A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City-Chapter 97

The gazes of Jiuzhu, Prince Chen, and Prince An all turned toward Princess Consort An.

Princess Consort An silently turned her head to look at the imperial physician, the only one who hadn’t directed his gaze at her. "Sir, how many times has Her Highness used this incense in recent days? Could it harm her health?"

"A few times won’t have much effect," the physician glanced at her. The fact that she could still sneak snacks in secret meant her spleen and stomach were completely unaffected.

"That’s a relief." Princess Consort An exhaled in relief and had a palace maid give the physician a token of gratitude. She then turned to Prince An. "Your Highness, this incense was sent by Consort Wei. Should we…?"

Since this involved another imperial consort, they, as juniors, dared not make a decision lightly.

"Fifth Brother," Prince An, though timid by nature, found courage when it came to his mother’s safety. "I wish to report this matter to the Empress."

The Empress was the master of the inner palace. No matter how things unfolded, they could not bypass her.

He didn’t understand. Since childhood, he had been mediocre in both literary and martial pursuits, neither competing for power nor standing out. The most outrageous thing he’d ever done was follow his brothers to Fourth Brother’s residence to cook hotpot while the latter was injured.

But it was Fifth Brother who had come up with the idea, and Eldest Brother who had ordered the servants to prepare everything. Even if Fourth Brother held a grudge, he shouldn’t be the primary target.

As for his mother, after the Emperor ascended the throne, she was granted the title of Consort. Over the years, her rank had never been promoted. The Emperor wouldn’t even spare her a second glance when passing by.

Who would go to such lengths to scheme against them?

What was the point?

Could it be to save the Emperor the expense of supporting their household?

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he sharply turned to look at Prince Chen.

Had someone discovered his successful attempt to latch onto Prince Chen’s coattails and grown resentful?

Or perhaps someone hated Prince Chen but couldn’t touch him, so they took it out on him instead?

He had always known that competing for the crown prince’s position was fraught with danger, but he never imagined that even attaching himself to someone powerful carried risks.

"It seems we won’t be able to enjoy Consort Wei’s lunch today," Prince Chen stood up and turned toward Consort Lü, who had just returned to the doorway. "Consort Lü, let’s go pay a visit to Her Majesty the Empress."

Consort Lü hadn’t expected that stepping out briefly would result in such a shift in the younger generation’s demeanor. Uneasy, she asked, "What happened?"

Had Prince Chen discovered her secret indulgence in stinky tofu, roasted pancakes, gray water rice cakes, and river snail noodles—common street foods forbidden in the palace?

Though palace rules prohibited outside food, such regulations were loosely enforced. Which consort hadn’t secretly eaten something from beyond the palace walls?

"Mother," Princess Consort An’s face paled. "The incense Consort Wei sent you… it’s problematic."

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Of course, she didn’t mention that she had accidentally let it slip.

Consort Lü paused briefly, then nodded at Prince Chen and Jiuzhu. "We should indeed visit Her Majesty. My matter will trouble the Empress."

She looked at the four young people in the hall and sighed inwardly.

The imperial family’s descendants would inevitably reach this point.

She only hoped the tragedies of the Xiande era would not repeat themselves with these princes.

Consort Wei sat at the dining table, while Princess Consort Jing stood beside her serving dishes, her complexion noticeably pale.

After a few servings, Consort Wei motioned for her to sit. "You look unwell. What’s the matter?"

"Mother, my family just sent word—my uncle was taken by the Imperial Guards to the capital’s magistrate office for questioning," Princess Consort Jing replied with her head bowed, her tone exceedingly deferential. "I didn’t mean to disturb your meal. Please forgive me."

"What happened?"

"I’m not certain, but the order came from Prince Chen and Prince An." Princess Consort Jing forced a smile. "Prince Chen has had conflicts with noble families for the past two years. Perhaps another dispute arose."

"Yun Duqing giving such an order doesn’t surprise me, but Prince An? Since when did he have such nerve?" Consort Wei frowned.

"Prince An has been trying to ingratiate himself with Prince Chen lately. Perhaps…" Princess Consort Jing lowered her voice, "he’s pledged his allegiance."

