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Chapter 111

Servants of different ranks kneeled in Xihe Palace’s courtyard. Some were from the Department of the Palace. Some were in charge of sweeping the courtyard. There were even some that frequently passed through Xihe Palace.

Expressionless, Zhuang Laoyan sat at the side. Sitting in the seats of honor were the emperor and empress. Their expressions weren’t as pleasant as hers. On the ground were a few shattered teacups, courtesy of an enraged Feng Jin. If it wasn’t for the child in Zhuang Laoyan’s womb, one would fear these servants would have already been dragged off and beaten with wooden staves.

“You all say you are innocent, so who tampered with the flowerpots’ soil?” Face calm, the empress stared at the two eunuchs who had brought the soil to Xihe Palace. “You two delivered this soil to Consort Zhao’s residence. The most suspicious people are you. One knows that the type of soil used depends on the flower’s temperament, and that the types of soil come from different places. There are no issues with the soil that was originally stored at the Department of the Palace. So the only possibility is that you two tampered with the soil en route to Xihe Palace. It’s in your best interest to come clean now. Just who ordered you to do this?”

The two eunuchs had long since been frightened to the point that their legs went soft. They had not known that there were issues with the soil, much less that there had been a mastermind behind them. After hearing the empress’ words, they had no other option but to knock their heads against the ground and cry for their innocence. Yet, they could not bring out evidence to wipe off all suspicion on them.

“Since you people keep saying you are innocent, then think back carefully. As you were on the road to deliver the soil, did anyone bump into you? Did anyone approach or get close to you?” asked the empress, her tone growing a bit more gentle. “And recall who gave you the soil.”

The two eunuchs were so frightened that their brains were in a confused mess. For a short while, they could not recall what the empress wanted them to. However, the empress did not rush them, merely picking up her teacup and taking a slow sip. She turned her head to face Zhuang Laoyan. “Fortunately, someone was able to detect something wrong. Otherwise…” The empress remembered that Zhuang Laoyan had already suffered a miscarriage before. If women miscarry too often, it could lead to infertility. Luckily, this child could be saved. If not, then she did not even want to think about how things would turn out. Fear still lingering in her heart, she glanced at the silent emperor. And she gripped her teacup tighter.

“This concubine has worried Your Majesties the emperor and empress.” Zhuang Laoyan forced a smile. “Recently, other than going to pay respects to Her Majesty the empress, this concubine dared not go anywhere else recklessly. Who would have thought that someone could come up with such an impossible-to-defend-against scheme.” 

A sigh escaped the empress’ lips at these words. Indeed, this idea of infusing drugs into soil was unprecedented. Was impossible to defend against effectively. She had ordered people to rigorously watch over the people and things in Xihe Palace, yet never expected such a tactic.

An average person’s schemes at most involved food, clothing, incense, or other things that could be used. A woman who could think of incorporating soil into a scheme was too terrifying.

“Do not worry. We will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly,” said Feng Jin in a deep voice. “We do not believe that there is something in this rear palace that We cannot discover through investigation.”

Zhuang Laoyan forced a smile at what had been said. She accepted the handheld brazier Yunxi had proffered. “This concubine believes in Your Majesty.” There was nothing in the world that could not be found out. The crux of it was whether the emperor was in the mood to investigate.

The empress seemed not to have heard the two’s discussion, turning her attention to the two court eunuchs that had been scared silly. “Have you two finished thinking it over yet? Was there anything strange you noticed?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty the empress, we slaves have recalled something,” said the eunuch that seemed somewhat calmer than the other. “At that time, we slaves directly fetched the soil from the supervising staff’s area. Afterward, we came across three people we are well acquainted with on the road. And we had a short chat.”

“You two better be speaking the truth. Otherwise, if it turns out you lied, then this palace will punish you to de—” The empress glanced at the swelling abdomen of Zhuang Laoyan. Swallowed the words she wanted to say. “You better watch your heads.”

“We slaves absolutely dare not lie. The three people were Shangshi Bureau’s Xiao Pingzi, the laundry bureau’s Yurong, and… Her Highness Noble Consort Xian’s eunuch in charge of sweeping the ground, Xiao Xizi.” When he mentioned “Noble Consort Xian,” the little eunuch appeared afraid, lowering his head even more. “At that time, Xiao Xizi said Her Highness Consort Zhao was so fussy, that she would go through so much inconvenience just to grow some potted flowers.”

“What a good wicked slave, even daring to comment on the masters.” The empress sneered. “Servants, detain all three of them and drag them here.”

Holding a teacup, Feng Jin added, “Summon Noble Consort Xian here as well.”

A short while later, Noble Consort Xian arrived. As for the other three people, a few court eunuchs dragged them over. The trio seemed to have been paddled.

