CH 58

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead. 

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ ​​dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

-荷香(Hé ​​xiāng)- He Xiang, the female lead’s maidservant

–梁妃(liáng fēi)- Consort Liang, previously Noble Consort Liang

–梁贵人(liáng guìrén)- Noble Lady Liang, used to be known as Noble Consort Liang or Consort Liang

Current Ranking: Empress Dowager → Empress → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort + Consort Liang →  Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Ye Liangyi + Wu Liangyi → Noble Lady Liao + Noble Lady Jiang + Noble Lady Liang

Consort Liang was restrained by two imperial guards with their scabbards, causing her to be unable to move.

Liao Qing Qing didn’t know what was going on.

Most of the imperial concubines were pampered noblewomen. How could they have seen such a scene before? All of them were all too petrified to make a sound.

Consort Liang asked calmly, “Your Majesty, why are you arresting this concubine?”[1]

“Do you need me[2] to tell you what you have done?” Emperor Jing Li asked in response.

“This concubine doesn’t know what this concubine has done.”

Even though Consort Liang said this, she was panicking inwardly.

Could it be that Emperor Jing Li realised something?

She was still holding the specially formulated poison powder in her hand.

She had found this poisonous powder in a book.

As long as it was thrown on Liao Qing Qing, it would cause Liao Qing Qing to suffer a miscarriage and take a toll on her health, resulting in her never being able to have children again.

She had modified it several times, and it was very effective.

She waited for Liao Qing Qing to appear.

At this moment, Liao Qing Qing had finally appeared.

She was so close to success.

However, she didn’t expect Emperor Jing Li to show up.

No way!

She can’t just admit defeat like that!

Her hands hidden in her sleeve clenched slightly. Then, she loosened her grip, causing her hand to be filled with poisonous powder.

I’m just one step away.

Just one step away from making Liao Qing Qing taste the bitter fruit![3]

Luckily, she was not far from Liao Qing Qing.

She had a plan in mind.

Using her wide sleeves to cover her hands, she silently moved to Liao Qing Qing’s side. With a slight force of her wrist, she threw the poison powder in her embroidered pouch onto Liao Qing Qing’s body.

As long as it touches Liao Qing Qing’s body, the baby will not survive!

She felt fanatically happy inwardly. Her body shook with excitement as she thought of how she would be the one ascending to the position of Empress and become the object of envy and jealousy when Liao Qing Qing lost favour.

Who is she?

She is Marquis Huaishan’s biological granddaughter.

The person everyone envies!

No one would ever look down on her!

A brightly coloured figure suddenly leapt over and struck her wrist while she was thinking of this.

The force of the blow lifted her wrist, causing the poisonous powder to fly.

She was taken aback and looked at Emperor Jing Li in front of her.

Emperor Jing Li protected Liao Qing Qing.

At the same time, the poisonous powder flew back down and landed on Consort Liang’s face.

As soon as Consort Liang felt it, she immediately used her hands to cover her face and screamed.

Emperor Jing Li exclaimed in anger, “Seize her for me! Send her away!”

“Yes!” Only then did the two imperial guards escort Consort Liang away with their hands.

Consort Liang was unable to move, but she still continued to struggle.

The imperial concubines looked at this scene in confusion. Their eyes swept over Consort Liang’s face and saw the red bumps slowly appearing on her flushed face. They were horrified and instantly understood what was going on.

The powder is poisonous!

Consort Liang wanted to harm Her Highness, the Empress!

Consort Liang wanted to harm the imperial child!

This is too scary!

Emperor Jing Li also saw the change on Consort Liang’s face. He said with a blue face, “Bring Imperial Physician Fan to me. I want to see what Consort Liang is up to!”

“Yes!”

Not long after, Imperial Physician Fan ran in heaving and quickly fell to the ground to examine the embroidered purse and powder. He said, “Replying to Your Majesty, this powder contains musk and grey powder….”

“Tell me the danger!” Emperor Jing Li did not want to listen to Imperial Physician Fan’s blather.

Imperial Physician Fan replied respectfully, “Responding to Your Majesty, the danger is that it causes one to suffer from a miscarriage. In lighter cases, one would suffer from a miscarriage and lifelong infertility. In serious cases, it causes harm to life.”

The imperial concubines drew in a cold breath.

This is really too vicious!

Emperor Jing Li’s face grew increasingly uglier. It was a while before he said, “Fu Sheng!”

