Volume One, Chapter 17: Consort Huo Suffers a Miscarriage!

Several days later, Xie Jieyu’s health improved, and she took the initiative to visit Jingyang Palace.

However, Pei Yueshu did not see her in person, only sending her gratitude through Yin Qiao.

Xie Jingyi was a well-mannered and knowledgeable young lady, but her fate in the previous life had been terribly tragic, so Pei Yueshu was unwilling to associate with her in any way.

Xie Jieyu had long held a grudge against herself for unintentionally helping Beauty Xue humiliate Pei Yueshu that day. Fortunately, she had saved Pei Yueshu once this time, so at last, she felt unburdened.

Lin Shuangjian had waited for several days without seeing the emperor come to her, and she grew increasingly anxious. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked Abi, “Is this Imperial Consort Chen even more beautiful than Noble Consort Xiang?”

Abi had secretly followed Xiao Xuanyu that day but dared not approach too closely. From afar, she only saw a graceful figure standing beside the emperor at the waterside pavilion.

“I couldn’t see clearly, but her aura was indeed superior to that of the noble consort. Also, I heard that before Imperial Consort Chen entered the palace, she was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital.”

Lin Shuangjian’s spirit immediately deflated. If she were not an extraordinarily rare beauty, how could the emperor have ignored her status as a widow and brought her into the palace?

With such a stunning beauty by the emperor’s side, did that mean she had no chance?

Yet Lin Shuangjian did not give up. Seizing the time when Noble Consort Xiang went to the Empress Dowager’s palace, she ran to the swing. To her surprise, someone was already sitting there.

“What’s your name?” Even sitting on the swing, Xiao Xuanyu exuded an imposing presence, never appearing ridiculous.

Lin Shuangjian swallowed nervously; this was hundreds of times more handsome than those princes or emperors awkwardly portrayed on television.

“I… I’m Lin Shuangjian.”

Xiao Xuanyu said nothing further, merely beckoning her over.

With only the three of them present, Lin Shuangjian disregarded all rules and sat beside the emperor, brazenly studying his face up close.

“You’re quite bold. How old are you?” Xiao Xuanyu’s slight smile left Lin Shuangjian utterly enchanted.

“I’m sixteen this year.”

Her rosy cheeks were exceedingly charming.

Looking at that youthful, radiant face, Xiao Xuanyu’s mind drifted back several years to when he first met Pei Yueshu—also sixteen then, equally vibrant with springtime splendor.

“Your Highness, your guess was correct; the emperor has indeed gone to find that Lin lady,” Iris whispered in Pei Yueshu’s ear.

Pei Yueshu nodded. These days, Xiao Xuanyu rarely visited the harem. The Empress and Noble Consort kept their eyes fixed on Consort Huo’s belly. Rumors were that Guangyang Palace had been rife with disturbances. Perhaps they were still unaware of the emperor and Lin Shuangjian’s affair.

“Your Highness, do you think His Majesty will summon Lin lady to attend him tonight?” Iris also worried for Pei Yueshu.

Now that Pei Yueshu was nearly two months pregnant, she truly could no longer serve the emperor at night.

“No, he hasn’t had enough yet,” Pei Yueshu sneered coldly. No one understood better than she what Xiao Xuanyu desired.

He lost his mother in childhood and was raised under the Empress Dowager’s care. The Empress Dowager had her own son and could not care for him as intimately as a mother would, which nurtured his sullen temperament.

Now, holding the realm in his hands, he sought to grasp everything he once could not have.

“This Lin lady seems suspicious. Quietly have someone from the Huo family send a message, and let Qiukui investigate the Lin household to find out who Lin Shuangjian really is.”

Iris nodded and immediately set about the task.

Though she now had the Huo family’s aid, the palace was still filled with the emperor’s spies; she had to devise a way to eliminate them all at once.

Xiao Xuanyu had been busy with affairs of state and had retired early to Ganlu Hall. Late into the night, Guangyang Palace was noisy and chaotic.

Pei Yueshu was awakened, her stomach churning violently, and she vomited beside her bed for a long time.

“Your Highness, surely you’re not—” Nurse Du was both shocked and elated.

She feared Pei Yueshu might hate the emperor and, in turn, the child; but she rejoiced that the young lady was pregnant, securing her future.

Iris held the basin, wanting to speak but bit her tongue.

After a long while, Pei Yueshu’s vomiting subsided. Hearing the commotion, several second-rank palace maids asked if they should fetch the imperial physician.

Pei Yueshu knew this news would soon reach the emperor. Indeed, it was time the emperor learned of her pregnancy.

With Consort Huo above and Lin lady below, at least until this child was safely delivered, the Empress and Noble Consort would have no opportunity to strike at her.

Suddenly, a messenger hurriedly arrived with news.

