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Chapter 52
When the imperial physician entered the chamber, Gu Han quickly glanced inside. Only shadows moved about, she couldn't see Lady Miao's condition at all. Gu Han abandoned the attempt. The entire Rongcui Hall had fallen into a strange state of agitation.
Gu Han noticed several consorts of third rank and above constantly wringing their handkerchiefs, occasionally casting hopeful glances toward the inner chamber. Gu Han didn't dare guess what they were thinking.
Lady Miao was giving birth, but she was only junior fourth rank. If His Majesty favored her, he could promote her two full ranks to Cultivated Deportment, moving her out of Rongcui Hall to become a palace's primary consort, then she could raise the imperial heir.
His Majesty had always been stingy with titles, but circumstances were different now. Concubine Miao was the first consort to bear an imperial heir since His Majesty's ascension. No one knew how he would reward her.
Because of this, though Concubine Miao was merely a concubine and couldn't raise the imperial heir herself, these third-rank and above consorts weren't particularly excited. After all, even if they raised the child, he would still have a birth mother. Though they wouldn't say it aloud, they would feel uncomfortable about it.
But if Concubine Miao were to unfortunately perish during childbirth...
Many pairs of eyes brightened imperceptibly, then quickly dimmed again for fear of being noticed. Some couldn't help stepping forward, more anxious about the situation inside than even His Majesty.
Gu Han watched coldly, thinking these people were simply delusional. Today's events were clearly suspicious. Anyone who dared stick their head out now wouldn't be lightly forgiven by His Majesty.
Gu Han pulled Concubine Zhou back a step. It wasn't that Gu Han had to include Concubine Zhou in everything she did, but Wet Nurse Wu was right there, Gu Han needed to put on a show for the Empress Dowager.
Perhaps the Empress Dowager had said something to Concubine Zhou, because she had considerable trust in Gu Han and was willing to listen to her advice.
Even with Gu Han's limited knowledge, she knew hemorrhaging during childbirth was life-threatening. Fortunately, His Majesty's presence here kept Rongcui Hall from descending into chaos. At this moment, Imperial Physician An also entered the birthing chamber.
Nearly two quarters of an hour later, Little Fang finally returned and said quietly to Gu Han:
"Mistress, Imperial Physician An was responsible for Lady Miao's pregnancy. Before the Empress arrived, Imperial Physician An was already at Rongcui Hall."
The moment the words left his mouth, Gu Han's delicate brows knitted together.
She'd felt something was off about Imperial Physician An earlier and had Little Fang investigate when he'd arrived at Rongcui Hall. After all, he'd inspected the food and said there were no problems, no one would suspect him.
Even Gu Han hadn't initially suspected Imperial Physician An would lie.
Only when she noticed he seemed somewhat nervous did Gu Han grow suspicious. She'd originally thought he'd been bribed to lie for someone, but now, not only were her doubts unanswered, they'd grown even deeper.
Imperial Physician An had been responsible for monitoring Concubine Miao's pregnancy pulse for the entire ten months. If there were any problems with this pregnancy, he couldn't escape punishment. In other words, Imperial Physician An and Concubine Miao were bound together in this matter, shared glory and shared ruin.
As long as Concubine Miao safely delivered this imperial heir, Imperial Physician An would surely be well rewarded. He had no reason to help others harm Concubine Miao.
So the question became, why was Imperial Physician An so nervous?
The food was fine. This could be verified by having other physicians check. So Imperial Physician An wouldn't lie about this.
Gu Han's gaze swept the hall. Suddenly, a palace maid who met her eyes immediately lowered her head. Gu Han's heart sank with an ominous premonition.
Consort Zhou noticed her expression seemed off and asked quietly:
"What's wrong?"
Gu Han gripped her handkerchief tightly, lowering her eyelids as she said with inexplicable emotion, "Perhaps you were right. Today will not be peaceful after all."
Consort Zhou looked confused, not understanding Gu Han's meaning, until sounds came from the inner chamber, someone seemed to shout harshly:
"Seize her!"
