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Consort Chen dragged her weak body and knelt at the entrance of the Hall of Governance. By the time Xiao Luo returned, she was nearly exhausted from the scorching sun.
Seeing Xiao Luo's figure, Consort Chen held back her tears and trembled as she called out "Your Majesty," before fainting on the ground.
The imperial physician was busy for a while before Consort Chen regained consciousness.
It was true that Mei Shuang's Sour Plum Soup was fine, but it was also true that after Consort Chen drank it, she experienced vomiting and diarrhea. Her pale and haggard face looked quite pitiful; surely she wouldn't go to such lengths just to gain favor.
In no time, the palace's concubines, whether close or distant to Consort Chen, gathered in Consort Chen Palace. Some accompanied her in tears, while others whispered among themselves. Xiao Luo sat at Consort Chen's bedside, watching her cry incessantly.
Even Empress Dowager Mingxi was extremely furious upon hearing that Consort Chen nearly lost her life after drinking the Sour Plum Soup sent by someone else. She thought the concubines were resorting to unscrupulous means to gain favor. "When did such unclean things appear in the palace?"
However, when Aunt Yu mentioned that it was sent by Mei Shuang, Empress Dowager Mingxi relaxed and changed her tone, saying, "If this were someone else, I would believe it; she would never do such a thing."
The emperor before them remained silent with a gloomy expression. When he heard that Empress Dowager was also defending Mei Shuang, everyone understood that this case might become a headless case.
Consort Chen was weak but clear-minded. If this matter were to pass without investigation, it would not only give everyone a reason to say she intentionally sought favor and took risks but would also affect her status in the harem. At that point, her authority as a consort would be completely gone.
"Your Majesty must take responsibility for me. If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, I fear I may die without knowing how..."
Consort Chen cried desperately, "Since the Sour Plum Soup was a gift from Your Majesty to Miss Lin, I dared not take what others cherish. I only said I didn't want her Sour Plum Soup; how could she harm me like this?"
Consort Chen had been accustomed to being domineering in the palace and had a way with words. Xiao Luo had long been aware of this. Now seeing her directly shift the blame onto Mei Shuang, he felt exasperated and coldly replied, "That Sour Plum Soup originally came from Miss Lin; how could it be a gift from me to her?"
"......"
This left not only Consort Chen stunned but also shocked the concubines in the palace. The Sour Plum Soup was not a new dish from the palace kitchen?
"Therefore, she offered it to you out of kindness; how could she harm you?" Xiao Luo stood up. "I still have official duties to attend to. As for this matter, you should focus on recovering your health first; we can discuss it later."
Everyone watched as the emperor strode away in shock. The concubines who had come to see the spectacle found there was no grand drama and dispersed, leaving only a few who were close to Consort Chen exchanging glances.
One of them quietly voiced what everyone was thinking, "Is this Miss Lin really the same as the previous Deposed Empress Mei Shuang?"
The former Mei Shuang was despised by the Emperor, and it was unheard of for her to speak Eastern Language or make Sour Plum Soup. Now everything had turned around; even her temperament had fundamentally changed. Just yesterday, Consort Chen asked her for Sour Plum Soup, and if it were the old her, she wouldn't have given Consort Chen a single drop. To everyone's surprise, she was so generous yesterday.
Consort Chen was furious, her chest heaving, "Whether or not she is the previous Deposed Empress Mei Shuang is not that important; what matters is that she must pay for her actions!"
!!
Lin Tian'er had been gone for several days without news. Mei Shuang was in the back garden planning how to further support Lin Tian'er's career, as it was also related to her own income, when she heard her maid Cui Xin come to report that the Empress Dowager wanted to see her.
Ever since Cui Xin took note to prove Mei Shuang's innocence, Mei Shuang had developed a fondness for this originally somewhat dull little girl. Without hesitation, in front of several maids, Mei Shuang slipped ten taels of silver into her hand.
Cui Xin happily accepted the silver, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.
This time when visiting the Empress Dowager, Mei Shuang did not bring any Sour Plum Soup, as it had already been supplied to various palaces in the palace and there was no need for her to prepare it.
When she arrived at the quarters of Empress Dowager Mingxi, she found the Empress Dowager resting with her eyes closed. A nearby maid gently fanned her while Aunt Yu lightly massaged her legs.
Upon hearing Mei Shuang enter, Aunt Yu quickly hushed everyone, signaling that the Empress Dowager was resting, and then stood up to quietly step out with Mei Shuang.
"The Empress Dowager has been feeling disinterested in food these past few days and has been quite lethargic. The imperial physician says it's due to the hot weather; they’ve added a lot of ice in the palace..." After finishing, Aunt Yu curiously asked, "Why haven’t you come by these past few days?"
"I wouldn’t dare disturb without being summoned by the Empress Dowager," Mei Shuang smiled. "With this hot weather, I brought a few small dishes today for you to give to the Empress Dowager. Perhaps they will whet her appetite."
Looking at the small dishes in the food box, Aunt Yu nodded repeatedly, saying, "Alright," and then arranged for Mei Shuang to rest outside.
While reading a book, Mei Shuang listened to the sounds inside. The nap of Empress Dowager Mingxi seemed quite deep; there was no movement for a long time.
