There is a god in the sky

Chapter 270 The Xie Family, Imperial Merchants 1

The group reached a fork in the road; going forward led to the exit from the palace, while turning right led to the inner palace.

Xiao Ji stopped and said to the eunuchs following behind him, "I still have some cases I would like to ask Consort Lin about. May I ask if someone could take Counselor Shen over for questioning?"

If Xiao Ji were to enter the harem, the eunuchs certainly wouldn't dare to make the decision.

However, since Shen Lan was a woman, a young eunuch immediately stepped forward to lead the way.

Xiao Ji rewarded him with a bag of golden melon seeds, and the latter happily took Shen Lan away.

Shen Lan cast a grateful glance at Xiao Ji.

They all knew that they didn't know when they would be able to enter the palace again.

Upon arriving at Shuyu Palace, Shen Lan saw Consort Li swinging on a swing in the courtyard.

Her laughter was clean and pure, like that of a fairy untouched by the dust of the world.

No wonder the emperor still dotes on her after all these years.

She didn't want to disturb Consort Li and planned to take a side path to the side hall, but Consort Li called her back.

"Is Miss Shen here to see Consort Lin? She was summoned away by Consort Xie's men."

Shen Lan bowed to her from afar and asked, "May I ask which palace Consort Xie resides in now?"

Consort Li stepped down from the swing set, walked up to her, and asked, "Are you determined to see her today?"

"Yes," Shen Lan answered affirmatively.

"Alright, I'll take you there."

With Consort Li leading the way, Shen Lan felt much more at ease.

Otherwise, as a mere coroner, even if she saw Lin Miaoniang being bullied by Consort Xie, she wouldn't be able to stop it.

Consort Li was clearly very interested in Shen Lan. She not only took her along in the sedan chair, but also held her hand and talked to her for a long time.

"I heard Qingyan mention you. You not only saved his life, but also taught him to strive for excellence. I am very grateful to you."

Consort Li's words came from the bottom of her heart.

She only had one younger brother, and she couldn't imagine how heartbroken her mother would be if he died out there.

Moreover, her life in the palace was not as glamorous as it seemed from the outside, and she also hoped that her family could provide her with support.

What's more, she later saved her mother's life.

"Your Majesty is too kind; it was merely a coincidence."

Consort Li shook her head. "There are no such coincidences in the world. You did not let him die in the mass grave. You are a bodhisattva in this world."

I don't know how to thank you openly, but I will always remember this kindness. If you encounter any difficulties, please tell me directly, and I will definitely help if I can.

Shen Lan grasped her hand in return, and for a moment she wanted to ask her to help steal the Shen family's medicine formula, but in the end she just smiled and said, "Okay, from now on Your Majesty will be my support."

Consort Li was very pleased. She took off the jade bracelet from her hand and put it on Shen Lan's wrist, then pulled down her sleeve to cover it.

She said mysteriously, "This bracelet was a tribute from Dali. It's very valuable and can be kept as part of my dowry."

Although she only glanced at it, Shen Lan could tell that it was the finest glass-type jadeite, which would be extremely valuable in modern times.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Previously, Consort Li thought that her younger brother had taken a liking to this savior, and she spoke highly of her in her words.

Upon meeting her, she knew that Shen Lan was not the kind of woman who would curry favor with the powerful and wealthy; she had her own path to follow.

When Shen Lan arrived at Consort Xie's new residence, she saw that the palace gates were tightly closed, and Lin Miaoniang and her personal maid were kneeling in front of the door, their bodies swaying precariously.

Upon seeing Consort Li's entourage, Lin Miaoniang rubbed her forehead and swayed, then leaned against a palace maid.

"Master...Master has fainted...Quickly, someone come!" the palace maid Xiaoxi cried out anxiously.

Consort Li alighted from her sedan chair and walked past the two men toward the tightly closed palace gates.

"Go knock on the door and say that I have come to visit Consort Xie."

Shen Lan squatted down and put a pill into Lin Miaoniang's mouth to refresh her mind, then whispered in her ear, "The pill will make you feel better."

Lin Miaoniang opened her eyes slightly, a slight smile playing on her lips, and then leaned back against her maid with a sense of relief.

As soon as the palace gates opened, Consort Li strode in, saying to those behind her, "What are you all standing there for? Take those eyes off us away and don't disturb Consort Xie's rest."

