Wen Yunmian Strikes Back!

Mi Yuheng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I discovered traces of White Luo on the walls of the Peony Pavilion just now, mixed into the glutinous rice mortar."

"If the White Luo remains in the walls, then not only Lady Yan, but every woman in the Peony Pavilion may suffer its effects."

Wen Yunmian's eyes suddenly reddened, and tears as large as beans rolled down her cheeks.

Clutching her handkerchief, she gazed pitifully at Jun Chenyu. "Your Majesty, someone is trying to harm me too..."

Consort Shu froze, then glanced sideways at Consort Chun.

Noble Lady Yu had proposed this plan, but Consort Chun had carried it all out!

Now, not only had no hidden stash of White Luo been found in Wen Yunmian's courtyard, but she had become a victim instead?

That idiot!

Consort Chun bit her lip. She had no idea what was going on either.

The emperor's expression darkened, becoming unreadable. "It seems someone in the palace intends to harm not only my child, but my favored consort as well! This is utterly outrageous."

Seizing her opportunity, the Empress forced her weakened body to take a few steps forward. "Your Majesty, in my opinion, since this matter is so suspicious, we should search all six palaces."

The emperor took Wen Yunmian's hand and helped her rise. "Rest assured, I will see that you receive justice. I will never let you suffer for nothing."

Noble Lady Shu lay stunned on the bed. She was the one who had miscarried today, so why did the emperor have eyes only for Wen Yunmian? All Wen Yunmian had done was inhale a little of that odor!

On the surface, Wen Yunmian looked pitiful and aggrieved, but the depths of her eyes were icy cold.

Only now that he knew she was a victim did tenderness well up in the emperor's eyes. But affection that came too late was worth less than weeds, and Wen Yunmian did not care about it at all.

Still, she naturally had to play her part to the fullest.

Yun Yang knelt at that moment and said timidly, "Your Majesty, some plaster fell from the Peony Pavilion's walls two days ago, and the walls were repaired then. But everyone involved belonged to the Peony Pavilion. Surely they would not harm my lady."

Once she mentioned it, Jun Chenyu recalled the incident clearly.

His icy gaze turned toward Consort Chun, who stood uneasily nearby.

However slow-witted Consort Chun might be, she remembered sending people to the Peony Pavilion that day to watch the spectacle, and panic instantly flooded her.

Noble Lady Yu's lips curved faintly. Just as she had suspected. Looking at Wen Yunmian, she could not help feeling that she had met her match across the chessboard.

This woman truly possessed deep cunning. Without making a sound in the imperial harem, she could lay a trap and turn the tables on her attackers.

She was clever enough to command admiration.

"Consort Chun, I recall that you specifically sent people to accompany Yun Yang to the Peony Pavilion to repair the walls that day! Surely I need not remind you?"

The emperor's fury swept outward. Consort Chun's whole body went weak, and she dropped to her knees with a thud. "Your Majesty, I did not harm Noble Lady Yan! I merely sent people to watch the excitement. I did not put White Luo in the glutinous rice mortar! Please discern the truth, Your Majesty."

At that moment, Consort Chun felt terribly wronged.

Although she desperately wanted Wen Yunmian dead to avenge her previous confinement, the White Luo that could cause a miscarriage should not have been inside the walls...

She had clearly ordered it placed in the soil by the courtyard wall.

What on earth was going on!

Consort Shu already sensed that things were going badly, and her expression shifted slightly. Still, she reasoned that even if Consort Chun had sent people there, no evidence proved she had attacked Wen Yunmian.

She only hoped that idiot had handled everything cleanly and would not implicate her.

Without anyone needing to remind him, Jun Chenyu could already tell that Consort Chun was inextricably involved. "Guards, search every inch of the Palace of Gathered Elegance at once. Leave no corner unchecked!"

Having received their orders, the Imperial Guards headed to the Palace of Gathered Elegance with Mi Yuheng.

Noble Lady Shu had wanted to ask Jun Chenyu for comfort again, but when she saw his gaze remain fixed on Wen Yunmian, her eyes dimmed.

Before Wen Yunmian, a woman as beautiful as pearls and jade, she always fell a step behind.

She had thought that having a child would allow her to rise above Wen Yunmian. With her aunt's support as well, she would surely fulfill her family's wishes and become a favored consort capable of supporting Duke Ling's household.

Now her hopes had shattered. But knowing that Wen Yunmian was a victim just like her, she could not help heaping all her resentment onto Consort Chun.

Consort Chun's palms were slick with sticky sweat. For some reason, she kept feeling a chill down her back.

If they really found something, would she not become an enemy of both Duke Ling's household and the Empress?

Although she and Consort Xian both belonged to the Qi Family, they came from different branches. Her own family was nowhere near powerful enough to stand against Duke Ling's household...

Still, Consort Chun reassured herself inwardly. No one knew about her plot against Wen Yunmian, so no one could possibly have planted anything in her palace.

She was merely frightening herself.

"Your Majesty!" The commander of the Imperial Guards hurried inside.

He handed the items he had confiscated to Eunuch Lu.

Mi Yuheng delivered the report. "Your Majesty, Commander Zhang of the Imperial Guards found the remaining White Luo beneath a pried-up floor brick in the Palace of Gathered Elegance!"

When the White Luo was presented to him, Jun Chenyu's piercing gaze grew even sharper.

He raised his hand and flung the packet of White Luo powder at Consort Chun's feet. "Look for yourself!"

Consort Chun cried out in fright and lifted her deathly pale face. "No, this is impossible! I did not hide White Luo to harm anyone. I truly am innocent!"

At the sight, a sharp gleam flashed through Consort Shu's eyes.

Though she was normally arrogant and domineering, she did have some intelligence. Given the situation, Wen Yunmian had very likely discovered the plot and bitten back, hiding the substance in the Palace of Gathered Elegance.

If the investigation continued, it would inevitably implicate her.

Just as Jun Chenyu's fury erupted, Consort Shu hastily looked toward the Imperial Physician nearby and Feicui, a palace maid from Lucky Cloud Palace.

If she did not employ this stratagem now, she probably would not be able to save Consort Chun.

"White Luo has already been found in your palace. What further excuses do you intend to offer me?"

Veins bulged on Jun Chenyu's forehead. He had never expected this foolish woman to ruin his plan.

Her eyes reddening in disbelief, Noble Lady Shu pointed at Consort Chun. "Your Highness, I have never wronged you or held any grudge against you. Why did you harm my child?!"

Noble Lady Shu's lips were dry as she clutched Jun Chenyu's sleeve. "Please grant me justice, Your Majesty. Put this vile woman to death!"

Consort Hui, who had been watching the drama all along, hurriedly said, "An imperial prince had finally come to the harem, only to be harmed by Consort Chun. Who knows how long it will take before another consort can bear Your Majesty an imperial heir? What a pity."

Seeing that the emperor would no longer tolerate her, Consort Chun hastily shuffled forward on her knees to Jun Chenyu. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I truly have been wronged! It must have been that vile woman Wen Yunmian. She must have deliberately planted these things in my palace!"

Just as Jun Chenyu was about to punish Consort Chun, Feicui hurried forward and knelt on the floor.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

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