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Chapter 53
Jiu Si quickly arrived. Upon learning what had happened, her face flushed red with anger:
"Nonsense!"
When Gu Han left the palace, she rarely brought Jiu Si along, usually having her stay in the palace. Normally only when fetching meals from the imperial kitchens would she occasionally leave the chambers. But Gu Han never restrained her, in fact, one could say Gu Han always indulged her.
As a result, while Jiu Si was obedient and loyal before Gu Han and Jiu Nian, her temper was actually far more explosive than Jiu Nian's. She glared viciously at Liao Ling for a long while before suddenly saying:
"This servant remembers her! That day when my lady sent this servant to fetch a meal, just after leaving Yihe Palace, I ran into her. She inexplicably said to me, “Elder sister is going to the imperial kitchens?” This servant didn't know her and ignored her, leaving directly!"
This had been merely an ordinary incident. As a favored palace maid of Changchun Pavilion, many palace servants greeted her daily. She had paid it no mind. She rarely left the palace chambers, which meant she hadn't recognized Liao Ling as someone from Rongcui Palace at all.
Who would have known that from just this alone, she had fallen into someone's trap?
Jiu Si felt both ashamed and angry. Her mistress had instructed her many times that during this special period, when fetching meals, she shouldn't conflict with people from Rongcui Palace. Yet the oversight had still occurred on her end.
Jiu Nian glared at her with exasperation. Jiu Si didn't dare speak. Fearing she had caused trouble for her mistress, she angrily wiped away tears.
Gu Han naturally trusted Jiu Si. Both Jiu Si and Jiu Nian were household-born servants of the Marquis estate who'd accompanied her since childhood. This bond was incomparable to others. She looked coldly at Liao Ling, who shuddered and wouldn't meet her gaze, only crying as she insisted on blaming Jiu Si:
"Your Majesty, see clearly! If Concubine Zhao hadn't ordered this servant to deliver the message to the midwife, how could this servant, a mere slave, have such capability?!"
Jiu Si and Liao Ling each held to their own version. The matter suddenly reached an impasse.
The Empress couldn't help but furrow her brow, seemingly somewhat undecided. Finally, she looked at Gu Han:
"These two servants insist they were instructed by Concubine Zhao. Does Concubine Zhao have evidence to prove her innocence?"
Gu Han's gaze suddenly met the Empress's. This should be the first time she'd been so firm in her attitude. She calmly countered:
"Since when does one need evidence to prove innocence rather than producing evidence to convict someone?"
Being rebutted, the Empress showed no anger. She only looked at Gu Han with surprise. Seeing her cold, composed expression clearly, the Empress raised an eyebrow imperceptibly, whoever had made this move seemed to have truly angered their good-tempered Concubine Zhao.
Gu Han turned directly to His Majesty. She said:
"Matters concerning imperial heirs can never be taken too seriously. The midwives were only arranged into Rongcui Palace this month. However the person behind this schemed, they only had this one month."
She bowed her body low, saying word by word: "This consort has harmed no one and can withstand investigation. This midwife insists this consort used her young son to threaten her. Since someone obtained her son's bracelet, naturally someone contacted her family. Whenever there's action, there are traces. This consort humbly requests Your Majesty thoroughly investigate this matter and all personnel entering and exiting the palace gates this past month!"
Investigating both inside and outside the palace, how monumental an undertaking! But as Gu Han said, matters concerning imperial heirs must be taken seriously.
No one could say otherwise.
Panic finally appeared on Liao Ling's face. But Gu Han wasn't looking at her, she was watching Xia Qiao, who hadn't spoken since Liao Ling was exposed. Sure enough, Xia Qiao's expression also changed slightly.
Though she quickly concealed it, Gu Han still caught the discrepancy.
Gu Han almost laughed in anger.
So that's why things had been so full of holes, because this was a script she'd written herself! No wonder the pill had been discovered so timely. Someone must have been constantly watching the midwife's movements, just waiting for this moment of exposure!
Concubine Miao had carefully hidden for nearly a year. Gu Han didn't believe she would truly harm the imperial heir. She couldn't help but become suspicious of the timing of Miao's delivery.
