MCSCPM -Chapter 90 Uncovering the Truth

“Please inform the eunuchs: Prince Chen has urgent business and wishes to see His Majesty.”

Nangong Chen had now tried for the fifth time to gain an audience with Emperor Nangong Lin in his study, but, just like the previous attempts, he achieved nothing.

“Second Prince, heed my advice. You know His Majesty’s temper. He’s still angry. Even if he sees you, it won’t end well.”

The senior eunuch spoke earnestly to the stubborn Nangong Chen. “Second Prince, the sun is high—don’t let yourself get sunstroke. If this concerns the Third Princess, it’s simply not worth it. Moreover, Consort De is already heartbroken. You should go back and comfort her.”

Nangong Chen’s eyes darkened, his handsome face shadowed with sorrow. After a long pause, he lifted his gaze and forced a smile. “Then please inform His Majesty that Prince Chen has come to pay respects.”

The eunuch hurriedly nodded. Watching the prince’s dejected and weary figure, he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Eunuch, is His Majesty inside?”

The eunuch, still feeling sympathy for the prince, was startled by a voice. Looking carefully, he saw it was Mistress Lai from the Empress’s palace.

“Mistress Lai, what brings you here? Is there a matter for the Emperor?”

The eunuch’s face creased into a smile as he bowed slightly to the elegantly dressed lady before him.

It was indeed Mistress Lai.

She smiled with dignified elegance, observing all proper etiquette, and slowly made a bow. “Eunuch, please inform His Majesty. I have been sent by Her Majesty the Empress with urgent news.”

“Please wait here.” The eunuch led her to a shaded spot, then entered to report.

Inside, Emperor Nangong Lin reclined in his chair, reading a book on metaphysics, his thick brows furrowed as if pondering some profound truth.

“Your Majesty.”

The eunuch called softly; the Emperor didn’t respond. He called again.

The Emperor murmured, “Hmm?” without looking up. “What is it? Prince Chen still refuses to leave?”

The eunuch bowed low, sighing internally. “No, Your Majesty. Mistress Lai from Weiyang Palace is here, sent by the Empress with urgent news.”

Nangong Lin set the book down, rubbing his tightly furrowed brows. His voice was low and weary: “Let her in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The eunuch obeyed. Soon, Mistress Lai entered.

Even before the ninefold supreme Emperor, Mistress Lai remained composed, bowing slowly. “Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

“Rise.” Nangong Lin looked at the lady who was always at the Empress’s side. He knew her abilities well. “What matter does the Empress send you for?”

“Your Majesty, I have discovered who poisoned the Empress.”

“Oh?” The Emperor’s eyes sharpened, clearly focused. “Who?”

Mistress Lai’s voice was crisp as she spat out three words: “Consort Sun.”

The Emperor’s eyes instantly turned icy. “How dare you!”

Mistress Lai raised her aged eyes to the Emperor, calm and unyielding. “I have proof. If Your Majesty doubts me, a simple investigation will confirm it.”

Meanwhile, Consort Sun carefully adjusted her makeup in front of a bronze mirror. Her eyebrows were drawn in the style of distant mountains—His Majesty’s favorite. She adorned her forehead with flower gold, applied the most expensive rouge in the capital, and finished with alluring red lips. Her attendants styled her hair in the latest fashion. She stared at her reflection for some time, then asked, “Ling’er, do you think I look beautiful like this? How do I compare to the younger consorts recently entered into the palace?”

Ling’er, ever tactful, replied, “Your Highness, those new girls can’t compare to your heavenly beauty.”

Consort Sun smiled, pleased. “And compared to Consort De and the Empress?”

Without blinking, Ling’er answered, “The Empress and Consort De are aging; they cannot compare to Your Highness’s favor with His Majesty.”

“Good, Ling’er, you always know how to please me.” Consort Sun chuckled, just about to speak privately to Ling’er, when she heard someone entering.

A young maid hurriedly reported, “Your Highness, Li Gonggong and Mistress Lai from Weiyang Palace have arrived. I couldn’t stop them.”

Consort Sun’s face darkened. How daring! To directly barge into her palace—especially someone as capable as Mistress Lai. Why here today?

Though puzzled, Consort Sun maintained the poise of a favored consort. “How dare you intrude into my palace!”

Mistress Lai stepped forward, sneering, “We were sent with His Majesty’s permission. If you have anything to say, address it to the Emperor.”

Consort Sun, startled and confused, struggled to remain composed. She asked the familiar Li Gonggong, “What’s happening?”

