Chapter 132 A Bad Omen

A single stone cast stirred up a thousand waves, and what Li Man'er said could be said to have shocked everyone present.

Faking a pregnancy, just how bold would one have to be!

The situation had escalated, and at this point, it was no longer something Shu Jieyu could easily turn around. Although she felt extremely uneasy, she still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that if the imperial physician who took her pulse couldn't tell, perhaps other imperial physicians wouldn't either.

"Are you afraid of me?" Shu Jieyu forced herself to calm down. "Your Majesty, Miss Li is slandering this concubine; you must do justice for me."

Emperor Chenghua's face had already turned as dark as it could be. He cast a meaningful glance at Shu Jieyu, and with just that look, Shu Jieyu felt a chill run down her spine. Her guilty demeanor was already evident on her face, not to mention the two maids beside her were trembling like sieves. All of this indicated that Shu Jieyu had something to hide and was merely putting on a brave front.

"Summon the imperial physicians."

Eunuch Qian quickly picked a clever young eunuch and instructed him to find an imperial physician specializing in gynecology and Duan Xu.

The young eunuch scampered away at top speed.

While waiting for the imperial physicians, everyone felt immense agony, especially Shu Jieyu, whose psychological resilience was abysmal. She was drenched in sweat, as if she had just been fished out of water.

Abbess Wenxiu saw her like this and secretly sneered, thinking that true justice prevailed, and retribution was swift. It seemed she was about to be exposed.

Soon, the imperial physicians arrived.

The on-duty Imperial Physician Tang and the Imperial Physician Supervisor Duan Xu bowed to Emperor Chenghua.

"Dispense with these formalities. You two, examine Shu Jieyu and see what the situation is with her pregnancy."

Hearing Emperor Chenghua's unhurried words, the two imperial physicians exchanged glances.

The pregnancy of a minor Jieyu was not within their usual purview; other imperial physicians were responsible for Shu Jieyu's case until delivery.

Why had they been summoned now?

The atmosphere was rather awkward. Duan Xu secretly glanced at Li Man'er, as if trying to understand the Emperor's intentions. kanδん

Li Man'er made a gesture, and Duan Xu was startled. He immediately lowered his head, "Yes, this humble subject will examine the Jieyu first."

"Mmm!" Emperor Chenghua seemed indifferent to the outcome, closing his eyes to rest while awaiting the news.

Duan Xu placed the medicine box on the stone table in the garden and invited Shu Jieyu to sit for the pulse examination.

Someone brought a soft cushion and placed it on the chair, then invited Shu Jieyu to sit.

Hmph, quite particular.

As Duan Xu took her pulse, he pondered the gesture Li Man'er had made.

Judging solely by the pulse, Shu Jieyu did indeed appear to be pregnant. But why had Miss Li gestured with three fingers?

Three, shaking, was the number three, making six?

Duan Xu's mind raced, a flash of inspiration striking him as a mnemonic suddenly appeared in his mind: "One breath six times, examine carefully."

Counting the pulse?

The counting pulse and the smooth pulse were very similar. If the pulse exceeded five beats per breath, it was a rapid pulse; a smooth pulse flowed back and forth.

However, as the esteemed Imperial Physician Supervisor, could he not distinguish between a counting pulse and a smooth pulse?

Duan Xu asked Shu Jieyu to switch hands and continued the pulse examination with a distressed expression.

After a moment, he finally had a clear understanding and made way, signaling Imperial Physician Tang that he could proceed with the examination.

"How is it?"

Duan Xu cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, it would be best to wait until Imperial Physician Tang has finished before we speak together."

"Very well." By now, Emperor Chenghua had a plan in mind and was merely awaiting Imperial Physician Tang's final verdict.

Imperial Physician Tang, a master of gynecology, quickly finished the examination and approached Emperor Chenghua to report.

"How is it?"

Shu Jieyu's heart was about to leap out of her throat.

