Chapter 100: The Culprit Behind the Miscarriage

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Upon hearing the eunuch’s message, Chu Jinyao’s mood sank deeply. She immediately stood up and instructed Linglong and the others to help her change clothes.

 

The news of Consort Lian’s miscarriage quickly spread throughout the imperial palace. By the time Chu Jinyao arrived at Consort Lian’s quarters, many people were already gathered in the courtyard.

 

The Empress was already present, sitting in the main hall on a cushioned chair, her face solemn as she instructed the imperial physicians, “This child of Consort Lian was not easy to conceive. Both the Emperor and I place great importance on this. No matter what, you must save the imperial heir. If anything happens to the child, I will not forgive you!”

 

The imperial physicians, drenched in sweat, nodded repeatedly. However, human effort had its limits. No matter how skilled a physician, they could not bring the dead back to life. The atmosphere in the courtyard was heavy, and no one dared to speak at this moment. Chu Jinyao felt a weight in her heart as she quietly walked into the central hall and greeted the Empress, “Your Majesty.”

 

The Empress glanced at Chu Jinyao coldly, “The Crown Princess is here too.”

 

Chu Jinyao nodded and stood to the side. As she settled in, Zhao Lanhui and a few other consorts stepped forward to greet Chu Jinyao, “Greetings to the Crown Princess.”

 

At times like this, no one had the heart to focus on these formalities. Chu Jinyao simply nodded and allowed Zhao Lanhui and the others to rise. Then she asked, “How is Consort Lian?”

 

The Empress remained silent, her face dark. The most senior and highest-ranking Noble Consort Shu answered, “The imperial physicians were all summoned, and they are currently inside treating her. We’ll have to wait for their report to know the specifics.”

 

“How did Consort Lian suddenly miscarry?” Chu Jinyao asked, “Just a few days ago, when I met her in the garden, she looked healthy, and her pregnancy seemed stable. There were no signs of a miscarriage.”

 

No one could answer this. Noble Consort Shu, looking distressed, agreed, as if she was deeply saddened by Consort Lian’s unexpected misfortune. The other high-ranking consorts chimed in, expressing sorrow and concern, each trying to appear as compassionate as possible. Off to the side, Noble Consort Li, unnoticed by the others, discreetly lowered her head and smiled.

 

Although these consorts appeared heartbroken, in reality, they were overjoyed. The imperial harem never tolerated anyone standing out. With so many consorts unable to bear children, how could Consort Lian, a mere palace maid, have the right?

 

The Empress, noticing the superficial concern, finally snapped, her face stern as she scolded, “Enough! If you truly care about Consort Lian, you can go and comfort her later. For now, don’t delay the physicians from their work.”

 

“Yes,” the consorts answered, lowering their heads. Chu Jinyao stopped asking questions, shifting her gaze to the hanging curtains of the inner chamber.

 

Fate was truly unpredictable. Just a moment ago, Chu Jinyao had been joyfully sewing baby clothes for Chu Jinxian’s newborn, and now she was confronted with the loss of another life. There was an old saying: “A seven-month pregnancy survives, but an eight-month one does not.” Consort Lian was now eight months pregnant.

 

Chu Jinyao felt a deep sense of sorrow. Though she didn’t know Consort Lian well, as a fellow woman, she couldn’t help but wish for her to have a safe delivery. When she had last seen Consort Lian in the garden, the consort had looked anxious and cautious, but when she spoke of the child in her womb, her expression softened, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips. They had even talked about Chu Jinxian, and now, less than half a month later, Chu Jinxian had safely given birth to a baby boy, while Consort Lian lay inside, her fate uncertain.

 

The atmosphere in the palace was heavy when suddenly the curtain to the inner chamber moved, and an imperial physician stepped out. Kneeling before the Empress, his head lowered, he reported, “Your Majesty, we have failed. We were unable to save the imperial son.”

 

The women in the room gasped softly, and Noble Consort Li covered her mouth, asking, “Consort Lian was carrying a boy?”

 

“Yes. I used all my medical skills to induce early labor, but when the imperial son was born, his face was blue, and he was already dead.”

