wear it lord god

Yuanbao not only tackled Yiheng to the ground, but also rolled around on the magnificent palace dress. His face was pressed against it, occasionally licking it, and he rolled over, rubbing his belly against her back…

Xi Ning understood immediately: "Imperial Physician, go and check it out."

Cui Zhaorong's palace maid went over and picked Yuanbao up. Yuanbao looked very unwilling, as if he were looking at a big, fat, fresh fish and was reluctant to part with it.

The imperial physician picked up the clothes, sniffed them, and quickly came to a conclusion: the clothes had a unique fragrance, a faint herbal scent, but he didn't know what it was and said he would have to go back and investigate.

At that time, catnip was probably not yet widely available, which is why the imperial physician was unaware of it.

To save time and get this done as soon as possible, I need to go back and read some storybooks and have some snacks.

So he began, “I remember a book that records miscellaneous items. In the Western Regions, there is a kind of herb called catnip, also known as catnip. Its smell is similar to that of mugwort, but with a touch of coolness. Cats love the smell and are intoxicated by it.”

He then smiled at Liu Cheng and said, "It seems someone deliberately used this herb juice to attract cats and frighten Consort Qian. Even the well-informed imperial physicians don't know about this herb, so it's definitely not sold anywhere else. First, check who handled Consort Qian's clothes and what unusual things have happened these past few days. Or we can hand this matter over to the Court of Justice for investigation."

Liu Cheng thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly. This emperor has become increasingly shrewd and calculating in recent years, and is increasingly behaving like an emperor.

Let the Court of Justice investigate. It's a bit of a waste of talent, but the Court of Justice, which is similar to the Criminal Investigation Bureau, can handle this kind of thing with ease.

As for how to punish or sentence them after the investigation, everything will be handled according to the law. I don't want to get involved; I have other things to do.

I've just reached a crucial point in that storybook, "The Handsome Scholar and the Charming Widow." There's also an unofficial history about a tyrannical emperor and his doting concubines from a previous dynasty that I'm still waiting to read.

"As for the gold ingots," Xi Ning said with a smile, waving her hand. The palace maid, quick-witted as ever, immediately brought them over.

A chubby orange cat stood before her, a golden bell dangling from its neck—it was incredibly cute. She reached out and stroked it; it felt wonderful. "Even without Yuanbao, there are other cats. Yuanbao just happened to smell it; what's wrong with that?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is wise." Cleared of suspicion, Cui Zhaorong was naturally happy.

Even though she was a bit arrogant because of her father's and the emperor's favor, she didn't want to take the blame.

Empress Xi Ning then issued an order: "All those who serve Consort Qian shall be confined to their quarters and await questioning by the Court of Justice."

She stood up and bowed to Liu Cheng: "Then I shall take my leave. Consort Qian was frightened today, and no amount of imperial physicians can soothe her as Your Majesty can. I will trouble Your Majesty!"

Liu Cheng nodded again: "You are virtuous and generous, and you are reliable in your work. I will come to see you after this matter is over."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xining had gotten praise, which allowed her to keep Liu Cheng around and also made Consort Qian remember her kindness. She quickly took the opportunity to leave, leaving Liu Cheng to watch over things here.

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty the Empress!" Cui Zhaorong knelt in farewell, seemingly unwilling to leave and intending to linger there.

Whatever, there's nothing for me to do here anyway. This phoenix crown is so heavy, it's making my neck ache. I wish I could go back and take it off right away.

Back at Changqiu Palace, I took off my gear, heated water with a towel, and wiped myself down.

He put on casual clothes, took a sip of rock sugar and white fungus stewed with a few goji berries, leaned back on the soft couch, and picked up a storybook.

This feels so good! This is true enjoyment, this is life!

A short while later, Cui Zhaorong arrived.

Haha, is it because the emperor doesn't want her to stay? He needs to comfort his pregnant concubine, what are you doing there? It's normal for him to ask her to leave.

Xining was too lazy to get dressed again and invited the people in.

Cui Zhaorong was slightly surprised to see her like this. Just as he was about to kneel down to pay his respects, the Empress stopped him.

