upon hearing of Fang Ci’s request for an audience, the Empress Dowager looked toward the Jing Emperor and Shen Layue beside her.

Neither spoke, merely sipping tea.

“Bring her in.”

After a moment, the Empress Dowager smiled: “Perhaps Layue should withdraw for now?”

Shen Layue nodded, placed her teacup down, slightly bowed, and entered the inner chamber.

Yan Yu and Yan Jia, who were also seated there, shifted their positions as Shen Layue left.

Seeing his two sons seemed restless, the Emperor said: “You two may leave as well.”

In an instant, the previously lively inner room was left only with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

“This concubine greets the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesties enjoy boundless happiness and safety.”

Fang Ci wore a rose-red robe, her smile delicate and charming—exactly how Shen Layue had appeared upon her first entry into the palace.

“Rise. Why has Concubine Fang come at this time?”

Fang Ci stubbornly bit her lip and looked at them but refused to stand.

“This concubine begs the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to grant justice.” Originally, she had come to seek the Empress Dowager, but unexpectedly, the Emperor was also present—an unexpected gain. She rarely had the chance to see Emperor Jing; this was a fortunate coincidence.

Fang Ci became even more theatrical.

“What is the matter?”

Fang Ci knelt thus: “Previously, this concubine sent a box of rouge to Miss Tao’er of Qing’an Palace. Unexpectedly, she turned around and accused the rouge of containing poison, returned it, and even claimed that the Noble Consort ordered me to test it myself.”

A large tear slid down her cheek: “This concubine refused, but Tao’er insisted it was the Noble Consort’s decree, behaving haughtily and oppressively. This concubine knows the Noble Consort would never be like that, surely deceived by some petty person. Helpless, this concubine could only come to beg the Empress Dowager and the Emperor for justice.”

The Empress Dowager said nothing, merely sipping her tea.

The Emperor, meanwhile, stroked his jade thumb ring.

Inside the inner chamber, Shen Layue wore no particular expression, except for a faint smile on her lips.

Yan Yu and Yan Jia were somewhat puzzled and concerned. Yan Yu thought for a moment, then placed his small hand on Layue’s, moving his lips slightly.

Layue read his lips: “I believe you.”

Seeing his adorable gesture, Layue ruffled his hair, only to receive a glare from the little boy.

Seeing them like this, Yan Jia also smiled.

Meanwhile, the main hall outside was bustling.

Fang Ci, seeing neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager speaking, continued:

“The Emperor and the Empress Dowager may summon Tao’er for strict interrogation; the truth will surely be revealed.”

It was well known that Noble Consort Shen was unyielding and somewhat domineering when in the right.

Precisely because of this, Fang Ci acted this way—she wanted to seem more like Shen Layue.

Gentleness in the palace did not please the Emperor. Since that was the case, she would take another path.

If Shen Layue could succeed, she could imitate her.

“Your Majesty, Noble Consort Qi requests an audience.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, looked at Fang Ci, then at the Empress Dowager, and smiled.

“Bring her in.”

This was the first sentence the Emperor had spoken since Fang Ci entered.

Fang Ci’s expression did not change, but the two seated there were both highly perceptive individuals.

Although she showed no particular expression, they could still detect a hint of relaxation in her eyes and brows.

If Noble Consort Qi’s arrival could relax her, perhaps it indirectly suggested something: that Qi was here to help her.

After entering, Noble Consort Qi was surprised to see the Emperor present, but still knelt and greeted composedly.

“Why has Noble Consort Qi come today? My Huici Palace seems livelier than usual today,” the Empress Dowager smiled.

Noble Consort Qi replied: “Your servant noticed autumn is nearly over, and the weather is getting colder, so I took the liberty to make a shawl for the Empress Dowager. Since it is now completed, I brought it over. I did not expect such a scene here.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand: “Come and sit.”

“Yes.”

Nowadays, Noble Consort Qi focused much attention on the Empress Dowager, who treated her quite well in return.

Seeing Fang Wanshi kneeling below, Qi hesitated before asking: “Has Concubine Fang committed some wrongdoing? Why is she kneeling here?”

Her tone feigned curiosity.

The Empress Dowager responded: “This girl came to beg us for justice.”

“No wonder she cries so pitifully.”

The Emperor coldly remarked: “Whether pitiful or not, we cannot take one-sided words as truth?”

Qi was momentarily stunned but quickly replied: “This servant spoke out of turn. Still, I suppose since Concubine Fang came to Huici Palace to beg the Empress Dowager for justice, she must have been wronged.”

Seeing Qi speak up for her, Fang Ci’s tears fell even faster.

“This concubine begs the Emperor and the Empress Dowager for justice! If a mere servant can treat this concubine this way, what rules remain in the harem? Moreover, the people in my quarters can testify to Tao’er’s overbearing behavior.”

Qi seemed startled: “Tao’er? The Tao’er from Qing’an Palace?” She hesitated slightly before speaking.

“Regarding this Tao’er, she does indeed speak too freely. Even the palace maids in my quarters have suffered her mistreatment. The Noble Consort is busy daily with the young prince and princess, so perhaps she has been lax in managing them.”

