Chapter 206: The Fury of Concubine Ren
Chapter 206: The Fury of Concubine Ren
The Fall
The elderly court physician hurriedly took the objects, examining them alongside the two other physicians. They sniffed and spread out the contents, scrutinized them, and finally, the elder concluded: "This contains Thundervine and Aconite. These herbs have pain-relieving properties, but one must be extremely cautious when using them due to their high toxicity. A slight mistake in dosage could easily take a life."
As the court physicians analyzed the sachet before them, the Queen Mother inhaled sharply, her face contorting.
Queen Consort Qi, overcome by the revelation of his infertility, already bore a heavy heart. Now, this knowledge was a blow, and he fainted.
The thought of the sachet, which he had worn since not long after Concubine Chi's entry, pained him.
And for nearly three months, this high concentration of fresh poison had been on him. Who knew if it had affected his longevity!
The Emperor, witnessing his brother's collapse, was stunned. Accompanying the Queen Mother and the two Consorts, he had believed this would be a rare relaxed gathering. Now, however, the situation turned dire.
Someone dared harm his own brother!
The Emperor's face chilled.
He considered summoning people to investigate, but hesitated, not wanting to embarrass his brother, already suffering.
The Emperor wavered but chose wait his brother's opinion.
The Empress Mother's thoughts mattered, too.
The palace, in turmoil from the Queen Mother's ailment and the Queen's collapse, bustled with activity.
In the Princess Consort Qi's quarters, Concubine Ren, seeing Su Su's persistent unconsciousness and fever, was anxious.
The two cried, grating her.
Finally, Concubine Ren, indicating to her aunt and Sun, stated: "The conditions here are lacking. I'll take Su Su to my quarters. It's warmer there."
This temporary herbal pharmacy lacked comfort.
Su Su, having fallen ill and now feverish, required better care.
Concubine Ren considered her own suitable.
If the Queen were in the manor, these matters wouldn't concern her.
But now, the Queen was absent!
These thoughts crossed Concubine Ren's mind, her gaze, impatient, glancing at the Princess Consort Qi and her niece, Chi, her gaze cold, observed them. Soon, she gestured, indicating for Su to be taken away.
Concubine Chi, seeing Su being taken away, objected.
She put down Chi, rushing to grab Concubine Ren's arm, stating: "No! That vile girl can't leave! She harmed Chi so, and now she's leaving? How can we bear this?"
"Such a vicious, venomous girl should've been killed immediately! How can she be let go?!"
"How dare she face us after harming a life?
Chapter 206: The Fury of Concubine Ren
The Fall
Concubine Ren's temper was well-known, and the wailing of the aunt and niece had already grated on her nerves. Now, with her arm yanked, Concubine Ren first shook off the offending hand before turning cold. "If you don't want to be hanged and displayed at the front gates for all to see, you'd best keep quiet and await the return of the Princess Consort!"
Concubine Ren's aura was formidable, her brows furrowed as she glared, her gaze sharp and menacing.
Aunt Sun was pushed back several steps by this aura and piercing gaze.
Aunt Sun longed to retort, but the fear of being hanged and displayed at the entrance as Concubine Ren had suggested kept her silent.
She knew that if she were to be humiliated in such a manner, her life in the manor would become unbearable.
Aunt Sun had been aware since her arrival at the manor that Concubine Ren was not one to be trifled with. It was said that when enraged, she dared to strike even the Prince. What then of a lowly concubine like herself?
Aunt Sun felt aggrieved. "When will the Prince return? Oh, how wronged I am!"
Chi's cries had also startled Car Lingzhi, and she now cowered, her head buried in her knees.
Concubine Ren paid no heed to their reactions, merely coldly stating, "Car family, I recall you boasting about your roots in the Jiangnan region, and how, because of this, the ladies of your household are exceptional swimmers. Who are you trying to impress now?"
Concubine Ren had initially been too lazy to bother with their nonsense, but now she was truly irritated and decided to strike where it hurt.
Without waiting for Aunt Sun's trembling or Car Lingzhi's ashen face, Concubine Ren signaled for Su Su to be taken away, leading the way herself with the court physician in tow, heading towards the eastern courtyard.
Only when Concubine Ren had walked a good distance away did Aunt Sun's body slump to the ground, overcome by panic and bewilderment.
She hadn't been unaware of Car Lingzhi's little schemes; Aunt Sun had merely gone along with the flow, hoping to gain some benefit.
After all, having the manor support Lingzhi meant her family could ride on her coattails, and they would surely treat her better in the future.
Moreover, having Lingzhi around meant she had company in the manor.
Aunt Sun had never imagined that today's little plan would backfire because of her past boasting.
Aunt Sun told herself not to panic. The Prince hadn't returned yet. There was no need to fear.
Once he returned, she would cry and complain, bringing up the unborn child again. Surely, that would resolve the issue.
How could an outsider, a wild girl adopted off the streets, compare to the Prince's own flesh and blood?
Aunt Sun stroked her belly, her heart determined. "You must be strong!
Car Lingzhi, on the other hand, was thoroughly terrified into silence.
Once she regained her wits, she cursed her aunt's foolishness and lamented the unfairness of fate.
Why should things be this way?
Why should that country bumpkin, adopted off the streets, gain the Prince's favor while she, raised in the capital, be neglected?
Car Lingzhi's jealousy gnawed at her, her teeth clenching.
Her mind raced. "This won't do. I must find a way out of this mess, or I'll never set foot in the manor again!"
She had already been unable to match Su Su's standing with the Prince, and if she lost this round as well, she might never gain a foothold in the manor!
Second update at 7 PM.
(End of Chapter)
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