"Is he so certain Prince Chen will inherit the throne?" Consort Wei scoffed before adding, "Don’t worry. The capital magistrate is an upright man. Even if it’s Prince Chen’s order, as long as Du Qingke is innocent, he’ll return unharmed."

Princess Consort Jing hesitated. "I’m concerned… Prince Chen might fabricate charges."

Consort Wei gave her a mocking look. "Do you really think Yun Duqing needs to frame someone to deal with an official?"

"Mother…"

"Enough." Consort Wei cut her off. "No one in the palace is a fool. Don’t play your little games in front of me."

Princess Consort Jing’s face whitened further.

"Your Highness," a eunuch hurried in. "The Empress requests your presence."

Consort Wei’s brows furrowed. It was mealtime—Su Meidai summoning her now couldn’t mean anything good.

She glanced at Princess Consort Jing. "Return to your palace and stay there. Don’t meddle in affairs outside."

With that, she hastened to Bright Moon Palace.

Bright Moon Palace was the most unique residence in the imperial harem.

The Emperor’s dwelling was named Taiyang Palace, symbolizing the highest central point—like the sun at its zenith.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍sun and the moon were equals, peerless in dignity. What did that make the other palaces?

Unremarkable stars in the night sky?

Consort Wei gazed up at the plaque of Bright Moon Palace, inscribed by the Emperor himself after his ascension. From the very beginning, His Majesty had made it clear—Su Meidai stood apart from all other consorts.

"Consort Wei, please come this way." A palace maid ushered her inside.

And then… she saw a table full of people dining together, with Consort Lü seated in a corner, eating with evident satisfaction.

"Your humble servant greets the Empress," Consort Wei performed a deep bow.

"You’re here?" The Empress pointed to the empty seat beside Consort Lü. "Sit and eat with us."

"Your Majesty, I’ve already dined." Consort Wei’s eyes swept over the gathering before settling on Ming Jiuzhu.

Noticing her gaze, Jiuzhu looked up and met her eyes.

Consort Wei smiled at her.

"What are you staring at?" Prince Chen placed Jiuzhu’s favorite dish into her bowl.

Jiuzhu shook her head and leaned in to whisper, "Prince Jing and Consort Wei look so alike."

"When it comes to insults, Little Pig Ming, you’re a master." Prince Chen chuckled. "The palace says that among the five princes, Prince Jing is the most ordinary-looking. Yet you claim he resembles Consort Wei—isn’t that an insult?"

"Who’s judging by appearance?" Jiuzhu poked his shoulder lightly. "As the Buddhists say, ‘Red cheeks today, bleached bones tomorrow.’ Even the most beautiful become mere skeletons in death."

"A girl raised in a Taoist temple quoting Buddhist philosophy?" Prince Chen handed her a bowl of soup. "Drink this first."

At home, her mother watched her drink soup; in the palace, His Highness watched her drink soup—Jiuzhu felt like she had become a soup kettle. She lifted the bowl and gulped it down in one go, then set it aside and continued softly, "Buddhism and Taoism share kinship, but what I'm referring to isn't their appearance—it's the feeling between that mother and son."

They were clearly present, yet so easily overlooked.

Her master once said that everyone in this world has a purpose for existing. If a person is consistently ignored in any setting, it can only mean they are deliberately minimizing their presence.

Such a person was unlikely to give poisoned incense to other consorts in the palace, as it contradicted her usual low-profile behavior.

Lunch took quite some time, and though the Empress Dowager hadn’t told Consort Wei why she had been summoned, the latter stood quietly, posture humble and respectful, showing no trace of impatience.

Whether it was the late Lady Zheng, executed by the Emperor, or Consort Zhang, both had been visibly nervous when visiting Bright Moon Palace alone.

After observing Consort Wei for a while, Jiuzhu turned to Prince Chen and said, "I sense she has an affinity with Buddhism."

With such a serene temperament, it was a shame she wasn’t chanting sutras.

"You, a traitor to Taoism, are now worrying about promoting Buddhism?" Prince Chen chuckled. "What if this is just false compassion? Wouldn’t that tarnish Buddhism’s reputation?"

