Chapter 42.1

The little princess was now almost six months old. The only thing that she could ingest was milk.

But Doctor Liu said that her rash was caused by ingesting something bad. Needles to say, it must have come from the milk of one of the three wet nurses.

Whatever the wet nurse ate would become a part of her milk. This milk would then be fed to the princess. Everyone understood this. Their gazes focused on Yaoniang and the other wet nurses. 

Along with these pairs of eyes, one of them belonged to Jin Wang.   

His complexion was dark and his eyes were dull. No one could tell what he was thinking.    

Yaoniang couldn't help but withdraw into herself. She didn't dare to look up at Jin Wang. Nanny Qian had insisted that she ate something she shouldn't have, which in turn harmed the princess. Would Jin Wang believe in those words?

Sure enough, as soon as these thoughts flashed in Yaoniang's mind, Nanny Qian spoke up again.

She angrily said to Mammy Mu, "Mammy, this servant didn't speak wrongly. It must have been Nanny Su who ate something bad in private which caused the princess to look like this. It was Nanny Su's shift during the day. Sister Wang and I didn't even have the chance to feed the princess yet after we arrived. The rash on the princess appeared just now. According to usual practice, Nanny Su would feed the princess before she leaves her shift. If it wasn't because of her, who would it be?!"

As soon as she finished her tirade, everyone's gazes all landed on Yaoniang again. 

With so many people staring at her, Yaoniang felt uncomfortable. She took a step back and forced herself to remain calm as she started to defend herself. "This servant really didn't eat anything indiscriminately…" She paused. "Yucui can testify." 

Nanny Qian interrupted. "Yucui girl, you need to be partial. If you don't make it clear, the responsibility will land on Nanny Wang and me. We didn't even feed anything to the princess yet after we arrived for our shift."    

Yucui hesitated then said, "Nanny Su did feed the baby right before she finished her shift. As for Nanny Qian and Nanny Wang, they haven't fed the baby yet after they started their shifts…"

Before she even finished speaking, Side Consort Hu flew over like a gust of wind and slapped Yaoniang on the face. Her speed made everyone go speechless.   

With a crisp smack, Yaoniang's face whipped to the side. Her milky white skin became red and swollen.

Fucheng's mouth parted in surprise. Mammy Mu's gaze condensed while Yucui and Yuyan looked towards Jin Wang. 

Jin Wang showed no expressions on his face. Only his darkened eyes revealed the slightest hint.  

Consort Jin frowned and scolded, "Side Consort Hu, aren't you too impulsive? Do you still have the stature that a Side Consort should have?" 

Side Consort Hu turned towards her with a sneer. "Whether this concubine has the stature or not, this concubine is aware. This concubine now wants to ask what your highness had meant. Does your highness wish to protect this presumptuous and evil servant?"

Consort Jin was irritated. "Side Consort Hu, your words made this consort a little confused. This consort thought that convicting someone like that would be unfair and immoral. Everyone knows about her efforts from before that helped stop the princess's bawling. Yaoniang should be given a chance to defend herself."

Side Consort Hu couldn't be bothered with Consort Jin anymore. Instead, she bitterly looked at Yaoniang as if she wanted to swallow her whole. "You little bitch, if there's anything wrong with the little princess, even your life isn't enough as compensation. Servants, come! Drag this despicable servant out! This concubine will teach her a lesson that she will never forget!"

Consort Jin was furious. 

When Side Consort Hu's voice fell, servants who stood outside, followed her commands and came in.    

Yaoniang covered her face and desperately shook her head. "This servant didn't! This servant didn't eat anything indiscriminately! The whole day was spent by the princess's side. The only food this servant had was from the small kitchen! This servant worked alongside Yuyan the entire shift. Yuyan and the other servants would know whether this servant ate anything bad!" With that said, she couldn't help but peek at Yuyan and Yucui.

Yuyan hesitated a little. Then she said, "This servant honestly didn't see Nanny Su eat anything else."

"This servant also didn't see anything," followed Yucui immediately.    

Yaoniang let out a sigh of relief. But before she could even finish her exhale, she heard Nanny Qian say, "But if she didn't eat anything bad, the princess wouldn't be like this. Plus, Yuyan and Yucui, were you guys with Nanny Su the entire time? How could you be sure that Nanny Su didn't eat anything behind your backs?" 

Faced with such rapid interrogation, Yucui and Yuyan looked towards each other. "This…..This couldn't be guaranteed."  

At that moment, Mammy Mu coughed. "Invite Mommy Mo to come over."

Lu'er nodded and immediately left.    

A short while later, Mommy Mo came in. She was briefed about the situation on the way here. Once she was inside, she took out a piece of paper.  

"The three nannies' meals were arranged according to the orders of the doctor. There should be nothing inappropriate. Today's meal for the three nannies included…"

She reported a series of ingredients and Doctor Liu nodded as he listened. Once Mommy Mo finished speaking, Doctor Liu said, "The princess shouldn't have developed a rash from ingesting these foods." 

Mammy Mu nodded and Mommy Mo left.    

The room was silent.    

Side Consort Hu sneered. She opened her mouth to speak when Mammy Mu said, "A few of you go and search Nanny Su's room. Since everyone has their own doubts, it's better to clear everything up once and for all."

She said that last sentence while looking towards Yaoniang.

Yaoniang looked at her with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Mammy. This servant knows that the truth will speak for itself."

Yuyan led some servants to go search. Taohong was one of the servants that went to search as well. 

Side Consort Hu didn't trust Mammy Mu and the other servants so she ordered Taohong to go along.    

The room was very quiet. Only the sound of Doctor Liu's instructions to his assistant could be heard. Only a little time had gone by, but it seemed like years had gone by to those in the room.