Once the imperial decree was drafted, the Emperor handed it to Zhang Zhibei to be read aloud in Wende Hall. The Wardrobe Department, having received advance notice, had already sent people to retrieve from the inner treasury the Director of Palace Administration’s robes and crown that had been stored unused for many years, asking Zhenzhen to change into them.

Zhenzhen washed off all cosmetics and donned purple official robes, wore a lacquered gauze cap, black leather boots, and a golden belt. She received her appointment and expressed gratitude in the hall. When she walked out of Wende Hall, the heads of Ceremonial, Protocol, Wardrobe, Bedchamber, and Crafts departments, along with Qin Sishan who had been promoted to head of Royal Kitchen, were already waiting on both sides below the vermillion steps, leading the female officials of the Six Departments in bowing to her in unison: “We congratulate the Director of Palace Administration. May the Director flourish and ascend to great heights, treading the path of the roc.”

Zhenzhen quickly returned their bows with a deep salute. Looking up, she saw that although the female officials spoke words of congratulation, most appeared expressionless and quite resentful, with only Director Qin meeting her gaze and showing an encouraging smile.

Zhang Zhibei then emerged and asked if she needed a palace carriage prepared to take her to Cifu Palace. Zhenzhen shook her head: “Wait a moment.” She then asked: “Does Liu Jieyu know about Fourth Prince’s poisoning?”

“Not yet,” Zhang Zhibei replied. “After Fourth Prince and the Crown Princess collapsed one after another, I knew this was a grave matter and ordered the Eastern Palace sealed, strictly forbidding idle personnel from passing through. No one should have reported this to Furong Pavilion.”

“Please have someone rush to Furong Pavilion immediately to tell Liu Jieyu that Fourth Prince sucked on the Crown Princess’s pearl ornaments and now hangs between life and death, in critical condition,” Zhenzhen calmly told Zhang Zhibei. “Going to Cifu Palace now won’t quickly yield antidotes. Why not try this method – we might obtain them faster.”

Zhang Zhibei immediately dispatched a eunuch to Furong Pavilion to report this to Liu Luowei. Liu Luowei had been lying listlessly in bed, but upon hearing this news from her attendant, she immediately rose. Before the attendant could even fasten the outer robe draped over her, she rushed out to question the eunuch: “You’re saying Fourth Prince was poisoned by sucking the Crown Princess’s pearl ornaments?”

The eunuch replied: “Fourth Prince was fine before, but shortly after sucking those ornaments he vomited and fainted. The Crown Princess was the same – it must be that the ornament glue was poisonous.”

Liu Luowei’s face turned deathly pale. She ran back to her room and frantically searched through boxes and cabinets, finally finding a small porcelain bottle. Just as she was about to rush out, Lady Yu grabbed her.

“You can’t go!” Lady Yu hissed in a low voice. “This matter is suspicious – most likely Ling Fengxian or someone else set a trap to force you to produce antidotes. If you reveal the antidote, you’ll fall into their scheme and our affairs will be exposed.”

“But my child is dying!” Liu Luowei stared with reddened eyes, angrily crying: “This snake venom is so potent it killed Prince Zhuangwen instantly. Fourth Brother is so young – any later and he can’t be saved!”

Lady Yu continued blocking her path: “Without giving antidotes, with so many imperial physicians there, Fourth Brother might still be saved. But if you give antidotes, it confirms our involvement in the poisoning, and we might all die!”

“Let me die then! If my child can’t live, my life is worse than death!” Liu Luowei desperately pushed away Lady Yu’s arms, about to rush out. In her urgency, Lady Yu grabbed her with one hand while raising the other, habitually about to slap her. But this time Liu Luowei reacted faster, quickly withdrawing her hand and delivering a heavy slap to Lady Yu’s face first.

“You have no heart, but I do! You don’t treat your own child as human, but I can’t do that!” Tears in her eyes, she glared hatefully at Lady Yu. Under Lady Yu’s stunned gaze, she stepped back twice, then clutched the small porcelain bottle and ran to the outer room. Moving too quickly on the smooth floor, she fell and sprawled on the ground.

The waiting eunuch hurried forward to help her up. Before she could fully rise, she pressed the porcelain bottle into the eunuch’s hands, urging: “Quickly give this medicine to Fourth Prince to drink, quickly!”

The eunuch agreed and immediately ran toward the Eastern Palace. Liu Luowei then stood up, limping after his retreating figure for a few steps, calling out: “Give Fourth Prince three pills, three pills!”

Liu Luowei watched the eunuch depart in despair, then silently returned to the bedroom, dressed properly, and combed her hair before the mirror.

