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Chapter 33

"Thank you for your efforts, Yan the Imperial Physician."

Jiang Xinyue propped herself up and watched Wang Dequan and the Imperial Physician leave together.

Empress Zhu shook her head: "You were too careless. Consort Jiang holds a deep grudge against you after being demoted. For you to eat the pastries she sent is quite reckless."

Jiang Xinyue let out a feeble cough: "This concubine did not wish to eat them, but in my current fallen state, anyone can trample on me. If I refused, she would have forced me to consume the poison anyway."

Empress Zhu sighed: "Fortunately, she did not get the dosage right. Yan the Imperial Physician said the arsenic she used was diluted enough that it would not claim a life. Nevertheless, this was a close call for you. In the future, you must be more cautious."

Jiang Xinyue nodded again, her expression dejected.

Empress Zhu smiled faintly: "The Emperor still cares for you in his heart, or he would not have arranged for Yan the Imperial Physician to treat you. Be patient a while longer, and persevere - you will eventually be freed."

Jiang Xinyue nodded once more. Empress Zhu patted her shoulder: "The eunuch overseeing the Cold Palace has captured Consort Jiang\'s maid. I have instructed Consort Liang and Consort De to escort her before the Emperor. With such concrete evidence, Consort Jiang cannot escape punishment. Rest assured, I will ensure justice is served for you."

Only then did some light return to Jiang Xinyue\'s eyes, tears welling up: "Your Majesty has shown this concubine immense kindness. This concubine is forever indebted and will lay down her life if Your Majesty ever needs anything from her."

Having received the promise she wanted, Empress Zhu rose to leave: "Then I shall not disturb your rest any further. Xi Que, take good care of your mistress."

"Yes, farewell Your Majesty."

Jiang Xinyue knew she would be poisoned, but not that it would be arsenic, almost costing her life.

Her strength utterly spent, after Xi Que helped her take the medicine, she fell into a deep slumber again.

In the Yikun Palace—

Consort Jiang knelt in the hall, flanked by the trembling Mu Tan and the maid.

The Xuanwu Emperor, Empress Zhu, Consort Liang, Consort De, Consort Rong, Noble Consort Rong, and numerous other consorts were all seated, as if holding a formal court session. The atmosphere was solemn and stifling.

"Bam!"

A plate of unfinished horse-hoof pastries was thrown in front of Consort Jiang. The Xuanwu Emperor\'s expression was stern: "Eat."

Consort Jiang likely guessed that her attempt to poison Consort Zhen had been exposed. She stole a glance at the Emperor\'s icy demeanor, feeling confused.

It was just meant to make Consort Zhen embarrass herself, right?

Why was the Emperor making such a fuss over this? Did he still harbor feelings for that vile woman? Was demoting her to the Cold Palace his only reluctant option?

They had clearly schemed against Consort Zhen, and the Emperor had thought she intentionally caused Noble Consort\'s drowning accident to curry favor, right?

Consort Jiang\'s expression was grim, her eyes darting about - a clear sign of guilt.

To the Xuanwu Emperor, there was no need for further questioning. Consort Jiang\'s face was etched with the words "I poisoned her."

"What\'s wrong? What did Consort Jiang put in the horse-hoof pastries? Why won\'t you eat them yourself?"

Consort Liang had always been harsh when dealing with Noble Consort\'s faction, let alone now that they had almost killed Consort Zhen: "If you won\'t eat them yourself, why send them to Consort Zhen?"

She must have been trying to take Consort Zhen\'s life!

Consort Jiang knew denial was futile at this point. She kowtowed directly: "Your Majesty, this concubine will never do it again. Please spare me this one time!"

Consorts Wan and Jin exchanged bewildered looks, as if unable to believe Consort Jiang had confessed so quickly.

Did her hatred for Consort Zhen truly run so deep that she was willing to go to such lengths, even at the cost of her own life?

But the poison dosage was too low, and Consort Zhen did not die - she was even revived!

Confessing now was utterly pointless.

"Are you deaf to your Emperor\'s words?"

With her head pressed to the ground, Consort Jiang gritted her teeth and picked up a piece of the horse-hoof pastry to eat.

At worst, she would just have diarrhea. She could get some medicine from the physician later.

The Yikun Palace fell deathly silent, not a single consort or servant daring to speak.

At first, Consort Jiang was nonchalant, but gradually, she sensed something was amiss.

She coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, clutching her agonizingly painful stomach, too tormented to utter a word.

The Xuanwu Emperor watched her, but his gaze seemed to pass through her, as if looking at someone else. His expression and eyes betrayed no emotion, but his heart had already been torn asunder.

Did Consort Zhen... suffer such pain too?

She was so delicate, crying over the slightest scratch, complaining that whatever cut her finger had bullied her.

In such agony, how terrified must she have been?

Consort Jiang also lost consciousness, but the Emperor did not show her any mercy this time by calling a physician.

He immediately demoted her to a palace maid, banishing her to the Cold Palace without even a single personal attendant. From then on, she would serve any concubine sent to the Cold Palace.

"This is the last time I will say this - my imperial harem has no place for venomous vipers. Anyone who employs such underhanded tactics to harm others will receive no leniency from me."

With those words, he returned to the Chengqian Palace with Wang Dequan.

Empress Zhu cast a warning glance: "You have all heard the Emperor\'s words. I will not repeat myself. Keep them in mind, and restrain your actions by considering the consequences for your families. Commit a transgression, and not only will the Emperor discard you, but your entire clan will suffer."

"We obey Your Majesty\'s guidance."

When Jiang Xinyue awoke again, it was already deep into the night. Xiao Xuanzi had fetched a light dinner from the imperial kitchen and also brought a steamed stuffed bun for the new Cold Palace maid, tossing it carelessly by the door.

Jiang Yuan had been poisoned and, with no physician to treat her, remained unconscious when she was carried in.

Xi Que set out the nourishing vegetarian meal on the table - four dishes and one soup, all prepared according to the Imperial Physician\'s instructions.

Xiao Xuanzi glanced at the tightly closed room opposite, pondering how differently those banished to the Cold Palace by the Emperor were treated.

Jiang Yuan had brought this upon herself. If only she had remained a good consort instead of trying to harm Consort Zhen. She deserved her fate.

"Another arrival to the Cold Palace?"

Jiang Xinyue asked as Xi Que helped her to the table. "Is it Consort Jiang?"

If Consort Jiang enters, her departure won\'t be far off.

Mentioning her, Xi Que was furious: "What Consort Jiang? The Emperor has demoted her to a palace maid. She\'s now on the same level as servants. I\'m just waiting for her to wake up."

They were both palace maids, but she was Consort Zhen\'s personal attendant, while Jiang Yuan was a disgraced maid in the cold palace. Since Jiang Yuan dared to poison her own mistress, she would surely take revenge on her mistress fiercely.