""

“This servant is here!” Fu Sheng hurriedly stood out.

“Go and call Liang Huai Ren and his two brothers from the Liang manor! I want to see if the three brothers plan to revolt!” Emperor Jing Li said in a fury.

“Yes!” Fu Sheng hastily ran away with the eunuchs.

Emperor Jing Li’s entire body was set ablaze in anger. He said, “Imperial Physician Fan, collect this evidence and follow me.”

“Yes!”

Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing. The anger in his body suddenly dissipated and became extraordinarily gentle and patient. He said, “Go back with me. Leave the rest to me.”

Liao Qing Qing subconsciously nodded her head.

Liao Qing Qing left with the support of Emperor Jing Li.

The imperial concubines were left in shock in the hall, and the scene was a mess. Only after a while did the imperial concubines come back to their senses and start chattering.

“Consort Liang wants to kill Her Highness, the Empress?”

“With poisoned powder?”

“Oh my, that’s too horrifying.”

“How… How is this going to end?”

“Luckily, His Majesty came in time. Otherwise, it would have been terrifying to harm others.”

“It is terrifying. Look at Consort Liang’s face!”

“….”

A person said, and another responded. All seemingly draining their inner fears with their voices. At this time, Virtuous Consort said, “All right. Since His Majesty has stepped in. Then, this matter will definitely be resolved, so don’t speculate. I believe His Majesty will definitely provide an explanation to everyone. Let’s not cause unnecessary panic. Dismissed.”

Although Virtuous Consort said this, the imperial concubines could not control themselves from talking about this matter after returning to their respective palaces.

The rumour that Consort Liang had poisoned the Empress spread through the harem in a short while. At the same time, Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing returned to Zhengqian Palace.

Emperor Jing Li said, “He Xiang, serve your mistress to bathe. Also, throw away all the clothes and jewellery she is wearing.”

He Xiang was frightened by the scene just now, and it had weighed on her mind. She immediately responded, “Yes.”

Only then did Emperor Jing Li look at Liao Qing Qing and said, “Stay here while I go to the imperial study.”

Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

Emperor Jing Li held Liao Qing Qing’s hand and touched Liao Qing Qing’s big belly. He said, “Don’t worry. Everything is fine.”

“Mm.”

“I will be back soon.”

“Wait a minute.” Liao Qing Qing pulled Emperor Jing Li’s hand and said, “Have you gotten any poison powder on you? If so, you should change your clothes before you go.”

“No need. I am fine. Quickly go and bathe.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Jing Li left.

Liao Qing Qing did not dare to waste time lest the poisonous powder harms her. Then, she quickly went to bathe and changed her clothes.

He Xiang did not dare to relax. She washed Liao Qing Qing’s hair clean and wiped it gently against the fire. She was fuming at Consort Liang’s viciousness.

Liao Qing Qing listened quietly. Her mind was filled with doubts.

Liao Qing Qing knew that Consort Liang would be up to no good, and Consort Liang would use some extreme means when she was desperate. She was even aware that Consort Liang would become increasingly desperate, and her intelligence would drop.

It was just that she could not have imagined that Emperor Jing Li had arrived so promptly.

Everything seemed to have been premeditated.

""

Is that poisonous powder really that terrifying?

Her heart tightened. She subconsciously covered her stomach and asked, “He Xiang, there isn’t any powder on Bengong’s[4] body, right?”

He Xiang had just checked very carefully, fearing that she missed one iota. She replied, “Replying to Her Highness, there isn’t.”

But Liao Qing Qing was not at ease.

At this moment, Emperor Jing Li came in.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” He Xiang bowed.

Before Liao Qing Qing could pay her respects, Emperor Jing Li approached her and took Liao Qing Qing’s hand. He said, “You don’t need to bow.”

“How did Your Majesty return so quickly?” Liao Qing Qing slowly got up and said, “This concubine’s hair had not been tied yet.”

Emperor Jing Li extended his arms to stroke Liao Qing Qing’s long, dark hair, which was exceptionally soft, and he could not feel the slightest bit of dampness. Then, he hugged Liao Qing Qing and said, “Just simply style your hair. It doesn’t need to be so troublesome.”

Liao Qing Qing nodded her head and let He Xiang tie her hair into a bun before speaking to Emperor Jing Li about Consort Liang’s matter.

