A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 281: Chapter 280: The Death of Lady Xi 2

Granting death to a woman who deserves it is only natural and just. There’s nothing to agonize over.

But it was different for the Empress. As she looked at the evidence laid out before her, her heart nearly leaped out of her throat. ”This consort had no idea that there could be such malicious schemes within the Harem!”

She had heard the Imperial Physician speak of the toxicity of poppies before. Once affected, death was certain. Moreover, one would die without dignity, withered and hollow-eyed, no longer resembling a human.

”Honored Lady Lan was quite obedient; who would have expected her to lose her life in such a way!”

Sister Ji saw that the Empress was frightened and hurriedly stepped forward to comfort her. ”Empress, the women of the palace are capable of anything! This incident happened so suddenly; no one could have anticipated it!”

The Empress patted her chest, trying to calm her shock. ”Even so, it’s still negligence on this consort’s part!” After saying that and thinking for a moment, she still expressed her unease. ”During the evening meal, I shall go to Zhaochen Palace. This consort must plead guilty to the Emperor!”

Sister Ji thought about it and did not stop her. After all, it was always a good thing for the Empress to see the Emperor!

Indeed, before night fell, the Empress sought an audience outside the Imperial Study Room. Zhao Junyao had just finished reviewing documents and was planning to visit Qingqing. But then the Empress arrived. He frowned slightly. ”Let her enter.”

”Yes, Emperor!” responded Li Shengan, bowing his head and quickly going out to summon her.

The Empress had forsaken her usual red Phoenix Robe for a blue one embroidered with subtle patterns, making her look much more demure. Zhao Junyao didn’t pay it much attention and, without even lifting his head, asked, ”Empress, do you have a matter to discuss at this hour?”

Emperor, with such a significant incident occurring in the Harem, do you truly have no recollection of it at all? the Empress thought, her heart somewhat in turmoil.

Zhao Junyao conveyed his thoughts: Hmm? Is it that serious? Isn’t it just the death of someone who deserved to die? As long as Qingqing is safe, nothing else constitutes a serious matter.

Ahem! The Empress began respectfully, her head lowered, ”Emperor, such an incident occurring within the Harem is due to this consort’s negligence! This consort... has come to plead guilty!” With those words, she knelt down.

Zhao Junyao looked at her, and after a long pause, finally spoke. ”The incident was sudden; it’s not entirely your fault!”

The Empress felt the tension in her heart loosen, and then she began to wipe away tears. ”Lady Xi’s death was decreed by the Emperor, and this consort dares not interfere! As for Honored Lady Lan, this consort believes it would be better to grant her some dignity. How does the Emperor feel about this suggestion?” As she spoke, her eyes reddened. Without granting some dignity, how can one’s magnanimity be displayed? The Empress, who so cherished her reputation, would not pass up this opportunity!

Zhao Junyao’s gaze flickered. ”Honored Lady Lan?” Frankly, with so many women in the palace, it was hard for him to remember them all. He knew one had succumbed to poppy poison, a self-inflicted end, but he couldn’t quite place her; he didn’t know who she was specifically.

The Empress nodded and squeezed out a few more tears. ”Emperor, Honored Lady Lan was honest and kind-hearted. It is tragic that she was killed like this! In the end, it is all this consort’s fault!” The Empress began to cry insincerely again.

Zhao Junyao suddenly became very impatient. A wife crying for a concubine? It’s like a cat mourning a rat. I’m not a fool, honestly! With that in mind, he waved his hand dismissively. ”Let the Empress take charge of matters in the Harem!”

The Empress looked up in surprise. After a moment, she finally understood, then expressed her gratitude and kowtowed. ”This consort thanks the Emperor on behalf of Honored Lady Lan!”

Zhao Junyao suddenly didn’t know what to say. The Empress’s excessive enthusiasm only served to highlight his own seemingly callous heart. But the Harem had always been like this since time immemorial. He, as the Emperor, couldn’t spend his days entangled in the Harem, preoccupied with the affairs of a group of women. What kind of Emperor would I be then! So, he felt a touch annoyed. ”If the Empress has nothing else, she may leave.”

