That night, Jiang Li slept very uneasily.
Ji Heng’s words echoed in her ears like an incantation. Since becoming Second Miss Jiang and re-entering the Jiang family, she had thought that apart from the coldness of human relationships and the particular tendency of official households to tread on the weak and flatter the strong, there was nothing else. Now it seemed the sordid affairs within prominent households were even more horrifying than in ordinary families. Second Miss Jiang’s background was far more complex than she had imagined.
Moreover, the environment she found herself in was even more dangerous. If Second Miss Jiang truly knew about Ji Shuran’s shameful deeds, or if Ji Shuran thought Second Miss Jiang might know, then Ji Shuran’s relentless pursuit of her all these years had a reasonable explanation. Ji Shuran wanted to feel secure, wanted to eliminate the roots completely.
This was a war—either you die or I live. And it wasn’t just for Jiang Li herself, but also for the deceased Ye Zhenzhen and Second Miss Jiang whose soul had gone who knows where, as well as Jiang Yue’er who died under mysterious circumstances.
The information Ji Heng brought gave her another idea. Regarding Ji Shuran’s next plans—if Ji Shuran wanted to use a borrowed knife to kill, she might as well go with the flow. As for who would laugh last, it would depend on whose methods were superior.
Because she was thinking about matters during the night, by the time she truly fell asleep it was already very late. The next day, Jiang Li rose late.
Tong’er and Baixue, seeing her rarely sleeping in, didn’t wake her.
After Jiang Li had breakfast, Tong’er came over and said, “Miss, Madam Ji entered the palace again today?”
“Oh?” Jiang Li gathered up the papers scattered by the wind on the table and said, “She certainly enters the palace diligently.”
“I heard Noble Consort Li wasn’t feeling well, as if she’s fallen ill. Madam Ji hurried into the palace early this morning, saying she was going to see her sister.” As Tong’er spoke, she said rather disdainfully, “Who doesn’t know she has a Noble Consort sister? But ordinarily we don’t see their relationship being so good. Really making such a big fuss.”
“You,” Jiang Li turned and tapped Tong’er’s forehead, “are becoming more and more unguarded with your words. You can say such things in front of me, but don’t let others hear them.”
“This servant knows. This servant has discretion.” Tong’er asked, “Madam Ji took Jiang Youyao into the palace too but didn’t inform Miss at all. Isn’t this snubbing Miss?”
“How is this a snub? We’re not family to begin with, and have no blood relation,” Jiang Li said unconcernedly. “If they really made me go, that would be disgusting.”
Tong’er nodded. “That makes sense. Then we’ll just ignore them.” She happily went to help Baixue collect morning dew again.
Jiang Li stood before the table, drawing a circle on the gathered papers with her hand, but her gaze looked toward the window. That Madam Ji entered the palace so early today was no coincidence. Right after visiting Noble Consort Li, Noble Consort Li fell ill. It seemed the other party was coming on strong, not giving her any breathing room at all, acting so brazenly.
However, if she were afraid, she wouldn’t be Jiang Li. She wanted to see what kind of reason Madam Ji and Noble Consort Li would use to properly invite that famous Daoist Master Chongxu of Northern Yan into the Jiang residence. She guaranteed to give the other party an unforgettable meeting gift.
“Tong’er, bring the hand warmer. We’re going to sit in Concubine Hu’s courtyard.” She smiled slightly.
…
In the palace, in a side hall, only the wafting scent of medicine remained, carrying a bitter astringent taste.
On the bed, a woman leaned half-sitting, half-reclining against pillows. Her hair wasn’t done up, her long hair slightly disheveled behind her head, making her face appear even paler, her lips bloodless.
Overnight, she seemed to have become gaunt and haggard. She felt weak all over. At night she seemed plagued by nightmares, waking several times. In the end, she barely slept at all, just sitting until dawn.
When Emperor Hongxiao received the news, he rushed over after court to see Noble Consort Li. But he saw that the usually smiling Noble Consort Li today seemed seriously ill, without even the strength to get out of bed. Physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau had all come to examine her, confirming that Noble Consort Li’s pulse showed no problems and no illness. As for why this current situation occurred, the reason was unclear.
Initially, palace attendants suspected Noble Consort Li might have been poisoned, but after thoroughly investigating everyone high and low throughout the palace, as well as Noble Consort Li’s food and clothing, they discovered nothing unusual. Yet Noble Consort Li’s sudden serious illness came on fiercely, even alarming the Empress Dowager. She personally came to visit, but Noble Consort Li continued to weaken rapidly with alarming speed, looking as if she was about to breathe her last.
