Upon learning that poisonous substances targeting the imperial heirs had been discovered in Changchun Garden, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was so furious she nearly fainted, startling the Empress Dowager greatly.
The fact that Fang He was the one affected only added to her rage, which was no less intense than Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang’s.
After ensuring Xiaozhuang drank a calming tonic and rested, the Empress Dowager personally led Wulinzhu and Sumala to Yunya Hall.
Emperor Kangxi, who had been preoccupied with court affairs, turned grim upon hearing the news, convinced this was linked to the unrest in the imperial court.
His favor toward Fang He was well-known even outside the palace.
To target her at such a critical moment was nothing short of a direct challenge to his authority.
Kangxi issued an edict summoning all consorts accompanying him to the summer retreat to Yunya Hall-a far greater commotion than Fang He had anticipated.
Yunya Hall was modest in size, with only a main hall of three rooms and two side halls of three rooms each, though it had an additional upper floor.
Its courtyard was only half the size of other compounds.
Not to mention the lower-ranking concubines and attendants-even some neglected noble ladies had to stand in the corridors.
Once the Empress Dowager, Kangxi, and the Noble Consort took their seats with stern expressions, Consorts Yi, Rong, and De also arrived, leaving no seat for Fang He.
She had no choice but to stand beside the Empress Dowager.
Kangxi frowned slightly but said nothing, only asking the Noble Consort in a grave tone, “Is this how you manage the affairs of the inner palace?”
The Noble Consort remained composed.
Freed from the constraints of romantic entanglements, she had become far more rational, understanding that authority came with responsibility.
She rose and curtsied.
“Your Majesty, within the palace, monthly allowances are strictly regulated, and inspections are thorough, making it difficult for anyone to act maliciously.”
“But this is our first time at Changchun Garden. The initial distribution of allowances and the replacement of daily necessities have stretched the Imperial Household Department’s resources-only half the usual staff were brought here-creating vulnerabilities that were exploited.”
After outlining the difficulties, she promptly proposed a solution.
“Regardless, the main gates are guarded by medical apprentices and sentries, making it difficult to tamper with procurement. The investigation should be straightforward.”
“I have already ordered the Imperial Household Department to detain all eunuchs and maids responsible for serving Yunya Hall yesterday and subject them to rigorous interrogation in the Punishment Bureau.”
“We will surely provide an explanation for the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and the ancestors.”
Kangxi’s expression softened slightly.
Just as he was about to speak, the Empress Dowager interjected,
“Not just Consort Zhao’s quarters-inspect every consort’s residence to ensure no such vile substances remain in Changchun Garden!”
Kangxi had intended to say the same.
He turned to the Noble Consort.
“If manpower is insufficient, I will order Eunuch Gu to assist you. This matter must be thoroughly investigated!”
The Noble Consort exhaled inwardly, knowing she had passed this trial.
She glanced subtly at Fang He and offered a conciliatory remark.
“My negligence has implicated Consort Zhao. Once the culprits are identified, I shall personally apologize to you.”
Fang He, however, was preoccupied with Consort De.
She noticed Consort De’s unnerving calmness, which gave her an uneasy premonition.
She paid little heed to the Noble Consort’s apology.
With a polite curtsy, she replied, “You flatter me, Noble Consort. Last night, I slept on the terrace to escape the heat, foiling the plot. As long as this does not happen again—and no one else is harmed-I am content.”
Consorts Yi and An, who had been visibly tense, visibly relaxed at her words.
Consort De, however, remained silent, quietly skimming the tea foam without the slightest hint of unease.
Fang He’s heart continued to sink.
The Virtuous Consort showed not the slightest hint of disturbance upon hearing she remained unaffected…
If she wasn’t the perpetrator, then there was only one possibility-she feared no investigation.
As expected, before the inspection teams could return from various palaces, Li Dequan hurried in from outside, wiping sweat as he bowed to report.
“Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty, and all noble consorts the culprit has been identified.”
Fang He abruptly raised her head.
So quickly?
Her movement wasn’t conspicuous, as even the Empress Dowager, Kangxi Emperor, and Noble Consort appeared equally startled, their gazes fixed intently on Li Dequan.
Under their piercing stares, Li Dequan’s scalp prickled with discomfort as he forced himself to continue:
“It was Deputy Attendant Zhou Quan from the Imperial Household Department’s Silk Treasury… His body was found by the rear lake, likely having fallen in last night.”
He glanced uncomfortably at the Noble Consort, whose face had turned deathly pale, lowering his voice considerably.
“This Deputy Zhou… originally served in Yongshou Palace. He was promoted when the Noble Consort reformed the Imperial Household Department’s embezzlement of concubines’ monthly allowances.”
All eyes turned toward the Noble Consort.
Though Li Dequan spoke obliquely, everyone understood this was the Noble Consort’s planted operative in the Imperial Household Department.
Niohuru suddenly rose to her feet.
“Impossible! Zhou Quan managed my treasury in Yongshou Palace flawlessly for years; his hands were impeccably clean. I wouldn’t have recommended him otherwise.”
Kneeling before Kangxi, she pleaded, “Your Majesty must see reason! This subject acted without ulterior motives. Ask any consort present -since Zhou Quan joined the Silk Treasury, even the lowliest unattended ladies-in-waiting received their full allowances.”
Her placement of Zhou Quan had been to cultivate a reputation of virtue, accumulating merit for Yin’e. Had she sought profit, she’d have targeted the Fur, Porcelain, or Tea Treasuries instead.
Consort Yi frowned.
“Yet since Consort Zhao entered the palace, your relationship with her has been… less than harmonious. Now seeing her rise in favor while you wield authority, sacrificing one servant to harm her isn’t unthinkable.”
