The Job Of An Imperial Concubine

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The empress seemed not to have heard the two's discussion, turning her attention to the two court eunuchs that had been scared silly. "Have you two finished thinking it over yet? Was there anything strange you noticed?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty the empress, we slaves have recalled something," said the eunuch that seemed somewhat calmer than the other. "At that time, we slaves directly fetched the soil from the supervising staff's area. Afterward, we came across three people we are well acquainted with on the road. And we had a short chat."

"You two better be speaking the truth. Otherwise, if it turns out you lied, then this palace will punish you to de-" The empress glanced at the swelling abdomen of Zhuang Laoyan. Swallowed the words she wanted to say. "You better watch your heads."

"We slaves absolutely dare not lie. The three people were Shangshi Bureau's Xiao Pingzi, the laundry bureau's Yurong, and... Her Highness Noble Consort Xian's eunuch in charge of sweeping the ground, Xiao Xizi." When he mentioned "Noble Consort Xian," the little eunuch appeared afraid, lowering his head even more. "At that time, Xiao Xizi said Her Highness Consort Zhao was so fussy, that she would go through so much inconvenience just to grow some potted flowers."

"What a good wicked slave, even daring to comment on the masters." The empress sneered. "Servants, detain all three of them and drag them here."

Holding a teacup, Feng Jin added, "Summon Noble Consort Xian here as well."

A short while later, Noble Consort Xian arrived. As for the other three people, a few court eunuchs dragged them over. The trio seemed to have been paddled.

Translated by Sleepchaser. If you read this anywhere except sleepchaser's wordpress, you're reading from a thief.

When Noble Consort Xian laid eyes on those three servants, her complexion appeared as it had always appeared. In fact, due to the reeking scent of blood, she revealed an expression of disdain, covering the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. She thought that the emperor brought her here because she assisted the empress in managing the harem, smiling as she said, "This concubine wonders why Your Majesty has summoned me."

Judging by Noble Consort Xian's appearance, Zhuang Laoyan came to this thought: Either she was innocent or she was the best actress in the imperial harem.

"Do you recognize this eunuch?" asked Feng Jin, pointing at Xiao Xizi. Expressionless.

Noble Consort Xian observed him. Then, she shook her head. "Reporting to Your Majesty, this concubine does not recognize this servant."

"Noble Consort Xian, this is a eunuch who sweeps the ground in your palace," said the empress, taking her time with her words. "This person may be a loathsome slave who tried to make Consort Zhao miscarry."

At the sound of these statements, realization struck Noble Consort Xian. The emperor had summoned her to interrogate her. At once, her complexion changed. A bang as she dropped to a kneel. "Your Majesty, please see clearly. This concubine truly doesn't know this little eunuch."

Let's not talk about whether or not this Xiao Xizi was someone from her palace. Even if he was, how could she recognize a eunuch who swept the ground? Just who was framing her?

The palace maid who followed at Noble Consort Xian's side looked Xiao Xizi up and down a few times. A bit hesitant, she said, "Your Majesty, this... this slave has something to report."

"Speak," said Feng Jin, ice-cold in tone.

"This slave recognizes this Xiao Xizi. A few days ago, the Department of the Palace transferred him to our palace. Recently, when Wanyi Qian received her promotion, this slave went to Changtian House to deliver our master's congratulatory gift. Back then, this Xiao Xizi tripped and fell not too far away, so this slave had a few more looks at him. As such, this Xiao Xizi used to work in Changtian House."

"Changtian House?" Surprised, the empress shifted her gaze to Xiao Xizi. Originally, Miss Xu resided there, but after the emperor spurned her, Wanyi Qian became the master of that residence. Then this case...

Once Xiao Xizi heard what had been said, he cried out again and again that he was innocent. That he didn't know about any drugs that could harm people.

"Have people search Changtian House. We recall that there are many books there." Feng Jin's expression darkened. "Flip Changtian House upside down if necessary. No need to take any consideration. Just bring those things here."

The empress was clear on this fact: When the emperor had still favored Miss Xu, because she loved reading, he bestowed many books to Changtian House. There were books of poems, novels, and other rare works. Among them were books on medicine.

Shortly after, Wanyi Qian arrived. She knelt, eyes red. But because the emperor's expression was too dark, she did not say anything. She listened to the footsteps behind her that came and went. Behind her were also three servants that had been beaten to the point that they could not kneel. Her complexion paled.

Two hours later, Gao Dezhong swiftly entered the room. He cut a calm figure. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the imperial guards found a medicinal book in a vase on the ground in Wanyi Qian's resting quarters. There are marks on this book that indicate it has been thumbed through recently. An entry in the book called 'Startling Medicine' is suspiciously similar to what was discovered in the soil."

As soon as he had said this, everyone's expression changed. Noble Consort Xian wanted to throttle Wanyi Qian. If this matter had not been thoroughly investigated, then the person out of luck today would have been her. The only woman raising an imperial prince right now was Noble Consort Xian. If something bad happened to Zhuang Laoyan's child, one would fear she would be the prime suspect. Although she hated this child, she wasn't so stupid to make a move on it. Even if Zhuang Laoyan miscarried, she would still be out of luck. What benefit would that bring her? It was merely making bridal attire for someone else.

Wanyi Qian, this bitch!

definitions

1. punish you to de- : Hard to see it in English, but she was about to say 'death by caning.'

2. Shangshi Bureau: 尚食. I don't know the official translation of this department, but it's the department in charge of the palace's meals. From the name, Xiao Pingzi should be a eunuch.

3. laundry bureau: Self explanatory. Typically, servants who committed small crimes or offended the masters would be sent here, since it is a heavy labor section. From the name, Yurong should be a palace maid.

4. Miss Xu; Aka Zhaorong Xu. I believe she was demoted and is no longer a zhaorong.

5. Starling Medicine: 惊神药方. I'm not 100% sure how to translate this since I'm not well-versed in traditional Chinese medicine terminology. Basically, it's medicine that keeps you from being calm, and might even make you anxious and frightened. 药方 technically translates into 'prescription,' but western prescriptions are different from what they mean here. What's in the book is almost like a recipe of sorts, telling you how much of the ingredients you need, and the steps in which to make said medicine. That's why I didn't use the word 'prescription' here.