 

Chu Jinyao, hearing this, could not help but sigh deeply. The Empress murmured a Buddhist prayer and scolded the physicians briefly before saying, “It seems this child was not fated to be with the Emperor. We cannot force it. Lanyu, go and inform the Emperor of this news.”

 

Lanyu accepted the order and left. No one had dared to inform the Emperor during the initial chaos. Now that the child was confirmed dead, the Empress finally ordered someone to deliver the news. Inside the chamber, Consort Lian, hearing the maids’ report that it was a boy, fell silent for a moment before breaking out into heart-wrenching sobs. The sound of her cries reached the hall, causing everyone to lower their heads in silence.

 

The Empress sat for a while before angrily slamming the armrest of her chair. “The Emperor has very few sons, only three under his care. Now, this fourth son was nearly eight months along, and just when he was about to be born safely, this happens. Imperial physicians, tell me, how did Consort Lian miscarry?”

 

The physicians, trembling, knelt down and stammered, “Your Majesty, Consort Lian was eight months along, and her pregnancy had been stable without any signs of premature labor. This sudden miscarriage was likely caused by external forces.”

 

External forces?

 

Everyone present, being well-versed in palace matters, understood what these words implied. A miscarriage at eight months was highly unusual. Whoever had acted had intended not only to kill the child but also to harm the mother.

 

Chu Jinyao understood, but in such a setting, she remained cautious and refrained from speaking. The Empress, hearing the physician’s words, grew even more furious. She swept the cups and dishes from the table to the floor with a wave of her sleeve, the shattering of porcelain echoing sharply in the room. Chu Jinyao stood still while the maids behind her immediately knelt down, holding their breath.

 

With a dark expression, the Empress, her gaze burning with fury, declared, “To dare harm an imperial heir is an act of utter audacity. No matter who is responsible, once I find out, I will not spare them.”

 

With the Empress’s command, a search for anything suspicious began. Consort Lian, aware of the dangers to her pregnancy, had always been cautious. She had stopped using incense, brewed her own medicinal teas in her palace, and meticulously checked everything she consumed. Despite her precautions, no one could find any obvious mistakes.

 

Frustrated by the fruitless search, Chu Jinyao finally spoke up. “Your Majesty, Consort Lian just miscarried and is now weak and in need of rest. By conducting such a loud and disruptive search, we risk disturbing her recovery. Are we not making things worse?”

 

Consort Lian had just suffered a miscarriage and was likely severely weakened. The noise from the search, with people turning over items and questioning servants, would only add to her distress. Chu Jinyao had no deep ties to Consort Lian, but her own sister had just given birth. From any perspective, Chu Jinyao could not stand by and watch the Empress behave in such a way.

 

The Empress glanced at Chu Jinyao with a sarcastic smile, “I am seeking justice for the late imperial son. As his mother, I am certain Consort Lian would want to know who was responsible for her child’s death. Crown Princess, why are you suddenly so intent on stopping this investigation?”

 

“I also want to find the culprit,” Chu Jinyao replied calmly. “The child was innocent, and for someone to target him, intending to kill both Consort Lian and her baby, such a person deserves to face retribution. If we catch the culprit, it will be a relief for everyone. However, the child is already gone, and Consort Lian has lost her son. We should at least prioritize her health. If we continue like this, we may not find the culprit before we drive her into further distress.”

 

Chu Jinyao’s words carried multiple layers of meaning. The Empress’s expression shifted slightly when she heard the word “retribution,” but she quickly masked her reaction. Chu Jinyao, who had been closely observing her, caught the fleeting change and instantly became more certain—this incident had something to do with the Empress.

 

Chu Jinyao had been suspicious for a while. The Empress had been acting unusually today. Normally, she was very careful about her image and reputation, so why would she lose her temper in front of so many people, even going so far as to throw a teacup to the ground? The most likely explanation was that the Empress had another plan in motion.

 

Sure enough, not long after, a palace maid walked in with a nervous expression. The Empress immediately scolded her, “What are you skulking around for?”

