Chapter 1122 - 1124: Sent to Leng Palace_1
Fu Yiyi hadn’t finished speaking when Yao Yuxuan suddenly raised his hand and tapped her twice, causing Fu Yiyi’s voice to stop abruptly, unable to utter the second half of her sentence!
Standing beside Fu Yiyi, Yao Yuxuan, seeing the same angle as her, also saw Princess Diao Bin’s hair and was equally shocked, but being experienced, he quickly realized Bai Ruozhu’s intention and immediately acted to silence Fu Yiyi.
Princess Diao Bin also regained her composure and was frightened, but more than that, she felt ashamed and depressed. A young Miss with whitened hair, she was too embarrassed to face others and felt depressed about not finding a cure.
Right after Fu Yiyi had shouted half a sentence, tears surged from Diao Bin’s eyes. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into, until Bai Ruozhu’s hand landed on her shoulder, gently squeezing it as she softly said, "Princess, you’re unwell, quickly get up. The emperor is not blaming me; the matter has been thoroughly investigated. Imperial Concubine Fu has never been pregnant, it was a sham pregnancy caused by medication."
As Diao Bin looked up into Bai Ruozhu’s comforting eyes, she seemed to gain immense encouragement, being helped up from the ground by Bai Ruozhu and stepping out of her previous state of dismay.
"So it’s like this," Diao Bin glanced at the Imperial Concubine Fu with a tinge of guilt in her heart.
The emperor’s annoyance was evident as he waved his sleeves and said, "Let all the extraneous people disperse. I will deal with the Imperial Concubine Fu myself."
The Imperial Doctors, including Jiu Sheng, hadn’t seen what happened to Princess Diao Bin, but sensed that something was amiss. They wouldn’t foolishly create trouble for themselves and hurriedly bowed and exited.
The maid Yin Shuang knelt trembling at the side, it was unclear whether she was afraid of the downfall of the situation, or nervous upon seeing Princess Diao Bin’s white hair. A murderous glint flashed through the emperor’s eyes as he coldly ordered, "This palace maid just helped Fu Yiyi deceive me, gag her and take her away, beat her to death with sticks!"
"Yes!" The eunuchs behind the emperor rushed over to gag Yin Shuang and dragged her out.
Yin Shuang struggled desperately and tried to plead for mercy, but with her mouth covered by the eunuch, her voice was reduced to muffled whimpers. She implored Fu Yiyi with her eyes, but Fu Yiyi herself was now in a dire situation and unable to help.
The emperor then turned his gaze on Fu Yiyi, "You seem to have a knack for using medication; are you involved with Le Consort’s poisoning as well?"
Unable to speak, Fu Yiyi could only shake her head desperately, her eyes begging the emperor much like Yin Shuang’s had been directed at her just moments before.
The emperor gave her no chance to speak, snorting coldly, "Fu Yiyi, you have a malicious heart and deceive your superiors. Now, your title as Imperial Concubine is revoked, and you’re to be sent to Leng Palace."
Fu Yiyi’s face turned deathly pale with fright, and she knelt, knocking her head on the ground relentlessly; her originally smooth and full forehead quickly bruised and bled.
The Empress hadn’t seen Princess Diao Bin’s white hair and wasn’t aware why the emperor had suddenly stopped the investigation, sentencing Fu Yiyi to Leng Palace so decisively. She speculated that an Imperial Concubine like Fu Yiyi wouldn’t be able to rise to any occasion, possibly someone behind the scenes was supporting her, maybe the Noble Consort?
"Emperor, Fu Yiyi might not have the capability to do this, perhaps someone else gave her the medication. Shouldn’t we investigate further?" the Empress tentatively reminded, thinking that even if they couldn’t drag the person behind this into the light, it would at least trouble them and also bolster her authority as the Empress.
Unfortunately, the Empress’s calculations were mistaken.
The emperor glared fiercely at her, "Do my words carry no weight? Or would you rather dictate matters?"
The Empress shivered, knowing that although the emperor wasn’t someone with a particularly good temper, he seldom embarrassed her so publicly. She quickly bowed, saying, "Your concubine dares not."
The emperor snorted and instructed the attendant Wang Shun, "Have someone take Imperial Concubine Fu to Leng Palace, and send an Imperial Doctor to treat her wounds."
Fu Yiyi was already sobbing uncontrollably, and upon hearing these words, she promptly fainted. Wang Shun didn’t delay and ordered the unconscious Fu Yiyi to be carried out.
Bai Ruozhu looked at the bloodstains below Fu Yiyi but couldn’t bring herself to feel any sympathy. Just a moment ago, this woman intended to kill her and pin the crime of plotting against the heir to the throne on her.
At that moment, the Emperor glanced at the Empress and said, "The Empress also mentioned that there might still be others causing trouble behind the scenes. The matter of Imperial Concubine Le being poisoned hasn’t been resolved. I give you seven days to uncover the truth. Now go!"
The Empress left in a flurry, so anxious that she even forgot to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.
Now, only those who were both knowledgeable and reliable remained in the room. The Emperor glared at Princess Diao Bin and said, "Diao Bin, you were too reckless just now!"
Diao Bin hung her head, her face filled with guilt, and said, "Your Majesty, Diao Bin knows her mistake."
The Emperor huffed in displeasure, "Is that irrelevant woman really worth your concern?"
Bai Ruozhu’s lips twitched. She was the "irrelevant" woman in question.
Diao Bin pouted, wronged, and said, "Ruozhu is a good person. She has been wrongly accused."
The Emperor, without looking at Bai Ruozhu, spoke to Princess Diao Bin as though lamenting the failure to live up to expectations, "What love potions has she fed you all? You are so protective of her."
The corners of Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched again. Emperor, you’re talking about me, and I am still here. You really don’t hold back in your words.
"Your Majesty!" The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but call out. Now was not the time for such discussions.
The Empress Dowager gathered her courage to look at Yao Yuxuan, bowed to him, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Yao, for your help just now."
Yao Yuxuan swayed slightly. It had been over twenty years since they last had the opportunity to speak. Now that they had finally met, the first thing she said was to thank him – thank him because of her and someone else’s daughters.
Though the past was behind them, Yao Yuxuan still felt a twinge in his heart.
"It was this subject’s duty," Yao Yuxuan put aside the unusual feeling in his heart, bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager, and asked, "The princess has been cursed, hasn’t she? Why not seek the National Master’s assistance?"
Both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s expressions changed, not expecting Yao Yuxuan to have seen through to the truth at first glance. Bai Ruozhu also looked at Yao Yuxuan with increased admiration; indeed, his experience was far broader than hers.
"The National Master is ill, and his disciple has examined Diao Bin but has yet to find a solution," the Emperor replied.
Yao Yuxuan nodded, "This subject will keep the matter confidential. However, the curse must be lifted as soon as possible; otherwise, it’s detrimental to the princess."
"What kind of detriment?" the Empress Dowager asked anxiously.
Yao Yuxuan choked, with a look of unwillingness to cause pain, he glanced at the Empress Dowager. He knew the truth would hurt her, but he couldn’t lie to her.
"An early death," he said, struggling to get the words out.
The Empress Dowager swayed, nearly collapsing, Diao Bin’s small face also fell, and the Emperor’s face grew even darker.
Bai Ruozhu sighed silently; there was really nothing she could do in this matter, and there wasn’t the slightest bit of help she could offer.