The Ji family members received the news and all hurried over. Chen Ji Shi held Noble Consort Li’s hand and said, “What on earth is happening? Out of nowhere, how could such a thing suddenly occur?”
“Yes, just the day before yesterday when I came to see Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship was perfectly fine. How in such a short time did you end up like this?” Ji Shuran also dabbed at tears with her handkerchief.
Just then, Noble Consort Li’s personal palace maid Hongzhu knelt before Emperor Hongxiao and said, “This servant has something to say. This servant dares to tell His Majesty.”
Emperor Hongxiao said, “Speak.”
“Several years ago, Your Ladyship also encountered such an incident. At that time, Your Ladyship was in mortal danger. It was… Daoist Master Chongxu who discovered the reason and allowed Your Ladyship to escape calamity. Now for no reason, Your Ladyship has suffered this misfortune again, yet we cannot find the cause. This servant observes it seems similar to that time many years ago, as if some evil spirit has latched onto Your Ladyship! This servant dares to implore His Majesty to invite Daoist Master Chongxu into the palace to examine Your Ladyship!”
Having finished speaking, Hongzhu knocked her head on the floor several times for Emperor Hongxiao. Lüwu on the side saw this and also knelt down.
Many years ago, Noble Consort Li had been jealously resented by another consort in the palace. That consort somehow obtained Noble Consort Li’s birth date and time, and used a curse technique, causing Noble Consort Li to waste away day by day, nearly dying. It happened that during the Empress Dowager’s birthday, Daoist Master Chongxu was invited to purify the palace and discovered something wrong. He found the placed doll. The Empress Dowager was furious that someone dared do such a thing in the palace. That consort was given a cup of poisoned wine. Publicly it was said she died of illness. Noble Consort Li thus recovered her life and gradually improved.
At this moment, Hongzhu suddenly brought up the events of those years.
One would have thought that after hearing these words, Emperor Hongxiao would immediately be delighted to have found a new method. But after a long time passed, they still hadn’t heard Emperor Hongxiao’s response. For some reason, Hongzhu felt somewhat uneasy, cold sweat gradually seeping from her forehead. Just as she was hesitating whether to kowtow a few more times, Emperor Hongxiao’s voice came from above. He said, “Daoist Master Chongxu travels everywhere. Now we don’t even know where he is…”
“Your Majesty, are you speaking of that expert Daoist Master Chongxu?” Chen Ji Shi on the side stood up and looked over, saying, “Three days ago, this subject’s wife heard that an expert came to perform rituals at a Daoist temple in Yanjing City. It seemed to be Daoist Master Chongxu. If so, perhaps Daoist Master Chongxu is still in Yanjing City.”
“Is that so?” Emperor Hongxiao’s voice revealed neither joy nor anger. He beckoned, and Eunuch Su hurried forward. “Transmit my decree. Immediately summon Daoist Master Chongxu to enter the palace to examine Noble Consort Li.”
Eunuch Su received the order and departed.
Ji Shuran still prostrated before the bed. The hand gripping Noble Consort Li’s tightened slightly, a trace of imperceptible satisfaction flashing in her eyes. In a blink, two more tears fell.
Daoist Master Chongxu arrived at the palace within an hour.
This Daoist had already reached the age of knowing one’s destiny. He appeared lean and resolute, with quite an air of immortal elegance and upright bearing. On his back he carried a peachwood sword, on his body hung a horsetail whisk, wearing Daoist robes and cloth shoes. Upon entering the palace and greeting Emperor Hongxiao, he was neither servile nor overbearing.
“After years apart, Daoist Master still looks the same,” Emperor Hongxiao’s brow relaxed.
“This poor Daoist is fortunate to be remembered by His Majesty,” Daoist Master Chongxu said. “I heard His Majesty summoned this poor Daoist because Noble Consort Li has some matter?”
“Precisely,” Emperor Hongxiao said. “The palace physicians are all at their wit’s end, unable to find the reason. Noble Consort’s maid implored me to find you for a try. I happened to hear you’re still in Yanjing recently, so I wanted to bring you into the palace to examine Noble Consort.”
