Chapter Nineteen: Suspected of Murder to Silence Witnesses

Seeing the other’s expression, fierce as a raging tiger, Hua Rong’s hand trembled in fright, and the ladle slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground. She hastily forced a smile, defending herself, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. You’ve had too much to drink. I only worry that you might act rashly after drinking, which you’d regret tomorrow.”

Her words sounded virtuous and proper, but in truth, she was only trying to protect herself. If she yielded now, she might well lose her head by morning!

“So should I thank you for your thoughtful concern?” Jun Yeli’s fury burned within him, and he was sorely tempted to stride forward and slap her, but managed to restrain himself.

With a dramatic sweep of his sleeve, he thundered, “Hear me well: from this day forth, I shall never set foot here again, no matter what tricks you employ!”

To any favored concubine, such words might have sounded cruel, but Hua Rong only wanted to exclaim with glee: nothing could please her more!

“Wonderful! At last, His Majesty utterly despises me, and hasn’t even punished me. What a stroke of fortune! Tonight, I can savor my hotpot in peace!”

The more she thought about it, the happier she grew. Happiness nearly overwhelmed her, and after taking a deep breath, she feigned a look of grievance, saying, “Your Majesty, please don’t be like this. Give me another chance… I beg you.”

This, she hoped, would preserve the emperor’s dignity and allow her to avoid further favor, preventing her from becoming the target of envy in the harem.

“Very well. In light of your sincerity, I shall forgive you.” This was precisely the pretext Jun Yeli had been waiting for.

At those words, Hua Rong’s expression changed abruptly. “Just like that? Might you reconsider?”

“There’s no need. Your sincerity is pleasing. Just refrain from such foolishness in the future.”

Without granting her another moment to protest, Jun Yeli turned on his heel and swept away. Hua Rong collapsed to the floor in tears, murmuring, “What is this? As emperor, can you not be more decisive?”

To forgive so easily—how utterly spineless.

Seated on the ground, she felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her.

“Why does it seem the emperor is becoming ever more indulgent with me…”

“How useless I am—not even skilled at avoiding favor. Why is it so hard to make someone dislike me? Could it be I was born irresistibly charming?”

But that thought, too, seemed off. If so, why did the other women in the harem wish for nothing more than her demise?

She drew a long breath. That night was anything but peaceful for Hua Rong.

At the same time, Jun Yeli found himself unable to sleep, restless beneath his covers. Glancing at the attendant eunuch standing by, he could not help but ask, “Tell me, is Consort Rong perhaps a little… simple-minded?”

“Ah? Why do you say so, Your Majesty?” The young eunuch was utterly baffled.

Jun Yeli mulled it over, frowning. “Let me put it this way: I all but pretended to be drunk, handed her the perfect opportunity, and yet she didn’t even try to seize it! Tell me—could she be upright by nature, too shy and flustered, or… does she simply not like me?”

His stream of wild speculation made even Jun Yeli doubt himself.

The eunuch hesitated, silent for a moment, then ventured an earnest analysis: “Your Majesty, you are of unparalleled virtue and talent, noble by birth—countless women would be desperate for your favor. By rights, the last of your theories should be impossible. However… if, as you say, Consort Rong remained unmoved in such circumstances, perhaps… she is ill!”

After all, since Consort Rong had not succeeded even once, it could hardly be claimed she disdained the emperor’s abilities.

Jun Yeli was stunned. “You mean Consort Rong is ill?”

“That is merely my humble speculation, but the possibility is high. I beg Your Majesty to take it seriously. It could be a contagious disease, or even a terminal illness, and she does not wish to implicate you.”

As the eunuch spoke, Jun Yeli nodded in growing agreement. “That must be it. No wonder she avoids me—her intentions are so noble! I’ve truly wronged her.”

In that moment, Jun Yeli genuinely regretted his harsh words from earlier, and grew anxious. “Do you think she was greatly hurt by what I said tonight?”

“Your Majesty need not trouble yourself. If Consort Rong is indeed ill, your words may have been just what she wished to hear.”

“No, this cannot be left as it is. Issue my command: summon the finest physicians from across the land. She must have the very best treatment!”

The eunuch hurried to carry out the order.

Meanwhile, in the imperial prison, the assassin previously held there had already taken poison and died.

In the study, upon hearing the news, Jun Yeli’s brows knitted in anger. He slammed the memorial in his hand onto the floor. “Useless fools! There’s always poison in the prison? Did you not search thoroughly before admitting him? How did he manage to die so suddenly of poisoning?”

The officials were equally at a loss. “Your Majesty, perhaps someone smuggled in poison during a visit.”

At these words, Jun Yeli fell into deep thought, raising his brows. “Who has visited recently?”

The question left the eunuch speechless, his silence only deepening the tension.

“Well? Is there something you cannot say?”

“No, Your Majesty. This morning, Consort Rong herself visited the prison, and afterward the assassin took poison and died.”

All suspicion thus fell squarely on Hua Rong. How could it be mere coincidence that the assassin died right after her visit? It was clear someone wished to silence him.

“Impossible!” Jun Yeli could hardly credit it. His fists clenched, he looked ready to explode, and the eunuch grew more nervous. “Your Majesty, there are many witnesses in the prison…”

With those words, it was all but certain: Hua Rong was the one who supplied the poison.

“Where is Consort Rong now?”

“Your Majesty, she is being held as a suspect in the prison.”

“In the prison? Are you mad? How can you lock up such a delicate woman in there?”

The eunuch was at a loss for words; after all, isn’t that where all the accused go? He could only attempt to soothe, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. Though Consort Rong is detained, she is unharmed.”

At this, Jun Yeli’s tension eased somewhat, though the shadow of worry would not lift. “Take me to the prison. I will question her myself!”