The tension in Yanxi Palace was so thick that it seemed the very walls were listening. With every passing second, the air grew denser, anticipation building to an unbearable peak as the Emperor and Noble Consort Ling awaited the investigation's outcome. Consort Shu watched the scene with a carefully composed expression, her mind already calculating the consequences of the plan she had set in motion. The suggestion she made had sounded reasonable—a questioning of Consort Xian's servants would, after all, only clarify the truth. But Shu knew better. She knew precisely where this investigation would lead, and she settled back with malicious satisfaction, waiting for the moment when everything would fall apart for Consort Xian.
At last, one by one, Consort Xian's servants were brought in for questioning. Each attendant denied having any knowledge of the bottle or of anything unusual in the Chengqian palace. Their voices were quiet, respectful, some of them clearly shaken by the accusation against their mistress but unwilling to jeopardize themselves by speaking out of turn. This went on even for Ru lingyi, non of them knew anything concerning the bottle.
Lastly, Wanying was called forward. As she stepped up, her head bowed and her hands clasped tightly before her, all eyes turned to her. The room fell silent, every gaze fixed upon her. Wanying has served Consort Xian for over decades, if anyone should know anything and everything in chengqian Palace, it must be Wanying . She took a slow breath, her face a perfect mask of obedience as she looked up at the Emperor.
"Wanying," the Emperor's voice cut through the silence, commanding and stern, "you have served Consort Xian faithfully for years. Now is your chance to speak the truth. Do you know anything of this bottle?"
Wanying swallowed, casting a quick, fleeting glance at Consort Xian, who looked back at her with an expression that hovered between desperation and trust. Wanying felt a strange satisfaction twist within her, an intoxicating sense of power. She finally had Consort Xian right where she wanted her.
She turned to the Emperor.."Replying to Your Majesty," Wanying began, her voice low but steady, "I… I have seen this bottle before."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Xian's eyes widened in disbelief, her composure finally cracking as she stared at her maid in shock,holding the arms of her chair tightly for support . "No," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "Wanying, what are you saying?". Ru lingyi's expression was not different either.
Consort Shu's felt like even the heavens were on her side as she relaxed into her seat with expression hard to read.
Wanying continued, her expression sorrowful but resolute. "Several times, I noticed this bottle in my mistress's quarters. I did not think much of it at first… but on the day the cookies were prepared, I… I saw her adding something to them from this bottle." She lowered her head, her voice laced with feigned reluctance. "I did not question her, as it was not my place to do so."
The shock that followed Wanying's confession was as visible as sunrise. The hall seemed to reverberate with disbelief, faces turned toward one another as whispers of accusation and outrage spread like wildfire.
Consort Shu suppressed a triumphant smile, her hands folded delicately in her lap as she observed the effects of Wanying's words. It was exactly as she had envisioned—Consort Xian had been betrayed from within, and now all that was left was the Emperor's judgment.
Noble Consort Ling, with tears brimming in her eyes, looked to the Emperor, her voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow and relief. "Huangsha, justice must been served. Though it grieves me, it is clear that this act of betrayal cannot go unpunished."
The Emperor's face hardened as he turned to Consort Xian, who looked utterly stricken. Xian's mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out. She could only stare at Wanying, her mind reeling, trying to understand how her most trusted attendant could have turned on her so ruthlessly.
"Consort Xian," the Emperor's voice was like steel, cold and unyielding. "The evidence is clear. I cannot allow such treachery to go unpunished. As of this moment, you are stripped of your rank and privileges and shall be confined to Chengqian Palace to wait my final judgement."
Consort Xian didn't know which one was worst....the accusations, Wanying's betrayal or the Emperor's punishment. She was lost in the moment of disbelief, unable to process everything at once until Lingyi tugged at her , bringing her back to the bitter reality before before her.
"No… no, Your Majesty, please…" Xian's voice broke as she fell to her knees, her pleas echoing through the hall. "I am innocent—I swear to you, I would never harm the prince, I would never—"
Her words were lost as the guards stepped forward, prepared to carry out the Emperor's orders. Consort Shu watched in satisfaction, her gaze lingering on Wanying, who remained expressionless as Xian's cries continued in the background. Shu's plan had unfolded seamlessly, the pieces falling into place with deadly precision.
Noble Consort Ling, while relieved that justice had seemingly been served, could not hide a shadow of regret that it was Xian who had been found guilty.
