Chapter 233
**Chapter 231: Granny Liu's Surrender**
Li Yuanjing spoke in a hushed voice, “Let me hold you, so you won’t run off.”
Shen Wei’s lips twitched slightly as she leaned silently into his embrace.
Not knowing what had gotten into him, Shen Wei could only resort to her usual soothing response, murmuring, “I’m right here.”
The two of them held each other closely for a long time.
Soon, fatigue overtook Shen Wei, and she fell asleep in his arms. Yet, Li Yuanjing found it hard to drift off, his fingers gently clasping Shen Wei’s fair hand.
Her palm was empty, devoid of anything.
Li Yuanjing lightly squeezed her delicate hand—he couldn’t help but dote on Shen Wei, longing to share his bed with her every night. But the emperor’s favoritism could bring trouble to Shen Wei, stirring jealousy in others and igniting ill intentions.
The recent incident of Shen Wei being poisoned had sounded an alarm in his heart.
Li Yuanjing wanted Shen Wei to have power over the harem.
With power in her empty palm, she could protect herself and their child, ensuring a peaceful life ahead.
...
...
In the deep of night at Kun Ning Palace, the study was brightly lit. The Empress was counting the ancient texts on the shelves and reviewing Cheng Zhen’s recent studies. Cheng Zhen had made remarkable progress lately, especially in horseback riding and archery, which pleased the Empress greatly.
“Your Highness, please have some tea.” A palace maid brought in tea for the Empress.
The Empress took a couple of sips of Bi Luo Chun tea, feeling quite content.
The maid glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, before lowering her voice to inform the Empress, “Your Highness, Dr. Shen asked me to tell you that the poison in the herbs sent to Yong Ning Palace has been properly prepared. Within six months at most, the user will surely succumb to the poison.”
This maid was a senior servant sent by the old lady of the Dantai family, possessing a bit of cleverness.
The Empress set down her teacup, a smug smile spreading across her face. “Consort Chen has the Emperor’s favor, but it’s a pity she won’t live to enjoy it.”
The origin of this plan was rather fortuitous.
Dr. Shen, a disciple of the Dantai family, was responsible for dispensing medicine to the various palaces after entering the Imperial Medical Bureau. By chance, he discovered that the maids of Yong Ning Palace had been requesting a large quantity of herbs.
This batch of herbs was substantial and complex; even a random combination of a few could yield different effects, making it hard to discern the exact purpose Yong Ning Palace intended for them.
But it was certain that Consort Chen was the one consuming these herbs.
Dr. Shen reported this to the Empress, who instructed him to quietly increase the dosage of the most critical herbs. After all, all medicine has its poison; long-term excessive use could severely harm the body.
“Can other doctors diagnose the cause of Consort Chen’s poisoning?” The Empress still felt a twinge of worry.
The maid reassured her, “Dr. Shen said that the most skilled doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau would find it difficult to diagnose the cause in the short term. By the time they do, Consort Chen will already be beyond saving, with no remedy in sight.”
The Empress felt relieved.
No matter how cautious Shen Wei was, she had been away from the palace for three years, lacking any foundation or support within it.
While a direct attack is easy to dodge, a hidden arrow is hard to defend against. In less than six months, Shen Wei would be left with no energy and perish.
The thought of it brought a wave of satisfaction to the Empress.
First, eliminate Shen Wei, then Lu Xuan, and the entire harem would be hers to command.
Outside the study, the moonlight shone brightly in the courtyard, illuminating everything, while in the shadows where the moonlight could not reach, Granny Liu stood in shock, having overheard all the conversations inside.
Granny Liu nervously clutched her sleeves, muttering to herself, “The Empress actually poisoned Consort Chen…”
The Empress was truly naive; this plan to kill was riddled with flaws!
Consort Chen was so clever; if she noticed anything unusual with her body, she would surely find a way to uncover the truth.
Only a few people had handled the herbs, and a simple investigation would quickly reveal the source of the problem.
“This is a path to self-destruction…” Granny Liu shook her head in disappointment, realizing she could no longer stay by the Empress’s side.
The Empress was digging her own grave; it was only a matter of time before she fell, and all the palace servants around her would suffer the consequences, leading to death and injury.
Granny Liu was already of advanced age; she didn’t want to get involved in the palace’s power struggles. All she wanted was to leave the palace, using her savings to live a peaceful life in retirement.
Quietly, Granny Liu slipped away from the study, deciding to inform Consort Chen Shen Wei about the Empress’s poisoning scheme, hoping to secure her own safety.
...
...
The next morning, Shen Wei saw Li Yuanjing off to court.
At the entrance of Yong Ning Palace, Li Yuanjing held Shen Wei’s hand, reminding her, “You must take the antidote that Dr. Mo prepared for you every day.”
Shen Wei nodded obediently, “I understand.”
After watching the Emperor’s carriage depart, Shen Wei wearily returned to Yong Ning Palace. Cai Lian had already prepared the antidote, which was extremely bitter. Shen Wei forced herself to swallow it down, stifling her urge to vomit.
Before long, Rong Mama entered the room to report, “Your Highness, Granny Liu came to see me privately this morning and wishes to meet you. I had her enter through the small door in the back courtyard, so no one would notice.”
Shen Wei wasn’t surprised. She instructed Rong Mama, “Bring her to see me.”
Inside the main room, a precious incense burned in a gilded bronze burner, filling the air with its fragrance. Granny Liu walked in with her head bowed.
She knelt and bowed her head respectfully, saying, “I pay my respects to Consort Chen.”
Shen Wei personally helped Granny Liu up, her tone warm and friendly. “Granny Liu, you are a respected elder of the royal family; there’s no need for such formalities.”
After helping Granny Liu to her feet, Shen Wei had Cai Lian bring over a stool for her to sit on.
Granny Liu nervously clutched her sleeves, her gaze falling on the medicine bowl beside Shen Wei.
The smell of the medicine was peculiar.
Curiously, Granny Liu asked, “Consort Chen, are you drinking medicine? Are you unwell?”
Shen Wei smiled slightly, her eyes seeming to see through everything, her smile enigmatic. “I just returned to the palace and, in a moment of carelessness, was poisoned. I’m drinking some antidote.”
With a casual remark, she exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Granny Liu’s mind went blank, her head buzzing.
Consort Chen had already realized she was poisoned!
Granny Liu’s knees buckled, and she stumbled to the ground, confessing everything about the Empress ordering the doctor to poison her, leaving no detail hidden.
She dared not conceal anything.
Granny Liu pressed her forehead against the cold floor, trembling, “Your Highness, please see clearly, I had no part in this! I hope you can spare me! I’m old and only wish for a peaceful life; I will leave the palace in due time.”
The room fell silent, the fragrance from the gilded bronze burner wafting through the air.
Shen Wei lightly tapped the edge of the medicine bowl, as if casually mentioning, “There’s a quiet and comfortable two-courtyard house in the East Market. I will grant you this house as a place to retire.”
Granny Liu was overjoyed, repeatedly bowing her head. “Thank you, Consort Chen!”
Shen Wei continued, “Before you leave the palace, I need you to do one more thing for me.”
Granny Liu quickly replied, “Please give your orders; as long as it’s within my ability, I will certainly see it through.”
Shen Wei smiled, her lips curving upward as she slowly spoke, “Li Wan’er is the daughter of the late Crown Prince—I want the Empress Dowager to know that Li Wan’er is suffering greatly. Do you understand, Granny Liu?”
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