This immediately drew everyone's attention. Soon, the birthing chamber door was pushed open and a wet nurse was dragged out, bound hand and foot. This spectacle left everyone outside dumbfounded. Concubine Zhou looked at Gu Han in shock.
She was about to say something when she noticed Gu Han's expression wasn't good. Concubine Zhou fell silent, bewildered.
Xia Qiao also emerged and dropped to her knees with a thud, pointing at the wet nurse and saying through gritted teeth:
"Your Majesty! This wicked servant dared take advantage of Mistress's crisis to harm the little prince! Please do not spare her lightly!"
As she explained in detail, everyone learned that this wet nurse had tried to poison the little prince while everyone's attention was on Concubine Miao. But the birthing chamber was crowded and chaotic, she had just taken out the poison pill when someone accidentally knocked it from her hand to the floor. This exposed her scheme, and Xia Qiao had her seized.
Gu Han's temples twitched as she listened, somewhat at a loss for words. If today's events weren't Concubine Miao deliberately staging them, whoever was behind this would be furious at this wet nurse's incompetence.
Those allowed into the birthing chamber must have earned some of Concubine Miao's trust. Recruiting such people surely took considerable effort. Yet this wet nurse's hand trembled once and the entire plan was exposed.
Just imagining herself in that position made Gu Han feel suffocated with frustration.
At the same time, Xia Qiao's words revealed another piece of news, Lady Miao had given birth to a little prince. Gu Han didn't know what to feel.
Xia Qiao also produced the poison pill and handed it to a nearby physician. As the physician examined its properties, everyone in the courtyard fixed their gazes on the wet nurse, who trembled in terror, prostrate on the ground.
The physician had someone find a rat and fed it half the pill. In mere moments, the rat quietly collapsed on the ground.
No squealing, no signs of struggle, as if it had simply fallen asleep. Yet this sent chills through everyone present.
If this servant had succeeded, the little prince would have perished without anyone noticing, seeming merely to be asleep unless someone checked his breathing.
Lu Yu flew into a rage, looking at the wet nurse as if she were already dead:
"Who put you up to this?!"
The pill had fallen from her, the wet nurse couldn't argue. She shook, crying out "this servant" several times but unable to continue. In her panic, she lifted her head and glanced at Gu Han.
An uproar…
Gu Han's lips curved slightly. Her heart felt a strange sense of confirmation settling in. She was almost laughing from anger. What kind of people dared throw dirty water on her?
Her expression went cold.
Xia Qiao cried out, "Even if Noble Consort Zhao resents my mistress, she cannot so openly murder an imperial heir!"
Gu Han closed her eyes. She seemed to laugh at these words before suddenly asking coldly:
"What about your mistress could I possibly resent?"
In appearance and family background, Concubine Miao was inferior to her. Even regarding imperial favor since entering the palace, Concubine Miao couldn't compare!
She resented Concubine Miao?
How dare Xia Qiao say such a thing!
Yet Xia Qiao truly dared: "My mistress conceived an imperial heir after being attended only a few times, while Concubine Zhao, despite repeatedly receiving favor since entering the palace, has no news yet. You both entered the palace at the same time, such a comparison naturally creates imbalance in your heart!"
Gu Han found it absurd and laughable, yet after Xia Qiao's words, many seemed to believe her.
Gu Han looked straight up at His Majesty. Lu Yu frowned lightly, seeming not to have expected things to develop this way. Gu Han was truly about to die of frustration. She had saved Lady Miao three times over, even if unintentionally, judging by actions rather than intentions, Lady Miao owed her greatly!
Now Xia Qiao was wildly accusing her. With even personal attendants acting this way, one could see Concubine Miao's attitude toward her clearly.
And she'd actually hoped for Concubine Miao's safe delivery. Looking at it now, truly a waste!
Gu Han shook off Jiu Nian's supporting hand, stepped forward, and looked up straight at His Majesty:
"Does Your Majesty not trust this Concubine either?"
Lu Yu looked at the woman. She gripped her handkerchief tightly, breathing somewhat heavily, as if holding in anger. Stubbornly wanting an answer, those almond eyes fixed steadily on him. She believed he would trust her, so before even defending herself, she asked him first.
