sbdcsierra Chapter 1765 Summoning the Imperial Concubine to Inquire
Chapter 1765 Summoning the Imperial Concubine to Inquire
The more anxious Consort Zhuang was, the faster she acted, and the easier it was for her to slip up.
Although taking action against the Third Prince was insidious, it was a risky move she had to make in her haste.
Because ordinary methods can no longer shake Yongshou Palace in the slightest. Consort Zhuang needs a drastic measure, to create a sufficiently impactful event to break the current stalemate.
Looking at Shen Zhinian's expression, Han Dan asked curiously, "So, Your Highness, you're not angry, but instead think this is an opportunity?"
Shen Zhinian said with a half-smile, "Since Consort Zhuang has made her move, we can follow the clues. No matter how deep the Zhuang family's spies are planted in the Imperial Hospital, as long as they move, there will be traces."
"Xiao Mingzi, you did a great job. Continue to keep a close eye on the interactions between Changchun Palace and the Imperial Medical Academy, especially that Physician Qin, as well as any imperial physicians, apprentices, clerks, and others who may have access to the Third Prince's medical records and medicines."
“Since they have taken action, there will surely be follow-up. What you need to do is to collect evidence, as thoroughly as possible, but remember not to alert them.”
Xiao Mingzi perked up and bowed, replying, "This servant understands!"
Shen Zhinian then looked at Handan: "Go to the Imperial Hospital secretly and find Physician Tang. Have him secretly and carefully investigate all medical records and medicine transaction records related to Changchun Palace and the Third Prince. Pay special attention to any unusual alterations, annotations, or prescriptions with controversial medicinal properties."
"He naturally knows what to do."
Tang Luochuan is a trusted imperial physician whom Shen Zhinian personally promoted. He is highly skilled in medicine, meticulous in his thinking, and extremely loyal to her.
His investigation, conducted secretly within the Imperial Hospital, was far more thorough than Xiaomingzi's inquiries from the outside.
Han Dan solemnly agreed, "This servant will go right away!"
Half a month later.
Yongshou Palace.
Consort Xian and Consort Xuan both had palace affairs to report today, so they arrived here early.
The two looked at each other and saw the darkness in each other's eyes.
Consort Xian and Consort Xuan had already received Shen Zhinian's message and both knew that a grand show was about to take place at Yongshou Palace today!
Shen Zhinian wore a rather dignified light purple palace dress today, with a matching cloud-patterned vest over it, and simple pearl hairpins.
Although she had to lean on the throne covered with thick cushions because of her large pregnant belly, her overall demeanor was so majestic that people dared not look directly at her!
As the three were talking, Xiao Mingzi came in and said, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Tang requests an audience, saying he has important matters to report to Your Majesty."
A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Zhinian's eyes: "Oh? Let him in."
"Yes."
After Tang Luochuan entered, he respectfully bowed and said, "Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
"Greetings to Consort Xian and Consort Xuan! May Your Highnesses be blessed with good fortune and peace!"
Shen Zhinian said calmly, "Get up."
"I wonder what brings Physician Tang here today?"
Behind Tang Luochuan, the young apprentice carried a tray with several neatly stacked scrolls of medical records, lists of medicinal herbs, and several letters with different handwriting.
Upon hearing Shen Zhinian's question, Tang Luochuan respectfully replied, "Your Highness, while reviewing the records of the Imperial Medical Academy in recent months, I discovered that the Third Prince's recent medical history raises questions about the medications reported by the Department of Pharmacy!"
"The description of the fluctuating illness in the medical records differs considerably from the actual situation I inquired about privately with the female physician who was caring for the Third Prince."
"Especially these few medicinal herbs..."
Tang Luochuan said, pointing to a list: "The medicine is potent and the combination is unconventional. Using it on young children may not strengthen their constitution and nourish their vital energy, but may instead disturb their fundamental health, making them unable to tolerate the tonics."
"I found this suspicious, so I secretly investigated and found that the medical records and the approval of the medicines were all handled by a physician surnamed Qin."
"Following the clues, I found fragments of medicinal herbs that had never been used in prescriptions but had mysteriously appeared in the records of discarded medicine residues in the Imperial Pharmacy. These fragments matched the items that Physician Qin had smuggled in private."
Shen Zhinian's brows furrowed suddenly: "What?!"
Tang Luochuan took out a few sheets of paper and continued, "Your Highness, this is the amount of money that Physician Qin and the eunuchs of Changchun Palace exchanged privately."
"With both witnesses and physical evidence, Physician Qin and the eunuch have been temporarily detained by this humble servant in a side room of the Imperial Hospital, awaiting their fate."
Consort Xian and Consort Xuan exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Is the grand play that the Imperial Noble Consort invited them to watch today related to Changchun Palace?
That's really interesting!
After listening to Tang Luochuan's account, Shen Zhinian's eyes were filled with complex emotions, and she said incredulously, "What Physician Tang said... is truly shocking!"
"The Third Prince is in poor health, and His Majesty and I have always cherished him and ordered the Imperial Hospital to take good care of him."
"The Imperial Concubine has been in the palace for many years, and has always been dignified, composed, and compassionate. How could she... how could she do such a thing?"
"I find it hard to believe..."
Consort Xuan immediately said, "Imperial Noble Consort, Imperial Physician Tang is always meticulous, and the evidence is conclusive. Even if we are unwilling to believe it, we cannot turn a blind eye."
"This matter concerns the safety of the imperial heir and also involves the reputation of the harem; it is no small matter!"
Shen Zhinian took a deep breath, seemingly having made up her mind: "Sister Xuanfei is right. This matter is of utmost importance, and I cannot stand idly by."
"Qiuyue, go to Changchun Palace immediately and summon the Imperial Concubine for questioning."
"Xiao Mingzi, go quickly to wait outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation and report to His Majesty that there is an urgent matter at Yongshou Palace concerning the imperial heir and the peace of the palace. Please make a decision, Your Majesty!"
The two replied, "Yes!"
Shen Zhinian's gaze lingered on the faces of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan for a moment before she said softly, "Once the Noble Consort and His Majesty arrive, this matter will need to be clarified."
The virtuous concubine nodded silently.
Consort Xuan said, "The Imperial Noble Consort is right, this matter must be thoroughly investigated!"
……
Changchun Palace.
Consort Zhuang had just finished her breakfast and was being served by Ruoji to rinse her mouth and wash her hands.
For some reason, she felt inexplicably irritable.
Ever since she devised the plan with Consort Mei that day, she had been keeping a close eye on the movements of the Imperial Hospital and the Third Prince.
The news from Physician Qin was that everything was going smoothly, and the news had also been subtly leaked out through the secret agents in the Cold Palace.
Once the situation has developed further, we can begin the next step.
But... Consort Zhuang's heartstrings remained taut.
Because the Imperial Noble Consort was too quiet.
After she delegated more palace affairs to Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, she truly focused on her pregnancy and ignored all matters in the harem.
This is unlike the style of the Imperial Noble Consort...
As Consort Zhuang was pondering, Xiao Caizi hurried in, his expression somewhat strange. He reported, "Your Highness, Qiuyue from Yongshou Palace has arrived. She says that the Imperial Noble Consort has urgent business and requests that Your Highness proceed to Yongshou Palace immediately."
Consort Zhuang's breath hitched!
The bad feeling in my heart grew stronger and stronger...
Did something happen at the Imperial Hospital?
Has Physician Qin been exposed?
Or...did the Imperial Noble Consort have already sensed it and been waiting in secret?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Consort Zhuang's mind.