“Your Highness, Consort Huo has suffered a miscarriage! His Majesty and the Empress Dowager have both gone to Shangyang Palace.”

So soon? Pei Yueshu rinsed her mouth and slowly wiped the corners of her lips.

The emperor’s visit was one thing, but why the Empress Dowager as well? A sense of foreboding crept over her.

“Imperial Consort Chen, by order of the Empress Dowager, I have come to escort Your Highness to Shangyang Palace,” Zhang Shunlai bowed solemnly outside.

Given it was the Empress Dowager’s command and an attendant close to the emperor was sent, Pei Yueshu had no choice but to go.

Suppressing her nausea, she rose to dress.

After all, with the child in her womb, no matter what happened today, she would remain unharmed.

Half an hour later, Pei Yueshu arrived at Shangyang Palace by sedan chair. Upon entering, she immediately heard Consort Huo’s wailing, heart-wrenching and desperate.

“My child! He was less than four months old... Your Majesty, you must avenge him...”

Pei Yueshu stepped inside. In the main hall sat the ever-graceful Empress Dowager at the head seat, with Empress Ji subordinated beside her. Both regarded Pei Yueshu with inscrutable expressions.

After Pei Yueshu finished her formal greetings, the emperor soon emerged from Consort Huo’s chamber, his face cold.

Having just lost a child and seeing Pei Yueshu standing there in plain clothes and pale complexion, his heart softened, and someone pulled a chair over for her.

“Indeed a beauty; no wonder the emperor dotes on you so, ignoring even me and the empress,” the Empress Dowager said coldly, casting Pei Yueshu a sharp glance.

Pei Yueshu sat upright, refusing to respond.

No wonder Empress Ji had been unusually quiet these days—she had long planned to use the Empress Dowager’s hand to pin Consort Huo’s miscarriage on Pei Yueshu. Otherwise, she would not have summoned her tonight.

“Mother, this was my wish. Imperial Consort Chen’s health is poor; I allowed her to rest quietly in Jingyang Palace,” Xiao Xuanyu said impatiently.

If the Empress Dowager had not ingratiated herself with the Ji family early on, she wouldn’t hold the position of Empress Dowager now.

Moreover, Xiao Xuanyu had already informed the Empress Dowager about Pei Yueshu’s situation and naturally granted favors to the Wei family. Now, trouble stirred again only because the Ji family offered her greater benefits.

Though anger churned within, Xiao Xuanyu feigned ignorance.

The Empress Dowager was both angry and helpless. “Xuanyu, don’t be fooled by this seductive woman. Do you know what she’s done?”

“What has she done?” Xiao Xuanyu raised his eyes to the Empress Dowager.

The palace maids and eunuchs in Jingyang Palace were all his men; he knew exactly what Pei Yueshu did each day.

In fact, since entering the palace, she had only stepped out twice in total—what could she have done?

“Bring in Zhenzhu!”

Xiao Xuanyu’s expression faltered. Zhenzhu was one of the people he had placed close to Pei Yueshu.

“Mercy, Your Majesty, mercy! Imperial Consort Chen, please save me! I only did as you instructed, tampering with Consort Huo’s pregnancy medicine. You must save me!”

Originally held by two eunuchs, Zhenzhu suddenly broke free with unknown strength, crawling to Pei Yueshu’s feet in desperation. If not for Nurse Du and Iris protecting Pei Yueshu, this traitorous wretch might have harmed her.

Xiao Xuanyu was too furious to speak.

Zhenzhu’s betrayal was not of Pei Yueshu but of him, the supreme ruler.

“Mother, could there be some misunderstanding? How could a mere palace maid have the power to tamper with Consort Huo’s pregnancy medicine?” Empress Ji covered her mouth with a handkerchief, feigning innocence.

“The empress is too kind. Let her confess herself!” The Empress Dowager gave a look to a fearsome-looking old eunuch nearby.

As soon as Elder Eunuch Zhang stepped before Zhenzhu, she trembled in terror and immediately confessed everything.

“It was Imperial Physician Chen Yinsheng. I violated palace rules and had a private relationship with him. Imperial Consort Chen discovered us and threatened me, ordering Chen to tamper with Consort Huo’s pregnancy medicine. If Your Majesty and Empress Dowager do not believe me, you may test today’s medicine. It requires a month’s consumption to take effect and causes no detectable abnormalities even in miscarriage, only weakening the mother.”

“Poor Empress Dowager, so much effort to uncover such a hidden scheme,” Xiao Xuanyu sneered.

He knew whether or not Consort Chen was truly responsible was irrelevant. The key was that, with Zhenzhu’s confession, officials could openly petition at court tomorrow for Consort Chen’s execution.

“I have served in the harem for thirty years and have seen every kind of secret. Chen Yinsheng, knowing his guilt, confessed to me before taking his own life. Now, Emperor, how do you intend to punish the Pei woman who harmed the imperial heir?”