An Lingrong is reborn to live for herself.

If it were said that Consort Hua felt pity for Lady Fucha's plight because of what Granny Qian said, those present who had witnessed Consort Hua's ruthless methods would probably not believe it.

However, everyone knew Consort Hua's temperament. Although she had been arrogant for many years, what she hated most were those who used insidious means behind her back.

Therefore, although Cao Qinmo, who served Consort Hua, was more intelligent and quick-witted than Consort Li, she was not favored by Consort Hua. Consequently, although Consort Cao could often guess Consort Hua's intentions afterward, she dared not act rashly.

Upon hearing Consort Hua's words, the other concubines present couldn't help but feel resentment towards Chang Wenyu, and their gazes towards him changed from scrutiny and doubt to anger and questioning.

After Wen Shichu explained the whole story, the Emperor's face had already turned ashen. Now, seeing the concubines filled with resentment, his expression darkened even more. He asked in a deep voice, "Chang Wenyu, is there anything else you want to say?"

Chang Wenyu already knew that now that the most crucial part of the matter had been exposed, he would inevitably be held responsible.

Thinking of this, I feel a little relieved.

Chang Wenyu served in the Imperial Medical Academy for many years, always being careful and thorough, never getting involved in the power struggles of the court or the inner palace. This allowed him to remain uninvolved in the brutal power struggle among the princes during the late emperor's succession battle.

Because he was not involved in power struggles, Chang Wenyu, though he doubted his medical skills, had always upheld his duty as a doctor. But now, in his fifties, he was forced to get involved in the palace intrigues and abandon his conscience to do "dirty work" for a nobleman.

Chang Wenyu lay prostrate on the ground, his forehead touching the earth. His voice was much calmer as he said, “Your Majesty, I am old and senile. I know that I have committed grave sins and have failed Your Majesty’s trust and the teachings of our ancestral master. I beg Your Majesty to grant me death.”

Seeing Chang Wenyu's reaction, Zhen Huan was somewhat surprised.

As expected, people are all different, and what you see on the surface is hard to fathom.

However, there are still two unresolved issues. First, Chang Wenyu, as the head of the Imperial Physician, was highly regarded by both the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and had always avoided factional strife. So who exactly is now influencing this imperial physician? Second, Wen Shichu said that Bai Ku Cao (百枯草) encountered Xue Ku Teng (血枯藤), which led to Fucha's eventual hemorrhage and death. However, although the taste of Xue Ku Teng could be detected in the dregs of the medicine, there were no Xue Ku Teng dregs. So how did this medicine get in?

Zhen Huan simply couldn't understand it.

At this moment, facing Chang Wenyu, who was kowtowing and admitting his guilt, the emperor seemed somewhat discouraged for some reason. His tense expression suddenly relaxed, and he looked less tired.

"Su Peisheng, convey my decree: Chang Wenyu, as a royal physician, failed to fulfill his duties. The case shall be jointly investigated by the Imperial Medical Academy and the Censorate."

Granny Qian was beaten to death, and all those mentioned in her confession were equally guilty!

Inside Yanxi Palace, all the servants who had served Consort Fucha her medicine were handed over to the Imperial Household Department for interrogation.

Wen Shichu, having provided valuable evidence, was promoted to Imperial Physician, a rank of sixth grade.

After saying that, he got up and walked towards the entrance of the hall.

But just as he was about to leave, he seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back to ask the Empress, "Is there anyone still living in Yanxi Palace?"

The Empress was taken aback by the question, then nodded and replied, "You mean Consort An. She is still living in Yanxi Palace, but I heard she has been ill recently."

The Emperor nodded. "Yanxi Palace has been rather unsettled lately. Let's find Consort An a quiet place so she can recuperate in peace."

After the emperor finished speaking, the empress did not respond for a moment.

This statement is indeed puzzling.

It's true that things haven't been peaceful in Yanxi Palace lately. Three concubines connected to Yanxi Palace have died in just a few months, which is certainly unsettling. Some might even believe that Yanxi Palace is cursed.

However, the sudden suggestion that An should move to a quiet place to recuperate makes it difficult to discern the truth.

Does this mean that the Emperor finds Yanxi Palace unsuitable for living, or that he has grown tired of An Lingrong, who has never been favored, because of the recent series of misdeeds that have occurred in Yanxi Palace?

Seeing that the empress did not speak, the emperor stopped and looked at her.

Seeing this, Zhen Huan quickly bowed slightly to the Emperor and Empress and said, "Sister An is usually ill and needs careful care. It is indeed not suitable for her to recuperate in Yanxi Palace. Your Majesty cherishes your concubines, and Your Majesty the Empress also needs to take care of Sister An. However, the west wing of Suiyu Pavilion is currently empty. I would like to share the burden with Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress. I humbly request that Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress allow Sister An to move to Suiyu Pavilion and live with me."

Zhen Huan knew that the emperor had always disliked concubines forming factions, but if she didn't speak up now, it would be hard to know what would become of An Lingrong, so she had no choice but to take a chance.

The emperor gave Zhen Huan a meaningful look, said "Granted," and then turned and left.

After the emperor left, the empress also left, supported by Jianqiu.

The guards dragged Granny Qian out and sent her to the Imperial Prison for execution.

Huang Guiquan of the Imperial Household Department had long known that this matter would not end well, so he had arranged for his shrewd spies to wait outside Yanxi Palace. Therefore, as soon as the emperor left, he quickly brought his men to pawn the people.

The concubines were still shaken, and even Consort Hua was not spared. Supported by Songzhi, she also left. But as she left, a mocking smile played on her lips as she said, "In this harem, there's hardly any room for good people. As for how to live, you still have to pray for your own good fortune." She didn't forget to draw out the last word "good fortune" and gave Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang a deep look.

Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang had no time to argue with Consort Hua. They only wanted to quickly go and talk to An Lingrong about what had happened that day.

---------

The two recounted the important matters concerning Consort Fucha one by one, and An Lingrong remained silent for a long time.

"Life in the harem is indeed more difficult than we imagined. A gentleman is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

Even though Lady Yuan and Lady Fucha had no intention of harming anyone, they became targets for others simply because they had gained the Emperor's favor and were pregnant. Despite having drunk a cup of hot tea, Shen Meizhuang still felt icy cold all over as she spoke, her teeth chattering.

"Fortunately, His Majesty has allowed Sister An to move to Suiyu Pavilion and live with me. That way, we can look after each other and Sister An won't be as isolated and helpless as she is now." Zhen Huan smiled faintly. "This is the most comforting news we've had recently."

"Thank you both, sisters, for helping me out of this predicament even in this time of crisis," An Lingrong said sincerely.

At this moment, An Lingrong was truly filled with gratitude. In her previous life, she had served the emperor for many years, and based on her understanding of him, she knew very well that the emperor would not let this matter rest.

The infighting among the women in the harem has reached such a point that it not only greatly damages the royal family's reputation, but more importantly, the emperor has just ascended the throne, and the Fucha clan is a powerful family that he needs to win over. Now that Consort Fucha has run into trouble, this game has collapsed halfway through.

Moreover, although they caught a woman named Qian Po, they didn't actually catch the person behind the scenes.

If Empress Fucha insisted on an explanation, the emperor would inevitably need to find a scapegoat in the harem. After much thought, An Lingrong, who lived in Yanxi Palace but was out of favor, was certainly a very good candidate.

When Zhen Huan suggested that An Lingrong move to Suiyu Pavilion to live with her, it was truly to save her.