Chapter 40

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"This subject greets Your Majesty; I committed a breach of etiquette before Your Majesty's presence, and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Separated by a single door, the sunlight outside the window was bright and beautiful, while the room inside was dim, cold, and silent.

Walking through the outer hall and entering the inner room, Xiao Yanchen gazed calmly at Wei Jingyi, who was half-sitting by the bedside with her head bowed low, and only after a long while did he utter a single "No harm."

Wei Jingyi did not know whether this "no harm" was said to her or to others.

But none of that matters.

Because right now, they have a more important matter to discuss.

Looking calmly at the tall, upright Xiao Yanchen, Wei Jingyi could not recall how long it had been since they had faced each other like this and properly talked things over.

*Exhale*

Viewed from another angle, this incident also counts as a good thing.

"Empress, speak; We are listening."

Without sitting down, Xiao Yanchen simply stood there, like a stalk of green bamboo — straight, upright, unbending even if broken.

Wei Jingyi took a breath, a smile on her face, and said, "If this subject cannot personally rebut a thing or two today, will Your Majesty regret coming to this subject's Fengyi Palace?"

Xiao Yanchen did not speak, merely gazing at the other with calm eyes.

"Hah"

A short, light laugh escaped her; Wei Jingyi seemed to mock, "This subject overthought it." All past events had long since become drifting clouds and smoke, yet she still extravagantly hoped an emperor could have feeling — truly laughable.

No matter how Wei Jingyi's expression changed on her side, Xiao Yanchen's specialty was absolute stillness in the face of motion — he did not move.

If not for the fingers hidden behind Xiao Yanchen's back twitching slightly, anyone looking at the current Xiao Yanchen would think this person a lifeless statue.

What deep grudge or grievance does he have with the Empress, to have grown estranged to such a degree?

After crying and laughing alternately for a good while, Wei Jingyi came to her senses once again.

Perhaps it was also because Xiao Yanchen gave her no reaction at all, letting all the various strategies she had prepared beforehand come to nothing.

Raising a hand to wipe away the tear tracks at the corners of her eyes, Wei Jingyi spoke: "This subject requested Your Majesty's presence today to report a matter.

Due to the poisoning incident at the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, countless concubines in the rear palace have fallen ill.

This subject has worried day and night, rising early and retiring late, and finally, after repeated verification, discovered the chief culprit."

As she spoke, Wei Jingyi turned and took from the pillow's side a thick stack of account registers, covered with several sheets of thin paper covered in writing.

Holding the "evidence" high, Wei Jingyi wanted to hand it to Xiao Yanchen opposite her.

Fortunately Xiao Yanchen was not truly a sculpture; seeing the Empress had already carried the play to this extent, he reached out to receive it, going along with the flow to let the Empress continue performing this grand drama.

With the object in her hand gone, Wei Jingyi let out a breath of relief and continued, "This matter implicates a vast scope; this subject also struck simultaneously from both the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Kitchen, only then managing to catch some clues.

In the end, those palace servants personally identified it — this poison shockingly originated from the Dong Palace Empress Dowager."

"This subject does not know why the Empress Dowager would strike such a vicious blow; this subject recognizes that for many years she has been diligent and conscientious, never forgetting her duty, yet now suffers this calamity — shamelessly this subject begs Your Majesty to seek justice for this subject and the many sisters."

Finishing speaking, Wei Jingyi had already risen from the bed; she put on her shoes, stepped onto the floor, and in a single layer of nightclothes knelt on the ground, making her figure appear all the more frail.

Xiao Yanchen did not reply immediately, but while listening to Wei Jingyi's accusation, he leafed through the "evidence" she had handed over.

Not to mention, the contents recorded inside were clearly organized, with even detailed explanations of the events before and after.

One can only say, the Empress put her heart into it.

"Relying on this evidence alone, I fear it cannot secure a conviction," after a long pause, Xiao Yanchen spoke, "Empress, you should know that since the matter involves a Dong Palace elder, it will be very troublesome."

On the surface, no matter what Zheng Hongzhuang is, she is still Xiao Yanchen's birth mother, the great benefactor who raised him and pushed him to the throne.

If he wants his reputation to remain intact, Xiao Yanchen cannot move too ruthlessly against Zheng Hongzhuang.

This is also the main reason why, even though Xiao Yanchen caught evidence of Zheng Hongzhuang harming the imperial heir, he could only place her under house arrest and could not take her life.

The Great Jing Dynasty rules the world with filial piety.

Although the Xiao Family ancestors rose through martial prowess, afterward they abandoned martial for civil.

Even at court, they still valued civil over martial.

Everyone knows that filial piety is merely an excuse used to cover up the truth.

The righteousness thrust upon them — these descendants have no choice but to abide by it.

Wei Jingyi naturally understands the trouble in Xiao Yanchen's words, but the fact that she could produce the "evidence" today means she has already made thorough preparations.

The Empress Dowager, the Zheng Family — they must be brought down!

Wei Jingyi has not forgotten that the reason the Wei Family was framed was because of the Zheng Family.

Otherwise, with the Wei Family's timidity, how would they dare to take sides in advance?