These past few days, Xiao Luo had been coming over every night to stay, inevitably causing some disturbances that affected sleep. Unable to resist her drowsiness any longer, Mei Shuang yawned while holding her book.
When Aunt Yu came out from the inner room, Mei Shuang was already asleep at the table, her side profile visible. Long eyelashes cast a delicate fan-like shadow over her eyes, making her look adorably innocent in her slumber.
Aunt Yu shook her head with a smile, just about to call Mei Shuang awake, when she was stopped by Empress Dowager Mingxi, who gestured for Aunt Yu to bring a shawl.
Empress Dowager Mingxi then personally approached and gently draped the shawl over Mei Shuang's back. Mei Shuang shivered slightly, groggily lifting her head to see a kind face looking at her warmly.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she stared at the person before her for a while, and in her dazed state, she murmured, "Mother..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi was taken aback, her heart trembling slightly as an indescribable bitterness spread within her. She struggled to suppress that feeling and softly asked, "Are you awake?"
Aunt Yu quickly stepped forward, gently patting Mei Shuang's back and calling softly, "Miss Mei Shuang, wake up..."
Only then did Mei Shuang fully awaken. Blinking hard, she realized that it was not her mother before her. A wave of disappointment washed over her as she hurriedly sat up. "Empress Dowager, why are you up?"
The unconscious utterance of "Mother" left Empress Dowager Mingxi feeling uneasy. Turning away to hide her emotions, she spoke with a calm demeanor, "I have been up for a while. I just enjoyed the refreshing dishes you brought; they really whetted my appetite and made me forget the heat..."
Hearing Empress Dowager Mingxi's praise, Mei Shuang smiled shyly. "That's how summer is; extremes of cold or heat can be uncomfortable. When it's hot, one can't eat; when it's too cool, it can upset the stomach. That's why those spicy dishes can stimulate the appetite and help eliminate dampness from the body."
Empress Dowager Mingxi nodded, a hint of affection flashing in her gaze as she looked at Mei Shuang. "I am fortunate to have you by my side; it brings me joy..."
Mei Shuang quickly waved her hands in response. "Empress Dowager, what are you saying? If you say too much, it might bring me misfortune. I don't have any other talents; I can only do what I can to make you happy. As long as you don't mind..."
This child seemed so straightforward and innocent in her words. Remembering how Consort Chen had come to complain earlier that morning made Empress Dowager Mingxi feel a twinge of worry. This child’s simplicity might not serve her well in managing the harem in the future.
After chatting about some trivial matters with Mei Shuang, she let her go.
Watching Mei Shuang's graceful figure leave, Empress Dowager Mingxi sighed and said to Aunt Yu beside her, "Jade, seeing the child without a care in the world shows that Consort Chen's issues haven't affected her."
Aunt Yu quickly replied, "That is because His Majesty protects her well."
Empress Dowager Mingxi nodded, "What do you think?"
"The maid has also heard about it. This matter is causing quite a stir in the palace, and most people say that it was Mei Shuang's seductive ways that nearly led to Consort Chen's demise. Although this is just hearsay, compared to Consort Chen's status, Miss Mei Shuang currently holds no position, which puts her at a disadvantage. Moreover, the more favored one is, the more attention they attract, and it is inevitable that someone will take the opportunity to strike. To put it bluntly, sometimes mere gossip can ruin a person. If this matter cannot be clarified, it will always be a point of contention for Miss Mei Shuang when she is eventually honored with a title..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi sighed, "Who can argue with that? It is true that the Emperor favors Shuang'er, but he has not conferred any official title upon her. I cannot disregard the Emperor's wishes on her behalf. And Shuang'er is quite stubborn; while she appears to get along well with the Emperor, she harbors a rejection of titles and constantly thinks about leaving the palace..."
Aunt Yu found it perplexing. If it were anyone else, she would consider it pretentious. Given her relationship with the Emperor and her current favor, asking for an Empress title would not be unreasonable. Yet Miss Mei Shuang seems to take titles too lightly. In the palace, without a title, once the Emperor's novelty wears off, she would be nothing.
Especially when she openly declared during a banquet for the Exotic Envoy that she was not an Empress; this clearly indicated her lack of interest in such a position. Now she lives freely and comfortably, which indeed makes others envious.
Aunt Yu suddenly spoke up, "Empress Dowager, I can't help but feel that perhaps both the Emperor and Miss Mei Shuang have their own intentions."
Empress Dowager Mingxi paused in surprise, "What do you mean?"
"I dare to speak my mind. When Miss Mei Shuang was deposed, it was quite tragic. Now it seems she has proven her innocence, yet the Emperor has not made any particular effort to clear her name. Additionally, the Emperor has always favored Chu Xiruo. If Miss Mei Shuang is proud and aloof, she likely would not want to force anything. Just look at her now; although there are no barriers between her and the Emperor, she has never made any demands of him."
After hearing this, Empress Dowager Mingxi pondered for a moment and had to admit that Aunt Yu made some valid points.
"So what should we do now? Just let her remain nameless and without status? I still feel sorry for her," Empress Dowager Mingxi said with some discouragement.
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