Emperor Hongxiao couldn’t make this too explicit. Since ancient times, tyrants all believed in ghosts and spirits, seeking divine guidance. Emperor Hongxiao naturally didn’t want to be a tyrant and give people cause for criticism. But now with Noble Consort Li in this state, there truly was no other way. Moreover, Daoist Master Chongxu’s conduct wasn’t arrogant. He concealed his name and mostly traveled everywhere in spiritual cultivation. Just like when he discovered someone using curse techniques against Noble Consort Li in the palace years ago, this matter wasn’t known to outsiders either.
Clearly someone trustworthy.
Daoist Master Chongxu then cupped his hands to Emperor Hongxiao and said, “Since it’s so, this poor Daoist will first examine Noble Consort Li.”
Hongzhu and Lüwu hurriedly welcomed Daoist Master Chongxu inside.
Noble Consort Li was helped to sit on the cushioned bed. Her expression was pale, as if even speaking a sentence required great effort. She looked toward Daoist Master Chongxu and said, “Troubling Daoist Master to personally make this trip…”
Daoist Master Chongxu waved his hand. “Noble Consort Li speaks too seriously. Being able to relieve His Majesty’s worries is this poor Daoist’s fortune.” Having said this, his brow furrowed. Staring at the area around Noble Consort Li as if seeing something else, his gaze fixed, he slowly took out a small bell from his bundle.
Looking carefully, it was a palm-sized small drum. Around the drum hung a circle of red bells. He held the bell in one hand and slowly shook it. Following that, he shook faster and faster. The bell sound also changed from initially gentle to increasingly rapid and urgent, clear to the point of piercing.
Noble Consort Li suddenly bent over and coughed violently, as if a breath stuck in her chest had been cleared. Taking the handkerchief from Hongzhu’s hand to wipe the corners of her mouth, she seemed to have expelled something invisible.
This spectacle frightened the female relatives present. Grand Consort Liu patted her chest and said, “Oh my, so frightening. What on earth is this?”
Daoist Master Chongxu didn’t speak but instead turned and quickly walked to the table in the hall. From his bundle he again took out yellow talisman paper. He grabbed a handful of cinnabar and poured it on the table, then pulled out a gourd-like object, fiercely took a gulp, and sprayed it all over the cinnabar with a “puh.” The hall immediately filled with the smell of alcohol. What was in the gourd should be some unknown strong liquor.
That strong liquor mixed with the cinnabar, slowly melding into a deep crimson. Daoist Master Chongxu took out a wooden brush, dipped it full of the cinnabar wine, lifted the brush, and wrote a string of indecipherable runes on the yellow talisman paper.
Finished, he displayed the talisman paper to dry, folded it in two or three moves into a triangular paper fold, and handed it to Noble Consort Li, saying, “Your Ladyship must have someone thread this talisman with red thread, carefully preserve it. After one month, naturally there will be no problems.”
This series of actions could be called swift and decisive, clear and definite, making people unable to help but believe him—that this person truly had real skills and wasn’t a fraud. The Empress Dowager asked, “This dowager doesn’t understand. Why has Noble Consort ended up in this state? What Daoist Master just did—has someone in the palace used curse techniques on Noble Consort?”
Daoist Master Chongxu turned back and said, “In reply to the Empress Dowager, what afflicts Noble Consort isn’t someone in the palace using curse techniques. This matter isn’t related to others’ actions, but rather Noble Consort has been invaded by evil energy. This evil energy is difficult to control and nearly drained Noble Consort’s vital essence. However, this poor Daoist has already exorcised the evil from Noble Consort and suppressed it with a talisman. From now on there will be no problems.”
“Invaded by evil energy?” Grand Consort Liu took a step back, saying anxiously, “What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me there’s evil energy in this palace? Daoist, you mustn’t speak carelessly.”
The Empress Dowager interrupted her. “Don’t be rude to Daoist Master.” She looked at Daoist Master Chongxu, speaking much more politely and gently than Grand Consort Liu. “Daoist Master, what exactly is going on?”
“Empress Dowager, please be at ease. This evil energy didn’t grow from within the palace. His Majesty is the supreme ruler, protected by a true dragon. Evil poisons cannot invade. If there truly were evil spirits, in the palace they would only slowly dissipate, unable to make waves.”
Hearing him say this, Grand Consort Liu breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately after, as if remembering something, she asked, “Then where did Noble Consort attract this evil energy from? She hasn’t left the palace.”
“May I ask…” Daoist Master Chongxu inquired, “Has Noble Consort seen anyone from outside the palace these past few days?”
