No rash moves

Wen Yunmian called Shukui inside. "Go and find out where that bolt of silk was sent."

Shukui obediently answered, "Yes."

Just then, Mi Yuheng came in from outside and bowed respectfully to Wen Yunmian. "Greetings, my lady. May you enjoy every blessing and good health."

Mi Yuheng was as handsome as ever. Wen Yunmian motioned for Yun Yang to hand him the suspicious silk.

"Imperial Physician Ni, could you examine this silk and see if anything is wrong with it?"

Mi Yuheng was highly skilled in medicine. In her previous life, almost nothing had escaped his notice. Having relied on him for half a lifetime, Wen Yunmian still trusted him completely in this life, which was why she had sent for him.

"Yes." Mi Yuheng took it and examined it carefully.

In truth, he understood that Noble Lady Yan now regarded him as one of her own.

There was no one else in the room besides them. Wen Yunmian had yet to determine who wanted to harm her or what methods they intended to use, so naturally, she would not let anyone overhear this news.

After a while, Mi Yuheng finally reached a conclusion. His expression grave, he said, "My lady, the substance applied to this appears to be white luo."

Not understanding, Wen Yunmian asked, "What is that?"

"Its scent is very similar to the fragrance used on this silk, with only a slight difference. It is an extremely rare medicinal substance."

"If silk carries the medicinal scent of white luo, prolonged exposure can cause significant changes in the body. Most notably, it promotes blood circulation and disperses blood stasis, causing coldness in a woman's body. It can cause a pregnant woman to miscarry. May I ask where you obtained this, my lady?"

Wen Yunmian's expression grew solemn. "It was already on the silk."

Mi Yuheng frowned. "Who could be so vicious? Fortunately, you are not pregnant, my lady. Otherwise, this would be serious."

"Is its effect really that strong?"

"Yes."

An idea began to form in Wen Yunmian's mind. "Can you obtain white luo?"

Mi Yuheng paused, his handsome face full of confusion. "I can, but what do you intend to do, my lady? If you wish to retaliate, I would be happy to help!"

Wen Yunmian smiled. He really was just as he had been in her previous life: whoever harmed her, he would harm in return, without the slightest hesitation.

"Are you offering to help me hurt someone?" she teased.

Mi Yuheng looked perfectly righteous. "How could that be called hurting someone? It is simply turning their own methods back on them. Entirely reasonable and lawful."

"But you had best keep away from this substance, my lady. If you ask me, you should throw the clothes away. Otherwise, the damage could be irreversible."

Wen Yunmian's gaze dimmed. "If I do not have this substance near me, I really will fall into their trap."

Just then, Shukui returned. "My lady, I have found out. The silk taken from our palace earlier was delivered to Noble Lady Shu's palace."

Wen Yunmian's gaze was cold. "Understood. You may leave."

There was no need to guess. Someone had deliberately laid a trap, making it appear that the silk had passed through her hands before being sent to Noble Lady Shu. If something happened to Noble Lady Shu's unborn child, she would have no way to escape the blame.

They certainly thought highly of her, using such a scheme to kill two birds with one stone.

Then she would kill two birds with one stone herself!

Mi Yuheng now understood as well, and his expression grew anxious.

Noble Lady Yan had helped advance his career. Although he had yet to enter the most important inner circle of the Imperial Medical Bureau, she had spared him years of obscurity. Naturally, he did not want anything to happen to her now.

"My lady, the silk has been delivered to Noble Lady Shu's palace. If she has it made into clothes, she could begin bleeding in as little as three days. If you hurry to inform Her Majesty the Empress and have the tainted silk retrieved, you should be able to clear yourself of suspicion."

"The inner palace has always been full of treacherous undercurrents. If I rashly report this to the Empress, not only will I lack the evidence to expose the person behind it, but they might turn around and accuse me instead. Doing so would be pointless."

Wen Yunmian remained composed, her lips curving slightly. "Imperial Physician Ni, once you return, begin preparing white luo for me in secret. Ideally, have everything ready within the next two days."

Seeing how calm Wen Yunmian was, and especially how there was not a trace of fear in her eyes, Mi Yuheng found himself inexplicably reassured by her quiet confidence. "Yes!"

Yun Yang returned after seeing Mi Yuheng out. She was visibly shaken. "My lady, who is plotting against us? The silk is already in the Lucky Cloud Palace. With such precious fabric, Noble Lady Shu will probably have someone make new clothes very soon."

Wen Yunmian beckoned Yun Yang closer. "You know martial arts. Go outside shortly and watch for any activity around the Peony Pavilion. Someone is certain to make a move tonight. Then we will know who is behind this."

Yun Yang answered, "Yes."

After nightfall, the entire Peony Pavilion was unusually quiet. Only the sound of melting snow outside broke the silence, each drip tugging at the heartstrings.

Yun Fei stayed in the room with Wen Yunmian.

On the surface, the palace seemed calm, but beneath it, turbulent waves surged.

Before long, Yun Yang pushed open the door and entered. Frost clung to her face, and her breathing was quick.

"My lady, I saw someone bury something beneath the white magnolia tree in the back courtyard."

A complicated expression crossed Wen Yunmian's soft, fair face. "Did you get a clear look at their face?"

"It was Xiao Yangzi, who serves Consort Chun."

Wen Yunmian sneered. "Consort Chun's confinement is only just about to end, and already she cannot restrain herself."

But Consort Chun was merely Consort Shu's lackey. Although Wen Yunmian had guessed that Consort Shu was involved, this was not the time to move against her. Still, removing her trusted subordinate was within reach.

"In a little while, secretly take whatever was buried and put it in Consort Chun's Palace of Gathered Elegance."

Yun Yang answered, "Yes."

Yun Fei breathed a sigh of relief. "My lady, once we return it, the blame naturally cannot fall on us. When the time comes, the charge of harming an imperial consort and an imperial heir will leave Consort Chun with more consequences than she can bear."

Wen Yunmian shook her head. If only it were that simple.

There was another suspicious matter involved, one that would be enough to let Consort Chun escape severe punishment.

That was why she needed to add some stronger ingredients to the mix.

"Yun Fei, over the next two days, you will collect the white luo Imperial Physician Ni prepares. Bring back all the white luo he can gather. I want its scent to fill the Peony Pavilion."

Wen Yunmian carefully reminded her, "Remember, you must be cautious. No one can find out about this."

Although Yun Fei did not understand, she obediently nodded. "Yes."

Meanwhile, inside the Lucky Cloud Palace.

After finishing the matters at hand, Jun Chenyu came to keep Noble Lady Shu company. Although she had only been granted an honorific title that day, many people had come bearing congratulatory gifts to curry favor with her. Everyone regarded her as a favored consort with limitless prospects. It had been lively indeed, and only now had things quieted down.

Noble Lady Shu was always dignified. Only before Jun Chenyu did she reveal a little delicate shyness. "Your Majesty has come to keep me company tonight. I fear the other sisters will be unhappy."

Jun Chenyu sat on the couch leafing through a book. In the light, his stern, deeply sculpted brow looked even sharper. At Noble Lady Shu's words, he smiled gently and reached across the small table to take her hand.

"You are carrying my child. Of course I must cherish you. As for the others, how could any of them compare to your place in my heart?"

He turned back and happened to notice the contents of the page.

It was the Zuo Zhuan, the passage Noble Lady Yan had spoken of that day.

Noble Lady Shu's cheeks flushed crimson. "I am delighted that Your Majesty holds me in your heart. It is just that..."

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