无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

He’s someone who’s seen it all, having grown up in the palace harem for decades, surrounded by all sorts of malicious machinations.

When he heard Concubine Yu’s words, he immediately knew there was more to the story.

“Your Highness, are you saying that the reason you’re unwell is because of the food and drink sent by the Princess Consort?”

“The Princess Consort’s intentions were good, but it seems I’m not fortunate enough to enjoy them… I never thought that I couldn’t handle what was sent.” Concubine Yu lay on the bed, her face dotted with red spots, her tears streaming as if seeking sympathy.

The Emperor was distressed, and he questioned the palace maid:” Is it true that Concubine Yu became ill after she ate the food sent by the Princess Consort?”

Chunxiao knelt down, sobbing: “It is all my fault; I should be punished for not noticing that something was wrong with the food. I let Your Highness eat it… I am to blame for everything and beg Your Majesty to mete out justice!”

The Emperor was furious: “How dare the Princess Consort to do such a thing?!”

Empress Your Highness tried to defuse the situation: “Your Majesty, please calm down. In my opinion, the Princess Consort is not that kind of malicious person. We should find out the truth and not wrongly accuse her.”

Upon reflection, the Emperor agreed that he could not immediately assign blame to the Princess Consort based on this alone.

Not to mention, he had just publicly praised her. If he were to hastily condemn her now, wouldn’t that be like slapping himself in the face?’

The Empress gently suggested, “Why not summon the Princess Consort and hear what she has to say?”

“Your Highness, the Empress, speaks wisely.” The Emperor heeded the Empress’s advice, softened his tone, and commanded, “Summon the Princess Consort!”

It wasn’t long before Jiang Ning appeared before the Emperor and Empress.

The speed at which she arrived was astounding.

The East Palace was not close by.

The Empress asked with a smile, “Was the Princess Consort near? How lucky.”

The Emperor snorted, “Perhaps she’s feeling guilty.”

Jiang Ning first saluted, then looked at the Emperor.

After saying this, the Emperor regretted his words.

No matter what, Jiang Ning was the mother of a future kingdom, being the Princess Consort.

It’s not good for him to accuse her of being a thief outright.

“When I heard about Concubine Yu’s condition, I asked you to prepare some food for her since you’re skilled in the culinary arts. Did you harbour resentment towards her?”

“I had absolutely no such intentions. Upon receiving Your Majesty’s Imperial Edict, I immediately prepared the food. In addition to the meals sent to Concubine Yu, I also sent meals to the emperor’s eldest grandson, Wenzan, and Lingzi.”

The Emperor was taken aback: “Do they all feel well?”

Jiang Ning laughed, “Would I harm my own child, Your Majesty?”

“Well, I just meant that I care about their well-being.” The Emperor softened his tone but became stern again upon thinking of Concubine Yu’s appearance, “Concubine Yu experienced stomachaches and itching after consuming the food you sent. How do you explain this?”

“For the same food that many people have eaten without any consequences, why did it cause an adverse reaction upon reaching Concubine Yu? I truly don’t know the reason. As for how many people may have touched the dish once it reaches her, I can’t know that either. I am also not aware if Concubine Yu has eaten anything else.”

Chunxiao, who was standing beside, immediately interjected: “Before Your Highness felt unwell, she had not eaten anything other than what the Princess Consort had sent. Now, Concubine Yu has nearly miscarried, Princess Consort, you…”

Realizing she had misspoken, Chunxiao quickly stopped herself.

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow: “Oh? Concubine Yu is pregnant?”

“You didn’t know?” The Emperor asked.

Jiang Ning feigned surprise: “It’s not our Crown Prince’s child that Concubine Yu is carrying; why should I know?”