roccoschili Chapter 39 Consort Fucha Questions Her
Chapter 39 Consort Fucha Questions Her
Not long after, Consort Qi was hurriedly brought to Yanxi Palace by Su Peisheng.
Accompanying her was her personal maid, Cuiguo.
When they entered the palace, the first thing they saw was Fucha Peiyun, lying on the bed, her face as pale as paper.
And the big, fat orange cat sitting on the edge of the bed, its expression unpredictable.
Consort Qi and Cui Guo were instantly panicked, their faces filled with terror.
But she tried to remain calm and make herself appear less flustered.
However, their slightly trembling hands and constantly shifting eyes had already betrayed their inner panic.
The chubby man's face was ashen, his gaze icy as he stared at Consort Qi, and he slowly spoke:
"Consort Qi, why did you poison Consort Shu?" The Emperor's voice seemed to come from the deepest hell, deep and majestic, each word like a heavy hammer striking the ground, carrying an undeniable sense of oppression.
Upon hearing this, Consort Qi trembled violently, as if struck by lightning, and immediately knelt down with a thud.
Tears welled up instantly and flowed uncontrollably like a flood bursting its banks.
She gripped the ground tightly with both hands, crying out, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I truly did not poison Consort Shu! Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"
"I swear to Heaven, if I have uttered even the slightest lie, may I be struck by lightning!"
She screamed at the top of her lungs while repeatedly kowtowing.
His forehead struck the hard ground with a series of dull thuds.
Before long, a red swelling appeared on her forehead, and even faint traces of blood seeped out, but Consort Qi seemed not to notice and continued to kowtow.
However, the chubby orange remained unmoved. His face was ashen, and he coldly said:
"Since you claim to be innocent, then eat this plate of chestnut cake."
"As long as you eat this chestnut cake and remain unharmed, I will naturally believe in your innocence."
After saying that, he waved his hand lightly, and Su Peisheng, who was standing to the side, understood immediately.
He hurriedly and carefully placed the plate of chestnut cakes in front of Consort Qi.
Consort Qi looked at the familiar plate of chestnut cake in front of her, and her face instantly turned ashen, devoid of any color.
Her lips trembled, her body involuntarily recoiled, she shook her head incessantly, and her eyes were filled with fear and despair.
The chubby orange cat also had feelings for Consort Qi, who had been by his side for many years.
However, his son, the Third Prince, was of little use, and he was truly displeased with the birth of the Fourth Prince.
The Fifth Prince was in poor health, and none of his three sons were capable.
Consort Shu was finally pregnant with a prince, and her due date was fast approaching.
Since Consort Qi was going to make a move against Consort Shu, Big Fat Orange naturally couldn't let it go easily.
Big Fat Orange's gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Qi Fei's heart; his voice was cold and firm:
"Consort Qi, I'm giving you this chance. If you don't eat, it means you have a guilty conscience."
Consort Qi's face grew even paler, and her lips trembled so much that she could barely speak.
But finally, she mustered her courage, her voice weak and trembling:
"Your Majesty, I...I really didn't poison it, this chestnut cake...this chestnut cake..."
Big Orange's patience had run out. He slammed his fist on the table and roared:
"Enough! If you don't eat, I'll have someone feed you!"
The emperor's eyes widened in fury as he roared. His voice, like thunder, echoed throughout the palace, sending chills down everyone's spine.
Upon seeing this, Su Peisheng's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly.
His face showed respect, but his eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness. He clasped his hands in a fist and replied in a low voice:
"This servant obeys the decree." With that, he reached out to grab the bowl and chopsticks from Consort Qi's hands.
Consort Qi's face was as pale as paper, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
She kept her eyes tightly shut, tears streaming down her cheeks, her lips trembling slightly with fear.
Finally, as if resigned to her fate, she slowly extended her right hand, which trembled violently in the air, as if it didn't belong to her.
It was as if they were facing a merciless judgment from fate.
Just then, Cui Guo, who had been kneeling silently to the side, suddenly raised her head and said urgently:
"Your Majesty, our Ladyship only wanted to take action against Consort Shu and Consort Wan after listening to the Empress's words."
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng turned his head sharply, glared at Cuiguo, and shouted angrily, "You daring wench, how dare you spout such nonsense!"
However, before Cui Guo could explain, the fat orange sitting above her slammed its hand on the table, making the teacups on it jump.
He angrily questioned:
"You mean the Empress instigated Consort Qi to harm the imperial heir? Do you know how serious the crime of falsely accusing the Empress is!"
Startled by the sudden rebuke, Cui Guo trembled violently, shaking like a leaf.
Terrified, she repeatedly kowtowed, her forehead hitting the ground with a thud, and cried out in panic:
"This servant would not dare! This servant has not uttered a single falsehood! Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"
Fucha Peiyun, lying on the bed, also looked on in disbelief. Her eyes widened, and she said urgently:
"How could this be? Her Majesty the Empress has always been virtuous, kind, and benevolent; she would never do something so heinous."
