When Xiao Qianming arrived, the first thing he saw was the blood-soaked undergarment by Zheng Qingling's bed, freshly replaced, and beside it a basin of water stained red from washing.
Her lips were completely drained of color, and her damp hair clung to the pillow. Thinking of how lively she had been just last night, his heart grew frantic.
"Where's the imperial physician? Where the hell is he? Call in the one responsible for Attendant Rou's care, now!"
Physician Li, who had been waiting outside, trembled as he hurried inside, supporting himself against the wall.
The moment he entered, he prostrated himself and answered in terror:
"Your Majesty, this humble servant is powerless. The young mistress was afflicted by the summer heat, then drenched with cold water. The imperial heir she carried—barely a month along—could not be saved…"
"You useless wretches! What's the point of keeping you? Taking my salary and yet unable to ease your sovereign's worries!"
Physician Li pressed his head even lower, practically touching the ground. His heart cried out in grievance: when he had taken her pulse, Attendant Rou had already been in the midst of miscarriage. How was he supposed to save her?
The emperor's voice dropped:
"Then tell me—how is Attendant Rou's health now?"
At this, Physician Li grew even more flustered, wishing he could sink into the floor.
Seeing his evasiveness, Xiao Qianming's heart lurched. His tone grew sharp and heavy:
"Answer me honestly, this instant! If you dare speak even half a false word, your whole family's lives will be forfeit!"
Trembling, Physician Li no longer dared conceal the truth:
"Your Majesty… the young mistress… may find it difficult to bear children in the future."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the air seemed to grow colder. Though it was the height of summer, he felt as if he had plunged into the depths of winter.
When Xiao Qianming heard the phrase 'difficult to bear children', bitterness filled his chest. He refused to believe it, and quickly ordered:
"Xiao Yuanzi! Summon every physician in the palace at once—hurry!"
Hearing this, Physician Li felt a strange sense of relief. Having his colleagues share the burden was far better than facing the emperor's fury alone.
In truth, Zheng Qingling had deliberately altered her pulse to create this outcome. Since she had already set things in motion, she might as well go all the way—this way, she could demand even greater compensation from the emperor.
She knew that a single miscarriage would not bring serious punishment to the Noble Consort. At most, the emperor might promote her to Guiren (Noble Lady). But if she were left "unable to bear children"?
When the other eight physicians arrived and examined her one by one, their diagnoses matched Physician Li's exactly.
Xiao Qianming's heart ached all the more. He turned to question Chunxiu, who had been kneeling nearby the whole time. He knew this palace maid was Attendant Rou's trusted first maid.
"Tell me—why did your mistress end up like this today?"
In his rush to Tinglan Xiaoxie, Xiao Qianming had not had time to ask his shadow guards about the details. Now that Attendant Rou was in this state, he had to uncover the truth and punish the culprit for her.
Chunxiu answered tearfully:
"Today, my lady was a little late in paying her respects. The Noble Consort punished her to kneel under the scorching sun for two hours. When she fainted, the steward eunuch from the Noble Consort's palace drenched her with cold water…"
Upon hearing that even the Noble Consort's servants dared to humiliate his beloved, Xiao Qianming's fury erupted. He kicked over a nearby stool and issued a frigid command:
"Xiao Yuanzi—take men immediately. Bring the Noble Consort and her insolent servants to the front hall!"
Eunuch Yuan had never seen His Majesty in such a rage. He dared not delay, scurrying off at once.
Meanwhile, inside Lanzhi Court, the Noble Consort was pacing anxiously, speaking to her old nurse:
"Cousin won't punish me, will he? Nanny, you know I only meant to teach her a small lesson. It's that wretch's weak body, nothing to do with me…"
Seeing the young lady she had raised from infancy so distraught, the nurse's heart ached. But the situation was undeniably dire.
"Your Highness, you must quickly admit your fault to His Majesty, or else it will be too late."
The Noble Consort cried out:
"Nanny, I am the Duke of England's legitimate daughter, personally ennobled by Cousin as Noble Consort. You expect me to abase myself? I'd sooner be given a swift death!"
As the two argued, a voice came from outside—Eunuch Yuan's:
"Your Highness the Noble Consort, you and everyone in this courtyard will come with me at once!"