bookcurios Chapter 1616 Consort Feng's Nightmare
Chapter 1616 Consort Feng's Nightmare
Were they silenced, or were they secretly detained and interrogated?
And... what about Consort Feng's side?
How far did the emperor's investigation go?
……
Chuxiu Palace.
Caiju hurried in from the outer room, her expression complex. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty, everyone outside is saying that Consort Chu from the Cold Palace... passed away this morning..."
A soft "click" sounded.
The book in Consort Kang's hands fell straight to the ground: "Gone? How could this be..."
"I just went to see her, and she's perfectly fine..."
Although Consort Kang had murderous intent toward Lady Chu, she hadn't had time to make any arrangements before Lady Chu died.
Caiju nodded quickly: "Yes, they said she passed away from illness."
"The Cold Palace is a place lacking in medical care and medicine, and the cold seeps into the bones. Chu Shi has also suffered from a miscarriage. I heard that she was already in poor health before, but no one paid attention to it."
"When the nanny who delivered the breakfast this morning found him, he was frozen in place..."
"The Imperial Household Department has already sent people to handle the funeral arrangements."
Consort Kang's heart was still pounding as she listened to Caiju's words.
What a coincidence!
She had just conceived the idea of getting rid of Madam Chu and began to secretly plot it when Madam Chu happened to die of illness.
It was as if someone in the universe heard her prayers and graciously performed this task for her...
Seeing that Consort Kang's face was pale and her eyes were filled with doubt and uncertainty, Caiju assumed that she was frightened by the sudden news of her death.
After all, the Empress has always been timid.
Caiju felt more at ease because of this, and stepped forward to gently pat Consort Kang's back, comforting her, "Your Highness, don't panic, and don't overthink it."
"Perhaps this is the end for the Chu family."
"What kind of place is the Cold Palace? How many people who go in ever come out unscathed? She's just unlucky, she has no one to blame but herself."
"That's good...that's good too!"
You could hear a hint of relief in Caiju's voice: "In that case, all our previous preparations will be unnecessary."
"There's no need for you to dirty your hands. We don't need to make mistakes, live in fear, or worry day and night."
"Even Heaven sees this and can't bear to let Her Majesty get involved in such filthy things!"
Consort Kang felt slightly relieved after listening to Caiju's words of comfort, but she still had some doubts in her heart.
She slowly turned her head to look at Caiju and said, "Is it really just a coincidence? I went to see her just a moment ago, and then she..."
"Miss!"
Caiju said with lingering fear, "How many people fall ill and die in the palace every day? It's even more so in the Cold Palace. The Chu family was destined to meet such an end; it was only a matter of time."
"Your Majesty, please don't scare yourself and take this on yourself."
“We did nothing. What does the death of the Chu family have to do with us? You only brought some food and clothing when you went there. No one can find fault with that.”
Consort Kang's expression remained somewhat uncertain: "Could it be... could it be that His Majesty discovered something, and thus punished Lady Chu?"
She always paid extra attention to anything related to Master Xingchen and couldn't help but overthink it.
Looking at Consort Kang's pale face, Caiju continued to earnestly persuade her, "Your Highness, if I may presume to speak, let bygones be bygones!"
"You must never have such thoughts again, and never lose your composure over that master's matter again."
"Such people are like clouds in the sky, lotuses before the Buddha; they have their own destiny and blessings. How could someone from the deep palace easily get involved or try to protect them? One wrong move, and you'll be setting yourself on fire, Your Majesty!"
Caiju's words were like a wake-up call, sobering up Consort Kang considerably.
Yeah, what is she doing?
They were actually plotting murder!
Suspecting that the Chu family and Master Xingchen had some unclear connection, and fearing that the bright moon would be tainted by the mud, she actually had such a vicious thought.
Looking back now, even Consort Kang herself finds it unbelievable...
A wave of fear washed over her.
If we actually take action, regardless of success or failure, it will be a one-way street with no turning back.
The slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin.
Consort Kang closed her eyes briefly and let out a long sigh: "Caiju, you're right... I was bewitched..."
"Heaven has eyes, and has not allowed me to commit a grave mistake or do such a wicked deed."
Hearing this, Caiju finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Majesty, it's good that you've thought it through!"
Consort Kang looked at Caiju and gently patted the back of her hand: "Thanks for reminding me."
"This matter ends here. No one should mention it again. As for Lady Chu... it was her own misfortune that led to her untimely death, and it has nothing to do with me."
"Those Buddhist scriptures..."
At this point, Consort Kang paused, a complex look flashing in her eyes, before finally saying, "Keep it for now, and don't take it out again. Just pretend... just pretend we've never met."
"Yes, ma'am."
Seeing that Consort Kang had taken her words to heart, Caiju quickly replied, "This servant knows what is important and will not say a word carelessly. Your Highness, please put your mind at ease and take good care of your health."
"You've lost weight these days."
Consort Kang nodded, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She was naturally relieved.
Fortunately, he did not actually carry out his murderous intent towards the Chu family, and his hands remained clean.
However, Consort Kang's mind was still filled with lingering doubts.
Was Chu's death really just a coincidence?
And what about Master Xingchen...? Does he have any connection with the Chu family?
If so, what's the reason?
……
Most people in the palace didn't care about Chu Shuxian's death.
Those with ulterior motives like Consort Kang are ultimately a minority.
But the one who was truly restless and unable to eat or sleep because of Chu Shuxian's death was Consort Feng, who was living in seclusion in Ruixuexuan to prepare for childbirth.
She was four months pregnant, and her lower abdomen was slightly protruding.
During this time, Consort Feng stayed at home, hoping to give birth to her child safely and securely, so that she could gain status through her son.
When the news of Chu Shuxian's sudden death arrived, Consort Feng was drinking a medicine to prevent miscarriage. Her hand trembled, and the warm medicine spilled all over half of her body.
"Little Master!"
Qiu Yan rushed forward to wipe it off, asking worriedly, "Are you alright? Did you burn yourself?"
Consort Feng shook her head: "No...it's nothing."
"The medicine was a little hot, and I didn't hold it properly."
She forced herself to remain calm, had Qiuyan tidy up, and then brought over the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine again.
Consort Feng felt a sense of shared sorrow, like a rabbit mourning the death of a fox.
Even though no word had leaked out of the palace, she still couldn't help feeling guilty...
Lady Chu, pregnant with the emperor's child, still met this end. What would happen if people found out that she might not be carrying His Majesty's child?
That night, Consort Feng tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
As soon as she closed her eyes, all sorts of terrifying images flashed through her mind—
Sometimes I dream that I am dragged into an unfamiliar palace, surrounded by palace servants whose faces are indistinct.
The emperor, high above all, looked at her indifferently. The imperial physician shook his head after taking her pulse, and then someone brought over a bowl of dark, black medicine...