It is impossible for the Wei Family to suffer punishment, for her to lose the Empress position, while the Zheng Family remains safe and sound.

Her fingers unconsciously clenched tight; even with her nails digging into her flesh, she did not feel pain.

Wei Jingyi gazed straight ahead, her eyes deep: "Still requesting Your Majesty's permission to report — this subject is not using these 'evidences' to slander the Empress Dowager.

To ensure the information source is genuine, this subject has already imprisoned those palace servants who acted in the rear hall of the palace.

Everything must wait until Your Majesty has seen the witnesses; only then can the truth come to light."

Xiao Yanchen lowered his head, his gaze sweeping once over Wei Jingyi before withdrawing.

"The Empress's meaning is that these 'evidences' do not point to the Empress Dowager?"

Lightly shaking the papers in his hand, Xiao Yanchen's expression showed neither sorrow nor joy, impossible to read.

Wei Jingyi nodded: "This subject believes that the Empress Dowager has spent this past year and more devoutly worshipping Buddha and cultivating in seclusion — how could she commit such a conscience-destroying deed?"

Someone is acting in the Empress Dowager's name to deliberately smear her reputation.

This subject is dull-witted and can only uncover a few trivial details; I beg Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree for a thorough investigation, to restore the Empress Dowager's reputation and innocence.

Xiao Yanchen:...

Xiao Yanchen laughed, his laughter obvious, the corners of his eyes and brows full of satisfaction.

So the Empress's aim lay here — not the Dong Palace Empress Dowager, but the Zheng clan outside the palace.

One must admit, beautifully done.

Presumably more than half of those people the Empress threw into the Rear Hall have connections to the Zheng family outside the palace.

The Empress used the Zheng family to do her bidding, then backhanded them into a trap.

Applauding the Empress in his heart, Xiao Yanchen's face remained impassive.

Going along with the Empress's request, Xiao Yanchen instructed Wei Jingyi to recuperate well, then took the "evidence" in hand and had Wei Zhu take away all the witnesses confined in the Rear Hall, and Xiao Yanchen returned to Taiji Hall.

Because this move was executed in such haste, few others in the Imperial Harem noticed; only Shen Yao, through the System, perceived the situation, and sighed inwardly that this imperial couple, when scheming against people, truly are a family.

Time continued forward; the batch of people in the Imperial Harem who fell ill because of the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet also gradually improved from their initial severity.

The most badly hurt were those Imperial Consorts who were pregnant; basically none of them managed to keep their children.

Only two could still hold on, and they too were sentenced to death by the Imperial Physicians.

"Sigh, it's only been several days, it seems the Imperial Harem has changed entirely; truly, worldly affairs are unpredictable."

Who could have imagined that a single Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet would spawn so many stories.

"Your Ladyship, Qing Suo from Fengyi Palace has brought word, saying the Empress requests you to go over at once."

Qiu Yue hurried in, her words interrupting Shen Yao's melancholy.

Fengyi Palace's Qing Suo? That is the Empress's personal maid, who has served at her side since the Empress was in her Place.

For this person to come to Weiyang Palace now to summon her to Fengyi Palace, Shen Yao stood up. "The Empress summons me?"

What matter could it be? These past days, she has had no dealings with the Empress.

"Cough cough cough, Imperial Concubine Xi, I ask you to come over because I have a favor to ask; please do not take offense."

Wei Jingyi lay on the bed, gazing peacefully at Shen Yao as she entered the hall.

Toward Shen Yao, she had shown disregard, had shown contempt, and had shown wariness.

But all that is past; the only thing she can do now is plead.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao received Wei Jingyi's complex emotions all at once, and her head felt a bit muddled.

Hah? Which act is this again? She and the Empress, the Empress making a request of her — she has such great ability? How does she herself not know?

Shen Yao, who had rushed over from Weiyang Palace, never expected that at their first meeting, the Empress would give her such a huge surprise.

"Empress, you overpraise me," Shen Yao walked slowly to the bedside, using her peripheral vision to assess the room's layout. "You are the Empress, mistress of the Imperial Harem; how could you have a favor to ask? If there truly is a matter that even the Empress is powerless to handle, then this subject would certainly be useless as well."

Rounding the topic off indifferently, Shen Yao secretly heightened her vigilance; before understanding things thoroughly, she would absolutely not lightly agree to anything the other party proposed.

The people of the Imperial Harem — who doesn't have a few schemes? Those who foolishly believe everything, the grass on their graves should be several meters high by now.

Wei Jingyi was not surprised that Shen Yao would speak this way; after all, what she sought was indeed rather difficult to ask of someone.

Sigh

Exhaling lightly, Wei Jingyi waved her hand, smiling as she signaled Shen Yao to sit.

Seeing this, Shen Yao did not stand on ceremony either, and sat steadily on the round stool without moving.

"Imperial Concubine Xi, this palace has a favor to ask; please grant it."

Wei Jingyi was very serious; her pair of pupils were distinctly bright at this moment.

Shen Yao looked fixedly at the other woman, suddenly smiled, and at the same time broke the atmosphere in the room that was about to freeze.

