Transmigrated Female Official

Chu Qingluo arrived at Guangrentang early in the morning and heard something she never expected—the dignified sixth-rank female official Ji Jie had been imprisoned last night!

It is said that Ji Jie was imprisoned because the Phoenix Incense specially made for the Empress had a problem.

Chu Qinglu was secretly taken aback. Just a few days ago, she had asked He Qi to secretly put out the Phoenix Incense... It was purely by accident, but she didn't expect that the incense would actually have a problem!

Chu Qingluo herself was unaware that her unintentional act had brought the Empress two days of comfort.

The Empress has ordered Wu Lian, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, to investigate the matter, and the entire Guangrentang is in a state of panic.

……

The atmosphere inside the Qingming Hall was solemn.

“Your Majesty, this matter has not yet been investigated, so it is not appropriate to imprison Lord Ji at this time.” The person speaking now is Pan Yin, a third-rank official.

The Fourth Princess found Pan Yin's words ridiculous and stepped forward to speak, saying, "What's wrong with that? Since the problem lies with Fengyi Incense, Lord Ji should take responsibility." After saying that, she asked the Empress, "Your Majesty, why not invite the divine physician to the palace to explain this matter clearly?"

The Empress nodded to Chonghuan, who then called out, "Summon the divine physician, Elder Yu."

Old Master Yu bowed his head; his hair was already gray, his back was slightly hunched, and he had a long beard. He strode quickly to the center of the hall and bowed, saying, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty."

The Empress raised her hand: "No need for formalities. Elder Yu, today you should explain the situation you have in front of everyone."

"Yes." He nodded in agreement and then said, "As everyone knows, His Majesty suffered from a strange dizziness a few days ago, which was actually caused by the Phoenix Incense."

Upon hearing his words, a rustling sound filled the hall.

Old Master Yu continued, "I have discovered that the Phoenix Incense burned in the Phoenix Palace where His Majesty resides contains clove powder. Although this substance is not poisonous, its fragrance can cause dizziness, difficulty breathing, and many other discomforts, and His Majesty experienced this adverse reaction."

The Eighth Princess frowned, puzzled, and said, "According to you, His Majesty has been using Phoenix Incense for many years, so why is he only feeling dizzy and unwell now? Why did the male servants who served him have no reaction? Furthermore, what evidence do you have to prove your conclusion?"

Old Master Yu was not intimidated by the Eighth Princess's inquisitive manner. Instead, he calmly explained, "On the first day I went to take His Majesty's pulse, His Majesty was well. There was no incense burning in the palace at that time, so I was unable to find out the cause. On the second day, His Majesty's dizziness recurred. This incense was burning in the palace then, and I was able to find out the cause. This night-blooming cereus only affects people over forty years old; those who are strong and healthy will naturally be unaffected." He paused, then added truthfully, "This incense has been verified by the Chief Physician of the Imperial Hospital. This batch of newly made Phoenix Incense contains night-blooming cereus powder, which was not found in the previous incense."

Pan Yin glanced at Elder Yu suspiciously and asked, "Even so, how can you prove that this matter is related to Lord Ji?"

Master Yu: "I do not know who is involved in this matter. I am simply reporting what I know to His Majesty and the other officials."

Seeing this, the Fourth Princess spoke up again: "Lady Ji is the head lady of Guangrentang. If something happens within her jurisdiction, she should naturally be held accountable. Besides, it is said that Ji Jie personally oversaw the entire incense-making process for this Phoenix Incense. Why did a mistake still occur?" Her words were reasonable, and Pan Yin was speechless for a moment, unable to answer.

The Eighth Princess snorted coldly from the side: "The most important thing right now should be to find out why there is night-blooming jasmine powder in the Phoenix Incense. Why are you questioning us first?"

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Princess gave a sinister smile: "Judging from what Eighth Sister is saying, could it be that she is questioning the Emperor's decision?"

Seeing her deliberately provoking her, the Eighth Princess glared at her, slightly angry, but dared not retaliate. "Your Majesty, Xile had no such intention..."