“There’s no need for so much formality between sisters.” Xi Ning instructed someone to bring seats and tea. She said gently, “I’m sorry you had to go through this today. Consort Qian is just worried about the imperial heir in her womb. Please don’t mind.”

Cui Zhaorong was deeply moved: "Your Majesty, I dare not." She then instructed the accompanying palace maid to bring Yuanbao to the front: "It seems that Her Majesty the Empress likes Yuanbao very much. It is Yuanbao's good fortune to be favored by Her Majesty the Empress. If Yuanbao is by Her Majesty the Empress's side, it is Yuanbao's good fortune and also my good fortune."

Xi Ning laughed heartily: "How could I possibly take away someone else's beloved? Look at how well Yuanbao is being taken care of."

It's good that you don't want it; it would be so hard to bear to let it come down. Cui Zhaorong breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Yuanbao has four kittens in the same litter. Then I will send someone to find them. Or let Yuanbao have a litter, and Your Majesty can choose one. Raising it from a young age will make you closer to it."

Xi Ning shook her head: "I'm already so busy that I don't have time to take care of cats and dogs. If I keep them, I'll just have to keep them. If I don't keep them, it'll save me a lot of trouble."

This is troublesome; if the investigation isn't thorough, Cui Zhaorong will be the scapegoat.

After chatting for a few more minutes, before Cui Zhaorong left, Xi Ning asked someone to catch two fish from the pond to give to Yuanbao.

The Court of Justice was no pushover; in less than half a day, they had investigated the matter thoroughly.

It is said that Consort Xiao was jealous and resentful, so she had someone bring her a potion that could drive cats mad and smeared it on Consort Qian's clothes.

The emperor was furious and punished Consort Xiao by confining her to her quarters for six months and halving her monthly allowance. He also reprimanded her father, the Left Vice Minister of War, for self-reflection.

Minister Xiao was just about to be promoted, and he originally thought that the position of Minister of War was a sure thing, but this happened unexpectedly.

Looking at the signed testimonies, with both witnesses and physical evidence, all they could do was kowtow and beg for mercy.

Upon hearing this, Xining thought for a moment, then got up and wrote a letter.

Tell the master's mother about this, and let her tell the Duke of Zhenguo.

This Lady Zhenguo should understand what she means.

Of all the Duke Zhenguo, only his mother still had any sense; the Duke Zhenguo's mind was already filled with loyalty to the emperor and the country.

It's possible that Consort Xiao did this, or it's not.

In any case, the emperor got the result he wanted: he gave the Xiao family a warning and ruined Xiao Shilang's promotion. He also suppressed Consort Xiao, so she can at least have some peace and quiet for the next six months.

Liu Cheng also wanted more offspring. Several of the new women came from powerful clans in various regions. If they could conceive, they might form a new force in the court, balancing and restraining the old forces.

The art of balancing is what monarchs love to play most.

Only the original owner of the body would be foolish enough to get involved in this mess, doing a thankless and arduous task.

After writing the letter, he sent it to her. He also sent someone to deliver tonics and four bamboo walking sticks to Consort Qian.

Qiu Shi lowered his head slightly, a standard ingratiating expression on his lips, and said respectfully, "Her Majesty the Empress said that Consort Qian was also at fault for being frightened this time. It seems that she did not consider things enough."

That's still not enough. In every palace and hall with a fishpond, the soil has been almost completely filled in. On the way to the lotus pond in the garden, the stone slabs have been carved with grooves, so even on rainy days, there's no way to slip.

The purpose of these four bamboo canes was soon discovered...

"Your Majesty, please be careful and slow down."

Supported by others, Qian Jieyu walked slowly, her increasingly large belly protruding.

Moreover, there were two palace maids in front and two behind, and the four of them each carried a bamboo cane, occasionally tapping the grass nearby to see if there were any living creatures.

This is a new palace rule established by the Empress: everyone must carry a bamboo cane, and upon seeing any animal—snake, rat, cat, dog, pig, sheep, cow, or horse—if it approaches, they must be driven away with the cane. If it still doesn't leave, regardless of which palace it belongs to, it can be killed first and reported later to ensure the safety of the imperial heirs.

Even though he looked like a beggar, except for the broken bowl he was carrying, he dared not disobey the Empress's orders. (End of Chapter)