The Empress was a bit confused. Was I not virtuous and kind enough? Why did the Emperor still seem somewhat displeased? Dismissed, the Empress couldn’t figure it out on her way back.

Sister Ji said, ”The Emperor is busy with state affairs; it’s natural that he might be a bit impatient! Moreover, managing the matters of the Harem is indeed your responsibility, Your Majesty!”

Finally, the Empress calmed her heart. ”Forget it! This consort is tired. We’ll discuss it tomorrow. Serve the meal!”

Sister Ji busily acknowledged with a ”Yes.”

Jiaofang Hall finally quieted down. Elsewhere in the Harem, however, it was still in an uproar.

Honored Lady Lan is dead; Lady Xi poisoned her! Lady Xi intended to use Honored Lady Lan to harm others! These rumors spread through every corner of the Harem in less than an afternoon. Everyone was first shocked, then sighed in disbelief.

”To think such an innocent-looking person could do such a thing!”

”Exactly! She was so good at pretending!”

”It’s fortunate the Emperor executed her; keeping such creatures in the Harem is truly a disaster!”

”Indeed, if she was seeking death, the Emperor would naturally not be lenient!”

That statement was true. Zhao Junyao never went easy on women in the Harem who courted death. So, the women who had been in the palace longer were the more obedient ones. Only by being obedient could one live well. Disobedient? The Emperor would either ignore you, letting you continue your antics, or he would ensure you could never recover your standing. Honored Lady Hu in the Cold Palace, the executed Lady Xi—which of them could ever recover their standing?

The more everyone thought about it, the colder the sweat on their backs became.

Xia Ruqing felt goosebumps just thinking about it. The Emperor may seem indifferent to Harem affairs, but he handles things with such practiced ease; he is no ordinary man! Worthy of being the Emperor, his methods are truly formidable! Probably for a long time to come, no one will dare to cause any further disturbances in the palace! That could be a good thing! My child will be safe enough! Right?

Zi Yue smiled. ”Exactly!”

Xia Ruqing yawned. ”Forget it, I won’t think about it anymore. I’m sleepy!”

Zi Yue then hurriedly went about preparing the bed, helping her mistress lie down.

「Xifu Palace」

Noble Concubine Shih was extremely shocked when she heard the news. The more she thought about it, the more something seemed off. I was poisoned before, a trip to death’s door, and wasn’t it Lady Xi who made the incense? Could it be that I’ve wronged Consort Yun Pin? Noble Concubine Shih felt more and more confused the more she thought. ”Ying Yue, what do you think?”

Ying Yue thought for a moment and then responded, ”This servant also believes that it’s very likely Lady Xi who did it! Consort Yun Pin has been by your side for many years; when has she ever had such thoughts? Ever since Lady Xi got close...”

Noble Concubine Shih’s gaze suddenly became sharp. Oh, Lady Xi, what a woman! I knew it! Just a lowly Consort Yun Pin—her father relies on my own father for support outside the palace—how could she dare! It turns out I was only watching Lady Xia, that vixen, but I overlooked Lady Xi, that venomous snake!

Ying Yue kept her head down, not daring to speak. After a while, Noble Concubine Shih commanded, ”Go to the storeroom, pick out some nice things, and send them to Consort Yun Pin!”

”Ah?” Ying Yue was surprised. ”Just sending things?”

After thinking for a while longer, Noble Concubine Shih impatiently said, ”Take a message to her. Tell her I’ve wronged her!”

Ying Yue curtsied. ”Yes, Your Grace!”

「As the night deepened」

The Harem sank into slumber. No matter whether favored or not, everyone was relatively peaceful.

「And at the Punishment Department?」

Rats scurried around Lady Xi, one after another. She was so frightened she almost wished she could climb up the walls. ”Someone... someone...”