There were no evil spirits in the palace. The evil spirits came from outside the palace. Noble Consort Li couldn’t leave the palace, and those around her hadn’t left the palace either. The only possibility was that she had met someone.
Noble Consort Li stared blankly at Daoist Master Chongxu, her voice weak. “I have seen…” She said to Emperor Hongxiao, “This subject’s wife previously saw this subject’s wife’s younger sister Shuran.”
Ji Shuran was astonished for a moment. Immediately after, she hurriedly knelt down and said, “This subject’s wife did indeed see Noble Consort Li the other day. At that time, I chatted idly with Noble Consort Li and stayed for half a day before returning. This subject’s wife… this subject’s wife doesn’t know what this is about. This subject’s wife absolutely has no intention of harming Your Ladyship. Please investigate clearly, Your Majesty!”
Her bewildered and uneasy appearance didn’t seem false. Noble Consort Li also struggled to straighten up and said, “This subject’s wife can vouch for my younger sister. My younger sister would never harm me.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Chen Ji Shi seemed to have just come to her senses and also knelt down, saying, “Noble Consort Li and Madam Jiang are biological sisters who’ve always had a good relationship. How could she harm someone? Your Majesty must investigate clearly!”
Emperor Hongxiao frowned. “We haven’t said anything yet. Why are you all rushing to kneel?” He asked, “Daoist Master Chongxu, what do you see? Is there any problem?”
Daoist Master Chongxu stared at Ji Shuran.
His gaze was piercing, like sharp swords. Ji Shuran, being stared at by him, felt somewhat afraid and couldn’t help retreating a step. The next moment, Daoist Master Chongxu sighed and approached Ji Shuran, saying, “This madam is entangled by evil energy. On the surface she appears healthier than Noble Consort Li, but actually that’s not so. The evil energy has already entered her body. If it continues, I fear her life is in danger.”
“What?” At these words, Ji Shuran was greatly shocked, saying in alarm, “Daoist Master, please speak plainly.”
“I don’t know where Madam attracted such evil energy. By the looks of it, only by dwelling day and night with an evil object could it invade so deeply. Has anything strange occurred at Madam’s residence?”
Ji Shuran shook her head. “Nothing has occurred.”
“Daoist Master,” Noble Consort Li propped herself up and said, “Your meaning is that my younger sister’s body has also been contaminated with evil energy? It came from my younger sister’s residence?”
“Very likely.” Daoist Master Chongxu stroked his long beard and said, “Think again carefully. Has nothing strange truly occurred at your residence? Or are there any strange people?”
Ji Shuran thought carefully again. Not knowing what she thought of, her expression suddenly became strange. This look fell in everyone’s eyes. Chen Ji Shi said, “Shuran, have you thought of something?”
Ji Shuran stammered, “No… nothing.” She seemed to find it difficult to speak. Anyone with eyes could see she didn’t particularly want to say anything.
Grand Consort Liu had watched enough excitement. She herself had sent several nieces into the palace, but Emperor Hongxiao only doted on Noble Consort Li, rendering her nieces completely useless. Today she thought Noble Consort Li was going to die, which was why she eagerly rushed over. Who knew it would be empty rejoicing—no great use. Thinking again, even the current Empress couldn’t compare to Noble Consort Li’s favor and was practically a figurehead. Now that Noble Consort Li had survived this great calamity, she would probably swagger about the palace for a while longer.
Grand Consort Liu said, “I don’t know what you’re hiding and concealing.” She snorted through her nose, greeted the Empress Dowager and Emperor Hongxiao, then left first for her own chambers. Grand Consort Liu had always been arrogant and domineering, her temperament identical to Princess Yongning’s. Therefore, when she acted this way, no one dared criticize her.
After Grand Consort Liu left, Noble Consort Li also urged Ji Shuran, saying, “Shuran, what difficulties do you have that you cannot speak of? Just now you clearly had something but refused to say it. His Majesty is also here. Whatever it is, His Majesty will decide for you.”
Ji Shuran thought for a moment and resolutely shook her head, saying, “Thank you for Your Ladyship’s concern, but truly nothing special has occurred at this subject’s wife’s residence. As for the evil energy, I don’t know where it came from either. To speak of dwelling under the same roof with evil objects fills me with endless trepidation. I don’t know what went wrong.”
“If Madam finds it inconvenient to say plainly,” Daoist Master Chongxu pondered, “you may lead this poor Daoist to your residence. If this poor Daoist makes a trip to Madam’s residence, naturally I will know where the problem lies.”
