There was only one emperor, yet so many women vying for his favor. In the past, she only thought that Concubine Mei and Concubine Xi were despicable for always scheming against her to gain the emperor's affection. But today, in this cold palace, although there were charcoal fires and enough food and clothing, she felt cold, both physically and mentally.
Perhaps once a concubine lost the emperor's favor, her situation would truly turn miserable. At this thought, Su Wan'er somewhat understood why those women resorted to all means to win the emperor's grace.
However, she soon felt panicked about having such thoughts. What was wrong with her? How could she understand the thoughts of Si Junlin's concubines?
Qingcao returned within a few hours, looking worried as she served Su Wan'er.
"What on earth is going on outside? Say something! Weren't you supposed to follow Si Junlin? Why are you back?" Su Wan'er immediately sensed something was amiss.
"Your Highness... It seems that the Empress Dowager suffered a recurrence of her migraine from being scared this time and almost lost her life," Qingcao finally said.
"What? Almost lost her life? How is she now?"
"She has woken up and is recuperating under the care of the imperial physicians. But as soon as the Empress Dowager woke up, she ordered a thorough investigation into this matter. The emperor also seems to be extremely angry. He sent the imperial guards to conduct the investigation, and the first one they investigated was Your Highness. You happened to go to the post - house this morning, and it was also found that you had been getting close to that girl from the Southern Border, Long Xiaojiu, in recent days..." As Qingcao spoke, her expression grew gloomy, indicating that the situation was indeed not optimistic.
"I've been getting close to Long Xiaojiu these days because the emperor and I were handling the case of the Southern Border envoys together. We even cured the princess of the Southern Border of the gu poison..." Su Wan'er couldn't help but panic as she thought.
"Yes, this servant is also very puzzled. The emperor clearly knew about these things. Why is he now using this as a reason to confine Your Highness to the cold palace?"
"Confined? Did Si Junlin issue this order himself?" Su Wan'er asked in disbelief.
"Yes, indeed. Originally, the Empress Dowager wanted to have you brought out for interrogation, but the emperor said... the emperor said that you were always stubborn and wouldn't reveal anything. Then he issued an order to confine you to the cold palace as a deposed empress."
Deposed empress? Why did he do this? He clearly knew...
"But the emperor seems very worried about the Empress Dowager's health. He rushed to her side with a group of imperial physicians for treatment. After that, he flew into a rage and even dismissed two imperial physicians who had prescribed the wrong medicine. It seems that he is really angry this time."
After hearing Qingcao's explanation, Su Wan'er didn't know how she felt. Although she was sure that Si Junlin knew she had been in contact with the people from the Southern Border because they were handling the case together, she had indeed had a private meeting with Long Xiaojiu this morning.
She then remembered that when Si Junlin came to find her this morning, he was in a hurry and had switched bodies with her in a fluster. Could it be that he really suspected that she had obtained the gu worm from Long Xiaojiu?
No, it couldn't be. This morning he clearly still...
Moreover, he said... he was very satisfied with her as the empress.
At this moment, Su Wan'er, twisting the silk handkerchief in her hand, was extremely anxious and didn't know what to do.
In the past, the cold palace was just a place where the Empress Dowager would send her in a fit of pique. Usually, after a brief inquiry, she would be pardoned. But this time, the emperor himself had issued the order to confine her.
"Your Highness, perhaps the emperor is just angry for the moment. He will release you after the truth is found out in a few days," Qingcao tried to comfort her.
"Um..."
While Su Wan'er was restless in the cold palace, Si Junlin was methodically directing people to investigate the case in the imperial study.
"Fang Xi."
"Your servant is here." Hearing Si Junlin's call, Fang Xi immediately stepped forward. By now, the emperor's face had been gloomy for half a day. Fang Xi could clearly tell that this matter was extraordinary.
"Go and order the secret agents to thoroughly investigate Concubine Hui."
"Concubine Hui? But this servant heard that when Concubine Hui arrived yesterday, the Empress Dowager's palace was already in chaos, and it was Concubine Hui who caught the gu worm. Why does Your Majesty want to investigate her?" Fang Xi was puzzled. If they investigated the wrong person, Concubine Hui's reputation would be ruined.
"The less obvious the evidence, the more crucial it is. Concubine Hui rarely goes to the Empress Dowager's place on weekdays. In the past, she always went with Concubine Mei and seemed very obedient. But I know that she is actually quite unruly deep down!" Si Junlin remembered the look on Concubine Hui's face when she came to seek refuge with the empress.
"Should we recall the imperial guards to investigate together?"
"No. The imperial guards should still stay by the empress's side. Collecting evidence is a minor matter. Protecting the empress is of utmost importance."
"Yes... Your servant understands." Fang Xi was almost moved to tears. Did he hear correctly? Such words actually came from the emperor's mouth. Protecting the empress is of utmost importance...
The matter dragged on until the next day. Si Junlin tossed and turned on his dragon bed and hardly slept all night. Finally, the secret agents brought the news about Concubine Hui.
"What?! Long Xiaojiu? It was actually her?!"
Even Si Junlin was surprised by the news from the secret agents. The gu worm was indeed obtained from Long Xiaojiu. But why did Long Xiaojiu help Concubine Hui?
Although he could arrest Concubine Hui now. She would surely not be able to withstand torture and would confess everything. But Si Junlin still wanted to meet Long Xiaojiu and see what this little girl's true face was.
"Come, prepare the carriage. I'm going to the post - house."
In the room of the post - house, Long Xiaojiu was naturally very happy to see Si Junlin, but she felt that Si Junlin was different today. She also began to feel puzzled and didn't talk to him very enthusiastically.
This showed that Long Xiaojiu was definitely not just an ordinary ten - year - old child. It seemed that only a stupid woman like Su Wan'er would believe that sweet - talking little girl who called him Uncle Emperor.
"Xiaojiu, Uncle Emperor has something to ask you."
"What is it?" Long Xiaojiu blinked her big eyes.
"The Empress Dowager... was injured by a gu worm today. Do you know about this?"
"Huh? Xiaojiu doesn't know. I thought the gu worm only affected men. How could it affect the Empress Dowager?"
"It's not the gu planted by the Ghost Lady a few days ago. It's a very ordinary gu that only targets the Empress Dowager," Si Junlin explained to her.
"Ah, could it be that there are more people from the Southern Border here?" Long Xiaojiu widened her beautiful eyes.
Si Junlin saw no trace of deception in Long Xiaojiu's eyes. But it was precisely this firm look that made him sure that Long Xiaojiu was involved in this matter.
"Xiaojiu, tell Uncle Emperor the truth. Most of the people from the Southern Border have been dealt with by the secret agents. The only one who could have the gu worm... is you."
Sure enough, Long Xiaojiu's eyes dimmed as she questioned him, "Does Uncle Emperor suspect that Xiaojiu released the gu worm again?"