 

The maid knelt down, stammering, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I did not intend to act suspiciously. It’s just that I found some footprints and a burnt lock of hair in the flower garden behind the palace.”

 

A lock of hair? Chu Jinyao frowned. Hair, being a gift from one’s parents, was considered significant and could not be handled carelessly. Moreover, burning hair held symbolic meaning.

 

The Empress ordered her servants to investigate. A eunuch returned shortly after, whispering in the Empress’s ear, “Your Majesty, we indeed found a partially burned lock of hair behind the palace. Additionally, there were a few purple flower petals scattered nearby, likely stuck to someone’s shoe and dropped accidentally.”

 

As he spoke, the eunuch presented the petals. While the others in the room couldn’t hear what the eunuch had whispered to the Empress, they could see the tray and quickly began speculating.

 

When Chu Jinyao saw the purple fragments on the tray, she frowned. The Empress, after listening to the eunuch, scanned the room with a sharp gaze before announcing, “This miscarriage is highly suspicious. With burnt hair found in the rear garden, I will not tolerate such behavior in my palace. I will thoroughly investigate this matter. Servants, go and find out where these flower petals came from.”

 

The eunuch took the order and left. The consorts, seeing the tray, started murmuring amongst themselves, piecing together what they could. Zhao Lanhui glanced at Chu Jinyao without saying anything, but Chu Jinyao noticed and pretending not to, she remained calm and dignified.

 

Eventually, the servants reported back, “These purple flowers, called zicui, are rare and difficult to cultivate. They only grow in the Imperial Palace’s Huangji Hall and Chengqian Palace. Additionally, they are found in the gardens of Qide Palace.”

 

Zicui flowers were restricted in their cultivation. Huangji Hall and Chengqian Palace were places where the Emperor held court and resided, while Qide Palace was where Chu Jinyao and Qin Yi lived.

 

Chu Jinyao realized now that this scheme was directed at her. The consorts and concubines began to discreetly or openly glance at her, while the Empress took a sip of tea and asked, “Crown Princess, do you have anything to say?”

 

Chu Jinyao, unwavering and even smiling slightly, replied gracefully to the Empress, “Your Majesty, I’m afraid I don’t understand your meaning.”

 

“There are only a few places where these flowers grow. Huangji Hall and Chengqian Palace belong to the Emperor, so there can be no mistake there. The other place is Qide Palace.”

 

“Yes, I’m aware,” Chu Jinyao answered with a smile. “And so?”

 

The Empress, tired of the pretense, dropped her facade and coldly said, “They say that the innocent need not fear. I believe in your integrity, Crown Princess, so I will not tolerate anyone using trickery to tarnish your reputation. Since Consort Lian needs rest, let’s not disturb her further. I will personally visit Qide Palace and investigate these flower petals.”

 

Chu Jinyao smiled and agreed. Since the Empress was heading to the East Palace, no other consort dared leave, so a large group followed her to Qide Palace.

 

Throughout the journey, the Empress subtly ensured that Chu Jinyao couldn’t send anyone ahead to warn her household. Once they reached Qide Palace, the Empress ignored the kneeling servants and went straight to the flower garden.

 

“Look here, Your Majesty!” a servant exclaimed.

 

The Empress nodded. “It’s exactly the same. These petals match the ones found earlier.” She then turned to Chu Jinyao, “Crown Princess, I know you enjoy gardening, but the life of an imperial prince is more important than flowers. I trust you won’t object if I order an inspection of these plants?”

 

“Do as you please,” Chu Jinyao replied, finding the Empress’s pretense laughable. At this point, there was no need for such empty gestures.

 

The Empress smirked and gave the order, “Dig them up.”

 

The well-maintained garden was soon uprooted into disarray. Linglong seethed with anger, but Chu Jinyao remained calm, not reacting at all.

 

Suddenly, a eunuch let out a startled cry as he bent down, pulling a wooden box from the soil. “Your Majesty, there’s something buried here!”

 

Gasps of shock filled the air as the Empress, her eyes filled with suspicion, stared at the box before turning her gaze to Chu Jinyao. “Crown Princess, what is the meaning of this?”