When Ahao found Lingxiao, she was squatting in the courtyard of the Imperial Hospital, picking at the withered grass on the ground. Ahao thought she was just bored, but when she looked up, Ahao realized that she was clearly very depressed.
"Aunt Song?"
Ling Xiao, who was still clutching at the withered grass, sensed someone approaching. She looked up and saw Song Shuhao, and was slightly surprised. She then put down the thing that had been ruined all day, stood up, clapped her hands, and invited Shuhao to come inside and sit down.
The Imperial Medical Academy was solemn and luxurious, with each palace and hall having its own medicine-decocting room. Therefore, there was no smell of medicine being decocted here, nor was there a strong aroma of herbs.
Ling Xiao was still young, and compared to others, she was inevitably less experienced. To avoid suspicion, Imperial Physician Zhou usually didn't take good care of her. However, Ling Xiao had been appreciated by the Empress Dowager, received rewards from the Emperor, and had been responsible for taking the pulses of Empress Shen and Consort Xie, so there was something different about her.
Being in the limelight wasn't always a good thing. While some of the senior physicians appreciated her, most looked down on her. Ling Xiao's days in the Imperial Hospital weren't exactly hellish, but they weren't easy either. Seeing her sullen, A-Hao thought she had been bullied or something, and asked, but Ling Xiao only shook her head.
That Prince Ning is truly despicable. Every possible way to get rid of him has failed; instead, he's become even more emboldened. It's infuriating just thinking about it. Ling Xiao, recalling those unpleasant events, didn't have a chance to discuss them with Song Shuhao.
"Is it because of the Empress's illness?" Ah Hao knew that Ling Xiao had volunteered to treat Empress Shen. The Empress's condition hadn't been very good lately, so it was understandable that Ling Xiao was worried about this.
When Ah Hao mentioned Shen Wanru, Ling Xiao didn't think of it that way. A strange glint flashed in his eyes for a moment, then disappeared quickly, catching everyone off guard. She still shook her head, forcing a smile, and said, "No, I'm fine. Aunt Song doesn't need to worry about it. But did you come to the Imperial Hospital to see me because you have something to say?"
Ling Xiao was unwilling to elaborate on his feelings, and A-Hao didn't press him further. She did indeed have something to discuss with Ling Xiao, but since she didn't have much time, she spoke frankly.
"I know that Aunt Ling's medical skills are amazing. I used the plaster that she made herself before and the effect was excellent. I happen to have a favor to ask. I wanted to ask you if you could make a kind of powder or something that would be undetectable to people, but would leave a strange smell if they came into contact with it?"
"I don't know if it's because the end of the year is approaching, but I always feel like something is missing from my house. But I'm often not there, and other people say they've never seen anyone enter my room. I'm really worried."
Ling Xiao understood that this was just a pretext, and that seeking her help through another route was a sign of her trust. Regardless of the reason, she would likely gain the upper hand in the end. She didn't understand much about palace intrigue, but… Ling Xiao thought about it and realized that helping Song Shuhao wouldn't be without her benefits, so making a decision wasn't difficult.
"If it's something like what Auntie is talking about, it's probably not easy to get. But if it's something like different spices mixed together that might produce a strange or special flavor, then that's something to look forward to."
Ah Hao knew her request was strange, but Ling Xiao's response at least meant he was willing to help her, which aligned with her expectations. Ling Xiao specifically mentioned spices, suggesting he thought they could work on that. Ah Hao thought for a moment, then said, "But I don't know who used them or what kind of fragrance they were."
Everything in the palace is regulated, including spices. Ah Hao's statement is actually unreasonable. It's not difficult to deduce what spices the culprit would use. Unsure of Ah Hao's meaning, Ling Xiao simply said, "If we don't know anything, then it will be difficult."
Upon hearing this, Ah Hao simply nodded and fell silent.
·
Two intermittent snowfalls occurred the night before, but the day of November 15th did not clear up; the gloomy sky brought a sense of melancholy and oppression. The cold wind blew relentlessly, making the bare trees tremble.
Despite the inclement weather, Consort Shu came to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Feng as usual, leading a group of concubines. Empress Shen and Consort De were not advised to go out, as was Consort Xie. Next were Consort Ye, Consort Gu, Consort Su, and others, all of whom accompanied Feng Hui to Changning Palace this time.
In the past, the concubines would come to Changning Palace to pay their respects as usual. Now that Feng Hui had gained power to help Empress Shen, Empress Dowager Feng supported her even more. Even though she wasn't in a good mood and didn't really want to see anyone, she still met with them all.
The main hall of Changning Palace was bustling with activity, filled with many people. Empress Dowager Feng remained at the head of the table, sipping hot tea and chatting idly with Consort Shu and others. Consort Shu shared some amusing anecdotes to cheer Empress Dowager Feng up, and the atmosphere in the hall remained harmonious.
Princess Zhang Xin rushed in. Seeing that there were many people around, she consciously composed herself and greeted Empress Dowager Feng with a smile, saying, "Mother, the little puppy has accidentally run away. A palace servant said he saw him enter Changning Palace. I would like to have someone look for him."
Since the last time the matter of the governesses and the imperial consort was mentioned, Empress Dowager Feng kept her word and selected two new governesses to be sent to Yongle Palace. Zhang Xin had not come to Changning Palace for the past few days. Although Zhang Xin only appeared this time because she had something to do, Empress Dowager Feng did not make things difficult for her because she was well-behaved. She said kindly, "Then let someone go and look for her."
Zhang Xin quickly thanked her and wanted to go with her to check on the situation, but Empress Dowager Feng, knowing the weather wasn't good, didn't want her to go. "It'll be the same if you go; you won't be of much help. Besides, it's terribly cold outside. You should just wait here."