“This…” Ji Shuran was startled. Noble Consort Li had already taken over the conversation. Noble Consort Li said, “If Daoist Master makes a trip to the Jiang residence and sees that evil spirit, naturally he can help drive it out. If he doesn’t see it, it’s just a trip anyway—everyone would be happy. Your Majesty…” She looked beseechingly at Emperor Hongxiao. “May it be permitted?”
“Permitted.” Emperor Hongxiao said to Daoist Master Chongxu, “Daoist Master, please go to the Jiang family to examine things for Madam Jiang and see exactly where the problem lies.”
Daoist Master Chongxu assented. Ji Shuran hurriedly expressed her gratitude.
“This subject’s wife will first return to the residence today to explain this matter clearly to Master. Tomorrow I will gather everyone in the residence to respectfully welcome Daoist Master, lest we miss that evil spirit.” Ji Shuran said.
“Good.” Daoist Master Chongxu nodded.
The matter was thus settled. Half an incense stick later, Noble Consort Li’s complexion indeed looked much better than before, and she had more spirit. Everyone praised Daoist Master Chongxu as a divine being. Although the Empress Dowager worshipped Buddha, she still treated a Daoist expert like Chongxu with courtesy. After Daoist Master Chongxu finished handling everything for Noble Consort Li, following the Empress Dowager’s instructions, he went to Cining Palace to pray and purify.
Ji Shuran and Chen Ji Shi also departed. Because she needed to discuss this matter with Jiang Yuanbai, when Ji Shuran left she was absent-minded. It was Chen Ji Shi who supported her before she could board the carriage.
After leaving the palace, Chen Ji Shi sat in the carriage. Ji Shuran, seeing there were no outsiders here anymore, swept away her earlier bewilderment. Taking the tea the maid handed up and drinking a mouthful, she said, “It’s done.”
“You and Elder Sister do things without consulting me first.” Chen Ji Shi complained. “Fortunately I guessed it, so I could accompany you in singing this act well.”
“It happened suddenly. How could I have time to tell you?” Ji Shuran shook her head. “I’ve also been driven desperate by Jiang Li. I always feel that if I don’t quickly eliminate her, something major will happen. She does the first day of the month, I do the fifteenth. She can’t blame me for being ruthless.”
“This time there shouldn’t be any loose ends left,” Chen Ji Shi also said. “Elder Sister always acts properly.”
The two were silent for a while. Chen Ji Shi said again, “I observed today that His Majesty is still quite attentive toward Elder Sister.”
“Indeed,” Ji Shuran said. “When we came, we heard palace servants say that throughout the entire imperial palace now, Elder Sister is still the most favored. With her scheming and methods, consolidating her position isn’t difficult.”
“But she has no son.” Chen Ji Shi’s single sentence made Ji Shuran fall silent as well.
Not having a son—at this time now, for ordinary households, for women it was a fatal flaw, let alone a place like the imperial palace. Without a son, one had less leverage. For oneself, it meant more danger.
“Father is already looking at other eligible daughters from distant Ji family relatives,” Chen Ji Shi said. “If Elder Sister can’t bear a son, Father fears such favor won’t last long. He must send a few more daughters into the palace.”
Ji Shuran frowned. “Elder Sister has paid so much. Will she willingly let these Ji family women so openly divide the fruits of her labor?”
“What if she’s unwilling?” Chen Ji Shi sighed. “As long as she’s a daughter of the Ji family, she must think of the bigger picture. You and I are the same.”
Ji Shuran stopped speaking.
In the palace, the imperial physician came to see Noble Consort Li and prescribed several nourishing remedies. Hongzhu took people to brew the medicine. Emperor Hongxiao remained in the side hall, sitting by Noble Consort Li’s bed.
“Your Majesty took pity on this subject’s wife and issued a decree for Daoist Master Chongxu to come examine this subject’s wife. Once again saving this subject’s wife’s life. This subject’s wife is deeply grateful.” Noble Consort Li said.
Because of her haggardness, she wore no makeup, but had a kind of pure plainness as if all adornment had been washed away. Emperor Hongxiao comforted her, saying, “You are my woman. Of course I cannot let anything happen to you.”