Lu Yu asked himself, did he trust her?
Silence fell for a moment. Gu Han seemed to sense something. She froze, her eyelids trembling as she was about to look away. Just as everyone smirked at her presumption, Lu Yu suddenly stepped forward and pulled her up.
Everyone gasped in shock. Consort Shu’s gaze also fell on him in stunned silence. Then they heard His Majesty's cool, clear voice:
"Of course I trust you."
These words carried no particular emotion, yet their weight was considerable, landing heavily in everyone's hearts.
Gu Han suddenly bit her lip, as if the emotions she'd been suppressing could no longer be contained. She quickly lowered her head, reaching up to wipe her eyes, not letting others see her loss of composure before hastily turning her face away.
Lu Yu heard her control her emotions as she said softly, "This concubine did not harm him."
She paused, then repeated:
"Your Majesty knows, I would not harm him."
This time she said "I," not referring to herself as "this concubine", making Lu Yu's heart suddenly tighten.
Of course he knew. Put another way, the woman was actually quite lazy and afraid of taking on responsibility, so she had, had Changchun Pavilion's servants avoid Rongcui Hall early on. Even though she was curious, she'd rationally suppressed that curiosity.
She was always clever, knowing what should and shouldn't be done.
Lu Yu didn't know what to say for a moment. He could only repeat his earlier words:
"I trust you."
Gu Han finally couldn't control herself and looked up at him. Only then did Lu Yu discover her eyes were somewhat red and wet. She gripped Lu Yu's fingers with enough force to hurt. She said:
"This concubine simply hasn't conceived yet. It's not, not as wretched as she claims!"
Xia Qiao's words seemed to accuse her of being barren. In the palace where heirs were paramount, this was no less than the cruelest curse. No matter how good Gu Han's temperament, she wouldn't remain unmoved when a servant pointed at her nose and said such things.
First His Majesty said her health was poor, then she'd injured her bones saving Concubine Miao. With His Majesty frequently ordering the Imperial Medical Bureau to monitor her pulse, ensuring her health was optimal, naturally this involved occasional medication.
These medicines all avoided conception.
So it was perfectly normal that Gu Han hadn't conceived during this period. Others didn't know these details, but Lu Yu knew perfectly well.
Lu Yu frowned. He valued Gu Han and naturally hoped she would be well. She had only recently come of age, conception wasn't urgent. Now that Xia Qiao had pointed it out, Lu Yu realized this probably wasn't the first time the woman had heard such remarks.
He had told her to rest and recover, and she had obediently listened, enduring whatever others said without once mentioning her inner anxiety to him.
Lu Yu's expression grew grim.
Xia Qiao felt things weren't going well. She looked up in shock:
"Your Majesty! Even if you don't pity my mistress, you must pity the little prince! He was just born and nearly had his life taken!"
Lu Yu's eyes immediately went cold. "Insolent!"
Xia Qiao was frightened into immediate silence!
"Must you teach me how to conduct myself?!"
Consort Shu had been coldly observing events unfold. Seeing His Majesty so partial, she couldn't help withdrawing her gaze. There was no need to watch further, when His Majesty wanted to protect someone, he naturally could.
Xia Qiao prostrated herself on the ground, crying out in terror: "This servant wouldn't dare!"
Lu Yu sneered coldly:
"I think your audacity is quite impressive!"
He had developed some tender feelings for Gu Han, making Xia Qiao's earlier words especially grating. Lu Yu found everything about Xia Qiao displeasing now.
But the pressing matter was, who wanted to harm the little prince?
Lu Yu frowned at the stammering wet nurse:
"Confess honestly, who put you up to this?"
The wet nurse trembled violently but still remembered her mistress's instructions. Crying, she said:
"This servant dares not lie! It was Concubine Zhao who gave this servant the poison, telling this servant to act when the opportunity arose. If Concubine Miao gave birth to a little prince, to feed him the pill! Your Majesty, please investigate, every word this servant speaks is true!"