Lady Yu came behind her, looking at her reflection: “Now that things have come to this, a great disaster is unavoidable. You should escape through the secret passage. I’ll stay and act according to circumstances. If there’s still room for maneuver, I’ll come find you through the secret passage later. If you wait until dark at that end without seeing me come, then leave – go as far as you can and don’t come back.”

When the eunuch arrived at the Eastern Palace with the medicine bottle, Zhenzhen and Zhang Zhibei were already waiting in the bedchamber where Fengxian and Zhao Jiao lay. The eunuch handed the medicine bottle to Guo Siqi, conveying Liu Luowei’s dosage instructions: “Liu Jieyu said to give Fourth Prince three pills.”

Guo Siqi uncorked the bottle and poured out the pills, seeing only seven green bean-sized pills inside. He was still considering how to distribute them between Fourth Prince and the Crown Princess when Zhao Hao suddenly rushed over, forcibly snatched six pills from his hands, turned and hurried to Fengxian’s sickbed, bending down to stuff all six pills into Fengxian’s mouth.

Guo Siqi stared dumbfounded as Zhao Hao helped Fengxian up and personally fed her water to swallow the pills, then stammered: “Your Highness, only one pill remains – I fear Fourth Prince’s dosage won’t be sufficient…”

“Give him however much is left,” Zhao Hao said coldly.

Guo Siqi understood that hearing Zhao Jiao needed three pills, Zhao Hao calculated that Fengxian needed at least double the dose to be effective. Seeing insufficient antidotes, he acted first to save his wife’s life, unable to care about his brother. Since it was already done, Guo Siqi was helpless and could only mix the remaining pill with water for Zhao Jiao to drink. After a moment, Zhao Jiao remained unconscious with faint breathing, while Fengxian opened her eyes and breathed slowly.

Zhao Hao was overjoyed, repeatedly calling to her. Fengxian nodded and looked around. At this point Zhenzhen stepped forward, asking softly: “Sister Fengxian, who gave you these pearl ornaments?”

Fengxian appeared quite bewildered, taking a moment to answer: “It was Liu Jieyu… the pearl ornaments… Liu Jieyu gave them to me…”

Zhenzhen showed no surprise, turning to Zhang Zhibei: “Please inform His Majesty that Liu Jieyu is suspected of poisoning. I hope His Majesty will dispatch Palace Guard Bureau forces to quickly seal Furong Pavilion.”

Soon after, Furong Pavilion was surrounded by guards. When Zhenzhen and Zhang Zhibei entered, several eunuchs had already searched inside and reported finding no trace of Liu Jieyu. Zhenzhen asked: “What about Grandmother Yu?”

“I’m here,” Lady Yu emerged from the rear courtyard with a dark expression, carrying the scent of smoke and fire. Seeing Zhenzhen’s face and attire clearly, she first froze, then a cold smile crept across her lips.

Zhenzhen asked where Liu Jieyu was, but Lady Yu claimed ignorance. Zhenzhen asked if she had more antidotes to save Fourth Prince; Lady Yu said no and claimed not to know the formula. Zhenzhen then asked: “Then where did Liu Jieyu’s antidotes come from?”

Lady Yu replied: “Lingnan has many snakes and insects. We came from there – what’s strange about carrying some snake antidotes?”

“We only told you Fourth Prince was poisoned, but didn’t say what kind of poison, did we?” Zhenzhen smiled. “How do you know it was snake venom?”

Lady Yu was speechless, snorted coldly, and turned her head away.

Zhang Zhibei ordered the eunuchs to continue searching the pavilion’s contents for evidence related to the poisoning. Shortly after, the eunuchs reported finding no obvious evidence. Zhenzhen glanced at the expressionless Lady Yu and ordered: “Search under the bed in Lady Yu’s room.”

Lady Yu’s face immediately changed, looking back at Zhenzhen with both anger and fear.

Lady Yu’s room carried the smell of firewood smoke. The eunuchs moved her bed, discovering obvious gaps between several floorboards below. Lifting the boards revealed a square iron cover underneath. Opening this cover, thick smoke billowed out. After the smoke cleared, stone steps leading downward were revealed.

The steps led to a small secret chamber about one zhang square, containing a small altar table with incense implements and an eternal lamp, with a small brazier in front holding two wooden tablets still burning, shaped like ancestral spirit tablets.

The eunuchs extinguished the fire and retrieved the unburned tablets for Zhang Zhibei and Zhenzhen to examine. One had burned to charcoal with barely legible characters, while the other, probably burned last, hadn’t been destroyed since Lady Yu had sealed the exit when leaving, cutting off airflow and slowing the fire. Its characters were still clear, reading “Spirit Tablet of Late Husband Master Qi, Named Xi.”

