Peach Blossom Song

By the time she pressed her hand onto the woman's shoulder, Consort Shu was already poised to lash out.

"You aren't Noble Lady Yan-"

Before she could finish, Wen Yunmian turned toward her with reddened eyes. Seeing Consort Shu, she hurriedly curtsied. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Consort Shu froze, narrowing her eyes slightly. She had not expected it really to be her. Even with death at her doorstep, she was still so composed. "His Majesty is in such poor condition. What are you doing here? Is this how you attend to him?"

Wen Yunmian fought to keep herself from panting and feigned sorrow. "I have been attending to His Majesty without leaving his side. But when I heard the imperial physicians say his condition was poor, I could not help worrying, so I hid here to shed my tears."

Wen Yunmian's explanation covered every angle, leaving Consort Shu no opening to attack.

Just then, through the imperial physicians' combined efforts, the emperor finally awoke.

Consort Shu's eyes lit up. She hurried to his side and gazed at Jun Chenyu with tears in her eyes. "Your Majesty, you have finally awakened. I was worried sick."

Jun Chenyu's handsome face was slightly pale, the veins in his neck standing out sharply. His gaze passed over Consort Shu and settled on Wen Yunmian, who was quietly shedding tears.

Her eyes were filled with deep concern.

Upon hearing that the emperor had awakened, the Empress and the others hurried over. When his illness had suddenly struck earlier, consorts from across the palace had rushed to Chanyang Palace. Though the Empress was frail, she had forced herself to come, and even now her steps were unsteady.

"Your Majesty, you're awake." The Empress's voice was hoarse, and her eyes had clearly been wet with tears. She crouched beside the bed and held Jun Chenyu's hand tightly.

Wen Yunmian watched, feeling truly helpless. She knew the Empress loved Jun Chenyu to the very marrow of her bones. Unfortunately, Jun Chenyu had never had eyes for his virtuous, dignified Empress.

If she gently guided the Empress in this lifetime, would some of the sorrow knotted in her heart ease?

The consorts were concerned for the emperor, yet none dared disturb him. With Consort Shu there, who could get anywhere near his side?

Consort Rong had dragged her ailing body out and stood silently at the back.

Jun Chenyu's brows drew together, his voice still hoarse after regaining consciousness. "What happened to me?"

Her face full of concern, the Empress questioned the imperial physicians. "His Majesty has always been healthy. Why did he suddenly faint, and why did he remain unconscious for so long? Have you discovered the cause?"

Imperial Physician Rong hurriedly raised his clasped hands. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, when I took His Majesty's pulse today, I discovered traces of poison lingering in his body. This poison was what caused him to lose consciousness."

"Poison?!" The Empress's chest heaved as she drew a hard breath. "Who would dare poison His Majesty!"

Jun Chenyu's gaze sharpened, its cutting edge leaving everyone in the hall trembling with fear.

The young eunuch who normally tasted Jun Chenyu's food for poison dropped to his knees with a thud. "Your Majesty, none of the dishes I tasted for you contained poison. I have never dared neglect my duty. Please judge me fairly, Your Majesty."

Consort Shu's expression was cold. "That is true. He has tasted His Majesty's food for years, and His Majesty has never been poisoned before. Presumably, the food was not to blame."

Imperial Physician Rong stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this poison indeed did not come from food or drink. It was a drug that makes a person taste the marrow and crave more."

At this, the consorts' expressions turned guarded, each reacting differently. Quite a few stole glances at Wen Yunmian.

After all, Wen Yunmian had attended the emperor in bed more than anyone else lately. Others received his favor at most once a night, while she received it six or seven times. Naturally, she became the target of every arrow.

Concern appeared on Consort Shu's face as Imperial Physician Rong continued, "This drug should be Peach Blossom Song. Among the common folk, a woman once used it while sharing her husband's bed, making him linger and forget to leave. Afterward..."

Jun Chenyu frowned. "Afterward, what?"

Imperial Physician Rong hastily knelt. "Afterward, the man... exhausted his blood and vital energy and died."

Crash! Jun Chenyu swept the ginseng soup beside him to the floor, shattering the bowl. Everyone in the palace fell to their knees, not daring to draw a loud breath.

Only Consort Shu remained standing, taking the Empress's place in soothing Jun Chenyu. "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. You must not lose your temper again."

Imperial Physician Rong remained kneeling. "This Peach Blossom Song is present in Your Majesty's body. When Your Majesty became angry during morning court two days ago, it triggered the drug's effects."

Consort Shu's vicious gaze turned on Wen Yunmian. Without allowing any explanation, she strode straight up to her and delivered a savage slap across her face. "You wretch! Was it you?!"

The slap left Wen Yunmian's cheek numb.

Jun Chenyu watched everything coldly. The merciless suspicion in his eyes pierced Wen Yunmian.

She had known it. No matter how favored she became, the moment Jun Chenyu harbored any suspicion, he would cast her aside like a worn-out shoe.

"You wretch! You alone have enjoyed unbroken favor lately, eclipsing every other woman in the palace. Surely you were the one who poisoned His Majesty!"

Kneeling at the very back, Wen Leyan secretly smiled. Wen Yunmian's good days were finally over!

Jun Chenyu fixed Wen Yunmian with an icy gaze, his entire bearing radiating the imperious chill of someone long accustomed to supreme power. "Was it you?"

Wen Yunmian hastily shook her head, her white-jade face filled with panic. "It wasn't me. It truly wasn't. I have only just entered the palace. How could I dare harm Your Majesty? I would never do such a thing."

The Empress walked over to Wen Yunmian. "Your Majesty, I also believe Noble Lady Yan would not do this. She is beautiful, so it is only natural that she should win your affection. Since she already possesses the means herself, why would she resort to other methods? Besides, using Peach Blossom Song on Your Majesty could be discovered with the slightest misstep. It would be far too risky."

Beside them, Consort Hui chimed in rather foolishly. "That is true. Anyone who needed such methods to keep His Majesty would surely be someone without his favor. If you ask me, isn't there someone right here who has yet to receive it?"

Everyone followed Consort Hui's gaze. Wen Leyan, who had been gloating in the corner, was instantly dumbstruck. She hurriedly said, "It wasn't me. I have not even met His Majesty yet. How could I have used such an intoxicating incense on him? That is a crime punishable by beheading."

Seeing the discussion stray, Consort Shu stared at Wen Yunmian. "When it comes to imperial favor, who among all the women in this palace can compare with you? Other than you, I cannot think of a second person."

"Besides, I have heard that those who use Peach Blossom Song keep it in their rooms. If your conscience truly is clear, why not let someone search your Peony Pavilion?"

"If nothing is found, then we will know you were truly wronged. Isn't this also an opportunity for you to prove your innocence?"

Just as the Empress was about to speak for Wen Yunmian again, Jun Chenyu turned a dark gaze upon her. His eyes were filled with an emperor's suspicion and scrutiny as he gave a cold, stern order. "Search it."

Those few words sent Wen Yunmian's heart plummeting into the depths.

She looked tearfully at Jun Chenyu, biting her lip in a pitiful display. "Your Majesty, do you not believe me either?"

"Whether I believe you or not, we will know soon enough." Jun Chenyu's coldness was utterly unlike the way he had been in bed that night. His attitude had already said everything.

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