The dawn had barely touched the ground of Forbidden City with its pale light when a sudden commotion shattered the early morning calm. From deep within the halls of Yanxi Palace, cries of alarm echoing from a distance, sending shockwaves through the courtyards and corridors.
Noble Consort Ling sat bolt upright in her bed, her heart pounding as her maid, Xiu'er, burst into the room, her face pale and eyes wide with terror.
"Naing Niang—Niang nia—!" Xiu'er stammered, barely able to catch her breath. "The third prince… Prince Chunxi has fallen ill. He… he cannot move."
These words struck Noble Consort Ling like a blow to the chest, knocking the air from her lungs. She felt as if the ground had slipped out from beneath her, her mind racing with disbelief and dread. Chenyi, her beloved son, the hope of her lineage, lying helpless and unresponsive —a nightmare she could scarcely comprehend.
In an instant, she was out of bed, her composure shattered as she threw on a robe, her voice trembling. "How long has this been happening?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with a wild fear.
Xiu'er swallowed hard, her hands shaking as she helped Ling adjust her robe. "Since the middle of the night, niang niang, we thought it to be minor cold from the weather but… but I fear it's more than an illness niang niang."
Noble Consort Ling's heart twisted painfully as she raced to her son's quarters. By the time she arrived, she found the young prince lying motionless, his once lively eyes shut, his face pale and expression slack. She knelt by his bedside, clutching his cold, limp hand, her face streaked with tears she didn't bother to wipe away. "Xiu'er..go notify the Emperor, quick!!!"...She commanded with fear and concern edging her voice.
A moment later, the Emperor entered, his expression shadowed. "How could this happen?" he demanded, his voice a mix of anger and concern as he glanced from his son to Noble Consort Ling. "What did he eat, what did he drink?"
Ling shook her head, at a loss. "He was perfectly fine yesterday…" She looked up, her eyes pleading. "How could this happen overnight?"
"Summon the imperial physician," the Emperor ordered sharply. His tone brooked no delay, and within minutes, physician Zhang arrived, bowing as he took in the tense atmosphere.
He worked in silence, examining Chenyi with care, his brow furrowing deeply. The air grew thick, every second stretching painfully as Noble Consort Ling held her breath, watching the physician's every move, every flicker of expression.
Finally, he straightened, his face somber as he turned facing the audience. "Huangsha , Guifei naing niang… I regret to inform you that the third prince has been poisoned."
A gasp escaped from Ling's lips, and the Emperor's hand clenched into a fist. "Poisoned?" he repeated, his voice laced with barely suppressed fury. "Who would dare?"
The weight of the revelation hung heavy in the room. Ling could hardly breathe, her mind whirling with confusion and fear. "Poison… How is this possible?"
The physician spoke with care, his voice steady. "Based on my examination, it seems the poison was ingested within the past twelve hours. Perhaps in his food or drink."
The Emperor's eyes flashed with anger as he turned to Ling's maid. "Summon every maid and attendant who has been near the prince. I want answers, and I want them now."
Within moments, the chamber was filled with every maid and momo who had attended to the third prince in the last day. They lined up nervously, their heads bowed, each trembling under the Emperor's fierce gaze. Question after question was thrown their way, and yet, one by one, they all denied any involvement, each professing their innocence. No one dared even raise their eyes to meet those of the emperor.
And then...just in the tense silence, Xiu'er stepped forward, hesitating.
Ling noticed her maid's hesitance, the slight tremor in her voice as she began. "niang niang… There was a small gift sent yesterday afternoon," Xiu'er said slowly, as if piecing together her own memories. "A tray of cookies, delivered to Yanxi palace."
Ling's face registered a flicker of hope and horror simultaneously. "Cookies? Who sent them?"
Xiu'er swallowed, her gaze flicking briefly to the Emperor before she spoke. "They were sent… from Chengqian Palace."
Ling's eyes widened, disbelief spreading across her face, while the Emperor's gaze darkened. He looked like a storm ready to break.
"Chengqian Palace!?…" Ling repeated in shock. "Summon Consort Xian at once."The emperor commanded, his voice dangerously low.
As the order left his lips, messengers darted out of the palace, and within minutes,the shocking news started spreading. Whispers began echoing through the palaces, reaching each concubine in turn. The news of the prince's sudden illness..and the fact that Consort Xian was somehow implicated,spread like wildfire, igniting curiosity and speculation among the other concubines.
In Jingyang Palace, Concubine Hua listened intently as a maid breathlessly relayed the news. Her lips subconsciously curved into a sly smile, amusement sparking in her eyes. "Poisoned?" she echoed softly, savoring the word. "How unfortunate… so Consort Xian is finally under scrutiny, let us see how long her mask of innocence lasts." She straightened, smoothing her robes, a gleam of malice hidden behind her composure. "Prepare my things. It would be unseemly not to pay my respects in this hour of crisis."
In Luyang Palace, Concubine Jia sat in quiet contemplation, her delicate fingers resting on the edge of her teacup as she processed the information. Her mind buzzed with the implications..how this accusation could shift alliances, how the Emperor's fury might impact each faction within the harem. "This will certainly stir the waters," she murmured to herself, her eyes sharp with calculating intent. She rose from her seat, a decision forming. "Let us not be absent at Yanxi Palace. Gather my things Lixin."
In Luyang Palace at Consort Shu wing, however, Consort Shu's reaction was more complex. The shock registered clearly on her face, but not for reasons of pity or compassion. Instead, a flicker of frustration crossed her features. Her carefully seeded plan to erode Consort Xian's standing by stirring jealousy in Wanying—suddenly seemed at risk of spiraling out of control. Poison was no small matter, and if Consort Xian was implicated in an attempt on the third prince's life, it could alter her plans altogether.
A sharp, impatient breath escaped her. She steadied herself, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of her chair. "If this poisoning truly came from Chengqian Palace…" she muttered under her breath, "…then Wanying's jealousy is nothing but a shallow side-show to the Emperor's fury." She turned to her maid, Cai. "Prepare my robes. We'll go to Yanxi Palace at once."
Cai hesitated, sensing the tension in her mistress's tone. "Niang Niang… is this not what you wished for?"
"Not like this, fool...what do you know?," Consort Shu snapped, her voice low but heated. "A fallen Consort Xian is only useful if I control the fall. This… this poisoning will do me no favors if the Emperor takes it as treason. Now move quickly."
A thin smile stretched across her face as she donned her most somber robe, knowing she must appear concerned, even distraught, at the potential crisis. Inside, however, a calculated spark remained. She would go, she would observe, and she would watch closely—both to see the drama unfold and to assess how she might adapt her scheme to this dangerous new twist.