Zhenzhen threw the tablet at Lady Yu’s feet. Lady Yu immediately picked it up and held it to her chest, looking up at Zhenzhen with hatred, eyes seeming to shoot flames.

“You’re Qi Xi’s concubine, aren’t you? The burned tablet was probably Qi Xin’s?” Zhenzhen stated directly. “When Prince Zhuangwen and I witnessed you and Liu Jieyu worshipping Qi Xi under the moon, the Prince ordered investigation of this matter. Fearing exposure, you mixed snake venom into pearl ornament glue, using others to pass it through several hands before ultimately killing Prince Zhuangwen.”

Lady Yu cackled: “Why don’t you say how Prince Zhuangwen finally ingested it? Can you really stay out of it? These three years, hasn’t that night become your inescapable nightmare? Slut, you’re Zhang Yunqiao’s daughter – this is your retribution!”

Zhenzhen looked around: “Slap her.” A eunuch immediately stepped forward to slap Lady Yu’s face.

The eunuch used both hands rapidly, quickly swelling Lady Yu’s entire face. As she continued cursing, the eunuch simply made fists and struck, immediately knocking out two of her front teeth.

Zhenzhen wasn’t angered, calmly telling her: “If we speak of retribution, Fourth Prince is truly yours. The pearl ornaments you used to poison Prince Zhuangwen have come full circle into his mouth, making this innocent child bear the consequences of your heinous crimes. Speaking of which, he should be your grandson? Now his life hangs by a thread – do you have the heart to ignore him and not provide antidotes?”

“What antidotes do I have? Didn’t my lady give you all the antidotes? Why ask me again?” Lady Yu said angrily. “If it’s still not enough, go ask Cheng Yuan. All the snake venoms and antidotes are his – if you have the ability, go ask him… if you can convince the Empress Dowager to step aside, that is,” she added with another cold smile.

Zhenzhen went to Cifu Palace and, as the new Director of Palace Administration, performed grand obeisance to meet the Empress Dowager, then requested to see Cheng Yuan.

The Empress Dowager had already heard rumors about the Eastern Palace incident and flatly refused: “The Director of Palace Administration can only manage female officials and palace ladies. Cheng Yuan is a eunuch supervising Cifu Palace – it’s not the Director’s place to manage him. If you want to see him, send someone to request a meeting two days in advance. Whether he agrees is his decision.”

Zhenzhen replied: “I naturally cannot oversee eunuchs, but I’m commanded by His Majesty to investigate the disappearance of the late emperor’s palace woman Ju An. Cheng Yuan is implicated, so I boldly request he appear to answer questions. I hope the Empress Dowager will understand.”

“Ju An?” The Empress Dowager’s expression changed.

“Yes, also known as Lady Ju,” Zhenzhen said. “Evidence and witnesses show Cheng Yuan imprisoned Lady Ju in Shi’an Garden and even… married her.”

The Empress Dowager fell silent, then sneered: “Ju An was a Northern Palace woman. While I’m still alive, if anyone should manage her, it’s me. Who gave you authority to reach into the Northern Palace and interfere with my palace women’s affairs?”

“The one who gave me authority is the current sovereign,” Zhenzhen replied calmly. “The Director of Palace Administration can manage palace women of both Southern and Northern Palaces – surely the Empress Dowager knows this? Or do you wish to modify palace regulations to exempt Northern Palace women from the Director’s authority?”

The Empress Dowager didn’t answer immediately, but her chest heaved obviously, anger barely contained.

“The Empress Dowager couldn’t modify palace regulations even if she wished,” Zhenzhen continued calmly. “After all, everyone knows the realm’s authority rests in the Emperor’s hands, not the Empress Dowager’s.”

The Empress Dowager was utterly shocked, pointing at Zhenzhen, too angry for coherent speech: “You, you, how dare you…”

“His Majesty has always been filial to the Empress Dowager, so previously didn’t establish the Director of Palace Administration position. Today appointing me as Director – the Empress Dowager, in her wisdom, surely understands his meaning,” Zhenzhen spoke frankly with the Empress Dowager. “Last time when Prince Zhuangwen was poisoned with mushrooms, the poisoner was a eunuch. No eunuchs were missing from the Southern Palace, so the Northern Palace eunuchs should have been investigated, but the Empress Dowager firmly refused inquiry, forcibly covering up the matter. This caused an uproar inside and outside the court – surely the Empress Dowager knows? His Majesty respected the Empress Dowager and had to abandon pursuit, but inevitably harbored resentment. If such incidents recur, His Majesty may not continue tolerating them, and the consequences would be unpredictable.”