Concubine Hua looked on with a smirk, clearly enjoying the spectacle, while Concubine Jia maintained a neutral expression, though there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. The Emperor, his duty fulfilled, rose from his seat, prepared to leave now that the culprit had been exposed and the prince's condition was improving.
But just as he turned, a quiet voice broke through the tense silence. "Your Majesty, if I may speak…"
Everyone turned to see Ru Lingyi stepping forward, her eyes focused intently on the green bottle still held by the eunuch. Her voice was calm, almost contemplative, but there was a glint in her gaze that none could ignore.
Lingyi inclined her head respectfully before speaking again, her tone steady and unwavering. "Your Majesty, with your permission, I would ask that the bottle be examined further before we draw final conclusions."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain yourself."
Lingyi's gaze moved from the Emperor to the bottle, her brows drawing together thoughtfully. "I only mean that the bottle looks new, quite untouched for something that was supposedly hidden in Chengqian Palace for a long time. And I cannot help but notice a peculiar scent to it."
A murmur of curiosity swept through the room as Lingyi continued, her tone carefully measured. "If this bottle had been in Consort Xian's possession as claimed, it would likely bear the scent of her chambers, which is unmistakably jasmine. But this bottle… it carries a distinct fragrance of sandalwood."
Several of the concubines exchanged startled glances, Noble Consort ling couldn't help but arise from her seat in curiosity and the Emperor looked to the eunuch holding the bottle. "Bring it here," he ordered, his tone sharp.
The eunuch approached, handing the bottle to the Emperor, who examined it closely. He held it to his nose, inhaling briefly before his eyes flicked back to Lingyi, a hint of surprise evident in his expression. "It is as you say. Sandalwood."..the emperor said .
Lingyi inclined her head, pressing on with quiet persistence. "There is only one person in Chengqian Palace who uses sandalwood.
Everyone in the room were focused on Lingyi now, as though in thirst for water after a long journey through the dry deserts.
..."Wanying". Lingyi said pointing to Wanying on the ground whose countenance was now palapabe of fear.
A gasp rippled through the room as all eyes turned toward Wanying. The young maid looked stunned, her face going pale as she struggled to maintain her composure. But the Emperor's expression had already hardened, and the shift in the air was undeniable. This discovery had cast an entirely new light on the situation.
"Wanying," the Emperor's voice was dangerously quiet. "Do you deny this?"
Wanying's mouth opened, but no words came out. Her gaze darted to Consort Shu, a silent plea for help, but Shu only watched, her face a careful mask. The betrayal had been executed, but the tables had turned in a way even she hadn't anticipated.
Noble Consort Ling seized the opportunity, her voice filled with cold satisfaction. "Your Majesty, it seems we may have been too hasty in accepting Wanying's testimony without question. If this bottle is indeed scented with sandalwood, then it is likely that Wanying herself was responsible for the poisoning, using it to implicate her mistress. But why such act?" Noble Consort ling questioned.
Wanying's face drained of color as she stammered, "N-no… Your Majesty, I… I was only following orders…"
But the Emperor's patience had worn thin, his voice like ice. "Enough. Guards, take Wanying for questioning. And as for Consort Xian…" He paused, his gaze softening just a fraction as he turned to her . "It appears you may yet have been falsely accused."
Consort Xian's face was a mixture of relief and confusion, her mind struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events. She glanced toward Lingyi, a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes, though Lingyi merely nodded, maintaining her calm composure.
The guards escorted a visibly trembling Wanying who wailed for leniency from the hall as the Emperor turned to Consort Shu, his expression unreadable. "It seems," he began, his tone laced with quiet reproach, "that you were too swift to trust certain accusations without sufficient evidence."
Shu inclined her head, masking her disappointment with a graceful bow. "Your Majesty, I only sought justice for the prince. I could not have foreseen this turn of events."
But inside, Shu's mind churned with frustration. She had played her hand too well, only for Lingyi to upend her scheme at the final moment. Wanying, her carefully placed pawn, was gone, and Consort Xian had evaded her fate.
As the Emperor departed, Consort Xian caught Lingyi's gaze, her eyes full of silent gratitude. But Lingyi merely inclined her head, aware that the court's eyes were still upon them. Today, the balance of power had shifted once more—yet in the Forbidden City, one could never grow too comfortable