"Duqing, Jiuzhu, what are you two whispering about?" The Empress sighed as she noticed their heads close together. This was supposed to be a serious investigation in the imperial harem—couldn’t they at least pretend to be solemn?

"Your Majesty, we were discussing the future development of Buddhism and Taoism," Prince Chen declared shamelessly. "Since we have no say in harem matters, please don’t mind us."

The Empress: "..."

She didn’t want to mind them, but their blatant whispering was downright brazen.

"Consort Wei," the Empress turned to her. "Are you aware that the incense you gave Consort Lü was poisoned?"

Jiuzhu noticed the flicker of genuine shock on Consort Wei’s usually composed face—an expression of unexpected disbelief. But she quickly exaggerated it, as if wanting everyone to witness her reaction.

"Your Majesty, this concubine knows nothing of this," Consort Wei knelt. "Consort Lü and I have no grievances—we even visit each other often. Why would I ever wish to harm her?"

She then looked pleadingly at Consort Lü, but being naturally inarticulate, she could only stammer, "It wasn’t me," and "Please believe me."

"Calm down first. Tell us how this incense was made," the Empress took a sip of digestive tea. "Until the truth is uncovered, I won’t wrong any innocent person."

"Your Majesty, before being sent to the Eastern Palace by the Dowager Empress, I was a perfumer in Her Majesty’s service." Speaking of her past in front of juniors clearly discomforted her.

Truthfully, among the imperial consorts, aside from the executed Lady Zheng, none held particularly high status.

"The incense I gave Sister Lü was made by my own hands," Consort Wei explained. "But I use the same blend myself—how could I have poisoned her?"

The Empress gestured, and a maid brought forth the incense from Consort Wei’s quarters. The imperial physician examined it carefully.

"Your Majesty, honorable ladies, the incense from Consort Wei’s palace is indeed very similar to Consort Lü’s, but one floral ingredient differs," the physician reported. "The substituted flower bears an almost identical scent but has properties that clash with another component."

Hearing this, Consort Wei realized she had been framed.

Who had set her up?

"Consort Wei, do you have anything to say in your defense?" The Empress’s tone held no particular anger.

Even Consort Lü, the victim, showed little resentment toward her.

"Your Majesty, I truly don’t know how the incense I gave Sister Lü became tainted." Consort Wei kowtowed, resigned to her fate.

"Your Majesty," Jiuzhu spoke up, "perhaps the ingredients were switched during preparation, or Consort Wei made an accidental mistake."

A skilled perfumer wouldn’t confuse ingredients.

Most present suspected Consort Wei had been framed, but without evidence, she had no choice but to accept the blame. Jiuzhu’s words merely offered a graceful way out.

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Consort Lü quickly added. "Sister Wei and I have been close for years—she wouldn’t harm me."

"Since both Consort Lü and Princess Consort Chen plead for leniency, I shall reduce your punishment by three parts. However, consequences must follow." The Empress turned to Xiangjuan. "What does palace law dictate for attempted harm against a consort?"

"Your Majesty, the light penalty is demotion and relocation from the main hall. The severe penalty is death by beating."

At the mention of "death by beating," Prince An and Princess Consort An shuddered, instinctively leaning closer to each other like frightened children.

"Consort Wei’s offense doesn’t warrant such extremes," the Empress smiled faintly.

Prince An stole a glance at the Empress. She didn’t even address her as "Consort Wei" anymore—clearly, Her Majesty had no intention of going easy.

"Effective immediately, Wei is demoted to Concubine Wei, to reflect on her actions." The Empress smiled gently at her. "Are you satisfied with my judgment?"

Prince An shrank further.

Demoting someone from a second-rank consort to third-rank concubine and then asking if they were satisfied—that was twisting the knife.

"This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your mercy." Concubine Wei kowtowed gratefully, as if she had been granted an immense favor.

"The matter is settled. All of you may leave." The Empress yawned. "I’m tired."

The crowd hastily withdrew.

Once the hall emptied, the Empress scoffed. "The spy who infiltrated my son’s residence to tamper with incense back then was likely under Wei’s command."