Shen Lan helped Lin Miaoniang leave quickly. After they turned the corner, Lin Miaoniang straightened up and smiled, "You invited Consort Li, didn't you?"

Shen Lan nodded and asked in return, "Why would Consort Xie want to harm you? Because you are favored by the emperor?"

"No, it's because I rejected her advances."

Shen Lan didn't react for a moment, then thought of the deceased Wu Meiren, and felt a tightness in her chest.

"She's being way too reckless."

"It seems you've uncovered some clues in your investigation, but it's useless. I'll just have to be careful myself."

Shen Lan didn't dare linger and left after escorting her back to Shuyu Palace.

News from the palace spread very quickly.

Before Shen Lan even left the palace, the inner palace received the news.

Reactions varied from party to party.

After returning to the palace, Consort Li went to Lin Miaoniang to congratulate her, saying, "Your confinement order can be lifted. The Emperor cares about you and will definitely come to see you tonight."

Lin Miaoniang said shyly, "I don't feel wronged. His Majesty surely believes in me."

Consort Li sighed and reminded her, "This matter may seem to be over, but the person who plotted against you hasn't been caught yet. They might still target you, so you have to be careful."

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. Is Consort Xie alright?"

Consort Li covered her mouth and laughed, "Her? Don't worry about her, she'll be fine in a few days."

In the Empress's palace, Li Ge presented a box of pearls given as a gift by someone else. Each pearl was round, full, and shiny.

The Empress glanced at it and waved her hand, "This thing is useless, you can keep it for yourself."

"What is the Xie family's request?"

"Heh, let them be content. Sacrificing a daughter can ensure the Xie family's continued prosperity. What a worthwhile deal!"

Although the Empress did not know the specific details, she could guess some of the facts.

In particular, on the fifteenth of each month, the emperor would summon Consort Xie to accompany him.

Consort Xie had people on her side, so they knew that she would bring many high-quality medicinal herbs with her every time she went there.

As for what these medicinal herbs are, she can't find out, and doesn't want to find out.

After the fifteenth of each month, the emperor's health would improve significantly, and Consort Xie would always use illness as an excuse to stay indoors.

She had been curious about this and sent the imperial physician to see her.

The imperial physician said that apart from not being in good spirits, Consort Xie had no other problems; perhaps she simply didn't want to move.

It's unclear when exactly, but a saying began to circulate in the palace: "The Emperor cannot do without Consort Xie."

"Consort Xie writes a letter home every month. Would Your Majesty like to see her letters?"

As long as the Empress gives her a nod, Li Ge can get her letter.

But most of the time, the empress wasn't curious about these things.

"Forget it, it concerns the Emperor's secrets, why should we know so much? The Emperor also has his limits. You are one of my palace people, remember to be careful with your words and actions."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember."

Li Ge withdrew and handed the box filled with pearls to a servant.

A young eunuch ran up to report: "Sir, Lord Xiao has left the palace with the Emperor's gifts."

"Okay, I understand." Li Ge looked up at the blue sky, a slight smile playing on his lips, in a very good mood.

There are some things the Empress forbids him to investigate, but how could he not investigate?

The Xie family not only sent a large amount of precious medicinal herbs to the palace every month, but also gave their eldest daughter to the emperor.

Everyone thought that the emperor had given Xie's daughter a high position because he valued the Xie family, but in reality, he only needed Xie Zhaoyi's bloodline.

I don't know who suggested it to him, but they actually told him to add virgin blood to the prescription.

This was something any palace maid could have done, but the emperor didn't want the news to leak out, so he simply had a woman from the Xie family provide this special medicinal ingredient.

As long as Consort Xie remains untouched by sexual intercourse, the Emperor will not kill her.

Hateful people must have pity.

He instructed the people around him: "Send a bowl of blood-nourishing soup to Consort Xie's palace, and say that it was a gift from the Empress."

Sometimes, too much harmony in the harem isn't a good thing.

If they don't compete or fight, how can they give Lin Miaoniang a chance to advance further?

"Then Consort Xie must hate the Empress to death."

Li Ge gave him a cold glance, "Shut up!"

The young eunuch slapped himself a few times, dared not say anything more, and ran off to carry out his duties.