Every word from Concubine Lan was fraught with hidden perils.
If Cheng Simian failed to respond properly to any of them, it would become a handle for others to attack and slander her.
Cheng Simian gave a calm smile. "Your Highness is joking. You have the Emperor's favor and such a filial son, the Second Prince. You're enjoying a blessed life. Why would you need to rely on a nobody like me?"
After several rounds of verbal sparring, Concubine Lan didn't gain any advantage.
She was already feeling exhausted.
With such a clear - minded and sharp - tongued person, wouldn't that silly girl Lingyang be easily swayed by her?
Concubine Lan was furious that her days of hard work had come to naught.
Yet she still had to maintain the imposing manner of a concubine.
"Lingyang became more cheerful after your persuasion. She's willing to eat now and doesn't make a fuss anymore. What did you say to her? Teach this palace so that I can go and console her again."
"I just told her to recognize the situation and consider the overall situation."
Cheng Simian's words were a mix of truth and falsehood.
Concubine Lan couldn't find out anything from her.
"It's getting late. You may go back. This palace is tired."
Cheng Simian didn't forget her manners. She bowed to Concubine Lan and slowly withdrew from the room.
Dai Ying led her back to Yukun Palace.
"Did she make things difficult for you?"
The Queen was afraid that Cheng Simian had been wronged.
Cheng Simian felt warm in her heart and shook her head. "It's not really making things difficult. Your Majesty, you don't need to worry."
Only then did the Queen feel relieved and let her go.
On the way back in the carriage, Shuyi was anxious. "Miss, this servant always feels that something bad is going to happen. Why did Concubine Lan make such a big deal out of summoning you? Just to say some sarcastic remarks and make things difficult for you?"
Qiluo comforted her. "Sister, don't worry. Even if Concubine Lan intends to frame Miss, this servant and Aunt Dai Ying overheard most of their conversation outside. Aunt Dai Ying is a witness. She can't slander Miss at will."
Cheng Simian remembered how Qiluo had come up with a clever idea when she was in a dilemma. In the name of sending something to the Queen, Qiluo had brought in Dai Ying as a savior.
"Qiluo, you've helped me a great deal today. I must reward you well."
It was also Qiluo who had gone to convey a message to the Crown Prince yesterday. With just a few words, she had convinced the Crown Prince to agree to Cheng Simian's entry into the palace.
Cheng Simian thought that it was a waste of talent to just let such a smart and capable girl be a maid.
But Qiluo was not at all conceited. "Miss, it's this servant's and Sister Shuyi's duty to relieve your worries."
She didn't forget to include Shuyi.
The play of sending the Ruyi Square Cakes was jointly completed by her and Shuyi.
If either of them had been a bit slower - witted, they wouldn't have been able to bring in Dai Ying as a savior.
Cheng Simian took Qiluo's and Shuyi's hands, one in each of hers.
Shuyi smiled. "I've been with Miss for more than ten years. Miss has rewarded me with all kinds of good things. But you, Qiluo, you're usually quiet and just focus on your work. You never try to curry favor. Don't you feel it's a loss?"
Thinking of the dark days of being beaten and scolded in the Rongxiang Duke's Mansion, Qiluo was content. "It's already a blessing for this servant to serve Miss."
There was indeed one thing that needed Miss's help.
But now was not a good time to plead for mercy.
...
It was dinner time when the Emperor just picked up his rice bowl.
Qizhu, the chief maid beside Concubine Lan, rushed into Yangxin Hall in a hurry.
She looked extremely panicked. "Your Majesty, something's wrong. Concubine Lan, she..."
The Emperor quickly put down his rice bowl. "What's wrong with Concubine Lan? Speak slowly."
Qizhu sobbed twice. "This servant doesn't know what's wrong with the Concubine. She had a few words with Miss Cheng this afternoon and then has been in a daze ever since, as if she's been scared. Now she's lying straight on the couch, covered in cold sweat. She doesn't respond when we call her, not even when we pinch her philtrum. It seems like she's half - dead!"