Seeing this servant still trying to implicate her with such obvious tactics nearly made Gu Han laugh coldly. She stepped forward:
"You say I instigated you, then when and where did I contact you? How did I threaten or bribe you?"
"Murdering an imperial heir implicates nine generations. Wet Nurse, surely you weren't careless enough to do as told just because some random servant said a few words?"
Her questions came one after another, causing cold sweat to break out on the wet nurse's forehead. She said in a panic:
"You used my young child's bracelet to threaten this servant into helping you! Otherwise, how could this servant possibly murder an imperial heir!"
Both shocked and frightened, she was nearly in tears, looking quite genuine, making Gu Han frown deeply:
"I personally threatened you?"
The wet nurse wiped her tears. "You had someone deliver a note to this servant, along with my youngest child's bracelet. This servant did have doubts and wanted to see Concubine Zhao, but such a covert matter couldn't be made public, of course Concubine Zhao wouldn't meet this servant!"
"Seeing that bracelet, this servant panicked completely. Naturally whatever Concubine Zhao said, this servant would do!"
Gu Han glanced at her. Under her indignant gaze, she shook her head somewhat mockingly:
"How did you confirm I sent you the note?"
"After receiving the note, this servant was too frightened to act. Later I secretly watched the chamber's movements. That day only Shen Ling entered this servant's room, and then this servant found that note under her pillow. This servant secretly followed Shen Ling and saw her meet with Jiu Si from your palace."
"Given that, who else could it be but Noble Consort Zhao?!"
The wet nurse wiped her tears. "This servant knows escape is impossible. I only hope that after success, Concubine Zhao will spare this servant's young child!"
Hearing Jiu Si's name, Gu Han's expression went completely cold. At the same time, a servant in the palace knelt down, the very palace maid who'd been avoiding Gu Han's gaze earlier.
Shen Ling knelt in panic, trembling uncontrollably.
Gu Han's lips curved slightly. She didn't believe Jiu Si would betray her, this was clearly wild accusation. But to clear her name, Gu Han could only have someone summon Jiu Si from the palace.
Gu Han's delicate brows furrowed tightly. She didn't even notice the chamber had fallen silent. Anyone with eyes could see she was in a foul mood now. Lu Yu glanced at her and casually looked away.
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Author's Note:
Kunning Palace: Empress
Yi'an Palace: Consort Shu
Xianleng Palace: Imperial Consort De
Zhaoyang Palace → Main Hall: Xiuyi He
Zhaoyang Palace → Side Hall: Rong Baolin
Yihe Palace → Changchun Pavilion: Female Lead
Rongcui Hall: Beauty Miao
Cuizhu Pavilion: Beauty Lin
Changning Courtyard: Zhou Meiren
Hanleng Palace → (Main Hall transferred to Side Hall): Talented Lady Yuan
Also appearing: Noble Lady Lin, Liu Baolin
Here are the ranks of imperial consorts:
- Empress (皇后 Huánghoù) — Head of the Imperial Harem
- Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃 Huáng Guìfēi) — Rank 1
- Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Worthy Consort (贵妃、淑妃、德妃、贤妃 Guìfēi, Shūfēi, Défēi, Xiánfēi)** — Senior Rank 1 (The Four Consorts, with Noble Consort as the highest)
- Consort (妃 Fēi) — Junior Rank 2
- Bright Deportment, Bright Countenance (昭仪、昭容 Zhāoyí, Zhāoróng) — Senior Rank 3
- Cultivated Deportment, Cultivated Countenance (修仪、修容 Xiūyí, Xiūróng) — Junior Rank 3
- Noble Lady (贵嫔 Guìpín) — Senior Rank 4
- Imperial Concubine (嫔 Pín) — Junior Rank 4
- Beauty (美人 Měirén) — Senior Rank 5
- Talented Lady (才人 Cáirén) — Junior Rank 5
- Precious Grove (宝林 Bǎolín) — Senior Rank 6
- Imperial Woman (御女 Yùnǚ) — Junior Rank 6
- Palace Maid (宫女子 Gōngnǚzǐ) — Senior Rank 7
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