The Double-Chapter 397 - 134 Exorcism_5

Without sons, at this time, even in an ordinary household, the lack for a woman is fatal, let alone in a place like the imperial palace. Without a son, one has less bargaining power; for oneself, it means more danger.

"Father has already been looking for suitable daughters from distant relatives of the Ji family," Lady Chen Ji said, "If we cannot bear a son again, such imperial favor may not last long, and we’ll need to send several more daughters into the palace."

Ji Shuran frowned, "After the eldest sister has given so much, these Ji family women just blatantly divide her achievements. Can the eldest sister be willing?"

"What can she do if she’s unwilling?" Lady Chen Ji sighed, "As long as she is a daughter of the Ji family, she must consider the big picture. You and I are no different."

Ji Shuran fell silent.

In the palace, the imperial physician had seen Consort Li and prescribed her several tonics. Hong Zhu went to prepare the medicine, while Emperor Hongxiao stayed in the side hall, sitting beside Consort Li’s bed.

"Your Majesty shows pity to his concubine, summoning Chongxu Daoist Master to diagnose and save this concubine’s life again. This concubine is endlessly grateful," Consort Li said.

Because she was haggard, she did not wear makeup, but there was a sense of purity and plain beauty that came from being stripped of all affectation, and Emperor Hongxiao consoled her, "You are my woman, of course, I can’t let you be harmed."

Consort Li rested her head on Emperor Hongxiao’s shoulder and softly said, "This concubine knows, nowadays, the whole country must not overly indulge in superstitions. Your Majesty, for this concubine’s sake, does not hesitate to risk potentially giving people something to talk about... This concubine is already content in this life. Even if I were to die at this moment, there would be no regrets."

"Stop talking nonsense," Emperor Hongxiao scolded with a smile, his tone full of indulgence, Consort Li leaned on him, hearing his gentle words, yet she did not see the coldness in his eyes.

Not a trace of warmth.

...

When Ji Shuran returned to the Jiang Residence, she was not alone. Lady Chen Ji had accompanied her. When Tonger relayed this to Jiang Li, she was at her desk reading a book. In truth, she wasn’t really absorbing the words; her mind was filled with the shocking secrets Jih Heng had revealed the day before, along with the conversation she had with Maternal Aunt Hu in daylight.

"I heard that Lady Ji could barely walk when she returned, and it was Lady Chen Ji who helped her down," Bai Xue said, "Why has she become so weak? Could it be that she was beaten in the palace?"

"How could that be, Consort Li is her elder sister. If she was beaten in the palace, it can only mean one thing," Tonger said.

"What thing?" Bai Xue asked curiously.

Tonger replied swiftly, "Consort Li must have lost favor!"

With a "pfft," Tonger couldn’t help but laugh, and Jiang Li also found it amusing, scolding her, "Where did you learn such improper talk? You dare say anything."

Tonger shot her an impish look, then added, "But come to think of it, what exactly did Lady Ji do to end up in such a state after visiting the palace? Could it be that she is playing a pity play to gain Lord Jiang’s sympathy?"

Jiang Li’s gaze was deep, "What else could it be but putting on a show?"

Ji Shuran’s movements were faster than she had anticipated, so much so that even Jiang Li couldn’t understand. She wasn’t sure whether Ji Shuran was truly too afraid of her and thus was eager to get rid of her, or if Consort Li, who was helping her from within the palace, was naturally swift to act, not even leaving room to breathe, relentlessly forcing to put someone to death.

But this time, it wasn’t clear who the victim would be.

"Chongxu Daoist Master is coming to our residence?" At the other end, after hearing the whole story, Jiang Yuanbai was startled, then furrowed his brows, "Nonsense, what evil spirits! How could there be evil spirits in our residence!"

Jiang Yuanbai was not a firm believer in ghosts and deities, so he instinctively rejected what Ji Shuran had said. Seeing this, Lady Chen Ji said, "Lord Jiang, it is the emperor himself who ordered Chongxu Daoist Master to come to our residence for the exorcism. If you are dissatisfied with the emperor’s decision, you might as well go to the palace yourself and clarify with the emperor. It doesn’t make sense to get angry at Shuran."

Ji Shuran just nervously twisted her handkerchief.

Jiang Yuanbai was quite upset. Among Ji Shuran’s sisters, he wasn’t too fond of Lady Chen Ji, who was too domineering for his taste, and often meddled in the Jiang family’s internal affairs using Ji Shuran’s status. As Ji Yanlin’s career became more successful, Lady Chen Ji seemed to grow in hubris as though she had an even stronger backer, becoming increasingly brazen.

"Big brother is merely puzzled," Jiang Yuanping said with a smile, coming forth to smooth things over, "So, having Daoist Master Chongxu come for the exorcism is already an imperial decree?"

"Indeed," Lady Chen Ji said unkindly, "This is not just for the sake of the Jiang family. Consort Li from our distinguished palace was almost harmed by the evil spirits of your house. She is a noble lady of the palace! If something happened to Consort Li, Lord Jiang, you would not be able to avoid blame. So, this is also seeking justice for Consort Li."

Jiang Yuanbai listened with mounting irritation, a mere woman spoken of as if she were someone extraordinary. Moreover, she hasn’t given birth to a prince, and it was uncertain how long she would stay favored, perhaps not long before she’s cast into the Cold Palace. However, he still mustered a smile and said, "Since it is the imperial decree of the emperor, this official shall obey it."

His words were brimming with sarcasm. It wasn’t for Consort Li, but because it was an imperial edict that he had to comply!