freenovelworld Chapter 242 Suspicion
Chapter 242 Suspicion
First, Zhen Huan left the palace to become a nun, and then the Queen was demoted to the position of Concubine Li. All the palaces acted cautiously, and the palace maids under them also behaved themselves.
The entire harem reached unprecedented harmony after the emperor ascended the throne.
A month passed quickly, and An Lingrong's arm, which had the rash, had long since recovered to normal.
Just after breakfast that day, Xiao Linzi came to report that someone had been sent from the Yangxin Palace.
"This servant pays his respects to the Imperial Concubine Shu!"
Su Peisheng, walking with a limp, bowed respectfully.
"Eunuch Su, please get up. You have come here in person, but does the Emperor have something to say?"
An Lingrong knew that Su Peisheng had been beaten several times for no apparent reason, so she considerately did not offer him a seat.
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching. The Emperor has said that this celebration should be grand, and he has ordered you, Noble Concubine Hua, and Noble Concubine Jing to prepare for it together."
"The Empress Dowager's birthday is a major event. I will go and discuss it with Concubine Hua and Concubine Jing."
The emperor, who was recuperating in the Yangxin Palace, had been in a moody state recently, and Su Peisheng had suffered severe punishments one after another.
According to what he said, the emperor also asked him to go to the other two palaces to convey the message.
An Lingrong was happy to be a good person.
"I thank the Imperial Concubine for her consideration."
Su Peisheng's eyes turned red with gratitude.
The master is in trouble because the servants have not done their job well, so they deserve to be punished.
But his old friend had indeed suffered a great deal and could not stand any more trouble.
"Eunuch Su, you're too kind. I've just recovered from my old injury, so it's time to go out for a walk and get some fresh air."
An Lingrong went to the Yiku Palace first, circled around the pregnant Concubine Hua twice, and joked.
"Sister Nian, why do I think you've become a little plump?"
Concubine Hua was stunned, then her eyes widened.
"Who said I'm fat? There's something wrong with your eyes!"
An Lingrong helped the angry man sit on the couch and explained in a gentle voice.
"Sister, please don't be angry. When I was pregnant, Doctor Wei warned me not to over-supplement my body, otherwise the fetus would be too large and difficult to deliver."
Songzhi, who had just come in with tea, asked hurriedly.
"Empress Shu, what should we do?"
Ever since the master took over the palace power from the former queen, the servants in the kitchen have been delivering some of the queen's favorite meals to the Yiku Palace every day.
Songzhi thought about the great suffering her mistress had endured at the beginning of her pregnancy, so instead of persuading her to be moderate, she encouraged her to eat more.
If Concubine Shu hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have noticed that her master was almost developing a double chin.
After hearing what An Lingrong said, Concubine Hua remembered the previous owner of Yanx Palace.
She shivered in the hot weather.
"Lingrong! Tell me what to do!"
"Sister Hua, you're only less than seven months pregnant. There's still time for everything."
An Lingrong softly explained to the nervous master and servant the points that Wei Lin had reminded them of.
"If you have any concerns, you can call the imperial physician to take a look."
Concubine Hua nodded repeatedly.
"Lingrong, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again this time."
The emperor was recuperating in the Yangxin Palace, and Zhang Wuwei was taking care of her every step of the way, and it had been a long time since he last took her pulse.
But she didn't trust the Jiang brothers.
An Lingrong’s personal imperial physician Wei Lin is the best choice.
"Sister Nian, I remember that you are not someone who indulges in food and drink. Has anything unusual happened recently?"
The carefree Concubine Hua answered casually.
"Perhaps it's because those bitches are no longer in my sight that I feel better and my appetite has naturally improved."
Songzhi suddenly remembered something, "Master, did you start to have a good appetite after taking the pregnancy-maintaining medicine a month ago?"
An Lingrong's heart sank, and then she changed the subject and talked about the purpose of coming to Yiku Palace.