Li Gonggong bowed. “Your Highness, we mean no offense. We act under orders. Please forgive our intrusion.”

He signaled the eunuchs behind him. They advanced and surrounded the highly favored Consort Sun. “Your Highness, please come with us.”

Ling’er froze, terrified. Only after they left did she think to find the Second Princess.

Meanwhile, Nangong Mei’er was reading a book on medicine, seeking a secret formula for her mother to conceive. She was startled by a panicked palace maid bursting in.

“Ling’er, why are you so flustered?” Nangong Mei’er asked, frowning, closing her book. She disliked interruptions, and the maid’s intrusion was highly improper.

“Second Princess! Something terrible has happened! The Emperor and the Empress’s attendants have taken Her Majesty away!” Ling’er cried, almost in tears.

Consort Sun had always treated her well. Now, if harm came to her mistress, even Ling’er couldn’t escape. Her panic was understandable.

“Don’t speak nonsense!” Nangong Mei’er frowned, skeptical. “Father loves Mother. Why would he suddenly take her away? Could it be a misunderstanding?”

Ling’er, desperate, grabbed Nangong Mei’er and urged her to follow. “Second Princess, please come. I heard from a trusted eunuch—the Empress discovered the poison points to Consort Sun!”

“What? Mother would never do such a thing!” Nangong Mei’er’s heart leapt, yet she steadied herself and followed Ling’er.

Imperial Study

“You tell me! Did you do this?”

Nangong Lin’s face was dark as he loomed over Consort Sun.

“You think I would do such a thing? Didn’t Your Majesty always say you trust me?” Consort Sun’s voice trembled with sorrow; tears filled her eyes. His disbelief wounded her deeply.

“When did I ever say I didn’t trust you?” Nangong Lin asked, seeing her pain. “But all the evidence points to you. How am I to believe otherwise?”

“In the end, Your Majesty doesn’t trust me,” Consort Sun said bitterly, letting tears fall, yet keeping her gaze on the man she loved deeply, intending to grow old with. “Why would I poison the Empress? Whatever she has, I have. Whatever she lacks, I also have.”

Nangong Lin considered this. He had given her the highest status beneath the Empress, showered her with favor, and allowed her family’s power to grow. Even the new consorts could not surpass her. Why would she be dissatisfied?

Sensing the Emperor waver, Mistress Lai stepped forward, venomously saying, “Does Consort Sun not covet the Empress’s position? If I may speak bluntly—should the Empress suffer, it is likely Consort Sun who would rise above her.”

Consort Sun’s eyes widened. Mistress Lai’s words could ruin her utterly. She trembled with anger and fear.

“Your Majesty, don’t listen to this vile servant. I never harbored such thoughts!” Consort Sun pleaded.

“Oh? Will you swear an oath?” Mistress Lai pressed. She seemed eager to see Consort Sun destroyed.

“I… I…” Consort Sun staggered back, terrified, but lacked the courage to swear. Oaths were sacred; one could not take them lightly.

“Hmph!” Nangong Lin, frustrated, threw a string of jade beads to the ground and shouted, “Back to your palace! Do not leave unless summoned!”

Consort Sun was shaken, then broke into loud, bitter weeping, yet the Emperor showed no sympathy.

“Second Princess, you cannot enter! Second Princess! You’ll get yourself killed!”

The eunuch’s anxious voice followed as a small figure dashed in.

“What are you doing here!” Nangong Lin roared. Seeing his daughter ignore imperial orders, his anger intensified.

“My father, I’ve come to prove it! Mother would never poison the Empress!”

Nangong Mei’er knelt on the cold stone floor of the study. The eunuch winced—such a harsh kneel must have been painful.

“All evidence points to her! How am I to believe you?” Nangong Lin growled.

Nangong Mei’er, unable to argue—never one for disputes—kept bowing. “Father, please trust Mother! Please trust Mother!”

Consort Sun silently wept, shaking her head, saying nothing.

Nangong Lin, watching his daughter’s bruised forehead, grew even more vexed. “All of you, leave! I will uncover the truth myself!”

Consort Sun, desperate, helped the weeping Nangong Mei’er up. “Mei’er, come. There’s nothing more we can do.”

“No! There must be a way! I will go to the Empress!” Nangong Mei’er, fueled by determination, broke free from Consort Sun and ran toward Weiyang Palace.

“Mei’er! Come back! Mother cannot lose face!” Consort Sun cried, tears streaming.