When the Emperor arrived at Xinxiang Pavilion, the maids and eunuchs were kneeling on the ground, and sobs filled the hall.
The Queen also rushed over after hearing the news.
"Lan'er, Lan'er, what's wrong with you?"
The Emperor sat in front of the couch and reached for Concubine Lan's hand.
Her hand was cold. Her eyes were tightly closed, her teeth were clenched, and the cold sweat on her forehead was bigger than beans.
The Emperor called her several times, but she didn't respond at all.
The Queen frowned deeply.
"Have you summoned the imperial physician?"
Just as she finished speaking, the imperial physician rushed in.
"Hurry, take a look at Lan'er. How could a perfectly fine person suddenly fall so ill?"
The Emperor was flustered.
Concubine Lan was only forty years old and in good health. How could she suddenly fall into a coma?
The imperial physician's eyes flickered a few times and stepped forward to feel her pulse.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Queen, Concubine Lan has suffered from excessive shock and over - thinking, which has led to heart palpitations. That's why she's sweating constantly, her hands and feet are cold, and she's in a daze."
"Hurry and treat Lan'er!"
The imperial physician took out a pill and stuffed it into Concubine Lan's mouth. Then he took out silver needles and pricked several acupoints on her face.
Finally, he pricked her philtrum.
Concubine Lan, who was in a coma, felt the pain, let out a groan, and slowly opened her eyes.
The imperial physician smiled confidently, put away the needles, and said, "Your Majesty, the Concubine has woken up. This subject will go and write a prescription now."
Concubine Lan's eyes were misty. When she saw the Emperor, she sobbed and threw herself into his arms.
The Emperor gently hugged her, but her body was still shaking constantly.
"Your Majesty, this concubine is so scared..."
"What are you scared of? How could you be so frightened for no reason?"
Concubine Lan didn't say a word. She just hugged the Emperor tightly, as if grasping at a lifeline.
The Queen's eyebrows furrowed even deeper.
The Emperor called for Qizhu, the chief maid. "You said just now that after someone came, Lan'er became like this. Who was it?"
Qizhu hesitated, as if she had concerns. She stole a glance at the Queen, and her shoulders were shaking violently.
The Queen's eyes were cold. She already understood what game Concubine Lan was playing.
The Emperor didn't know what had happened yet. He only cared about Concubine Lan's condition and wanted to find out who was to blame.
"Speak up if you have something to say. Stop being so hesitant. I'm here. What do you have to be afraid of?"
Only then did Qizhu reply smoothly. "Your Majesty, it was Miss Cheng. When Concubine Lan went to visit the princess, she met Miss Cheng and warmly invited her to sit down. She also praised Miss Cheng for her virtue and said that she would surely manage the harem well in the future. But somehow, Miss Cheng was offended. Miss Cheng said... said..."
The Emperor's face darkened. "Said what?"
"Miss Cheng said that the Second Prince was restless and had angered the Crown Prince. She blamed the Concubine for not teaching her son well. She even threatened that when she took charge of the harem in the future, she wouldn't let the Concubine have a good life!"
The room fell into a deathly silence, except for Concubine Lan's sobs of excessive shock.
The Emperor's eyes were cold and full of suspicion.
But the Queen had already calmed down.
She asked Qizhu, "Did Mianmian say anything else?"
Qizhu quickly glanced at Concubine Lan.
Concubine Lan blinked her eyelids twice.
Qizhu lowered her head. "This servant was outside the door at that time. I only heard these words."
The vague answer was an even greater accusation against Cheng Simian.
The Emperor was full of doubts.
Lu Siming rushed into the bedroom.
His face was as pale as paper, looking even more frail.
"Father, your son is guilty. The Crown Prince is deeply suspicious of your son, but Mother is innocent. She has always been cautious. How could she be so frightened by Cheng Simian?"