Even, as the storm of rumors and reactions continued to swell, Consort Xian remained in blissful ignorance. She was sipping her morning tea in her chambers, a serene look on her face as she observed the gentle sway of the garden outside her window.
It wasn't until Wanying, appeared with a solemn expression that the first note of alarm pierced her calm.
"Niang Niang ," Wanying began, her voice wavering. "The head eunuch from Yanxi Palace is here… He says the Emperor has summoned you to appear before him."
Consort Xian set her teacup down carefully, her brow furrowing. "The Emperor? This early?"
"Yes, Niang naing," Wanying replied, her eyes reflecting a hint of unease. "He has requested your immediate presence."
A shiver ran through her, but Consort Xian maintained her composure, nodding as she rose. "Very well. Prepare my robes; I will see what is so pressing."
As she made her way to Yanxi Palace, a subtle worry pricked at the edges of her thoughts, though she dismissed it, unwilling to assume anything amiss. She was confident in her role and her relationship with the Emperor; surely, whatever matter had brought about this urgent summons would be easily clarified.
...
Soon, one by one, the most influential concubines began to arrive at Yanxi Palace. Noble Consort Ling's quiet presence only amplified the sorrowful aura of the room, and each step the concubines took seemed weighed down by the tension of the situation. They kept their expressions carefully composed, concealing the range of thoughts racing through their minds.
At the center of it all, the Emperor sat with an unyielding expression, his gaze fixed on the entrance. As each concubine bowed in greeting, he acknowledged them only with the slightest nod, his attention unwavering from the matter at hand.
Noble Consort Ling, Sitting beside him, barely acknowledged the other concubines, her hand clutching a handkerchief as she struggled to contain her distress. Her son's fragile form haunted her thoughts, a searing reminder of the possible tragedy that nearly unfolded.
Consort Shu stepped forward, bowing deeply, her voice tinged with sympathetic concern. "Your Majesty… Noble Consort Ling… I am grieved to hear of the young prince's illness. I came as soon as I heard the news. Is there any word of his condition?"
Ling barely glanced at her, her voice brittle. "He is recovering, but… the physician has confirmed it was poison."
At this, several of the other concubines exchanged discreet glances, their interest sharpened. Concubine Jia's lips quirked slightly, while Concubine Hua raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with a quiet satisfaction. The gravity of the situation only seemed to enhance their silent competition, each concubine sensing a potential shift in the delicate balance of power.
Consort Shu, meanwhile, maintained her carefully constructed look of sympathy, though her mind raced with calculations. "Poison…" she murmured, allowing the word to linger as she gauged the reactions around her. "Truly a grave matter. Who would dare risk such a heinous act against a royal heir?"
Before Ling could respond, the head eunuch entered the hall, bowing low. "Your Majesty, Consort Xian has arrived."
A hush fell over the room as Consort Xian was led in, her expression composed yet faintly puzzled. She moved with grace, her head held high, though the sudden summons had left her slightly unsettled. As she reached the center of the hall, she knelt before the Emperor, bowing low.
"Your Majesty," she greeted, her voice calm. "Noble Consort Ling. I came as swiftly as I was summoned. Has something transpired?"
The Emperor's gaze was cold,as he regarded her. "Yes, Consort Xian. Something has indeed transpired. The third prince took ill last night. Poisoned, no less."
The words struck like a thunderclap, and Consort Xian's composed expression faltered, a flicker of shock crossing her face. "Poisoned… Your Majesty, this is… unthinkable. Who could have committed such a cruel act?"
The Emperor's jaw tightened. "Perhaps that is a question best posed to you, Xian fei."
Her breath caught, disbelief mingling with alarm. "To… me?" Her voice trembled slightly, her gaze darting between the Emperor and Noble Consort Ling, who watched her with a mixture of sorrow and accusation.
Ling spoke, her tone icy. "A tray of cookies was delivered to the my quarters yesterday. The prince happened to have eaten them, and shortly afterward, he fell ill. Those cookies, Consort Xian, came from your palace."
A murmur rippled through the assembled concubines, their interest piqued as they exchanged subtle glances, their gazes now fixed on Consort Xian. To them, this was a spectacle, a shift in palace power dynamics that could send tremors through every rank and alliance.
At the edge of the room, Consort Shu observed silently, her mind racing. The crisis had taken an unexpected turn, and as she watched Consort Xian plead her innocence.
It was then a new realization hit her. Consort Xian has always been meticulous and thorough in her doings , although not all righteous as she poses to be , but this was unlike her...poisoning the third prince?...in this manner?.. No, something seems off...Consort Shu thought to herself.
Then it hit her. "Wanying.. Wanying made this move"..She thought to herself.
But this was so sudden and nowhere near the plan . However, she thought to herself, since the plan was already in motion..it's best that it becomes successful.
Because if Consort Xian should fall, it would not just be a gradual descent orchestrated by jealous intrigue; but also a swift and brutal collapse, one that Xian must not recover from.
With this , Consort Shu remained silent, biding her time, yet her mind was already weaving a new thread of strategy.
Consort Xian's blood ran cold. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the hall fixed upon her, judging, accusing. "Cookies? From my palace?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, cookies. And the prince was the one to eat them," the Emperor continued, his tone unforgiving. "Do you deny sending this gift?"
Consort Xian clenched her hands tightly, struggling to maintain her composure. "I… I recall sending a small gift. But I swear, Your Majesty, it was only a gesture of kindness. I would never… harm the prince." Her voice faltered slightly as the weight of the accusation settled upon her.
"Xian fei.., are you implying this was… accidental? Or is there more to your intentions?"..Consort Shu spoke with the sole intention to stir up waters.
The words struck hard, and Consort Xian felt the full weight of the room's hostility closing in. She looked up, meeting the Emperor's gaze with a desperate honesty. "Your Majesty… I swear upon my honor I would never—"
"Save that for later..."the Emperor immediately cut in with his expression softened, but only slightly, as he turned to the chief eunuch. "Send for the guards. If Consort Xian has nothing to hide, we shall see that each and every detail is thoroughly investigated."
A chill swept through the hall as the Emperor's words settled. Consort Xian lowered her gaze, her heart heavy with dread, realizing that she was now the center of a dangerous storm—one that had the power to destroy everything she had carefully built within the Forbidden City.