Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“An illusion drug?”

The Emperor’s expression changed again and again, and he asked, “Do all the imperial physicians at the Imperial Medical Institute know this prescription?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, not many people know about this drug.”

Imperial Physician Zhang thought for a moment, then said, “The illusion drug is an ancient secret. It once appeared in an old medical text and was named the Immortal Medicine. “But the ingredients in the secret formula are very rare, and no one can make the true Immortal Medicine.

“Later, someone made a similar drug based on the original secret formula. “Anyone who takes it will hallucinate, yet won’t know what they’re doing.

“That’s why it’s called the illusion drug.”

“It does sound like something like that.”

The Emperor glanced at the Empress and Attendant Fang, then said, “If someone who takes this drug acts without awareness, then how did the Empress and Attendant Fang come to Qi Xiang Palace? “It’s like someone guided them here.

“What’s going on?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, this humble subject does not know.”

Imperial Physician Zhang lightly shook his head. “Something this unbelievable is probably only known by the people involved.”

“Consort Wan, you speak.”

The Emperor directly ordered, “Explain honestly. Don’t think you can keep hiding it.”

“Yes!”

Zhen Huan, kneeling on the ground, answered softly, “A scent. It can draw people forward.”

“So that’s it.”

Imperial Physician Zhang finally understood. “No wonder it could make someone who wasn’t aware walk such a long distance. What a clever method.”

“Your Majesty, we must destroy this drug.”

Noble Consort Hua said angrily, “If one day someone uses it to kill by proxy, wouldn’t the person being controlled die, wrongfully accused? “Your Majesty, if someone close to you were slipped this drug, “and then was made to harm Your Majesty, wouldn’t that let the culprit succeed far too easily?” As soon as she said that, the Emperor felt a chill run through him. The other mistresses present felt their hearts jump as well.

If someone could be murdered like that, it was simply too terrifying.

“Your Majesty, you must investigate this thoroughly.”

The Empress’s face was full of fury as she pointed at Zhen Huan and shouted, “Consort Wan had evil intentions. “Using this method to harm people is unforgivable!

“Everyone in Sui Yu Pavilion should be thrown into the Shen Xing Department. “Find out who the secret formula came from.

“The palace absolutely cannot allow such a harmful prescription to exist!”

“Men, take Consort Wan-” The Emperor had barely started speaking when someone cut him off.

“Your Majesty!”

Jin Xi said while kowtowing, “This servant secretly kept that formula. “It has nothing to do with Consort Wan.

“It was all this servant’s doing. “This servant saw Consort Li often humiliating Consort Wan.

“This servant truly couldn’t bear seeing Consort Wan insulted, so this servant decided to teach Consort Li a lesson.”

“Insolence!”

Noble Consort Hua shouted, “You wretched maid. “Who gave you the damned guts to ‘teach a lesson’ to a consort of the harem?

“Like mistress, like servant. “Your mistress is brazen beyond belief.

“And you, a lowly maid, are just as lawless and arrogant. “You even dared to lay hands on the Empress and Consort Li – you’re arrogant and don’t know your place.

“Your Majesty, a vile servant like this should be beaten to death!”

Hearing that, everyone couldn’t help looking toward the Emperor. This was no small matter. It all depended on whether the Emperor would continue to shield Zhen Huan.

“All the servants of Sui Yu Pavilion will be thrown into the Shen Xing Department!”

The Emperor said coldly, “Consort Wan will return to Sui Yu Pavilion and remain confined to reflect on her faults. We’ll talk after the investigation is clear.” Once that decree was issued, no one dared to argue. Guards immediately stepped forward and took Jin Xi, Liu Zhu, Xiao Yun Zi, and the others away.

“Your Majesty.”

Attendant Fang couldn’t help speaking up. “Can you spare the people by this concubine’s side? “This concubine wishes to move out of Sui Yu Pavilion. Please grant it.”

