Chapter 165:

Fu Jingyan was young, yet her mind was extremely meticulous. Moreover, compared to others, she could see through people’s intentions more clearly.

Within just over half a month, she had thoroughly clarified many matters.

Since she took over this case, many people had come to test or befriend her. She distinguished each one carefully, remaining unaffected by any distractions. Although the evidence appeared scarce, it seemed as though an invisible force was guiding her to uncover these clues. When she finally reached the conclusion and looked at the evidence pointing to the culprit, Fu Jingyan was surprised. However, despite her surprise, the result wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Indeed, the person was Consort Qi.

Thinking back, it made sense. It was precisely because of Consort De’s framing that Consort Qi had lost her child and suffered bodily injuries that left her unable to bear more children.

If this was her revenge, it was perfectly understandable.

Furthermore, as more evidence surfaced, Fu Jingyan discovered an even bigger issue.

The fireworks accident at the beginning of the new year didn’t seem like a natural disaster but rather a deliberate act.

This realization shocked her greatly.

Xiuer, the maid accompanying Fu Jingyan, watched her mistress sitting there with a furrowed brow and sighed, “Are you troubled by the result, my lady? But in my humble opinion, this outcome seems quite fitting. After all, Consort Qi has nothing to do with the Fu family.”

Fu Jingyan shook her head. “I’m not worried about that. I’m thinking about how unusually smooth our investigation has been.”

Whenever she needed a certain piece of evidence, it would appear shortly afterward, always timely.

“It must be heaven helping us,” Xiuer said happily.

Upon hearing this, Fu Jingyan suddenly lifted her head to look at Xiuer.

After a long silence, she lowered her head again.

“Bring me all the materials.”

Fu Jingyan flipped through all the evidence she had gathered. After a while, she put the documents down and looked at Xiuer beside her.

“I fear it’s not heaven helping us, but rather the emperor himself.”

“Ahh!” Xiuer gasped, quickly covering her mouth as she looked at her mistress.

“Now I understand. That’s why this investigation went so smoothly. It seems the emperor already knew the truth and merely used my hands to confirm it.”

Fu Jingyan gave a bitter smile. After speaking, she couldn’t help but think deeper, and the more she thought, the more alarmed she became.

Consort De had indeed committed crimes, yet the emperor had not decided her punishment. Why would Consort Qi go ahead and kill her?

If the emperor had directly ordered her execution, wouldn’t her action be unnecessary?

The more Fu Jingyan thought about it, the more frightened and uneasy she felt. A worse suspicion had surfaced in her mind.

Using someone else’s knife to kill.

Mutual destruction.

Could this really be the emperor’s desired outcome?

“Xiuer?”

“My lady.”

“Tell me, what kind of person do you think Consort Shen is?” Fu Jingyan asked, looking at the documents with a distant gaze.

Xiuer had been Fu Jingyan’s trusted maid since childhood. After thinking for a moment, she replied, “There are many rumors about her, and many say she’s just a beauty without substance. But from what I’ve seen in the palace, Consort Shen is actually quite clever and knows how to capture the emperor’s heart.”

Fu Jingyan looked at her again and asked, “Then how do you think the emperor feels about Consort Shen?”

Xiuer shook her head.

Putting down the documents in her hand, Fu Jingyan stood up, opened the window, and looked outside at the willow trees sprouting new shoots. She remained silent for a long time.

Xiuer, standing beside her, understood her personality and didn’t ask further questions.

“Perhaps I’m mistaken, but now I feel as though the emperor is clearing the palace for Shen Layue.”

As soon as she said this, Xiuer was startled again.

But seeing that her mistress had no intention of elaborating, she respectfully withdrew, leaving the room peaceful for her mistress.

Fu Jingyan paid no attention to whether Xiuer had left or not. She murmured to herself, “It seems I need to adjust my thinking. If the emperor truly loves Shen Layue, then no matter what others do, they are wrong. The Fu family’s longevity cannot rely solely on my favor in the palace or my brother’s scholarly talent.”

Thinking for a moment, she called out louder, “Xiuer.”

“I’m here.”

Lowering her voice, she said, “I’ll write a letter. You’ll send it through the channels to my father.”

“Yes.”

***

Fu Jingyan presented the results to Shen Layue. Layue carefully reviewed the documents and learned that it was actually Consort Qi who had attempted to harm Jia’er, causing her expression to turn cold.

In her opinion, regardless of the circumstances, the child was always innocent.

Besides, Jia’er was a well-behaved and adorable child. How could Consort Qi be so heartless?

“I never expected the culprit to be Consort Qi.” In fact, Layue had previously had some suspicions about Consort Qi. Seeing the truth now still shocked her.

Thinking again, Layue did not make any decisions herself, as this matter was not hers to decide.

She instructed her maid Tao’er.

“Go to the Ming Hall and summon the emperor. This is a major matter—assassination of a concubine and plotting against the imperial heir. I dare not take responsibility for this decision.”

Tao’er obeyed and left.

Fu Jingyan sat aside, watching Shen Layue’s expression without saying a word.

Before long, they heard a eunuch announce, “His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

Both women rose to greet him.

After the emperor had them rise, he listened carefully as the two explained the matter in detail.