The birthing chamber had fallen completely silent, but there were no sounds of alarm. Presumably Concubine Miao had been safely rescued. Indeed, Imperial Physician An soon emerged to report:
"Your Majesty, Concubine Miao has been saved!"
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looking as if he'd survived a disaster.
Gu Han watched coldly before suddenly asking another physician beside him: "I ask you, was there any sign that Concubine Miao's delivery was premature?"
For such a major event as a concubine giving birth, naturally more than one imperial physician would be on watch. Only, as the one who'd been responsible for Concubine Miao's pregnancy throughout, Imperial Physician An had led all matters during this period.
Imperial Physician Li paused. Before he could answer, Xia Qiao's expression changed:
"What does Concubine Zhao mean by this?!"
The more anxious she grew, the more suspicious Gu Han became. Gu Han twisted her lips in a cold smile: "What I mean, don't you know?"
Meeting her gaze, Xia Qiao's eyes couldn't help but dodge guiltily.
Seeing this, how could Lu Yu not understand?
But things weren't finished. Gu Han grasped His Majesty's sleeve, blocking his questioning, then stepped forward:
"Your mistress chose this timing for delivery, and all incidents point to me. There must be evidence in the hall that I caused Concubine Miao's premature labor. Why not produce it directly now?!"
Xia Qiao's lips trembled several times before she said: "What nonsense is Concubine Zhao speaking? How could one choose when to give birth? Besides, what benefit would my mistress gain from harming you?"
Gu Han didn't listen to her futile defense, looking directly at His Majesty instead.
Lu Yu paused, glancing at Liu An. Liu An immediately led palace servants into the inner chambers. Physicians also followed in. Xia Qiao immediately looked over in alarm. In no time, someone brought out a cushion.
Liu An stepped forward:
"Your Majesty, the physician has examined it. This cushion was soaked in labor-inducing medicine."
Gu Han recognized that cushion, not long ago, on Concubine Miao's birthday, the Empress had mentioned that the entire harem should send gifts to Rongcui Palace. Too lazy to fuss, Gu Han had sent over this jade-fox soft cushion.
Upon seeing that soft cushion, Lu Yu seemed to pause, or perhaps didn't.
Gu Han's lips curved slightly. Everyone heard her derisive laugh.
Under everyone's gaze, Xia Qiao felt her face burning. She forced herself to say:
"This cushion was sent by Concubine Zhao. Doesn't that prove my mistress's premature delivery is related to Concubine Zhao?"
Gu Han coldly spat out a few words: "Stubborn mouth!"
Amid the bewildered, suspicious gazes, Gu Han explained:
"This jade-fox soft cushion was specially bestowed upon me by His Majesty upon seeing my laziness. It arrived at Changchun Pavilion for barely half a day before I regifted it to Concubine Miao as a birthday present. Do you think His Majesty would move against me, or against your mistress?!"
Xia Qiao was dumbfounded, completely unprepared for this turn of events.
Impatient with wasting words on her, Gu Han looked directly at Imperial Physician Li: "When you took Concubine Miao's pulse just now, were there signs she had delivered before full term?"
Imperial Physician Li instinctively glanced at Imperial Physician An. He sighed lightly and shook his head:
"Concubine Miao's body shows no serious issues. The prince was also already full term."
Upon taking her pulse, he had seen something was amiss. But adhering to the principle that less trouble was better than more, he hadn't wanted to involve himself in this matter. In this harem, to survive well, maintaining neutrality was most important.
Yet now that the question had been directed at him, Imperial Physician Li was unwilling to conceal things for others. Only, having worked alongside Imperial Physician An for many years, he didn't understand why An would involve himself in such harem disputes.
Imperial Physician An's face turned ashen as he collapsed to the ground.
By this point, the matter's outline was very clear. Concubine Miao had staged this entire drama herself. She had already reached her due date, she had simply had Imperial Physician An falsely report the timing, making others think her delivery at this time was suspicious.
Actually, she had only wanted to frame someone else. Perhaps to bring Gu Han down, or perhaps to earn His Majesty's pity and fight for the right to personally raise her own child.
Concubine Miao had calculated much, even truly deceiving that midwife. Perhaps there were some shortcomings, but concerning an imperial heir, under His Majesty's anger, he simply wouldn't think that far.
The only thing she hadn't anticipated was that even without Gu Han's later defense, His Majesty would have chosen to believe Gu Han.