Unaware Fang He had deliberately set this trap, and constrained by her own status from directly accusing the Noble Consort, Consort Yi sought to speak on Fang He’s behalf since their reconciliation.
But Fang He scarcely noticed Consort Yi’s goodwill.
At last she understood the Virtuous Consort’s confidence that this scheme of killing with a borrowed knife bore her unmistakable signature.
Kangxi pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes in contemplation.
His considerations ran deeper than the women present.
Among the recently purged court officials were many former proteges of Ebilun.
With Faka’s influence waning and the Niohuru clan’s power diminished, they could hardly counter Alingga’s natural advantage as legitimate heir.
Soon, the Niohuru elders would likely petition for Alingga’s succession as Duke.
If the Noble Consort vented frustration over her brother’s decline or if others manipulated her to muddy waters, threatening imperial heirs to pressure him…
“Liang Jiugong! To the Palace of Strict Punishment with my edict: detain all palace maids and eunuchs connected to Zhou Quan for thorough interrogation. Uncover any mastermind behind him!”
His cold gaze fell upon Niohuru.
“As for the Noble Consort, she shall reflect in seclusion. Palace affairs will temporarily…”
“Your Majesty, this concubine has a few words to say,” Fang He suddenly spoke up.
Kangxi’s eyelids twitched, somewhat reluctant to let her continue.
Now that everyone was targeting her, if she stirred up more trouble, it might invite even greater calamity.
Niohuru also suspected Fang He was seizing the moment for revenge.
Unfortunately, the incident involved someone from her own palace, leaving her unable to defend herself.
Yet when Fang He stepped forward, she surprisingly did not make things difficult for the Noble Consort.
Under the astonished gazes of Consort Yi and Noble Lady An, she smiled understandingly and said, “This concubine believes the Noble Consort is unlikely to be the one who harmed me.”
She counted off on her fingers, methodically explaining, “Given the Noble Consort’s status, if she wished to make things difficult for this concubine, she could simply order someone to watch me around the clock.”
“At the slightest misstep, she could slap me, make me kneel in punishment, or even humiliate me with a beating-force me to copy scriptures until my hands break…”
” Even if I were carrying a child as miraculous as Nezha, I doubt I could keep it. Why resort to such underhanded methods?”
The crowd: “……”
Heaven help us, may the Emperor never lose his senses and let Consort Zhao rise to the rank of Noble Consort in this lifetime!
Seeing Kangxi’s unreadable expression and even the Empress Dowager subtly disapproving of her plea for the Noble Consort, Fang He decided to drop a bombshell.
“Moreover, the Noble Consort oversees palace affairs and has access to the Imperial Hospital’s records. She knew this concubine had recently undergone a wellness check and was not pregnant-there was no need for her to waste effort on such futile schemes.”
Kangxi raised an eyebrow.
He knew this troublemaker wasn’t pregnant-otherwise, he wouldn’t be so calm now, nor would he have been so reckless behind the curtains days earlier.
The Empress Dowager, however, cast a regretful glance at Fang He’s belly.
She had hoped for good news.
Consort Yi and Noble Lady An, meanwhile, were stunned.
Not pregnant?
Then why had Consort Zhao been sewing baby clothes earlier, clutching her stomach…?
Noble Consort De’s hand trembled slightly as she held her teacup.
A flash of realization crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by a cold sneer and shadowed resentment.
She looked up in feigned surprise.
“In that case, since Elder Sister Noble Consort is innocent, the true mastermind will be difficult to uncover!”
As Kangxi and the Empress Dowager turned to her, she sighed helplessly.
“Earlier, Younger Sister Consort Zhao hinted in the gardens-in front of Elder Sister Yi and Younger Sister An—that she was with child. Surely the palace servants nearby heard as well… So it was all just a misunderstanding?”
She gave Fang He a meaningful look, shaking her head with a wry smile and delivering a taunt only Fang He would understand.
“More than just the few of us must have misunderstood. Younger Sister Zhao has truly suffered an undeserved calamity. In the future, you must be more careful.”
Whether it was truly undeserved depended on whether Fang He had deliberately misled others.
Noble Consort De’s implication was clear: if Fang He had orchestrated the misunderstanding, then this poison was her own doing no one else could be blamed.
Fang He had known her words would startle the snake in the grass.
But she couldn’t present the cross referenced evidence she’d prepared to Kangxi.
Noble Consort De had mastered the art of killing with a borrowed knife.
Fang He had no choice but to force the venomous serpent out of hiding.
Hearing Noble Consort De’s words, Fang He shrank back timidly, casting a pitiful look at Kangxi.
“Noble Consort De speaks truly. Whoever plotted this must have sought to destroy this concubine’s child, ensuring I could never bear His Majesty’s heir again. Their heart is truly wicked.”
When it came to the schemes of the inner palace, even she and Kangxi combined were no match for the high-ranking consorts.
Moreover, with Kangxi being so high above, there were some matters he might not notice, so she instinctively dismissed the idea of showing him the cross reference diagram.
Compared to Consort De, who still had one son and two daughters alive, she didn’t want to gamble on whom Kangxi would trust more.
Though Zhou Quan in the cross-reference diagram was dead, if the Noble Consort found out whose pawn he was…
Given the influence of the Niohuru clan both inside and outside the palace, if the Noble Consort were determined to investigate thoroughly, traces would inevitably be left.
Unless Consort De possessed some mystical arts, she would have to take further measures to ensure her own safety.
Fang He knelt and declared solemnly, “This concubine believes in the Noble Consort. Even if only to prove her own innocence, Her Highness will surely uncover the mastermind. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”
Consort De’s handkerchief twisted tighter in her grip, but she lowered her eyes and remained silent.
She didn’t understand why Fang He had set this trap for her; she was certain she hadn’t left any clues.