Looking at his expression, there was not a trace of confusion or surprise.

Both Shen Layue and Fu Jingyan remained silent, but their hearts were clear. Judging from this, the emperor indeed knew the truth all along. Fu Jingyan’s investigation was merely for show.

At the same time, they were secretly alarmed. Ever since Consort De’s incident began, the emperor had already known the truth, although they weren’t sure whether he had known the identity of the real culprit at that time. But judging from his current reaction, he had been close to knowing.

He had known all along yet chose to remain silent. The emperor’s intentions were beyond their comprehension.

Layue even wondered whether the emperor would have taken action against Consort Qi if it hadn’t been for Jia’er’s incident.

Thinking further, she felt a chill in her heart.

Seeing the emperor put down the documents, Layue looked at him and asked, “Your Majesty, what do you think should be done about this matter?”

According to protocol, Layue was capable of making such a decision herself.

As the highest-ranking consort entrusted with managing palace affairs, even though Consort Qi held the rank of consort, her heinous deeds warranted punishment.

Yet looking at Layue, she said nothing further and offered no suggestions, simply gazing at the emperor, hoping he would take the lead.

The emperor sneered, “What should be done? She is so malicious. Even if Consort De got what she deserved, Jia’er was innocent. She plotted against the imperial heir. I’ve already said many times that there are certain lines that must never be crossed. She is an experienced palace lady, yet she has done this. Therefore, I certainly cannot let this go. Alright. Lai Xi.”

“Your servant is here.”

“Carry out my decree: arrest Consort Qi and all involved parties and send them to the Ministry of Discipline for interrogation. Fu Jingyan has shown sharp insight, repeatedly uncovering the truth for me. As a reward, she shall be granted the honorific title ‘Min’ and promoted to the rank of Jieyu.”

At that moment, neither Layue nor Fu Jingyan expected the emperor to elevate her so exceptionally.

Such a significant promotion was unprecedented in the palace—from the junior seventh rank of Noble Lady to the third rank of Imperial Concubine. With her honorific title, she could even be considered equal to a Noble Consort of the junior third rank.

Such favoritism was bound to shock everyone.

Seeing the astonished faces of the two women, the emperor remained expressionless. “Do what you should do, and you will naturally receive what you deserve.”

With this simple sentence, Fu Jingyan suddenly gained clarity.

Her thoughts from the previous day were indeed correct. The Fu family’s prosperity and decline did not entirely depend on a woman’s favor in the palace.

Layue looked at the emperor and then at Fu Jingyan. Regardless of the circumstances, she was a woman and could perceive a few things.

The emperor did not favor Fu Jingyan, but he could value her for her understanding and wisdom.

Even the honorific title “Min” was indeed perfectly suited for Fu Jingyan.

Watching him repeatedly entrust Fu Jingyan with such investigative tasks, Layue seemed to understand something new.

The situation in the palace was always complicated and hard to explain. The day before, Consort Qi had been peacefully residing in the palace, but now she had become a prisoner. Who didn’t know that once someone entered the Ministry of Discipline, they would suffer endlessly?

Watching the guards take Consort Qi away, she wouldn’t even have the chance to see the emperor one last time.

What kind of suffering she would endure later was beyond words.

People are often like this. It was only at this moment that Consort Qi regretted her actions. Contrary to her earlier claims of acting solely for revenge without hesitation, she had acted merely because she believed she wouldn’t be discovered.

But now that things had come to this, how could she not be afraid?

“Consort Qi, it’s time to go,” Lai Fu said with a smiling face.

Consort Qi tightly clenched her hands and looked at Lai Fu, feigning calmness. “I wish to see the emperor.”

Lai Fu maintained his expression, but his smile carried a hint of mockery. “Consort Qi, you surely don’t think that at this point, the emperor would still see you? You murdered Consort De and attempted to kill the second prince. The investigation by Jieyu Min has confirmed the facts. You won’t see the emperor anymore, but you will certainly get to see the Ministry of Discipline.”

Seeing Lai Fu’s impoliteness, Consort Qi understood everything. Who in the palace didn’t know what kind of person Lai Fu was? He never acted rashly unless he was certain there was no turning back. How else would he dare mock her so boldly?

“Hahahaha—” Consort Qi suddenly burst into mad laughter.

She laughed so hard that she leaned forward and backward, but no one was frightened by her. They simply watched her in silence.

After laughing for a long time, Consort Qi seemed to have finally had enough.

“Consort De ruined me, yet she was merely sent to the cold palace. But I must go to the Ministry of Discipline. Indeed, it makes a difference whether one has a child or not. Consort De deserved to die. She deserved to die.”

After her hysterical outburst, she saw that no one around her responded. This sorrow left Consort Qi at a loss for words.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty—” Despite knowing the emperor would not appear, Consort Qi still cried out desperately. It was as if by shouting like this, the emperor would spare her. But in the end, everything was nothing more than fleeting clouds.

“Let’s go, Consort Qi,” Lai Fu urged.

After this commotion, she gained nothing and merely became the subject of ridicule.

In the end, Consort Qi regained her former demeanor.

She took one last deep look at her quarters and spoke with a weary voice, “Let’s go.”

Once she left, she probably would never return again.