Chapter 101: What a Disappointment

“Is there any medicine that can render a person completely immobile and mute, yet keep their consciousness clear, and leaves no trace once its effect wears off?”

The imperial physician frowned slightly, pondering carefully over Consort Shu’s words. Eventually, he shook his head and said, “Your humble servant is but shallow in knowledge. Such a medicine likely does not exist in this world. What Your Majesty describes sounds much like a stupefying drug, but one that preserves clear consciousness is truly unheard of. Furthermore, it is difficult for such a drug to leave no trace; any skilled doctor would be able to detect it.”

Consort Shu furrowed her brow. Without evidence proving that Shen Fuyu had drugged her, no one would believe the chaos inside the inner palace was her doing!

She clenched her fingers tightly. Was she really to swallow this humiliation?

“However…” The physician paused, then added, “I recall reading in an ancient text a mention of a stupefying drug somewhat like what Your Majesty described, called… Puppet Elixir. The text was partially damaged by worms, so the name is unclear, and the recipe has long been lost. The book only noted the existence of such a drug, but no formula was preserved.”

Consort Shu felt a surge of irritation but paid little heed to the physician’s words. An ancient text could be from any dynasty; without firsthand proof, it was merely a legend.

She did not believe Shen Fuyu could have obtained such a long-lost divine medicine.

“Enough. You may leave,” Consort Shu waved her hand impatiently. Thinking of the disorder in the inner palace, her mood grew even darker. There was no way she would believe that what had just happened was all an illusion.

Qiu Xi saw the physician out and slipped some silver into his hand from her sleeve. “Our lady does not wish for what happened earlier to be spread.”

The physician accepted the bribe, sweating profusely, nodding repeatedly before departing.

Consort Shu’s complexion was grim. Any attempt to act against Shen Fuyu now seemed futile; no one would believe Shen Fuyu could escape the Crescent Moon Palace under the guard of the imperial troops. But could she really just let it go?

She remembered everything clearly—the vile expression on Shen Fuyu’s face. That wretched woman could have taken her life then and there, yet chose this method of torment instead!

Looking at the wreckage scattered about, Consort Shu was filled with furious helplessness. The ledgers were beyond repair. How was she to return them to the various departments? She had planned to use this opportunity to insert her own people into the departments through Jing Lanxi, but all those plans were now utterly ruined!

All because of Shen Fuyu!

“Your Majesty…” Qiu Xi spoke softly, “Perhaps Your Majesty was too exhausted earlier and fell asleep…”

Before she could finish, Consort Shu spun around and slapped her, her eyes fierce and brows knitted. “I say it happened, so it did! You miserable wretch! How dare you question me?”

“Your servant dares not!”

Consort Shu was furious, stamping her foot hard. “Why aren’t you coming up with a solution? Are you just going to leave the ledgers like this?”

If this matter became public, no one would doubt Shen Fuyu; instead, they would suspect Consort Shu herself of deception. Such disgrace was unacceptable!

But she had to keep this from the Empress Dowager. It was by her trust that she held sway over the six palaces. She could not afford to botch things from the start and draw the Empress Dowager’s disdain.

She could not stand by and do nothing. Her eyes grew cold. If she continued like this, she would be doomed. She must find someone to take the fall for her.

“Come. Let’s go to Crescent Moon Palace first.”

Consort Shu composed herself, gathered some belongings, and hurried to Crescent Moon Palace. On the way, she thought that Shen Fuyu’s boldness in sneaking here must have left some trace. If she could catch proof that Shen Fuyu had destroyed the ledgers, she wouldn’t need to find another scapegoat.

Unexpectedly, midway she collided with Qin Zhiyi’s imperial carriage. She quickly stepped down and bowed, “Your Majesty.”

“Rise,” Qin Zhiyi lifted his hand. “Consort Shu, where are you headed?”

Consort Shu’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Although virtuous Consort Sister is under house arrest, she is still allowed visitors. Considering her pregnancy, I thought she might be lonely, so I came to see her.”

“Hm, you are thoughtful,” Qin Zhiyi nodded. “I was planning to go to Crescent Moon Palace as well. Let us go together.”

Consort Shu felt a pang of bitterness. After all this effort to see the Emperor, he was still going to visit someone else.

Crescent Moon Palace was as before, showing no signs of change. The imperial guards were stationed firmly around, making escape nearly impossible—even by scaling the walls.

Following Qin Zhiyi inside, Consort Shu soon spotted a palace maid clumsily cleaning. The girl looked vaguely familiar. Rumors about Crescent Moon Palace’s affairs were everywhere, for no walls in the palace are soundproof. Though she had not believed the stories before, now she truly saw Shen Tangyu performing maid duties.

A chill ran through Consort Shu’s heart. She had no particular affection for Shen Tangyu, but Shen Fuyu and Shen Tangyu were sisters! That wretched Shen Fuyu was so heartless as to punish her own sister by making her a maid!

“Your Majesty is here! I’ve missed you so much!” Shen Fuyu’s voice was always sweet and coquettish whenever Qin Zhiyi came to Crescent Moon Palace, like a little bird. Consort Shu’s eyes darkened with disgust.

“Tsk, so Consort Shu sister is here too,” Shen Fuyu hooked her arms around Qin Zhiyi’s neck and glanced sideways, surprised at how quickly Consort Shu had arrived. Unfortunately, the matter of the damaged ledgers would remain without proof.

Consort Shu’s face flushed with anger at Shen Fuyu’s disdainful tone. She despised Shen Fuyu’s feigned innocence above all else. Just as she was about to retort, Shen Fuyu spoke mercilessly.

“What a bore. This was supposed to be a private moment with the Emperor. What are you doing here, shining and glowing? And Your Majesty, how could you be so biased? You promised to spend tonight only with me. How can you let an outsider join?”

Calling her an outsider, labeling her unnecessary—Consort Shu’s face burned like a liver, her hand clutching her handkerchief tightly. Her tone grew unpleasant. “How can you say such things, sister? We are both consorts of the Emperor. How can I be an outsider?”