The Emperor still showed no excessive expression: “Bring Tao’er in.”

Tao’er was quickly brought in but showed no panic.

“Tao’er, Concubine Fang accuses you of abusing your position to bully a concubine. Do you have anything to say?”

Tao’er lifted her head: “Your servant reports to the Empress Dowager. Yesterday, Concubine Fang gifted this servant a box of rouge. Since Cuiwen has recently been studying medicine and is highly interested in scents, this servant gave the rouge to her. Unexpectedly, after smelling it, she claimed the rouge contained a strong scent of Suhua. Suhua is generally suitable for making rouge, but it was not used because when mixed with seafood, it becomes poison. If one eats seafood and smells the flower’s fragrance, they will surely be poisoned. Moreover, one does not even need to apply it oneself; merely having the scent in the room suffices. Since it is now autumn, the season for succulent crabs, and my mistress greatly enjoys them, we became alarmed and immediately reported to our mistress.”

“What happened next?”

“My mistress said it was possible Concubine Fang was unaware. Therefore, she gifted a bowl of seafood porridge to Concubine Fang, hoping she would use her own rouge. This way, we could determine whether she truly knew about the matter. As a result, Concubine Fang became furious, claiming this servant was bold enough to make such demands. She then said she would come to beg the Empress Dowager for justice.”

Upon hearing Tao’er’s explanation, Fang Ci hastily spoke: “Your servant reports to the Empress Dowager. She lies. The matter did not happen this way. When one seeks to accuse, how hard is it to find a reason? This concubine never expected that giving a gift would lead to problems. This concubine is newly entered into the palace, unaware of so many intricacies here.”

Her implication was that Noble Consort Shen had framed her.

At this moment, Noble Consort Qi said nothing, instead sitting properly on one side, watching the situation unfold.

Speaking too much might seem deliberate.

The Emperor looked at Fang Ci, observing her for a long while, then smiled.

He asked: “Concubine Fang’s nature at home was vastly different from now.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat surprised, not knowing why the Emperor suddenly brought this up.

At first hearing, it seemed as if Emperor Jing had known Fang Ci previously.

Even Noble Consort Qi felt a twinge of tension.

The Emperor looked at no one, tapping the table, and continued: “I find it strange. The Fang Ci who liked making rouge at home, gentle and quiet, why, after entering the palace, has her behavior and manner become completely different? Looking at her now, she somewhat resembles the early days of Noble Consort Shen.”

He raised his teacup, sipped from it, and continued: “Eager to rise in rank, imitating Shen Layue with some schemes is understandable. But you must not know that I have always disliked imitations, nor have I ever liked people using such malicious methods to harm others.”

“This concubine did not! This concubine did not! Your Majesty, you cannot believe one-sided words!”

Seeing Fang Ci like this, Noble Consort Qi clenched the handkerchief in her hand: “Your Majesty, this servant also believes that one cannot solely believe this girl’s one-sided words.”

The teacup in the Emperor’s hand flew directly toward Noble Consort Qi.

Noble Consort Qi did not expect this and was hit by the thrown teacup, splashed with tea water.

Seeing the Emperor’s anger, she quickly knelt beside Fang Ci: “This servant does not know what mistake I have made. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.”

Compared to Fang Ci, the Emperor seemed even more furious at Noble Consort Qi’s actions.

“I will ask you again. Why did you come here?”

Qi’s heart trembled, but she steadied herself: “This servant came to present the shawl to the Empress Dowager.”

The Emperor laughed bitterly in anger.

“Lai Xi, tell Noble Consort Qi why she truly came to Huici Palace.”

Lai Xi inwardly despised Qi’s lack of awareness but remained expressionless: “Earlier, the senior maid from Concubine Fang’s quarters secretly visited Noble Consort Qi’s palace, after which Noble Consort Qi hurriedly came to Huici Palace.”

Qi wanted to say something in defense but saw the Emperor’s hostile gaze.

The Emperor sneered: “I cannot tolerate anyone using the Empress Dowager for their own purposes. If you had come directly to plead for Concubine Fang or genuinely made the shawl for the Empress Dowager, I would have nothing to say. But if you used the pretense of giving a shawl to cover your true intentions, that is what I cannot tolerate. Among so many in the palace, why did Concubine Fang seek you out? And why did you come to help without hesitation?”

Qi instinctively looked toward the Empress Dowager, seeing the venom in her eyes, she realized she had overplayed her hand. The trust she had built with the Empress Dowager over these days was likely now gone.

“This servant did not, Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, please hear this servant’s explanation.”

“I do not wish to hear your nonsense. Earlier, I was too lenient with you all, allowing you to become increasingly reckless. Do you think I truly know nothing about everything each of you does? Noble Consort Qi, you have disappointed me greatly. Originally, I intended to elevate your rank, hoping you would share more burdens with the Empress Dowager. Instead, I only fueled your arrogance, making you increasingly greedy. How many incidents in the palace have you instigated? Do you truly think me a fool?”