"Your Majesty, I firmly believe that this was not the Empress's doing!"
As she spoke, she gripped the sleeve of the chubby orange tightly, her eyes filled with earnestness.
Seeing this, the chubby orange tree frowned slightly, but still gently patted Fucha Peiyun's hand to comfort her.
Then, turning to look at Cui Guo, who was still kneeling on the ground trembling, he asked again:
"Since you keep saying it's the truth..."
"Then quickly tell us exactly what the Empress said!"
Cui Guo nodded hesitantly, trying to calm her inner fear and panic.
She began to recall the private conversation that Consort Qi had recounted to her that day with the Empress…
"Her Majesty the Empress said that Consort Shu comes from a Manchu banner family, while Consort Wan is greatly favored."
If Consort Shu and Consort Wan were to give birth to a prince, they would surely receive even more favor from Your Majesty.
And...and..."
As Big Fat Orange listened to Green Fruit's account, his face grew increasingly gloomy and unpleasant.
His once sharp eyes now burned like flames, as if they wanted to incinerate everything in front of them.
He thought to himself: The Empress deliberately said these words to Consort Qi. I would never believe that there was no other hidden meaning behind it!
Thinking of this, he glared at Cui Guo with wide eyes and said sternly, "Continue! Stop stammering!"
When Cuiguo suddenly heard the thunderous roar of the fat orange, she was instantly terrified, her heart pounding in her chest.
She felt as if all the strength had been drained from her legs; they were limp and unable to support her body.
I almost collapsed onto the cold, hard ground.
However, Cuiguo gritted her teeth and used the last bit of strength she had left to forcefully prop up her already weak legs.
Her body trembled uncontrollably, and even her voice became shaky:
"Her Majesty the Empress also mentioned... mentioned Emperor Shunzhi and the Fourth Prince,"
They even said...that the child was born dead, and in that case it would have been better if he had never been born!
Although the palace maid's speech was somewhat hesitant and incomplete due to excessive fear,
But as the ruler of a nation, how could the fat orange cat be so astute?
Naturally, one can easily understand the deeper meaning hidden behind the Empress's words.
Thinking of this, the anger in Big Fat Orange's heart suddenly flared up like a volcanic eruption.
I am still alive and well, yet the Empress and Consort Qi are already so eager to covet the position of Crown Prince.
Have they even started eliminating dissidents?
You should know that Emperor Shunzhi was the great-grandfather of the big fat orange!
Emperor Shunzhi once doted on Consort Dong'e.
When Consort Dong'e gave birth to the fourth prince, Emperor Shunzhi was overjoyed and declared that this child was his first son.
And he intended to make him the crown prince.
Unfortunately, the fourth prince died young, and Emperor Shunzhi had no choice but to abandon the idea of establishing a crown prince.
If the Fourth Prince hadn't died young, his father, the Emperor, might not have become emperor.
He also had even less chance of inheriting his father's throne.
Now that he is in his prime, some people are already eyeing his throne.
The Empress instigated Consort Qi to target Consort Shu and Consort Wan. If successful, the Empress could reap the benefits.
If the truth were to come out, then Consort Qi would naturally take the blame; Consort Qi wouldn't dare to mention the Empress.
Then the Third Prince will fall into the Empress's hands. The Empress is truly resourceful, able to both attack and defend. What a clever idea!
He truly underestimated his Empress. If it weren't for Consort Qi's loyalty in protecting her mistress and revealing the Empress's identity today...
He could never see the true face of his good empress.
He should have deposed the empress last time, but the matter of deposing the empress has far-reaching consequences.
The first to disagree would undoubtedly be the Empress Dowager. This matter requires careful consideration; let's put it aside for now.
Big Orange suddenly remembered that Consort Qi wasn't usually very bright, so how could she have thought of using oleander, since she didn't know its medicinal properties?
"How did Consort Qi come up with the idea of using oleander to harm people? Was it the Empress again?" Big Fat Orange asked.
Cui Guo gently shook her head and said slowly:
"Your Majesty, after our Ladyship finished speaking with Her Majesty the Empress that day..."
He walked slowly with a furrowed brow and a worried expression, and before he knew it, he had walked deep into the Imperial Garden.
Just then, the Empress happened to stop under a patch of vibrant, glistening oleanders.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he happened to run into An Daying.
Then, Lady An came rushing over. Seeing our Lady standing there,
He quickly said that it was not advisable to stay here for long, and also mentioned that the oleander was a poisonous flower.
Even more alarming was her claim that this flower was harmful to fetuses; fortunately, it was not planted in Yanxi Palace or Suiyu Pavilion.
Hearing this, the chubby orange cat frowned, pondering to itself:
It's truly unbelievable! Usually, this An Shi seems so timid, cowardly, and gentle...
I never expected him to be such a vicious person!
Fucha Peiyun, who was standing nearby, quickly spoke up to advise:
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I think this matter may just be a coincidence."
Just think about it, Consort An and Consort Wan usually have such a good relationship.
Why would someone intentionally harm Consort Wan? There must be some misunderstanding.