A Crossover of Film and Television: Miao Miao's Life Transmigration

Chapter 202 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 15

Wen Yuan's pregnancy was very stable, and the Emperor and Empress Dowager took extra care of her. She herself was unaffected by external influences, eating well and sleeping soundly. The only thing that displeased her was that Empress Yixiu would always openly or subtly mock her during her daily greetings, her words filled with hostility.

Consort Qi was a simple-minded person, easily swayed by others. Empress Yixiu frequently whispered in her ear, and Consort Qi, preoccupied with her own worries about the Third Prince's future, feared that Wen Yuan's child might threaten his position. Thus, Consort Qi's thoughts were gradually stirred, and she began to harbor suspicion towards Wen Yuan.

One day, Consort Qi instructed her maid, Cuiguo, "Cuiguo, go and deliver some pastries to Consort Jin. Remember to tell her that these are my gifts and that she must try them." Consort Qi's tone was somewhat arrogant, as if the pastries were some extraordinary reward.

Cui Guo felt uneasy and hesitated to speak, but under Consort Qi's firm attitude, she had no choice but to pick up the food box and head to Chuxiu Palace.

Upon arriving at Chuxiu Palace, Cuiguo was led inside by the palace maid Jingfu. Jingfu respectfully reported to Wenyuan, "Your Highness, Cuiguo, who serves Consort Qi, requests an audience."

Wen Yuan was leaning against the couch reading a storybook when she heard this. She glanced at Jing Fu and asked softly, "Did Consort Qi say anything?"

Jingfu pondered for a moment and replied, "This servant does not know, but Cuiguo is carrying a food box."

A food box? Wen Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but sneer. Was Consort Qi trying to use the same trick she used on Zhen Huan against her? Consort Qi's mind was truly simple to the point of being speechless. It was probably something that Yi Xiu had said, nothing more than threatening the Third Prince's position. As the Third Prince's mother, you should think about the Third Prince's well-being.

Wen Yuan glanced at Aunt Fang Lan beside her. Fang Lan immediately understood and quickly let Xiao Lengzi in to wait in case anything unexpected happened.

Wen Yuan said calmly, "I want to see what tricks Consort Qi is up to this time. Jingfu, let Cuiguo in."

Cui Guo followed Jing Fu into the palace. Glancing at the furnishings of Chuxiu Palace, she couldn't help but sigh: indeed, the difference between being favored and not being favored is like heaven and earth. The splendor of Chuxiu Palace is far beyond that of Changchun Palace.

Cui Guo bowed respectfully to Wen Yuan and said, "Greetings to Consort Jin."

Wen Yuan put down her book, looked up at Cui Guo meaningfully, and asked calmly, "Does Consort Qi have something to say?"

With her head down, Cui Guo said guiltily, "Consort Qi personally made a plate of peach blossom cakes and asked me to bring them over. Please enjoy them, Consort Jin."

Wen Yuan gestured for Jing An to take the food box. Jing An opened the food box, picked up a small piece of pastry, smelled it carefully, and then took a small bite.

Upon seeing this, Cui Guo's face turned pale instantly, and she said in a panic, "This servant...this servant...suddenly remembered that this pastry doesn't seem to have any sugar in it, so it might not taste very good. Perhaps...perhaps this servant will bring it to Your Highness next time."

Her incoherent speech caught the attention of Fanglan and Xiao Lengzi. Xiao Lengzi reacted quickly and pushed Cuiguo to the ground.

Cui Guo was terrified by this sudden action and cried out, "Injustice! Injustice! Consort Jin, our lady has no grudge against you, why are you treating this servant like this?"

Wen Yuan gave Xiao Lengzi a cold glance, and Xiao Lengzi immediately covered Cui Guo's mouth. The hall fell silent.

Wen Yuan turned to Jing An and asked, "How is it?"

Jing An immediately knelt down and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the pastries contain a large amount of safflower. If you accidentally eat them, your pregnancy will definitely be harmed."

Fanglan frowned and suggested, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Why not let the Emperor decide?"

Fanglan knew Wenyuan's personality well, knowing that she always liked to bring things to the Emperor's attention. Although the Emperor seemed somewhat helpless about Wenyuan's "reporting" behavior on the surface, he actually quite liked it.

However, Fanglan knew in her heart that Wen Yuan was not the naive and innocent girl she appeared to be. In the harem, without cunning and scheming, one would have been devoured long ago. For example, Consort Fang and Consort Li were prime examples. Wen Yuan's cunning was a good thing for those who served her, as it would solidify their positions.

Wen Yuan snorted coldly and said, "Then let the Emperor decide. Xiao Lengzi, you take Cuiguo with you; Jingfu, you take the pastries. I will go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation in person."

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor had just finished meeting with several ministers and was resting on his couch, drinking tea.

The memorials were piled up on his desk, but he didn't want to deal with them for the time being, planning to review them later.

At this moment, Su Peisheng tiptoed in and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Consort Jin requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly. Wen Yuan had never come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation on her own initiative before; her sudden visit must mean something important.

"Hurry up and invite your mistress, Jin, in." The Emperor put down his teacup, his tone tinged with urgency.

Su Peisheng was shocked. Consort Jin? The Emperor had never said such a thing to anyone before, not even to Consort Wan, whom he had once favored. It seemed that Consort Jin held a very important place in the Emperor's heart.

As soon as Wen Yuan entered the palace and saw the Emperor, her eyes instantly reddened, and tears streamed down her face. Upon seeing this, the Emperor quickly stood up, took her hand, and tenderly wiped away her tears, asking softly, "Why are you crying like this as soon as you arrive? What grievance have you suffered? Tell me quickly, and I will stand up for you."

Wen Yuan didn't speak and cried for a while before stopping. The Emperor patiently comforted Wen Yuan, but then, as if thinking of something, she turned her head away and remained silent.

Wen Yuan intended to maintain her angry demeanor, but unexpectedly, she suddenly hiccuped, instantly ruining her carefully crafted emotions. Upon seeing this, the Emperor's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed his laughter, striving to maintain a serious expression.

Su Peisheng stood aside, keeping his eyes down and not daring to say a word. He secretly glanced at Fanglan and saw that she looked normal, so he knew that something was not simple.

Wen Yuan sobbed for a while before recounting the whole story. After listening, the Emperor's face darkened, and he coldly ordered, "Su Peisheng, go and fetch the imperial physician, and also summon Consort Qi."

Su Peisheng quickly acknowledged and withdrew, understanding that the Emperor was furious. Although he outwardly claimed to be ordering the imperial physicians to investigate, he had in fact already determined that Consort Qi was guilty.

Not long after, Consort Qi arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation with trepidation. Cui Guo hadn't returned after delivering the pastries, and the Emperor had suddenly summoned her; she already knew something terrible was about to happen.

The imperial physicians have examined the pastries and confirmed they contain a large amount of safflower. The Emperor looked coldly at Consort Qi and rebuked her sharply, "Consort Qi, what else do you have to say?"

Consort Qi turned deathly pale and slumped to the ground, muttering, "It wasn't me...it wasn't me..."