Duan Xu glanced at Imperial Physician Tang, who decisively shook his head.

Their diagnoses were consistent: Shu Jieyu was not pregnant.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Shu Jieyu is not pregnant."

A bolt from the blue!

Shu Jieyu immediately collapsed to the ground. "Impossible, impossible! I clearly haven't had my menstrual cycle for over two months, and even Imperial Physician Cai said I was pregnant. How is this possible?"

Her behavior made it seem as though she were an outsider, as though she were the one who had been deceived.

"Your Majesty, someone must be framing this concubine; I am wrongly accused!"

Emperor Chenghua was somewhat swayed. No woman in the harem didn't wish to bear a royal heir. But no matter how much one desired a child, one couldn't resort to deception! The imperial palace was not like the common folk; a child born ten months later was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.

Who would commit such a foolish act for favor?

"Duan Xu, you speak," Emperor Chenghua pointed at Shu Jieyu. "Is she pregnant or not."

"This humble subject dares to say, the Jieyu is not pregnant."

"If she is not pregnant, why did you conclude that she was?"

Imperial Physician Tang explained, "The Jieyu had a counting pulse, which is very similar to a smooth pulse. Combined with the Lady's missed period, it was likely a misdiagnosis."

Imperial Physician Duan stated, "This humble subject believes the Jieyu may have consumed some form of false pregnancy drug."

Shu Jieyu panicked. "You're spouting nonsense! I don't understand medicine; how would I know about any drugs? Imperial Physician Duan, you are slandering me."

Duan Xu's thoughts were now clear. "The world is vast, and there are many wonders. Others might not know, but this subject is aware of a rare medicine called 'Feng Xiang Zi.' When mixed with deer blood and consumed, it exhibits signs of a false pregnancy."

Upon hearing Duan Xu's words, Emperor Chenghua couldn't help but glance at Li Man'er. "What my esteemed subject said aligns with what Miss Li of the Li family mentioned."

Duan Xu glanced at Li Man'er and whispered a compliment, "It's surprising that the young lady also knows about Feng Xiang Zi; this shows she is a learned individual."

Heh, thank you!

"Your Majesty, this concubine is wronged. This concubine knows nothing of Feng Xiang Zi. How could such a peculiar medicine exist in this world! Perhaps someone deliberately fabricated it to frame this concubine!" Shu Jieyu said, "This concubine is willing to prove her innocence."

Emperor Chenghua showed some interest. "How do you wish to prove your innocence?"

"Search the palace."

A palace search was a serious matter. If she were truly innocent, a search would either result in her death or her banishment to the cold palace.

Could it be that she was genuinely wronged?

Emperor Chenghua's eyebrows twitched slightly. Li Man'er saw this and immediately stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this humble subject has something to say."

The twitch of his eyebrows at this moment also indicated Emperor Chenghua's wavering. From initially firmly believing Shu Jieyu was faking to now harboring doubts, this transition was not a good sign.

It was precisely the time to strike while the iron was hot. Someone like Shu Jieyu, with a black heart and a sole intention to frame Li Qingshu, should be dealt with as soon as possible.

"Speak."

Eunuch Qian, with his head bowed, thought to himself that this young lady was truly unafraid of major trouble! At such a critical juncture, she still insisted on meddling. Wasn't she afraid of angering the Emperor?

The older the Emperor became, the more suspicious he grew, and his temper was unpredictable. He detested people questioning him the most.

Li Man'er's actions now were undoubtedly like provoking a tiger's anger, and with the slightest misstep, everything could be lost.

However, Li Man'er was not afraid. Since Shu Jieyu intended to frame Li Qingshu, she should be prepared for the backlash.

"Before Your Majesty arrived, Shu Jieyu repeatedly provoked Noble Consort Shu, not only using the Fourth Princess to stab the Consort's heart but also stepping forward to provoke her, forcing this humble subject to act."

Shu Jieyu immediately felt a bad premonition.