Empress Dowager Feng beckoned Zhang Xin to her side, held her hand, and found it very cold. She quickly ordered someone to bring a hand warmer. Seeing her frown, Zhang Xin, not daring to displease her, obediently sat down beside Empress Dowager Feng, anxious but forced to wait.
Zhang Xin's puppy suddenly went missing, and Xue Liangyue was not on duty today... Song Shuhao thought about the previous quarrel between the Empress Dowager and the little princess, and Xue Liangyue volunteered to persuade Zhang Xin, so she went to Yongle Palace every day recently.
Connecting this to Empress Shen's earlier warning, that note suddenly felt somewhat terrifying. Such foresight meant that no matter how cunning someone was, they couldn't harm her. Ah Hao couldn't help but sigh inwardly, quietly retreating from the palace to find Xiao Douzi, asking him to check the situation and, if anything seemed amiss, to inform him beforehand.
Zhang Xin sat in the hall for half a day without any news. Worried that something might have happened to the puppy, she was almost impatient, but she still had to put on a smile for Empress Dowager Feng, not daring to reveal her true feelings. None of the others were as concerned about the puppy's condition as she was.
During this time, Ah Hao went out again and returned to the hall. Not long after, there was a sudden commotion outside the hall. Zhang Xin peeked out and saw the little dog she had been longing for.
Empress Dowager Feng, too, noticed the situation outside and frowned, asking, "What happened?" Before she could send someone to check, Xue Liangyue entered first. She seemed to have arrived in haste and had been frightened earlier; her expression was strange, and after bowing, she spoke haltingly. Despite her difficulty, she finally managed to get the words out.
"The little princess's puppy ran into my courtyard and was chased into Aunt Song's room. I was resting when I heard the noise and thought something serious had happened, so I got up to see what was going on, and then..." He trailed off.
Only Zhang Xin was completely confused, not understanding what was wrong with her puppy. She wanted to ask more, but seeing everyone looking thoughtful, she felt even more puzzled.
Before Xue Liangyue could finish speaking, seemingly mindful of the presence of Consort Shu and the others, Empress Dowager Feng interjected, "It's alright, just speak frankly. Since everyone's here, there's no need for self-reflection or argument."
Responding to Empress Dowager Feng's words, Xue Liangyue continued, "The little palace maid brought Princess Song's puppy out of Aunt Song's room, but the puppy had something in its mouth."
Empress Dowager Feng looked up and saw that the item had been placed on a black lacquered wooden tray and brought to her by a palace servant. Everyone stared intently at it, and when they saw what it was, they gasped in surprise. A couple of them couldn't contain their emotions and cried out in astonishment.
Hearing that the puppy was alright, Zhang Xin calmed down a bit and curiously looked at the things placed on the tray. After realizing what had happened, a look of surprise and disbelief appeared on her face. She glanced at Song Shuhao, but simply couldn't believe it was true.
It was a small rag doll with someone's birth date and time written on it, and several silver needles stuck in it. You could also see many needle marks on the doll's body. Witchcraft... a major taboo in the imperial harem.
What Zhang Xin found utterly unbelievable was that this dynasty had always been most wary of anyone engaging in supernatural or ghostly practices within the imperial harem. Not to mention such things, even the slightest hint of it would lead to arrest and interrogation. Could A-Hao do such things? She thought no, so someone must be framing her… but her little dog had suddenly disappeared…
The moment Empress Dowager Feng recognized the contents of the tray, her surprise was tempered with anger. Her brow furrowed as she stared at the object, and she asked in a deep voice, "What is this?"
Xue Liangyue seemed trembling as she said, "This servant...this servant doesn't know either..."
Empress Dowager Feng seemed to finally remember that this had happened in Song Shuhao's room, and turned to look at her. At that moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Song Shuhao as she walked into the hall and knelt down.
Consort Shu seemed to still be studying the rag doll, until Song Shuhao knelt down and hesitantly murmured, "Could this be... Her Majesty the Empress's birthday...?"
Even though it wasn't stated definitively, just that one sentence was enough to instantly remind everyone of the fact that Empress Shen's health was deteriorating. Thus, the main hall of Changning Palace erupted in chaos because of what was before them and Feng Hui's words.
Chapter 51 Unexpected
Ah Hao knelt upright in the main hall, with Xue Liangyue beside her and Empress Dowager Feng facing her. The concubines and empresses whispered among themselves not far away, and their commotion became clearer.
On the day Empress Shen vomited blood, Hongling secretly slipped her a note in Fengyang Palace, which contained the words "witchcraft." Xiaodouzi said that palace servants chased her into the courtyard where she and Xue Liangyue lived, and the subsequent events are easily deduced.
While it's unimaginable how Empress Shen could have foreseen such a crucial point, one can't help but think she was far too ruthless to herself. If one believes in gods, Buddhas, ghosts, or monsters, one would certainly be most wary of witchcraft and sorcery, regardless of whether it can actually work, it is extremely easy to create panic.
There are many ways to frame someone, but this particular method was chosen precisely because Empress Shen had instructed her to make things difficult for both of them. If they succeed this time, the Empress Dowager might abandon her, and His Majesty the Emperor would likely be powerless to help in such a situation. No matter how much he wanted to protect her… he couldn't protect those who plotted against the Empress.
Regardless of the true nature of her relationship with Empress Shen, once this frame-up was successful, the open conflict was already established. There had been many rumors circulating in the palace that she was seducing the Emperor, which would come in handy now. By accusing her of coveting the Empress's position and plotting against her, she could easily gain credibility; rumors spread like wildfire, and some people would believe them.