Emperor Jing Li was immediately upset. “I have been tolerating the Liang clan time and time again because of their kindness to the country. But these people don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth.[5] They are harbouring evil intentions inside the palace, and they are running amok outside the palace! I have long been displeased with them!”

“How is Your Majesty going to deal with them?”

“Deal with them the way they should be dealt with!” Emperor Jing Li continued, “The Liang clan will be relegated to commoners. Consort Liang is demoted to a Noble Lady, and she will live in the cold palace[6] for the rest of her life.”

Liao Qing Qing asked worriedly, “Won’t the imperial officials disagree?”

“Hmph! She poisoned an imperial child. What are they going to disagree on?!”

In fact, the Liang clan had been rampaging around on the merits of their ancestors for more than a day or two. The imperial officials had all seen it in their eyes, but Emperor Jing Li had put up with it repeatedly.

Liao Qing Qing could not help but ask, “Your Majesty, how did you know that Noble Lady Liang would poison this imperial concubine?”[7]

“Didn’t I send someone to keep an eye on her all the time?” Emperor Jing Li said.

“Keeping such a close eye on her?”

“Of course, she must not be allowed to harm my Qing Qing.”

“Then Your Majesty must know where the poisonous powder came from?”

“Noble Lady Liang made it herself.” Emperor Jing Li said, “While Noble Lady Liang was still young, she knew some medical skills, so she made this dreadful poisonous powder.”

“Is that poisonous powder really as horrifying as what Imperial Physician Fan had said?”

Emperor Jing Li nodded.

Liao Qing Qing’s heart fell with a thump. Although she was not in contact with the poisonous powder, she was always scared that it would hurt the child and her heart became uneasy.

Seeing Liao Qing Qing’s thoughts, Emperor Jing Li said with a smile, “Qing Qing, you don’t have to worry. Even if you have come into contact with the powder today, it doesn’t matter.”

Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li in confusion.

Emperor Jing Li said, “The powder today is not a poisonous powder.”

???

A question mark slowly appeared in Liao Qing Qing’s mind.

Emperor Jing Li fiddled with Liao Qing Qing’s hand. He said, “Since I know the toxicity of the powder made by Noble Lady Laing, how could I allow her to carry it around with her, knowing that it would cause harm to the body and she had intention to kill? Even if she can’t hurt you, she might harm others and even Queen Mother.”

“Then… Then, what is that powder?”

“Flour with pollen.”

“??? But Noble Lady Liang’s face….”

“Noble Lady Liang is allergic to pollen and you aren’t. So it’s fine if you are in contact with it.” Emperor Jing Li said, “It was Noble Lady Liang herself who thought it was poisonous powder, screaming and being afraid. I didn’t even put on much of a show. She made the scene quite horrifying.”

“??? Then Imperial Physician Fan…”

“Imperial Physician Fan accompanied me in the performance.”

“Then the confrontation with the Liang family….”

“During the confrontation, I took out the poisonous powder made by Noble Lady Liang.”

“So….”

“So this is using the poisonous powder to deal with the Liang clan.”

“Just… Just… Just like that?” Liao Qing Qing looked at Emperor Jing Li in astonishment.

“Just like that.” Emperor Jing Li looked like he was taking the credit for somebody’s achievement and asked, “Qing Qing, I’m smart, right?”

The author has something to say:

Emperor Jing Li: I’m smart, right? I’m smart, right? I’ve played with harem intrigue so perfectly!

Liao Qing Qing: ???

Emperor Jing Li: I’ve attained perfection! (Proud!)

[1] 臣妾(chénqiè)- this concubine/I, your servant (self-appellation of a lower-rank female). The literal meaning is ‘this subject and this concubine’.It is a self-appellation used by the ranks including and above Consorts. They are used by Consorts, Noble Consorts and Empress, etc. in front of the Emperor, Empress Dowager and Consorts, Noble Consorts that have a higher rank.

[2] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

[3] 苦果(kǔguǒ)- The literal translation is ‘bitter fruit.’ It refers to painful consequences.

[4] 本宮 (Běngōng) – I, the one who owns this palace. Such as the queen will call herself ‘the palace’, and the princess with the official title can also call herself ‘this palace’.

[5] 不知天高地厚(bùzhītiāngāodìhòu)- not to know the immensity of heaven and earth/ an exaggerated opinion of one’s own abilities

[6] 冷宫(lěnggōng)- In literature and opera, being sent to the cold palace refers to a place which a monarch banishes a wife or concubine who falls from favour.

[7] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.