The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress

Chapter 108

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and tense.

Song Zhao still had lingering fear in her heart as she said, "Could it be someone close to me who did this? The flowers in my palace are all picked from the garden by Yunsan every day. I trust her as my personal maidservant..."

Xiao Jingheng's voice was cold as he replied, "I remember that you have a fondness for the Welcome Spring flowers, and it seems this matter has already been tampered with from its source. Jiang Deshun, take people to the flower garden where the Welcome Spring flowers are usually abundant and investigate."

It didn't take long for Jiang Deshun to uncover the truth. "Your Majesty's speculation was correct. The Welcome Spring flowers in the garden have indeed been tampered with! Most of the flower buds have been contaminated with dirty substances."

"Outrageous!" Xiao Jingheng's anger shook the hall, causing all the palace attendants to kneel in fear.

Song Zhao was even more frightened, her face pale as she looked at Xiao Jingheng, tears streaming down her face. She sobbed, "Your Majesty... I can't think of anyone I have offended. Who would resort to such malicious means to harm me?"

Xiao Jingheng wiped away her tears and suppressed his anger, soothing her gently, "Don't worry, I will thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure justice is served."

In his heart, Xiao Jingheng already had a suspect in mind regarding who might be responsible for this.

Chu Yuanpan straightforwardly mentioned the incident with Song Zhao today, as well as the incident in the past involving Noble Consort Yang's madness, suggesting a connection.

The person who did this must be one of the elderly people in the palace.

Currently, there are only a few people in the Warm Springs Villa, and there are only two elderly women: Consort Chen and Consort Shu.

Consort Chen had conflicts with Song Zhao before, and her elder brother was the one who led the troops to defeat the Miao Territory. Obtaining Soul Scattering Powder, such a dirty item, would not be difficult for her.

Although Xiao Jingheng believed there was a 90% chance that Consort Chen was behind this, he couldn't directly accuse her.

He said, "Jiang Deshun, go and summon Consort Chen and Consort Shu for me, tell them I have something to discuss with them. After they leave, conduct a careful investigation of their residences to see if anything is amiss."

It was already past midnight, and the concubines should have already retired for the night. However, when Consort Chen and Consort Shu arrived, their appearances were completely different.

Consort Shu had a natural and unadorned face, wearing her sleeping gown, with a dazed look as if she had just woken up.

On the other hand, Consort Chen was dressed in elaborate attire, her makeup vibrant, without any signs of haste. It was as if she had known that Xiao Jingheng would summon her tonight, so she deliberately dressed up.

She was indeed beautiful, but it raised suspicions.

However, she had her explanation, "I had just finished watching a play and was planning to freshen up and retire when Jiang Deshun came."

She yawned and said wearily, "I wonder why His Majesty summoned me in the middle of the night. Is there something important to discuss?"

"Is there a matter that needs to be attended to?" Consort Shu looked around in confusion and murmured, "Why isn't Noble Consort Xiao here?"

Xiao Jingheng's expression remained calm, without answering their questions. He simply asked them to take a seat.

After the two of them sat down, Consort Chen glanced at Song Zhao and asked, "Noble Consort Song, what's the matter with you? Your eyes are red, as if you have been crying."

Consort Shu furrowed her brows and lowered her voice as she asked, "But what taboo did you commit to displease the Emperor?"

Song Zhao timidly shook her head and then lowered her gaze, choosing not to say another word.

The palace hall fell into complete silence, so quiet that even the sound of breathing from those around seemed jarringly loud.

This oppressive atmosphere persisted for about a quarter of an hour until there was movement outside the door.

Jiang Deshun led two palace maids inside and presented a securely wrapped deep blue bag to Xiao Jingheng.

In a deep voice, he said, "Reporting to the Emperor, this bag indeed contains Soul Scattering Powder!"

With the incriminating evidence found, the case now had solid proof.

Enraged, Xiao Jingheng grabbed the bag and hurled it towards Consort Chen.

The bag hit the ground near Consort Chen's feet, causing her to step back in fright. She exclaimed, "Your Majesty, what does this mean?"

Xiao Jingheng's sharp gaze fixed on Consort Chen, ready to reprimand her, but Jiang Deshun interjected, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This... was found in Consort Shu's residence..."

His words shocked the entire hall.

Especially Consort Shu.

All eyes turned sharply towards her, and she asked Jiang Deshun in confusion, "This bag was found in my living quarters?"

Jiang Deshun replied, "Indeed, it was found under the heated seat cushion in the Consort's sleeping chamber."

"But I have never seen it," Consort Shu inquired further, "And what exactly is Soul Scattering Powder?"

"Soul Scattering Powder is a poison from the Miao Territory. Those who use it will unknowingly suffer from madness. Yang Noble Consort was killed by this substance in the past, and today, it was also found in Song Noble Consort's residence," Jiang Deshun explained.

Upon hearing this explanation, Consort Shu finally became fearful.

Her terrified gaze met Xiao Jingheng's stern scrutiny.

Overwhelmed, she didn't know what to do and hastily knelt on the ground, explaining, "Your Majesty! This thing does not belong to me. I have never seen it before! I have no grievances with Noble Consort Yang or Noble Consort Song. Why would I plot to harm them?"

Consort Chen seized the opportunity to pour dirty water on Consort Shu, even before Xiao Jingheng could speak. She exclaimed, "It wasn't me! I never did such a wicked thing! Your Majesty, please see through this. I have nothing to do with this matter!"

Xiao Jingheng's face darkened. He stood up and approached Consort Shu step by step.

Standing behind and in front of her, he looked at her with cold, indifferent eyes.

Suddenly, he reached out and grasped Consort Shu's chin, forcefully lifting her face, compelling her to meet his gaze.

"Tell Us, why did these filthy things appear in your chambers?" he demanded.

"I don't know! I truly don't know! I have never seen that bag before... Furthermore, I bear no grudge against Noble Consort Yang or Noble Consort Song. Why would I do such a thing?" Consort Shu pleaded earnestly, her face displaying innocence, as if she genuinely had no knowledge of the matter.

Deep down, Xiao Jingheng didn't entirely believe that Consort Shu was responsible for these events.

After all, she had never engaged in conflicts or rivalries with other concubines in the palace, despite her position.

But the fact remained that Soul Scattering Powder was indeed found in her chambers...

Xiao Jingheng grunted and forcefully pushed Consort Shu's chin away, standing with his hands behind his back, exuding an imposing aura.

Consort Shu fell to the ground, gasping for breath. After a moment, she suddenly shifted her gaze to Consort Chen.

"Someone must be deliberately framing me in this matter!"

Consort Chen locked eyes with her and spoke in a harsh tone, "Why are you staring at me? Do you think I want to harm you? Ridiculous!"

As she spoke, Consort Chen raised her hand, intending to slap Consort Shu.

Song Zhao stood beside her and quickly intervened, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Let the Emperor decide on this matter."

Just now, Xiao Jingheng had thrown a bag containing Soul Scattering Powder near Consort Chen's feet.

While Song Zhao was stopping Consort Chen, he accidentally kicked the bag.

Consort Shu watched intently as the bag rolled, and in the flickering candlelight, it unexpectedly emitted a shimmering and radiant glow.

She hurriedly said, "Your Majesty! There's something wrong with this bag!"