Unlimited Save System for Palace Intrigue

Chapter 157: The Culprit The Empress immediately began examining the evidence the Empress Dowager handed her. She found that the evidence had been meticulously listed, item by item, and was very clear—it was obviously genuine. After a glance, she discovered it was none other than Consort Xi. Consort Xi had never been one to attract much attention. Who would have thought she was so bold as to lay a hand on the Second Princess? Did she not know the status Lin Wanxian held in the Empress Dowager’s heart? Was Consort Xi not afraid of the Empress Dowager’s punishment? Moreover, her methods were hardly sophisticated; the Empress Dowager uncovered them immediately. Just how foolish must she be to have committed such an act? It seemed the Empress Dowager intended to punish her severely; otherwise, she wouldn’t have summoned all the consorts. The Empress had no intention of protecting Consort Xi—since she had committed a wrongdoing, she must be prepared to pay the price. Besides, the Empress has no connection to Consort Xi. She detests every woman in the harem—why on earth would she save her? Still, the Empress cast a subtle glance at Consort Xi, wanting to see what exactly was going on in that woman’s mind. “It is this humble subject’s failure to fulfill her duties and manage the harem properly that allowed this to happen. I will certainly punish the culprit severely and ensure such a thing never occurs again.” ” The Empress said as she knelt. “This matter is not the Empress’s fault. Those with ulterior motives would naturally act behind the Empress’s back; she cannot possibly keep a constant watch on them. It is their own wickedness. Such acts must never be tolerated—they must be severely punished! As the mistress of the harem, the Empress may handle this matter as she sees fit,” said the Empress Dowager. Hearing this, the Empress found herself at a loss. If the punishment was too lenient, the Empress Dowager would surely be dissatisfied; if it was too severe, she risked alienating others. Yet she knew the Empress Dowager was absolutely furious about this matter and had previously instructed her to mete out severe punishment. If she were to impose a light sentence, she would certainly fail to meet the Empress Dowager’s expectations. “Rest assured, Mother. I shall certainly punish the culprits who plotted against the Second Princess with the utmost severity,” the Empress said. The conversation between the Empress and the Empress Dowager was not hidden from the many concubines, so everyone heard their exchange. At that moment, the crowd below was abuzz with speculation. The Empress Dowager must have uncovered something; otherwise, she wouldn’t have summoned them. Moreover, the Empress had seen the evidence the Empress Dowager had uncovered and had not refuted it, which meant that whatever the Empress Dowager had discovered must be true. Of course, even if it weren’t true, if the Dowager Empress had said it, it would have to be true. They were now worried that this matter might implicate them. Although they had absolutely nothing to do with it, anything could happen in the harem. Even an unrelated incident could drag them into trouble if someone with ulterior motives chose to exploit it, so they remained anxious, hoping they wouldn’t be implicated. Consort Xi was the one who had been particularly anxious lately. She knew the Second Princess’s situation better than anyone else. It was she who had sent someone to have her family bring a handkerchief stained with smallpox scabs, and it was she who had sent someone to contact the palace maid in the Second Princess’s quarters, instructing her to place the handkerchief near the Second Princess so that she would contract smallpox. Now that the Empress Dowager claimed to have uncovered the truth, would she discover that Consort Xi was behind it all? Even though she had reassured herself that her plan was flawless and would never be exposed, the Empress Dowager’s confident declaration left her deeply anxious. Had she truly been exposed? If she has indeed been exposed, the Empress Dowager will likely not let her off lightly for the crime of attempting to harm the Second Princess. Only now did Consort Xi begin to feel a twinge of regret. Back then, she had truly been blinded by jealousy and hadn’t considered the consequences at all! Even if the Empress Dowager had wanted Lin Wanxian to take the spotlight back then, why had she gone so far as to target the Second Princess? After all, Lin Wanxian had been in the limelight for quite some time. The Empress Dowager’s favoritism meant she would always be allowed to shine; she could block her for a time, but not forever. Moreover, to catch the Emperor’s attention, she didn’t necessarily have to choose his birthday; she could have picked another opportunity. But regretting it now was useless—the deed was done. All she could do was pray that the person the Empress Dowager uncovered wasn’t her, but someone else. Yet Consort Xi now had a bad feeling: the person the Empress Dowager uncovered would likely be her. Despite this foreboding, Consort Xi refused to let fear consume her before the results were in. What if the Empress Dowager’s investigation revealed someone else entirely—a ploy to gauge everyone’s reactions? If she appeared too frightened, she might inadvertently give herself away. Thus, Consort Xi maintained her usual composure, though her inner world was in turmoil. The Empress couldn’t help but admire Consort Xi’s composure; she put on such a convincing act that one couldn’t detect a single trace of her inner turmoil. Had the Empress Dowager not uncovered so much evidence, the Empress would never have suspected that Consort Xi was behind this. She never imagined that a lowly Consort like Xi could be capable of such a scheme; she had clearly underestimated these consorts in the past. “You are all aware of the recent incident involving the Second Princess’s smallpox, aren’t you? Her illness was not a coincidence, but the result of an assassination attempt. Over the past few days, the Empress Dowager has uncovered the mastermind behind it. I have summoned you all here today to bring the culprit to justice! Let it be known that within these palace walls, one cannot act as they please. If a crime is truly committed, there will be no mercy—severe punishment will follow.” ” said the Empress. Although everyone had suspected that the Second Princess’s smallpox was the result of an assassination attempt, it had been nothing more than speculation. Now that it had finally been confirmed by the Empress, everyone was still somewhat surprised. After all, the Second Princess was merely a princess—who would go to such great lengths and take such immense risks just to eliminate her? “Who is the culprit?” asked Consort Xiao. Consort Xiao harbored no fondness for this murderer either. Although she was pleased that the murderer’s plot against the Second Princess had caused Lin Wanxian to suffer a setback, the threat this person posed was simply too great. If they could harm the Second Princess today, they could harm the Fifth Prince tomorrow. Consort Xiao would not allow such a dangerous individual to remain in the harem. So upon hearing that the Empress Dowager had identified the mastermind, she quickly asked—though she dared not ask the Empress Dowager directly, she felt it was safe to ask the Empress. “Sister Shufei, please be patient. Consort Xi, could you explain why you previously instructed your maidservant to seek out the maidservant attending the Second Princess?” the Empress asked. As soon as the Empress spoke, everyone’s gaze fixed on Consort Xi. There was no longer any doubt—she was the culprit. Consort Xi had always kept a low profile, so no one had ever paid her much attention. No one could have imagined that she would quietly pull off such a major act.