CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 116: I SAID IT WASN’T HER

If the Emperor wanted to investigate, it wouldn’t be hard to find her. Even without evidence, the Emperor knows in his heart; wouldn’t he then be even less inclined to come to her chambers in the future? Over time, can she even retain her position as Empress?

The Empress fell into deep thought.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Honored Lady Hu immediately continued, "Although Noble Consort hasn’t lost her child, no one knows whether this baby will be a boy or a girl, or if it can be born healthily, or if it can be raised without incident."

In other words, your chance, Empress, is far from lost.

"Why should you be at odds with the Emperor at this time?!"

Honored Lady Hu’s words struck right at the Empress’s heart.

She thought about it and her angry expression faded, nodding unconsciously in agreement.

"You do have a point!"

At this time, she should be working on mending her relationship with the Emperor. She should... hurry up and have a child of her own! Indeed... indeed! Noble Concubine Shih almost fooled her. She almost made a grave error!

With this thought, she said, "Forget it, I won’t hold this incident against her."

Then she asked, "It was you who did it, wasn’t it?"

Honored Lady Hu affirmed.

The Empress then asked, "Did you do it cleanly, without leaving any traces that lead back to us?"

Honored Lady Hu responded with a malevolent smile, "Your Majesty can rest assured, no one can trace it back to us!"

The Empress’s face completely softened, and she waved her hand magnanimously. "Yu Lan, reward her!"

Honored Lady Hu eagerly kowtowed with joyful gratitude. "To serve Your Majesty is this servant’s blessing!"

The Empress glanced at her and said indifferently, "As long as you serve me wholeheartedly, I will make sure you are not mistreated!"

Speaking of which, she instructed Yu Lan, "Go tell the Imperial Kitchen that they must not neglect Honored Lady Hu’s meals anymore; have them serve her well on my behalf!"

"Many thanks to the Empress!" Honored Lady Hu happily expressed her gratitude.

「Meanwhile, the Punishment Department had received the Emperor’s decree.」

The case made quick progress.

Upon investigation, the bundle containing Fuzi Powder was found to originate from the sewing room. Usually, when packing the ladies’ garments, many people were involved, watching over each other, preventing anyone from having a chance to tamper. However, that day, there was one person who had touched the bundle: a Palace Maid named Xiao Hui. She was the one to deliver the clothes, and moreover, she was alone, with not even a single person to vouch for her! Most importantly, she was a mute.

A mute cannot speak; the ladies of the Palace liked to buy the loyalties of such people, didn’t they?

No matter what, she was the prime suspect. So that very night, while the others were released, only Xiao Hui continued to be detained at the Punishment Department.

Several Old Sisters were unconvinced and went to plead on her behalf.

"Xiao Hui has no grudge against Noble Consort, and she wouldn’t harm anyone!"

"Indeed, you must be mistaken, sirs. Xiao Hui is a good child; she wouldn’t do such a thing!"

"You can’t just bully her because she cannot speak; she’s just a pitiful child!"

Unfortunately, the Punishment Department in the Palace was the least likely to make concessions for personal feelings. They served the Emperor, ruled by evidence, without room for sentiment. In modern terms, Xiao Hui was now a prime suspect and couldn’t leave without clearing her name!

The Old Sisters had no choice but to leave.

That night, the agents of the Punishment Department searched both Xiao Hui’s living quarters and the quarters of all Palace Maids in the sewing room.

One Shi Chen later, a Little Eunuch came to report.

"There was nothing unusual in the quarters of the others, but this was found in Xiao Hui’s quarters!"

With that, he presented a pouch. The pouch was empty, yet its embroidery was exquisitely detailed and lavish. It didn’t look like something belonging to a Palace Maid, but rather like a gift from one of the ladies.

When Xiao Hui was interrogated again, she desperately shook her head upon seeing the pouch and burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably!

She wanted to cry ’injustice’. But she couldn’t say it out loud; it was Lady Xia who had rewarded her with it. Lady Xia had been so kind to her, as had Lady Zi Yue. Throughout her time delivering clothes in the palace, only Lady Xia had bestowed upon her a reward. Was she really to implicate Lady Xia?

Xiao Hui shook her head vehemently, but regrettably, she was unable to voice anything.

With the evidence at hand, the investigation accelerated. The Punishment Department presented their findings to Eunuch Li on the very same day.

The results were: Xiao Hui was the only person who had come into contact with the bundle alone and, moreover, Lady Xia’s reward, the pouch, was found at Xiao Hui’s residence.

The truth seemed on the verge of revelation! It was as if they were on the cusp of directly proclaiming, ’It was Lady Xia who instructed Xiao Hui to plot against Noble Concubine Shih!’ But they dared not say it, considering she was the Emperor’s Favored Consort.

Zhao Junyao had naturally heard the conclusions and furrowed his brow in deep contemplation.

He was well aware in his heart. ’Anyone in this palace might have harmed Noble Concubine Shih, only Lady Xia couldn’t have!’ He had grown up in the Imperial Palace, progressing from Prince to Crown Prince, and then to Emperor. If he lacked even this basic ability to judge character, he might very well have perished by now. Emperor? Nonsense!

The Emperor’s face darkened as he remained silent, causing Li Shengan considerable unease.

With trepidation, he inquired, "Emperor... according to protocol..."

By the rules, this was the time Lady Xia should be detained. He knew full well that even if the Emperor favored someone, if she erred, the Emperor would show no mercy. There was no doubt about it; Noble Concubine Shih was a case in point!

However, the Emperor’s subsequent reaction completely stunned Eunuch Li.

Zhao Junyao gritted his teeth and growled, "Absurd! When I say impossible, it is impossible! Investigate further!"

"Basing the verdict on a mere pouch! How increasingly proficient the Punishment Department has become at botching their duties!" Zhao Junyao sneered.

Li Shengan was utterly astonished.

He was close to tears, helplessly muttering, "Emperor..."

How could the palace have no protocols? Li Shengan thought to himself.

"Hmm?" Zhao Junyao’s gaze turned icy, shooting him a glare.

The expression on Li Shengan’s face vanished at once, instantaneously replaced by one that read You are right, Your Majesty, whatever you say is correct.

Then he immediately turned to beckon his apprentices to start their tasks.

But suddenly, Zhao Junyao stopped him. "Wait!"

"Do you have any further orders, Your Majesty?!"

Zhao Junyao pondered for a moment, then instructed, "This time, have Wei Sheng personally take over the investigation. No need to alarm anyone!"

(Wei Sheng was the chief Eunuch of the Punishment Department, sharp as a tack, and skilled in solving cases)

Li Shengan was taken aback.

Not to alarm anyone? Meaning, to investigate covertly, and not to disclose the findings! This is... no, he’s not planning to pursue the matter openly? Wouldn’t that mean Noble Consort suffered an unjust scheme in vain! Li Shengan was somewhat slow to grasp the situation; was this the so-called unfathomable mind of an emperor?

Zhao Junyao, seeing him rooted to the spot, said impatiently, "Well, aren’t you going?!"

"Yes, yes, yes! This servant is on his way!"

Li Shengan vanished before the Emperor at top speed, daring not to overthink, hurrying off to pursue the investigation.

Zhao Junyao watched him leave, exhaling a sigh of relief; his whole demeanor relaxed.

Rather than saying he was protecting Lady Xia, it would be more accurate to say he was safeguarding his own authority.