The Empress Dowager glared at Zhenzhen but couldn’t find suitable words to refute. Zhenzhen continued persuading: “Actually His Majesty understands that the Empress Dowager gets along well with him now – mother loving, son filial. The Empress Dowager has no need to consider treason. However, forgive my directness, but everyone knows the Empress Dowager once supported other royal family members. If Cifu Palace people commit grave errors, others would assume the Empress Dowager couldn’t escape involvement – this is why the Empress Dowager resolutely prevents investigation of Cifu Palace wrongdoing. But now Cheng Yuan’s crimes are extraordinary, involving Prince Zhuangwen’s case and this poisoning of the imperial prince and Crown Princess. With considerable evidence and witnesses, His Majesty cannot tolerate further delay and will investigate thoroughly. The Empress Dowager, being so wise, naturally knows what should be done now – stop protecting someone suspected of treason and distance yourself first.”

The Empress Dowager’s eyelids lowered slightly, her gaze no longer as aggressive as before, anger mostly subdued, apparently considering Zhenzhen’s words.

Knowing her resolve was weakening, Zhenzhen added: “The Empress Dowager has cultivated herself these years, and His Majesty remembers your loving care for him and the princes. Whatever Cheng Yuan has done, His Majesty won’t think it was by your orders and is willing to preserve your reputation. Rather than arresting him on treason charges, he commands me to approach this through investigating Ju An’s case. Privately concealing and imprisoning the late emperor’s palace woman – this alone merits severe punishment, and what’s made public will likely be this charge rather than complex treason that would invite suspicion about the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager pondered deeply, pacing slowly in the hall, long remaining uncommitted. Zhenzhen thought further and said: “Cheng Yuan has served the Empress Dowager for years, so you probably can’t bear to abandon protecting him. However, though Cheng Yuan appears loyal, he may not be as obedient as he seems. Speaking of which, he’s already betrayed the Empress Dowager at least twice.”

“Twice?” the Empress Dowager repeated with furrowed brow.

“Yes. Concealing Lady Ju behind your back was once…” Zhenzhen said, removing the silver sachet she carried, opening it to reveal the qionghua seed and bringing it before the Empress Dowager. “Accepting Liu Jieyu’s qionghua bribe and subsequently colluding with her in treason was the second time. A servant who pretends obedience to his master while secretly pursuing personal gain regardless of the master’s preferences – what use is keeping such a household slave?”

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, pondering briefly before finally deciding: “Before you came, Cheng Yuan had already left Cifu Palace for Shi’an Garden.”

Zhenzhen bowed deeply, thanking the Empress Dowager. About to take leave, she suddenly stopped and turned to ask: “I have one more question – I hope the Empress Dowager will clarify.”

The Empress Dowager said expressionlessly: “Speak.”

Zhenzhen asked: “Did the Empress Dowager ever issue orders commanding anyone to assassinate Lady Ju?”

The Empress Dowager laughed coldly: “That’s a rumor that’s circulated in the palace for years. I did detest Ju An – that slut thought she commanded all favor and showed me much defiance back then. However, when she left the palace, I killed her restless heart with just a few words. After that, she was merely a body drifting in this turbid world – whether she lived or died, what did it matter?”

Zhenzhen listened silently, then confirmed: “So the assassination claims were only rumors – the Empress Dowager never issued such orders?”

The Empress Dowager said coldly: “There was no need.”

Zhenzhen left Cifu Palace, requesting the Palace Guard Bureau chief escort Lady Yu from the Southern Palace to Shi’an Garden for confrontation with Cheng Yuan, while she and Zhang Zhibei went to Shi’an Garden first.

That day Grandmother Song couldn’t enter the palace but worried about Zhenzhen’s safety, so she waited outside Hening Gate for news. Since Zhenzhen traveled in a palace carriage, Grandmother Song didn’t realize the person in the Director’s ceremonial procession was Zhenzhen, watching indifferently as the palace carriage passed by. But when guards escorted Lady Yu out and loaded her into a prison cart at the palace gate, Grandmother Song suddenly became agitated, chasing the cart for a closer look, finally unable to restrain herself from calling to the person inside: “Chunrong!”

Hearing this, Lady Yu turned her head, recognized her, smiled grimly without speaking, then turned forward again, letting the prison cart carry her toward an unknown fate.

Grandmother Song desperately ran after the prison cart, shouting as she ran: “Chunrong, where is my granddaughter? Where is my Taozheng? Where did you take her?”

Lady Yu still didn’t answer. Running until completely exhausted, Grandmother Song finally collapsed to her knees in the dust raised by the prison cart, crying out loud and beating the wheel tracks with her hands: “Taozheng, my Taozheng…”