"Your Majesty, the Phoenix Incense was personally prepared by the physicians. Should we summon them for questioning? Perhaps Lord Wu Lian has already uncovered the truth." The Fourth Princess did not give the Eighth Princess a chance to continue her defense and quickly made a suggestion to the Empress.

The Empress nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Yu. You may leave now."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now."

After Elder Yu left, the Empress said, "Summon the female officials of the Imperial Medical Academy."

A group of female physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy were summoned to the hall. Led by Wu Lian, the head physician, they all bowed to the Empress. "May Your Majesty be well." This was the first time they had received such a grand reception from the Emperor, but at this moment, everyone was filled with trepidation and dared not even breathe loudly.

Empress: "No courtesy."

No sooner had the Empress finished speaking than the Fourth Princess spoke first: "As a physician, how can one expect peace of mind if one cannot share the burden of His Majesty's health?" Her words were harsh and aggressive.

Seeing that the Fourth Princess loved to speak out, the Empress did not reprimand her, but only frowned slightly.

The Eighth Princess glared at the Fourth Princess with displeasure, thinking to herself: It seems that Fourth Sister is determined to take action against Guangrentang today...

Meanwhile, the Sixth Princess, standing to the side, maintained a calm and composed demeanor. She merely observed with a detached and indifferent expression, never uttering a single word. Compared to the Fourth and Eighth Princesses, who were constantly bickering, she possessed a refined and unassuming air.

"It was my oversight, Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Before the Fourth Princess could finish speaking, Wu Lian, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, was covered in sweat.

The Empress sat high above, asking, "Lord Wu, has the cause of the matter concerning the night lilac been found?"

When it was discovered yesterday that the Phoenix Incense contained night-blooming cereus pollen, the Empress immediately summoned Ji Jie for questioning. Ji Jie immediately stated that it was not her doing and that she knew nothing about the matter. However, as the female official in charge, the Empress still imprisoned Ji Jie before the facts were clarified.

After receiving the Emperor's decree yesterday, Wu Lian summoned all the female physicians and strictly forbade them from leaving the palace until the truth was revealed. She interrogated them one by one and investigated the matter throughout the night…

"Your Majesty, I have investigated and confirmed the facts." After saying this, Wu Lian scolded a female physician behind her, "Why haven't you stepped forward to confess your crimes yet?"

Immediately afterwards, a young female physician moved to the front of the crowd in full view of everyone, and suddenly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please have mercy! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" As she spoke, she kowtowed several times to the ground.

In the Ji Kingdom, kowtowing was a grand ceremony reserved for sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors. Unless one had performed a great act of kindness or committed a grave offense, this ceremony was unnecessary.

"What is your name? What crime have you committed?" The Empress looked down at her with an air of authority that was not angry.

The female physician's voice trembled slightly: "Your Majesty, my name is Yan Xi. That day, Lord Wu asked me to fetch clove powder for him, saying it was needed by Lord Ji to make Phoenix Incense... But I misheard and thought it was night-blooming cereus powder... So... I beg Your Majesty's mercy!"

The Fourth Princess glanced at the person kowtowing on the ground, gave a cold smile, and spoke first: "Nonsense! Clove is two characters, night-blooming lilac is three characters, how can they be confused?! Furthermore, Elder Yu just said that the fragrance of night-blooming lilac can cause adverse reactions in people over forty years old. As a physician, how can you not know that night-blooming lilac is not suitable for making perfumes?!"

At this moment, the female physician's face turned from white to red, then from red to black, and she stammered, "...This humble official...this humble official does not know..."

Seeing the Fourth Princess's determination to pin the blame on Guangrentang, the Eighth Princess's face flashed with a hint of mockery. She sneered, "In my opinion, it was just an accidental mistake. Why does Fourth Sister act like she wants to kill or torture someone?" Her words implied that the Fourth Princess was making a mountain out of a molehill, and she added, "Besides, whether it was an accident or not is entirely up to His Majesty to decide. Fourth Sister, aren't you being far too presumptuous?"

The fourth princess glanced at her, her voice slightly weak: "I just wanted to share His Majesty's burdens!"