Gu Han directly knelt down, her face cold:
"Your Majesty, this concubine knows Concubine Miao has merit for delivering an imperial heir, yet this consort still humbly requests Your Majesty deliver justice for this concubine!"
"Concubine Miao's crimes are threefold: first, deceiving the sovereign; second, using the imperial heir as bait; third, framing a fellow concubine. If not for Your Majesty's trust in this Concubine today, this Concubine dares not imagine what the consequences would be if such charges of plotting against an imperial heir fell upon this concubine!"
Lu Yu's temples throbbed with pain. Today's events truly opened his eyes. Actually, as long as Concubine Miao had simply given birth peacefully to the imperial heir, Lu Yu wouldn't have mistreated her at all.
Early in her pregnancy, he hadn't promoted her rank because he feared the imperial heir couldn't bear such fortune, and also didn't want everyone's attention focused on her. Later, fearing she might think wildly, he had still promoted her rank during the New Year's banquet.
Now that she'd safely delivered the imperial heir, a foster mother naturally couldn't compare to a birth mother. Lu Yu had even been considering directly promoting her to Xiuyi rank. After all, Lady Ling Zhaoyi of Chonghui Palace had already cared for two imperial heirs.
So Lu Yu didn't understand, what was Concubine Miao trying to achieve by stirring up all this trouble?
Moreover, her target wasn't just anyone, it was Concubine Zhao, who had saved her several times.
Ungrateful people were rarely well-liked.
Learning the imperial heir was unharmed, Lu Yu's emotions cooled somewhat, only anger at being played for a fool rising. Before Lu Yu could speak, he first pulled Gu Han to her feet.
Seeing this, Xia Qiao immediately sensed the situation turning bad. She quickly said:
"Your Majesty, this is only Concubine Zhao's one-sided claim. It's insufficient to convict our mistress!"
Zhou, previously restrained by Nanny Wu, couldn't help but spit out:
"The evidence is thrown in your face, yet you're still stubborn!"
"Having Imperial Physician An falsely report the due date, wasn't that your mistress?! Using the cushion Concubine Zhao sent to stage a frame-up, wasn't that your mistress's plan?!"
"Even a vicious tiger won't eat its cubs! To make the act convincing, your mistress was actually willing to threaten and bribe someone to poison the young prince. If that old slave had acted faster, would your mistress still be lying inside in good health?!"
Zhou's quick tongue unleashed a torrent of scolding, leaving Xia Qiao speechless.
Lu Yu didn't want to hear more of Concubine Miao's foolish deeds. He swept his gaze around the hall. Suddenly, his eyes fell on Consort Shu. Consort Shu froze. Before she could react, she heard Lu Yu say:
"First send the young prince to Yi'an Palace. After the third-day bathing ceremony, decide his placement. As for Concubine Miao, revoke her title, demote her to Cairen."
Concubine Miao's, no, Miao Cáirén's, punishment didn't surprise anyone. After all, she had just delivered an imperial heir. Merits offsetting faults, being demoted now meant she had lost both her stake and her soldiers.
What shocked everyone was that His Majesty had actually sent the young prince to Yi'an Palace.
Having been in the palace so long, this was the first time Gu Han saw the Empress's expression change. Very clearly, for the Empress, this matter was completely unexpected.
Consort Shu was the same. She remained stunned, no longer displaying her usual coquettishness. Only after being pushed by a palace servant did she come to her senses, hastily bowing to express gratitude:
"This, this consort receives the decree."
Her voice trembled with unstable emotions.
Gu Han was also bewildered. She discreetly glanced at the Empress and Consort Shu before finally settling her gaze on His Majesty, feeling his decision was truly inscrutable.
To put it bluntly, Consort Shu was a shield His Majesty had established in the harem to protect imperial heirs. That's why she possessed favor that seemed unreachable to others, but this so-called favor came at a certain cost she had paid.
That being the case, how could His Majesty possibly entrust an imperial heir to her?
Once Consort Shu had an imperial heir under her care, she would no longer be suitable for the role of shield. This would mean all His Majesty's previous efforts had been wasted.
Though Gu Han didn't know what His Majesty was thinking, she didn't believe he was someone so unclear-headed as to do something so counterproductive.
---
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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