Chapter Twenty-Three: The Tyrant

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First, a swarm of rats suddenly appeared from nowhere, disturbing the Empress, who suffered a threatened miscarriage. In no time, the entire Imperial Medical Court rushed to Jingren Palace.

“Why on earth are there so many rats in Jingren Palace?” Yun Ling’s tears welled up with worry. If anything happened to the Empress, those who had been entrusted with her care would not escape blame.

Su Zhinian, who resided in a side chamber, hastened over upon hearing the news.

“Chief Physician Zhang, quickly administer acupuncture to Her Majesty!”

Zhang, roused from his bed with tousled hair, hurried in under Yun Ling’s tug.

“You must save the Empress and this pregnancy!” The Empress had already suffered bodily harm before; it was a rare blessing she conceived again. The Imperial Physicians warned that if this pregnancy faltered, she might never conceive again.

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor rushed to the palace, as this was a matter of utmost gravity. All the physicians were summoned to wait anxiously outside the hall.

“How is the Empress?” the Emperor demanded harshly, his face ashen.

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty mistakenly ingested safflower, and there are signs of a miscarriage. Chief Physician Zhang is currently performing acupuncture…” came the reply.

“Foolish wretches! If anything happens to this child, the entire Imperial Medical Court shall pay with their lives!” The Emperor’s cold gaze swept over each kneeling physician.

All trembled with fear; when the Son of Heaven is enraged, countless lives may be lost. Inwardly, everyone prayed fervently that the Empress and her unborn child would remain safe.

“Your Majesty, we have apprehended the palace maid responsible for harming Her Majesty!” Li Dewang reported promptly. The accused was a cleaning maid in Jingren Palace.

Resentful after being scolded by the Empress for a mistake, she had secretly added safflower to the Empress’s tea.

“A mere maid dares to commit such a deed? Investigate further!” the Emperor ordered.

“Drag this maid to the Ministry of Justice for severe interrogation! Issue my decree: her entire clan shall be implicated!”

The Emperor’s voice was like a sword, striking terror into all hearts.

“Your Majesty! I alone am to blame—please spare my family!” The maid’s cries turned into wails, while all others bowed their heads in silence, holding their breath, fearing any misstep could lead to the same fate.

“Your Majesty, the Empress is ill; we beg for a physician!” came desperate cries from outside Jingren Palace.

Su Zhinian furrowed her brow, pondering deeply before realization dawned upon her.

“Who is causing such a commotion outside Jingren Palace?”

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The Emperor was already troubled by the Empress’s condition; everyone feared incurring his wrath, yet some heedless ones collided headlong into misfortune.

Many pitied the ill-fated maid.

“Your Majesty, it’s the people from Yanxi Palace,” someone reported.

“I heard Concubine Wan is ill,” Fu Linhai whispered.

The Emperor snorted coldly. “Why must she fall ill now, of all times?”

“How did I not realize before that Concubine Wan is so spiteful and jealous, lacking any sense of decorum!”

“If she dares disturb the Empress, I will have everyone in Yanxi Palace executed!”

Outside, the maids’ shouting persisted. Fu Linhai, sweating profusely, ventured timidly, “And what of Yanxi Palace...?”

The Emperor kicked him sharply in the chest, voice impatient.

“What could be more important than the dragon child in the Empress’s womb? Tell them to leave!”

Su Zhinian sneered inwardly. By tomorrow, when news of Concubine Wan’s death arrived, the Emperor would bitterly regret his decision today.

This was precisely the outcome Bai Wanwan desired.

The Empress Dowager hurried over upon hearing the news. Having endured the intrigues of the inner palace for years, she was no stranger to such schemes.

At once, she ordered Yanxi Palace to be watched closely.

Yet the unborn child was of paramount importance, so she personally remained by the Empress’s side.

Servants came and went busily through the night until the first light of dawn, when the verdict was finally clear.

“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the Empress has escaped danger,” came the report.

“And the dragon fetus?” the Empress Dowager asked, her greatest concern.

Chief Physician Zhang wiped sweat from his brow. “Your Highness, the dragon fetus is also safe, though it will require careful nurturing in the days ahead.”

Relief washed over all present.

Their heads were safe... for now.

“I shall see the Empress,” the Emperor declared, striding into the hall. The Empress Dowager cast a glance at the nearly invisible Su Zhinian beside her.

Su Zhinian understood and followed quietly.

“Empress Dowager, about that Concubine Wan...” Su Zhinian began.

“I know full well,” the Empress Dowager said sharply. “This was a deliberate ploy, designed to deepen the Emperor’s guilt and perhaps make him blame the Empress.”

“This woman is cruel beyond measure, daring to harm the Empress so. If anything befalls the child, I will have her dragged out and whipped publicly!” A fierce light flashed in her eyes.

Su Zhinian stepped forward to soothe her. “Fortunately, Her Majesty and the dragon child are unharmed.”

“But the matter of the poisoned tea—the Empress must investigate thoroughly. It would be best to trace it back to Yanxi Palace. Even if His Majesty is furious over the maid’s death, it is unlikely he would implicate the Empress.”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s eyes brightened with approval.

“You are clever, Fanghua. This matter is yours to handle.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

With her orders given, Fanghua retired discreetly.

Despite having stayed up all night, Su Zhinian dared not relax and remained fully alert.

She knew the real battle was yet to come.

Within the bedchamber, the heavy scent of medicine caused a frown.

“Empress, how are you feeling?”

The Emperor sat by the bedside, eyes full of concern. The Empress rarely saw such care from him.

Her pale face lacked any color, eyes brimming with tears. Her lips quivered weakly.

“Your Majesty, who would seek to harm me and the child in my womb?”

The Emperor’s face tightened as he gently squeezed her cold hand. “Rest assured, I will see justice done.”

“Ru’er, how do you feel?” the Empress Dowager asked kindly, accompanied by Su Zhinian.

“Mother, I feel much better,” the Empress forced a smile.

“Good. Rest assured, I will not allow such matters to run rampant in the palace!”

“Thank you, Mother.”

“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Consorts Shu and Liang request an audience,” a young maid announced.

“Show them in,” the Emperor replied, his brow furrowed deeply.

“Your Majesties and Empress Dowager,” Consorts Liang and Shu entered together, bowing.

“Rise,” the Emperor said coldly.

“Your Majesty, I have captured the mastermind behind the plot against the Empress!” Consort Liang stepped forward anxiously.