The Ninth Princess Reigns Supreme [Transmigration] - Chapter 24
It was a secret that Concubine Shi hadn’t been sleeping well lately. She didn’t dare let the other palaces know, or there would be plenty of room for trouble.
The trusted guard quickly returned: “Reporting to Your Highness, it’s an arrow with a letter attached.”
Concubine Shi was full of suspicion: “Bring it here.”
Using the small candle lit by the servant to see the contents, Concubine Shi’s eyes suddenly widened in surprise. After reading it, she burned the letter on the candle and then blew it out.
“Everyone, step back. Keep your mouths shut about tonight’s events. Also, investigate who sent the letter.”
“Yes.”
After dismissing her attendants, Concubine Shi pondered for a long time.
She had dreamed of sitting on the empress’s throne, but the current empress, Jiang Lirong, lived a reclusive life and had never been caught with any faults.
If what this person said was true, it would be a great opportunity for her.
However, she still needed to know the purpose of this person sending her a letter.
Her people were efficient and returned to report the next day.
The arrow was an ordinary style that could be bought at any weapons shop outside the palace, making it impossible to identify the sender. Last night, the patrolling guards didn’t see anyone carrying arrows.
Clearly, this person was well hidden.
Concubine Shi pondered for a moment: “Send for Imperial Physician Wang and prepare to go to Penglai Palace.”
Among the imperial physicians, Imperial Physician Wang had been favored by Concubine Shi for many years and was a trustworthy person.
••••
Liu Li didn’t expect Concubine Shi to act so quickly.
Just after noon, Liu Li had just returned from the Imperial Academy when Concubine Shi arrived at Bao’an’s door in a flurry.
Emperor Jiacheng had long instructed that no one should disturb Bao’an’s quiet recuperation, but Concubine Shi came despite the objections.
“Concubine Shi has arrived—”
Bao’an had just finished her tonic and was leaning against a wooden chair, feeling drowsy. Hearing this, she looked at Liu Li, who innocently shook her head, indicating she didn’t know anything.
“Your Highness…” Bao’an struggled to get up. In principle, she should have paid her respects to Concubine Shi.
“Since Your Highness is unwell, she should rest,” Concubine Shi kindly waived the formality. “Little princess is also here? What a loving mother and daughter.”
Concubine Shi and Bao’an were about the same age and had known each other before they were married, so they weren’t strangers.
Liu Li curtsied and then ordered, “Quickly offer a seat to Your Highness.”
Concubine Shi naturally had a large entourage, bringing several servants and imperial physicians, making the somewhat quiet Penglai Palace lively.
“Since Your Highness entered the palace, I’ve been very concerned. Seeing Your Highness looking unwell at the Moon Banquet, I was even more worried,” Concubine Shi said politely. “I wonder which imperial physician was treating Your Highness before. I took the liberty of bringing Imperial Physician Wang. Imperial Physician Wang’s medical skills are superb. When I gave birth to my fifth child, I had many complications, and he helped me recover. Today, why not let him take a look at Your Highness?”
Liu Li thought Concubine Shi was too direct. It seemed that her desire to bring down the empress was so strong that she couldn’t hesitate for even a second, so she came immediately.
Before Bao’an could answer, Liu Li said gratefully, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern for my mother. Please let Imperial Physician Wang take a look.”
Liu Li’s appearance of loving her mother greatly pleased Concubine Shi. She also had a daughter and couldn’t help but soften her gaze towards Liu Li. She turned her head and ordered, “Imperial Physician Wang.”
“Your Highness, please forgive my intrusion.”
Imperial Physician Wang took Bao’an’s pulse through a silk cloth. He pondered for a long time, frowned, and didn’t speak.
Although Liu Li knew the result, she still asked cooperatively, “Imperial Physician Wang, how is my mother’s condition?”
Imperial Physician Wang didn’t answer the question but cupped his hands and said, “May I ask what medicine Your Highness usually takes? For how long?”
Liu Li immediately recited the prescription fluently: “For several months.”
“That’s strange,” Imperial Physician Wang stroked his beard. “The princess should have improved after taking this medicine, but why…”
The rest of the words were naturally unnecessary.
Bao’an’s face turned pale, and she said softly, “What does the imperial physician mean?”
Concubine Shi also frowned, her eyes darting, and she had the same thought as Ning Zisheng at the time: “Did Your Highness eat anything incompatible? Have you paid attention to your diet?”
Liu Li once again answered on behalf of Bao’an: “Reporting to Your Highness, the daily meals are all prepared according to the imperial physician’s instructions, and there are no incompatible ingredients.”
Imperial Physician Wang glanced at Concubine Shi with some difficulty, not knowing whether to say it.
Bao’an bit her lip: “Please speak, imperial physician.”
“Has Your Highness ever taken pinellia fruit or had pinellia in her daily meals?” Imperial Physician Wang asked cautiously. “One of the ingredients in this medicine, aconitum, is incompatible with pinellia, and Your Highness’s pulse clearly shows signs of the two incompatible ingredients…”
It was exactly as Ning Zisheng had said. However, Liu Li knew that Imperial Physician Wang, as Concubine Shi’s person, was exaggerating the facts.
She had already stopped Bao’an’s medication, and the “signs of incompatibility” were definitely not as “clear” as Imperial Physician Wang said.
“What?” Bao’an’s pupils shrank. “This…”
Concubine Shi slammed the table and said coldly, “Incompatible ingredients? Is this a coincidence? I came at the right time and stumbled upon a conspiracy against Your Highness. Guards!”
The guards she brought took orders at the door.
“Aren’t you going to report to the emperor and the empress? How dare you plot against the current princess!”
Hearing her ask someone to find Emperor Jiacheng, Bao’an broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, Liu Li held her hand tightly, giving her silent comfort.
It’s okay, don’t be afraid.
••••
Emperor Jiacheng had just finished court and was having a meal with the empress in her palace.
This was also one of the reasons why Concubine Shi hurriedly came to “visit” Bao’an and quickly had Imperial Physician Wang diagnose the problem.
She timed it perfectly. Just as Emperor Jiacheng was about to pick up his chopsticks, Concubine Shi’s people arrived at the empress’s palace gate: “Concubine Shi has an urgent matter to see the emperor!”
The gatekeeper was a trusted aide of the empress, so naturally, he disliked Concubine Shi’s people. He sneered, “The emperor is having a meal with the empress inside. If you disturb the emperor and empress, can you take responsibility!”
Emperor Jiacheng wasn’t deaf and naturally heard the commotion, frowning slightly.
He usually liked the charming Concubine Shi, but why was she so indiscreet today, openly vying for favor when he came to the empress’s palace? She was becoming more and more unruly.
Empress Jiang secretly sneered. That idiot Concubine Shi didn’t know what she was thinking and was hopeless.
Just as she was about to say something to comfort Emperor Jiacheng, she heard the person outside shout again, “Your Majesty, Concubine Shi has an urgent matter to ask you to go to Penglai Palace. It concerns the safety of Princess Bao’an!”
The words “Princess Bao’an” instantly drained the bl00d from Empress Jiang’s face.
“What?”
Emperor Jiacheng suddenly stood up, his expression serious. Only a certain name could so drastically affect his emotions.
Under Empress Jiang’s wide sleeves, her nails dug deeply into her palm, almost breaking the skin, but she didn’t seem to feel any pain.
She was the empress. Concubine Shi could occasionally act recklessly, but she had to always be cautious and uphold the duties of an empress.
So Empress Jiang just smiled and said:
“Your Majesty, don’t worry. This empress will accompany you to see what’s happening.”