"Sister Nian, Eunuch Su just came to Yonghe Palace and told you, Concubine Jing, and I to prepare for the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration."
"But tomorrow is the day when Hongyao and Zhaohua will check their pulses. Could you please come to Yonghe Palace to discuss the arrangements?"
"The Holy Birthday is a major event, I will definitely go there early."
Concubine Hua understood her intention and agreed with a smile.
Before leaving, An Lingrong also asked Songzhi to take the residue of Concubine Hua's pregnancy-maintaining medicine with her.
The medicine for Concubine Hua's pregnancy maintenance was based on a prescription written by Zhang Wuwei, prepared by the Imperial Hospital, and boiled by the people in the Yiku Palace.
Any of the links involved may be tampered with.
An Lingrong felt that starting with the drug residue would be the most likely way to find the problem.
When she returned to the palace, she also went to Xianfu Palace and told Concubine Jing that she would go to Yonghe Palace at the beginning of the morning at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the emperor's birthday banquet.
The next day, Wei Lin was invited to Yonghe Palace by Xiao Linzi early in the morning. When he saw Concubine Hua with a bulging belly, he was not surprised at all.
"Your Highness, Concubine Hua, I am sorry for your ingratitude."
Wei Lin placed the handkerchief on Concubine Hua's wrist, stretched out two fingers and placed them on it, concentrating on feeling the subtle changes in her pulse.
After a while, he changed his hand to take the pulse.
As soon as Wei Lin took it back, Concubine Hua couldn't wait to ask.
"Doctor Wei, is there any problem with my dragon fetus?"
"Reporting to Her Majesty Hua, my pulse indicates that you are fine. It's just that the dragon fetus is growing too fast. Please pay attention to your diet."
It is the hottest time of the year, but Wei Lin did not ask Concubine Hua to take a walk in the palace.
He had also heard of the reputation of the geese in the Yiku Palace for their ferocity and violence, and was worried that Concubine Hua would get hurt while taking a walk.
An Lingrong sat quietly by the side drinking tea, listening to the master and servant asking some questions about things to pay attention to during pregnancy.
Seeing the two of them chattering about dietary combinations, An Lingrong had to cough lightly to interrupt their conversation.
"Doctor Wei, Concubine Hua brought some dregs of abortion-preserving medicine. Could you please check to see if there's anything unusual?"
Seeing this, Songzhi hurriedly handed over the collected medicine residue.
Wei Lin carefully took the medicinal residue in front of his eyes to identify it. His nostrils moved slightly and he smelled something unusual.
He picked out some black skins, weighed them in his hand, and carefully felt the weight of the medicinal material.
"There's an overdose of one herb in this pregnancy-stabilizing medicine," Wei Lin said, pointing to the black leather piece he had picked out. "This herb can strengthen the spleen and stimulate the appetite, but excessive use can stimulate appetite."
"Empress Hua, your pulse indicates that you are in good health. It's okay not to take the pregnancy-maintaining medicine for now."
"I understand. Then I won't delay you from checking the pulses of the Eighth Prince and Princess Zhaohua."
At a glance from Concubine Hua, Songzhi immediately presented Wei Lin with a small purse for tea.
The master and servant were very disciplined and would prepare rewards every time they asked Wei Lin for help.
This was what Wei Lin deserved, and An Lingrong had no objection.
When there were only two people left in the hall, Concubine Hua asked angrily.
"Lingrong, who on earth is trying to harm me?"
"Sister Nian, you've been taking the pregnancy-maintaining medicine for a while now. I heard from Songzhi that your increased appetite is due to the deposed queen in Jingren Palace."
"The former empress was stripped of her palace powers at the beginning of her confinement. The only person who can have staff in the Imperial Hospital and the Kitchen is someone who is devoted to Buddhism."
An Lingrong checked everyone in the harem and found that the empress dowager was the most suspicious.