Noble Consort Li leaned her head on Emperor Hongxiao’s shoulder and said softly, “This subject’s wife knows that throughout the nation now, one cannot greatly indulge in matters of spirits and ghosts. For this subject’s wife’s sake, Your Majesty didn’t hesitate to possibly be criticized… This subject’s wife is already satisfied in this life. Even if I died right now, there would be nothing to regret.”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Emperor Hongxiao laughed and scolded, his tone full of indulgence. Noble Consort Li leaned against him, able to hear his gentle words, but unable to see his eyes that carried coldness.
Not a trace of tenderness.
…
When Ji Shuran returned to the Jiang residence, she didn’t return alone. Chen Ji Shi accompanied her. When Tong’er reported this to Jiang Li, Jiang Li was reading at her desk. Actually she wasn’t really reading—her mind was full of those shocking secrets Ji Heng had revealed yesterday, as well as today’s daytime conversation with Concubine Hu.
“I heard when Madam Ji returned, she couldn’t even walk steadily. It was Chen Ji Shi who helped her down.” Baixue said, “How did she become so weak? Could she have been beaten in the palace?”
“How is that possible? Noble Consort Li is her elder sister. If she was beaten in the palace, it could only prove one thing,” Tong’er said.
“What thing?” Baixue asked curiously.
Tong’er answered quickly, “That Noble Consort Li has fallen out of favor!”
With a “pfft,” Tong’er couldn’t help laughing. Jiang Li also found it amusing and scolded, “Where did you learn these improper words? You dare say anything.”
Tong’er smugly shot her a look, then said, “But speaking of which, what did Madam Ji go to the palace for anyway? How did she end up like this? Could she be using a suffering scheme to make Master feel sorry for her?”
Jiang Li’s gaze deepened. “What else could it be? Putting on a show.”
Ji Shuran’s moves were even faster than she’d imagined—so fast that even Jiang Li found it somewhat incomprehensible. She didn’t know whether Ji Shuran was truly so afraid of her that she desperately needed to eliminate her, or whether that Noble Consort Li helping in the palace was originally this swift and decisive in temperament, not even leaving breathing room for people, pressing step by step to put someone to death.
It was just that this time, it wasn’t yet known who would die.
“Daoist Master Chongxu is coming to the residence?” On the other end, having heard the full story, Jiang Yuanbai was startled, then furrowed his brows. “Nonsense! What evil spirits? How could there be evil spirits in our residence!”
Jiang Yuanbai wasn’t someone who deeply believed in ghosts and spirits. Therefore, regarding what Ji Shuran said, he instinctively rejected it. Seeing this, Chen Ji Shi said, “Minister Jiang, having Daoist Master Chongxu come to the residence to exorcise evil spirits—these words were personally spoken by His Majesty. If you’re dissatisfied with His Majesty’s decision, why not make a personal trip to the palace and explain things clearly to His Majesty? Taking out your temper on Shuran—that’s not proper.”
Ji Shuran just anxiously twisted her handkerchief.
Jiang Yuanbai was very dissatisfied in his heart. Among Ji Shuran’s sisters, he actually didn’t much like this Chen Ji Shi. Chen Ji Shi was truly too overbearing. Often she didn’t know how to bow her head and ingratiate herself. Previously when Ji Shuran had just married over, Chen Ji Shi had used her status as Ji Shuran’s sister to point fingers at the Jiang family’s inner affairs. Now as Ji Yanheng’s official career became more successful, Chen Ji Shi acted as if her backing was increasingly solid, becoming even more unscrupulous.
“Elder Brother is just puzzled in his heart.” Jiang Yuanping came out smiling to smooth things over. He said, “So you’re saying that Daoist Master Chongxu coming to the residence to exorcise evil is already His Majesty’s decree?”
“Precisely,” Chen Ji Shi’s tone was unfriendly. “This isn’t merely for the Jiang family. Noble Consort Li in the palace nearly had her life harmed by the evil spirits in your esteemed residence. That’s a consort in the palace! If something happened to Noble Consort Li, Minister Jiang, you couldn’t escape responsibility either. So this matter is also about seeking justice for Noble Consort Li.”
Jiang Yuanbai listened with a belly full of smoldering anger. Just a woman, yet speaking as if she were some incredible personage. Moreover, she hadn’t even borne a dragon son. Who knew how many more years she’d be favored? Perhaps in a few more days she’d be consigned to the cold palace. However, on his face he still put on a smile and said, “Then since it’s His Majesty’s imperial decree, this subject receives the decree.”
Speaking with full sarcasm. Not for Noble Consort Li’s sake, but because this was an imperial decree—he had no choice but to comply!