Translated by Sleepchaser. If you read this anywhere except sleepchaser’s wordpress, you’re reading from a thief.

When Noble Consort Xian laid eyes on those three servants, her complexion appeared as it had always appeared. In fact, due to the reeking scent of blood, she revealed an expression of disdain, covering the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. She thought that the emperor brought her here because she assisted the empress in managing the harem, smiling as she said, “This concubine wonders why Your Majesty has summoned me.”

Judging by Noble Consort Xian’s appearance, Zhuang Laoyan came to this thought: Either she was innocent or she was the best actress in the imperial harem.

“Do you recognize this eunuch?” asked Feng Jin, pointing at Xiao Xizi. Expressionless.

Noble Consort Xian observed him. Then, she shook her head. “Reporting to Your Majesty, this concubine does not recognize this servant.”

“Noble Consort Xian, this is a eunuch who sweeps the ground in your palace,” said the empress, taking her time with her words. “This person may be a loathsome slave who tried to make Consort Zhao miscarry.”

At the sound of these statements, realization struck Noble Consort Xian. The emperor had summoned her to interrogate her. At once, her complexion changed. A bang

as she dropped to a kneel. “Your Majesty, please see clearly. This concubine truly doesn’t know this little eunuch.”

Let’s not talk about whether or not this Xiao Xizi was someone from her palace. Even if he was, how could she recognize a eunuch who swept the ground? Just who was framing her?

The palace maid who followed at Noble Consort Xian’s side looked Xiao Xizi up and down a few times. A bit hesitant, she said, “Your Majesty, this… this slave has something to report.”

“Speak,” said Feng Jin, ice-cold in tone.

“This slave recognizes this Xiao Xizi. A few days ago, the Department of the Palace transferred him to our palace. Recently, when Wanyi Qian received her promotion, this slave went to Changtian House to deliver our master’s congratulatory gift. Back then, this Xiao Xizi tripped and fell not too far away, so this slave had a few more looks at him. As such, this Xiao Xizi used to work in Changtian House.”

“Changtian House?” Surprised, the empress shifted her gaze to Xiao Xizi. Originally, Miss Xu resided there, but after the emperor spurned her, Wanyi Qian became the master of that residence. Then this case…

Once Xiao Xizi heard what had been said, he cried out again and again that he was innocent. That he didn’t know about any drugs that could harm people.

“Have people search Changtian House. We recall that there are many books there.” Feng Jin’s expression darkened. “Flip Changtian House upside down if necessary. No need to take any consideration. Just bring those things here.”

The empress was clear on this fact: When the emperor had still favored Miss Xu, because she loved reading, he bestowed many books to Changtian House. There were books of poems, novels, and other rare works. Among them were books on medicine.

Shortly after, Wanyi Qian arrived. She knelt, eyes red. But because the emperor’s expression was too dark, she did not say anything. She listened to the footsteps behind her that came and went. Behind her were also three servants that had been beaten to the point that they could not kneel. Her complexion paled.

Two hours later, Gao Dezhong swiftly entered the room. He cut a calm figure. “Reporting to Your Majesty, the imperial guards found a medicinal book in a vase on the ground in Wanyi Qian’s resting quarters. There are marks on this book that indicate it has been thumbed through recently. An entry in the book called ‘Startling Medicine’ is suspiciously similar to what was discovered in the soil.”

As soon as he had said this, everyone’s expression changed. Noble Consort Xian wanted to throttle Wanyi Qian. If this matter had not been thoroughly investigated, then the person out of luck today would have been her. The only woman raising an imperial prince right now was Noble Consort Xian. If something bad happened to Zhuang Laoyan’s child, one would fear she would be the prime suspect. Although she hated this child, she wasn’t so stupid to make a move on it. Even if Zhuang Laoyan miscarried, she would still be out of luck. What benefit would that bring her? It was merely making bridal attire for someone else.

Wanyi Qian, this bitch!

Sorry for the lateness guys! I had another

doctor’s appointment today. The Patreon shoutout will be in the next chapter! Thank you for the kofis as well, you lovely people!

Also, I’ll have to add the pop up and end notes later because my eye condition is flaring up again and it’s really uncomfortable to look at screens for too long.

On another note, are you guys watching the Olympics?

Next release is Saturday, Aug 7, 2021.

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Thirty-fourth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here. It’s weekly now!

By the way, I have a new BL novel project, with my own summary below:

By the emperor’s decree, Fu Ming is to marry Jin Yi and become his male wife. The initial reception is cold. Can the two sort things out between them, the winter departing and the snow thawing?

If you’re interested, you can find it here.

Also, plugging me and my friends’ website focused on BL! Click here if you’re interested.