Wei Jingyi did not know what was so funny about this sort of thing; she frowned slightly, the movement quick, but still caught by Shen Yao.

"Empress, you jest," parting her cherry lips, Shen Yao wore a smile at the corner of her mouth, but her eyes turned cold. "The word 'grant' is far too weighty; this subject is but a lowly Imperial Consort, and cannot bear it."

So, still best not to make requests at every turn; she is a minor Imperial Consort, what can she do?

Retorted back at her verbatim by Shen Yao, Wei Jingyi felt somewhat stifled.

This also relates to Wei Jingyi having been a Wang Fei or Empress and such superior positions for many years.

In other words, she was once constantly held up by others, and her bearing carries innate arrogance.

Now wanting to take back that arrogance, to bend the straight spine she holds proud — a thousand difficulties, ten thousand difficulties.

Even if Wei Jingyi has the intent to restrain herself, this is not something a single sentence or a single action can resolve.

It was precisely because Shen Yao saw through Wei Jingyi's tone — ostensibly asking for help but actually a threat — that she did not want to play along with the other party.

After all, with Other Worlds as experience, although Shen Yao is not supremely intelligent, she has seen quite a few types of people, and can fathom their thoughts to some extent.

No matter how Wei Jingyi puts it now, what Shen Yao can guarantee is that once she agrees, future troubles will absolutely not be few.

Does Shen Yao like days of endless trouble? What a joke; what she finds most intolerable in ordinary days is precisely trouble.

"Imperial Concubine Xi, this palace is willing to recommend you as Empress; after this palace passes, please help look after Heng'er.

This palace asks for nothing else, only wishes for Heng'er to be safe and smooth.

Imperial Concubine Xi, I wonder what this palace needs to offer for you to agree."

Creak—

The tightly shut door opened and closed again; after staying with Wei Jingyi for two quarter-hours, Shen Yao walked out alone.

Qiu Yue, who had been waiting at the doorway, saw her mistress come out and hurriedly stretched out a hand to support her.

"Your Ladyship, are you alright?"

As she spoke, Qiu Yue kept scrutinizing the area behind Shen Yao, her expression vigilant.

Shen Yao shook her head. "Nothing. I've been out for a while; let's return to the palace first."

Qiu Yue nodded in agreement, but even as she was leaving, Qiu Yue still kept her nerves taut, not relaxing in the slightest.

"All right, don't worry," Wei Jingyi's little tricks were no match for her.

How could Shen Yao be the kind of ordinary person who could be coaxed and deceived with just a few words?

Hah!

She speaks nicely — recommending her for Empress — but once Wei Jingyi leaves and the Imperial Harem is left vacant, relying on the several children she herself gave birth to, she wants to rise to the top easily; would she need Wei Jingyi to stay here and sell her favors?

Then there's caring for Xiao Heng. As the legitimate son, even without his birth mother, he is not someone Shen Yao can touch.

Care for him well, and she still has to worry whether this child will hold a grudge because of Wei Jingyi's death; care for him poorly, and that is plotting to harm the legitimate son, giving others a handle.

A situation where neither side is pleasing, Shen Yao would not jump into it even if she went mad.

Wei Jingyi today has probably reached a dead end, her mind in chaos, losing her sense of proportion.

Shaking her head speechlessly, Shen Yao sat in the sedan chair, frowning as she pondered what Wei Jingyi actually wanted to do.

Going to such trouble to summon her over, just for this trivial matter?

Trivial matter? What is a trivial matter in Shen Yao's eyes is a major matter for Wei Jingyi.

Perhaps the two people's thoughts differ, or perhaps Shen Yao views things too lightly.

As for whether she can become Empress, and whether the children under her knees can inherit the great lineage, Shen Yao maintains a go-with-the-fate attitude toward both.

Anyway, it's just a case of me living my own life; if others succeed, they succeed, if not, it's no obstacle.

Shen Yao's mindset like this counts as a breath of fresh air in the fiercely competitive Imperial Harem; otherwise Xiao Yanchen would not like Weiyang Palace so much, even keeping Shen Yao in his heart.

But Shen Yao's thoughts Wei Jingyi does not know; Wei Jingyi herself is the standard template for a noble lady's upbringing, so regarding Shen Yao this person, Wei Jingyi always projects her own thinking onto her.

This leads to Wei Jingyi inviting Shen Yao over today, yet both sides failing to reach a cooperation.

Differences in worldview and differences in the angle of handling matters — the final result has not yet occurred, therefore no one knows, but both sides certainly will not have any new contact.

No way around it; with incompatible worldviews, how can they communicate?

Shen Yao returned to Weiyang Palace, very decisively tossing today's matter behind her head.

It was rather Wei Jingyi in Fengyi Palace who, seeing Shen Yao return empty-handed, thought back and forth, and could only once again lock her gaze onto other people.

Pity that nowadays in the Imperial Harem the dead are dead and the injured injured; those who can hold their own and contend with Shen Yao are basically few and far between.

Helpless, Wei Jingyi can only pick the tallest among the short.

Just one day later, the Crown Prince's birth mother Concubine Li and the Third Prince's birth mother Concubine Sun appeared together at Fengyi Palace.