"Your Majesty is too kind—merely demoting her," Xiangjuan chimed in. "What more could she ask for?"

"Indeed." The Empress lazily arched a brow. "Whether she did it or not, she’s involved either way."

As the notoriously domineering favored Empress, why should she bother with fairness?

"What a pity," Jiuzhu sighed as they left Bright Moon Palace.

"What’s the pity?" Prince Chen asked.

"Such a fine candidate with Buddhist affinity, yet still a concubine—unable to take monastic vows." Jiuzhu shook her head. "Perhaps this is fate."

At the mention of Buddhism, Consort Lü recalled last year’s scripture-copying ordeal and subtly edged away from Jiuzhu.

Prince An and Princess Consort An stared at Jiuzhu in horror. The Empress had only wanted to demote Wei, but Princess Consort Chen wanted her to become a nun.

Cruelty truly was Ming Jiuzhu’s forte.

Prince Chen glanced at the couple, and they immediately averted their terrified gazes.

"Little Pig Ming, why do I feel like you're somewhat averse to the Wei family?" Prince Chen reached out, wrapping an arm around Jiuzhu's waist as he led her aside. "Come, tell your prince about it. I'll help you figure it out."

"Perhaps because I was raised by Daoists," Jiuzhu said with an air of mystery. "It's the competitive instinct Daoists have when facing someone with Buddhist karma."

"What nonsense is this?" Prince Chen poked her forehead. "Speak plainly."

"I just don’t like her."

An hour later, Concubine Wei, who had just been demoted, received another imperial decree ordering her to move to a new palace within three days.

The new palace wasn’t anything special—just exceptionally, exceptionally far from Kirin Palace.

"Su Meidai really seized this chance to strip Wei of her rank. She acts without restraint, relying on the Emperor’s favor."

"Your Highness, Concubine Wei’s relocation is a good thing. She’s now far from Consort Lü."

"What use is Consort Lü? She’s a cowardly fool. With Su Meidai’s temperament, demoting Wei was enough—why go out of her way to move her?"

"This servant doesn’t know, but the person who tampered with the incense has already been dealt with."

"What a pity. I had hoped to use this incident to turn Prince An and Prince Jing against each other. Who knew the incense plot would be discovered so quickly? A wasted pawn."

"Yes, such a shame for Your Highness’s pawn."

When she heard that her longtime maidservant had died suddenly, Concubine Wei didn’t even pause as she combed her hair. She let out a cold laugh and murmured, "I think I’ve caught the rat."

After hiding for so many years, the fox’s tail was finally showing.

"You dare scheme against me and expect to walk away unscathed? Not so easy."

"Your Highness!" Jiuzhu crouched by the wall, watching two ants fighting, each biting off the other’s leg. She quickly called Prince Chen over. "Come look—ants fighting!"

"Why watch ants fight?" Prince Chen scooped her up by the waist. "Let’s fight instead."

"Your Highness, you can’t beat me." Jiuzhu wrapped her arms around his neck, thinking seriously for a moment. "I’m probably the better fighter."

"You’d really hit me?" Prince Chen set her down on the bed, caging her in with his arms before pressing a kiss to her forehead. Then he wrapped her tightly in the blankets. "Still think you can fight like this?"

"Your Highness, this is a beauty trap!" Jiuzhu struggled free from the blankets, tossing aside her hairpins before pulling Prince Chen down triumphantly. "Your Highness, do you know what it means to overpower skill with sheer strength?"

"And do you know what a real beauty trap is?" Prince Chen grinned, dragging Jiuzhu back under the covers.

In the Grand Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Qingming Festival is in five days," Li En said with a bow. "Shall this year’s ancestral rites follow the usual arrangements?"

"No." Emperor Longfeng looked up. "This year, Prince Chen will perform the rites in my stead."

Li En’s eyes widened. "Your Majesty?!"

"What, is my son unworthy?" Emperor Longfeng said leisurely. "Sooner or later, it will be his duty. Better he grows accustomed now."

Li En’s legs nearly gave out.

Good heavens, was this something he was meant to hear?

Your Majesty, please say these words to your trusted ministers instead!

This humble servant is not worthy!