Shu Jieyu felt a bad premonition instantly.
Her move could be considered brilliant; once Li Qingshu fell into the trap, there would be no chance of recovery. However, despite all her calculations, she never anticipated a sudden intervention.
Li Man'er was the biggest stumbling block in all her plans, a factor she hadn't accounted for.
"Shu Jieyu's behavior is hardly that of a mother-to-be. How can someone expecting a child place herself in such turmoil, or engage in petty arguments? What if she were pushed, or an accident occurred? Would the child in her womb survive?"
Li Man'er's words made everyone understand.
Women in the harem were exceptionally astute. Bearing an imperial heir, even just a princess, brought immense benefits. A child provided them with support and standing before the Emperor. Especially for someone of Shu Jieyu's rank, bearing a child would undoubtedly lead to a promotion.
If she didn't protect her child, why would she seek out crowds and engage in fights? What was the point? Was fighting more appealing than securing a lifelong source of sustenance?
The Emperor Chenghua, recalling the scene he had witnessed upon his arrival, immediately darkened his face.
"I am wronged, Your Majesty, I am truly wronged." Although a little scared, Shu Jieyu remained composed. "I have always been rather foolish and quick-tempered. When faced with a situation, I simply cannot remain calm. It is not that I wish to harm the child!"
I admit I was foolish, I admit I have a bad temper, what more can you say?
Li Man'er simply smiled. "If Consort Shu intended to frame Concubine Shu, she would have to be thoroughly prepared. Knowing she was not pregnant, the only way to make Concubine Shu harm her into miscarrying would be to prepare a blood bag. Your Majesty need only order a search, and I am sure something will be found."
"Your Majesty!" Shu Jieyu's face turned deathly pale. "She is forcing me to die."
The Emperor Chenghua closed his eyes, motionless.
Eunuch Qian immediately sent two young eunuchs forward to apprehend Shu Jieyu.
"Your Majesty, you cannot treat me like this! Your Majesty."
Aunt Wensiu volunteered, "Your Majesty, this old servant is willing to search her. Consort Jieyu is still of a rank, and it is improper for eunuchs to do so. I serve Concubine Shu, so it would not be considered an insult to Consort Jieyu."
"Granted."
Wensiu bowed, turned, and walked towards Shu Jieyu.
With every step she took, a string in Shu Jieyu's heart snapped. "No, don't come near me!"
"Go away! Get away."
Shu Jieyu struggled desperately, but the young eunuchs held her arms tightly, leaving her unable to move. With the Emperor Chenghua present, which servant would dare to try and save her recklessly?
Wensiu reached Shu Jieyu and performed a curtsy. "Consort Jieyu, please excuse me."
"You dare to touch me!" Shu Jieyu's hair seemed to stand on end, her eyes wide with fury. "You old hag, if you don't find anything, your head will roll."
"This old servant acts on Your Majesty's command, please forgive me, Consort. As for losing my head if I find nothing, that is my concern. It is my head that will roll, so you need not worry about it."
These words nearly made Shu Jieyu vomit blood!
Aunt Wensiu stepped forward and began a thorough search. Soon, she felt a round, bulging object hidden within Shu Jieyu's skirt.
Shu Jieyu's face turned ashen, and the light in her eyes instantly vanished.
Aunt Wensiu presented the item. "Your Majesty, this is what was found on Consort Jieyu."
"What is it?" The Emperor Chenghua still had his eyes closed.
"This is a blood bag fashioned from animal intestines, filled with blood." It would be enough to fake a miscarriage.
The Emperor Chenghua finally opened his eyes and glanced at the blood bag made of intestines. "Qian Yunlai, break this open. I want to see how much blood is inside."
"Yes." Before Eunuch Qian could even issue the order, young eunuchs came forward to do the task. He placed the blood bag on the ground and, in front of everyone, sat on it forcefully. The blood bag burst, and the blood immediately stained the young eunuch's clothes, splattering all over his back. The sight of the fresh blood was striking.
Li Man'er stepped forward. "Little eunuch, please turn around."
The young eunuch looked at Eunuch Qian. Seeing him nod, he turned around.
Li Man'er pointed at the bloodstains on the eunuch's back. "Your Majesty, please look. After this blood bag burst, doesn't it resemble a woman's miscarriage?"
"Man'er..." Li Qingshu knew Li Man'er was defending her, but she was still an unmarried maiden. How could she be so unrestrained with her words!
"Your Ladyship, I am a physician, what can I not say?" Li Man'er replied. "Everyone can imagine, if Concubine Shu had not restrained her anger earlier and pushed Consort Jieyu, how spectacular would this blood bag have looked spilled on her? At that point, even with seven or eight mouths, Concubine Shu would not have been able to explain herself!"
Li Qingshu sighed, and the anxiety in her heart finally dissipated. The facts proved Li Man'er's deductions were correct, and that Shu Jieyu was indeed harboring malicious intentions.
"I believe I have always treated others with kindness and have never harbored any ill will towards you. Why do you wish to frame me?"
Shu Jieyu remained silent, appearing resigned to her fate.
Seeing her like this, the Emperor Chenghua knew he would get no confession, and that she was likely acting under someone's orders.
"Shu Jieyu, for deceiving the Emperor and rebelling against the heavens, your crime is unforgivable. You are demoted to commoner status and sent to the Ministry of Punishments."
What kind of place was the Ministry of Punishments? It was even more terrifying than purgatory. The torture inflicted upon those sent there was unimaginable. It was a place for rebels and traitors. Not only delicate women like Shu Jieyu, but even strong men would be unrecognizable within days.
"Your Majesty, show mercy! Grant me a swift death!"
Eunuch Qian immediately ordered, "Cover her mouth and take her away!"
The Emperor Chenghua rose and comforted Li Qingshu. "My beloved concubine has been wronged today."
Li Qingshu shook her head, saying nothing. The matter had reached this point, and she had achieved a complete victory. Any further words were superfluous.
"Qian Yunlai."
"This servant is here."
"Have everyone who attended to Shu Jieyu dealt with accordingly."
Those who had followed Shu Jieyu to the scene knelt down. "Your Majesty, show mercy! Concubine Shu, show mercy."
The Emperor's words were final, and he cared little for the lives of these ants. Eunuch Qian immediately summoned the Imperial Guards and had these servants, along with those who served in Shu Jieyu's palace, all arrested and imprisoned.
After such an incident, it was inevitable that Li Qingshu would be deeply affected. She fell ill upon returning.
The Emperor and Empress both sent people with gifts, and even the Empress Dowager sent many tonics through a trusted嬷嬷. They knew she had been wronged and were doing their best to appease her.
Li Man'er, unconcerned with harem disputes, decided that since she was staying, she would not let Li Qingshu remain sick. After a few days of tending to her, Li Qingshu finally recovered.