Seeing the two arguing in the hall, the Empress waved her hand and said, "Long Kui, what do you think?"

Longkui pondered for a moment and replied, "In my opinion, although Yan did not intentionally harm His Majesty's health, it was still a great mistake and should be dealt with impartially."

Longkui was a very shrewd person. She avoided the main issue and steered the conversation in a roundabout way to how to deal with Yan Shi.

The Empress nodded, "Fine!" Then she handed Yan Xi her punishment, "Since it was caused by your mistake, you should bear the punishment. Remove yourself from your position as physician, give her thirty strokes of the cane, and banish her from the palace immediately."

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!" The female physician kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.

Seeing this, Longkui seized the opportunity to ask, "Then Lord Ji...?"

The Empress, believing herself to be in good health and adhering to her usual principle of treating people with kindness, said, "Ji Jie no longer needs to stay there. Withhold half a year's salary and return to your post."

Seeing that the Empress showed no intention of pursuing the matter, the Fourth Princess looked extremely displeased and gave Qin Mei, who was of the seventh rank, a meaningful look.

Qin Mei, understanding the implication, immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe the Fourth Princess's words are reasonable, and this matter should not be handled hastily."

The Empress narrowed her eyes, signaling her to continue.

"Even physicians must undergo rigorous screening to enter the court. Lord Wu, how did Yan, who doesn't even understand this basic pharmacology, pass the Guangrentang's official examination? If it weren't for your lax supervision, how could a female physician make such a basic mistake? Or perhaps... Yan knowingly did this on purpose?"

"This..." Wu Lian was speechless, unable to admit that she had failed in her supervision, nor dared to defend Yan Shi.

Yan Xi kowtowed to the ground again: "Your Majesty, I absolutely did not do it on purpose! I would never dare to harm the Empress, please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty!"

Qin Mei pressed on, pressing Wu Lian further: "I wonder if Lord Wu is unable to answer or simply doesn't want to answer?"

"This humble official does not know what Lord Qin means by these words..." Wu Lian avoided Qin Mei's eyes, two beads of sweat silently sliding down her forehead.

Qin Mei sneered, then turned to the Empress and said, “Your Majesty, I recently received an anonymous letter alleging that Lord Ji and Lord Wu have been secretly buying and selling positions of physician for many years. I didn’t believe it at the time, but the current behavior of this physician, Yan, makes me suspicious. If the two of them are indeed buying and selling positions as the letter says… that’s outrageous! They should be executed!”

"Such a thing?!" Upon hearing this, the Empress's face immediately darkened, and her voice turned icy: "Where is the anonymous letter?"

Qin Mei replied, "It is at my residence. I will send someone to fetch it immediately."

The Empress detested corrupt officials above all else. She coldly addressed Yan Xi, who was still kneeling on the ground, "Tell me! Did you buy your position as a physician with those two?!"

"Your Majesty! This is absolutely not true!" Before Madam Yan could reply, Wu Lian knelt down and cried out her innocence.

Qin Mei bypassed Wu Lian and pressed her advantage, then urged Yan Xi, "If you confess the truth, perhaps the Emperor will show leniency. But if you stubbornly refuse to tell... and if there is solid evidence that you bought your official position, then you might not be the only one convicted; your family will also be implicated! Think it through!"

Upon hearing that her family would also be implicated, Yan Xi could not bear such shock. Immediately, she confessed, trembling, "Your Majesty! I confess! I confess!... I did indeed spend a large sum of money to bribe Ji Jie and Wu Lian to get into the Imperial Hospital! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!!" After saying this, she kowtowed repeatedly, drawing blood from her forehead.

The Empress slammed her hand on the phoenix throne, stood up, and roared in the court, "How dare you!!!"

The Empress hadn't been enraged in a long time, and now, with such a roar, Wu Lian was completely overwhelmed by the Empress's power, so frightened that she fell to the side, trembling...

At this moment, Yan Xi remained kneeling on the ground, her head bowed, biting her lower lip tightly. Blood from her forehead had seeped into her eyes, dripping down her eyelashes onto the polished floor. The scene was truly horrifying, sending chills down the spines of everyone present.