The Emperor frowned and ordered, “If you want to move palaces, then go to Chu Xiu Palace.” “Yes!” Attendant Fang felt slightly disappointed. The place she most wanted to go was Consort Xian’s Yong Shou Palace, or Consort Jing’s Xian Fu Palace.

She added, “Your Majesty, the people by this concubine’s side-” “They cannot be spared.” The Emperor swept her a glance and said heavily, “Don’t forget how you were poisoned.

“If it wasn’t someone by your side, “who could have tampered with what you ate and used?” Attendant Fang’s face turned deathly pale. She bowed and said, “Yes, this concubine understands.” “It’s already late.” The Emperor looked at the concubines. “All of you, go back and rest.” “Yes.” Noble Consort Hua had just been about to bow when she caught sight of the Empress beside her. The Empress’s swollen belly was so obvious. “Your Majesty Empress, are you all right!” “I’m fine.” The Empress didn’t understand what she meant, but wariness flickered in her eyes. “Your Majesty Empress is really fine?” Noble Consort Hua looked like she’d seen a ghost. “You should be due this month, right?

“How did we get tossed around all night, yet your belly is fine?”

At those words, everyone’s gaze instantly fixed on her belly. It really was fine! That wasn’t normal, was it? That thought rose in everyone’s mind, and the looks they cast at the Empress’s belly turned strange.

Everyone knew the Empress had been in poor health lately and had exempted the concubines from coming to pay morning respects. Yet now they saw that Xiao Yun Zi, that “ghost,” had tormented the Empress for most of the night, and her belly showed no sign of trouble at all. It was far too bizarre.

“I really don’t feel uncomfortable.”

The Empress faintly felt uneasy. If everyone could sense something was off, how could she, who knew her own body, not know?

“Imperial Physician Zhang.”

The Emperor immediately ordered, “Quickly take the Empress’s pulse and see whether the imperial fetus is safe. “The Empress took the illusion drug. Did it affect the imperial fetus?” “Imperial Physician Zhang, hurry and take my pulse.”

The Empress finally panicked. “My child absolutely cannot have an accident.” “Yes!” Imperial Physician Zhang had no choice but to step forward again.

After taking her pulse carefully, he sank into thought. The other imperial physicians stepped up to take her pulse as well. After each one finished, they all looked toward Imperial Physician Zhang. He had to report the diagnosis.

“Replying to Your Majesty, Your Majesty Empress.” Imperial Physician Zhang bowed. “The Empress’s pulse is normal, and there are no signs of labor.

“We also can’t find the reason.”

“You mean the Empress and the imperial fetus are both fine?”

A strange feeling rose in the Emperor’s heart. After all, how could he not know what the Empress’s health was like? Not to mention how she fell ill at the slightest provocation. Even a healthy concubine, pregnant and facing something like this, might not miscarry from fear, but stirring the fetus was hard to avoid.

Yet the Empress, who should have had problems, had nothing wrong at all. How could that not feel eerie? Anyone who could survive in the harem was sharp. What the Emperor could think of, they could think of too.

No one dared say anything, but everyone knew this was not normal.

“Replying to Your Majesty.”

Imperial Physician Zhang continued, “This humble subject cannot say there is one hundred percent no problem, but we truly did not discover anything unusual.”

“Since that’s the case, watch the Empress’s imperial fetus closely.”

“This humble subject obeys!”

Seeing things were basically settled, Li Si Qi spoke again. “Your Majesty, I heard Princess Wen Yi was startled several times tonight. “She’s still young. I don’t know if she’ll develop a fever from being frightened.

“Why not have the imperial physicians stay here? “If something happens, the physicians in Qi Xiang Palace can treat her in time.” “Wen Yi?” The Emperor finally remembered he had a daughter living here. “Your Majesty!” Noble Lady Cao dropped to her knees with a thud before the Emperor, choking up as she said, “Please have pity on Wen Yi.

“Tonight Wen Yi cried from fright several times. “We still don’t know how she is right now.

“Please allow the imperial physicians to go and check on Wen Yi.”